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Disturbances of Amino Acids from Temporal Lobe Synaptosomes in Human Complex Partial Epilepsy

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Abstract

We have studied the levels of neuroactive amino acids in synaptosomes (P2 fraction) isolated from brain tissue of ten patients with medically intractable epilepsy who were undergoing temporal lobectomy. First, lateral temporal tissue (nonfocal) was removed followed by medial temporal tissue (focal). A synaptosomal fraction (P2) was immediately prepared from each tissue and analyzed for free amino acid concentrations. Statistically significant reductions were seen in glutamine and GABA concentrations in focal tissue compared to nonfocal tissue. The ratio of excitatory amino acids (aspartate and glutamate) to inhibitory amino acids (taurine and GABA) was significantly higher in focal tissue compared to nonfocal. The glutamine/glutamate ratio was significantly reduced. These data support the hypothesis that alterations in the balance between excitatory and inhibitory amino acids may be involved in the expression of epilepsy.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Departments of Neurology, USA

    David M. Labiner

  2. Pharmacy Practice, University of Arizona, Tucson, Arizona, 85724

    David M. Labiner

  3. Departments of Pharmacology, and Surgery (Neurosurgery), University of Arizona, Tucson, Arizona, 85724

    C. C. Yan & Ryan J. Huxtable

  4. Colleges of Medicine and Pharmacy University of Arizona, Tucson, Arizona, 85724

    Martin E. Weinand

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Labiner, D.M., Yan, C.C., Weinand, M.E. et al. Disturbances of Amino Acids from Temporal Lobe Synaptosomes in Human Complex Partial Epilepsy. Neurochem Res 24, 1379–1383 (1999). https://doi.org/10.1023/A:1022528522373

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