The role of interleukin-1β in febrile seizures

James G. Heida, Solomon L. Moshé, Quentin J. Pittman

Research output: Contribution to journalReview articlepeer-review

105 Scopus citations

Abstract

Febrile seizures (FS) occur in children as a result of fever. Despite their prevalence, the pathophysiology of FS has remained unclear. Recent evidence from clinical and experimental studies has highlighted a potential role of immune generated products in the genesis of FS. Of particular interest are the pro-inflammatory cytokine, interleukin-1beta (IL-1β) and its naturally occurring antagonist, interleukin 1 receptor antagonist (IL-1ra). Using a novel animal model of FS, involving the generation of physiological fever, we investigated the role of the IL-1β/IL-1ra system in the genesis of FS. We found that animals with FS had increased hippocampal and hypothalamic IL-1β compared to equally treated animals without FS, which was first evident at onset of FS in the hippocampus. There were no differences in IL-1ra levels. ICV IL-1β increased the number of animals with FS while IL-1ra had an opposite anti-convulsant effect. The data from these studies, in combination with recent results from other laboratories, have established a putative role for the IL-1β/IL-1ra system in the genesis of FS.

Original languageEnglish (US)
Pages (from-to)388-393
Number of pages6
JournalBrain and Development
Volume31
Issue number5
DOIs
StatePublished - May 2009

Keywords

  • Cytokines
  • Lipopolysaccharide
  • Rat
  • Seizures

ASJC Scopus subject areas

  • Pediatrics, Perinatology, and Child Health
  • Developmental Neuroscience
  • Clinical Neurology

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