Dear Colleagues,

Epilepsy is a brain disorder characterized by spontaneous recurrent seizures and high rates of comorbid health conditions. It affects about 50 million people worldwide and hence the prevention or modification of epilepsy in patients at risk is a major unmet medical need. The chronic phase of the disease is typically preceded by a latent period that is free of clinical seizures. During this period, complex processes transform the healthy brain into a seizure-prone brain (epileptogenesis). In recent years, many breakthroughs have been made in identifying the cellular and molecular alterations linked to epilepsy, including neurodegeneration, neuroinflammation, loss of BBB integrity, and dysregulation of neurotransmitters. All of these alterations are suspected of being involved in epileptogenesis. However, a better understanding of these processes will help in the discovery of novel therapeutic targets and/or biomarkers to identify patients at risk of developing epilepsy.

This special issue “Cellular and molecular mechanisms in Epilepsy” aims to collect research papers, short communications and systematic reviews covering various aspects of epileptogenesis and epilepsy. Studies on novel treatment and clinical studies are also welcome.

Dr. Pablo Bascunana Almarcha
Guest Editor