Fever, febrile seizures and epilepsy

Abstract

Seizures induced by fever (febrile seizures) are the most common type of pathological brain activity in infants and children. These febrile seizures and their potential contribution to the mechanisms of limbic (temporal lobe) epilepsy have been a topic of major clinical and scientific interest. Key questions include the mechanisms by which fever generates seizures, the effects of long febrile seizures on neuronal function and the potential contribution of these seizures to epilepsy. This review builds on recent advances derived from animal models and summarizes our current knowledge of the mechanisms underlying febrile seizures and of changes in neuronal gene expression and function that facilitate the enduring effects of prolonged febrile seizures on neuronal and network excitability. The review also discusses the relevance of these findings to the general mechanisms of epileptogenesis during development and points out gaps in our knowledge, including the relationship of animal models to human febrile seizures and epilepsy.

Autistic characteristics in adults with epilepsy

“…However, such recovery doesn't rule out the re-emergence of epilepsy in later life. Indeed, several studies have found a significant relationship between early-life seizures and a greater risk of epilepsy in later life (Cendes & Andermann, 2002;Dubé, Brewster, Richichi, Zha, & Baram, 2007).…”

Binding of NRSF to the HCN1 Gene Represses Expression after Seizures

“…"Whether epileptogenic processes occurring in the immature rodent brain are analogous directly to those in children remain largely unknown...... [However], this issue will be resolved by interventional studies using molecular targets discovered in the animal model and by aiming to prevent human epileptogenesis" [13].…”

Neuroinflammation: Peripheral and Neurogenic Underlying Processes

“…The worsening of most epileptic seizures with concurring infections and the existence of febrile seizures also suggested the role of an immuno-inflammatory condition in the occurrence of epilepsy (Dube et al, 2007). Juan F. Rodriguez-Ramirez, Laura Adalid-Peralta, Gladis Fragoso, Gabriela Rosas, Gabriela Meneses, Agnes Fleury, Edda Sciutto, and Graciela Cardenas / Journal of Contemporary Immunology (2015) Vol.…”