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Role of genetic influences in animal models of status
Author(s) -
Schauwecker P. Elyse
Publication year - 2007
Publication title -
epilepsia
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 2.687
H-Index - 191
eISSN - 1528-1167
pISSN - 0013-9580
DOI - 10.1111/j.1528-1167.2007.01340.x
Subject(s) - disease , biology , epilepsy , mechanism (biology) , identification (biology) , human genetics , genetics , genetic architecture , quantitative trait locus , gene , medicine , neuroscience , pathology , philosophy , botany , epistemology
Epilepsy is a common polygenic multifactorial disorder that involves complex interactions between genetic and environmental factors, and has multiple and highly variable phenotypic manifestations. Although genetics may not be considered as a factor in the development of all forms of epilepsy, many lines of evidence indicate that the genetic background of the host plays an important role in neuropathological sequelae (Goulon et al., 1985; DeLorenzo et al., 1995; Fountain and Lothman, 1995; Mathern et al., 1998; Mathern et al., 2002). In this postgenome era, the sequencing of the human and murine genomes offers an opportunity to accelerate the search for new pathological pathways. Progress has been made in the identification of epilepsy-modifying genes in both human studies and through the use of animal models. Based on epidemiological evidence, it is clear that a thorough understanding of the genetic determinants of status will provide important tools to improve the current preventative and therapeutical strategies and reduce the risks and the economical burden of this disorder.