FIGURE 2.

Top: Changes in the levels of endocannabinoids and molecules related to endocannabinoid signaling during epileptogenesis. Each line represents relative changes from the level before the initial insult such as status epilepticus and febrile seizures. CB₁ex and CB₁inh indicate expression level of CB₁ receptors at excitatory and inhibitory synapses, respectively. Initial insult increases the 2-AG and AEA levels, which induces the subsequent decrease in the expression levels of several endocannabinoid-related molecules such as DGLα and CB₁ receptors during latent period. After the onset of spontaneous seizures, the expression level of CB₁ receptors at excitatory synapses and that of DGLα remain decreased, whereas that of CB₁ receptors at inhibitory synapses increases beyond the level before initial insult. The 2-AG level is also decreased presumably due to the decreased expression of DGLα. Bottom: potential therapy for the prevention of epileptogenesis or seizures at each stage of epileptogenesis.