Chapter 5 - Neuroinflammation in the Pathogenesis of Early Life Epileptic Encephalopathies

Abstract

Epileptic encephalopathies consist of a spectrum of disorders commonly seen early in life leading to cognitive impairment and behavioral abnormalities, thought to be largely due to the intense epileptic activity. To date, genetic, structural/metabolic, inflammatory, and functional/network changes are identified as underlying etiologies of these disorders. Here we will focus on the role of neuroinflammation as a potential contributor to the pathogenesis and treatment of some of these disorders, based on clinical and preclinical studies. Namely, we will focus on infantile spasms/West syndrome, Lennox-Gastaut syndrome, Landau-Kleffner syndrome, continuous spike waves in sleep syndrome, and Dravet syndrome.