Repeated 4-aminopyridine seizures reduce parvalbumin content in the medial mammillary nucleus of the rat brain

EEG Abnormalities and Phenotypic Correlates in Preschoolers with Autism Spectrum Disorder: A Single-Center Study

Background: The literature suggests the existence of an association between autism spectrum disorders (ASDs) and subclinical electroencephalographic abnormalities (SEAs), which show a heterogeneous prevalence rate (12.5-60.7%) within the pediatric ASD population. The aim of this study was to investigate the EEG findings in a cohort of ASD preschoolers and their correlation with the phenotypic characteristics. Methods: We retrospectively reviewed data on 141 ASD preschoolers evaluated in a tertiary care university hospital over the period 2008-2018. All participants underwent at least one standard polygraphic electroencephalogram (EEG) and a clinical multidisciplinary assessment with standardized instruments. Results: 77 patients (55%) showed SEAs, which were mainly represented by epileptiform discharges (p < 0.00001), especially focal and multifocal (p = 0.010). Abnormal EEG (p = 0.035) and epileptiform discharges (p = 0.014) were associated with seizure onset and were predominant in sleep (p < 0.00001). Patients with abnormal tracing (p = 0.031) and slow abnormalities (p < 0.001) were significantly younger. ASD severity was not found to be correlated with EEG results, which showed a potential, albeit non-significant, association with some psychometric parameters. Very similar results were found when patients were divided according to sex. Conclusions: EEG abnormalities appear to correlate more with ASD internalizing, externalizing and emotional comorbidities, rather than with ASD core symptoms; larger samples are needed to further investigate this association.

Children with Autism Spectrum Disorder and Abnormalities of Clinical EEG: A Qualitative Review

Over the last decade, the comorbidity between Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) and epilepsy has been widely demonstrated, and many hypotheses regarding the common neurobiological bases of these disorders have been put forward. A variable, but significant, prevalence of abnormalities on electroencephalogram (EEG) has been documented in non-epileptic children with ASD; therefore, several scientific studies have recently tried to demonstrate the role of these abnormalities as a possible biomarker of altered neural connectivity in ASD individuals. This narrative review intends to summarize the main findings of the recent scientific literature regarding abnormalities detected with standard EEG in children/adolescents with idiopathic ASD. Research using three different databases (PubMed, Scopus and Google Scholar) was conducted, resulting in the selection of 10 original articles. Despite an important lack of studies on preschoolers and a deep heterogeneity in results, some authors speculated on a possible association between EEG abnormalities and ASD characteristics, in particular, the severity of symptoms. Although this correlation needs to be more strongly elucidated, these findings may encourage future studies aimed at demonstrating the role of electrical brain abnormalities as an early biomarker of neural circuit alterations in ASD, highlighting the potential diagnostic, prognostic and therapeutic value of EEG in this field.

The Reactive Plasticity of Hippocampal Ionotropic Glutamate Receptors in Animal Epilepsies

Ionotropic glutamate receptors (iGluRs) mediate the synaptic and metabolic actions of glutamate. These iGluRs are classified within the α-amino-3-hydroxy-5-methyl-4-isoxazole propionic acid (AMPA)-type, kainate-type, and N-methyl-d-aspartate (NMDA)-type functional receptor families. The iGluR assemblies are regulated by transcription, alternative splicing, and cytoplasmic post-translational modifications. The iGluR subunit proteins are transported from the endoplasmic reticulum, inserted into the synaptic membranes, and anchored at their action site by different scaffolding and interacting proteins. The functional properties of iGluRs depend on their subunit composition, the amino acid sequence of the protein domains, and the scaffolding proteins in the synaptic membranes. The iGluRs are removed from the membranes by enzymatic action and endocytosis. Hippocampal iGluRs are rearranged through the upregulation and downregulation of the subunits following deafferentation and epileptic seizures. The rearrangement of iGluRs and the alteration of their subunit composition transform neurons into “pathological” cells, determining the further plasticity or pathology of the hippocampal formation. In the present review, we summarize the expression of AMPA, kainate, and NMDA receptor subunits following deafferentation, repeated mild seizures, and status epilepticus. We compare our results to literature descriptions, and draw conclusions as to the reactive plasticity of iGluRs in the hippocampus.

Voltage-Dependent Calcium Channels, Calcium Binding Proteins, and Their Interaction in the Pathological Process of Epilepsy

As an important second messenger, the calcium ion (Ca²⁺) plays a vital role in normal brain function and in the pathophysiological process of different neurodegenerative diseases including Alzheimer’s disease (AD), Parkinson’s disease (PD), and epilepsy. Ca²⁺ takes part in the regulation of neuronal excitability, and the imbalance of intracellular Ca²⁺ is a trigger factor for the occurrence of epilepsy. Several anti-epileptic drugs target voltage-dependent calcium channels (VDCCs). Intracellular Ca²⁺ levels are mainly controlled by VDCCs located in the plasma membrane, the calcium-binding proteins (CBPs) inside the cytoplasm, calcium channels located on the intracellular calcium store (particular the endoplasmic reticulum/sarcoplasmic reticulum), and the Ca²⁺-pumps located in the plasma membrane and intracellular calcium store. So far, while many studies have established the relationship between calcium control factors and epilepsy, the mechanism of various Ca²⁺ regulatory factors in epileptogenesis is still unknown. In this paper, we reviewed the function, distribution, and alteration of VDCCs and CBPs in the central nervous system in the pathological process of epilepsy. The interaction of VDCCs with CBPs in the pathological process of epilepsy was also summarized. We hope this review can provide some clues for better understanding the mechanism of epileptogenesis, and for the development of new anti-epileptic drugs targeting on VDCCs and CBPs.

Repeated application of 4-aminopyridine provoke an increase in entorhinal cortex excitability and rearrange AMPA and kainate receptors

Entorhinal cortex is a highly epilepsy-prone brain region. Effects of repetitive seizures on ionotropic glutamate receptors (iGluRs) were investigated in rat entorhinal cortex slices. Seizures were induced by daily administration of 4-aminopyridine (4-AP). Electrophysiological, pharmacological and histological investigations were carried out to determine changes in synaptic efficacy and in sensitivity of iGluRs due to recurring seizures. Repeated 4-AP-induced seizures increased the amplitude of evoked synaptic field responses in rat entorhinal cortical slices. While vulnerability to inhibition of AMPA receptors by the specific antagonist GYKI 52466 was slightly reduced, responsiveness to NMDA receptor antagonist APV remained unaffected. Testing of bivalent cation permeability of iGluRs revealed reduced Ca(2+)-influx through non-NMDA receptors. According to the semi-quantitative histoblot analysis GluA1-4, GluA1, GluA2, GluK5, GluN1 and GluN2A subunit protein expression differently altered. While there was a marked decrease in the level of GluA1-4, GluA2 and GluK5 receptor subunits, GluA1 and GluN2A protein levels moderately increased. The results indicate that brief convulsions, repeated daily for 10 days can increase overall entorhinal cortex excitability despite a reduction in AMPA/kainate receptor activity, probably through the alteration of local network susceptibility.

Ongoing expression of Nkx2.1 in the postnatal mouse forebrain: potential for understanding NKX2.1 haploinsufficiency in humans?

Coordinated movements require the caudate-putamen and the globus pallidus, two nuclei belonging to the basal ganglia, to be intact and functioning properly. Many neurons populating these regions derive from the medial ganglionic eminence, a transient structure that expresses the transcription factor Nkx2.1 during prenatal development. Accordingly, the basal ganglia of Nkx2.1(-/-) mice are heavily affected and a substantial loss of several types of GABAergic interneurons has been observed. Interestingly, heterozygous mutation of the NKX2.1 gene in humans has been described as causing an unusual disorder from the second year of life onwards, which is mainly characterized by disturbances of motor abilities and delayed speech development. In the present study, we therefore investigated whether Nkx2.1 is still expressed in the young adult and aged mouse forebrain. After birth, the most intense immunolabeling for Nkx2.1 was detected in several components of the hypothalamic region, in the subventricular zone of the ventral tips lining the lateral ventricles, and in neighboring structures including the striatum, the globus pallidus and the various nuclei of the septal complex. Surprisingly, this staining pattern was substantially maintained into adulthood. Double immunocytochemistry for Nkx2.1 and various neuronal markers revealed that mainly parvalbumin-containing GABAergic neurons, but also cholinergic neurons, of the ventral forebrain express this protein. Moreover, in situ hybridization confirmed that these neurons maintain synthesis of Nkx2.1 throughout life. The robust expression of Nkx2.1 by these neurons points to a broad functional spectrum within the adult forebrain.

Modification of ionotropic glutamate receptor-mediated processes in the rat hippocampus following repeated, brief seizures

The seizure-induced molecular and functional alterations of glutamatergic transmission in the hippocampus have been investigated. Daily repeated epileptic seizures were induced for 12 days by intraperitoneal administration of 4-aminopyridine (4-AP; 4.5 mg/kg) in adult Wistar rats. The seizure symptoms were evaluated on the Racine's scale. One day after the last injection, the brains were removed for in vitro electrophysiological experiments and immunohistochemical analysis. The glutamate receptor subunits NR1, NR2A, NR2B, GluR1, GluR1(flop), GluR2, and KA-2 were studied using the histoblotting method. The semi-quantitative analysis of subunit immunoreactivities in hippocampal layers was performed with densitometry. In the hippocampus, increase of GluR1, GluR1(flop) and NR2B immunostaining was observed in most of the areas and layers. The significant decrease of GluR2 staining intensity was observed in the CA1 and dentate gyrus. Calcium permeability of hippocampal neurons was tested by a cobalt uptake assay in hippocampal slices. The uptake of cobalt increased in the CA1 area and dentate gyrus, but not in the CA3 region following 4-AP treatment. Effects of AMPA and NMDA (N-methyl-d-aspartate) glutamate receptor antagonists (1-(4-aminophenyl)-4-methyl-7,8-methylenedioxy-5H-2,3-benzodiazepine hydrochloride (GYKI 52466) and D-APV respectively) were measured in hippocampal slices using extracellular recording. Analysis of the population spikes revealed the reduced effectiveness of the AMPA receptor antagonist GYKI 52466, while the effect of the NMDA receptor antagonist d-(2R)-amino-5-phosphonovaleric acid was similar to controls. The results demonstrated that repeated convulsions induced structural and functional changes in AMPA receptor-mediated transmission, while NMDA and kainate receptor systems displayed only alterations in receptor subunit composition.

Late expression of FosB transcription factor in 4-aminopyridine-induced seizures in the rat cerebral cortex

In this study, the immunolocalization of FosB transcription factor was investigated in acute and chronic experimental models of seizures induced by 4-aminopyridine. Wistar rats were injected intraperitoneally daily with 5mg/kg 4-aminopyridine for 1, 4, 8 and 12 days and sacrificed 24h after the last injection. Corresponding control groups received the solvent of 4-aminopyridine. Immunohistochemistry revealed an increase in FosB immunolabelling in the frontal cortex in 4-aminopyridine-treated animals compared to controls, both in acute and chronic time course groups. The dentate gyrus displayed elevated FosB immunopositivity only after repeatedly applied convulsant (4-aminopyridine), i.e. following 4, 8 and 12 days of treatment, but no significant immunolocalization was observed in the hippocampus proper. The neuronal localization of FosB after 12 days of 4-aminopyridine-induced convulsions was analysed by means of FosB-parvalbumin double immunolabelling. The increased number of double-labelled cells was significant in the frontal cortex, hilum of the dentate fascia and region CA1 of the hippocampus. We conclude that the studied neocortical and allocortical areas showed a different pattern of FosB immunolocalization, which suggests a relative deficiency of transcriptional regulation in the Ammon's horn and may be responsible for distinct response to seizure-induced cellular insult.

Subiculum network excitability is increased in a rodent model of temporal lobe epilepsy

In this study, we used in vitro electrophysiology along with immunohistochemistry and molecular techniques to study the subiculum--a limbic structure that gates the information flow from and to the hippocampus--in pilocarpine-treated epileptic rats. Comparative data were obtained from age-matched nonepileptic controls (NEC). Subicular neurons in hippocampal-entorhinal cortex (EC) slices of epileptic rats were: (i) hyperexcitable when activated by CA1 or EC inputs; and (ii) generated spontaneous postsynaptic potentials at higher frequencies than NEC cells. Analysis of pharmacologically isolated, GABA(A) receptor-mediated inhibitory postsynaptic potentials revealed more positive reversal potentials in epileptic tissue (-67.8 +/- 6.3 mV, n = 16 vs. -74.8 +/- 3.6 mV in NEC, n = 13; P < 0.001) combined with a reduction in peak conductance (17.6 +/- 11.3 nS vs. 41.1 +/- 26.7 nS in NEC; P < 0.003). These electrophysiological data correlated in the epileptic subiculum with (i) reduced levels of mRNA expression and immunoreactivity of the neuron-specific potassium-chloride cotransporter 2; (ii) decreased number of parvalbumin-positive cells; and (iii) increased synaptophysin (a putative marker of sprouting) immunoreactivity. These findings identify an increase in network excitability within the subiculum of pilocarpine-treated, epileptic rats and point at a reduction in inhibition as an underlying mechanism.