Articles tagged with Epilepsy
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 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.
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.
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 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...
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.
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.
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.
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.
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 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.
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 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.
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 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.
Researchers have developed a sensor system that can detect seizure-preventing drugs in saliva, enabling patients with epilepsy to monitor their medication levels from home. The system aims to reduce the risk of toxic side effects and improve treatment outcomes.
A research team led by City University of Hong Kong neuroscientist Dr. Geoffrey Lau Chun-yue identified a new drug candidate, D4, that selectively blocks connexin hemichannels to suppress neuroinflammation and curbs TLE seizures in a mouse model. The findings suggest a promising new treatment strategy for epilepsy.
A study published in Annals of Neurology found that patients with severe epilepsy who undergo surgical tissue analysis are at risk for rare secondary diseases, including inflammation and incipient Alzheimer's dementia-like. These conditions can lead to unexpected cognitive decline months or years after surgery.
Researchers used machine learning to analyze high-frequency oscillations in patients' brains during deep sleep, distinguishing between epileptogenic and non-epileptogenic regions. The study achieved an 85% accuracy rate, suggesting a promising method for predicting seizure outcomes.
A new study finds that children with severe forms of epilepsy, such as Dravet syndrome, are at high risk of seizures triggered by the flu. The seasonal influenza vaccine is recommended for these children to protect them from complications and prolong their survival.
A three-year research project led by Aston University aims to prevent epileptic seizures in children. The team will explore how epilepsy becomes established in the brain and test new drugs using living tissue samples.
A new study led by Rice University and UCSF researchers found that seizure cycles are linked to age and common triggers, such as illness and menstrual cycles. The study used data from over 1,000 patients aged 2 months to 80 years to develop a statistical model that captures the effect of these factors on seizure risk.
Researchers have developed an animal model of West syndrome, which exhibits a progressive increase in epileptic spasms and learning and memory deficits. The study, published in Epilepsia, establishes this as an ideal model to identify underlying molecular mechanisms and discover targeted therapies for the condition.
Researchers have developed a new gene therapy that selectively targets overactive brain cells, reducing excitability and suppressing seizures in mice. The treatment shows promise for treating neurological disorders such as epilepsy, Parkinson's disease, schizophrenia, and pain disorders.
Researchers found that structural racism and insurance barriers limit access to advanced epilepsy care for minority groups in New Jersey. Black patients with private insurance and Medicaid had the lowest EMU admission rates relative to emergency room visits.
Researchers found that individuals who underwent hemispherectomy surgery at a young age can still recognize differences between pairs of words or faces with remarkable accuracy. The study, published in PNAS, sheds light on brain plasticity and its limitations.
Scientists at OHSU have identified synaptotagmin-3 (SYT3) as a crucial protein for replenishing neurotransmitters between neurons. This discovery sheds new light on the underlying causes of neurological disorders such as epilepsy and autism, and may lead to the development of gene therapies or pharmaceutical approaches targeting SYT3.
Researchers developed an algorithm to decode brain scans and identify epilepsy types based on electrical signal patterns. The Cumulative Sharp Count and areas under spike and sharp curves were used as parameters to detect epilepsy, with high accuracy rates in blind validation studies.
Researchers found that people who had bariatric surgery had a 45% increased risk of developing epilepsy compared to those who did not have the surgery. Those who had a stroke after their surgery were 14 times more likely to develop epilepsy.
Researchers at the University of Arizona have identified a protein called Ait1 that regulates cell growth in yeasts. This discovery presents new targets for developing antifungal drugs that can attack disease-causing yeasts while sparing human immune cells.
A new study has found a potential link between high-dose folic acid use in pregnant women with epilepsy and an increased risk of childhood cancer. The research, published in JAMA Neurology, suggests that children born to mothers who took high-dose folic acid supplements during pregnancy may be at higher risk of developing cancer.
A recent study found that telemedicine is a viable option for many patients, especially those with epilepsy and attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder. However, barriers remain, including limited access for socially vulnerable families and racial/ethnic minorities.
A new study urges regulators to take a closer look at the health and safety risks of the growing medicinal and recreational cannabis market. The research team found that many pesticides in cannabis cultivation were highly unlikely to be used, but still detected, highlighting the need for stricter regulations.
A new study published in Cell Reports has identified the molecular pathways responsible for reduced seizures during fasting. The researchers found that amino acid sensing plays a critical role in the beneficial effects of fasting on seizures, suggesting targeted dietary strategies may be effective for patients without DEPDC5 mutations.
A study published in Neurology found that pregnant women with epilepsy have more symptoms of depression and anxiety than those without epilepsy or pregnant women with epilepsy. The study highlights the importance of screening and treating depression and anxiety in pregnant women with epilepsy.
Researchers developed a peptide that can be administered through nasal spray to reduce seizure activity and protect neurons in both Alzheimer's and epilepsy. The A1R-CT peptide inhibits neurabin, a protein that prevents the overactivation of neurons, allowing for increased action by adenosine receptors.
A new AI algorithm has been developed to detect subtle brain abnormalities causing epileptic seizures. The Multicentre Epilepsy Lesion Detection project used over 1,000 patient MRI scans to train the algorithm, which was able to detect focal cortical dysplasia (FCD) in 67% of cases. This could lead to more patients being considered for...
A new AI-based dynamic brain imaging technology has been introduced by Carnegie Mellon University, which can map out rapidly changing electrical activity in the brain with high precision and speed. The technology uses deep learning approaches to translate scalp EEG signals back to neural circuit activity without human intervention.