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Author Spotlight: Unraveling Neural Communication and Circuit Interactions in Health and Disease
Published on: November 21, 2024
Pharmacological modulation of autophagy for epilepsy therapy: Opportunities and obstacles
Wenqing Chen1, Jifa Zhang1, Yiwen Zhang1
1Department of Neurology, Joint Research Institution of Altitude Health and State Key Laboratory of Biotherapy and Cancer Center and National Clinical Research Center for Geriatrics, West China Hospital, Sichuan University, Chengdu 610041, Sichuan, China.
Abstract:
Epilepsy (EP) is a long-term neurological disorder characterized by neuroinflammatory responses, neuronal apoptosis, imbalance between excitatory and inhibitory neurotransmitters, and oxidative stress in the brain. Autophagy is a process of cellular self-regulation to maintain normal physiological functions. Emerging evidence suggests that dysfunctional autophagy pathways in neurons are a potential mechanism underlying EP pathogenesis. In this review, we discuss current evidence and molecular mechanisms of autophagy dysregulation in EP and the probable function of autophagy in epileptogenesis. Moreover, we review the autophagy modulators reported for the treatment of EP models, and discuss the obstacles to, and opportunities for, the potential therapeutic applications of novel autophagy modulators as EP therapies.
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