Modulation of GABAergic dysfunction due to SCN1A mutation linked to Hippocampal Sclerosis

We compared GABAergic function and neuronal excitability in the hippocampal tissue of seven sporadic MTLE patients with a patient carrying a SCN1A loss-of-function mutation. All had excellent outcome from anterior temporal lobectomy, and neuropathological study always showed characteristic hippocampal sclerosis (Hs). Compared to MTLE patients, there was a more severe impairment of GABAergic transmission, due to the lower GABAergic activity related to the Na_V 1.1 loss-of-function, in addition to the typical GABA-current rundown, a hallmark of sporadic MTLE. Our results give evidence that a pharmacological rescuing of the GABAergic dysfunction may represent a promising strategy for the treatment of these patients.