Brain-derived neurotrophic factor in the control human brain, and in Alzheimer's disease and Parkinson's disease.

Limbic status epilepticus was induced in rats by unilateral 60-min electrical stimulation of the CA3 region of the ventral hippocampus. As assessed by RT-PCR followed by Southern blot analysis, transcripts of interleukin-1β, interleukin-6, interleukin-1 receptor antagonist and inducible nitric oxide synthase were significantly increased 2 h after status epilepticus in the stimulated hippocampus. Induction was maximal at 6 h for interleukin-1β (445%), interleukin-6 (405%) and tumour necrosis factor-α (264%) and at 24 h for interleukin-1 receptor antagonist (494%) and inducible nitric oxide synthase (432%). In rats with spontaneous seizures (60 days after status epilepticus), interleukin-1β mRNA was still higher than controls (241%). Immunocytochemical staining of interleukin-1β, interleukin-6 and tumour necrosis factor-α was enhanced in glia with a time-course similar to that of the respective transcripts. Sixty days after status epilepticus, interleukin-1β immunoreactivity was increased exclusively in neurons in one third of the animals. Multiple intracerebroventricular injections of interleukin-1 receptor antagonist (0.5 μg/3 μL) significantly decreased the severity of behavioural convulsions during electrical stimulation and selectively reduced tumour necrosis factor-α content in the hippocampus measured 18 h after status epilepticus. Thus, the induction of spontaneously recurring seizures in rats involves the activation of inflammatory cytokines and related pro- and anti-inflammatory genes in the hippocampus. These changes may play an active role in hyperexcitability of the epileptic tissue.

Inflammatory cytokines and related genes are induced in the rat hippocampus by limbic status epilepticus

BDNF and epilepsy: too much of a good thing?

As in Clark and Prout's classic work, we identify three phases of generalised convulsive status epilepticus, which we call impending, established, and subtle. We review physiological and subcellular changes that might play a part in the transition from single seizures to status epilepticus and in the development of time-dependent pharmacoresistance. We review the principles underlying the treatment of status epilepticus and suggest that prehospital treatment is beneficial, that therapeutic drugs should be used in rapid sequence according to a defined protocol, and that refractory status epilepticus should be treated with general anaesthesia. We comment on our preference for drugs with a short elimination half-life and discuss some therapeutic choices.

Status epilepticus: pathophysiology and management in adults

Brain-derived neurotrophic factor and neurotrophin 3 in schizophrenic psychoses.

Brain-derived neurotrophic factor immunoreactivity in the limbic system of rats after acute seizures and during spontaneous convulsions: temporal evolution of changes as compared to neuropeptide Y.

R. Maj

Papers

Brain-derived neurotrophic factor immunoreactivity in the limbic system of rats after acute seizures and during spontaneous convulsions: temporal evolution of changes as compared to neuropeptide Y.