Neuron-specific mechanisms for epilepsy self-termination

Abstract

Epilepsy as a common neurological disorder appears the sudden onset and self-termination in the cerebral cortical ictal discharges and tonic muscle contractions within a few minutes. The seizure onset is believed to be initiated by the synchronous activity of excitatory neurons and the weakness of inhibitory synapses. Current medications to suppress the seizure onset are applying exogenous reagents to enhance inhibitory synaptic transmission and block spike generation. After the treatments, many epileptic patients become insensitive to original medications and the pathogenesis in the elevated ratio of cortical excitation to inhibition is still present. The reasons for lack of long-term medical efficiency may include that the medical treatment is not neuron-specific and the seizure self-termination has not been taken into account. Therefore, new therapeutic strategies against epilepsy remains to be explored based on strengthening the endogenous mechanisms of seizure self-termination in a neuron-specific manner. We review the potential mechanism of seizure self-termination and give our thought in anti-epilepsy by strengthening endogenous seizure self-termination in different neuronal compartments.