Articles tagged with Epilepsy
Dr. Scott Mintzer has received a $843,000 NIH grant to investigate the cardiovascular side effects of anti-seizure medications in patients with epilepsy and subarachnoid hemorrhage. The study aims to improve treatment outcomes while minimizing potential risks.
Researchers at University of British Columbia have identified hemichannels as a potential target for treating epileptic seizures caused by brain trauma or stroke. Blocking these channels may lead to the development of new therapies for epilepsy patients.
Analysis suggests that anterior temporal lobe resection can increase life expectancy by 5.0 years and quality-adjusted life expectancy by 7.5 years for patients with medication-resistant temporal lobe epilepsy. Early surgical treatment is crucial, especially for younger patients, to reverse associated severe disabilities.
A new study published in Neurology suggests that women who take valproate during pregnancy may significantly increase their child's risk of developing autism. The research found that children exposed to valproate were seven times more likely to develop autism than those not exposed.
Researchers found a new gene, PRICKLE1, linked to a specific type of epilepsy. The study involved international collaboration and led to the development of animal models to investigate its role in the disease.
A new study by UC Davis researchers suggests that drops in blood oxygen levels may contribute to sudden unexpected death in epilepsy (SUDEP) patients. Seizures in the temporal lobe and low oxygen levels during episodes are more common in males than females.
Researchers found BDNF-induced activation of JAK/STAT pathway is crucial for temporal lobe epilepsy development in adult rats. This pathway is also implicated in inflammatory diseases.
The Rett Syndrome Research Trust aims to bring novel therapeutics addressing the underlying MECP2 pathology to clinical trials within five years. Classic Rett Syndrome affects females almost exclusively, causing severe physical disability and requiring total care.
A recent study found that 3T MRI is better at detecting and characterizing structural brain abnormalities in patients with focal epilepsy than 1.5T MRI, leading to a better diagnosis and safer treatment options. This improvement was seen in the detection of lesions and accurate characterization of abnormalities.
A recent study published in Neurology found that people with epilepsy have a significantly higher risk of drowning compared to the general population. The study, which analyzed data from over 200,000 patient-years, found that individuals with epilepsy were 15-19 times more likely to die by drowning.
A systematic review of antiepileptic drugs found that children with drug-resistant partial epilepsy have a greater response to placebo treatments compared to adults. This suggests that clinical trials in children require careful design and reporting to provide valid results.
A study found that taking topiramate alone or with other epilepsy drugs during pregnancy increases the risk of birth defects, particularly cleft palates and genital birth defects. The study suggests monitoring pregnancies of women exposed to topiramate.
Researchers at Vanderbilt University Medical Center have found genetic mutations linked to rare familial hemiplegic migraine type-3 that alter sodium channel function in the brain. These mutations may prompt migraines and suggest medications targeting sodium channels as potential treatments.
A team of Australian researchers has received funding to develop new treatments for epilepsy, with a focus on compounds that block brain cell communication. The project aims to create effective therapies for the one-third of epilepsy patients who do not respond to current treatments.
People with epilepsy who fail to take their medication regularly are three times more likely to die compared to those who adhere to treatment. Hospital visits and emergency room visits also increase during periods of non-compliance, highlighting the importance of consistent medication adherence.
Researchers discovered that BK channels become abnormally active after a seizure, leading to neuronal overexcitability, which may be associated with epilepsy development. A BK channel antagonist reversed abnormal excitability, offering new hope for individuals suffering from epilepsy.
Researchers have pinpointed the mutated gene responsible for childhood absence epilepsy, a condition characterized by frequent seizures. The discovery may provide insight into developing effective treatments and cures for this form of epilepsy.
A mutated gene has been discovered as the key behind epilepsy and mental retardation specific to women, thanks to new research at the University of Adelaide. The study found that women carry both a 'good' and 'bad' gene, while men only carry the bad gene, leading to the condition affecting only females.
A randomized controlled trial confirms the efficacy of the ketogenic diet in reducing epileptic seizures in children with drug-resistant epilepsy. The study found significant seizure reductions in children assigned to the ketogenic diet, compared to those on a control diet.
A study published by the American Academy of Neurology found that young women taking phenytoin for one year experienced significant bone loss compared to those on other epilepsy medications. Women taking phenytoin lost an average of 2.6% bone density in the femoral neck, a risk factor for fractures after menopause.
The study found that psychotherapy is one of the most effective treatments for nonepileptic seizures, followed by education and psychopharmacology. Neurologists and psychiatrists often work together to care for patients with NES, but barriers to treatment adherence include insurance limitations and lack of experienced practitioners.
Researchers identified a mechanism by which seizures increase production of a drug transport protein in the blood-brain barrier, leading to reduced medication effectiveness in epilepsy patients. This discovery offers promising new therapeutic targets to improve treatment outcomes.
Researchers are testing Metformine, a diabetes medication, to treat epilepsy by targeting the brain's energy sensing mechanism. Early results suggest it may reduce seizure frequency without affecting learning and memory.
Researchers explore a new approach to treating epilepsy by using the diabetes drug metformine, which targets metabolic pathways similar to a ketogenic diet. The study's findings suggest that metformine may suppress over-active nerve cells by removing excess energy production.
Epilepsy patients face challenges in communicating with healthcare professionals about medication-related side effects. Advocates propose strategies to improve patient-physician communication and individualized treatment plans.
A study from UC Irvine suggests that epilepsy is associated with an abundance of neuron 'hubs' in the brain, which can lead to seizures. These hub networks promote the onset of seizure activity by amplifying brain signals.
Researchers identified the detailed structure of a GABA receptor type implicated in conditions like epilepsy and pre-menstrual tension. The discovery provides hope for developing drugs to block or stimulate the receptors, potentially leading to new treatments for these conditions.
A team of scientists has made a significant breakthrough in understanding conscious perception by showing how single neurons react to perceived and nonperceived images. The study found that neurons respond with an 'all-or-none' firing rate when pictures are recognized, enabling the prediction of recognition beyond chance.
Researchers at Stanford Medicine used hypnosis to help doctors diagnose the cause of seizure-like events in children. Eight out of nine cases were found to be non-epileptic, caused by psychological stress, which require a different treatment approach than true epileptic seizures.
Research published by the American Academy of Neurology found no difference between oxcarbazepine and placebo in reducing migraine attacks. The study suggests that other epilepsy drugs like topiramate and gabapentin may be more effective due to their ability to regulate GABA neurotransmitters.
A modified version of the Atkins diet has been shown to significantly reduce epileptic seizures in adults with epilepsy. The high-fat, low-carbohydrate diet can lead to the production of ketones, which may help control seizures. While side effects were mild, compliance was a challenge for some patients.
Researchers found that human auditory neurons can detect subtle frequency differences down to a tenth of an octave, surpassing other mammals. This sensitivity may be linked to musical skill and cognitive abilities such as working memory.
A new study found that leptin can delay the onset of seizures in rodents, suggesting it may be a key player in how a ketogenic diet combats epilepsy. The authors propose dietary changes and intranasal administration of leptin as potential treatments.
Researchers at Yale University have shown that early treatment of epilepsy-prone rats with ethosuximide can suppress seizures and reduce their frequency even after treatment is stopped. This breakthrough could lead to preventing epilepsy in genetically susceptible people.
Research at Emory University found that therapeutic drug monitoring for lamotrigine during pregnancy reduces increased seizure activity and improves health outcomes. The study's findings suggest a potential benefit for pregnant women with epilepsy, allowing for targeted dosage adjustments to minimize risk.
The American Academy of Neurology recommends a routine electroencephalogram (EEG) and brain scans, such as CT or MRI, for adults experiencing their first unprovoked seizure. These diagnostic tools can help identify brain abnormalities that caused the seizure and predict seizure recurrence in approximately one in four patients.
Patients with focal epilepsy tend to underreport seizures, with up to 85.8% of nighttime seizures going unreported. Seizure documentation accuracy was not correlated with cognitive function or educational level, but patients who documented seizures had better verbal memory performance.
Researchers at Baylor College of Medicine found that inheriting two genetic mutations for epilepsy can actually reduce seizure frequency and severity. This discovery could lead to new gene-directed therapies for treating epilepsy.
Scientists have found a way to prevent seizure-induced structural changes in brain cells, which can lead to cognitive impairments such as memory loss and reduced attention spans. The breakthrough discovery uses a drug called FK506, which blocks the breakdown of actin, a molecule essential for cell structures.
Scientists at the University of Pennsylvania identified distinct patterns of brain activity associated with successful memory formation and retrieval. The study's findings may help neurosurgeons reduce cognitive deficits in epilepsy patients by identifying neural signatures of successful memory storage and retrieval.
A new once-daily lamotrigine extended-release formula effectively controls partial seizures in people already taking one to two medications. The study found significant reductions in seizure frequency and improved medication adherence, making it a promising option for those with epilepsy.
A recent study published in The Lancet reveals that mental disorders are more common in rural settings in Mozambique compared to urban areas. The research found higher lifetime prevalence rates for psychoses, mental retardation, and seizure disorders in rural households.
Research found 90% of patients with multiple aura types had seizures originating from the non-dominant side of their brain. Epilepsy surgery was effective in stopping seizures in over half of study participants.
Researchers at Purdue University developed miniature devices to predict and prevent epileptic seizures by detecting neural signals in the brain. The system records data from 1,000 channels, enabling better prediction of seizure onset. A nanotech sensor for glaucoma treatment is also being developed.
Researchers at the University of California, Irvine have discovered a novel molecular switch that modulates nerve cell activity, offering new possibilities for treating mood disorders and epilepsy. The study shows a link between gut protein cholecystokinin and brain's natural marijuana-like compounds.
The innovative university-industry team will develop a microsystem-on-a-chip, a neural interface that records or stimulates neural activity wirelessly. The new system will be fully implantable and communicate through digital data streaming, allowing people with paralysis to control assistive devices.
A clinical trial is underway to assess the safety and efficacy of intravenous carbamazepine in adult patients with epilepsy. The new treatment aims to provide an alternative to oral therapy during hospitalization or when oral administration is not feasible.
Scientists at Georgetown University Medical Center found that brain areas process signals as progressive waves, coordinating a collective pattern from millions of neurons. This challenges traditional models and has the potential to help understand Parkinson's disease, epilepsy, and Alzheimer's.
University of Florida researchers are creating a brain chip to decode signals and stimulate neurons, aiming to treat conditions like paralysis and epilepsy. The technology has the potential to revolutionize medicine, allowing patients to control prosthetic devices with their thoughts.
Scientists found evidence of a new type of communication between nerve cells in the brain, which may be linked to epilepsy. The discovery suggests that excitatory nerve cells are coupled together by gap junctions, potentially leading to cross-talk and altered brain function.
A study published in The Lancet Neurology found that people with epilepsy are three times more likely to commit suicide than the general population. Women with epilepsy face an increased risk, as do those diagnosed with the condition in the previous six months.
For people with temporal lobe epilepsy, epilepsy surgery can eliminate seizures in 60-85% and improve quality of life, but also lead to memory problems in 25-40%. Quality of life scores remain stable for those with seizures only.
Biomedical engineers at Duke University found that deep brain stimulation alleviates disease symptoms by creating an informational lesion through rapid-fire electrical pulses. This technique can be reversible and adjustable, offering a promising treatment for movement disorders and other conditions.
Researchers found that rapid syphilis screening during pregnancy can prevent congenital syphilis cases and improve child survival. Lithium also showed promising results in a mouse model of spinocerebellar ataxia, a devastating neurodegenerative disorder with no existing treatments.
Increasing SUMO levels could help treat diseases like epilepsy by reducing over-excitation in brain cells. The discovery provides new insights into the causes of brain disorders and potential targets for drug development.
A study of 187 two-year-old children found that those whose mothers took valproate during pregnancy had a higher risk of lower IQ. Children exposed to valproate showed an IQ in the mental retardation range at a rate of 24%, compared to 12% for carbamazepine and phenytoin, and 9% for lamotrigine.
Researchers at Johns Hopkins have discovered that zinc pyrithione, an active ingredient in dandruff shampoos, can calm overexcited nerve cells, potentially treating seizures. The compound works by allowing more potassium flow through defective channels, restoring normal nerve cell activity.
Researchers have created a mouse model of infantile spasms, which closely resembles human cases and responds to current treatments. This model could lead to new treatments for thousands of young children suffering from these catastrophic seizures.
Researchers have localized two new genes associated with febrile seizures in infancy and childhood, which could improve the understanding, treatment, and prevention of this disorder. The study found that chromosome 3 was shared by all family members who had febrile seizures, while a modifier gene on chromosome 18 may also be involved.
A study published in Neurology found that retigabine, a new epilepsy drug with a unique mechanism of action, is both safe and effective. In the study, participants who received the highest dose of retigabine experienced an average reduction of 35% in seizure frequency compared to those receiving a placebo.