E-ISSN: 1019-5157
ISSN: 2651-5024
Research
Differential Drebrin Expression in Seizure-Associated Lesions: A Focus on Gangliogliomas, Dysembryoplastic Neuroepithelial Tumors and Focal Cortical Dysplasia
Tugce Ayman✉ ,
Nil Comunoglu ,
Taner Tanriverdi ,
Cihan Isler ,
Baris Kucukyuruk ,
Cigdem Ozkara ,
Mustafa Uzan
Department of Neurosurgery, Kirklareli Universitesi; Neurosurgery, Istanbul University-Cerrahpaşa
Accepted: 01/10/2026
Article in Press
Corresponding Author:
Tugce Ayman (aymantugce@gmail.com)
Abstract
Aim
To evaluate drebrin expression in specific pathological cell types in ganglioglioma (GG), dysembryoplastic neuroepithelial tumor (DNET), and focal cortical dysplasia (FCD) Type II and to assess its association with postoperative seizure outcome.
Material and Methods
This retrospective study included 112 patients: GG (n = 36), DNET (n = 21), FCD Type II (n = 25) and controls (n = 30). Controls comprised fusiform gyrus samples from patients with hippocampal sclerosis, in which the fusiform cortex was confirmed to be histologically normal. Immunohistochemistry using an anti-drebrin antibody was performed on paraffin-embedded tissues. Drebrin staining was assessed in distinct cell populations: dysplastic ganglion cells in GG, floating neurons and oligodendrocyte-like cells in DNET, dysmorphic neurons and balloon cells in FCD, and normal cortical neurons in controls. Staining intensity was classified as negative, weak, moderate, or strong.
Results
Drebrin expression was significantly lower in dysplastic ganglion cells (p = 0.01), FCD Type IIb balloon cells (p = 0.02), and FCD Type IIa dysmorphic neurons (p = 0.02) than in the control group. Conversely, DNET floating neurons and FCD Type IIb dysmorphic neurons showed strong positivity. Although drebrin positivity in dysmorphic neurons was higher among seizure-free patients with FCD Type II, overall drebrin expression was not significantly associated with postoperative seizure outcome. This study is the first to evaluate drebrin expression across glioneuronal tumors and focal cortical dysplasias.
Conclusion
Drebrin expression varied across lesion and cell types, suggesting differences in cellular phenotype. Although no clear association with postoperative seizure outcome was identified, these differences may inform further investigation of the molecular mechanisms underlying epileptogenic lesions.
To evaluate drebrin expression in specific pathological cell types in ganglioglioma (GG), dysembryoplastic neuroepithelial tumor (DNET), and focal cortical dysplasia (FCD) Type II and to assess its association with postoperative seizure outcome.
Material and Methods
This retrospective study included 112 patients: GG (n = 36), DNET (n = 21), FCD Type II (n = 25) and controls (n = 30). Controls comprised fusiform gyrus samples from patients with hippocampal sclerosis, in which the fusiform cortex was confirmed to be histologically normal. Immunohistochemistry using an anti-drebrin antibody was performed on paraffin-embedded tissues. Drebrin staining was assessed in distinct cell populations: dysplastic ganglion cells in GG, floating neurons and oligodendrocyte-like cells in DNET, dysmorphic neurons and balloon cells in FCD, and normal cortical neurons in controls. Staining intensity was classified as negative, weak, moderate, or strong.
Results
Drebrin expression was significantly lower in dysplastic ganglion cells (p = 0.01), FCD Type IIb balloon cells (p = 0.02), and FCD Type IIa dysmorphic neurons (p = 0.02) than in the control group. Conversely, DNET floating neurons and FCD Type IIb dysmorphic neurons showed strong positivity. Although drebrin positivity in dysmorphic neurons was higher among seizure-free patients with FCD Type II, overall drebrin expression was not significantly associated with postoperative seizure outcome. This study is the first to evaluate drebrin expression across glioneuronal tumors and focal cortical dysplasias.
Conclusion
Drebrin expression varied across lesion and cell types, suggesting differences in cellular phenotype. Although no clear association with postoperative seizure outcome was identified, these differences may inform further investigation of the molecular mechanisms underlying epileptogenic lesions.
Keywords
Drebrin
Dysembryoplastic neuroepithelial tumor
Focal cortical dysplasia
Ganglioglioma
Epilepsy