The Role of Neurotransmitters in Epileptogenesis: Focus on GABA and Glutamate

Epileptic seizures are frequently referred to as a brief development of a number of signs and symptoms resulting from extreme or synchronized activity in the brain. An interruption to the normal function of the sensory, motor, and autonomic systems and emotional state, behavior, cognition, or memory typically results from seizures. A persistent inclination toward having seizures falls under the umbrella term of epilepsy and the range of neurological disorders that it entails. Given the association between neurotransmitters and the brain, it can be deduced that neurotransmitters play a crucial role in epilepsy. Some examples of neurotransmitters are known to play a role in epilepsy. Of the many neurotransmitters, two that stand out are GABA and glutamate. GABA is a major inhibitory neurotransmitter, and glutamate is a major excitatory neurotransmitter. A key idea underlying epileptogenesis is a disturbance in the balance between excitation and inhibition in a given neuron or neuronal system, leading to runway excitation and hence epileptic seizures. Glutamatergic dysfunction leading to epileptogenesis can result from an increase in glutamate levels in the brain. Glutamate levels are known to be elevated in epilepsy patients. Being the primary neurotransmitters for inhibition/excitation of neurons, GABA and glutamate will remain popular targets for seizure management.