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Investigating Long-term Synaptic Plasticity in Interlamellar Hippocampus CA1 by Electrophysiological Field Recording
Published on: August 11, 2019
Aberrant plasticity in the hippocampus after neonatal seizures
Xiaoqian Zhang1, Huiling Qu2, Ying Wang3
1a Department of Neurology , The First Hospital of China Medical University , Shenyang , Liaoning , PR China.
Insights
Neonatal seizures impact hippocampal neurogenesis differently than adult seizures, affecting cell proliferation and neuronal migration. These age-dependent effects highlight distinct developmental consequences for the infant brain.
Area of Science:
- Neuroscience
- Developmental Biology
- Epileptology
Background:
- Neonatal seizures are common neurological disorders in newborns.
- Seizures in newborns increase the risk of developing epilepsy and other long-term health issues.
- Understanding the impact on brain development is crucial for managing neonatal seizures.
Purpose of the Study:
- To review and summarize the distinct effects of neonatal seizures on hippocampal neurogenesis compared to adult seizures.
- To elucidate age-dependent changes in neuronal plasticity following seizures.
Main Methods:
- Searched major biomedical databases (PubMed, Medline, Cochrane Library).
- Focused on studies investigating aberrant hippocampal plasticity after neonatal seizures.
- Systematic review of existing literature.
Main Results:
- Neonatal seizures alter dentate granule cell proliferation: reduced acutely, enhanced chronically.
- Reduced ectopic migration of newborn neurons observed after neonatal seizures.
- Gamma-aminobutyric acid receptor activity shifts from inhibitory to excitatory in recurrent neonatal seizures.
- Mossy fiber sprouting and basal dendrite sprouting occur, similar to adult seizures.
Conclusions:
- Seizure effects on hippocampal neurogenesis are significantly age-dependent.
- Neonatal seizures induce unique neuroplastic changes distinct from adult seizures.
- Age-specific responses in the hippocampus underscore the vulnerability of the developing brain.
Abstract:
Purpose/aim of the study: Neonatal seizures are the most frequent type of neurological disorder, and those newborn babies that experience seizures carry an increased risk of epileptogenesis and other long-term morbidities. The aims of this review were to summarize the different effects on hippocampal neurogenesis between neonatal seizures and adult seizures.
Materials And Methods:
Pubmed, Medline and Cochrane Library were searched for articles that examined the aberrant plasticity in the hippocampus after neonatal seizures.
Results:
Different from the adult animals, the proliferation of newly formed dentate granule cells is reduced in the acute phase and enhanced in the chronic phase after neonatal seizures. Neonatal seizures cause less ectopic migration of newborn neurons. Recurrent neonatal seizures also switch the effect of gamma-aminobutyric acid receptor activation from inhibition to excitation, which may contribute to increased seizure susceptibility. Similar to adult seizures, mossy fiber sprouting and sprouting of basal dendrites had been seen after neonatal seizures.
Conclusions:
The effects of seizures on neurogenesis in the hippocampus are age-dependent.
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