Recent advances in neurobiology of Tuberous Sclerosis Complex

Brain Dev. 2009 Feb;31(2):104-13. doi: 10.1016/j.braindev.2008.09.013. Epub 2008 Nov 22.

Abstract

Tuberous Sclerosis Complex (TSC) is a multisystem genetic disorder with variable phenotypic expression, due to a mutation in one of the two genes, TSC1 and TSC2, and a subsequent hyperactivation of the downstream mTOR pathway, resulting in increased cell growth and proliferation. The central nervous system is consistently involved in TSC, with 90% of individuals affected showing structural abnormalities, and almost all having some degree of CNS clinical manifestations, including seizures, cognitive impairment and behavioural problems. TSC is proving to be a particularly informative model for studying contemporary issues in developmental neurosciences. Recent advances in the neurobiology of TSC from molecular biology, molecular genetics, and animal model studies provide a better understanding of the pathogenesis of TSC-related neurological symptoms. Rapamycin normalizes the dysregulated mTOR pathway, and recent clinical trials have demonstrated its efficacy in various TSC manifestations, suggesting the possibility that rapamycin may have benefit in the treatment of TSC brain disease.

Publication types

  • Review

MeSH terms

  • Animals
  • Behavior / physiology
  • Central Nervous System / pathology
  • Central Nervous System / physiopathology
  • Cognition / physiology
  • Disease Models, Animal
  • Humans
  • Mice
  • RNA, Messenger / metabolism
  • Rats
  • Seizures / physiopathology
  • Sirolimus / pharmacology
  • Sirolimus / therapeutic use
  • Tuberous Sclerosis / drug therapy
  • Tuberous Sclerosis / genetics
  • Tuberous Sclerosis / physiopathology*
  • Tuberous Sclerosis Complex 1 Protein
  • Tuberous Sclerosis Complex 2 Protein
  • Tumor Suppressor Proteins / genetics
  • Tumor Suppressor Proteins / metabolism

Substances

  • RNA, Messenger
  • TSC1 protein, human
  • TSC2 protein, human
  • Tsc1 protein, mouse
  • Tsc1 protein, rat
  • Tsc2 protein, mouse
  • Tsc2 protein, rat
  • Tuberous Sclerosis Complex 1 Protein
  • Tuberous Sclerosis Complex 2 Protein
  • Tumor Suppressor Proteins
  • Sirolimus