Axon initial segment structural plasticity in animal models of genetic and acquired epilepsy

Rosemary C Harty; Tae Hwan Kim; Evan A Thomas; Lisa Cardamone; Nigel C Jones; Steven Petrou; Verena C Wimmer

Journal article

Axon initial segment structural plasticity in animal models of genetic and acquired epilepsy

Rosemary C Harty, Tae Hwan Kim, Evan A Thomas, Lisa Cardamone, Nigel C Jones, Steven Petrou, Verena C Wimmer

EPILEPSY RESEARCH | ELSEVIER SCIENCE BV | Published : 2013

DOI: 10.1016/j.eplepsyres.2013.03.004

Abstract

A novel form of neuronal plasticity, occurring at the axon initial segment (AIS), has recently been described. Lengthening of the AIS and movement away from the soma are consequences of changes in neuronal input and result in alterations in neuronal excitability. We hypothesised that AIS plasticity may play a role in epilepsy, due to chronic changes in neuronal activity. Immunohistochemistry and confocal microscopy were used to analyse AIS length and position in pyramidal neurons in deep layer 5 of the somatosensory cortex from 5 mice with genetic epilepsy and 4 controls, and from 3 rats subjected to amygdala kindling and 3 controls. The effect of a subtle alteration of AIS position was mode..

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University of Melbourne Researchers

Steven Petrou Author Florey Department of Neuroscience and Mental Health

Verena Wimmer Author Anatomy and Physiology

Nigel Jones Author Medicine - Royal Melbourne Hospital

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Funding Acknowledgements

The authors would like to acknowledge M. Rasband for providing the chicken anti-beta IV spectrin antibody. Supported by NHMRC Program grant (400121) to SP, NMHRC fellowship (1005050) to SP and NHMRC Project Grant (1030016) to VW. The Florey Institute of Neuroscience and Mental Health acknowledges the strong support from the Victorian Government and in particular the funding from the Operational Infrastructure Support Grant.