The effects of hypothermia on status epilepticus-induced acquired epilepsy

THE EFFECTS OF HYPOTHERMIA ON STATUS EPILEPTICUS-INDUCED ACQUIRED EPILEPSY By Kristin F. Phillips, B.S. A dissertation submitted in partial fulfillment of the requirements for the degree of Doctor of Philosophy at Virginia Commonwealth University. Virginia Commonwealth University, 2011 Major Director: Robert J. DeLorenzo, M.D., Ph.D., M.P.H. Professor, Departments of Neurology, Pharmacology & Toxicology, and Biochemistry & Molecular Biophysics Status epilepticus (SE) is a type of neurological injury characterized by continuous seizure activity and can lead to molecular and pathophysiological alterations leading to plasticity changes. SE can lead to the development of AE by the process of epileptogenesis, which is a phenomenon that describes the transformation of normal brain tissue into a hyperexcitable neuronal population. It has been demonstrated both in vivo and in vitro that calcium (Ca) dynamics are severely altered during and after SE, and these changes play a major role in the progression of epileptogenesis. It has also been reported that preventing the rise in intracellular Ca ([Ca]i) immediately following injury (the Ca 2+ plateau) prevents the plasticity changes and ultimate development of epilepsy. Currently, there are no treatments available that can be administered following an injury to prevent the development of AE. Therefore it is clinically important to develop a therapy that can be administered after an injury to block epileptogenesis.