(Murcia : F. Hernández, 2005) Nemani, V.M.; Binder, D.K.
This review highlights the contribution of
gap junctions to the pathophysiology of epilepsy. The
tissue expression and spatiotemporal regulation of
connexins is discussed, and the phenotypes of specific
connexin knockouts are considered. Electrophysiologic
studies have implicated gap junctions in the generation
of very fast oscillations preceding seizures. Gap junction
inhibitors have shown powerful anticonvulsant effects,
to date primarily in in vitro studies. Specific inhibition of
gap junctions in vivo along with more detailed human
tissue studies are needed to understand more fully the
role of gap junctions in epileptogenesis.