Articles tagged with Seizures
University of Delaware researchers are developing an AI-powered approach to diagnose epilepsy earlier by identifying subtle EEG patterns. The method, tested on mice with genetic forms of epilepsy, shows promise for detecting biomarkers that flag underlying changes in brain activity before seizures occur.
A comprehensive review of existing research shows no evidence that men's use of valproate increases the risk of neurodevelopmental disorders. The analysis combines data from large population-based studies in Denmark, Norway, Sweden, and Taiwan.
Researchers discovered that interictal epileptiform discharges (IEDs) occur in a predictable pattern, unfolding sequentially in individual neurons. Nearly 80% of IED-involving neurons are also involved in language and perception, suggesting the brain blips can derail cognition.
Researchers suggest treatment could start during pregnancy to prevent brain damage and reduce neurological harm. A new RNA-based therapy reduces abnormal electrical currents in patient-derived excitatory neurons.
Researchers developed mosaic mini-brains to study focal cortical dysplasia type II, a condition causing seizures in children. The findings support the two-hit model, suggesting that complete loss of DEPDC5 is necessary and sufficient to initiate the disease, with mosaicism determining lesion extent.
Researchers have identified TIE2 as a crucial link between two signaling pathways that drive the growth of blood vessel abnormalities in the brain. Inhibiting TIE2 with a small drug called rebastinib may provide an endothelial cell-centered approach to prevent CCMs, which can cause brain hemorrhages and seizures.
CURE SYNGAP1 accelerates treatment development for SYNGAP1-Related Disorders through rigorous research and family-led leadership. The organization has funded over $8 million in grants and identified over 1,707 patients to date.
A new study identifies a previously unknown brainstem pathway controlling hand and arm movements, revealing a multi-stage pathway integrating signals from the cortex, brainstem, and spinal networks. This finding may lead to new therapies for stroke rehabilitation, providing additional targets for neuromodulation treatments.
A new review outlines the scientific explanations behind ketogenic diets' therapeutic benefits for epilepsy, including their ability to strengthen brain energy systems, reduce inflammation, and protect neurons. The review highlights the need for further research, particularly in adults, to develop new therapies that mirror the diet's e...
Research reveals associations between antiseizure drugs and neurodevelopmental disorders in children, with valproate and zonisamide linked to increased risks. The study highlights the need for continued monitoring of new antiseizure drugs and further evaluation of their safety during pregnancy.
Researchers have identified two compounds that restore chloride balance in neurons, thereby allowing GABAergic signaling to regain its inhibitory function. PCPZ and CLP-257 significantly improved KCC2 efficiency, reducing seizures and other electrical markers of epileptic activity in human brain tissue and animal models.
A ketogenic diet causes physical changes in brain cells that affect how they send information to one another, dampening the strength of signals between them. This quieter neural landscape might explain how the diet calms overactive electrical signaling characteristic of epileptic seizures.
Researchers discovered that levetiracetam prevents the production of toxic amyloid-beta 42 peptides and plaques in neurons. Administering the drug to high-risk individuals may slow cognitive decline and prevent Alzheimer's symptoms if started early, possibly up to 20 years before symptoms appear.
Researchers used Caenorhabditis elegans to model chemotherapy-induced neurological dysfunction and tested two compounds for improved recovery. Both sildenafil citrate and Resveramorph-3 significantly reduced seizure-like behaviors and duration, suggesting their potential as therapeutic candidates.
JMIR Publications' JMIR Neurotechnology journal now accepts submissions on novel technological advances for neurological disorders. Researchers can submit review articles exploring emerging technologies, such as neurofeedback, neurosurgery, and brain-machine interfaces.
The MONEAD study provides practical guidance for clinicians to manage epilepsy during pregnancy, reducing the risk of seizures and improving outcomes. The study's week-by-week playbook offers dose adjustments for antiseizure medications, empowering healthcare providers to provide the best possible care.
The American Academy of Neurology has issued a new guideline for the management of functional seizures, which are episodes that can look or feel like epilepsy or fainting. The guideline recommends psychological interventions such as cognitive behavioral therapy to increase the likelihood of achieving freedom from functional seizures.
A new study led by NYU Langone Health researchers shows that almost 70% of focal epilepsy patients, considered treatment resistant, experience a reduction in their average monthly seizure frequency over three years. The study found that even those who respond poorly to initial therapies may eventually see improvement.
Researchers at the University of Pittsburgh and UPMC developed a new treatment for patients with drug-resistant epilepsy. The approach uses deep brain stimulation (DBS) targeted to each patient's unique brain wiring, resulting in a significant reduction in seizures, with some patients becoming seizure-free for months.
A study found that combining tramadol with certain antidepressants increases the risk of seizures in older nursing home residents. Researchers analyzed 10 years of Medicare data and found a modest but measurable increase in seizure rates when these medications were taken together.
A study by UC Riverside researchers identifies a strong connection between demyelination and seizure activity in multiple sclerosis. The findings suggest targeted treatments could address the root cause of seizures without suppressing overall brain activity.
A new 'future-guided' AI method developed at the University of California, Santa Cruz, has shown significant improvements in predicting seizures using brain wave data. The technique operates with two deep learning models working together, improving predictions further into the future by transferring knowledge.
A new study developed an advanced AI tool that can detect tiny brain lesions causing severe epilepsy in children, allowing for faster diagnosis and more precise treatment. The 'AI epilepsy detective' was trained using MRI and FDG-PET scans and showed a success rate of 94% in detecting lesions.
Scientists at UCSF successfully used CRISPRa to increase SCN2A levels in mice with the genetic disorder, resulting in reduced seizures and improved brain function. The therapy offers hope for treating neurodevelopmental issues related to SCN2A haploinsufficiency.
Researchers found distinct effects of single disease-causing gene variants across different brain regions, pointing to hippocampal disruptions as a key factor in cognitive problems beyond seizures. This study provides an early step toward understanding why current treatments often fall short and may help identify new therapies.
A new study reveals that most epilepsy patients with focal epilepsy will still experience seizures for at least a year after starting treatment. The study suggests that neurologists should rethink their initial approach to antiseizure therapy, as many patients may not respond well to the first medication or regimen prescribed.
A study published in Neurology found that antiseizure drug use during pregnancy continues despite evidence of birth defect risks, with higher use among people with low resources. The safest drugs saw a 30% increase in exposure, while those with uncertain risks saw an increase over time.
Researchers at UC Davis Health developed a promising gene therapy that could treat Rett syndrome by reactivating healthy but silent genes responsible for this rare disorder. The therapy showed impressive results in female mouse models of Rett syndrome, with treated mice living longer and showing better movement and cognition.
A study found that using some older and newer antiseizure medications during pregnancy is linked to an increased risk of malformations at birth. The study suggests that medications like valproate, phenobarbital, and topiramate may be associated with a higher risk of birth defects compared to lamotrigine.
A £2.7 million trial will recruit 300 participants to investigate the long-term effectiveness of vagus nerve stimulation (VNS) in people with drug-resistant epilepsy. The trial aims to provide evidence on VNS's clinical and cost-effectiveness, particularly for children and individuals with intellectual disabilities.
A new study published in Epilepsy & Behavior found that a self-management program for people with epilepsy can reduce health complications, improve mood, and enhance quality of life. The program, called SMART, features remote training sessions and written resource materials to help participants manage their condition.
Researchers are exploring potassium channel blockers to reduce seizures caused by genetic mutations in the KCNT1 gene. The treatment holds promise for reducing life expectancy and improving symptoms, with potential clinical trials starting as early as 2026.
A recent study published in JAMA Neurology found that epilepsy is considerably more common among patients with frontotemporal dementia (FTD) than previously estimated. In fact, the prevalence of epilepsy increased over time, and approximately 11% of patients had epilepsy five years after diagnosis.
A new strategy for screening anxiety and depression in epilepsy patients has shown a significant increase in screening rates from 12.6% to 29.2% using an electronic health record-based approach. The study found that younger patients and white patients were more likely to complete the screeners.
Two brain proteins, Imp and Sdc, play a crucial role in preventing seizures by regulating neuronal growth and brain circuit development. Reducing either protein can lead to seizure-prone behavior in flies, highlighting their importance in seizure regulation.
Dr. Rhonda Winegar investigates the effectiveness of music therapy in supporting neurological care, including its ability to reduce anxiety and depression in Alzheimer's patients. Her research also highlights its potential to regulate heart rate and blood pressure, as well as improve motor function in individuals with Parkinson's disease.
A new global study found common genetic factors contributing to drug resistance in focal epilepsy, affecting 20 million individuals. Researchers identified specific genetic variants in CNIH3 and WDR26 genes associated with a higher risk of drug-resistant epilepsy.
Researchers developed a method to detect epileptic seizures in humans using canine EEG data. The approach leverages feature similarities across species and modalities, reducing input space discrepancies. Euclidean alignment and knowledge distillation are key components of the proposed joint alignment mechanism.
Researchers at Mayo Clinic developed a personalized deep brain stimulation platform to treat drug-resistant epilepsy. The study found that this approach reduced seizures while also improving memory and sleep in patients with temporal lobe epilepsy.
A new study suggests AI-driven smart devices can revolutionize healthcare by detecting cardiac issues early, triggering emergency responses. The Internet of Medical Things (IoMT) technology enables real-time patient monitoring and analysis, improving efficiency and reducing costs.
Researchers at UW–Madison have discovered that the arthritis drug tofacitinib can halt brain-damaging seizures in mice, restore short-term memory, and reduce inflammation. The drug has shown promising results in preventing seizures even after treatment is stopped, offering a potential new approach for treating epilepsy.
A study published by Tohoku University reveals that epileptic seizures can significantly reduce ATP levels in neurons, while increasing pyruvate levels in astrocytes. This finding challenges the traditional view of brain energy dynamics and suggests a more complex interplay between neuronal activity and metabolic processes.
A team of researchers has identified a common brain network that generalized seizures hijack, which is located in the region where deep brain stimulation (DBS) electrodes are placed. This finding could help explain why DBS is effective in alleviating generalized seizures and potentially improve treatment outcomes.
A new study from the University of Colorado Anschutz Medical Campus identified significant mitochondrial dysfunction in lymphoblast cell lines from children with Dravet syndrome, a severe form of epilepsy. The findings suggest that mitochondrial defects play a role in the metabolic dysfunction observed in Dravet syndrome.
A case study found Bartonella henselae, Babesia odocoilei, and Babesia divergens-like MO-1 DNA in brain tissue samples from a young child with seizures. The presence of these pathogens suggests their potential role in complex neurological illnesses.
A new method detects epileptic seizures in infants using a video-based approach, enhancing accuracy for diagnosis and disease management. The technique involves feature recognition and utilizes an optimized 3D-ResNet architecture to extract key features from video frames.
A new MRI technique has been successfully used to treat adults with drug-resistant epilepsy, allowing doctors to offer life-changing surgery to patients. The parallel transmit 7T scanner identified previously unseen structural lesions in nine patients, confirming the effectiveness of the treatment option.
Researchers at UCL identified key brain regions involved in remembering words, finding shrinkage in the front and side of the brain linked to difficulty recalling words. Detailed MRI scans showed a dispersion network for creating and storing word memories, crucial for understanding epilepsy conditions.
Researchers at Baylor College of Medicine have identified new variants of CDKL2 and CDKL1 genes associated with developmental disorders, including epilepsy. The study proposes a mechanism by which defective variants cause neurological symptoms in affected individuals.
A new study reports that Raman spectroscopy, a noninvasive technique, can distinguish between abnormal FCD type II tissue and healthy brain cells with remarkable accuracy. This method could provide real-time guidance for surgeons to more accurately identify and remove affected tissue during surgery.
A nationwide Danish study found that newborns with seizures are at a higher risk of developing epilepsy. The study analyzed data from over 1.3 million children and found that 20.4% of those with neonatal seizures developed epilepsy, compared to 1.15% of those without.
A recent MSU study highlights the challenges of diagnosing episodic disabilities like epilepsy, where symptoms fluctuate and can be unpredictable. The research found that 52% of participants experienced delayed diagnoses, while others faced quick confirmations within days of their first seizure.
A comprehensive review published in Brain Medicine maps out the extensive influence of reproductive hormones on neurological health and disease. The study examines how sex hormones affect a broad spectrum of neurological conditions, including vascular disorders, movement disorders, epilepsy, multiple sclerosis, and Alzheimer's disease.
A new gene therapy has shown promise in treating a rare form of epilepsy, specifically Dravet syndrome, by replacing the SCN1B gene variant. The therapy increased survival rates, reduced seizure severity, and restored brain neuron excitability in mice with the condition.
A new clinical trial will evaluate whether adding ketamine to standard treatment can improve outcomes for patients suffering from status epilepticus. The trial, called KESETT, hopes to determine whether ketamine can terminate the seizures in more patients than current treatments.
Researchers have identified changes in brain rhythms that indicate seizure activity in Alzheimer's patients. High-frequency oscillations (HFOs) occur at rates two to three times higher in Alzheimer's patients than in cognitively normal individuals.
Researchers at the University of Utah Health have identified a gene variant called CNTN2 that may protect against PIGA-CDG, an ultra-rare genetic disease causing seizures and developmental delays. This finding could lead to better therapies for PIGA-CDG by targeting multiple genes involved in symptom severity.
A new method allows for accurate measurement of blood-brain barrier permeability, revealing that many CNS drugs penetrate the barrier rapidly. The study found that plasma proteins play a crucial role in maintaining brain delivery of lipophilic agents.
Researchers used single-cell sequencing to characterize different cell types in brain lesions and identify subpopulations involved in disease progression. The study provides a cellular view of focal cortical dysplasia, a malformation leading to drug-resistant epilepsy.
A new international study has identified the P2X7 receptor as a promising target for preventing post-traumatic epilepsy. The study suggests that blocking this receptor shortly after traumatic brain injury can significantly reduce brain hyperexcitability and improve behavior.