Articles tagged with Epilepsy
A study by the University of Saskatchewan found that medicinal cannabis oil containing CBD and THC can reduce or end seizures in children with severe, drug-resistant epilepsy. The research team tested a dosage regimen that showed significant improvements in quality of life for the children, with some experiencing complete seizure freedom.
A new guide from the American College of Physicians provides clinicians with a detailed framework for caring for transgender patients, highlighting specific medical issues and ways to improve practice. The guide also addresses broader concerns about healthcare access and disparities in marginalized populations.
The UAB clinic has achieved rapid accessibility and improved seizure control for patients with drug-resistant epilepsy. Vagal nerve stimulation (VNS) and responsive neurostimulation (RNS) therapies have shown promise, with 12-11 out of 27-16 patients experiencing a 60% reduction in seizures.
A new study found that stimulating the brain's dorsal anterior insula triggers an ecstatic aura in epileptic patients. This region is proposed to be a key area for elicit symptoms of altered consciousness and ecstasy-like experiences. The findings provide additional support for its role in human consciousness.
A new study found that even people with well-controlled epilepsy are at risk of sudden unexpected death in epilepsy (SUDEP). Researchers analyzed cases referred to the North American SUDEP Registry and found that sleep deprivation, skipping medication, and lack of seizure activity were common factors contributing to SUDEP.
Research suggests that strobe lighting at electronic dance music festivals triples the risk of epileptic fits in susceptible individuals. Organisers are advised to issue warnings and provide preventive measures for those with photosensitive epilepsy.
Researchers at FutureNeuro have discovered molecules in the blood that are higher in people with epilepsy before a seizure happens. These molecules are fragments of transfer RNAs (tRNAs), which could serve as an early warning system for predicting seizures.
A new study found an increased risk of behavioral problems in children of mothers with epilepsy who took common antiepileptic drugs during pregnancy. Valproate-exposed children were most affected, but parents also reported behavioral problems for other medications.
A study found that children's brains can compensate for missing regions of the visual cortex after epilepsy surgery, allowing them to maintain full visual perception. This brain plasticity suggests that early surgical treatment for children with epilepsy may enable this type of remapping.
A study led by York University researchers found that children's brains can compensate for lost regions of the visual cortex after surgery, retaining normal visual perception. The brain's plasticity allows it to re-wire itself in a way not seen in adults, enabling children to read and recognize faces with minimal impairment.
Researchers analyzed data from 234 patients undergoing minimally invasive laser surgery for epilepsy, finding that targeting specific brain regions such as the amygdala and hippocampal head improved seizure-free outcomes with minimal side effects. The study's results provide insights into the most effective approach for this type of su...
Researchers at Carnegie Mellon University aim to create a noninvasive neural interface that can sense and stimulate the brain's dynamic activity with unprecedented resolution. The team will harness novel concepts in physics, biology, and engineering using electricity, ultrasound, and light to develop a wearable device.
A team of researchers discovered a new gene linked to severe childhood epilepsy by analyzing phenotypes and genomics data of patients with similar clinical presentations. The study used a novel computational method to identify the AP2M1 gene variant, which regulates excitability and inhibition in brain cells.
Researchers at Osaka University developed an automatic diagnosis system using deep learning and MEG, achieving high accuracy in classifying patients with neurological diseases. The system outperformed conventional methods using waveforms, offering a promising approach for clinical practice.
Researchers found that successful epilepsy surgery can restore brain networks, leading to improved quality of life for patients with temporal lobe epilepsy. The study showed significant improvements in brain network activity after surgery compared to healthy subjects.
A Danish study reveals that patients with both schizophrenia and epilepsy are at risk of dying before the age of fifty. The study found a significantly higher mortality rate among this group, with 27.2% of those with both conditions passing away between ages 25-50.
Researchers have identified a small organic compound called gluconate that acts as an anticonvulsant, inhibiting seizures by targeting chloride ion channels. The study found that gluconate suppresses seizure activity more effectively in neonatal animals than adults.
A new tool developed by Queen Mary University researchers can accurately predict the risk of seizures during pregnancy and up to six weeks after delivery. The EMPiRE tool uses routinely collected data to inform care and close monitoring, potentially reducing maternal and fetal mortality.
Top doctor David Nutt and mother of Alfie Dingley Hannah Deacon argue that many children are still not getting the treatment they need. Despite a law change in 2018, access to medical cannabis remains slow due to lack of training, fear of prescribing off licence, and difficulties obtaining supplies.
A phase 3 study found that taking pharmaceutical cannabidiol cut seizures nearly in half for children with Dravet syndrome. The treatment showed significant efficacy even among those who had tried multiple other medications without success.
Researchers at MIT's Picower Institute found that excess calcium in glia cells causes them to hyper-activate a molecular pathway leading to seizures. They identified calcineurin and sandman proteins as key players in the process, suggesting a promising avenue for future drug development.
Adult mouse models of SYNGAP1 disorder show improvement in measures of seizure and memory after gene repair, suggesting potential for treatment at any stage of life. The study offers a path to measure the effectiveness of potential medications or therapies.
Researchers identified two new neurodevelopmental diseases caused by ACTL6B gene mutations, leading to epilepsy, seizures, and cognitive delays. The study used induced pluripotent stem cells and CRISPR gene editing technology to understand the role of ACTL6B in brain development.
Scientists at RIKEN Center for Brain Science found that impaired communication between the cortex and striatum can trigger absence epilepsy. Absence seizures, characterized by brief periods of lost consciousness, are associated with spike-wave discharges recorded on electrocorticograms.
Researchers at the University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine have found that responsive neurostimulation can remodel the brain to be less susceptible to seizures. By analyzing individual brain activity recordings over time, the study shows that stimulation changes brain networks, making it harder for seizures to spread.
A new study reveals that hippocampal neurons provide pointers to complete memories by firing strongly during recall. This process, called reinstatement, helps the brain reconstruct associated objects from memory, similar to initial learning. The discovery has implications for understanding memory deficits and potential treatments.
Studies from the Epilepsy Connectome Project reveal a difference in memory-related connections between healthy individuals and those with epilepsy. The researchers identified an excitatory connection association with inhibition of formation of the left hippocampal region in patients with temporal lobe epilepsy.
A common cause for both Sudden Infant Death Syndrome (SIDS) and Sudden Unexpected Death in Epilepsy (SUDEP) may be an inability to wake up due to a faulty CO2 blood level regulation. A potential explanation is a malfunctioning serotonin receptor in the midbrain, which could drive future treatments.
A team of scientists has found evidence that the human hippocampus is necessary for future planning and decision-making. The study, published in Neuron, revealed that individuals with epilepsy displayed inferior spatial memory and a tendency to plan less, highlighting the cognitive map's role in planning into the future.
A new study published in JAMA Neurology reveals that a minimally invasive procedure can help identify patients with drug-resistant epilepsy who are suitable for brain surgery. The procedure produces more favorable outcomes among patients, including reduced complications and increased likelihood of seizure freedom.
The partnership will provide insights into disease progression and responses to treatment, helping clinicians identify risk factors and inform personalized treatment planning. The project's goal is to promote proactive and tailored care to prevent disease deterioration and improve patient outcomes.
A UCI researcher has been awarded $2.7 million to investigate the role of ion channel transporters in neurological disorders such as epilepsy. The research aims to develop new therapeutic agents targeting these complexes to treat human disease.
Scientists at UT Southwestern Medical Center have developed a method to predict epileptic seizures at least four minutes in advance using EEG monitoring. The study shows that delivering an edible acid called acetate can prevent seizures if detected early, providing new potential therapy options.
A recent study has clarified the mechanism behind a rare brain disorder called MICPCH syndrome, which affects few individuals worldwide. The research highlights the importance of the protein CASK in maintaining balance between excitation and inhibition in the brain.
Researchers at Trinity College Dublin have created a novel brain slice model that captures features observed in patients with mitochondrial epilepsy. The model reveals the critical role of astrocytes in driving seizure generation and demonstrates the involvement of the GABA-glutamate-glutamine cycle.
Researchers at Emory University discovered that electrical stimulation of the cingulum bundle can induce laughter and a sense of calm in patients undergoing brain surgery. The technique has potential applications in treating depression, anxiety disorders, and chronic pain via deep brain stimulation.
Researchers found a correlation between loss of function in patches of astrocytes and development of epilepsy. Altered astrocytes may be the root of epilepsy development after mild traumatic brain injuries.
A protein-secreting device implanted into the hippocampus of epileptic rats reduced seizures by 93% in three months, improving anxiety-like symptoms and cognitive performance. The effects persisted even after device removal, indicating a possible modification of disease progression.
Researchers have identified a cellular response to repeated concussions that may contribute to seizures in mice. A unique population of astrocytes responded to these injuries, leading to spontaneous recurrent seizures in some mice within one month. This study establishes a new animal model for post-traumatic epilepsy research.
Researchers identified a key factor leading to epileptic seizures by analyzing changes in the temporal lobe cortex of a rat brain. The study found that excessive excitation of neurons, triggered by calcium-permeable AMPA receptors, increases the risk of convulsive discharges.
A recent study characterizes silent seizures in a mouse model of Dravet syndrome and identifies the thalamus as a potential target to stop them. The researchers developed two new strategies to prevent non-convulsive seizures, which can disrupt consciousness and occur hundreds of times daily in affected children.
A large-scale genetic study has identified 11 new genes associated with epilepsy, which may inform the development of new treatments. The research, led by RCSI researchers, compared DNA samples from over 15,000 people with and without epilepsy, tripling the number of known genetic associations.
A recent analysis of published studies suggests that cannabidiol, a non-psychoactive cannabinoid, can reduce seizures in children with severe forms of epilepsy. The median frequency of monthly seizures decreased with cannabidiol treatment, with many participants experiencing a 50% or greater reduction.
Researchers have developed a tiny device that electrically stimulates the brain, paving the way for minimally invasive treatments for conditions such as epilepsy and Parkinson's disease. The Stentrode can deliver targeted stimulation without open-brain surgery, opening up new possibilities for treating neurological disorders.
People with epilepsy living in high-crime Chicago neighborhoods have three times as many seizures as those in low-crime areas, a new study finds. The researchers used data from 63 participants and found that those in high-crime neighborhoods experienced an average of seven seizures over 90 days.
Researchers developed a novel classification method combining brain imaging data from MRI and fMRI to recognize patients with benign epilepsy with centrotemporal spikes. This approach improved diagnosis accuracy, enabling early detection and treatment, which leads to better health outcomes for children. The study used a dataset of 40 B...
Scientists at UNC School of Medicine discovered that replacing the faulty UBE3A gene in children's brains can prevent seizures, but not in adults. The study suggests a window of opportunity for prevention between early childhood and adulthood.
The €13.6 million FutureNeuro centre will focus on understanding brain structure and function to transform the patient journey for people with neurological diseases. Outcomes include improved diagnostics, precision medicine, point-of-care technology and new treatments.
Researchers at UCI School of Medicine have discovered the molecular basis for therapeutic actions of an African folk medicine used to treat various illnesses, including diabetes and epilepsy. The study found two components of the Mallotus leaf extract bind to a previously unrecognized binding site on KCNQ1 potassium channels.
Researchers solved a 125-year-old brain mystery by discovering that perineuronal nets modulate electrical impulses in the brain. Without these structures, inhibitory neurons fire too slowly, leading to seizures. The findings have implications for various forms of acquired epilepsy and may lead to new treatments.
Cannabidiol (CBD) has demonstrated significant antiepileptic efficacy, resulting in a 38-41% reduction in seizure frequency compared to placebo. CBD is well-tolerated but may cause side effects such as sedation and decreased appetite.
Researchers at Virginia Tech are conducting a three-year study to identify the root causes of epilepsy development after traumatic brain injuries. The team aims to find predictive biomarkers and strategies to prevent brain changes that lead to epilepsy.
A new high-tech bracelet, Nightwatch, detects 85% of all severe night-time epilepsy seizures and can save thousands of lives. The device recognizes key characteristics of severe attacks and sends wireless alerts to carers or nurses.
A new study from UT Southwestern found that nearly a third of children with epilepsy had a change in diagnosis based on new data, leading to more effective treatments. The research calls for regular reviews of gene tests to ensure diagnoses and treatments are based on the latest discoveries.
Neuroene Therapeutics is developing a vitamin K analogue to improve seizure control in patients with drug-resistant epilepsy. The company will test the efficacy and safety of its lead compounds with assistance from the University of Utah's Anticonvulsant Drug Development Program.
A new genetic cause for a severe childhood epilepsy syndrome has been discovered, with spontaneous mutations in the CACNA1E gene disrupting calcium flow in brain cells. The study found potential medical treatments, including anti-seizure medications that target the affected channel.
Researchers will investigate a behavioral telehealth intervention to improve rehabilitation outcomes for people with refractory epilepsy. The study aims to build on the Foundation's partnerships and enhance expertise in clinical translation of cognitive rehabilitation interventions.
Researchers have discovered that human neurons employ highly compartmentalized signaling, unlike those in model organisms. This discovery highlights the potential benefits of human neuron structure for brain computational power.
The project aims to create a personalized portal where people with epilepsy can manage their disease and find relevant information. It will integrate data from social media, electronic health records, and scientific literature to provide targeted recommendations and visualizations.
Researchers found altered patterns of neuron activity in the brain controlling reproductive endocrine systems in mice with epilepsy. The differences in activity in female mice fluctuated across their reproductive cycles, suggesting a dynamic connection between epilepsy and reproductive health.