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Banerjee S, Szyszka P, Beck CW. Knockdown of NeuroD2 leads to seizure-like behavior, brain neuronal hyperactivity and a leaky blood-brain barrier in a Xenopus laevis tadpole model of DEE75. Genetics 2024; 227:iyae085. [PMID: 38788202 PMCID: PMC11228833 DOI: 10.1093/genetics/iyae085] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/18/2024] [Revised: 04/18/2024] [Accepted: 05/14/2024] [Indexed: 05/26/2024] Open
Abstract
Developmental and Epileptic Encephalopathies (DEE) are a genetically diverse group of severe, early onset seizure disorders. DEE are normally identified clinically in the first six months of life by the presence of frequent, difficult to control seizures and accompanying stalling or regression of development. DEE75 results from de novo mutations of the NEUROD2 gene that result in loss of activity of the encoded transcription factor, and the seizure phenotype was shown to be recapitulated in Xenopus tropicalis tadpoles. We used CRISPR/Cas9 to make a DEE75 model in Xenopus laevis, to further investigate the developmental etiology. NeuroD2.S CRISPR/Cas9 edited tadpoles were more active, swam faster on average, and had more seizures (C-shaped contractions resembling unprovoked C-start escape responses) than their sibling controls. Live imaging of Ca2+ signaling revealed prolongued, strong signals sweeping through the brain, indicative of neuronal hyperactivity. While the resulting tadpole brain appeared grossly normal, the blood-brain barrier (BBB) was found to be leakier than that of controls. Additionally, the TGFβ antagonist Losartan was shown to have a short-term protective effect, reducing neuronal hyperactivity and reducing permeability of the BBB. Treatment of NeuroD2 CRISPant tadpoles with 5 mM Losartan decreased seizure events by more than 4-fold compared to the baseline. Our results support a model of DEE75 resulting from reduced NeuroD2 activity during vertebrate brain development, and indicate that a leaky BBB contributes to epileptogenesis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sulagna Banerjee
- Department of Zoology, University of Otago, PO Box56, Dunedin 9016, New Zealand
| | - Paul Szyszka
- Department of Zoology, University of Otago, PO Box56, Dunedin 9016, New Zealand
- Brain Health Research Centre, University of Otago, Dunedin 9016, New Zealand
| | - Caroline W Beck
- Department of Zoology, University of Otago, PO Box56, Dunedin 9016, New Zealand
- Brain Health Research Centre, University of Otago, Dunedin 9016, New Zealand
- Genetics Otago Research Centre, University of Otago, Dunedin 9016, New Zealand
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Davydov E, Hoidyk M, Shtrygol' S, Karkhut A, Polovkovych S, Klyuchivska O, Karpenko O, Lesyk R, Holota S. Evaluation of thiopyrano[2,3-d]thiazole derivatives as potential anticonvulsant agents. Arch Pharm (Weinheim) 2024:e2400357. [PMID: 38943436 DOI: 10.1002/ardp.202400357] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/08/2024] [Revised: 06/09/2024] [Accepted: 06/11/2024] [Indexed: 07/01/2024]
Abstract
Anticonvulsant drug discovery has achieved significant progress; however, pharmacotherapy of epilepsy continues to be a challenge for modern medicine and pharmacy. To expand the chemical space of heterocycles as potential antiepileptic agents, herein we report on the synthesis and evaluation of anticonvulsant properties of a series of thiopyrano[2,3-d]thiazoles. The studied heterocycles are characterized by satisfactory drug-likeness and pharmacokinetics properties, calculated in silico using SwissADME. The anticonvulsant activity of thiopyrano[2,3-d]thiazole derivatives was evaluated in vivo using the subcutaneous pentylenetetrazole test. Three hits, that is, compounds 12, 14, and 16, that caused a pronounced anticonvulsant effect were identified. Derivatives 12, 14, and 16 positively affected the latent period of onset of clonic seizures, number of seizures, mortality rate, and duration of the seizure period of animals under experimental conditions. The anticonvulsant properties of compound 14 were equivalent to the effect of the reference drug, sodium valproate. All hit compounds are characterized by satisfying toxicity properties in the human lymphocytes and HEK293 cell line. The most active hit 14 possesses a potential affinity with the GABAA receptor in the molecular docking study and forms a stable complex in the molecular dynamics experiments equal to diazepam. Preliminary SAR results were obtained and discussed based on screening data.
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Affiliation(s)
- Eduard Davydov
- Department of Pharmacology and Pharmacotherapy, National Pharmaceutical University, Kharkiv, Ukraine
| | - Mykhailo Hoidyk
- Department of Pharmaceutical, Organic, and Bioorganic Chemistry, Danylo Halytsky Lviv National Medical University, Lviv, Ukraine
| | - Sergiy Shtrygol'
- Department of Pharmacology and Pharmacotherapy, National Pharmaceutical University, Kharkiv, Ukraine
| | - Andriy Karkhut
- Department of Technology of Biologically Active Substances, Pharmacy and Biotechnology, Lviv Polytechnic National University, Ukraine
| | - Svyatoslav Polovkovych
- Department of Technology of Biologically Active Substances, Pharmacy and Biotechnology, Lviv Polytechnic National University, Ukraine
| | - Olga Klyuchivska
- Department of Regulation of Cell Proliferation and Apoptosis, Institute of Cell Biology of National Academy of Sciences of Ukraine, Lviv, Ukraine
| | - Olexandr Karpenko
- Department of Chemistry, Taras Shevchenko National University, Kyiv, Ukraine
- Enamine Ltd., Kyiv, Ukraine
| | - Roman Lesyk
- Department of Pharmaceutical, Organic, and Bioorganic Chemistry, Danylo Halytsky Lviv National Medical University, Lviv, Ukraine
| | - Serhii Holota
- Department of Pharmaceutical, Organic, and Bioorganic Chemistry, Danylo Halytsky Lviv National Medical University, Lviv, Ukraine
- Department of Organic and Pharmaceutical Chemistry, Lesya Ukrainka Volyn National University, Lutsk, Ukraine
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Michetti C, Ferrante D, Parisi B, Ciano L, Prestigio C, Casagrande S, Martinoia S, Terranova F, Millo E, Valente P, Giovedi' S, Benfenati F, Baldelli P. Low glycemic index diet restrains epileptogenesis in a gender-specific fashion. Cell Mol Life Sci 2023; 80:356. [PMID: 37947886 PMCID: PMC10638170 DOI: 10.1007/s00018-023-04988-1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/18/2023] [Revised: 09/25/2023] [Accepted: 09/27/2023] [Indexed: 11/12/2023]
Abstract
Dietary restriction, such as low glycemic index diet (LGID), have been successfully used to treat drug-resistant epilepsy. However, if such diet could also counteract antiepileptogenesis is still unclear. Here, we investigated whether the administration of LGID during the latent pre-epileptic period, prevents or delays the appearance of the overt epileptic phenotype. To this aim, we used the Synapsin II knockout (SynIIKO) mouse, a model of temporal lobe epilepsy in which seizures manifest 2-3 months after birth, offering a temporal window in which LGID may affect epileptogenesis. Pregnant SynIIKO mice were fed with either LGID or standard diet during gestation and lactation. Both diets were maintained in weaned mice up to 5 months of age. LGID delayed the seizure onset and induced a reduction of seizures severity only in female SynIIKO mice. In parallel with the epileptic phenotype, high-density multielectrode array recordings revealed a reduction of frequency, amplitude, duration, velocity of propagation and spread of interictal events by LGID in the hippocampus of SynIIKO females, but not mutant males, confirming the gender-specific effect. ELISA-based analysis revealed that LGID increased cortico-hippocampal allopregnanolone (ALLO) levels only in females, while it was unable to affect ALLO plasma concentrations in either sex. The results indicate that the gender-specific interference of LGID with the epileptogenic process can be ascribed to a gender-specific increase in cortical ALLO, a neurosteroid known to strengthen GABAergic transmission. The study highlights the possibility of developing a personalized gender-based therapy for temporal lobe epilepsy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Caterina Michetti
- Department of Experimental Medicine, University of Genova, Genoa, Italy.
- Center for Synaptic Neuroscience and Technology, Italian Institute of Technology, Genoa, Italy.
| | - Daniele Ferrante
- Department of Experimental Medicine, University of Genova, Genoa, Italy
| | - Barbara Parisi
- Department of Experimental Medicine, University of Genova, Genoa, Italy
| | - Lorenzo Ciano
- Department of Experimental Medicine, University of Genova, Genoa, Italy
- Center for Synaptic Neuroscience and Technology, Italian Institute of Technology, Genoa, Italy
| | - Cosimo Prestigio
- Department of Experimental Medicine, University of Genova, Genoa, Italy
| | - Silvia Casagrande
- Department of Experimental Medicine, University of Genova, Genoa, Italy
| | - Sergio Martinoia
- Department of Informatics, Bioengineering, Robotics and System Engineering, University of Genova, Genoa, Italy
| | - Fabio Terranova
- Department of Informatics, Bioengineering, Robotics and System Engineering, University of Genova, Genoa, Italy
| | - Enrico Millo
- Department of Experimental Medicine, University of Genova, Genoa, Italy
| | - Pierluigi Valente
- Department of Experimental Medicine, University of Genova, Genoa, Italy
- IRCCS, Ospedale Policlinico San Martino, Genoa, Italy
| | - Silvia Giovedi'
- Department of Experimental Medicine, University of Genova, Genoa, Italy
- IRCCS, Ospedale Policlinico San Martino, Genoa, Italy
| | - Fabio Benfenati
- Center for Synaptic Neuroscience and Technology, Italian Institute of Technology, Genoa, Italy
- IRCCS, Ospedale Policlinico San Martino, Genoa, Italy
| | - Pietro Baldelli
- Department of Experimental Medicine, University of Genova, Genoa, Italy.
- IRCCS, Ospedale Policlinico San Martino, Genoa, Italy.
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Winter Y, Sandner K, Vieth T, Gonzalez-Escamilla G, Stuckrad-Barre SV, Groppa S. Third-Generation Antiseizure Medication in the Treatment of Benzodiazepine-Refractory Status Epilepticus in Poststroke Epilepsy: A Retrospective Observational Register-Based Study. CNS Drugs 2023; 37:929-936. [PMID: 37784006 PMCID: PMC10570217 DOI: 10.1007/s40263-023-01039-y] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 09/14/2023] [Indexed: 10/04/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVE Status epilepticus in poststroke epilepsy is a challenging condition because of multiple vascular comorbidities and the advanced age of patients. Data on third-generation antiseizure medication (ASM) in this condition are limited. The aim of this study was to evaluate the efficacy of third-generation ASMs in the second- or third-line therapy of benzodiazepine-refractory status epilepticus in poststroke epilepsy following acute ischemic stroke. METHODS Data on the effectiveness of third-generation ASMs in patients with status epilepticus in poststroke epilepsy were gathered from two German Stroke Registries and the Mainz Epilepsy Registry. We included only cases with epilepsy remote to the ischemic event. No patients with acute symptomatic seizures were included. The following third-generation ASMs were included: brivaracetam, lacosamide, eslicarbazepine, perampanel, topiramate, and zonisamide. The assessment of effectiveness was based on seizure freedom within 48 h since the start of therapy with the respective ASM. Seizure freedom was evaluated both clinically (clinical evaluation at least three times per day) and by daily electroencephalogram records. RESULTS Of the 138 patients aged 70.8 ± 8.1 years with benzodiazepine-refractory status epilepticus in ischemic poststroke epilepsy, 33 (23.9%) were treated with lacosamide, 24 (17.4%) with brivaracetam, 23 (16.7%) with eslicarbazepine, 21 (15.2%) with perampanel, 20 (14.5%) with topiramate, and 17 (12.3%) with zonisamide. Seizure freedom within 48 h was achieved in 66.7% of patients with lacosamide, 65.2% with eslicarbazepine, 38.1% with perampanel, 37.5% with brivaracetam, 35.0% with topiramate, and 35.3% with zonisamide (p < 0.05 for comparison of lacosamide or eslicarbazepine to other ASMs). CONCLUSIONS Based on these data, lacosamide and eslicarbazepine might be more favorable in the treatment of refractory status epilepticus in poststroke epilepsy, when administered as second- or third-line ASMs before anesthesia. Because of the fact that these ASMs share the same mechanism of action (slow inactivation of sodium channels), our findings could motivate further research on the role that this pharmaceutical mechanism of action has in the treatment of poststroke epilepsy. CLINICAL TRIAL REGISTRATION This study was registered at ClinicalTrials.gov (NCT05267405).
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Affiliation(s)
- Yaroslav Winter
- Department of Neurology, Mainz Comprehensive Epilepsy and Sleep Medicine Center, University Medical Center of the Johannes Gutenberg University Mainz, Langenbeckstr 1, 55131 Mainz, Germany
- Department of Neurology, Philipps-University Marburg, Marburg, Germany
| | - Katharina Sandner
- Department of Neurology, Mainz Comprehensive Epilepsy and Sleep Medicine Center, University Medical Center of the Johannes Gutenberg University Mainz, Langenbeckstr 1, 55131 Mainz, Germany
| | - Thomas Vieth
- Rudolf Frey Educational Clinic, Johannes Gutenberg University, Mainz, Germany
| | - Gabriel Gonzalez-Escamilla
- Focus Program Translational Neuroscience (FTN), Department of Neurology, Rhine Main Neuroscience Network, University Medical Center of the Johannes Gutenberg University Mainz, Mainz, Germany
| | | | - Sergiu Groppa
- Focus Program Translational Neuroscience (FTN), Department of Neurology, Rhine Main Neuroscience Network, University Medical Center of the Johannes Gutenberg University Mainz, Mainz, Germany
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Łukawski K, Czuczwar SJ. Oxidative Stress and Neurodegeneration in Animal Models of Seizures and Epilepsy. Antioxidants (Basel) 2023; 12:antiox12051049. [PMID: 37237916 DOI: 10.3390/antiox12051049] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 13.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/28/2023] [Revised: 04/25/2023] [Accepted: 05/02/2023] [Indexed: 05/28/2023] Open
Abstract
Free radicals are generated in the brain, as well as in other organs, and their production is proportional to the brain activity. Due to its low antioxidant capacity, the brain is particularly sensitive to free radical damage, which may affect lipids, nucleic acids, and proteins. The available evidence clearly points to a role for oxidative stress in neuronal death and pathophysiology of epileptogenesis and epilepsy. The present review is devoted to the generation of free radicals in some animal models of seizures and epilepsy and the consequences of oxidative stress, such as DNA or mitochondrial damage leading to neurodegeneration. Additionally, antioxidant properties of antiepileptic (antiseizure) drugs and a possible use of antioxidant drugs or compounds in patients with epilepsy are reviewed. In numerous seizure models, the brain concentration of free radicals was significantly elevated. Some antiepileptic drugs may inhibit these effects; for example, valproate reduced the increase in brain malondialdehyde (a marker of lipid peroxidation) concentration induced by electroconvulsions. In the pentylenetetrazol model, valproate prevented the reduced glutathione concentration and an increase in brain lipid peroxidation products. The scarce clinical data indicate that some antioxidants (melatonin, selenium, vitamin E) may be recommended as adjuvants for patients with drug-resistant epilepsy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Krzysztof Łukawski
- Department of Physiopathology, Institute of Rural Health, Jaczewskiego 2, 20-090 Lublin, Poland
| | - Stanisław J Czuczwar
- Department of Pathophysiology, Medical University of Lublin, Jaczewskiego 8b, 20-090 Lublin, Poland
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6
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Matias M, Santos AO, Silvestre S, Alves G. Fighting Epilepsy with Nanomedicines-Is This the Right Weapon? Pharmaceutics 2023; 15:pharmaceutics15020306. [PMID: 36839629 PMCID: PMC9959131 DOI: 10.3390/pharmaceutics15020306] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/08/2022] [Revised: 01/09/2023] [Accepted: 01/12/2023] [Indexed: 01/18/2023] Open
Abstract
Epilepsy is a chronic and complex condition and is one of the most common neurological diseases, affecting about 50 million people worldwide. Pharmacological therapy has been, and is likely to remain, the main treatment approach for this disease. Although a large number of new antiseizure drugs (ASDs) has been introduced into the market in the last few years, many patients suffer from uncontrolled seizures, demanding the development of more effective therapies. Nanomedicines have emerged as a promising approach to deliver drugs to the brain, potentiating their therapeutic index. Moreover, nanomedicine has applied the knowledge of nanoscience, not only in disease treatment but also in prevention and diagnosis. In the current review, the general features and therapeutic management of epilepsy will be addressed, as well as the main barriers to overcome to obtain better antiseizure therapies. Furthermore, the role of nanomedicines as a valuable tool to selectively deliver drugs will be discussed, considering the ability of nanocarriers to deal with the less favourable physical-chemical properties of some ASDs, enhance their brain penetration, reduce the adverse effects, and circumvent the concerning drug resistance.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mariana Matias
- CICS-UBI—Health Sciences Research Centre, University of Beira Interior, Av. Infante D. Henrique, 6200-506 Covilhã, Portugal
- Correspondence: (M.M.); (A.O.S.); Tel.: +351-275-329-002 (M.M.); +351-275-329-079 (A.O.S.)
| | - Adriana O. Santos
- CICS-UBI—Health Sciences Research Centre, University of Beira Interior, Av. Infante D. Henrique, 6200-506 Covilhã, Portugal
- Correspondence: (M.M.); (A.O.S.); Tel.: +351-275-329-002 (M.M.); +351-275-329-079 (A.O.S.)
| | - Samuel Silvestre
- CICS-UBI—Health Sciences Research Centre, University of Beira Interior, Av. Infante D. Henrique, 6200-506 Covilhã, Portugal
- CNC—Centre for Neuroscience and Cell Biology, University of Coimbra, 3004-517 Coimbra, Portugal
| | - Gilberto Alves
- CICS-UBI—Health Sciences Research Centre, University of Beira Interior, Av. Infante D. Henrique, 6200-506 Covilhã, Portugal
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Sciaccaluga M, Ruffolo G, Palma E, Costa C. Traditional and Innovative Anti-seizure Medications Targeting Key Physiopathological Mechanisms: Focus on Neurodevelopment and Neurodegeneration. Curr Neuropharmacol 2023; 21:1736-1754. [PMID: 37143270 PMCID: PMC10514539 DOI: 10.2174/1570159x21666230504160948] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/03/2022] [Revised: 03/23/2023] [Accepted: 03/29/2023] [Indexed: 05/06/2023] Open
Abstract
Despite the wide range of compounds currently available to treat epilepsy, there is still no drug that directly tackles the physiopathological mechanisms underlying its development. Indeed, antiseizure medications attempt to prevent seizures but are inefficacious in counteracting or rescuing the physiopathological phenomena that underlie their onset and recurrence, and hence do not cure epilepsy. Classically, the altered excitation/inhibition balance is postulated as the mechanism underlying epileptogenesis and seizure generation. This oversimplification, however, does not account for deficits in homeostatic plasticity resulting from either insufficient or excessive compensatory mechanisms in response to a change in network activity. In this respect, both neurodevelopmental epilepsies and those associated with neurodegeneration may share common underlying mechanisms that still need to be fully elucidated. The understanding of these molecular mechanisms shed light on the identification of new classes of drugs able not only to suppress seizures, but also to present potential antiepileptogenic effects or "disease-modifying" properties.
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Affiliation(s)
- Miriam Sciaccaluga
- Section of Neurology, S.M. della Misericordia Hospital, Department of Medicine and Surgery, University of Perugia, Piazzale Gambuli 1, Perugia, 06129, Italy
| | - Gabriele Ruffolo
- Department of Physiology and Pharmacology, Istituto Pasteur—Fondazione Cenci Bolognetti, University of Rome, Sapienza, Rome, 00185, Italy
- IRCCS San Raffaele Roma, Rome, 00166, Italy
| | - Eleonora Palma
- Department of Physiology and Pharmacology, Istituto Pasteur—Fondazione Cenci Bolognetti, University of Rome, Sapienza, Rome, 00185, Italy
- IRCCS San Raffaele Roma, Rome, 00166, Italy
| | - Cinzia Costa
- Section of Neurology, S.M. della Misericordia Hospital, Department of Medicine and Surgery, University of Perugia, Piazzale Gambuli 1, Perugia, 06129, Italy
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Oxygenated Water Increases Seizure Threshold in Various Rodent Seizure Models. Int J Mol Sci 2022; 23:ijms232214124. [PMID: 36430603 PMCID: PMC9693390 DOI: 10.3390/ijms232214124] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/11/2022] [Revised: 11/11/2022] [Accepted: 11/12/2022] [Indexed: 11/18/2022] Open
Abstract
Oxygenated water (OW) contains more oxygen than normal drinking water. It may induce oxygen enrichment in the blood and reduce oxidative stress. Hypoxia and oxidative stress could be involved in epilepsy. We aimed to examine the effects of OW-treated vs. control on four rodent models of epilepsy: (1) prenatal betamethasone priming with postnatal N-methyl-D-aspartate (NMDA)-triggered spasm, (2) no prenatal betamethasone, (3) repetitive kainate injection, and (4) intraperitoneal pilocarpine. We evaluated, in (1) and (2), the latency to onset and the total number of spasms; (3) the number of kainate injections required to induce epileptic seizures; (4) spontaneous recurrent seizures (SRS) (numbers and duration). In model (1), the OW-treated group showed significantly increased latency to onset and a decreased total number of spasms; in (2), OW completely inhibited spasms; in (3), the OW-treated group showed a significantly decreased number of injections required to induce epileptic seizures; and in (4), in the OW-treated group, the duration of a single SRS was significantly reduced. In summary, OW may increase the seizure threshold. Although the underlying mechanism remains unclear, OW may provide an adjunctive alternative for patients with refractory epilepsy.
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Wang W, Gao R, Ren Z, Yang D, Sun K, Li X, Yan S. Global trends in research of glutamate in epilepsy during past two decades: A bibliometric analysis. Front Neurosci 2022; 16:1042642. [PMID: 36340784 PMCID: PMC9630577 DOI: 10.3389/fnins.2022.1042642] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/12/2022] [Accepted: 10/06/2022] [Indexed: 11/26/2022] Open
Abstract
Epilepsy affects more than 70 million people in the world. It is characterized by recurrent spontaneous seizures, and it is related to many neurological, cognitive, and psychosocial consequences. Glutamate neurotransmitter dysfunction has essential functions in the pathophysiology of epilepsy. In this work, bibliometric analysis was conducted to explore the trends, frontiers, and hotspots of the global scientific output of glutamate in epilepsy research in the past 20 years. The Science Citation Index Expanded of the Web of Science Core Collection (WoSCC) was searched to obtain information on publications and records published between 2002 and 2021. VOSviewer and CiteSpace were used to conduct bibliometric and visual analyses on the overall distribution of annual output, major countries, active institutions, journals, authors, commonly cited literature, and keywords. The impact and quality of the papers were assessed using the global citation score (GCS). Four thousand eight hundred ninety-one publications were retrieved in total. During the past two decades, the number of publications (Np) associated with glutamate in epilepsy has risen yearly. The United States has published the most papers; its H-index and number of citations are also the highest. The League of European Research Universities (LERU) was the most productive institution. In 2016, the total score of the paper written by Zhang Y was 854, ranking first. The keywords that appear most frequently are “epilepsy,” “glutamate,” “temporal lobe epilepsy (TLE),” “hippocampus,” and “seizures.” This study showed that although the publications related to epileptic glutamate fluctuated slightly, the Np increased overall. The United States is a great creator and influential country in this field. The first three authors are Eid, T., Aronica, E., and Smolders, I. “spectrum,” “animal model,” “inflammation,” “mutation,” “dysfunction,” and “prefrontal cortex” are increasing research hotspots. By recognizing the most critical indicators (researchers, countries, research institutes, and journals of glutamate release in epilepsy research), the research hotspot of glutamate in epilepsy could help countries, scholars, and policymakers in this field enhance their understanding of the role of glutamate in epilepsy and make decisions.
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Affiliation(s)
- Wei Wang
- Department of Pharmacy, Xuanwu Hospital, Capital Medical University, Beijing, China
| | - Runshi Gao
- Department of Functional Neurology, Xuanwu Hospital, Capital Medical University, Beijing, China
| | - Zhiwei Ren
- Xuanwu Hospital, Beijing Institute of Functional Neurosurgery, Capital Medical University, Beijing, China
| | - Dongju Yang
- Department of Neurology, Xuanwu Hospital, Capital Medical University, Beijing, China
| | - Ke Sun
- Department of Functional Neurology, National Center for Children’s Health of China, Beijing Children’s Hospital, Capital Medical University, Beijing, China
| | - Xiaoling Li
- Department of Pharmacy, Xuanwu Hospital, Capital Medical University, Beijing, China
| | - Suying Yan
- Department of Pharmacy, Xuanwu Hospital, Capital Medical University, Beijing, China
- *Correspondence: Suying Yan,
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Discovery of pimozide derivatives as novel T-type calcium channel inhibitors with little binding affinity to dopamine D2 receptors for treatment of somatic and visceral pain. Eur J Med Chem 2022; 243:114716. [DOI: 10.1016/j.ejmech.2022.114716] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/30/2022] [Revised: 08/17/2022] [Accepted: 08/23/2022] [Indexed: 11/23/2022]
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Łukawski K, Czuczwar SJ. Emerging therapeutic targets for epilepsy: Preclinical insights. Expert Opin Ther Targets 2022; 26:193-206. [PMID: 35130119 DOI: 10.1080/14728222.2022.2039120] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/04/2022]
Abstract
INTRODUCTION Around 30% of patients with epilepsy suffer from drug-resistant seizures. Drug-resistant seizures may have significant consequences such as sudden death in epilepsy, injuries, memory disturbances, and childhood learning and developmental problems. Conventional and newer available antiepileptic drugs (AEDs) work via numerous mechanisms - mainly through inhibition of voltage-operated Na+ and/or Ca2+ channels, excitation of K+ channels, enhancement of GABA-mediated inhibition and/or blockade of glutamate-produced excitation. However, the discovery and development of novel brain targets may improve the future pharmacological management of epilepsy and hence is of pivotal importance. AREAS COVERED This article examines novel drug targets such as brain multidrug efflux transporters and inflammatory pathways; it progresses to discuss possible strategies for the management of drug-resistant seizures. Reduction of the consequences of blood brain barrier dysfunction and enhancement of anti-oxidative defense are discussed. EXPERT OPINION Novel drug targets comprise brain multidrug efflux transporters, TGF-β, Nrf2-ARE or m-TOR signaling and inflammatory pathways. Gene therapy and antagomirs seem the most promising targets. Epileptic foci may be significantly suppressed by viral-vector-mediated gene transfer, leading to an increased in situ concentration of inhibitory factors (for instance, galanin). Also, antagomirs offer a promising possibility of seizure inhibition by silencing micro-RNAs involved in epileptogenesis and possibly in seizure generation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Krzysztof Łukawski
- Department of Physiopathology, Institute of Rural Health, Jaczewskiego 2, 20-090 Lublin, Poland.,Department of Pathophysiology, Medical University of Lublin, Jaczewskiego 8b, 20-090 Lublin, Poland
| | - Stanisław J Czuczwar
- Department of Physiopathology, Institute of Rural Health, Jaczewskiego 2, 20-090 Lublin, Poland.,Department of Pathophysiology, Medical University of Lublin, Jaczewskiego 8b, 20-090 Lublin, Poland
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Inhibition of Glutamate Release, but Not of Glutamine Recycling to Glutamate, Is Involved in Delaying the Onset of Initial Lithium-Pilocarpine-Induced Seizures in Young Rats by a Non-Convulsive MSO Dose. Int J Mol Sci 2021; 22:ijms222011127. [PMID: 34681786 PMCID: PMC8536987 DOI: 10.3390/ijms222011127] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/16/2021] [Revised: 10/08/2021] [Accepted: 10/12/2021] [Indexed: 12/12/2022] Open
Abstract
Initial seizures observed in young rats during the 60 min after administration of pilocarpine (Pilo) were delayed and attenuated by pretreatment with a non-convulsive dose of methionine sulfoximine (MSO). We hypothesized that the effect of MSO results from a) glutamine synthetase block-mediated inhibition of conversion of Glu/Gln precursors to neurotransmitter Glu, and/or from b) altered synaptic Glu release. Pilo was administered 60 min prior to sacrifice, MSO at 75 mg/kg, i.p., 2.5 h earlier. [1,2-13C]acetate and [U-13C]glucose were i.p.-injected either together with Pilo (short period) or 15 min before sacrifice (long period). Their conversion to Glu and Gln in the hippocampus and entorhinal cortex was followed using [13C] gas chromatography-mass spectrometry. Release of in vitro loaded Glu surrogate, [3H]d-Asp from ex vivo brain slices was monitored in continuously collected superfusates. [3H]d-Asp uptake was tested in freshly isolated brain slices. At no time point nor brain region did MSO modify incorporation of [13C] to Glu or Gln in Pilo-treated rats. MSO pretreatment decreased by ~37% high potassium-induced [3H]d-Asp release, but did not affect [3H]d-Asp uptake. The results indicate that MSO at a non-convulsive dose delays the initial Pilo-induced seizures by interfering with synaptic Glu-release but not with neurotransmitter Glu recycling.
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