Michele Simonato, University of Ferrara

Thursday, 16th March - h 11:30 a.m.
 Seminars Room, NICO

Meta-analysis of microRNAs dysregulated in the hippocampal dentate gyrus of animal models of epilepsy

Michele Simonato, MD, PhD
University of Ferrara – Department of Medical Sciences – Section of Pharmacology - Ferrara
Sant'Anna Hospital – Clinical Pharmacology Unit - Ferrara
University Vita-Salute San Raffaele - Division of Neuroscience – Milano

The identification of biomarkers of the transformation of normal to epileptic tissue would help to stratify patients at risk of epilepsy following brain injury, and inform new treatment strategies. MicroRNAs (miRNAs) are an attractive option in this direction. We performed miRNA microarrays on laser-microdissected hippocampal granule cell layer and on plasma, at different time points in the development of pilocarpine-induced epilepsy in the rat. This study suggests a role for miRNAs in the development of epilepsy (epileptogenesis).

However, individual studies are underpowered to detect the full spectrum of miRNA changes associated with epilepsy. Therefore, we undertook a meta-analysis of changes in miRNA expression in the hippocampal dentate gyrus following an epileptogenic insult in three experimental models of acquired epilepsy. This further study identified new miRNAs associated with epileptogenesis and epilepsy, highlighting the utility of meta-analysis in maximizing value from existing animal model data.

Host: Alessandro Vercelli