mossy fiber sprouting
Aberrant growth of hippocampal mossy fibers that creates new excitatory synapses, often associated with temporal lobe epilepsy.
Full Definition
Mossy fiber sprouting is a form of synaptic reorganization where axons from dentate granule cells (mossy fibers) grow aberrant collateral branches that form new synaptic connections. This phenomenon is particularly prominent in temporal lobe epilepsy, where mossy fibers sprout into the inner molecular layer of the dentate gyrus and form recurrent excitatory circuits. The sprouting is thought to be a response to neuronal loss and can contribute to seizure generation by creating hyperexcitable networks. It represents a classic example of maladaptive plasticity in the epileptic brain.
Usage
Usage note: Specific to hippocampal pathology and epilepsy research.
In Context
- "Histological analysis revealed extensive mossy fiber sprouting in the epileptic hippocampus." — Pathology report
- "The degree of mossy fiber sprouting correlated with seizure frequency in the patient cohort." — Clinical research study