A potential role of mechano-gated potassium channels in meningioma-related seizures

Every third patient with intracranial meningioma develops seizures of poorly understood etiology. Tumor and peritumoral edema may exert mechanical pressure on the cortex that may affect mechano-gated potassium channels - KCNK2 and KCNK4. These channels regulate neuron excitability and have been related to seizures in some other conditions. The objective of the present study was to explore a potential relation between the levels of these proteins in tumor tissue and adjacent cortex and seizures development. The study included 19 meningioma patients that presented one or more preoperative seizures and 24 patients with no seizures. Tissue samples were collected in the course of surgical removal of the meningioma. Postoperative seizure freedom was achieved in 11 out of 19 patients. The relative level of KCNK2 in the cortical tissue was lower in patients with preoperative seizures. On the other hand, cortical tissue level of KCNK4 was higher in patients that became seizure-free after the surgery. In addition, relative levels of KCNK4 in the cortical and tumor tissue appear to be lowered by the treatment with anti-seizure medication levetiracetam. These results imply that KCNK2 and KCNK4 may be involved in the development of meningioma-related seizures and may represent promising therapeutic targets.