Review: Neuroinflammatory pathways as treatment targets and biomarker candidates in epilepsy: emerging evidence from preclinical and clinical studies

Abstract

Accumulating evidence indicates an important pathophysiological role of brain inflammation in epilepsy. In this review, we will provide an update of specific inflammatory pathways that have been proposed to be crucial in the underlying molecular mechanisms of epilepsy, including the interleukin-1 receptor/toll-like receptor signalling, cyclooxygenase-2, tumour necrosis factor-alpha, complement signalling and chemokines. Furthermore, by drawing on evidence from preclinical and clinical studies we will discuss the potential of these signalling pathways targets for novel therapeutic interventions that control drug-resistant seizures or have disease-modifying effects. Finally, we will assess the use of these inflammatory pathways as potential biomarkers for the development of epilepsy or to measure the effectiveness of therapeutic interventions.

Keywords: cyclooxygenase-2; epileptogenesis; interleukin-1beta; status epilepticus; temporal lobe epilepsy; tumour necrosis factor alpha.