Articles tagged with Seizures
Researchers discover how seizures trigger cognitive deficits in Alzheimer's disease through increased levels of the protein deltaFosB, leading to suppressed production of calbindin and disrupted brain activity. Further studies support the findings, showing potential new strategies for reducing cognitive deficits.
Researchers found that a lack of CLOCK protein is associated with excessive brain cell excitation and stronger seizures during sleep. Delivering a drug that compensates for the lack of CLOCK or its affected proteins directly in the brain may offer a new treatment approach for severe epilepsy cases.
A mouse study shows that cannabidiol treatment effectively reduces the severity and duration of seizures and their frequency. The study also found improvements in social interactions and reduced autism-like symptoms in mice with Dravet syndrome.
Researchers create a computational model to simulate focal cooling, a brain-cooling treatment that may ease epileptic seizures. The model reveals insights into the mechanism underlying this technique, which involves suppressing electrical signals in specific brain regions.
A Rutgers University study suggests that excessive neurogenesis after a traumatic head injury can lead to epileptic seizures and long-term cognitive decline. By preventing this process with a drug, the rate of brain cell birth returned to normal levels, reducing the risk of seizures.
A new mathematical approach has identified brain regions that contribute most to epilepsy seizures, allowing surgeons to select specific areas for removal. The method has shown promise in reducing the number of seizures experienced by patients, providing a potential breakthrough in epilepsy treatment.
A study from Hiroshima University found that the brain's estrogen levels are directly linked to DHA intake, which can prevent seizures. The research suggests that dietary sources of DHA may contribute to brain health and could lead to the development of new epilepsy treatments.
Researchers developed a method to identify brain tissue most likely to generate seizures in people with epilepsy, offering new treatment strategies for drug-resistant cases. By analyzing EEG recordings and mathematical modeling, the team found that targeting specific brain regions could lead to enhanced surgical outcomes.
A study published in JAMA Pediatrics found that genetic testing is effective in diagnosing epilepsy in 40% of patients and 25% of those with unknown causes. Genetic sequencing tests have a higher diagnostic yield than chromosome microarray, allowing for more precise treatment options.
A rogue gene called GNAO1 is causing seizures and involuntary movements in children as young as a few days old. Researchers at Michigan State University have discovered key differences in its function that could lead to new treatment options.
Researchers have identified a rare genetic syndrome characterized by intellectual disability, seizures, and distinctive facial features. The study, led by Matthew A. Deardorff, describes WDR26 haploinsufficiency syndrome and provides initial information for counseling patients and families.
Researchers at Columbia University found that seizures in mice spread across the brain in a sequential pattern, unaffected by seizure duration, according to a new study published in Cell Reports.
Researchers led by SDSU neuroscientist Stephanie Ries discovered that wide swaths of the brain work in parallel to retrieve correct words from memory, challenging previous assumptions about localized language processing. The study's findings could help speech-language pathologists develop strategies for treating disorders like anomia.
Status epilepticus is a neurologic emergency with neuronal damage and systemic complications, emphasizing the need for timely treatment. The latest ILAE classification of epilepsy seizures and underlying etiologies are discussed, along with management guidelines and anticonvulsant drug therapies.
Scientists at Gladstone Institutes discover distinct neurons in the reticular thalamus, a region involved in attention, perception, and consciousness. The study reveals that targeting specific cell types can disrupt seizures or affect cognition and emotion.
Researchers have identified a micro-gene called miR-211 that protects the brain from developing epilepsy. Elevated levels of this gene may act as a protective mechanism to reduce the risk of epileptic seizures.
Scientists at the NIH discovered that each memory is encoded by a unique firing pattern of individual neurons in the brain. The studies also found that the brain replays memories faster than they are stored.
In a large-scale randomized clinical trial, cannabidiol reduced seizure frequency by 39% in patients with Dravet syndrome. The study included 120 children and adolescents aged 2-18 years, who received either CBD or placebo over a 14-week period.
A new study has identified a protein called high mobility group box-1 (HMGB1) that may help patients with epilepsy respond more positively to drug therapies. The research found that HMGB1 isoforms can predict how an epilepsy patient's seizures will respond to anti-inflammatory drugs.
Researchers have identified a link between certain static images and gamma oscillations that occur when viewing black and white bar patterns, which can trigger seizures in people with photosensitive epilepsy. By adjusting image parameters, such as contrast and bar width, these images can be reduced to minimize the risk of seizures.
A study suggests that the onset pattern of an epileptic seizure may be determined by characteristics of the surrounding 'healthy' brain tissue, not just the site where the seizure originates. The high amplitude slow pattern is associated with higher excitability in surrounding healthy tissue.
A new computational approach developed at Boston Children's Hospital uses Granger causality analysis to identify the brain regions responsible for seizures. This technology enables surgeons to plan surgeries more accurately and reduce the risk of complications.
Researchers have identified 'silent seizures' in the brains of patients with Alzheimer's disease, a discovery that could lead to new treatments. The findings suggest that these non-convulsive hippocampal seizures may contribute to or accelerate the degenerative process underlying the disease.
Researchers recorded seizure-like activity in the hippocampus of two patients with Alzheimer's disease, which may contribute to cognitive symptoms. The findings suggest that targeting this dysfunction could lead to new treatments to reduce symptoms or alter the course of the disease.
A study led by Dr. Juan Pascual found that a modified Atkins diet can help reduce seizures and improve patients' long-term health. Clinical trials testing an edible oil derived from castor beans may also improve cognitive abilities in patients with Glut1 deficiency.
The American Academy of Neurology and the American Epilepsy Society have developed a new guideline to address Sudden Unexpected Death in Epilepsy (SUDEP), which is rare but can occur in people with epilepsy. The guideline suggests that controlling seizures, especially tonic-clonic seizures, may reduce SUDEP risk.
Emergency departments are increasingly using intranasal medication administration as an alternative to injections or IVs, offering a fast and noninvasive route to deliver medications directly to the brain. This method requires no needles, is less painful than IVs or injections, and minimizes infectious disease spread.
A new study found that cannabidiol may reduce seizures by half in people with Lennox-Gastaut syndrome, a severe form of epilepsy. The treatment showed great promise in reducing drop seizures and improving overall condition, but also had side effects such as decreased appetite and sleepiness.
Researchers developed a model to predict which patients with mesial temporal lobe epilepsy will respond to drug treatment. The study analyzed genetic material and clinical data for 237 individuals, achieving accuracy rates of up to 82% in predicting patient response.
Researchers at University of Cincinnati Epilepsy Center found stress to be a common seizure trigger, increasing seizure susceptibility and risk of developing epilepsy. Stress reduction techniques like controlled deep breathing, relaxation therapy, and exercise may provide benefit as low-risk treatment options.
A study found that midazolam was more effective in treating seizures than other benzodiazepines and was adopted by ambulances across the country, increasing from 26.1% to 61.7% between 2010 and 2014. The rate of adoption accelerated after a clinical trial's publication, with EMS agencies adopting midazolam at a rate of 8.9% per year.
Researchers identified a gene link to impaired sociability in autism and found its neural circuit mechanism. The study suggests a 'toggle switch' that can be turned on or off to regulate sociability, potentially leading to new treatments for patients with autism. Seizures were also found to impair sociability by repressing specific genes.
The International League Against Epilepsy has updated its epilepsy classification system, allowing for more informed decisions on treatment. The new system includes many types of seizures not captured in the older version, which may lead to greater advances in diagnosis and therapy.
In a clinical trial, the ketogenic diet was found to be a safe and effective treatment option for adults with super-refractory status epilepticus (SRSE), a rare and severe form of epilepsy. The diet was shown to stop seizures in 79% of patients, with eight recovering within a week.
Researchers discovered that gamma-aminobutyric acid (GABA) accelerates brain activity after a prolonged convulsive seizure, leading to harmful neural connections. Blocking GABA's effect with bumetanide may help prevent seizures and limit the severity of epilepsy.
A preliminary study found that people with epilepsy are unaware of the rare but fatal complication known as Sudden Unexpected Death in Epilepsy (SUDEP), which affects 1 in 1,000 adults. The study suggests that providing information about SUDEP can motivate patients to take better care of themselves and adhere to their medication.
The modified Atkins diet has been shown to reduce seizure frequency in children with Doose syndrome by at least 50%. In a recent study, 83% of children experienced this significant reduction, making it an effective treatment option for families affected by this rare form of epilepsy.
A new study using an Apple Watch app found that seizures in people with epilepsy are often triggered by stress and missed sleep. The app, called EpiWatch, recorded participants' heart rate and movements for 10 minutes after a seizure to help researchers better understand the condition.
A UC Riverside study found that chronic demyelination is closely linked to seizures in MS patients, with specific neurons being lost and hyperactivity increasing. The researchers hope to develop drugs aimed at reducing seizures, which could also benefit epilepsy patients.
A collaborative study has discovered a genetic cause for myoclonic epilepsy syndrome in dogs, the DIRAS1 gene. This finding has significant implications for both veterinary diagnostics and breeding programs, as well as human epilepsy research.
Researchers have identified a potential epilepsy treatment, lorcaserin, that suppresses seizure activity in children with Dravet syndrome. The treatment was developed using a zebrafish model and showed promising results in a small clinical trial.
Research at Baylor College of Medicine and Texas Children's Hospital found that specific brain cell subpopulations play a role in epilepsy. Astrocytes were divided into distinct subpopulations, each with unique gene expressions and functions. These subpopulations may contribute to brain tumor progression and seizure onset.
The Epilepsy Bioinformatics Study for Antiepileptogenic Therapy (EpiBioS4Rx) project aims to identify biomarkers associated with epilepsy development and develop novel therapies. The research team will collaborate with patients and their families to improve treatment options.
A middle-aged woman developed hyponatraemia, a potentially life-threatening condition, after consuming excessive fluids and herbal remedies during the New Year period. Doctors warn of the potential harm of these treatments and advocate for caution.
A new study highlights the difficult decisions healthcare providers face when treating HIV-positive patients with seizures, where medication options are limited. Seizures are a common symptom in advanced stage HIV, affecting up to 11% of those undiagnosed and untreated.
Researchers propose that visual stimulation with frequencies close to alpha rhythm can interfere with natural brain activity, leading to increased amplitude and epileptic seizures. This phenomenon is linked to the brain's dynamic properties, such as resonance, which can trigger seizures at specific frequencies.
Researchers have found that inflammation plays a role in the development of epilepsy in TSC patients and that targeting this process could be a potential therapy. Studies using a mouse model of TSC found increased levels of inflammatory molecules in brain tissue before seizure onset, which were reversed by anti-inflammatory compounds.
BMC's Comprehensive Epilepsy Center will lead a program that aims to reach 1,000 children and youth with epilepsy through advanced telemedicine applications. The 'Telehealth Epilepsy Care Collaborative' seeks to identify signs of seizures in infants, children, and adolescents.
Researchers identified preoperative abnormalities of two temporal lobe white matter tracts that are not included in standardised temporal lobe surgery in patients who had postoperative seizures. These findings suggest new insights into predicting postoperative seizure outcome using preoperative imaging technology.
Researchers discovered huperzine A increases resistance to induced seizures in mouse models of genetic epilepsy. The compound has been shown to protect against febrile seizures, a feature of both Dravet syndrome and GEFS+, with complete protection observed in genetically modified mice.
A recent study analyzing seized African elephant tusks confirms that nearly all come from animals killed less than three years prior to seizure. The findings support evidence of widespread poaching and undermine the idea that many tusks are illegally recycled from older stockpiles.
Researchers at MIT develop algorithms that automate key steps in big-data analysis, reducing time from months to days. The new approaches enable faster data preparation and problem specification, allowing data scientists to produce value quickly.
A study published in Redox Biology found that a decreased cysteine/cystine ratio in plasma may predict the progression of epilepsy. The study used a rat model and found significant changes in the biomarker after seizures were induced, suggesting its potential as a redox biomarker for epilepsy.
Researchers found that video monitoring can detect nocturnal seizures, particularly tonic seizures, but the added value is limited due to high costs. The study suggests developing less costly and invasive devices to improve detection while addressing privacy concerns.
Dr. Leonidas Iasemidis leads a multi-institutional team to investigate the origins and impacts of brain seizures associated with epilepsy. The project aims to uncover the causes of seizures and their impact on higher brain functions such as memory.
A new study finds that antiepileptic drugs used to control seizures can trigger psychotic symptoms in certain individuals, particularly women and those with temporal lobe epilepsy. Researchers screened the medical records of over 2,300 patients with epilepsy and identified a link between these medications and psychosis.
Researchers discover that a mutation in the RyR2 gene, which regulates intracellular calcium, can trigger blackouts of the brainstem, increasing the risk of sudden unexpected death in people with epilepsy. This finding may help explain why some individuals with epilepsy are at higher risk for SUDEP.
Researchers discovered a genetic link between Long QT Syndrome (LQTS) and an increased risk for seizures. LQTS patients who experienced seizures were three times more likely to have experienced seizures in the past, and had worse cardiac symptoms.
A team of researchers developed neuroprotective compounds that prevented seizures and damaged dendritic spines in mice with experimental epilepsy. The study suggests the process of epilepsy development has been arrested up to 100 days post-treatment, offering a potential new approach to disease-modifying treatments.
Scientists have developed a new method that can accurately identify brain regions triggering seizures in people with epilepsy. The technique, using advanced mathematical modeling procedures, has shown promising results in predicting successful surgery outcomes.