Dentate gyrus neural stem cells in the adult hippocampus represent a unique population of proliferative cells with the capacity for neurogenesis throughout life. In temporal lobe epilepsy (TLE), these neural stem cells exhibit profound alterations that contribute to the pathophysiology of the disease, including abnormal neurogenesis, increased excitability, and involvement in epileptogenesis.
| Taxonomy | ID | Name / Label |
|---|---|---|
| Cell Ontology (CL) | CL:0000034 | stem cell |
The dentate gyrus subgranular zone (SGZ) contains neural stem cells (NSCs) that:
Under normal conditions:
Temporal lobe epilepsy dramatically alters dentate gyrus neurogenesis:
| Parameter | Normal | TLE |
|---|---|---|
| Proliferation rate | Baseline | 2-5x increased |
| Neurogenesis | Continuous | Initially increased, then depleted |
| Neuron survival | ~50% | Reduced |
| Ectopic migration | Minimal | Prominent |
| Axonal sprouting | Limited | Extensive |
Seizure activity triggers:
In TLE, new neurons frequently migrate incorrectly:
These abnormal neurons:
Targeting dentate gyrus neurogenesis:
Despite pathological changes:
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Gage. Adult neurogenesis in mammals. Science. 2019. ↩︎
Iyer et al. Seizure-induced neurogenesis and its relevance to epileptogenesis. Epilepsy & Behavior. 2014. ↩︎
Jessberger et al. Abnormal migration of neuronal progenitors. Cerebral Cortex. 2007. ↩︎
Parent & Lowenstein. Seizure-induced neurogenesis. Trends in Neurosciences. 2013. ↩︎
Szmyd & Engel. Targeting neurogenesis for epilepsy. Pharmacology & Therapeutics. 2020. ↩︎