BDNF and epilepsy: too much of a good thing?

Various studies have shown that brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) in creases neuronal excitability and is localized and upregulated in areas imp licated in epileptogenesis, Seizure activity increases the expression of BD NF mRNA and protein, and recent studies have shown that interfering with BD NF signal transduction inhibits the development of the epileptic state in v ivo, These results suggest that BDNF contributes to epileptogenesis. Furthe r analysis of the cellular and molecular mechanisms by which BDNF influence s excitability and connectivity in adult brain could provide novel concepts and targets for anticonvulsant or anti-epileptogenic therapy.