Articles tagged with Epilepsy
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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.
Scientists at MIT have developed a way to reversibly silence brain cells using pulses of yellow light, potentially leading to the development of optical brain prosthetics. The method could enable specific treatments with few or no side effects, offering new hope for neurological and psychiatric diseases.
Researchers found that tooth-brushing can induce seizures in individuals with epilepsy, possibly linked to lesions in the somatosensory area of the brain. The study suggests a potential link between rhythmic stimuli and seizure activity.
A case report suggests that light streaming through whirling helicopter rotor blades during medical air transport can cause symptoms ranging from nausea to full-blown seizures. Researchers recommend shielding patients' eyes to prevent this under-recognized but highly preventable complication.
Scientists at Karolinska Institutet have discovered a mechanism controlling how the brain maintains equilibrium in neuronal activity. A rare cell type, Martinotti cell, acts as a safety device by sending inhibitory signals to surrounding pyramid cells when activated excessively.
A clinical trial found that nearly 600 adults with newly diagnosed epilepsy experienced few to no seizures while taking levetiracetam as a single therapy. The study also showed that patients remained seizure-free for at least six months at the lowest dose level.
Researchers found that epilepsy patients can reliably predict when they are likely to have a seizure, with 32% accuracy. Accurate predictions also indicate reduced risk of seizures, providing reassurance and improved quality of life for those with epilepsy.
Researchers found that some dogs are responding to seizures caused by psychological conditions, rather than epilepsy. People with psychogenic seizures need psychiatric evaluation and treatment, not specialized training for epileptic seizures.
Researchers found that new neurons generated in response to epilepsy have reduced excitability and increased inhibitory connectivity, potentially alleviating the disorder. These findings suggest that therapies aimed at inducing neurogenesis could prove effective.
Researchers at UW-Madison discover 2-deoxy-glucose blocks epileptic seizures in lab rats, a potential cure for up to half of all epileptic patients. The compound works by clogging cellular enzymes, allowing the body to use alternative energy sources.
Researchers at MIT are developing a device that can detect and prevent epileptic seizures by measuring brain activity. The new technology builds on an existing therapy and could be refined to work with a headband or baseball cap. If successful, it would allow more patients to use the therapy on demand.
A critical review found that repeated administration of antiepileptic drug therapy leads to diminishing results in preventing seizures. Acquired tolerance is responsible for this effect, with some patients developing cross-tolerance to similar medication, posing a significant concern for medically intractable epilepsy
Researchers conducted a retrospective study of 31 Dutch SCADD patients and their relatives to describe genetic, biochemical, and clinical characteristics. The study found a birth prevalence of at least 1:50,000, with developmental delay, epilepsy, and hypoglycemia being common symptoms.
The National Institutes of Health has awarded a $2 million grant to Yale University for the purchase of a 7-Tesla human magnetic resonance imaging system. This high-end instrumentation will facilitate ultra-high resolution studies in various medical fields, including diabetes and epilepsy.
A Stanford study found that boosting neuropeptide Y levels in the thalamus and hippocampus can reduce seizures. Researchers discovered that valproic acid increases neuropeptide Y production by 50% in these areas, offering a potential new approach to treating epilepsy with fewer side effects.
A recent study published in Neurology found that the epilepsy drug valproate poses a significantly higher risk of fetal death and birth defects than other commonly used epilepsy drugs. The study, which examined 333 pairs of mother and child, showed that over 20% of pregnancies exposed to valproate resulted in death or birth defects.
New data demonstrate that lamotrigine is an effective adjunctive therapy for treating primary generalized tonic-clonic (PGTC) seizures in children and adolescents. The study found a significant reduction in PGTC seizure counts among patients receiving lamotrigine, with a median percent decrease of 77% compared to the placebo group.
Researchers at UCLA develop trigeminal nerve stimulation (TNS) as a new alternative for controlling seizures in individuals who are resistant to medication or ineligible for surgery. The device uses a brain pacemaker to stimulate the trigeminal nerve, offering a potential advantage over vagus nerve stimulation.
Researchers in Italy found that exposure to cell phone EMFs can cause changes in the motor cortex of the brain. The effects were transient and reversible, but further studies are needed to understand the potential risks and benefits. The study has significant implications for individuals with conditions involving cortical excitability.
Dr. Tallie Z. Baram, a renowned UCI researcher, has been honored with the nation's top neuroscience prize for her pioneering work on childhood febrile seizures and their link to adult epilepsy. Her research has defined molecular changes in brain cells caused by early-life febrile seizures.
Patients with newly diagnosed epilepsy who don't respond to treatment have increased mortality compared to the general population. In contrast, those who become seizure-free at follow-up do not experience a rise in mortality rates.
Scientists have discovered that agrin controls nerve cell excitability by regulating sodium pump activity in the brain, potentially leading to new treatments for epilepsy. Agrin also regulates potassium levels in heart tissue, raising the possibility of its use in treating congestive heart failure.
A study by Mayo Clinic researchers found that epilepsy surgery is durable and effective, improving quality of life for patients with intractable epilepsy. The procedure removed the focal region of brain disease in 399 consecutive patients, with a 4% risk of complications.
A new childhood-onset epilepsy disorder, cortical dysplasia-focal epilepsy syndrome (CDFE), has been identified in a group of Old Order Amish children. The disorder is caused by a genetic mutation in the CASPR2 protein, which plays a crucial role in maintaining physical contacts between neurons and neighboring glial cells.
A study published in The Journal of Neuroscience found that high temperatures can reduce the number of GABA-A receptors on nerve cells' surfaces, making them more susceptible to seizures. This discovery may lead to new approaches for preventing recurrent febrile seizures in vulnerable children.
Researchers at McGill University have developed advanced MRI methods to improve detection of brain lesions in epilepsy patients. These new techniques reduce complexity and cost of pre-surgical evaluation, paving the way for more surgical treatment options.
A study by Professor Renzo Guerrini highlights the importance of special precautions for children with severe epilepsy at home to prevent accidents. These precautions include using shields around heat sources and ensuring children are never left alone during bathing.
The study found that flexible drug dosing permitted patients to remain on the medication longer due to fewer side-effects, while also showing a significant clinical advantage in treating patients with epilepsy. This approach balances efficacy and tolerability, providing more realistic data on antiepileptic drugs.
Dr Anthony Hannan from the Howard Florey Institute has won a $1 million Pfizer Australia Research Fellowship to study environmental factors that delay degenerative brain diseases. His recent work showed that mental and physical exercise can slow down HD progression in mice, challenging genetic determinism.
A study published in Neurology found that depression and anxiety disorders decreased by over 50% two years after epilepsy surgery. Participants who underwent successful surgery without seizures were more likely to be free from depression and anxiety.
A recent study published in Neurology found that epilepsy surgery significantly improves mental health outcomes for patients. After the surgery, 9% of participants met the criteria for depression, compared to 22% before surgery. The study suggests removing dysfunctional brain areas may be critical to improving mental well-being.
A study of 20 children with epilepsy found that 13 had a greater than 50 percent improvement and four were seizure-free after six months on the modified Atkins diet. The diet, which mimics ketosis, was better tolerated by children and easier to follow than the ketogenic diet.
Dr. Tallie Z. Baram has been awarded the Epilepsy Research Recognition Award for her pioneering research on childhood febrile seizures and their potential link to adult epilepsy. Her work aims to develop new treatments that can calm childhood seizures without harming adults.
The American Academy of Neurology has updated its expert witness guidelines to promote competent, truthful, and evidence-based testimony. Physicians should be fully trained in their specialty or subject matter and conduct their testimony accurately and impartially.