Water exchange across the blood-brain barrier and epilepsy: Review on pathophysiology and neuroimaging.

ABSTRACT: The blood-brain barrier (BBB) is a barrier protecting the brain and a milieu of continuous exchanges between blood and brain. There is emerging evidence that the BBB plays a major role in epileptogenesis and drug-resistant epilepsy, through several mechanisms, such as water homeostasis dysregulation, overexpression of drug transporters, and inflammation. Studies have shown abnormal water homeostasis in epileptic tissue and altered aquaporin-4 water channel expression in animal epilepsy models. This review focuses on abnormal water exchange in epilepsy and describes recent non-invasive MRI methods of quantifying water exchange. PLAIN LANGUAGE SUMMARY: Abnormal exchange between blood and brain contribute to seizures and epilepsy. The authors describe why correct water balance is necessary fo

SUBMITTER: Abdennadher M 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC11296120 | biostudies-literature | 2024 Jun

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature