Role of Brain Derived Neurotrophic Factor in Neocortical Epilepsy

Project Description Narrative:

Prolonged or recurrent seizure activity (status epilepticus) is associated with significant mortality and morbidity and death. Neuronal activity during febrile and non-febrile seizures trauma, infection, and hypoxia/ischemic (e.g., stroke) events have been shown to increase brain derived neurotrophic factor (BDMF) mRNA and protein expression that in turn critically contributes to synaptic plasticity, dendritic sprouting, axon growth, and enhanced excitation which can be aberrant in seizure disorders. This project seeks to provide key evidence to show BDNF signaling can trigger and maintain seizure-like activity and epilepsy. It further seeks to develop new approaches to gain pharmacological seizure control in epilepsy patients and thereby reduce the number and length of seizures associated with death.