Grant: Project Grant

Brain trauma triggers epileptogenesis, which after several weeks or month leads to epilepsy. Known mechanisms are following: Brain trauma leads to neuronal loss, and therefore local decrease in excitability. Multiple brain mechanisms are activated to restore 'lost excitability'. However, in adult animals, the excitability is not only restored, but it overshoots normal levels, which trigger epilepsy. Logically, an artificial increase in excitability around undercut cortex should prevent intrinsic up regulation and thus prevent epileptogenesis. Our current experiments with excitatory DREADDs around traumatized cortex in mice confirm this assumption. However, DREADDs cannot be used in human. In the proposed be study, we want to find parameters of localized transcranial direct current stimulation, a non-invasive technic that can be used in human that will lead to long-lasting and local increase in excitability. This stimulation can be used shortly after brain trauma. In the follow up studies, we will use this approach to prevent epileptogenesis in both animals and human.