New research published in Journal of Neurochemistry finds that cannabidiol (CBD) may protect against neuronal death in epilepsy by inhibiting neurotoxic reactive astrocytes, a subtype of astrocytes implicated in the disease’s progression.
In a kainic acid-induced mouse model of epilepsy, researchers found that neurotoxic reactive astrocytes, triggered by microglia-secreted cytokines such as IL-1α, TNFα, and C1q, emerge as early as seven days after stimulation. These cells exhibit a distinct molecular profile, including elevated expression of complement 3 and adenosine 2A receptor.
Analysis of human brain tissues from temporal lobe epilepsy patients and epileptic mice revealed that these astrocytes contribute to neuronal damage through lipid-related mechanisms.
The study found that CBD, along with an adenosine 2A receptor antagonist, suppresses the formation of neurotoxic reactive astrocytes, reduces gliosis, and limits neuronal loss. Additionally, behavioral and electrophysiological assessments indicated that CBD alleviates seizure symptoms and improves memory function in epileptic mice.
“Our findings suggest that neurotoxic reactive astrocytes are formed at an early stage in both the KA-induced mouse model of epilepsy and TLE patients and can contribute to neuronal loss through releasing toxic lipids”, states the study. “Importantly, cannabidiol emerges as a promising therapeutic drug for targeted intervention against neurotoxic reactive astrocytes in adult epilepsy.”
The study’s full text can be found here.
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