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TL;DR
This narrative review synthesizes preclinical evidence that the purines ATP and adenosine play key, often opposing, roles in regulating neuronal excitability and the development of epilepsy.
Progress in neurobiology · 4 authors, 4 centres
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This narrative review synthesizes preclinical evidence that the purines ATP and adenosine play key, often opposing, roles in regulating neuronal excitability and the development of epilepsy.
This narrative review integrates findings from animal models (e.g., kainic acid mice, pilocarpine rats) and in vitro studies to discuss how ATP and adenosine signaling influences seizures and epileptogenesis. The authors describe opposing roles: ATP generally promotes excitability and inflammation, while adenosine is anticonvulsant. Key findings include that P2X7 receptor antagonism can reduce seizure severity and pathology in models of status epilepticus and established epilepsy, likely by suppressing inflammation. Other purinergic receptors (P2X4, P2X3, P2Y1, P2Y12) and adenosine kinase (ADK) are also implicated. The review highlights that targeting these pathways could offer disease-modifying potential, distinct from current symptomatic drugs.