Neuropathological investigation of synaptic reorganisation in patients with temporal lobe epilepsy associated with hippocampal sclerosis: understanding the subtypes and their association with prognosis and clinical variables.

• Grant number: 23/15854-7
• Support Opportunities: Scholarships in Brazil - Scientific Initiation
• Start date: March 01, 2024
• End date: February 28, 2026
• Field of knowledge: Health Sciences - Medicine - Pathological Anatomy and Clinical Pathology
• Principal Investigator: João Pereira Leite
• Grantee: André Fernando Garcia Cortez
• Host Institution: Faculdade de Medicina de Ribeirão Preto (FMRP). Universidade de São Paulo (USP). Ribeirão Preto , SP, Brazil

Abstract

Epilepsy is a neurological condition with high prevalence that significantly impacts the quality of life of millions of people around the world. This research project centres on temporal lobe epilepsy (TLE), which is one type of focal epilepsy frequently resistant to pharmacological therapies and commonly associated with hippocampal sclerosis (HE). The main aim of this study is to execute a neuropathological classification of hippocampal tissue slides of patients with TLE, focusing specifically on the differents subtypes of EH. Furthermore, we intend to investigate and classify the patterns of synaptic reorganisation on these patients' hippocampi, with emphasis on the mossy fibre sprouting. In order to achieve these goals, we shall use immunohistochemistry techniques to identify neurons and astrogliosis, as well as the Neo-Timm method to visualise the mossy fibres. The results of this study have the potential to enrich the understanding of the interactions between changes in the hippocampal neuronal circuitry, clinical history and post-surgical outcomes of patients with TLE. This in-depth understanding, in turn, may lead to significant advances in both treatment and management of this type of epilepsy, which will benefit not only those patients involved, but also the society in general. We hope this research project contributes to the improvement of care and quality of life of patients affected by TLE, along with to the advance of knowledge in the field of epileptology.