Currently, there are no biomarkers that reliably predict patients at-risk to develop epilepsy after traumatic brain injury (TBI), nor interventions for preventing the development of post-traumatic epilepsy (PTE). We previously demonstrated the critical role of blood-brain barrier dysfunction, serum albumin, and the activation of inflammatory transforming growth factor beta (TGF-ß) signaling in PTE. Here we will monitor BBB dysfunction and test the efficacy of TGF-ß signaling blockers in preventing PTE in a rodent PTE model. Our ultimate goal is to develop a clinical protocol that will identify patients with BBB dysfunction, prior to the onset of epilepsy, and accordingly individualize a preventive therapeutic intervention.
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