Epilepsy, a condition characterized by unexpected seizures, affects nearly 1% of the population. The exact trigger for these seizures, which often involve repetitive and excessive neuronal firing, is still poorly understood.
A recent study from Tohoku University sheds light on this mystery, revealing that astrocyte activity begins approximately 20 seconds before the onset of epileptic neuronal hyperactivity. Astrocytes are non-neuronal glial cells that occupy almost half of the brain and control the local ionic and metabotropic environment. While their role in brain function has often been overlooked due to their lack of easily monitored electrical activity, fluorescence sensor proteins are now providing valuable insights into their activity.
The study, led by Professor Ko Matsui of the Super-network Brain Physiology lab at Tohoku University, suggests that astrocytes play a significant part in triggering epileptic seizures. The researchers observed that astrocyte activity increased robustly in response to low-amplitude direct current stimulation, which was followed by an epileptic neuronal hyperactivity episode. When the metabolic activity of the astrocytes was blocked by applying fluorocitrate, the magnitude of the epileptic neuronal hyperactivity was significantly reduced.
These findings highlight the potential of astrocytes to control neuronal activity and suggest that they could be a new therapeutic target for epilepsy treatment. Lead study investigator Shun Araki emphasizes that with appropriate guidance, astrocytes’ functions could be harnessed to address a range of neurological conditions, including epilepsy and potentially enhancing cognitive abilities beyond natural limitations.
