Brain single cell transcriptomic profiles in episodic memory phenotypes associated with temporal lobe epilepsy

Memory dysfunction is prevalent in temporal lobe epilepsy (TLE), but little is known about the underlying molecular etiologies. Single-nucleus RNA sequencing technology was used to examine differences in cellular heterogeneity among left (language-dominant) temporal neocortical tissues from patients with TLE with (n = 4) or without (n = 2) impairment in verbal episodic memory. We observed marked cell heterogeneity between memory phenotypes and identified numerous differentially expressed genes across all brain cell types. The most notable differences were observed in glutamatergic (excitatory) and GABAergic (inhibitory) neurons with an overrepresentation of genes associated with long-term potentiation, long-term depression, and MAPK signaling, processes known to be essential for episodic memory formation.

Automated summary

This study investigated the differences in cellular heterogeneity among patients with temporal lobe epilepsy (TLE) with or without impairment in verbal episodic memory using single-nucleus RNA sequencing technology. The study found significant cell heterogeneity between memory phenotypes and identified numerous differentially expressed genes across all brain cell types. The most notable differences were observed in glutamatergic and GABAergic neurons, which are associated with processes essential for episodic memory formation such as long-term potentiation, long-term depression, and MAPK signaling.