Reelin Signaling Pathway and Mesial Temporal Lobe Epilepsy: A Causative Link

Introduction: Mesial temporal lobe epilepsy (MTLE) is the most frequent form of partial epilepsy. Granule cell dispersion, resulting from aberrant neuronal migration in the hippocampus, is pathognomonic of MTLE. Reelin, a secreted neurodevelopmental glycoprotein has a crucial role in controlling the radial migration of neurons. Several animal studies have implicated Reelin in the MTLE pathogenesis Mesial temporal lobe epilepsy (MTLE) is the most frequent form of partial epilepsy. Granule cell dispersion, resulting from aberrant neuronal migration in the hippocampus, is pathognomonic of MTLE. Reelin, a secreted neurodevelopmental glycoprotein has a crucial role in controlling the radial migration of neurons. Several animal studies have implicated Reelin in the MTLE pathogenesis. Methods: The aim of this study was to investigate the Reelin signalling pathway in the MTLE patients. Therefore, we studied each step in the Reelin signalling pathway for the gene and protein expressions, in the hippocampal tissue obtained from patients undergoing surgery for MTLE and compared it with age matched normal autopsy cases. Results: We found statistically significant decrease (P