Related Experiment Video

Updated: Jan 21, 2026

A Semi-Quantitative Drug Affinity Responsive Target Stability DARTS assay for studying Rapamycin/mTOR interaction
05:28

A Semi-Quantitative Drug Affinity Responsive Target Stability DARTS assay for studying Rapamycin/mTOR interaction

Published on: August 27, 2019

17.6K

Spontaneous Recurrent Seizures Mediated Cardiac Dysfunction via mTOR Pathway Upregulation: A Putative Target for

Supriya Sharma1,2, Arindam G Mazumder1,2, Anil K Rana1,2

  • 1Pharmacology and Toxicology Laboratory, CSIR-Institute of Himalayan Bioresource Technology, Palampur-176061, Himachal Pradesh, India.

CNS & Neurological Disorders Drug Targets
|August 2, 2019
PubMed
Abstract

Insights

Sudden Unexpected Death in Epilepsy (SUDEP) involves cardiac dysfunction. This study found that mTOR pathway upregulation in epilepsy leads to heart problems, suggesting it as a target for SUDEP prevention.

Area of Science:

  • Neuroscience
  • Cardiology
  • Molecular Biology

Background:

  • Sudden Unexpected Death in Epilepsy (SUDEP) is a serious complication of epilepsy.
  • SUDEP is characterized by electrophysiological alterations leading to cardiac dysfunction and sudden death.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To investigate molecular and cardiac changes during epileptogenesis in a rat model.
  • To understand the mechanisms underlying cardiac dysfunction in epilepsy.

Main Methods:

  • Lithium-pilocarpine (Li-pilo) induced epilepsy in rats, creating Spontaneous Recurrent Seizures (SRS).
  • Cardiac function was assessed via blood pressure and ECG at different SRS phases (latent, initial, late).
  • Serum biochemistry, cardiac histology, and protein/mRNA expression (including mTOR pathway markers) were analyzed.

Main Results:

  • Epileptic rats showed altered blood pressure, cardiac hypertrophy, degeneration, and fibrosis.
  • Elevated serum markers (LDH, CK-MB) and increased cardiac expression of HIF-1α, mTOR, TGF-β, and ion channels were observed.
  • Upregulation of the mTOR pathway was a key finding in the cardiac tissue of epileptic animals.

Conclusions:

  • Epilepsy-induced Spontaneous Recurrent Seizures (SRS) cause cardiac dysfunction.
  • The mTOR pathway plays a crucial role in this cardiac dysfunction.
  • Targeting the mTOR pathway may offer a strategy for managing SUDEP.
Keywords:
CardiomyopathyHIF-1αNa+/K+- ATPase α1fibrosishypoxiaribosomal S6.

More Related Videos

Multi-system Monitoring for Identification of Seizures, Arrhythmias and Apnea in Conscious Restrained Rabbits10:25

Multi-system Monitoring for Identification of Seizures, Arrhythmias and Apnea in Conscious Restrained Rabbits

Published on: March 27, 2021

6.6K
Analysis of Cardiac Contractile Dysfunction and Ca2+ Transients in Rodent Myocytes07:32

Analysis of Cardiac Contractile Dysfunction and Ca2+ Transients in Rodent Myocytes

Published on: May 25, 2022

1.8K

Related Concept Videos

PI3K/mTOR/AKT Signaling Pathway01:22

PI3K/mTOR/AKT Signaling Pathway

The mammalian target of rapamycin  (mTOR) is a serine/threonine kinase that regulates growth, proliferation, and cell survival in response to hormones, growth factors, or nutrient availability. This kinase exists in two structurally and functionally distinct forms: mTOR complex 1  (mTORC1) and mTOR complex 2  (mTORC2). The first form (mTORC1) is composed of a rapamycin-sensitive Raptor and proline-rich Akt substrate, PRAS40. In contrast,  mTORC2 consists of a...
5.4K
Spontaneity02:21

Spontaneity

A spontaneous process is one that occurs naturally under certain conditions. A nonspontaneous process, on the other hand, will not take place unless it is “driven” by the continual input of energy from an external source. Processes have a natural tendency to occur in one direction under a given set of conditions. Water will naturally flow downhill (spontaneous process), but uphill flow (nonspontaneous process) requires outside intervention such as the use of a pump. Iron exposed to...
28.8K
Cardiac Catheterization IV: Nursing Management01:26

Cardiac Catheterization IV: Nursing Management

Nursing responsibilities before cardiac catheterization include:Assess for allergies and establish baseline health status.Before cardiac catheterization, assess the patient for allergies to contrast dye. Perform a comprehensive baseline assessment, including vital signs, heart and breath sounds, and a neurovascular assessment of the extremities, noting distal pulses, skin color, and temperature. Instruct the patient to fast for 8-12 hours before the procedure. Evaluate baseline laboratory...
676
mTOR Signaling and Cancer Progression03:03

mTOR Signaling and Cancer Progression

The mammalian target of rapamycin or mTOR protein was discovered in 1994 due to its direct interaction with rapamycin. The protein gets its name from a yeast homolog called TOR. The mTOR protein complex in mammalian cells plays a major role in balancing anabolic processes such as the synthesis of proteins, lipids, and nucleotides and catabolic processes, such as autophagy in response to environmental cues, such as availability of nutrients and growth factors.
The mTOR pathway or the...
4.7K
Seizures: Classification01:13

Seizures: Classification

Epilepsy is primarily characterized by unpredictable seizures, either provoked by an identifiable factor, such as injury or illness, or unprovoked, occurring spontaneously without apparent cause.
Seizures are typically classified into two main categories: focal and generalized seizures.
Focal Seizures
Focal seizures originate from specific regions of the brain. These seizures are further sub-classified into two types:
1.4K
C4 Pathway and CAM01:27

C4 Pathway and CAM

Most plants use the C3 pathway for carbon fixation. However, some plants, such as sugar cane, corn, and cacti that grow in hot conditions, use alternative pathways to fix carbon and conserve energy loss due to photorespiration. Photorespiration is the process that occurs when the oxygen concentration is high. Under such conditions, the rubisco enzyme in the Calvin cycle binds O2 instead of CO2, which halts photosynthesis and consumes energy.
C4 Pathway
The C4 pathway is used by plants such as...
48.8K