Articles tagged with Epilepsy
A new study shows that XEN1101 can reduce seizure frequency by more than 50% in some patients and sometimes eliminate seizures altogether. The medication, a potassium-channel opener, boosts the flow of potassium out of nerves to stop them from firing.
Researchers have identified a specific area of the amygdala brain region that can cause prolonged loss of breathing after a seizure. This finding offers new insight into the mechanisms underlying Sudden Unexpected Death in Epilepsy (SUDEP), a rare but fatal complication of epilepsy.
A new type of flexible neural electrode has been developed, which can accurately match the mechanical properties of brain tissue. The electrode was tested in epilepsy rat models, demonstrating accurate measurement of neural responses and stimulation of specific brain regions.
A massive genetic study has identified specific DNA changes that increase the risk of developing epilepsy. The research found 26 distinct areas in our DNA involved in epilepsy and proposed alternative drugs targeting these genes. The findings may inform better diagnosis, classification, and treatment strategies for epilepsy.
Researchers from four countries sequenced genomes of 100 infants with unexplained seizures to better understand the potential strengths of early genome sequencing for infantile epilepsy. The study found that 43% received a diagnosis within weeks, and this impacted prognosis in nearly 90% of cases.
A new NIH grant will help researchers better understand brain respiratory control and develop neuromodulation strategies to prevent Sudden Unexpected Death in Epilepsy (SUDEP). The goal is to identify optimal stimulation paradigms for breathing enhancement during a critical time window after seizures.
A new study from the University of Arizona has found that remembering events can trigger theta oscillations in the brain's hippocampus region, suggesting that memory is a strong driver of these rhythmic signals. This discovery could lay the foundations for cognitive impairment therapy and improve memory.
Exposure to commonly prescribed antiseizure medications during pregnancy does not negatively impact neurodevelopmental outcomes in young children. The MONEAD study found that lamotrigine and levetiracetam pose low risks for cognitive effects, with some caution needed for high dosages of levetiracetam.
A University of Ottawa study reveals that a diverse brain's ecosystem is key to maintaining normal function while responding to changes. This concept is inspired by Charles Darwin's idea that biodiversity is crucial for survival, suggesting cell-to-cell diversity helps prevent failures in brain circuits.
Researchers have discovered a way to identify pregnant women at risk of preeclampsia by examining lipids in their blood during pregnancy. The approach worked regardless of whether the women were on aspirin therapy, and could predict the risk of preeclampsia with significant accuracy.
A new study by investigators from the Brigham and Women’s Hospital found that lesions associated with epilepsy are connected to a common brain network, suggesting the brain connections disrupted by the lesions are key. This discovery may have clinical implications for predicting epilepsy risk and targeting treatments.
Researchers at TUM developed a new approach to measure human brain activity using microelectrodes and awake brain surgery. They found individual neurons specialize in handling specific numbers, providing insights into cognitive functions and developing solutions for brain function disorders.
Researchers at Tel Aviv University have developed an innovative gene therapy that shows promise in treating Dravet syndrome, a severe developmental epilepsy affecting children. The treatment was found to be effective in improving epilepsy, protecting against early death, and enhancing cognitive abilities.
An AI model called SCORE-AI achieved human expert level performance in fully automated electroencephalogram interpretation. This technology has the potential to improve diagnosis and patient care in underserved areas and increase efficiency in specialized epilepsy centers.
A new study published in Neurology found that people with focal epilepsy experience seizures while driving at a rate of 5%, with significant risks for themselves and others on the road. Early diagnosis is crucial to prevent these seizures, which can lead to accidents and hospitalizations.
Researchers have developed a simple blood test that can diagnose De Vivo disease, a rare and disabling neurological disorder. The test, called METAglut1, has a high sensitivity and specificity, allowing for accurate diagnosis in a short amount of time.
Researchers from Tel Aviv University and UCLA developed a method to improve memory consolidation by inducing deep-brain stimulation during sleep. The study found that precise timing of electrical stimulation enhances synchronization between the hippocampus and frontal cortex, leading to improved accuracy in recalling memories.
A large retrospective study found that children with drug-resistant epilepsy who underwent cranial surgery lived significantly longer than those treated only with antiseizure medications. The study also highlighted disparities in access to epilepsy surgery, with white, privately insured children more likely to receive surgical treatment.
A study published in Neurology found that people with Alzheimer's disease are more likely to develop epilepsy, and those with focal epilepsy are at a higher risk of developing Alzheimer's disease. The study also found a link between genetic variations and increased risk of epilepsy.
A major international study found that women taking certain epilepsy medicines during pregnancy are at a higher risk of having children develop severe psychiatric disorders. The study, which analyzed data from 38,000 children, highlights the importance of carefully weighing the risks and benefits of medication use during pregnancy.
Researchers have identified 11 somatic mutations in the RAS/MAPK pathway that contribute to treatment-resistant adult epilepsy, suggesting the potential for repurposed anti-cancer agents as new treatments. This study provides insight into the genetic mechanisms underlying this form of epilepsy and opens up new avenues for targeted ther...
A new study published in PNAS reports surge of gamma activation in dying brains of humans and animals post-cardiac arrest, hinting at conscious-like activity.
Researchers at McGill University found that analyzing gene activity can classify brain diseases into five primary groups, improving diagnosis accuracy. The study identified previously unknown relationships among diseases, such as language development disorders and obsessive-compulsive disorder, which share common genes and cell types.
Researchers have identified a subset of neurons in the mammillary body that are most susceptible to neurodegeneration and hyperactivity in Alzheimer's disease. These findings suggest that this region may contribute to early symptoms of the disease, making it a potential target for new drugs.
Research found that people with epilepsy living in disadvantaged neighborhoods have worse cognitive outcomes, including lower intelligence scores and more depression symptoms. The study suggests a link between social determinants of health and epilepsy outcomes.
A study published in Brain found that disconnecting nerve pathways in the brain can lead to improved seizure freedom in patients with frontal lobe epilepsy. The research, involving 47 patients, revealed that cutting these connections resulted in 88% of patients being seizure-free after three years.
WVU engineers developed a new electrode cuff called MouseFlex to test electric current treatments, overcoming previous challenges with stability and durability. The device can withstand high electrical stimulation and may benefit patients with conditions like rheumatoid arthritis and drug-resistant epilepsy.
Researchers at the Human Brain Project present novel clinical uses of advanced brain modelling methods, enabling clinicians to simulate epileptic seizures and identify target areas. The approach has broad applicability in neuroscience, medicine, and neurotechnology, with potential improvements in data resolution and patient specificity.
Researchers have developed a multidisciplinary approach using a new microscope, artificial intelligence algorithm, and voltage indicators to better measure brain activity. The technique enables the imaging of up to 100 neurons at a time, far surpassing previous limits.
Researchers at Texas A&M University have developed the first molecular therapeutic for Angelman syndrome, a devastating neurogenetic disorder. The therapy targets an evolutionarily conserved region in the UBE3A-AS transcript and has shown promising results in clinical trials.
A new study by Tufts University researchers has identified a small molecule, Compound 350, that may help treat people with epilepsy whose condition has become resistant to traditional anti-seizure drugs. The compound was found to reduce seizure activity in rodents with drug-resistant seizures and lower brain cell death.
Researchers have discovered that altered neuronal avalanches in epilepsy patients' brains are tied to cognitive performance. The study found that even during rest, the brain's network dynamics are altered, which can be used for a new diagnostic method.
Researchers have discovered higher levels of immune proteins in the blood before and after epileptic seizures. The study suggests a potential biomarker for epilepsy, which could be identified using a simple blood test. This finding may help distinguish epilepsy from other conditions, such as psychogenic non-epileptic seizures.
A new study by University of Vienna psychologists debunked the Mozart effect myth, finding no reliable evidence for symptom relief in epilepsy patients. The researchers attribute this alleged effect to selective reporting, small sample sizes, and inadequate research practices.
Researchers at UTHealth Houston received $15 million in NIH BRAIN grants to study brain processes related to speech, epilepsy, and reading. A new minimally invasive device will be developed to record brain activity during speech, while another project aims to disrupt seizures using neuromodulation.
A study published in NEJM Evidence found that seizures can be predicted at least 35 minutes before onset in patients with temporal lobe epilepsy. This breakthrough discovery has significant implications for developing more effective therapies for this common seizure disorder, which affects over 50 million people globally.
Researchers demonstrate safety and effectiveness of DREADD-based strategy to suppress epileptic seizures in model monkeys. The treatment, deschloroclozapine (DCZ), can control widespread seizures within minutes without tissue damage or impairment.
Researchers identify duplicated gene as cause of social deficits and seizures in autism type, finding that reducing PRRT2 levels can restore normal brain activity and behavior. This discovery could lead to novel therapies for neurodevelopmental disorders with brain over-activation.
A new study from Tufts University School of Medicine and the Graduate School of Biomedical Sciences suggests that the timing of inhibitory neuron cell death may be a key factor in infantile spasms syndrome. Early diagnosis and treatment could potentially prevent significant impairments associated with the condition, offering hope for f...
A Chinese Medical Journal study analyzed the temporal and spatial distribution of epilepsy across China, finding significant increases in incidence and prevalence rates between 1990 and 2019. The study also showed a general decrease in age-standardized DALY rates with increasing socio-demographic index.
A new study published by the American Academy of Neurology found that individuals living in disadvantaged neighborhoods face an increased risk of death after being hospitalized for stroke, epilepsy, and other neurologic diseases. The study revealed that those residing in these areas had a 23% higher risk of dying within a month compare...
Researchers have definitively linked the brain's immune system to worsening epilepsy, identifying a chain of events that causes seizures to worsen. The study suggests repurposing anti-inflammatory compounds and antioxidants could help control epilepsy progression.
Bonn researchers create micropipette-based local perfusion of capillaries to analyze BBB transport at the cellular level, providing insights into epilepsy and drug development. The approach reveals the barrier's integrity remains largely intact, offering a tool for evaluating active ingredients' brain penetration.
NeuralTree is a closed-loop neuromodulation system-on-chip that can detect and classify biomarkers from real patient data and animal models of disease in-vivo, leading to high accuracy in symptom prediction. The system boasts 256 input channels, making it highly versatile and scalable.
A personalized brain modeling approach is being tested in a large-scale clinical trial for drug-resistant epilepsy, aiming to improve surgery preparation and patient specificity. The technique uses virtual models of patients' brains to simulate abnormal activity during seizures, helping clinicians identify target areas more effectively.
A recent study found that phobic and agoraphobic symptoms are prevalent in adults with epilepsy, affecting their quality of life. The research, led by Dr. Heidi Munger Clary, analyzed a diverse sample of 420 adults with epilepsy and discovered that more than one-third reported significant phobic/agoraphobic symptoms.
A new study has found that abnormality of intracortical inhibition in patients with progressive myoclonic epilepsy type 1 is associated with the magnitude of genetic change. The results suggest that transcranial magnetic stimulation could be useful in assessing patient prognosis and may have use as a marker of GABAergic impairment.
A study found that Black, Latino, and Native Hawaiian people with epilepsy are less likely to receive newer medications than white individuals. People who saw a neurologist had more than three times the odds of being prescribed newer drugs.
Researchers found that dendritic cells in meninges produce mediators causing pain hypersensitivity after nerve injury. The kynurenine pathway, primarily driven by IDO1, is involved in pain production.
A Yale University study has identified the neuronal basis of impaired consciousness in 'absence' epilepsy, a condition characterized by brief, frequent lapses in awareness. The research, published in Nature Communications, used a genetic rat model to pinpoint four types of neuronal activity during seizures.
A modified Atkins diet high in fat and low in carbohydrates has been shown to reduce seizures by more than half when combined with standard drug therapy. The study involved 160 adults and adolescents with drug-resistant epilepsy, finding significant improvements in quality of life and behavior.
Researchers developed an innovative deep learning-based approach to classify epileptic seizures in near real-time, overcoming clinical limitations. The system uses action recognition with intelligent 3D cropping to distinguish between frontal and temporal lobes seizures or non-epileptic events.
A new study suggests that the brain's ability to identify a voice is linked to its ability to recognize faces, with a common brain center processing both visual and auditory information. This finding has important implications for understanding disorders where voice or face recognition is compromised.
Research published in Developmental Medicine & Child Neurology reveals a link between maternal diabetes and neurodevelopmental disorders such as autism, ADHD, and intellectual disability in children. Type 1 and type 2 diabetes were associated with increased risks of these conditions, while gestational diabetes was linked to autism spec...
Researchers at the University of Bonn discovered that people with chronic epilepsy may have impaired dendritic integration, leading to less specific place cell firing and reduced ability to distinguish familiar from unfamiliar places. Administering a sodium ion channel inhibitor improved memory in animal models.
Researchers identified a novel neurodevelopmental epilepsy disorder caused by alterations in the EIF4A2 gene, leading to intellectual disability, hypotonia, and epilepsy. The study used fruit flies to demonstrate the causal role of EIF4A2 mutations, providing insights into protein translation regulation and brain development.
Researchers developed a new method to target diseased neurons using light, changing their long-term behavior. The approach uses light-sensitive enzymes to create insulating or conductive coatings on cell membranes, tuning excitability in neurons.
Researchers discovered 10 novel genetic loci associated with osteoarthritis, which are robustly found in every population ancestry studied. The study also identified genes expected to contribute to OA included targets for existing drugs against cancer, epilepsy and acne.
CHOP researchers identified a gain-of-function variant in SCN1A that leads to an earlier onset of epilepsy, with clinical features distinct from other epilepsies. The study found that patients with this recurrent variant responded favorably to oxcarbazepine, a readily available anti-seizure medication.
Researchers at Johns Hopkins University have developed two new models that can identify where seizures originate in the brain, potentially leading to more effective surgeries and improved patient outcomes. The models use machine learning and calculus to analyze brain activity patterns, predicting seizure onset with 79% accuracy.