title: Treating seizures and epilepsy with anticoagulants?
abstract: Thrombin is a serine protease playing an essential role in the blood coagulation cascade. Recent work, however, has identified a novel role for thrombin-mediated signaling pathways in the central nervous system. Binding of thrombin to protease-activated receptors (PARs) in the brain appears to have multiple actions affecting both health and disease. Specifically, thrombin has been shown to lead to the onset of seizures via PAR-1 activation. In this perspective article, we review the putative mechanisms by which thrombin causes seizures and epilepsy. We propose a potential role of PAR-1 antagonists and novel thrombin inhibitors as new, possible antiepileptic drugs.
authors: Talpiot Medical Leadership Program, The Chaim Sheba Medical Center Tel HaShomer, Israel ; Department of Neurology, The J. Sagol Neuroscience Center, The Chaim Sheba Medical Center Tel HaShomer, Israel.
authors: Nicola
authors: N
authors: Maggio
authors: Ilan
authors: I
authors: Blatt
authors: Andreas
authors: A
authors: Vlachos
authors: David
authors: D
authors: Tanne
authors: Joab
authors: J
authors: Chapman
authors: Menahem
authors: M
authors: Segal
keywords: PAR-1; blood–brain barrier; novel anticoagulants; seizures; thrombin