Focused review: Clinico-neuropathological aspects of late onset epilepsies: Pathogenesis.

The aim of the present study was to review the current knowledge on the neuropathological spectrum of late onset epilepsies. Several terms including 'neuropathology*' AND 'late onset epilepsy' (LOE) combined with distinct neuropathological diagnostic terms were used to search PubMed until November 15, 2023. We report on the relevance of definitional aspects of LOE with implications for the diagnostic spectrum of epilepsies. The neuropathological spectrum in patients with LOE is described and includes vascular lesions, low-grade neuroepithelial neoplasms and focal cortical dysplasias (FCD). Among the latter, the frequency of the FCD subtypes appears to differ between LOE patients and those with seizure onset at a younger age. Neurodegenerative neuropathological changes in the seizure foci of LOE patients require careful interdisciplinary interpretation with respect to the differential diagnosis of primary neurodegenerative changes or epilepsy-related changes. Innate and adaptive neuroinflammation represents an important cause of LOE with intriguing therapeutic options.

Paroxysmal dystonia results from the loss of RIM4 in Purkinje cells.

Full-length RIM1 and 2 are key components of the presynaptic active zone that ubiquitously control excitatory and inhibitory neurotransmitter release. Here, we report that the function of the small RIM isoform RIM4, consisting of a single C2 domain, is strikingly different from that of the long isoforms. RIM4 is dispensable for neurotransmitter release but plays a postsynaptic, cell-type specific role in cerebellar Purkinje cells that is essential for normal motor function. In the absence of RIM4, Purkinje cell intrinsic firing is reduced and caffeine-sensitive, and dendritic integration of climbing fibre input is disturbed. Mice lacking RIM4, but not mice lacking RIM1/2, selectively in Purkinje cells exhibit a severe, hours-long paroxysmal dystonia. These episodes can also be induced by caffeine, ethanol or stress and closely resemble the deficits seen with mutations of the PNKD (paroxysmal non-kinesigenic dystonia) gene. Our data reveal essential postsynaptic functions of RIM proteins and show non-overlapping specialized functions of a small isoform despite high homology to a single domain in the full-length proteins.

Ganglioglioma cells potentiate neuronal network synchronicity and elicit burst discharges via released factors.

Gangliogliomas (GGs) represent the most frequent glioneuronal tumor entity associated with chronic recurrent seizures; rare anaplastic GGs variants retain the glioneuronal character. So far, key mechanisms triggering chronic hyperexcitability in the peritumoral area are unresolved. Based on a recent mouse model for anaplastic GG (BRAFV600E, mTOR activation and Trp53KO) we here assessed the influence of GG-secreted factors on non-neoplastic cells in-vitro. We generated conditioned medium (CM) from primary GG cell cultures to developing primary cortical neurons cultured on multielectrode-arrays and assessed their electrical activity in comparison to neurons incubated with naïve and neuronal CMs. Our results showed that the GG CM, while not affecting the mean firing rates of networks, strongly accelerated the formation of functional networks as indicated increased synchrony of firing and burst activity. Washing out the GG CM did not reverse these effects indicating an irreversible effect on the neuronal network. Mass spectrometry analysis of GG CM detected several enriched proteins associated with neurogenesis as well as gliogenesis, including Gap43, App, Apoe, S100a8, Tnc and Sod1. Concomitantly, immunocytochemical analysis of the neuronal cultures exposed to GG CM revealed abundant astrocytes suggesting that the GG-secreted factors induce astroglial proliferation. Pharmacological inhibition of astrocyte proliferation only partially reversed the accelerated network maturation in neuronal cultures exposed to GG CM indicating that the GG CM exerts a direct effect on the neuronal component. Taken together, we demonstrate that GG-derived paracrine signaling alone is sufficient to induce accelerated neuronal network development accompanied by astrocytic proliferation. Perspectively, a deeper understanding of factors involved may serve as the basis for future therapeutic approaches.

Epileptic activity triggers rapid ROCK1-dependent astrocyte morphology changes.

Long-term modifications of astrocyte function and morphology are well known to occur in epilepsy. They are implicated in the development and manifestation of the disease, but the relevant mechanisms and their pathophysiological role are not firmly established. For instance, it is unclear how quickly the onset of epileptic activity triggers astrocyte morphology changes and what the relevant molecular signals are. We therefore used two-photon excitation fluorescence microscopy to monitor astrocyte morphology in parallel to the induction of epileptiform activity. We uncovered astrocyte morphology changes within 10-20 min under various experimental conditions in acute hippocampal slices. In vivo, induction of status epilepticus resulted in similarly altered astrocyte morphology within 30 min. Further analysis in vitro revealed a persistent volume reduction of peripheral astrocyte processes triggered by induction of epileptiform activity. In addition, an impaired diffusion within astrocytes and within the astrocyte network was observed, which most likely is a direct consequence of the astrocyte remodeling. These astrocyte morphology changes were prevented by inhibition of the Rho GTPase RhoA and of the Rho-associated kinase (ROCK). Selective deletion of ROCK1 but not ROCK2 from astrocytes also prevented the morphology change after induction of epileptiform activity and reduced epileptiform activity. Together these observations reveal that epileptic activity triggers a rapid ROCK1-dependent astrocyte morphology change, which is mechanistically linked to the strength of epileptiform activity. This suggests that astrocytic ROCK1 signaling is a maladaptive response of astrocytes to the onset of epileptic activity.

Highly dynamic inflammatory and excitability transcriptional profiles in hippocampal CA1 following status epilepticus.

Transient brain insults including status epilepticus (SE) can initiate a process termed 'epileptogenesis' that results in chronic temporal lobe epilepsy. As a consequence, the entire tri-synaptic circuit of the hippocampus is fundamentally impaired. A key role in epileptogenesis has been attributed to the CA1 region as the last relay station in the hippocampal circuit and as site of aberrant plasticity, e.g. mediated by acquired channelopathies. The transcriptional profiles of the distinct hippocampal neurons are highly dynamic during epileptogenesis. Here, we aimed to elucidate the early SE-elicited mRNA signature changes and the respective upstream regulatory cascades in CA1. RNA sequencing of CA1 was performed in the mouse pilocarpine-induced SE model at multiple time points ranging from 6 to 72 h after the initial insult. Bioinformatics was used to decipher altered gene expression, signalling cascades and their corresponding cell type profiles. Robust transcriptomic changes were detected at 6 h after SE and at subsequent time points during early epileptogenesis. Major differentially expressed mRNAs encoded primarily immediate early and excitability-related gene products, as well as genes encoding immune signalling factors. Binding sites for the transcription factors Nfkb1, Spi1, Irf8, and two Runx family members, were enriched within promoters of differentially expressed genes related to major inflammatory processes, whereas the transcriptional repressors Suz12, Nfe2l2 and Rest were associated with hyperexcitability and GABA / glutamate receptor activity. CA1 quickly responds to SE by inducing transcription of genes linked to inflammation and excitation stress. Transcription factors mediating this transcriptomic switch represent targets for new highly selected, cell type and time window-specific anti-epileptogenic strategies.

Translational imaging of TSPO reveals pronounced innate inflammation in human and murine CD8 T cell-mediated limbic encephalitis.

Autoimmune limbic encephalitis (ALE) presents with new-onset mesial temporal lobe seizures, progressive memory disturbance, and other behavioral and cognitive changes. CD8 T cells are considered to play a key role in those cases where autoantibodies (ABs) target intracellular antigens or no ABs were found. Assessment of such patients presents a clinical challenge, and novel noninvasive imaging biomarkers are urgently needed. Here, we demonstrate that visualization of the translocator protein (TSPO) with [18F]DPA-714-PET-MRI reveals pronounced microglia activation and reactive gliosis in the hippocampus and amygdala of patients suspected with CD8 T cell ALE, which correlates with FLAIR-MRI and EEG alterations. Back-translation into a preclinical mouse model of neuronal antigen-specific CD8 T cell-mediated ALE allowed us to corroborate our preliminary clinical findings. These translational data underline the potential of [18F]DPA-714-PET-MRI as a clinical molecular imaging method for the direct assessment of innate immunity in CD8 T cell-mediated ALE.

Subcellular analysis of blood-brain barrier function by micro-impalement of vessels in acute brain slices.

The blood-brain barrier (BBB) is a tightly and actively regulated vascular barrier. Answering fundamental biological and translational questions about the BBB with currently available approaches is hampered by a trade-off between accessibility and biological validity. We report an approach combining micropipette-based local perfusion of capillaries in acute brain slices with multiphoton microscopy. Micro-perfusion offers control over the luminal solution and allows application of molecules and drug delivery systems, whereas the bath solution defines the extracellular milieu in the brain parenchyma. Here we show, that this combination allows monitoring of BBB transport at the cellular level, visualization of BBB permeation of cells and molecules in real-time and resolves subcellular details of the neurovascular unit. In combination with electrophysiology, it permits comparison of drug effects on neuronal activity following luminal versus parenchymal application. We further apply micro-perfusion to the human and mouse BBB of epileptic hippocampi highlighting its utility for translational research and analysis of therapeutic strategies.

Neurochemical Profile of BRAFV600E/AktT308D/S473D Mouse Gangliogliomas Reveals Impaired GABAergic System Inhibition.

Gangliogliomas (GGs), composed of dysmorphic neurons and neoplastic astroglia, represent the most frequent tumor entity associated with chronic recurrent epileptic seizures. So far, a systematic analysis of potential differences in neurochemical profiles of dysmorphic tumoral neurons as well as neurons of the peritumoral microenvironment (PTME) was hampered by the inability to unequivocally differentiate between the distinct neuronal components in human GG biopsies. Here, we have applied a novel GG mouse model that allows to clearly resolve the neurochemical profiles of GG-intrinsic versus PTME neurons. For this purpose, glioneuronal tumors in mice were induced by intraventricular in utero electroporation (IUE) of piggyBac-based plasmids for BRAFV600E and activated Akt (AktT308D/S473D, further referred to as AktDD) and analyzed neurochemically by immunocytochemistry against specific marker proteins. IUE of BRAFV600E/AktDD in mice resulted in tumors with the morphological features of human GGs. Our immunocytochemical analysis revealed a strong reduction of GABAARα1 immunoreactivity in the tumor compared to the PTME. In contrast, the extent of NMDAR1 immunoreactivity in the tumor appeared comparable to the PTME. Interestingly, tumor cells maintained the potential to express both receptors. Fittingly, the abundance of the presynaptic vesicular neurotransmitter transporters VGLUT1 and VGAT was also decreased in the tumor. Additionally, the fraction of parvalbumin and somatostatin nonneoplastic interneurons was reduced. In conclusion, changes in the levels of key proteins in neurotransmitter signaling suggest a loss of synapses and may thereby lead to neuronal network alterations in mouse GGs.

Neuropathological Insights into Unexpected Cognitive Decline in Epilepsy.

OBJECTIVE: Some patients unexpectedly display an unfavorable cognitive course after epilepsy surgery subsequent to any direct cognitive sequelae of the surgical treatment. Therefore, we conducted in-depth neuropathological examinations of resective specimens from corresponding patients to provide insights as to the underlying disease processes. METHODS: In this study, cases with significant cognitive deterioration following a previous postoperative assessment were extracted from the neuropsychological database of a longstanding epilepsy surgical program. An extensive reanalysis of available specimens was performed using current, state-of-the-art neuropathological examinations. Patients without cognitive deterioration but matched in regard to basic pathologies served as controls. RESULTS: Among the 355 operated patients who had undergone more than one postoperative neuropsychological examination, 30 (8%) showed significant cognitive decline in the period after surgery. Of the 24 patients with available specimens, 71% displayed further neuropathological changes in addition to the typical spectrum (ie, hippocampal sclerosis, focal cortical dysplasias, vascular lesions, and low-grade tumors), indicating (1) a secondary, putatively epilepsy-independent neurodegenerative disease process; (2) limbic inflammation; or (3) the enigmatic pathology pattern of "hippocampal gliosis" without segmental neurodegeneration. In the controls, the matched individual principal epilepsy-associated pathologies were not found in combination with the secondary pathology patterns of the study group. INTERPRETATION: Our findings indicate that patients who unexpectedly displayed unfavorable cognitive development beyond any direct surgical effects show rare and very particular pathogenetic causes or parallel, presumably independent, neurodegenerative alterations. A multicenter collection of such cases would be appreciated to discern presurgical biomarkers that help with surgical decision-making. ANN NEUROL 2023;93:536-550.

Temporal lobe epilepsy with GAD antibodies: neurons killed by T cells not by complement membrane attack complex.

Temporal lobe epilepsy (TLE) is one of the syndromes linked to antibodies against glutamic acid decarboxylase (GAD). It has been questioned whether 'limbic encephalitis with GAD antibodies' is a meaningful diagnostic entity. The immunopathogenesis of GAD-TLE has remained enigmatic. Improvement of immunological treatability is an urgent clinical concern. We retrospectively assessed the clinical, MRI and CSF course as well as brain tissue of 15 adult patients with GAD-TLE who underwent temporal lobe surgery. Brain tissue was studied by means of immunohistochemistry, multiplex fluorescent microscopy and transcriptomic analysis for inflammatory mediators and neuronal degeneration. In 10 patients, there was a period of mediotemporal swelling and T2 signal increase; in nine cases this occurred within the first 6 years after symptom onset. This resulted in unilateral or bilateral hippocampal sclerosis; three cases developed hippocampal sclerosis within the first 2 years. All CSF studies done within the first year (n = 6) revealed intrathecal synthesis of immunoglobulin G. Temporal lobe surgeries were done after a median disease duration of 9 years (range 3 weeks to 60 years). Only two patients became seizure-free. Brain parenchyma collected during surgery in the first 6 years revealed high numbers of plasma cells but no signs of antibody-mediated tissue damage. Even more dense was the infiltration by CD8+ cytotoxic T lymphocytes (CTLs) that were seen to locally proliferate. Further, a portion of these cells revealed an antigen-specific resident memory T cell phenotype. Finally, CTLs with cytotoxic granzyme B+ granules were also seen in microglial nodules and attached to neurons, suggesting a CTL-mediated destruction of these cells. With longer disease duration, the density of all lymphocytes decreased. Whole transcriptome analysis in early/active cases (but not in late/inactive stages) revealed 'T cell immunity' and 'Regulation of immune processes' as the largest overrepresented clusters. To a lesser extent, pathways associated with B cells and neuronal degeneration also showed increased representation. Surgically treated patients with GAD-TLE go through an early active inflammatory, 'encephalitic' stage (≤6 years) with CTL-mediated, antigen-driven neuronal loss and antibody-producing plasma cells but without signs of complement-mediated cell death. Subsequently, patients enter an apparently immunologically inactive or low-active stage with ongoing seizures, probably caused by the structural damage to the temporal lobe. 'Limbic encephalitis' with GAD antibodies should be subsumed under GAD-TLE. The early tissue damage explains why immunotherapy does not usually lead to freedom from seizures.

A companion to the preclinical common data elements for phenotyping seizures and epilepsy in rodent models. A report of the TASK3-WG1C: Phenotyping working group of the ILAE/AES joint translational task force.

Epilepsy is a heterogeneous disorder characterized by spontaneous seizures and behavioral comorbidities. The underlying mechanisms of seizures and epilepsy across various syndromes lead to diverse clinical presentation and features. Similarly, animal models of epilepsy arise from numerous dissimilar inciting events. Preclinical seizure and epilepsy models can be evoked through many different protocols, leaving the phenotypic reporting subject to diverse interpretations. Serendipity can also play an outsized role in uncovering novel drivers of seizures or epilepsy, with some investigators even stumbling into epilepsy research because of a new genetic cross or unintentional drug effect. The heightened emphasis on rigor and reproducibility in preclinical research, including that which is conducted for epilepsy, underscores the need for standardized phenotyping strategies. To address this goal as part of the TASK3-WG1C Working Group of the International League Against Epilepsy (ILAE)/American Epilepsy Society (AES) Joint Translational Task Force, we developed a case report form (CRF) to describe the common data elements (CDEs) necessary for the phenotyping of seizure-like behaviors in rodents. This companion manuscript describes the use of the proposed CDEs and CRF for the visual, behavioral phenotyping of seizure-like behaviors. These phenotyping CDEs and accompanying CRF can be used in parallel with video-electroencephalography (EEG) studies or as a first visual screen to determine whether a model manifests seizure-like behaviors before utilizing more specialized diagnostic tests, like video-EEG. Systematic logging of seizure-like behaviors may help identify models that could benefit from more specialized diagnostic tests to determine whether these are epileptic seizures, such as video-EEG.

Characterisation of NLRP3 pathway-related neuroinflammation in temporal lobe epilepsy.

OBJECTIVE: Inflammation of brain structures, in particular the hippocampal formation, can induce neuronal degeneration and be associated with increased excitability manifesting as propensity for repetitive seizures. An increase in the abundance of individual proinflammatory molecules including interleukin 1 beta has been observed in brain tissue samples of patients with pharmacoresistant temporal lobe epilepsy (TLE) and corresponding animal models. The NLRP3-inflammasome, a cytosolic protein complex, acts as a key regulator in proinflammatory innate immune signalling. Upon activation, it leads to the release of interleukin 1 beta and inflammation-mediated neurodegeneration. Transient brain insults, like status epilepticus (SE), can render hippocampi chronically hyperexcitable and induce segmental neurodegeneration. The underlying mechanisms are referred to as epileptogenesis. Here, we have tested the hypothesis that distinct NLRP3-dependent transcript and protein signalling dynamics are induced by SE and whether they differ between two classical SE models. We further correlated the association of NLRP3-related transcript abundance with convulsive activity in human TLE hippocampi of patients with and without associated neurodegenerative damage. METHODS: Hippocampal mRNA- and protein-expression of NLRP3 and associated signalling molecules were analysed longitudinally in pilocarpine- and kainic acid-induced SE TLE mouse models. Complementarily, we studied NLRP3 inflammasome-associated transcript patterns in epileptogenic hippocampi with different damage patterns of pharmacoresistant TLE patients that had undergone epilepsy surgery for seizure relief. RESULTS: Pilocarpine- and kainic acid-induced SE elicit distinct hippocampal Nlrp3-associated molecular signalling. Transcriptional activation of NLRP3 pathway elements is associated with seizure activity but independent of the particular neuronal damage phenotype in KA-induced and in human TLE hippocampi. SIGNIFICANCE: These data suggest highly dynamic inflammasome signalling in SE-induced TLE and highlight a vicious cycle associated with seizure activity. Our results provide promising perspectives for the inflammasome signalling pathway as a target for anti-epileptogenic and -convulsive therapeutic strategies. The latter may even applicable to a particularly broad spectrum of TLE patients with currently pharmacoresistant disease.

Seizure underreporting in LGI1 and CASPR2 antibody encephalitis.

Patients with anti-leucine-rich glioma-inactivated 1 protein (LGI1) or anti-contactin-associated protein 2 (CASPR2) antibody encephalitis typically present with frequent epileptic seizures. The seizures generally respond well to immunosuppressive therapy, and the long-term seizure outcome seems to be favorable. Consequentially, diagnosing acute symptomatic seizures secondary to autoimmune encephalitis instead of autoimmune epilepsy was proposed. However, published data on long-term seizure outcomes in CASPR2 and LGI1 antibody encephalitis are mostly based on patient reports, and seizure underreporting is a recognized issue. Clinical records from our tertiary epilepsy center were screened retrospectively for patients with LGI1 and CASPR2 antibody encephalitis who reported seizure freedom for at least 3 months and received video-electroencephalography (EEG) for >24 h at follow-up visits. Twenty (LGI1, n = 15; CASPR2, n = 5) of 32 patients with LGI1 (n = 24) and CASPR2 (n = 8) antibody encephalitis fulfilled these criteria. We recorded focal aware and impaired awareness seizures in four of these patients (20%) with reported seizure-free intervals ranging from 3 to 27 months. Our results question the favorable seizure outcome in patients with CASPR2 and LGI1 antibody encephalitis and suggest that the proportion of patients who have persistent seizures may be greater. Our findings underline the importance of prolonged video-EEG telemetry in this population.

SCN1A overexpression, associated with a genomic region marked by a risk variant for a common epilepsy, raises seizure susceptibility.

Mesial temporal lobe epilepsy with hippocampal sclerosis and a history of febrile seizures is associated with common variation at rs7587026, located in the promoter region of SCN1A. We sought to explore possible underlying mechanisms. SCN1A expression was analysed in hippocampal biopsy specimens of individuals with mesial temporal lobe epilepsy with hippocampal sclerosis who underwent surgical treatment, and hippocampal neuronal cell loss was quantitatively assessed using immunohistochemistry. In healthy individuals, hippocampal volume was measured using MRI. Analyses were performed stratified by rs7587026 type. To study the functional consequences of increased SCN1A expression, we generated, using transposon-mediated bacterial artificial chromosome transgenesis, a zebrafish line expressing exogenous scn1a, and performed EEG analysis on larval optic tecta at 4 day post-fertilization. Finally, we used an in vitro promoter analysis to study whether the genetic motif containing rs7587026 influences promoter activity. Hippocampal SCN1A expression differed by rs7587026 genotype (Kruskal-Wallis test P = 0.004). Individuals homozygous for the minor allele showed significantly increased expression compared to those homozygous for the major allele (Dunn's test P = 0.003), and to heterozygotes (Dunn's test P = 0.035). No statistically significant differences in hippocampal neuronal cell loss were observed between the three genotypes. Among 597 healthy participants, individuals homozygous for the minor allele at rs7587026 displayed significantly reduced mean hippocampal volume compared to major allele homozygotes (Cohen's D = - 0.28, P = 0.02), and to heterozygotes (Cohen's D = - 0.36, P = 0.009). Compared to wild type, scn1lab-overexpressing zebrafish larvae exhibited more frequent spontaneous seizures [one-way ANOVA F(4,54) = 6.95 (P < 0.001)]. The number of EEG discharges correlated with the level of scn1lab overexpression [one-way ANOVA F(4,15) = 10.75 (P < 0.001]. Finally, we showed that a 50 bp promoter motif containing rs7587026 exerts a strong regulatory role on SCN1A expression, though we could not directly link this to rs7587026 itself. Our results develop the mechanistic link between rs7587026 and mesial temporal lobe epilepsy with hippocampal sclerosis and a history of febrile seizures. Furthermore, we propose that quantitative precision may be important when increasing SCN1A expression in current strategies aiming to treat seizures in conditions involving SCN1A haploinsufficiency, such as Dravet syndrome.

Heterogeneity and excitability of BRAFV600E-induced tumors is determined by Akt/mTOR-signaling state and Trp53-loss.

BACKGROUND: Developmental brain tumors harboring BRAFV600E somatic mutation are diverse. Here, we describe molecular factors that determine BRAFV600E-induced tumor biology and function. METHODS: Intraventricular in utero electroporation in combination with the piggyBac transposon system was utilized to generate developmental brain neoplasms, which were comprehensively analyzed with regard to growth using near-infrared in-vivo imaging, transcript signatures by RNA sequencing, and neuronal activity by multielectrode arrays. RESULTS: BRAF  V600E expression in murine neural progenitors elicits benign neoplasms composed of enlarged dysmorphic neurons and neoplastic astroglia recapitulating ganglioglioma (GG) only in concert with active Akt/mTOR-signaling. Purely glial tumors resembling aspects of polymorphous low-grade neuroepithelial tumors of the young (PLNTYs) emerge from BRAFV600E alone. Additional somatic Trp53-loss is sufficient to generate anaplastic GGs (aGGs) with glioneuronal clonality. Functionally, only BRAFV600E/pAkt tumors intrinsically generate substantial neuronal activity and show enhanced relay to adjacent tissue conferring high epilepsy propensity. In contrast, PLNTY- and aGG models lack significant spike activity, which appears in line with the glial differentiation of the former and a dysfunctional tissue structure combined with reduced neuronal transcript signatures in the latter. CONCLUSION: mTOR-signaling and Trp53-loss critically determine the biological diversity and electrical activity of BRAFV600E-induced tumors.

Impact of T cells on neurodegeneration in anti-GAD65 limbic encephalitis.

OBJECTIVE: Direct pathogenic effects of autoantibodies to the 65 kDa isoform of glutamic acid decarboxylase (GAD65) in autoimmune limbic encephalitis (LE) have been questioned due to its intracellular localization. We therefore hypothesized a pathogenic role for T cells. METHODS: We assessed magnet resonance imaging, neuropsychological and peripheral blood, and CSF flow cytometry data of 10 patients with long-standing GAD65-LE compared to controls in a cross-sectional manner. These data were related to each other within the GAD65-LE group and linked to neuropathological findings in selective hippocampectomy specimen from another two patients. In addition, full-resolution human leukocyte antigen (HLA) genotyping of all patients was performed. RESULTS: Compared to controls, no alteration in hippocampal volume but impaired memory function and elevated fractions of activated HLADR+ CD4+ and CD8+ T cells in peripheral blood and cerebrospinal fluid were found. Intrathecal fractions of CD8+ T cells negatively correlated with hippocampal volume and memory function, whereas the opposite was true for CD4+ T cells. Consistently, antigen-experienced CD8+ T cells expressed increased levels of the cytotoxic effector molecule perforin in peripheral blood, and perforin-expressing CD8+ T cells were found attached mainly to small interneurons but also to large principal neurons together with wide-spread hippocampal neurodegeneration. 6/10 LE patients harbored the HLA-A*02:01 allele known to present the immunodominant GAD65114-123 peptide in humans. INTERPRETATION: Our data suggest a pathogenic effect of CD8+ T cells and a regulatory effect of CD4+ T cells in patients with long-standing GAD65-LE.

Ste20-like Kinase Is Critical for Inhibitory Synapse Maintenance and Its Deficiency Confers a Developmental Dendritopathy.

The size and structure of the dendritic arbor play important roles in determining how synaptic inputs of neurons are converted to action potential output. The regulatory mechanisms governing the development of dendrites, however, are insufficiently understood. The evolutionary conserved Ste20/Hippo kinase pathway has been proposed to play an important role in regulating the formation and maintenance of dendritic architecture. A key element of this pathway, Ste20-like kinase (SLK), regulates cytoskeletal dynamics in non-neuronal cells and is strongly expressed throughout neuronal development. However, its function in neurons is unknown. We show that, during development of mouse cortical neurons, SLK has a surprisingly specific role for proper elaboration of higher, ≥ third-order dendrites both in male and in female mice. Moreover, we demonstrate that SLK is required to maintain excitation-inhibition balance. Specifically, SLK knockdown caused a selective loss of inhibitory synapses and functional inhibition after postnatal day 15, whereas excitatory neurotransmission was unaffected. Finally, we show that this mechanism may be relevant for human disease, as dysmorphic neurons within human cortical malformations revealed significant loss of SLK expression. Overall, the present data identify SLK as a key regulator of both dendritic complexity during development and inhibitory synapse maintenance.SIGNIFICANCE STATEMENT We show that dysmorphic neurons of human epileptogenic brain lesions have decreased levels of the Ste20-like kinase (SLK). Decreasing SLK expression in mouse neurons revealed that SLK has essential functions in forming the neuronal dendritic tree and in maintaining inhibitory connections with neighboring neurons.

The pilocarpine model of mesial temporal lobe epilepsy: Over one decade later, with more rodent species and new investigative approaches.

Fundamental work on the mechanisms leading to focal epileptic discharges in mesial temporal lobe epilepsy (MTLE) often rests on the use of rodent models in which an initial status epilepticus (SE) is induced by kainic acid or pilocarpine. In 2008 we reviewed how, following systemic injection of pilocarpine, the main subsequent events are the initial SE, the latent period, and the chronic epileptic state. Up to a decade ago, rats were most often employed and they were frequently analysed only behaviorally. However, the use of transgenic mice has revealed novel information regarding this animal model. Here, we review recent findings showing the existence of specific neuronal events during both latent and chronic states, and how optogenetic activation of specific cell populations modulate spontaneous seizures. We also address neuronal damage induced by pilocarpine treatment, the role of neuroinflammation, and the influence of circadian and estrous cycles. Updating these findings leads us to propose that the rodent pilocarpine model continues to represent a valuable tool for identifying the basic pathophysiology of MTLE.

Analysis of autoantibody spectrum and human herpesvirus 6 in adult patients with 'early' versus 'late' diagnosis of 'possible limbic encephalitis'.

New onset temporal seizures are increasingly encountered in adult patients. Many of those fulfill diagnostic criteria for possible or definite limbic encephalitis (LE). LE is associated with autoantibodies (autoABs) against neuronal surface structures ('neuronal' autoABs), 'onconeuronal' or GAD65. AutoABs can emerge in a paraneoplastic setting. However, by far not all patients with possible/definite LE have an oncological history. AutoABs have also found to arise in the context of viral encephalitis. Rare associations between autoAB-positive LE and human herpes virus 6 (HHV-6) infection have been as well reported. Our present analysis was dedicated to learn about potentially different autoAB spectra and HHV-6 detection rates in adult-onset temporal seizure patients with possible LE and largely different time spans between first seizure events and referral to a tertiary epileptological center due to pharmacoresistent seizures. We scrutinized serum/CSF samples obtained from adults with 'early diagnosis' of possible LE (≤ 30 months after first seizure event; n = 94) versus a patient group with 'late diagnosis' of possible LE (≥ 97 months; n = 45) for the presence of autoABs and HHV-6 DNA. AutoABs were detected in CSF and/or serum samples (n = 20) in 21.3 % of the early diagnosis patients with the highest abundance of anti-LGI1 (n = 8), significantly more frequent than in the late diagnosis group (autoAB positive: n = 4 (8.9 %); *p < 0.05, Fisher's Exact Test). Quantitative PCR revealed viral HHV-6 DNA in only one serum sample of the early diagnosis cohort but no evidence in corresponding CSF samples or in any sample of the late diagnosis group. The present data demonstrate a higher incidence of distinct autoABs in adults with early diagnosis of possible LE. The distinct spectra of autoABs have to be taken into account in the differential diagnosis of possible LE patients with short versus more sustained duration of temporal seizure activity.

A CRISPR-Cas9-engineered mouse model for GPI-anchor deficiency mirrors human phenotypes and exhibits hippocampal synaptic dysfunctions.

Pathogenic germline mutations in PIGV lead to glycosylphosphatidylinositol biosynthesis deficiency (GPIBD). Individuals with pathogenic biallelic mutations in genes of the glycosylphosphatidylinositol (GPI)-anchor pathway exhibit cognitive impairments, motor delay, and often epilepsy. Thus far, the pathophysiology underlying the disease remains unclear, and suitable rodent models that mirror all symptoms observed in human patients have not been available. Therefore, we used CRISPR-Cas9 to introduce the most prevalent hypomorphic missense mutation in European patients, Pigv:c.1022C > A (p.A341E), at a site that is conserved in mice. Mirroring the human pathology, mutant Pigv341E mice exhibited deficits in motor coordination, cognitive impairments, and alterations in sociability and sleep patterns, as well as increased seizure susceptibility. Furthermore, immunohistochemistry revealed reduced synaptophysin immunoreactivity in Pigv341E mice, and electrophysiology recordings showed decreased hippocampal synaptic transmission that could underlie impaired memory formation. In single-cell RNA sequencing, Pigv341E-hippocampal cells exhibited changes in gene expression, most prominently in a subtype of microglia and subicular neurons. A significant reduction in Abl1 transcript levels in several cell clusters suggested a link to the signaling pathway of GPI-anchored ephrins. We also observed elevated levels of Hdc transcripts, which might affect histamine metabolism with consequences for circadian rhythm. This mouse model will not only open the doors to further investigation into the pathophysiology of GPIBD, but will also deepen our understanding of the role of GPI-anchor-related pathways in brain development.