Epilepsy & Treatment

Semiology and Pathophysiology of Epilepsy

The neurobiology of epilepsy is an active field of investigation. Numerous mechanisms of inhibitory and excitatory deregulation have been suggested, and the interactions of these pathways are observed almost ubiquitously. The compromised inhibitory compensation of Gamma-Aminobutyric Acid (GABA) during seizures has been hypothesized to be a direct result of aberrant glutamate metabolism. Recent research has also implicated the role of endocannabinoids in modulating epileptic activity in the hippocampus. A stimulating area of epilepsy research is the examination of different models of circuitry participating in seizure activity. Other physiological changes that occur in the epileptic brain include glial composition changes and synaptic modification. Together, these findings provide a better understanding of the neurobiology of epilepsy, and could lead to improved management and cures.