2024.04.19
Press Release
Glial Hyper-drive for Triggering Epileptic Seizures
Epilepsy, where patients suffer from unexpected seizures, affects roughly 1% of the population. These seizures often involve repetitive and excessive neuronal firing, with the trigger behind this still poorly understood.
Now, researchers at Tohoku University have monitored astrocyte activity using fluorescence calcium sensors, discovering that astrocyte activity starts approximately 20 seconds before the onset of epileptic neuronal hyperactivity. This suggests that astrocytes play a significant part in triggering epileptic seizures, facilitating the hyper-drive of the neural circuit.
The findings were detailed in the journal Glia on April 9, 2024.
TOHOKU UNIVERSITY Research News
Publication Details:
Title: Astrocyte switch to the hyperactive mode
Authors: Shun Araki, Ichinosuke Onishi, Yoko Ikoma, Ko Matsui
Journal: Glia
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1002/glia.24537
Embargo date: April 9, 2024
Contact:
Name: Ko Matsui
Affiliation: Super-network Brain Physiology, Graduate School of Life Sciences,Tohoku University
Email: matsui*med.tohoku.ac.jp(Please convert “*” to “@”)
Website: http://www.ims.med.tohoku.ac.jp/matsui/