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Human glioma cells induce hyperexcitability in cortical networks
Epilepsia, 06/22/2012
Campbell SL et al. – Control of seizures in patients with gliomas is an essential component of clinical management; therefore, understanding the origin of seizures is vital. This work provides evidence that peritumoral synaptic network activity is disrupted by tumor masses resulting in network excitability. The authors show that blocking glutamate release via system with sulfasalazine (SAS),, a drug already approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA), can inhibit Mg2+–free–induced ictal–like epileptiform events similar to other chemicals used to decrease seizure activity. They, therefore, suggest that further studies should consider SAS a promising agent to aid in the treatment of seizures associated with gliomas.