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Are the neurotrophic factors a suitable therapeutic target for the prevention of epileptogenesis?
Author(s) -
Simonato Michele,
Zucchini Silvia
Publication year - 2010
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.1528-1167.2010.02609.x
Subject(s) - epileptogenesis , neurotrophic factors , neuroscience , status epilepticus , neurotrophin , neurodegeneration , brain derived neurotrophic factor , pilocarpine , medicine , fibroblast growth factor , growth factor , epilepsy , psychology , disease , receptor
Summary Neurotrophic factors are involved in the survival of neurons as well as in the proliferation and differentiation of neuronal precursors. Therefore, modulating their levels in lesion areas may exert favorable effects on seizure‐induced damage. However, it is unclear if damage limitation or repair may prevent epileptogenesis; it is also uncertain which neurotrophic factor should be administered for limiting or repairing damage while avoiding possible proepileptic effects. We used viral vectors to locally supplement fibroblast growth factor‐2 (FGF‐2) and brain‐derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF), when an epileptogenic damage was already in place. These vectors were tested in the pilocarpine model of status epilepticus–induced neurodegeneration and epileptogenesis. FGF‐2/BDNF expressing vectors increased neuronogenesis, limited neuronal damage, and reduced the occurrence of spontaneous seizures. These findings are discussed with consideration of the hurdles that will have to be overcome before clinical application.