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Cellular and Molecular Mechanisms of Epilepsy

A special issue of Current Issues in Molecular Biology (ISSN 1467-3045). This special issue belongs to the section "Molecular Medicine".

Deadline for manuscript submissions: 30 September 2026 | Viewed by 334

Editor


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Guest Editor
1. Department of Biology, Baylor University, Waco, TX 76798, USA
2. Department of Psychology and Neuroscience, Baylor University, Waco, TX 76798, USA
Interests: developmental epilepsy; the relationship between epilepsy and autism; bone comorbidities in epilepsy

Special Issue Information

Dear Colleagues,

Epilepsy is a complex neurological disorder characterized by recurrent seizures arising from disruptions in molecular and cellular processes that regulate neuronal excitability and network stability. This Special Issue seeks original research and reviews that explore cellular and molecular mechanisms underlying epilepsy across various developmental stages and etiologies. We welcome studies on neuronal hyperexcitability, neuroinflammation, synaptic and circuit dysfunction, ion channel regulation, glial signaling, metabolic alterations, and gene–environment interactions that contribute to epileptogenesis and seizure propagation.

Contributions examining genetic, developmental, and acquired causes of epilepsy, such as models of early-life seizures, cortical malformations, and neurodevelopmental disorders, are particularly encouraged. We also invite authors to submit work investigating molecular pathways involved in seizure-induced plasticity, neurodegeneration, and the impact of cognitive and neuropsychiatric comorbidities. Contributions employing innovative experimental approaches such as single-cell and spatial transcriptomics, advanced imaging, electrophysiology, connectomics, and translational biomarker discovery are also welcome.

By integrating findings from molecular, cellular, and systems-level studies, this Special Issue aims to highlight emerging mechanisms that drive epileptogenesis and identify potential targets for therapeutic intervention. We hope that these contributions will collectively deepen our mechanistic understanding of epilepsy and support the development of more precise and effective strategies for prevention, diagnosis, and treatment.

Dr. Joaquin N. Lugo
Guest Editor

Manuscript Submission Information

Manuscripts should be submitted online at www.mdpi.com by registering and logging in to this website. Once you are registered, click here to go to the submission form. Manuscripts can be submitted until the deadline. All submissions that pass pre-check are peer-reviewed. Accepted papers will be published continuously in the journal (as soon as accepted) and will be listed together on the special issue website. Research articles, review articles as well as short communications are invited. For planned papers, a title and short abstract (about 250 words) can be sent to the Editorial Office for assessment.

Submitted manuscripts should not have been published previously, nor be under consideration for publication elsewhere (except conference proceedings papers). All manuscripts are thoroughly refereed through a single-blind peer-review process. A guide for authors and other relevant information for submission of manuscripts is available on the Instructions for Authors page. Current Issues in Molecular Biology is an international peer-reviewed open access monthly journal published by MDPI.

Please visit the Instructions for Authors page before submitting a manuscript. The Article Processing Charge (APC) for publication in this open access journal is 2200 CHF (Swiss Francs). Submitted papers should be well formatted and use good English. Authors may use MDPI's English editing service prior to publication or during author revisions.

Keywords

  • pathophysiology
  • molecular mechanism
  • circuit
  • ion channels
  • comorbidities

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Published Papers (1 paper)

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Research

30 pages, 20281 KB  
Article
NGF-Hydrogel Ameliorates Aberrant Adult Hippocampal Neurogenesis and Improves Hippocampal Remodeling After Epilepsy
by Yuanyuan Bai, Kangzhen Chen, Taojie Yao, Shengbo Shi, Hongmei Duan, Peng Hao, Wen Zhao, Yudan Gao, Xiaoguang Li and Zhaoyang Yang
Curr. Issues Mol. Biol. 2026, 48(6), 608; https://doi.org/10.3390/cimb48060608 - 10 Jun 2026
Viewed by 132
Abstract
Temporal lobe epilepsy (TLE) is a common drug-resistant epilepsy characterized by recurrent seizures, cognitive impairment, aberrant adult hippocampal neurogenesis, inhibitory circuit disruption, and persistent inflammatory remodeling. Current anti-seizure medications primarily offer symptomatic control and do not target the progressive structural and functional deterioration [...] Read more.
Temporal lobe epilepsy (TLE) is a common drug-resistant epilepsy characterized by recurrent seizures, cognitive impairment, aberrant adult hippocampal neurogenesis, inhibitory circuit disruption, and persistent inflammatory remodeling. Current anti-seizure medications primarily offer symptomatic control and do not target the progressive structural and functional deterioration of epileptic hippocampal networks. Here, we investigated whether local nerve growth factor (NGF)-hydrogel delivery during the latent phase after status epilepticus could mitigate hippocampal pathological remodeling and improve long-term outcomes in a kainic acid (KA)-induced mouse model (utilizing C57BL/6J and Nestin-CreERT2 mice). Animals were randomly assigned to three groups: the saline control group, the untreated KA epilepsy group, and the KA + NGF-hydrogel treatment group. NGF-hydrogel was administered into hippocampal Cornu Ammonis 1 (CA1) beginning 3 days post-kainic acid and repeated every 15 days. Histological, immunofluorescence, circuit-tracing, electrophysiology, electroencephalography (EEG), and behavioral assessments were used to evaluate neurogenesis, microenvironment, circuit readouts, seizure burden, and cognition. NGF-hydrogel treatment was associated with preserved dentate gyrus neural stem cell populations, improved newborn granule cell localization and maturation, attenuated neuroinflammation and gliosis, and partial recovery of inhibitory interneuron markers. These changes were accompanied by improved hippocampal circuit readouts, reduced chronic spontaneous seizure burden, and enhanced recognition and spatial memory. Our findings indicate that local NGF-hydrogel delivery following status epilepticus is associated with improved hippocampal remodeling and functional outcomes, and suggest that biomaterial-based neurotrophic support may be a promising strategy for providing targeted neuroprotection and facilitating excitatory/inhibitory (E/I) balance reconstruction in the epileptic hippocampus. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Cellular and Molecular Mechanisms of Epilepsy)
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