Figure 1.

Potential sites of action of ATP released during status epilepticus, expressional responses of individual P2X receptors, and consequences of receptor activation. Cartoon depicts the various different cell types reported to express P2X receptors and their presumed cellular locations. ATP is released during sustained neuronal activity and from damaged neurons to act pre- and post-synaptically on neurons, particularly targeting pre-synaptic receptors to modulate neurotransmitter release. ATP may also act on receptors of microglia to promote activation and release of interleukin-1β, and act on astrocytes and oligodendrocytes to trigger cell death. Drugs such as A-438079 and BBG have been reported to reduce seizures and gliosis after status epilepticus. SE, status epilepticus; IL-1β, interleukin-1β.