We investigated laminin β1 expression in the hippocampi of patients with intractable epilepsy and explored the role of laminin β1 in the pathogenesis of this condition. Fluorescence quantitative PCR, immunofluorescence, immunohistochemistry and Western blotting were used to measure laminin β1 expression in surgically removed hippocampi of patients with intractable epilepsy, and the results were compared with control hippocampi. Fluorescence quantitative PCR showed increased expression of laminin β1 mRNA in patient hippocampi compared with control tissues. Immunohistochemical staining demonstrated that laminin β1 protein expression was significantly increased in patient hippocampi, and immunofluorescence microscopy showed accumulation of laminin β1 in the cell membrane and cytoplasm of patient hippocampi. These findings were confirmed by Western blotting of protein preparations from patient hippocampi. Elevated expression of laminin β1 mRNA and protein in the hippocampus suggests that laminin β1 may play a role in the development of epileptic seizures in patients with intractable epilepsy.