Epilepsy and the inflammasome: targeting inflammation as a novel therapeutic strategy for seizure disorders

Edye, M. E., Walker, L. E., Sills, G. J., Allan, S. M. and Brough, D. (2014) Epilepsy and the inflammasome: targeting inflammation as a novel therapeutic strategy for seizure disorders. Inflammasome, 1(1), pp. 36-43. (doi: 10.2478/infl-2014-0004)

Abstract

Epilepsy is the most common serious brain disorder worldwide. Recent evidence from experimental models of epilepsy and clinical brain tissue from epilepsy surgery suggests inflammation may play a pathological role in this disorder. Activation of a multimolecular protein complex termed the ‘inflammasome’ occurs during inflammation to drive the innate immune response. Inflammasome activation, with release of inflammatory mediators including interleukin-1β and high-mobility group box-1, may play a crucial role in the development of epilepsy (epileptogenesis) after brain insult. Immunomodulatory drugs targeting the inflammasome pathway may represent a novel antiepileptogenic treatment strategy for epilepsy. This review summarises the current literature surrounding inflammasome activation and epilepsy.

• Item Type: Articles
• Status: Published
• Refereed: Yes
• Glasgow Author(s) Enlighten ID: Sills, Dr Graeme
• Authors: Edye, M. E., Walker, L. E., Sills, G. J., Allan, S. M., and Brough, D.
• College/School: College of Medical Veterinary and Life Sciences
• Journal Name: Inflammasome
• Publisher: De Gruyter
• ISSN: 2300-102X
• Copyright Holders: Copyright © 2014 ME Edye et al.
• First Published: First published in Inflammasome 1(1):36-43
• Publisher Policy: Reproduced under a Creative Commons License