How Does Epilepsy Affect Neurotransmitters?

One of the most-studied neurotransmitters that plays a role in epilepsy is GABA, or gamma-aminobutyric acid, which is an inhibitory neurotransmitter. Research on GABA has led to drugs that alter the amount of this neurotransmitter in the brain or

changes how the brain responds to it

.

How does epilepsy affect neurotransmission?

In epileptic seizures, neuropeptide Y (NPY) is

overexpressed

, contributing to the inhibition of glutamate release. Neuropeptide Y neurons in the dentate gyrus activate GABAergic neurotransmission in the hippocampus, via NPY

₁

receptors, and inhibit glutamate release via NPY

₂

receptors.

Which neurotransmitter is most associated with preventing seizures?

Similarly,

γ-aminobutyric acid (GABA)-

mediated synaptic inhibition is known to be critical in regulating epileptic activity, as even a minor disinhibition can trigger hyperexcitability

¹

.

Which neurotransmitter is excitatory and plays a role in epilepsy?

Glutamate

is the predominant excitatory neurotransmitter in the adult mammalian brain; thus, much of past epilepsy research has attempted to understand the role of glutamate in seizures and epilepsy. Seizures induce elevations in extracellular glutamate, which then contribute to excitotoxic damage.

How does epilepsy affect the nervous system?

Epilepsy is a central nervous system (neurological) disorder in which brain

activity becomes abnormal

, causing seizures or periods of unusual behavior, sensations, and sometimes loss of awareness.

What neurotransmitter causes a seizure?

Glutamate hyperactivity

is exerted via presynaptic N-methyl-D-aspartate (NMDA) receptors, which strongly inhibit serotoninergic neurons, and via postsynaptic ionotropic glutaminergic receptors, which can induce epileptic seizures.

Which neurotransmitter affects seizures?

Gamma-aminobutyric acid (GABA)

is a presynaptic inhibitory neurotransmitter which exerts its effect upon GABAA and GABAB receptors. In animal studies, GABA withdrawal or GABAA antagonists can prolong epileptic seizures, whereas GABAA agonists and NMDA antagonists show antiepileptic properties [7].

Is myoclonus a seizure?

Myoclonic epilepsy

causes the muscles in the body to contract

. This type of seizure causes quick jerking movements. Myoclonic seizures often happen in everyday life. This includes hiccups and a sudden jerk while falling asleep.

What role does the brain play in epilepsy?

Seizures

alter brain functions by overactivating, interrupting, or destroying vital networks of brain activity

. Often the developing brain can compensate for this impact by creating new functional neuronal networks. This is what is referred to as the brain’s plasticity.

What neurotransmitter is responsible for depression?

The three neurotransmitters implicated in depression are:

Dopamine

.

Norepinephrine

.

Serotonin

.

Is epilepsy a disability?

Epilepsy is one of the conditions listed in the Social Security Administration’s Blue Book, which means that if you meet the requirements in the Blue Book listing for epilepsy you may be able to get disability benefits.

Can epilepsy go away?

While many forms of epilepsy require lifelong treatment to control the seizures,

for some people the seizures eventually go away

. The odds of becoming seizure-free are not as good for adults or for children with severe epilepsy syndromes, but it is possible that seizures may decrease or even stop over time.

What percentage of epilepsy is genetic?

About 30 to 40 percent

of epilepsy is caused by genetic predisposition. First-degree relatives of people with inherited epilepsy have a two- to four-fold increased risk for epilepsy.

Does too much GABA cause seizures?

GABA agonists were found to

intensify seizures in some rodent and human cases

. Absence and other generalized seizures in humans often worsened when treated with GABA transaminase inhibitors such as gamma-vinyl-GABA.

Can a chemical imbalance cause seizures?

These happen when you have a chemical imbalance in your brain. That imbalance causes a

sudden surge of electrical impulses

. This sends abnormal motor signals all over your body, which makes it convulsed and shake. There are two different types of seizures that affect your brain: Focal seizures and generalized seizures.

Is GABA good for seizures?

Experimental and clinical study evidence indicates that GABA has an important role in the mechanism and treatment of epilepsy: (a) Abnormalities of GABAergic function have been observed in genetic and acquired animal models of epilepsy; (b) Reductions of GABA-mediated inhibition, activity of glutamate decarboxylase, …