Articles tagged with Epilepsy
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.
The ketogenic diet has been found to enhance brain energy production and increase neuron stability, leading to improved resistance to seizures. Researchers discovered that the diet's effects on gene expression and mitochondrial function contribute to its anticonvulsant properties.
The Medicare elimination of essential drugs will have a significant impact on 24% of elderly recipients, who will lose coverage for essential medications like benzodiazepines. This could lead to withdrawal reactions, emergency department visits, and hospital admissions.
A study found a surprising link between depression, suicide, and epilepsy, with people with epilepsy being 4 times more likely to have attempted suicide before having a seizure. Depression was also found to increase the risk of developing epilepsy.
The Epilepsy Foundation calls on women of childbearing age to assess their medication treatment for risk of birth defects caused by anticonvulsants. The organization provides guidance and resources to empower women to make informed decisions about their health.
Researchers at the University of Wisconsin-Madison have developed a new lithium battery technology that can make batteries smaller, last longer, and accept external charging without surgery. This breakthrough technology uses organosilicon compounds to improve battery lifespan, enabling implantable devices such as pacemakers and microst...
Researchers have found that a marker for serotonin systems can identify epilepsy-generating brain areas, even in patients with normal MRI scans. This breakthrough has the potential to reduce the need for invasive EEG studies and improve surgical outcomes for patients with uncontrolled seizures.
Kids aged 7-19 are at higher risk of visually induced seizures while watching TV or playing videogames. The Epilepsy Foundation recommends adjusting technical parameters to reduce the risk, and provides guidance for parents on how to minimize exposure.
A long-term study found that 3.1% of people who suffered a stroke developed epilepsy. Those with severe strokes had five times the risk compared to those with less severe strokes. New treatments and improved care may reduce the frequency of post-stroke epilepsy.
Researchers found that astrocytes can generate seizure activity by releasing the brain chemical glutamate, which hypes up neurons and causes them to fire uncontrollably. This discovery offers new hope for treating epilepsy by targeting overlooked brain cells instead of just reducing brain function.
Researchers at Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute developed a heat spreader that uses phase-change heat process to cool the brain during epileptic seizures. The device, implanted on the neocortex, cools the brain from 38°C to 20°C to render it seizure-free.
Researchers found that cerebral palsy was more likely to occur in infants who had no symptoms early in life and sustained injury to deep structures of the brain. The study included over 199,000 children born between 1997 and 2002 and reported a higher rate of significant long-term neurologic impairment.
Animal research suggests a potential new treatment target for epilepsy by blocking a specific brain pathway involved in seizure spread. The treatment could be more effective and have fewer side effects than current therapies.
A study evaluated the effect of fMRI results on diagnostic work-up and treatment planning for 60 consecutive seizure disorder patients. The findings helped five patients avoid additional surgery, altering the extent of surgery in four others. This non-invasive test improved surgical decision making for epilepsy patients.
A study found that 50% of patients who underwent temporal lobectomy for epilepsy were seizure-free after 30 years. Patients who experienced seizures within the first year after surgery had a lower likelihood of being seizure-free in the long term.
A recent study published in The Lancet suggests that early treatment with antiepileptic drugs may not provide significant long-term benefits for patients with infrequent seizures. In fact, the trial found that delayed medication did not increase the risk of chronic epilepsy or improve quality of life.
Researchers created rat pups with subtle cortical malformations and found that they developed temporal lobe epilepsy after experiencing prolonged fever-related seizures. The study suggests that early identification of children with atypical febrile seizures could lead to neuroprotective treatments to prevent later epilepsy.
Lafora disease is characterized by abnormal glycogen metabolism, with the accumulation of starch-/glycogen-like granules in most tissues. Researchers at UCSD have identified malin's role in the disease, revealing a testable model for its molecular mechanism.
Researchers have developed a mathematical way to translate brain wave readings into simple terms to help doctors identify newborns at risk for epilepsy. The new tool uses quantitative EEG analysis to pinpoint abnormal brain activity in real-time.
Ivan Soltesz, a UCI neurobiologist, received the Senator Jacob Javits Award in the Neurosciences to investigate post-traumatic epilepsy research. The $2.7 million grant aims to develop new anti-epileptic treatment strategies for people who have recovered from severe head trauma.
Researchers developed algorithms to analyze data in MCOs, helping administrators identify patients with epilepsy and improve quality of life. Mortality rates are significantly higher for individuals with epilepsy, highlighting the need for accurate identification and targeted interventions.
Women with active epilepsy can have a healthy child if they continue treatment, but the risk of birth defects varies depending on the medication. The importance of individualized counseling and maintaining seizure control is emphasized to balance treatment effectiveness and potential risks.
Researchers found that children aged 3-7 years old who underwent epilepsy surgery experienced significant improvements in development, with 82% showing stable gains and three children gaining over 15 points in IQ. Seizure-free outcomes were linked to better cognitive function 2-3 years post-surgery.
A study of 387 patients with epilepsy found that the timing of post-surgery seizures is a key predictor of long-term success. Patients who experienced seizures within four months of surgery had a worse prognosis, while those who waited longer tended to become seizure-free.
Rufinamide shows promise in reducing seizures for patients with treatment-resistant Lennox-Gastaut epilepsy. A new gene mutation in Charcot-Marie-Tooth disease and a common mutation in Parkinson's disease were also identified, offering potential new avenues for research.
Researchers at Carnegie Mellon and University of Pittsburgh have created a new method to calculate the phase-resetting curve (PRC) of living neurons, which can help elucidate mechanisms for neural synchrony and study learning. The tool combines computational and experimental approaches to simplify complex dynamics of single neurons.
Researchers found that treating sleep disturbances in epileptic children improves their epilepsy, daytime behavior, concentration, and learning capacity. The study suggests that addressing underlying sleep disorders can have a significant impact on children's cognitive abilities.
Researchers found variants of genes involved in anti-epileptic drug metabolism to be associated with higher doses. This discovery could lead to personalized treatment plans and improved patient outcomes.