In Rasmussen encephalitis, hemichannels associated with microglial activation are linked to cortical pyramidal neuron coupling: a possible mechanism for cellular hyperexcitability.

ABSTRACT:

Aims

Rasmussen encephalitis (RE) is a rare but devastating condition, mainly in children, characterized by sustained brain inflammation, atrophy of one cerebral hemisphere, epilepsy, and progressive cognitive deterioration. The etiology of RE-induced seizures associated with the inflammatory process remains unknown.

Methods

Cortical tissue samples from children undergoing surgical resections for the treatment of RE (n = 16) and non-RE (n = 12) were compared using electrophysiological, morphological, and immunohistochemical techniques to examine neuronal properties and the relationship with microglial activation using the specific microglia/macrophage calcium-binding protein, IBA1 in conjunction with connexins and pannexin expression.

Results

Compared with non-RE cases

SUBMITTER: Cepeda C 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC4303544 | biostudies-literature | 2015 Feb

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature