Modulation of neuroinflammation as a therapeutic strategy for the control of epilepsy

Author(s):Show less -

Ramos, Alberto Javier ; Lazarowski, Alberto ; Vega-Garcia, Angelica ; Buritica-Ramirez, Efrain ; Auzmendi, Jeronimo ; Becerra-Hernandez, Lina Vanessa ; Nunez-Lumbreras, Maria de los Angeles ; Orozco-Suarez, Sandra A. ; Alves, Suelen Santos ; Garcia-Cairasco, Norberto ; Peixoto-Santos, Jose Eduardo ; Cavalheiro, Esper Abrao ; Rocha, Luisa

• Document type: Journal article
• Source: SEIZURE-EUROPEAN JOURNAL OF EPILEPSY; v. 131, p. 13-pg., 2025-09-01.

Abstract

Neuroinflammation plays a pivotal role in the onset and progression of epilepsy. In this review, we critically examine: (1) the dual roles of astrocytes and microglia in maintaining a chronic inflammation and its contribution to epileptogenesis and seizures; (2) the crosstalk between the histamine released by mast cells and the brain histaminergic neurotransmission, an underexplored mechanism for seizures; (3) the potential of inflammatory mediators as biomarkers for predicting prognosis and risk stratification; (4) the shared inflammatory pathways linking epilepsy and Alzheimer's disease, with special attention to reactive astrocyte and ferroptosis markers in identifying individuals at risk; (5) emerging therapeutic strategies, including conventional anti-inflammatory drugs and traditional medicine, for seizure control through modulation of neuroinflammation. With these carefully chosen topics, we introduce new molecular findings reinforcing the crucial role of neuroinflammation in epilepsy and as a marker for epileptogenesis, a topic of special interest for the acquired epilepsies such as hippocampal sclerosis. Moreover, we explored other mechanisms that received far less attention, especially those linking epilepsy with Alzheimer's disease, and the potential role of mast cells in seizures. (AU)

• FAPESP's process: 24/16992-7 - EXPLORING THE BIDIRECTIONAL RELATIONSHIP BETWEEN ALZHEIMER'S DISEASE AND EPILEPSY. AN ANALYSIS OF ALTERATIONS IN THE BRAIN INSULIN SIGNALING PATHWAY AS A POTENTIAL MECHANISM OF CONNECTION BETWEEN THE TWO CONDITIONS
• Grantee: Norberto Garcia Cairasco
• Support Opportunities: Regular Research Grants
• FAPESP's process: 21/01098-0 - Glial cells: Impact on magnetic resonance imaging and seizure frequency of patients with temporal lobe epilepsy
• Grantee: José Eduardo Peixoto Santos
• Support Opportunities: Regular Research Grants