Articles tagged with Epilepsy
Benzodiazepine prescriptions have decreased by 26.7% over the past decade, with the largest decline observed among young adults between ages 18 and 29. The average dose per prescription also decreased by 18.3%, suggesting more selective prescribing practices.
Adults with hard-to-treat epilepsy who used cannabis most days had more seizures and became resistant to antiseizure medications compared to nonusers. The study suggests cannabis use is associated with more severe epilepsy, but cannot establish causation.
A retrospective observational study found that lamotrigine reduced the frequency of migraine aura by 80% in patients with frequent or troublesome aura. The study also showed that slower dose escalation was associated with fewer side effects, a finding that may be relevant for future clinical trials.
A new study by UC Berkeley researchers suggests that hyperreactive astrocytes are a primary driver of childhood epilepsy, particularly in the inherited disorder tuberous sclerosis complex. The findings highlight possible therapies to reduce inflammation and alleviate seizures, challenging the traditional view that neurons are the sole ...
A new study found that combining PET/MRI findings with EEG results and a structured presurgical evaluation improved the identification of seizure-causing brain tissue in pediatric epilepsy patients. 76 percent of patients who underwent surgery were free from seizures after two years of follow-up.
New research from Texas A&M University suggests that younger brains may be more vulnerable to post-traumatic epilepsy after traumatic brain injury, despite their flexibility to adapt. Older brains showed fewer signs of epilepsy but were vulnerable to neuroinflammation, circuit remodeling, and memory loss.
Dr. Zachary Grinspan has been awarded a $1.6 million CDC grant to research childhood epilepsy. The CEPIE study will combine data from various sources to determine the incidence of epilepsy in US children, identify types of epilepsy, and predict risk factors.
Hai Sun's $2.9 million NIH grant aims to improve pre-surgical mapping for epilepsy surgery by identifying critical brain nodes that trigger seizures. The goal is to make surgery safer and more effective for patients whose seizures cannot be controlled with medication.
Researchers investigated 2.5 million births in Taiwan and found no association between valproate use by fathers and neurodevelopmental disorders or malformations in children. The study's results challenge previous warnings and suggest more research is needed.
A large Danish study found that children with childhood epilepsy tend to have poorer exam grades and lower educational attainment, with those with early onset or complicated epilepsy being especially disadvantaged. The study highlights the need for assessment and targeted intervention to optimize educational potential.
The study found that epilepsy-associated disability-adjusted life years were concentrated in low- and lower-middle-income countries, with significant regional inequality. Progress has been made in China, including declining mortality rates, but challenges persist, particularly in rural areas where treatment gaps reach 60%–90%.
Researchers analyzed EBRAINS-hosted brain data to determine that whole-brain activity patterns predict stimulation outcomes better than local recordings. Targeting specific sensorimotor and visual networks reduces response variability by up to 24%. This study highlights the value of open datasets for enabling large-scale analyses.
Researchers at Kennedy Krieger Institute discovered that memory consolidation during sleep depends on coordinated activity among three brain regions, disrupting this activity impairs memory performance. Epileptic spikes can also interfere with brain activity, leading to cognitive effects in patients with epilepsy.
Researchers developed a personalized gene therapy that dramatically reduced seizures and sparked developmental gains in two children with SCN2A-related DEE, allowing one to walk independently. The therapy targets the root genetic cause of the condition, producing measurable improvement.
Researchers at Texas Children's Hospital have uncovered a novel biological pathway that can lead to seizures when disrupted. This finding provides a new approach for improving genetic diagnosis and treatment for epilepsy cases with unknown origins. The study also reveals that specific combinations of defective genes can cause seizures,...
Researchers at Gunma University have identified a compact genetic switch that could revolutionize the treatment of drug-resistant epilepsy. The discovery, published in Molecular Therapy, offers new avenues for addressing this debilitating condition.
Researchers at Texas A&M University have found a way to intervene early in traumatic brain injuries using a natural, gut-derived chemical that prevents post-traumatic epilepsy from taking root. The treatment reduced brain inflammation, improved memory and mood, protected brain cells, made seizures both rarer and harder to trigger.
Researchers discovered that reducing microglial activity worsened abnormal electrical activity and increased seizure-like events in a mouse model of Alzheimer's disease. Microglia are not just drivers of inflammation but also perform important housekeeping functions to maintain healthy brain activity.
A novel gene promoter called cmGAD67 shows promise for treating drug-resistant epilepsy by selectively stimulating inhibitory neurons. The study found that the promoter drove strong and highly selective gene expression in specific brain regions, reducing abnormal electrical activity and seizures.
Researchers have discovered a biomarker that can predict and prevent epileptic seizures by detecting a period of neuronal silence before the seizure occurs. The use of this biomarker in neuromodulation therapy has shown promise in reducing seizure duration by up to 93%.
Researchers created a detailed map of the pulvinar, a deep brain region that could help doctors precisely target brain stimulation therapies for people with drug-resistant epilepsy. The study reveals that brain regions separated by only a few millimeters connect to entirely different brain networks.
Adults with both epilepsy and hearing loss who use hearing aids have a 23% lower risk of developing dementia. The association was observed consistently across all analyses, suggesting that correcting hearing impairment may have a greater impact on dementia risk in people with reduced cognitive reserve.
A new EPI-SLEEP study will investigate the impact of personalized in-ear sleep technology on sleep disturbances and circadian health in adults with epilepsy. The study aims to generate robust evidence for a low-risk approach to improving sleep without adding medication burden.
Researchers will investigate the link between SYNGAP1 protein deficiency, cilia dysfunction, and clinical symptoms of SYNGAP1-Related Disorders. The study aims to inform rational drug design and provide new insights for targeted therapies.
A study by the American Academy of Neurology found that people with epilepsy living in rural areas had poorer health outcomes, including higher mortality rates, longer hospital stays, and reduced access to specialized care. The study highlights the need for improved access to epilepsy care in rural areas.
CURE SYNGAP1 invests in remote assessment tools to broaden access to clinical care and trials for patients with SYNGAP1-Related Disorders. The study aims to evaluate the validity of a standardized remote developmental assessment to reduce travel burden.
The CURE SYNGAP1 COLLECTIVE is a collaborative framework uniting independent SYNGAP1 charities worldwide to accelerate treatments for individuals with SYNGAP1-Related Disorders. The Collective focuses on three primary pillars: research, industry engagement, and patient advocacy.
A new study found that a smartwatch application accurately detected tonic-clonic seizures in people with epilepsy, with a low rate of false alarms. The app had an overall sensitivity of 98% and was associated with fewer false alarms compared to other devices.
The 2025 Impact Report showcases tangible progress made by CURE SYNGAP1, including almost $1.8M in grants and the most successful SYNGAP1 Science Conference ever. The report highlights the organization's focus on Collaboration, Transparency, and Urgency, driving momentum for clinical trials and treatments.
CURE SYNGAP1 partners with RARE-X to accelerate ProMMiS study's Patient-Reported Outcome measure data collection. This investment enables the centralized collection of high-quality PROs, essential for regulatory approval and therapy development.
A study published in Chinese Neurosurgical Journal shows that heat-based therapy, such as RF-TC, alters brain network connectivity in patients with medically refractory epilepsy. This may help predict treatment response and guide personalized interventions.
Researchers at The Hospital for Sick Children have developed a method to predict attention lapses in children using real-time brain signals. A brief targeted intervention can restore focus when delivered exactly at the moment of predicted lapse.
A preclinical study using precision gene editing targets and corrects the root cause of Dravet syndrome, a rare form of childhood epilepsy. The approach demonstrates significant success in treating the disease, including improved survival rates and reduced seizures.
A research team at the University of Zurich has developed a new gene editing approach that correctly treats the genetic mutation causing hereditary epilepsy in mice. The therapy improves communication between nerve cells, reduces febrile seizures, and increases survival rates.
A large population-based study found that children with epilepsy have a significantly higher risk of also having autism spectrum disorder. The study highlighted key differences between children with co-occurring conditions, including intellectual disability and age of diagnosis.
Researchers discovered that interictal epileptiform discharges (IEDs) occur in a predictable pattern, unfolding sequentially in individual neurons. Nearly 80% of IED-involving neurons are also involved in language and perception, suggesting the brain blips can derail cognition.
Researchers suggest treatment could start during pregnancy to prevent brain damage and reduce neurological harm. A new RNA-based therapy reduces abnormal electrical currents in patient-derived excitatory neurons.
Researchers at UCLA mapped how Down syndrome disrupts prenatal neuron development, leading to cognitive and sensory processing differences. The study found altered developmental sequences and cell populations that may contribute to the condition's effects.
A recent study published in Neurology found that people with epilepsy who experience poor sleep are at a higher risk of developing dementia compared to those without epilepsy. Optimal sleep, defined as six to eight hours per day, is associated with better cognitive function and lower dementia risk.
NYU Langone Health experts present platform talks on practical strategies to counter medical misinformation, phase 3 X-TOLE2 trial results for novel epilepsy treatment, and exploring healthcare accessibility for patients with disabilities. The Department of Neurology features over 80 presentations from faculty members.
A new study by University College London found that gabapentinoids, prescribed for chronic pain, double the risk of hospitalization for drug poisoning when combined with benzodiazepines or opioids. The risk persists even after starting gabapentinoid treatment, suggesting they may not be an effective solution to reduce poisoning risks.
A large Nordic register-based study finds that high-dose folic acid supplementation before pregnancy reduces the risk of major congenital anomalies by 45% in women taking antiseizure medication. Starting folic acid after pregnancy onset has no protective effect.
The organization welcomes Craig Bower, Allison Hirsch Hadar, Susan Johnson, Andrew Schillaci, and Ed Warshauer to its Board of Trustees, succeeding outgoing members. These new leaders join a mission primed for global impact, signaling a reinforced commitment to accelerating safe, effective, and targeted therapies.
Researchers used base editing to correct the SCN8A gene mutation responsible for severe inherited epilepsy. The approach successfully eliminated or reduced seizures and improved brain function in lab mice, offering new hope for treating genetic epilepsies.
CURE SYNGAP1 accelerates treatment development for SYNGAP1-Related Disorders through rigorous research and family-led leadership. The organization has funded over $8 million in grants and identified over 1,707 patients to date.
A new review outlines the scientific explanations behind ketogenic diets' therapeutic benefits for epilepsy, including their ability to strengthen brain energy systems, reduce inflammation, and protect neurons. The review highlights the need for further research, particularly in adults, to develop new therapies that mirror the diet's e...
Research reveals associations between antiseizure drugs and neurodevelopmental disorders in children, with valproate and zonisamide linked to increased risks. The study highlights the need for continued monitoring of new antiseizure drugs and further evaluation of their safety during pregnancy.
A mini-review synthesizes large-scale genomic findings to illuminate the polygenic architecture underlying common epilepsies. Rare genetic variants contribute to epilepsy risk, with shared biological pathways involving ion channel function and synaptic excitability
Researchers developed a new noninvasive brain stimulation technique by combining focused ultrasound with electrical stimulation, producing stronger, targeted brain responses. This approach, called transcranial electro-acoustic stimulation, clarifies conflicting results in the field and introduces a new approach to noninvasive brain sti...
Researchers discovered that FOXJ3 gene mutations disrupt brain layer formation, leading to drug-resistant epilepsy. The study reveals a critical link between abnormal brain development and epilepsy, identifying FOXJ3 as a key genetic and molecular cause.
Phase 1/2a clinical trials demonstrate significant seizure reduction and improvement in symptoms of Dravet syndrome, a genetic disorder affecting cognitive function, motor skills, and behavior. The treatment, zorevunersen, targets the underlying cause of the disease by enhancing the normal SCN1A gene.
Mayo Clinic researchers have identified a hidden 'movement map' deep within the brain, which could help surgeons reduce side effects from epilepsy procedures and guide future treatments for speech and movement disorders. The discovery was made using advanced brain-recording technology to create individualized maps of patients' brains.
A new medication called zorevunersen has been found to reduce seizures in children with Dravet syndrome by up to 91%, improving their quality of life and behavior. The study, led by University College London and Great Ormond Street Hospital, also showed the potential to reduce the impact of the condition on mental processes.
Potassium KCNQ2/3 channels need full functionality to work properly in the brain and reach their correct location. This is linked to their regulation by protein ankG. Altering channel functionality affects neuronal excitability and may contribute to developing new therapeutic strategies for epilepsy.
A ketogenic diet causes physical changes in brain cells that affect how they send information to one another, dampening the strength of signals between them. This quieter neural landscape might explain how the diet calms overactive electrical signaling characteristic of epileptic seizures.
Dr. Dennis Lal has been appointed as the new executive director of the Center for Innovation in Health Informatics at UT Arlington, succeeding Marion Ball. He will lead initiatives on precision health, clinical AI, and health care-scale informatics.
A Mayo Clinic study found that the brain enters a deep sleep state after a seizure, mimicking memory storage and strengthening disease. This phenomenon, called seizure-related consolidation, could help explain why epilepsy worsens over time and why memory and mood problems are common in people with the condition.
Researchers created a simplified, scalable human cell model to study coordinated brain rhythms. They found that inhibitory signaling mediated by GABA helped promote sleep and prevent seizures, while potassium channel perturbations influenced rhythmic organization in distinct ways.
Rice bioengineer Jerzy Szablowski has been awarded a Sloan Research Fellowship for his innovative work on noninvasive methods to communicate with the brain. He aims to develop versatile platform technologies to obtain new types of research data and treat multiple diseases.
This systematic review compares the efficacy, safety, and quality of life outcomes associated with stereoelectroencephalography-guided temporal lobe resection (TLR) and responsive neurostimulation (RNS) in adults with drug-resistant TLE. Key findings include higher seizure freedom rates for TLR and better cognitive preservation with RNS.