Synaptic and non synaptic mechanisms of refractory epilepsy and its implications in searching for new therapeutic strategies: translational approach

Abstract

The project is devoted to the characterization of the anatomophysiological, neurochemical and electrophysiology bases of epilepsies. The main objective of this group is the development of animal models of epilepsy to improve our knowledge about the possible synaptical and nonsynaptical mechanisms responsible for epileptogenesis and antiepileptogenesis processes. Among them, the neural substrate for maternal alterations induced by epilepsy, the process of cerebral inflammation on epileptogenesis and the neuronal plasticity in the adult brain after different physical exercise programs, in animals submitted to multiple status epileptics, will be evaluated and also will be developed computational simulations aiming at to investigate the mechanisms involved. Human studies are aimed to characterize the predictive factors of post-surgical evolution in patients with temporal lobe epilepsy and the prospective study to investigate neurochemical marker associate to the prognostic of epilepsies surgically attenuated. At the end of this period, we expect to contribute to an international recognition of the National Neuroscience. As a result, our country will be organized to offer innovations in the prevention, diagnosis and treatment of neurological and psychiatric disorders pathologies in a more efficient way. (AU)