title: Inflammatory pathways of seizure disorders.
abstract: Epilepsy refers to a cluster of neurological diseases characterized by seizures. Although many forms of epilepsy have a well-defined immune etiology, in other forms of epilepsy an altered immune response is only suspected. In general, the hypothesis that inflammation contributes to seizures is supported by experimental results. Additionally, antiepileptic maneuvers may act as immunomodulators and anti-inflammatory therapies can treat seizures. Triggers of seizure include a bidirectional communication between the nervous system and organs of immunity. Thus, a crucial cellular interface protecting from immunological seizures is the blood-brain barrier (BBB). Here, we summarize recent advances in the understanding and treatment of epileptic seizures that derive from a non-neurocentric viewpoint and suggest key avenues for future research.
authors.affiliation: Department of Molecular Medicine, Cerebrovascular Research, Cleveland Clinic Lerner College of Medicine, Cleveland, OH, USA; Department of Neurobiology, Institute of Functional Genomics, Centre National de la Recherche Scientifique, Montpellier, France.
authors.forename: Nicola
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Marchi
authors.affiliation: Carlo Besta Neurologic Institute, Milan, Italy.
authors.forename: Tiziana
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Granata
authors.affiliation: Department of Molecular Medicine, Cerebrovascular Research, Cleveland Clinic Lerner College of Medicine, Cleveland, OH, USA; Department of Neurological Surgery, Cerebrovascular Research, Cleveland Clinic Lerner College of Medicine, Cleveland, OH, USA. Electronic address: janigrd@ccf.org.
authors.forename: Damir
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Janigro
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D001812:Blood-Brain Barrier / Q000502:physiology*; D004827:Epilepsy / Q000276:immunology / Q000503:physiopathology*; D006801:Humans; D007249:Inflammation / Q000276:immunology / Q000503:physiopathology; D012640:Seizures / Q000276:immunology / Q000503:physiopathology*
keywords: antiepileptic drugs; blood–brain barrier; corticosteroids; immunomodulatory axis; infection; inflammation; vagus nerve stimulation