Modulation of astrocytic gap junction coupling in focal epilepsy

Epilepsy is a common, debilitating disease in which short attacks of abnormal brain activity produce seizures. One of the most frequent causes of epilepsy is when a lesion, for instance a tumour, disturbs a brain area and causes nearby tissue to become more excitable. However, we do not understand how different cell types contribute to this process. My research will focus on a particular population of cells called astrocytes, which normally provide energy to nerve cells and remove their waste products. Astrocytes form large networks as they are interconnected by channels called gap junctions, and I will test the hypothesis that these gap junctions are abnormally regulated in epilepsy. To study this, I will use brain tissue removed from patients undergoing surgery and also rodent experimental models of epilepsy. The research will advance our understanding of how astrocytes contribute to epilepsy and will identify new ways to improve our treatments.