BoNT/E prevents seizure-induced activation of caspase 3 in the rat hippocampus

Clinical and experimental studies clearly demonstrate that prolonged seizures and status epilepticus induce neuronal cell death in the brain. Recent evidence suggests that induction of apoptosis contributes greatly to seizure-induced brain damage. We recently demonstrated that intrahippocampal delivery of botulinum neurotoxin E (BoNT/E) in the rat hippocampus is able to prevent neuronal loss, which occurs after kainic-acid-induced seizures. Here, we investigated the molecular mechanisms of BoNT/E-mediated neuroprotection. We found that intrahippocampal administration of BoNT/E prevents the upregulation of apoptotic proteins (phosphorylated c-Jun and cleaved caspase 3), which occurs in hippocampal neurones following kainic acid seizures. These results demonstrate that the neuroprotective action of BoNT/E on seizure-injured hippocampal neurons involves the blockade of well-characterized apoptotic pathways.