Biology of Seizure Susceptibility in Developing Brain

Underlying biology that governs the age-dependent seizure susceptibility is a new, exciting research field for every pediatric epileptologist and developmental neuroscientist. On a daily practice basis, clinicians know that there is a close correlation between the degree of seizure susceptibility and the age of the individual. Pathophysiological mechanisms involved are multiple, including race/gender nutrition, receptors/ion channels, dysgenesis, pharmacokinetics of anti-epileptic drugs, acute illnesses/inflammation and many others.

World's leading experts participated in this book, with original papers dealing with the cutting edge of knowledge in various aspects of underlying biology. Each chapter presents a comprehensive review of the subject, guiding the readers to better understand the contemporary status of achievements in this challenging research field.

CONTENTS



1. Ion channels
2. Progress in genetics of severe myoclonic epilepsy in infancy
3. Functional effects of four sodium Channel mutations that cause generalized epilepsy with febrile seizures plus
4. Neonatal seizures
5. Risk factors for postneonatal epileptic seizures in newborns with neonatal seizures
6. Treatment of neonatal seizures and other intractable epilepsies with cationchloride co-transporter antagonists
7. Infantile seizures
8. ARX mutation in females; an under-recognized cause of epilepsy and developmental delay
9. Genetic etiology of age-dependent epileptic encephalopathies in infancy: longer polyalanine expansion in ARX causes earlier onset and more severe phenotype
10. Distinct clinical course of epilepsy with an SNC2a mutation – Comparison with scn1a mutations
11. Intrinsic factors
12. Linking biochemical pathways to seizure susceptibility in early life; lessons from inborn errors of metabolism
13. Sex influence on the maturation of endogenous systems involved in seizure control
14. External influences
15. How the environment shapes genetically induced seizure activity in rats
16. Abnormal brain development
17. Genetic malformations of the cerebral cortex and seizure susceptibility during infancy and childhood
18. Fetal synaptogenesis and epilepsy of early infancy
19. Seizure susceptibility in tuberous sclerosis complex
20. Epilepsy and mental retardation in tuberous sclerosis complex – Can we prevent them?