ObjectiveThe purpose of this study was to explore the expression of Corticotropin releasing hormone (CRH), Corticotropin releasing hormone receptor 1 (CRHR1), Protein kinase C (PKC) in epileptogenic zone of Infantile spasm (IS).MethodsCollected 17 cases of tissues of IS patients from operation and 6 cases of normal brain tissues from clinical autopsy during June 2011 to June 2014. Westen blot was used to detected the protein expression of CRH, CRHR1, PKC. PCR was used to exam the mRNA expression of CRH, CRHR1, PKC. Immunohistochemistry and fluorescenceimmuno assay were used to detect the expression of CRH, CRHR1, PKC.ResultsThe mRNA expression of CRH and CRHR1 in IS group are higher than control group, and the protein expression of CRH and CRHR1 in IS group are higher than control group. CRH are slightly expressed in the controls, medium and strong expressed in IS, CRH and NF200 both expressed in IS; CRH is negative in GFAP positive astrocyte; CRH is negative in HLA positive microglial cell. CRHR1 are slightly and medium expressed in the controls, medium and strong expressed in IS, CRHR1 and NF200 both expressed in IS; CRHR1 and GFAP are both positive in astrocyte; CRHR1 and HLA are both positive in microglial cell. PKC are slightly and medium expressed in the controls, medium and strong expressed in IS, PKC and NF200 both expressed in IS; PKC and GFAP are both positive in astrocyte; PKC and HLA are both positive in microglial cell. Spearman analysis showed positive correlation between the expression of CRH, CRHR1, PKC with epileptic spasm in IS patients, as well as positive correlation between PKC with CRHR1.ConclusionsOver expression of CRH, CRHR1, PKC with epileptic spasm in IS patients were positive related with epileptic seizure in IS patients, indicated that CRH signal pathway is related with IS pathogenesis.