Hypothalamic Hamartoma: Basic Mechanisms of Intrinsic Epileptogenesis

Kristina A. Fenoglio, Jie Wu, Do Young Kim, Timothy A. Simeone, Stephen W. Coons, Harold Rekate, Jong M. Rho, John F. Kerrigan

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

65 Scopus citations

Abstract

The hypothalamic hamartoma (HH) is a rare developmental malformation commonly associated with gelastic seizures that are notoriously refractory to medical therapy. Recent evidence supports the intrinsic seizure propensity of HH. Despite increasing clinical recognition of this condition, the mechanisms of seizure genesis in HH tissue remain unclear. This review summarizes the histochemical and electrophysiological properties of HH neurons, and relates these findings to those characteristics identified in other types of epileptic tissue. Initial studies have revealed two distinct populations of neurons in surgically resected HH tissue. One group consisted of small γ-aminobutyric acid (GABA)-expressing neurons that occurred principally in clusters and displayed spontaneous rhythmic firing. The second group was composed of large, quiescent, pyramidal-like neurons with more extensive dendritic and axonal arborization. We propose that the small, spontaneously firing GABAergic neurons send inhibitory projections to and drive the synchrony of large output neurons. These observations constitute the basis for future investigations aimed at elucidating the mechanisms of subcortical epileptogenesis.

Original languageEnglish (US)
Pages (from-to)51-59
Number of pages9
JournalSeminars in Pediatric Neurology
Volume14
Issue number2
DOIs
StatePublished - Jun 2007
Externally publishedYes

Keywords

  • epilepsy
  • epileptogenesis
  • hypothalamic hamartoma
  • mechanism
  • seizures

ASJC Scopus subject areas

  • Pediatrics, Perinatology, and Child Health
  • Clinical Neurology

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