Dynamic up-regulation of prodynorphin transcription in temporal lobe epilepsy.

ABSTRACT: Dynorphin neuropeptides are believed to act as endogenous anticonvulsants, though direct evidence for such a role in humans is sparse. We now report pronounced increases of prodynorphin mRNA expression in the dentate gyrus of patients with temporal lobe epilepsy in comparison to controls. We detected a conspicuously right skewed, bimodal distribution of mRNA levels among patients, suggestive of a dynamic up-regulation of prodynorphin expression in epilepsy. Highest transcript levels were seen postictally. Our data argue for an essential role of dynorphin in the termination of seizures.

SUBMITTER: Pirker S 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC3073604 | biostudies-literature | 2009 Nov

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature