Expression of neuron-specific enolase in adult rat brain following status epilepticus

Increased levels of neuron-specific enolase (NSE), a key glycolytic enzyme, in either the cerebrospinal fluid or the serum is correlated with both the duration and the outcome of status epilepticus, To further understand the molecular basis of seizure-induced elevations in NSE protein, we investigat ed NSE mRNA expression in the adult rat brain following systemic administra tion of kainic acid. The findings demonstrated either no change or a decrea se in NSE gene expression during, and following, status epilepticus, sugges ting that posttranscriptional mechanisms are responsible for seizure-induce d increases in NSE protein. (C) 1999 Academic Press.