Bruno Frenguelli and Nicholas
Dale of the School of Biological Sciences,
University of Warwick, will be looking at
two closely-related molecules called adenosine
and ATP, and investigating the role they
play in epilepsy. To do this they will be
using a technology developed at Warwick
University that is unique in the world:
tiny probes which use enzymes to detect
and measure the levels of these molecules
during seizure activity.
Adenosine and ATP (adenosine triphosphate)
are found in every cell in the body. Brain
cells can release ATP, which is then broken
down to adenosine. Adenosine strongly inhibits
electrical activity in the brain. ATP on
the other hand can be both excitatory and
inhibitory. How much of each molecule is
present therefore affects the excitability
of the brain and the likelihood of seizures.
Dr Frenguelli and Professor Dale will be
testing the theory that seizures are provoked
when ATP is released from cells. The ATP
is then converted into adenosine, and as
this is inhibitory, the seizures die down.
In particular they'll be looking at:
the different types of receptors for
ATP and how these affect seizures differently;
whether brain cells release adenosine
directly or ATP during seizures;
which types of cells release the ATP
and adenosine.
The Epilepsy Research Foundation (now Epilepsy
Research UK) awarded the researchers £69,950
for a three year project called "Regulation
of cortical excitability and seizure activity
by purines". Once the interaction
of adenosine and ATP (which are both purines)
during seizures is understood, new drugs
to treat epilepsy that target this process
could be developed.
