Articles tagged with Seizures
The SynGAP Research Fund has developed a pre-screening tool to identify potential SYNGAP1 patients through a free online survey. The partnership with Probably Genetic aims to screen undiagnosed patients and provide them with genetic testing resources, ultimately advancing treatment development for SYNGAP1.
A noninvasive imaging method called virtual intracranial EEG (ViEEG) has been developed to replace electrodes in epilepsy surgery planning. The method uses magnetoencephalographic (MEG) imaging to create a dynamic map of the brain during seizures, enabling precise identification of brain networks involved in seizure generation.
Researchers have identified a key brain protein to target for new customized drug therapies treating adverse symptoms of developmental disorder subtypes. The study found that mutations in ARHGEF9 lead to intellectual disability through impaired α2 subunit function, which is a central hub for many neurological symptoms.
A study by University of Pittsburgh researchers found that blood levels of seven out of ten commonly used anticonvulsant medications dropped dramatically during pregnancy, leading to breakthrough seizures. The study aims to improve outcomes in women with epilepsy by better managing their medications over the course of pregnancy.
A team of scientists from Pusan National University conducted an updated meta-analysis to clarify the relationship between alcohol consumption and unprovoked seizures and epilepsy. They found that overall, alcohol drinkers were at a significantly higher risk of developing epilepsy compared to non-drinkers.
Researchers have created a compact and affordable device for recording brain activity, offering research-grade signal quality and customizable configuration. The device has the potential to help people with epilepsy detect impending seizures and those with limited mobility regain control over their limbs.
Researchers developed a gene therapy called Targeted Augmentation of Nuclear Gene Output (TANGO), which boosts SCN1A protein production in brain cells. The treatment restored normal cell function and reduced seizures in lab mice with Dravet syndrome, offering hope for the first direct treatment of the fundamental cause.
A study published in Neurosurgery found that responsive neurostimulation system reduced disabling seizures in 84% of children and young adults with drug-resistant epilepsy. The youngest patient to undergo RNS implantation was a 3-year-old child.
Researchers found that a genetic mutation associated with severe congenital epilepsy also leads to neural degeneration, inflammation and behavioral symptoms in mice. The study suggests the mutation as a potential target for treatment.
Researchers found damage to a brain part that regulates hyperactivity contributes to both memory issues and seizures in the most common form of epilepsy. This discovery may lead to earlier diagnosis and new treatments for epilepsy and related disorders.
A Québec research team studied the expression of three families of genes in the placenta and found associations with febrile seizure characteristics. The study, led by Professor Sarah Lippé, may help understand the underlying mechanisms of febrile seizures and their impact on children's cognitive development.
Newborns with drug-resistant seizures often develop lifelong epilepsy and cognitive disabilities. Researchers at Kennedy Krieger Institute have identified a molecular mechanism that offers promise for understanding and developing novel treatment options.
Researchers developed a wrist-worn monitoring device that identified patterns in patients with drug-resistant epilepsy, providing about 30 minutes of warning before a seizure occurred. The device worked well most of the time for five of six patients studied, offering a potential solution to forecast seizures and minimize their effects.
Researchers at Skoltech propose a method for interpreting brain activity data that is up to five times more accurate than the conventional technique. This method can help treat drug-resistant epilepsy and understand cognitive processes in the healthy brain.
Researchers found that somatostatin interneurons can cause seizures when they go haywire, disrupting the brain's balance. The study identified a rare epilepsy syndrome and developed mouse models to understand the neurological dysfunction, paving the way for new treatments.
A new study found that rewarming after cooling therapy can increase the risk of seizures in oxygen-deprived newborns, with a three-fold increase during the rewarming period. This elevated risk is associated with a doubling of the risk of death or disability by age 2.
A recent study published in Cell Reports reveals that genetic variants in the Nav1.2 sodium channel are a leading cause of autism, leading to overactive sodium channels and seizures. Researchers propose developing medicines to open potassium channels as a potential treatment for these patients.
Researchers at UC San Diego are developing higher-resolution sensor grids with increased density to improve diagnosis and treatment of drug-resistant epilepsy. The team plans to test these grids in pigs before conducting clinical trials, aiming to provide surgeons with a clearer picture of brain regions triggering seizures.
Researchers at UCLA developed brain organoids that mimic human brain structure and function, allowing for the study of neurological disorders like Rett syndrome. The organoids showed organized waves of activity similar to those found in living brains and responded to treatment with an experimental drug.
University of Virginia researchers identified a potential avenue for treating seizure-related brain injuries by harnessing the brain's natural immune response. Microglia cells were found to form pouches that tend to swollen dendrites, suggesting a 'healing' process.
A new dietary supplement, K.Vita, has been shown to reduce seizures in children and adults with drug-resistant epilepsy, with a mean 50% reduction in seizures or paroxysmal events. The study found that the supplement was well-tolerated and palatable, with fewer than 10% of participants producing significant ketones.
A study led by Professor Ivan Rektor found that listening to Mozart's Sonata for Two Pianos K448 reduced epileptiform discharges in epilepsy patients by 32%, while Haydn's music had the opposite effect. The acoustic properties of music were responsible for this anti-epileptic effect.
Researchers at Linköping University have developed new resin acid molecules with antiseizure effects, opening a potassium ion channel that can prevent epileptic seizures. The molecules also show less effect on smooth muscle, reducing undesired side effects.
Researchers used standardized reporting of clinical data to determine the most effective methods for controlling seizures in pediatric epilepsy patients. The study found that using telemedicine had no impact on seizure frequencies and that certain patient demographics were more likely to experience worsening seizures.
A new multicenter study found that continuing antiseizure medication after neonatal seizures stopped did not prevent epilepsy or developmental delays in babies. This contradicts standard practice of extending treatment for months, and highlights the need to reassess standard care for newborns with seizures.
Researchers found that analyzing local networks within brain regions provides superior results to traditional fiber tract connectivity approaches for predicting disease progression and surgery outcomes in epilepsy patients.
Case Western Reserve researchers have identified a potential new approach to controlling epileptic seizures by stabilizing the sodium channel through neddylation. This finding, published in The Journal of Clinical Investigation, offers hope for future research and potential drug development to prevent epilepsy.
New research from the University of Virginia School of Medicine reveals that sleep can increase the risk of sudden death in people with epilepsy. Seizures disrupt the body's natural regulation of sleep-related changes, leading to a slower heart rate and potentially deadly consequences.
New research from the University of Virginia School of Medicine has identified a sequence of events during seizures that can progress to death. The researchers found that breathing disruption, or apnea, occurs during seizures and that artificially stimulating breathing can prevent sudden death after a seizure.
Researchers have discovered that fast brainwave oscillations can pinpoint brain tissues responsible for epileptic seizures. The collaborative research leverages noninvasive EEG technology to automatically identify high-frequency oscillations and epileptiform spikes, which are key links related to epilepsy.
A new study from Massachusetts General Hospital reveals that nonconvulsive seizures in COVID-19 patients are associated with worse outcomes, including higher rates of death and longer hospital stays. Seizures can occur even in patients without prior neurological history, highlighting the need for close monitoring and treatment.
A study found that metformin successfully reduced symptoms associated with tuberous sclerosis complex, including a 44% drop in seizure frequency and a 21% reduction in brain tumour size. Researchers believe this could improve quality of life for TSC patients.
Seizures of methamphetamine and marijuana rose significantly during the pandemic, with quantities of marijuana seized climbing by weight. Investigators found no significant shifts in other drug seizures, but provisional overdose deaths show a further rise through the first half of 2020.
Researchers found sharp decreases in marijuana and methamphetamine seizures during the pandemic's early months, followed by significant increases as restrictions relaxed. The study suggests disruptions in drug supply chains may have contributed to these trends.
Researchers at USC have developed a powerful mathematical model that can predict seizures with high accuracy, providing epilepsy patients with an early warning of up to five minutes. This breakthrough could revolutionize epilepsy management and treatment, allowing patients to take necessary interventions to prevent seizure onset.
Scientists at the University of Exeter made a breakthrough in understanding brain activity during seizures by studying synchronization patterns. The study found that excessive synchronization can lead to epileptic seizures and Parkinson's disease, impairing brain function.
Researchers develop prototype to automate processing of brain data, allowing for accurate identification of epileptic focus; potentially saving up to 90% of time spent reviewing data. The tool has been validated by physicians and is expected to have a clinical impact.
Researchers use mathematical modeling to study synchronization changes during seizure onset, identifying key factors that influence the transition from desynchronization to high levels of synchronization. The study reveals a new phenomenon where amplitude coupling can accelerate or decelerate the domino effect.
A team of Virginia Tech scientists has identified a new link between seizures and connexin 36 deficiency in zebrafish models. The study found that connexin 36 deficiency altered the susceptibility to neuronal hyperactivity, which may contribute to the onset of subsequent seizures.
A large-scale electronic health record study found that functional seizures are prevalent and often misdiagnosed as epileptic seizures. The study also discovered novel associations between functional seizures and cerebrovascular disease, including stroke, as well as psychiatric disorders such as PTSD and depression.
Researchers identified a pathway involving astrocytes that sheds light on why seizures occur in some MS patients. The study found altered expression of EAAT2 and AQP4 proteins, leading to increased seizure activity.
Researchers at Université de Genève have developed a technique that can predict epileptic seizure periods between one and several days in advance. By recording neuronal activity over six months, they can detect individual cycles of epileptic activity and provide information about the probability of a future seizure.
Researchers have made breakthroughs in predicting epilepsy seizures using brain implant data, identifying weekly-to-monthly cycles of 'brain irritability' that predict higher likelihood of seizures. The study's findings could enable patients to plan their lives around high or low seizure risk, avoiding potentially dangerous situations.
Researchers found that microglial surveillance helps maintain normal neuronal activity levels by preventing overactive neurons. This discovery opens new avenues for treating neurological disorders such as Alzheimer's disease, epilepsy, and autism.
A highly unusual case of a right-handed patient performing unconscious 'mirror-writing' with her left hand while in the midst of having epileptic seizures was reported by doctors. The study, published at Euroanaesthesia, suggests that mirror writing may occur in patients with epilepsy affecting one limb.
A new study finds that focal epilepsy, affecting one in 26 American adults, is often overlooked due to subtle symptoms. Early diagnosis can lead to fewer car accidents, with the researchers estimating 1,816 preventable accidents annually worldwide.
Researchers have found that an amino acid called D-serine could prevent a type of epileptic seizure by blocking receptors in the brain. The study, published in Nature Communications, suggests that D-serine levels are depleted in patients with temporal lobe epilepsy, leading to neuronal death and loss of function.
Scientists from the University of Copenhagen have identified specific neurons most affected by epilepsy, which could lead to personalized medicine-based treatments. The study analyzed over 117,000 neurons and found thousands of genes changing their expression in epilepsy.
A Rutgers University study found that patients with generalized epilepsy are at a higher risk of developing obstructive sleep apnea compared to those with focal epilepsy. Treatment of OSA may improve seizure control and overall health for these patients.
Researchers pinpoint a specific protein and brain region responsible for dissociation, a phenomenon affecting up to 10% of the population. This discovery could lead to targeted therapies for conditions like PTSD and borderline personality disorder.
A new analysis confirms that listening to Mozart's piano music can significantly reduce the frequency of epileptic seizures. The study, which evaluated 147 research articles, found that daily Mozart listening sessions resulted in a 31-66% reduction in epilepsy attacks.
Researchers found that deleting AMPK from astrocyte brain cells disrupts glucose and lactate metabolism in neurons, leading to spontaneous seizures. The study suggests that metformin, an antidiabetic drug, may mitigate epileptic seizures by targeting AMPK.
A new generation of long-term brain monitoring technologies records neural activity to provide a reliable alternative to subjective seizure diaries. These devices, such as the Wyss Center's Epios system, offer flexible configurations and could enable optimized and personalized treatment for each patient.
Women with catamenial epilepsy experience nearly four times more frequent seizures during menstrual cycle and are more likely to have drug-resistant epilepsy. The study may lead to tailored treatments for this group.
Researchers discovered abnormalities in communication between brain cells and molecular changes affecting protein production due to dysfunctional CASK gene. The study also suggests an unexpected role for CASK in regulating energy production in cells, which may explain diminished brain size and dysregulated function.
Researchers at the Medical University of South Carolina have developed a vitamin K-based compound that eliminates medication-resistant epileptic seizures in mice. The compound works by increasing brain cells' ability to produce energy and protects mitochondrial health, making it a promising new treatment option for those with epilepsy.
A new study published in Neurology found no difference in developmental and behavioral outcomes for children who had febrile seizures after vaccination, compared to those with febrile seizures not associated with vaccination or never having a seizure. This reassuring news supports the safety of vaccines.
Researchers discovered a novel potassium channel activator, GiGA1, that selectively opens GIRK channels and reduces neuronal excitability. Systemic administration of GiGA1 exhibits anti-seizure properties in an acute epilepsy animal model.
Researchers developed a new method to detect and locate seizures in real-time using artificial intelligence and systems theory. By treating the brain as a network, they extracted meaningful data from electroencephalograph (EEG) signals, improving seizure detection accuracy.
Researchers identified microRNAs associated with epilepsy and designed drug-like molecules to target them, finding three that stopped seizures in preclinical tests. The study aims to develop novel treatments for people whose seizures cannot be controlled by current medications.