Articles tagged with Epilepsy
A new drug, SF0034, selectively affects potassium channels in the brain to treat epilepsy and prevent tinnitus. It has shown promise in preventing seizures in animals and is being developed as a potential treatment for both conditions.
Children with epilepsy who undergo brain surgery are at a higher risk of struggling academically, according to a new study. Despite surgery stopping seizures, these children often experience lower scores in reading, spelling, and numeracy due to pre-existing brain abnormalities.
Recurrent febrile seizures warrant urgent assessment and consideration of antiepileptic drugs. The new report provides expert opinion-based recommendations until further studies consolidate higher evidence-based data.
The task force recommends avoiding valproate in pregnant women due to high risks of malformations, while ensuring those with uncontrolled seizures receive effective treatment. The guidelines prioritize shared decision-making between clinicians and patients, balancing treatment benefits and risks.
Researchers at Plymouth University have developed EpSMon, an app that helps people with epilepsy assess their risks in between visits to doctors. The app aims to encourage people to register for the safety tool to better manage their condition.
A study published in Brain Connectivity reveals that epilepsy disrupts the organization of brain networks and functional efficiency. The researchers found distinct patterns of reorganizational changes in the brains of individuals with epilepsy, including increased or decreased functional connections between brain networks.
Parents of children with drug-resistant epilepsy describe their arduous journey to get referrals for surgery, highlighting delays and frustration. The study calls for interventions to target these barriers, aiming to improve access to specialty care.
A Washington, D.C., researcher has received a $130,000 award to investigate temporal lobe epilepsy and its impact on memory processing. The two-year fellowship will support the development of a standard method for using imaging scans to evaluate patients' memory functioning before surgery.
A team of French clinicians diagnosed a patient with rabies after an unusual clinical presentation despite no obvious exposure to animal bites. The strain was identified as circulating among dogs in West Africa, highlighting the risk of healthcare personnel via bodily fluids.
A new guideline from the American Academy of Neurology and the American Epilepsy Society aims to help doctors treat the millions of people who experience their first seizure each year. The guideline found that taking epilepsy drugs immediately after a first seizure may reduce the risk of having another seizure.
A new guideline recommends administering an antiepileptic medication immediately after a first seizure to reduce the risk of another seizure within two years. The risk is highest for those with a previous brain injury or significant abnormality on imaging tests.
The new guidelines emphasize the importance of discussing treatment options with patients after a first seizure, weighing individual risks and benefits. Immediate treatment with an epilepsy drug may reduce recurrent seizures within two years, but its effectiveness decreases after three years.
Researchers found that those taking phenytoin had 30% less damage to the nerve fiber layer and a 34% higher macula volume compared to placebo recipients. Vision recovery was successful, but long-term visual outcomes showed no significant differences between groups.
A team of researchers has created an organic electronic micropump that enables localised inhibition of epileptic seizure in brain tissue in vitro. The device attracts small positively charged molecules, projecting them toward the target area using electrical current.
A study found that cannabidiol, a non-psychoactive component of marijuana, significantly reduced seizures in children with severe epilepsy. The drug was shown to decrease seizures by an average of 54 percent and improve convulsive seizure activity. However, side effects were reported in 6% of participants.
Researchers at Scripps Research Institute aim to identify biomarkers for accelerated drug development of disorders including autism spectrum disorder, epilepsy, and intellectual disability. By validating biomarkers in mice, they hope to create tools and methods for developing new therapeutics.
Researchers have identified a genetic mutation in salt-inducible kinase 1 (SIK1) that regulates myocyte-specific enhancer factor 2C (MEF2C), contributing to severe seizures. The finding may lead to better treatment options for individuals with developmental epilepsy.
Researchers at KAIST identify brain somatic mutations in the MTOR gene as the cause of intractable epilepsy. These mutations are specific to the brain and can lead to permanent disabilities and death. A targeted therapy using rapamycin may offer a solution, suppressing mTOR kinase activation to lessen epileptic seizures.
Researchers at the University of Bonn have discovered a new cause of temporal lobe epilepsy: astrocyte uncoupling. This leads to hyperexcitability of neurons and epileptic seizures. The study suggests that inflammation plays a role in uncoupling astrocytes, which can be reversed at an early stage.
A seven-year study found that responsive direct cortical stimulation significantly reduced seizures by up to 60% and improved quality of life. The Long-Term Treatment Study showed that 84% of participants experienced some improvement, with 16% being seizure-free for at least three months.
A study found that retigabine, an epilepsy drug, protected the brain against ischemic stroke damage in mouse models. The medication acted directly on nerve cells to minimize damage, showing protective effects up to five days after the stroke.
Researchers discovered that coral snake venom's toxins permanently activate crucial nerve cell proteins, preventing reset and causing deadly seizures. The toxins target GABA(A) receptors, making them 100 times tighter than known compounds, leading to permanent opening of the receptor's pore.
A new survey by Henry Ford Hospital found that brain surgery for hard-to-treat epilepsy can sustain beneficial effects for up to 15 years. The study showed a significant increase in patients' ability to drive and an improvement in antidepressant use, with most patients considering their surgery worthwhile.
A study published in Nature Communications identified Sestrin 3 as a major regulator of the epileptic gene network, which could lead to more effective treatments. The researchers used novel computational and genetics techniques to analyze the activity of genes in epilepsy, providing new insights into the disease.
An international team of scientists identified sestrin-3 as a key regulator of gene networks in human epilepsy. Inhibiting sestrin-3 reduced seizures in animal models. The discovery offers promising starting points for new treatments, potentially avoiding drug resistance.
Scientists used genetic analysis and mathematical modeling to discover millimeter-sized abnormalities in brain tissue that may cause unpredictable seizures. These 'microlesions' could lead to spontaneous electrical currents causing epilepsy.
Scientists at the University of Exeter have developed a new method to diagnose epilepsy using mathematical modeling and brain electrical activity analysis. This approach reveals subtle differences in brain network properties that enhance susceptibility to seizures in people with idiopathic generalized epilepsies.
The National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke has launched the Centers Without Walls initiative to study Sudden Unexpected Death in Epilepsy (SUDEP), which affects 1 out of 1000 people with epilepsy annually. The project aims to identify risk factors and potential therapeutic targets to prevent SUDEP.
Researchers found that a specific protein's conformational defect causes Autosomal Dominant Lateral Temporal Lobe Epilepsy, a form of familial epilepsy. Treatment with chemical chaperone LGI1 mutant protein was shown to ameliorate seizure susceptibility in mice.
Researchers will investigate SUDEP's causes, risk factors, and potential interventions through a collaborative effort involving eight US epilepsy centers and one UK center. The grant aims to accelerate progress toward successful interventions by leveraging diverse expertise and combining large datasets.
Drs. Alim Louis Benabid and Mahlon DeLong developed deep brain stimulation (DBS) for treating Parkinson's disease, improving motor function and quality of life for thousands of patients. Their groundbreaking research has led to the use of DBS in other disorders, benefiting over 110,000 patients worldwide.
A Swedish study found that only 3% of epilepsy surgery patients suffered lasting complications, with a downward trend over time. Despite the encouraging data, only 50-60 procedures are performed annually, highlighting the need for awareness and increase in availability throughout Europe.
Researchers have discovered a single mutation in a gene that explains a significant proportion of unsolved cases of progressive myoclonus epilepsy. The mutation disrupts brain signal transmission, leading to epileptic seizures and muscle twitching starting in childhood.
A new gene has been identified as the genetic cause of a progressive form of epilepsy in nearly one-third of patients. The mutation affects a potassium channel encoding gene KCNC1, which disrupts signal transmission in the brain and causes epileptic seizures and myoclonus.
Researchers at McLean Hospital have successfully transplanted human stem cell-derived neurons into the brains of mice with epilepsy, reducing seizures in half of the recipients. The treatment showed promise, with improved electrical activity and reversal of seizure symptoms.
Researchers at Scripps Translational Science Institute have identified a new genetic cause of epileptic encephalopathy, a severe and complex form of epilepsy. The KCNB1 gene mutation was found in a 10-year-old girl, offering new treatment options for her condition.
A review of research published by the American Academy of Neurology found that low-carb diets, such as the ketogenic diet, may reduce seizures in adults with tough-to-treat epilepsy. The diets were moderately to very effective, with a 50% or better reduction in seizures experienced by 32% of participants.
A new study highlights the difficulty women with epilepsy face when becoming pregnant, as certain medications used to control seizures may be linked to developmental problems in children. The review of 28 studies found that children born to women who took sodium valproate had lower cognitive abilities than those whose mothers did not t...
A study by Johns Hopkins researchers reveals that a form of calmodulin plays an active role in opening and closing ion channels, contrary to previous thought. This finding could lead to new treatments for disorders such as cardiac arrhythmias, epilepsy, and Parkinson's disease
A new study published in Epilepsia reports that 76% of caregivers are more likely to have heard of Sudden Unexpected Death in Epilepsy (SUDEP) compared to 65% of patients with epilepsy. SUDEP is a rare but devastating condition that occurs in about 1 in 1,000 individuals with epilepsy each year.
Researchers at Vanderbilt University have developed a robotic device that can treat severe epilepsy with a minimally invasive procedure. The system uses a shape-memory alloy needle steered by a robotic platform to destroy the area where seizures originate, avoiding drilling through the skull.
Researchers found that individual neurons can react differently to electrical signals and compensate by altering their own outputs. This variability may be important in discovering underlying problems associated with brain disorders.
Researchers at USC Viterbi School of Engineering developed a customized transport system, the Mobile Oxygen-Temperature Sustaining (MOTS) system, to preserve human brain samples for research. They also created a planar Multi-Electrode Array (MEA) that provides in-depth understanding of epileptic seizures.
A large study has pinpointed synapse genes with major roles in severe childhood epilepsies, providing a new target for treatment strategies. The research identified 429 de novo mutations, including strong evidence for novel genes involved in synapse function.
Researchers analyzed genetic information from 356 patients and identified novel causes for severe childhood epilepsies. Strong evidence was found for additional novel genes involved in synapse function, which may help address underlying disease mechanisms and improve treatment options.
A new electroencephalography (EEG) tool has been developed to detect refractory idiopathic epilepsy in children, a condition that cannot be managed by antiepileptic drugs. The tool uses EEG classification analysis and identifies significant EEG features that distinguish refractory epilepsy from well-controlled forms.
Low-dose fish oil was found to reduce seizure frequency by a third in people with epilepsy who no longer responded to drug treatment. The study also showed a modest fall in blood pressure, but no significant changes in heart rate or fat levels.
A new animal model reveals that SENP2 deficiency leads to seizures and sudden death due to hyper-SUMOylation of potassium channels. This finding may lead to new treatment opportunities for SUDEP, which affects epilepsy patients at a rate 20-fold higher than the general population.
Overexpression of Notch1 in temporal lobe epilepsy is associated with reduced seizure frequency and brain discharges. The study found increased presence of Notch 1 and hairy and enhancer of split-1 in intractable temporal lobe epilepsy patients, suggesting potential therapeutic targets for treating the condition.
Scientists have developed a genetically engineered mouse line that allows them to study calcium levels in living brain cells, enabling new research on epilepsy, Alzheimer's, and other neurological diseases. This breakthrough opens up possibilities for new treatments and a deeper understanding of the immune system's role in brain function.
Researchers found that reducing brain levels of tau protein effectively blocks disease development in a mouse model of Dravet syndrome. This approach also improved cognitive and behavioral abnormalities associated with the syndrome.
Researchers successfully disconnected isolated temporal-parietal-occipital nerve tissue while maintaining its activity, providing neuroprotective measures for epilepsy patients. The procedure resulted in complete seizure control for two patients with intractable epilepsy.
Researchers at Cleveland Clinic found that the immune system's response to protein S100B may contribute to memory impairment and cognitive dysfunction associated with conditions like chronic epilepsy and Alzheimer's disease. The study suggests that treatments targeting this autoimmune response could help alleviate symptoms.
A new study at the University of Iowa has identified a potential genetic link between epilepsy and neurodegenerative disorders, revealing a novel pathway involved in the pathophysiology of epilepsy. The researchers found that mutations in prickle genes cause seizures in flies, leading to epilepsy-like behaviors.
A study published in JAMA found that whole-exome sequencing successfully identified the underlying gene mutations causing mitochondrial respiratory chain defects, leading to a 60% diagnostic yield. This approach outperformed traditional methods, detecting new potential disease genes and improving the diagnosis of neurometabolic disorders.
Researchers identified specialized ribbons of four protofilaments within cilia microtubules, linking proteins to human disease. The discovery sheds light on the microstructure of cilia and their role in human function and disease.
A significant genetic component of Idiopathic Generalized Epilepsy (IGE) has been discovered, implicating a mutation in the gene for protein cotransporter KCC2. The study found a clear association between two variants of KCC2 and severe IGE in French-Canadian patients.
Despite initial progress in reducing child mortality, the UK has fallen behind other wealthy countries over the past four decades. The country's poor performance in addressing non-communicable diseases, particularly among young people, is a major concern, with an estimated 446 excess deaths from NCDs by 2008.
Researchers at the University of Toronto have identified a complex of three proteins that regulate brain function and may lead to improved treatments for epilepsy. The discovery has major implications for understanding neurological disorders such as schizophrenia, autism, and neuropathic pain.
Researchers at North Carolina State University have developed a neural transplant that significantly reduces absence epilepsy seizures in mice. The treatment targets specific areas of the brain affected by the disease, offering hope for developing new therapies for humans suffering from various forms of epilepsies.