Neurotrophin receptors expression in mesial temporal lobe epilepsy with and without psychiatric comorbidities and their relation with seizure type and surgical outcome

Author(s)

Kandratavicius, Ludmyla ^{[1, 2]} ; Hallak, Jaime Eduardo ^{[1, 2, 3]} ; Carlotti, Jr., Carlos Gilberto ^[4] ; Assirati, Jr., Joao Alberto ^[4] ; Leite, Joao Pereira ^{[1, 2]}

Affiliation

^[1] Univ Sao Paulo, Ctr Interdisciplinary Res Appl Neurosci NAPNA, Ribeirao Preto - Brazil

^[2] Univ Sao Paulo, Ribeirao Preto Sch Med, Dept Neurosci & Behav, Bandeirantes 3900, Ribeirao Preto - Brazil

^[3] INCT TM CNPq, Ribeirao Preto - Brazil

^[4] Univ Sao Paulo, Ribeirao Preto Sch Med, Dept Surg, Ribeirao Preto - Brazil

• Document type: Journal article
• Source: ACTA NEUROPATHOLOGICA COMMUNICATIONS; v. 2, 2014.
• Web of Science Citations: 9

Abstract

Epilepsy and psychiatric comorbidities are frequently associated, but their common biological substrate is unknown. We have previously reported altered structural elements and neurotrophins (NTs) expression in mesial temporal lobe epilepsy (MTLE) patients with psychiatric comorbidities. NTs receptors can regulate neurotransmission and promote neuroplasticity, being important candidates in the regulation and manifestation of psychopatological states and seizure-related events. MTLE hippocampi of subjects without psychiatric history, MTLE + major depression, MTLE + interictal psychosis derived from epilepsy surgery, and control necropsies were investigated for p75(NTR), TrkB, TrkA, and TrkC immunohistochemistry. Increased expression of p75NTR, decreased TrkA, unaltered TrkC, and complex alterations involving TrkB expression were seen in MTLE groups. Increased TrkB expression in patients without complete seizure remission and in those with secondarily generalized seizures was seen. Decreased p75NTR expression associated with interictal psychosis, and increased TrkB in those with psychosis or major depression was also reported, although their p75(NTR)/TrkB ratios were lower than in MTLE without psychiatric comorbidities. Our results provide evidence of alterations in expression of NTs receptors in the epileptogenic hippocampus that are differentially modulated in presence of psychiatric comorbidities. As already explored in animal models, even in chronic human MTLE increased TrkB expression, among other NT receptors alterations, may play a major role in seizure type, frequency and surgery outcome. (AU)

• FAPESP's process: 05/56447-7 - Research through images from high field magnetic resonance aimed at studies in humans
• Grantee: João Pereira Leite
• Support Opportunities: Inter-institutional Cooperation in Support of Brain Research (CINAPCE) - Thematic Grants