Articles tagged with Seizures
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.
Research suggests that anti-inflammatory therapies targeting the CCL2 chemokine may be effective in treating epilepsy. The study highlights the link between inflammation and epileptic seizures, providing a potential new target for anticonvulsant therapy.
Epilepsy patients experience increased seizures when stressed, but researchers found the disease alters brain signaling; a new potential treatment blocks this stressful effect. New research reveals stress-induced seizures in epilepsy are triggered by changed neurotransmitter signaling.
A crowdsourcing contest analyzing brain data from humans and dogs improved epileptic seizure forecasting. Over half of algorithms performed better than random predictions, accurately predicting more than 70% of seizures.
A Northwestern University study found that a class of drugs inhibiting estrogen production can quickly and effectively suppress brain seizures. The effect was profound and clear, suggesting a new approach to treating seizures by shutting down the brain's production of estrogen when a seizure first begins.
Researchers discovered a new factor in seizure escalation: estrogen synthesis in the brain. Aromatase inhibitors showed promise in suppressing seizures without negative side effects, promising a novel therapeutic approach.
A new study suggests that an eslicarbazepine acetate taken once a day may control seizures in people with partial seizures as well as carbamazepine taken twice daily. The six-month study showed that 71% of those taking eslicarbazepine were seizure-free, compared to 76% of those taking carbamazepine.
Researchers at Kumamoto University developed a method to predict epileptic seizures with high accuracy using electrocardiogram data. Heart rate variability analysis produced accurate predictions (91%) and allowed patients to ensure their safety before seizures. A wearable device is planned for development.
A study led by Ann & Robert H. Lurie Children's Hospital of Chicago found that even seizure-free children with epilepsy can experience learning difficulties and behavioral problems, leading to suboptimal social and educational outcomes in adulthood. Early identification of these issues is crucial to stave off poor outcomes.
The study found that selective UBE3A loss from GABAergic brain circuits leads to seizure behaviors and EEG abnormalities typical of AS model mice. Further research into the effects of UBE3A loss in other neuron types may reveal new therapeutic strategies for Angelman syndrome.
Researchers are conducting a nationwide study to find the most effective treatment for established status epilepticus, a life-threatening condition characterized by persistent seizures. The trial, ESETT, will evaluate three commonly used medications to determine which one is most effective at stopping seizures quickly.
Research reveals that genetics play a role in sleep/wake timing of seizures in individuals with epilepsy. The study found that seizures in relatives tend to occur at the same time in the sleep/wake cycle.
Researchers have developed a precise and fast responding tool to measure carbon monoxide (CO) and nitric oxide (NO) levels in the brain during seizure events. The dual sensor probe recorded clearly defined changes in CO/NO levels that changed in accordance with the seizure's phase changes.
Researchers at the University of Bonn have developed a new model that simulates the behavior of neurons in the brain during extreme events, such as epileptic seizures. The model reveals how small-world networks can exhibit spontaneous changes, shedding light on the conditions under which these events develop.
A substantial proportion of stroke survivors (15.3%) develop seizures over an average follow-up period of 3.4 years. The risk is significantly higher than that following traumatic brain injury, even when controlling for age.
The American Epilepsy Society has released a new guideline to help physicians effectively treat patients with prolonged seizures. The guideline recommends a three-phase approach to treatment, prioritizing rapid termination of seizure activity to reduce neurological injuries and deaths.
Penn researchers developed algorithms that can predict where a seizure will originate and which groups of neurons it will likely spread to. These predictions could provide a more objective way of identifying surgical targets, improving the success rate of such interventions.
A study published in the Journal of Feline Medicine and Surgery found that levetiracetam significantly reduced myoclonic seizures in cats with feline audiogenic reflex seizures, improving their quality of life. In contrast, phenobarbital showed limited efficacy and persistent side effects.
A new open-label trial of prescription cannabidiol (CBD) shows significant reduction in seizure frequency and well-tolerated for most children and young adults. The study also found a sufficient safety profile with minimal adverse events, but more research is needed to definitively recommend CBD as a treatment.
Researchers developed algorithms predicting seizure origin and spread based on brain data from 22 epilepsy patients. This could lead to more objective surgical targets and improved treatment outcomes.
Dr. Leon Iasemidis, a renowned expert in nonlinear dynamics and biomedical engineering, has been named a National Academy of Inventors Fellow for his outstanding inventions that have made a tangible impact on quality of life and economic development. He is recognized for his research in seizure prediction and control of epilepsy, with ...
Researchers at UT Southwestern Medical Center found that stopping the production of new neurons in the brain following TBI can help reduce epileptic seizures, cognitive decline, and impaired memory. This process, called neurogenesis, is sometimes hyperexcitable, disrupting neural circuits and causing recurring seizures.
Recent studies conclude that people with epilepsy have a 27-fold greater risk of sudden death than those without the disorder. Improved cause-of-death reporting and public education could prevent thousands of deaths annually.
Epilepsy is responsible for more US deaths than sudden infant death syndrome (SIDS) or fires, with over 2,750 cases of sudden unexpected death due to epilepsy annually. The disorder affects individuals over 65 years old, with a significant risk of sudden death and underreporting on death certificates.
A study of 261 children with severe epilepsy found significant seizure reduction after taking pharmaceutical CBD (cannabidiol) in combination with anti-epileptic drugs. The frequency of seizures was reduced by a median of 45% in all participants, with some patients experiencing a 50% or greater reduction.
Research reveals disrupted sleep in people with epilepsy can impede memory formation, impair cognitive performance, and influence daily life. Studies show links between sleep disturbances and seizure control, as well as the impact of nighttime seizures on memory retention.
Researchers have developed personal monitoring devices that can track seizure activity in the home environment, providing advance warning before seizures strike. These devices use biometric recording technology and can operate for seven days on a single charge, revolutionizing epilepsy therapy.
Four studies explore the interplay between epilepsy and aging, revealing unexpected consequences on the brain. Researchers found that uncontrolled epilepsy can lead to accelerated brain aging, while others discovered a link between traumatic brain injury and post-traumatic epilepsy in the elderly population.
Researchers unveil innovative studies on seizure detection and management, including electrodermal biofeedback and machine learning algorithms. These non-invasive methods offer accessible treatment options for patients with drug-resistant epilepsy.
Studies investigate biological factors behind memory decline in people with epilepsy, particularly those with temporal lobe epilepsy. Loss of neurons from the hippocampus is a common cause of impaired memory. Researchers also explore effects of seizures on signaling pathways and brain activity.
Two studies unveil neural networks that produce and propagate seizure activity, providing information to refine surgical interventions. A third study describes a device capable of detecting and diminishing seizure activity through brief electrical stimulation.
A new study identified three main brain regions where abnormalities are common to all types of focal epilepsy. The findings, published in Brain Connectivity, provide valuable insights into the neural networks underlying this neurological condition.
A new review of 45 years of medical literature found relatively few cases of meperidine-associated seizures, with coexisting conditions often contributing to the increased risk. The study concludes that meperidine's role as an effective anti-shivering agent should continue to be explored.
Scientists have developed a technique using optogenetics to suppress nervous system activity in genetically-altered fruit fly embryos, showing promise in preventing the onset of epilepsy symptoms when treated early enough.
A team of researchers has decoded a signaling pathway involved in the onset of seizure disorders, discovering that a central switch called MTF1 plays a key role. By inhibiting this switch, they were able to reduce seizures in epileptic mice, offering new potential for diagnosis and treatment.
A study of 74 children with TSC found that more extensive surgery, including the entire epileptogenic zone, yields better seizure control. The study suggests that simply resecting the tuber may not be enough, and that a larger area of surrounding tissue must also be removed to achieve optimal results.
A young adult developed clonic seizures while trying to solve Sudoku puzzles after being exposed to oxygen deficiency during an avalanche. The patient stopped solving the puzzle and has been seizure-free for over five years.
Children with TSC who undergo more extensive surgery have improved seizure control, whereas resecting just the tuber may not be enough. The study suggests that 'the malformed cortex surrounding the tuber may contribute more to epileptogenicity as opposed to the tuber itself'.
Researchers at Duke University have discovered a potential new class of drugs that may prevent the development of temporal lobe epilepsy. A small-protein drug called pY816 was found to reduce both the likelihood and severity of epilepsy in mice after an episode of prolonged seizures.
Researchers at Emory and Georgia Tech have developed inhibitory luminopsins that can modulate neuronal firing in culture and in vivo, enabling the study of ways to halt or prevent seizure activity. The tools use a glowing protein from coral as a light source, offering a cleaner alternative to traditional optogenetics.
Researchers at University of California, Irvine discovered that valproic acid preserves the M-current during seizures, which contributes to neuronal hyperexcitability. This finding points to new drug discovery approaches with fewer side effects.
Seizures are a common occurrence in childhood brain tumor survivors, affecting 24% at the start and 14% on an ongoing basis. Certain factors such as tumor type and extent of surgery contribute to seizure risk, impacting treatment management.
Seizures in neonates after cardiac surgery are common and linked to higher mortality rates, according to a new study. The study found that seizures were not uncommon and would not have been detected without continuous EEG monitoring.
A new study by the National Institutes of Health found no significant differences in birth complications between fetal ECG monitoring and traditional heart rate monitoring during labor. Infants in ECG-monitored groups were slightly more likely to have low Apgar scores, but overall outcomes remained unchanged.
Researchers found that people with epilepsy exhibit synchronized brainwave activity when listening to music, particularly in the temporal lobe region. This phenomenon may lead to novel therapies to prevent seizures in individuals with epilepsy.
A study by University of Iowa researchers has identified areas of the brain controlled by breathing, providing an important insight into SUDEP. Breathing loss was recorded when the amygdala was stimulated in human subjects, even if they were aware and awake.
The EpSMon app analyzes risk factors and provides personalized advice, helping users take actions to lower their risks. With around 600,000 people in the UK affected by epilepsy, this innovative tool aims to fill the information gap left by NHS funding cuts for GP monitoring.
Scientists confirm neuroprotective function of PrPC against epilepsy using four animal models, revealing its crucial role in preventing seizures. The study's precision and collaboration between international institutes make it a significant reference point in the field.
A team led by Professor Jozef Gecz has identified a gene mutation responsible for female-only epilepsy and found a treatment using synthetic allopregnanolone, promising to delay seizure onset and reduce autism and intellectual disability effects.
Researchers developed mobile applications to aid in everyday care for patients with epilepsy. These apps include seizure diaries, medication trackers, and alarm systems that detect epileptic seizures. Continuous EEG monitoring could also be made possible through special sensors integrated into smartphones.
Researchers at Johns Hopkins Medicine identified a potent seizure inhibitor in mice using D-leucine, an amino acid found in many foods and certain bacteria. The amino acid interrupts prolonged seizures effectively without sedative side effects, paving the way for new treatments for drug-resistant epilepsy.