Neurotransmitters and Epilepsy

I studied my PhD in Biomedical Sciences specialized in Neurosciences in the University of Guadalajara, University Center for Health Sciences, earning Honorable Mention in the exam to obtained the degree. As a result of my Doctoral project I got four articles published in various international journals, one of which I am the first author and I have presented results in three posters at different International Congresses. During that period, my studies focused on determining the contribution of chemical neurotransmission systems on high frequency oscillations associated withepileptogenic processes in the laboratory of Neurophysiology and Neurochemistry in University Center of Biological and Agriculture Sciences in University of Guadalajara, where I worked with Dr. Laura Medina-Ceja who was my mentor. 

In her laboratory we develops electrophysiology techniques for detection of high frequency oscillations, stereotaxic surgery for implanting electrodes and guide cannula, microdialysis and HPLC techniques, on-line measurements of glutamate by fluorescence, and implementation of different experimental models of epilepsy (acute and chronic). We obtained very interesting results on the modulation of neurotransmitter systems in the high-frequency oscillations (250-500 Hz) involved in hippocampal epileptogenesis, especially in temporal lobe epilepsy. Temporal lobe epilepsy (TLE) is the most common type of partial seizures in adults, affecting at least 20% of all patients with epilepsy . The main features of the TLE may be reproduced in chronic models, such a pilocarpine model. We use the model of pilocarpine because mimics the key features of human TLE. In this model have been observed high frequency oscillations, called “fast ripples” of 250 to 500 Hz. These fluctuations play an important role in hippocampal epileptogenesis, acting as generators of pathological synaptic changes in specific brain areas. Read more.......