1Department of Physiology, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Wuhan University, Wuhan 430071, China
2Department of Pathology, Zhongnan Hospital of Wuhan University, Wuhan 430071, China
3Department of Immunology, 4Department of Pathophysiology, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Wuhan University, Wuhan 430071, China

Abstract 

Gamma-amino-butyric acid (GABA)-containing interneurons are crucial to both development and function of the brain. Down-regulation of GABAergic inhibition may result in the generation of epileptiform activity. Loss, axonal sprouting, and dysfunction of interneurons are regarded as mechanisms involved in epileptogenesis. Recent evidence suggests that network connectivity and the properties of interneurons are responsible for excitatory-inhibitory neuronal circuits. The balance between excitation and inhibition in CA1 neuronal circuitry is considerably altered during epileptic changes. This review discusses interneuron diversity, the causes of interneuron dysfunction in epilepsy, and the possibility of using GABAergic neuronal progenitors for the treatment of epilepsy.

Keywords

interneuron diversity; therapy; GABA; progenitor cell

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