CRMP2 regulates mossy fiber sprouting and modulates microtubule dynamics in a pilocarpine induced rat model of epilepsy.

Objective: Our study aimed to investigate the role of CRMP2 in mossy fiber sprouting (MFS) using a pilocarpine-induced rat model of epilepsy.

Methods: First, the rats were sacrificed on the 1, 7, 14 and 28 day after pilocarpine injection. Quantitative Real-time PCR (qPCR) and Western blot (WB) were performed to assess mRNA and protein levels in the hippocampus and cortex.

Cannabinoid receptor 2 agonist AM1241 alleviates epileptic seizures and epilepsy-associated depression via inhibiting neuroinflammation in a pilocarpine-induced chronic epilepsy mouse model.

Increasing evidence suggests that cannabinoid receptor 2 (CBR) serves as a promising anti-inflammatory target. While inflammation is known to play crucial roles in the pathogenesis of epilepsy, the involvement of CBR in epilepsy remains unclear. This study aimed to investigate the effects of a CBR agonist, AM1241, on epileptic seizures and depressive-like behaviors in a mouse model of chronic epilepsy induced by pilocarpine.

Inhibiting SRC activity attenuates kainic-acid induced mouse epilepsy via reducing NR2B phosphorylation and full-length NR2B expression.

Objective: To explore the effect of SRC activation on spontaneously recurrent seizures and to investigate the underlying mechanisms of NR2B phosphorylation.

Methods: C57BL/6 mice were injected intrahippocampally with kainic acid (KA, 0.4 μg/25 g) to induce status epilepticus (SE).

CRMP2 modulates mossy fiber sprouting in dentate gyrus of pilocarpine induced rat model of epilepsy.

As a hallmark of epilepsy, mossy fiber sprouting was regarded as an ideal mode to study neural rewiring upon injury. The process of mossy fiber sprouting constitutes key steps for neural circuit formation, including axon collateral formation and outgrowth, reversed pathfinding and synapse connection. The canonical function of CRMP2 is to promote neurite/axon outgrowth via binding to tubulin heterodimers, which is mainly regulated by its phosphorylation state.

Efficacy of cathodal transcranial direct current stimulation on electroencephalographic functional networks in patients with focal epilepsy: Preliminary findings.

Background: Neuromodulation is a promising therapeutic alternative for epilepsy. We aimed to explore the efficacy and safety of cathodal transcranial current direct stimulation (ctDCS) on electroencephalographic functional networks in focal epilepsy.

Methods: A sham-controlled, double-blinded, randomized study was conducted on 25 participants with focal epilepsy who underwent a 5-day, -1.

Diagnostic value of a vision-based intelligent gait analyzer in screening for gait abnormalities.

Background: Early detection of gait abnormalities is critical for preventing severe injuries in future falls. The timed up and go (TUG) test is a commonly used clinical gait screening test; however, the interpretation of its results is limited to the TUG total time.

Research Question: What is diagnostic accuracy of the low-cost, markerless, automated gait analyzer, with the aid of vision-based artificial intelligence technology, which extract gait spatiotemporal features and screen for abnormal walking patterns through video recordings of the TUG test?

Methods: Our dataset contained retrospective data from outpatients from the Department of Neurology or Rehabilitation of two tertiary hospitals in Shanghai.

Anti-inflammatory treatment with a soluble epoxide hydrolase inhibitor attenuates seizures and epilepsy-associated depression in the LiCl-pilocarpine post-status epilepticus rat model.

Purpose: This study aimed to investigate whether 1-trifluoromethoxyphenyl-3-(1-propionylpiperidin-4-yl) urea (TPPU), a soluble epoxide hydrolase inhibitor with anti-inflammatory effects, could alleviate spontaneous recurrent seizures (SRS) and epilepsy-associated depressive behaviours in the lithium chloride (LiCl)-pilocarpine-induced post-status epilepticus (SE) rat model.

Methods: The rats were intraperitoneally (IP) injected with LiCl (127 mg/kg) and pilocarpine (40 mg/kg) to induce SE. A video surveillance system was used to monitor SRS in the post-SE model for 6 weeks (from the onset of the 2nd week to the end of the 7th week after SE induction).

Exosomes derived from PEDF modified adipose-derived mesenchymal stem cells ameliorate cerebral ischemia-reperfusion injury by regulation of autophagy and apoptosis.

Increasing evidence suggest that exosomes from mesenchymal stem cells have therapeutic effects in cerebral ischemia-reperfusion (I/R) injury, but the underlying mechanisms are unclear. Pigment epithelium-derived factor (PEDF) is a multifunctional protein that exhibits anti-inflammatory, antioxidative, and neuroprotective properties. We investigated the involvement of PEDF in I/R, using adipose-derived mesenchymal stem cells (ADSCs) isolated from rat.

Functional network changes in the hippocampus contribute to depressive symptoms in epilepsy.

Purpose: Our study aimed to investigate the functional connectivity (FC) between the hippocampus and other brain regions in epilepsy patients with depressive symptoms.

Methods: Epilepsy patients with and without depressive symptoms, assessed using the 17-item Hamilton Depression Rating Scale scores, were enrolled. Healthy volunteers were recruited as the control group.

Different behavioral and pathological changes between epilepsy-associated depression and primary depression models.

Purpose: Comorbid depression is common in patients with epilepsy. However, the epilepsy-associated depression is generally atypical and has not been fully recognized by neurologists. This study aimed to compare the behavioral and pathological changes between the chronic lithium chloride-pilocarpine rat epilepsy model (Licl-pilocarpine model) and the Chronic Unpredictable Mild Stress rat depression model (CUMS model), to evaluate for differences between epilepsy-associated depression and primary depression.

Inhibition of 17-beta-estradiol on neuronal excitability via enhancing GIRK1-mediated inwardly rectifying potassium currents and GIRK1 expression.

Background: Catamenial epilepsy is a common central nervous system disease in female, which is influenced by the 17-β-estradiol (estrogen) level during the menstrual cycle. Low level (<0.05ng/ml) of estrogen normally accompanies with the perimenstrual classification of catamenial epilepsy, however, without clear mechanism.

An investigation of the characteristics of outpatients with epilepsy and antiepileptic drug utilization in a multicenter cross-sectional study in China.

Objectives: This study aimed to describe the distribution of seizure types, clinical characteristics, and antiepileptic drug (AED) utilization in patients with epilepsy visiting tertiary hospitals in China.

Methods: This was an observational, cross-sectional epidemiology study conducted at 11 tertiary hospitals across China from May 2014 to November 2014. A total of 1603 patients, of either sex or any age with confirmed diagnosis of epilepsy, visiting outpatient clinics at tertiary hospitals were screened and enrolled.

N-methyl-D-aspartate receptor NR2B subunit involved in depression-like behaviours in lithium chloride-pilocarpine chronic rat epilepsy model.

Depression is a common comorbidity in patients with epilepsy with unclear mechanisms. This study is to explore the role of glutamate N-methyl-D-aspartate (NMDA) receptor NR1, NR2A and NR2B subunits in epilepsy-associated depression. Lithium chloride (Licl)-pilocarpine chronic rat epilepsy model was established and rats were divided into epilepsy with depression (EWD) and epilepsy without depression (EWND) subgroups based on forced swim test.

The anti-depression effect of Xylaria nigripes in patients with epilepsy: A multicenter randomized double-blind study.

Purpose: The comorbidity of depression in patients with epilepsy is common and treatment is still controversial. This pilot study was aimed at evaluating the efficacy and safety of Xylaria nigripes for treating depressive symptoms in patients with epilepsy during 12 weeks of treatment.

Methods: A multicenter, double-blind, placebo-controlled, randomized superiority study was performed.