Articles tagged with Epilepsy
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.
The partnership aims to provide a voice-based user interface for an existing Epilepsy Patient Portal, allowing patients to co-author their electronic patient record. This enhanced system will facilitate real-time reporting of health information using the patients' voice, making it easier for clinicians and more useful for patients.
Researchers from the University of California, Irvine have discovered that two components of the Mallotus leaf extract activate KCNQ2/3 potassium ion channels, essential for controlling electrical activity in the brain. The combination of these compounds is highly effective at preventing life-threatening seizures.
A new study from the University of Eastern Finland has found that antiepileptic drugs are linked to a higher risk of stroke among persons with Alzheimer's disease. The study also revealed that this increased risk persisted even after accounting for other chronic conditions and socioeconomic factors.
Researchers found that neural activity in both the left and right hemispheres of the brain is involved in encoding individual arm movements. This discovery could lead to the development of more effective rehabilitation strategies for individuals with limb function after a brain injury, by harnessing the unaffected hemisphere.
A comprehensive epidemiological study published in Neurology reveals that women with epilepsy are at a significantly increased risk of mortality during pregnancy. Despite the small absolute risk, the probability must be multiplied by five, making pregnant women with epilepsy a critical group to follow closer.
Researchers at MUSC have developed a novel AI method that analyzes the neural networks of epilepsy patients to predict seizure-free outcome post-surgery. The technique, which maps the whole-brain connectome, achieved an accuracy rate of 79-88%, outperforming current clinical methods.
Researchers identify medial prefrontal cortex as key player in perceptual memory, allowing for stable perception of environment despite intermittent blinks. This finding has implications for understanding interaction between perception and memory, and may also shed light on confidence in one's own perception.
Researchers developed new electrophysiology techniques to study the pig hippocampus, confirming features comparable to rodents and non-human primates. This breakthrough establishes pigs as a promising preclinical research model for traumatic brain injury and epilepsy.
A study of over 1,000 patients with epilepsy found that seizures are linked to natural rhythms in around 80% of cases, with most occurring in a circadian rhythm. Weekly and longer cycles were also detected, with two-thirds of people having multiple types of cycles associated with their seizures.
Researchers discovered a predictive biomarker for epilepsy by analyzing the connection between heartbeat irregularities and abnormal brain activity in mice. They found that anomalous heart rate patterns slightly preceded abnormal brain waves, allowing them to predict which mice would develop seizures with 100% accuracy.
Researchers discovered a link between SCN1A gene mutations and cardiac arrhythmias in epilepsy patients with Dravet syndrome, which may trigger sudden unexpected death. The study found that even after removing the mutated gene, an increase in sodium current occurred, leading to potential heart problems.
A team of researchers at University of Alabama at Birmingham has identified a sentinel area of the brain that may give an early warning before clinical seizure manifestations appear. An algorithm was also developed to automatically detect this early warning, allowing for neurostimulation of the sentinel area to potentially block seizures.
Researchers have mapped the brain regions responsible for naming objects, a process that is crucial for individuals with neurodegenerative diseases such as Alzheimer's. The study's findings could lead to improved approaches for epilepsy and tumor surgery, reducing cognitive side effects.
A study published in Nature Communications provides new insight into the regulation of brain cell signaling, which may lead to better treatments for epilepsy and related disorders. By quantifying the interaction between two key proteins, researchers have identified a specific pattern that can be influenced to control brain activity.
A review suggests that cannabidiol, a compound in cannabis, may have modest efficacy in treating severe epilepsy, particularly in children. However, more rigorous clinical trials are necessary to fully understand its potential and minimize side effects.
A study by University of Melbourne researchers reveals that clinically relevant epileptic seizure prediction is possible in a wider range of patients than previously thought. The crowdsourcing of over 10,000 algorithms worldwide led to an average 90% improvement in seizure prediction performance compared to previous results.
A study found that children of mothers with epilepsy who took folic acid supplements had lower rates of language delays compared to those who did not take supplements. The study suggests that folic acid may be beneficial in preventing language delays for babies born to mothers with epilepsy.
Late-onset epilepsy is associated with midlife lifestyle and vascular risk factors, including hypertension, diabetes, and smoking. Conversely, moderate physical activity and alcohol intake may lower the risk of developing epilepsy.
For adults with non-index seizures, ED neuroimaging is associated with a 3% change in patient management. Clinical factors like acute head trauma, prolonged consciousness, and focal neurological examination increase the yield of imaging tests.
In a new study, researchers have identified the protein p53 as a key component in irregularly excited brain cells associated with autism spectrum disorders and epilepsy. The protein's role in regulating neural excitability has significant implications for understanding these developmental disabilities.
Scientists have created a new way to selectively turn neural circuits on and off without surgery. By combining ultrasound waves, gene therapy, and synthetic drugs, researchers can noninvasively control specific brain regions and cell types. This technique has implications for treating neurological and psychiatric conditions.
A pioneering study found that Australian parents who turned to medicinal cannabis for children with epilepsy overwhelmingly considered the extracts effective. Contrary to parental expectations, most extracts contained low doses of cannabidiol (CBD), a key therapeutic element commonly used in clinical trials. The research revealed the l...
Research identifies brain-only MTOR mutations as a key factor in causing cortical malformations, intellectual disability, and developmental delay in children. The study found that disrupted ciliary formation leads to cortical dyslamination, providing new insights into the molecular mechanisms of FMCDs.
A team of researchers used 2-photon microscopy to visualize individual neurons during absence seizures, revealing uncoordinated firing activity instead of the expected rhythmic pattern. The study aims to better understand the underlying causes of absence epilepsy and potentially develop new treatments.
Researchers at King's College London have discovered a fundamental process by which brains are built, involving the balance of excitatory and inhibitory neurons. This finding may lead to new treatments for neurodevelopmental disorders like autism and epilepsy.
Researchers at the University of Sydney have developed a generalized method to predict epileptic seizures using data from non-surgical devices powered by AI and machine learning. The system can alert epilepsy sufferers within 30 minutes of the likelihood of a seizure, with an accuracy rate of up to 81.4%.
A study on epilepsy patients has shown that repetitive transcranial magnetic stimulation (rTMS) can be used to predict which brain regions will be affected by the treatment. This research could lead to individualized stimulation protocols, improving treatment outcomes for conditions like depression.
Researchers at UCI School of Medicine have discovered a new pathway for developing therapies for disorders like epilepsy, anxiety, and chronic pain by understanding how GABA modulates specific ion channels. This finding opens up an entirely novel mechanism for GABA to fulfill its inhibitory role in the brain.
A new partnership aims to explore the use of cannabidiol (CBD) and other non-psychoactive molecules from the cannabis plant to reduce seizures in patients with drug-resistant epilepsies. The research will also optimize the effectiveness of this approach to treat epilepsy, offering a potential new horizon for severe disabling seizures.
Researchers identified dysregulation of the gene NEUROG2 as a key factor in the development of focal cortical dysplasia, a common cause of drug-resistant epilepsy. The study found that overexpression of NEUROG2 was linked to reduced expression of microRNA hsa-miR-34a, leading to nerve cell differentiation failure.
Researchers discovered two metabolites produced by a Red Sea fungus that look promising as potential anti-seizure drugs. These compounds, pseurotin A2 and azaspirofuran A, reduced the number and length of seizures in zebrafish and mouse models of epilepsy.
Researchers at the University of Kentucky have discovered a potential target for treating epilepsy seizures: cPLA2, an enzyme that contributes to blood-brain barrier dysfunction. Blocking this enzyme may prevent changes in barrier leakage, offering new hope for patients who do not respond well to current medications.
A new study by Brigham and Women's Hospital found that women with epilepsy have the same fertility rates as those without, contradicting previous myths. The study of 89 women with epilepsy and 108 without found similar rates of pregnancy, miscarriages, and live births.
Researchers found that valproic acid, an antiepileptic drug, can cause birth defects in frog embryos by interfering with glutamate signaling. The study suggests that new epilepsy medications could be developed to be safer for pregnant women.
A study of 89 women with epilepsy and 108 without found that women with epilepsy had a similar likelihood of becoming pregnant, achieving live births, and experiencing low miscarriage rates. The research suggests that biological and social factors may contribute to previous findings of lower birth rates among women with epilepsy.
Advances in genetic testing have improved insights for parents of children with epileptic encephalopathy (EE), a rare and serious form of epilepsy. The study found that 10% of parents have mosaicism, which may also apply to other disorders like autism and intellectual disability.
UCalgary researchers develop a new method to discover drugs for treating epilepsy, leveraging the ketogenic diet's effect on energy production. A promising new use is found for vorinostat, a cancer treatment drug, reducing seizures in zebrafish and mouse models by 60%.
The European Commission considers a partial ban on valproate use in pregnancy amid concerns about physical abnormalities and developmental problems. Experts debate the balance between treatment efficacy and risk, highlighting the need for informed patient choice and regular review.
Researchers at Lund University discovered a new approach to treat severe epilepsy by targeting a specific brain area, reducing seizure activity. This breakthrough method, using chemogenetics, may pave the way for improved treatment options for thousands of people in Sweden affected by the disease.
A new study found that people with epilepsy in England and Wales are at a higher risk of dying from suicide and accidents. The research analyzed data from over 44,000 people with epilepsy compared to those without the condition, revealing a five-fold increase in accidental medication poisoning deaths among those with epilepsy.
Researchers identified a seizure-triggered pathway that contributes to blood-brain barrier dysfunction in epilepsy. Blocking the activity of an enzyme called cytosolic phospholipase A2 (cPLA2) prevented capillary leakage and associated changes.
Researchers analyzed cysticercosis cases in Spain from 1997 to 2014, finding increasing hospitalizations, particularly among children under 15. The study also identified regional variations, with the Murcia region having the highest rate, and common clinical characteristics such as epilepsy and convulsions.
Scientists have discovered a mutation in the catnap2 gene that causes seizures in people with autism spectrum disorder. The mutation shrinks brain neurons' branches, disrupting message delivery and leading to seizures.
A large international study used neuroimaging techniques to analyze the brains of over 3,800 volunteers with different types of epilepsy. The study found that all four epilepsy subgroups displayed atrophy in sensitive-motor cortex and frontal lobe regions.