![Understanding Infantile Spasms]()
The National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke has awarded Aristea Galanopoulou, M.D., Ph.D., a five-year, $1.8-million grant to study the interaction of the neurotransmitter GABA and cortical inflammation as it relates to infantile spasms. These epileptic spasms, which affect newborns and young infants, are seizures that may accompany neonatal and infantile epileptic encephalopathies. GABA molecules activate so-called inhibitory neurons that help keep overactive neurons in check—which is important for normal brain development. In previous work, Dr. Galanopoulou has shown that, in infants with encephalopathy and cortical inflammation, GABA receptor signaling may make patients more susceptible to spasms and predispose them to a more severe condition. She will investigate the molecular mechanisms triggered by inflammation and how they influence GABA signaling. Her work may reveal molecular targets for therapies to control the frequency and severity of infantile spasms. Dr. Galanopoulou is Professor in the Saul R. Korey Department of Neurology and in the Dominick P. Purpura Department of Neuroscience.
Posted on: Tuesday, January 26, 2016