A Brain-Heart Biomarker for Epileptogenesis

Area of Science:

• Neuroscience
• Cardiology
• Biomarker Discovery

Background:

• Postinjury epilepsy is a significant, potentially preventable condition following brain insults.
• Current biomarkers for predicting and tracking epileptogenesis in acquired epilepsies are lacking.
• Identifying high-risk individuals is crucial for developing effective anti-epileptogenic interventions.

Purpose of the Study:

• To investigate delayed brain-heart coincidences as a reliable biomarker for epileptogenesis.
• To track brain-heart interactions during the development of epilepsy in a murine model.
• To assess the potential of this biomarker for phenotyping, diagnosis, and therapy.

Main Methods:

• Simultaneous long-term electroencephalography (EEG) and electrocardiography (ECG) in a murine model of post-infection epilepsy.
• Quantitative analysis of brain-heart interactions, focusing on beat-to-beat cardiac intervals.
• Monitoring brain activity for abnormal cortical discharges and cardiac activity for rhythm fluctuations.

Main Results:

• Abnormal cortical discharges preceded abnormal cardiac rhythm fluctuations.
• Delayed brain-heart coincidences were detectable 2-14 weeks before the first seizure, only in animals that developed epilepsy.
• The strength of the delayed brain-heart coincidence increased during epileptogenesis.

Conclusions:

• Delayed brain-heart coincidence serves as a predictive and tracking biomarker for epileptogenesis.
• This finding enables early identification of epilepsy risk and facilitates targeted interventions.
• The biomarker is valuable for phenotyping, diagnostics, and monitoring treatment efficacy in acquired epilepsies.