Epilepsy GABAergic function

Altered synaptic properties Numerous changes in the properties of inhibitory (GABAergic) and excitatory (glutamatergic) synapses have been reported. While the simple adage of an imbalance between inhibitory and excitatory neurotransmission in epilepsy is not generally applicable, some forms of inhibition are lost or impaired in epilepsy. Likewise, an increased function of glutamate receptors has been demonstrated in some brain areas. 

Recent work has shown that rather than inhibitory effects, GABAergic synapses may have excitatory effects in basal conditions in immature and adult tissue (Coulter, 1999 Cossart et al., 2005). In human temporal lobe epilepsy, altered GABA-A receptor function is associated with changes in subunit composition (Loup et al., 2000). 

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