Berkeley Study Identifies Reactive Astrocytes as Primary Drivers of Tuberous Sclerosis Epilepsy
A new study published in Nature demonstrates that hyperactive mTORC1 signaling in tuberous sclerosis complex (TSC) causes neural progenitors to prematurely differentiate into reactive astrocytes. These abnormal glial cells, characterized by reduced glutamate transport and increased inflammation, are identified as a primary driver of brain lesions and seizures, rather than a secondary consequence of chronic epilepsy.