Articles tagged with Seizures
The task force recommends avoiding valproate in pregnant women due to high risks of malformations, while ensuring those with uncontrolled seizures receive effective treatment. The guidelines prioritize shared decision-making between clinicians and patients, balancing treatment benefits and risks.
A new study has found that high-pitched sounds can cause seizures in older cats, with certain breeds and triggers identified. The study, published in the Journal of Feline Medicine and Surgery, reveals that audiogenic reflex seizures (FARS) occur in pedigree and non-pedigree cats, often triggered by loud noises such as crinkling tin fo...
Benjamin Tolchin, a Massachusetts researcher, will receive a $130,000 award to investigate psychogenic non-epileptic seizures (PNES) and develop new treatment approaches. His research aims to identify ways to increase the number of patients who successfully complete therapy and eliminate their PNES.
A new guideline from the American Academy of Neurology and the American Epilepsy Society aims to help doctors treat the millions of people who experience their first seizure each year. The guideline found that taking epilepsy drugs immediately after a first seizure may reduce the risk of having another seizure.
A new guideline recommends administering an antiepileptic medication immediately after a first seizure to reduce the risk of another seizure within two years. The risk is highest for those with a previous brain injury or significant abnormality on imaging tests.
The new guidelines emphasize the importance of discussing treatment options with patients after a first seizure, weighing individual risks and benefits. Immediate treatment with an epilepsy drug may reduce recurrent seizures within two years, but its effectiveness decreases after three years.
A study found that cannabidiol, a non-psychoactive component of marijuana, significantly reduced seizures in children with severe epilepsy. The drug was shown to decrease seizures by an average of 54 percent and improve convulsive seizure activity. However, side effects were reported in 6% of participants.
Researchers have identified a genetic mutation in salt-inducible kinase 1 (SIK1) that regulates myocyte-specific enhancer factor 2C (MEF2C), contributing to severe seizures. The finding may lead to better treatment options for individuals with developmental epilepsy.
A novel deuterium-containing sigma-1 agonist, C-10068, demonstrated anti-seizure and anti-inflammatory effects in a preclinical model of traumatic brain injury (TBI). It affected multiple neurochemical pathways, including sigma-1 receptors, which play a widespread modulatory role in the central nervous system.
Researchers at KAIST identify brain somatic mutations in the MTOR gene as the cause of intractable epilepsy. These mutations are specific to the brain and can lead to permanent disabilities and death. A targeted therapy using rapamycin may offer a solution, suppressing mTOR kinase activation to lessen epileptic seizures.
A 10-year-old boy developed seizures and hypertension after consuming excessive licorice sweets. The case study highlights the dangers of overconsumption of glycyrrhizic acid in licorice, a risk particularly high for children with low body weight. Manufacturers are urged to state recommended daily limits as a safety measure.
A seven-year study found that responsive direct cortical stimulation significantly reduced seizures by up to 60% and improved quality of life. The Long-Term Treatment Study showed that 84% of participants experienced some improvement, with 16% being seizure-free for at least three months.
Researchers found that Broca's area is active early in forming sentences and ends its work before a word is spoken, suggesting it plays a key role in organizing the string of sounds that express ideas. The study could benefit the treatment of language impairments due to stroke, epilepsy, and brain injuries.
Researchers discovered that coral snake venom's toxins permanently activate crucial nerve cell proteins, preventing reset and causing deadly seizures. The toxins target GABA(A) receptors, making them 100 times tighter than known compounds, leading to permanent opening of the receptor's pore.
Researchers at LSU Health New Orleans have discovered a novel compound that regulates brain electrical activity and reduces aberrant signaling leading to severe generalized seizures. The finding may contribute to the development of effective anti-epileptic therapies.
An international team of scientists identified sestrin-3 as a key regulator of gene networks in human epilepsy. Inhibiting sestrin-3 reduced seizures in animal models. The discovery offers promising starting points for new treatments, potentially avoiding drug resistance.
Research shows that stomach sleepers with epilepsy are at higher risk of sudden unexpected death, often occurring during sleep. The study found that 73% of cases died in the stomach sleep position, and younger people were more likely to be found on their stomachs.
A 12-year study found that measles-containing vaccines have an extremely low risk of rare side effects, including neurological disorders and febrile seizures. The study monitored over 120,000 children who received the vaccines and found no increased risk of adverse outcomes.
Scientists used genetic analysis and mathematical modeling to discover millimeter-sized abnormalities in brain tissue that may cause unpredictable seizures. These 'microlesions' could lead to spontaneous electrical currents causing epilepsy.
Scientists at the University of Exeter have developed a new method to diagnose epilepsy using mathematical modeling and brain electrical activity analysis. This approach reveals subtle differences in brain network properties that enhance susceptibility to seizures in people with idiopathic generalized epilepsies.
A Swedish study found that only 3% of epilepsy surgery patients suffered lasting complications, with a downward trend over time. Despite the encouraging data, only 50-60 procedures are performed annually, highlighting the need for awareness and increase in availability throughout Europe.
Researchers at UC Davis and Northwestern University have found an investigational medication to effectively treat children with life-threatening seizures, resolving symptoms without adverse effects. The medication, a formulation of allopregnanolone, showed promising results in two clinical cases, where patients were weaned off general ...
Researchers at Georgia State University used the Granger causality test to analyze brain signals and locate seizure sources, improving surgical outcomes for patients. The study found that the test can detect seizures up to 10 seconds earlier than previous methods, leading to a higher cure rate.
Seizures and migraines have long been considered separate events, but a new study reveals a surprising connection between the two. By applying fundamental physics principles to an older theory of brain electricity, researchers found that seizures and spreading depression are part of a spectrum of nerve cell behavior.
A review of research published by the American Academy of Neurology found that low-carb diets, such as the ketogenic diet, may reduce seizures in adults with tough-to-treat epilepsy. The diets were moderately to very effective, with a 50% or better reduction in seizures experienced by 32% of participants.
Researchers at USC Viterbi School of Engineering developed a customized transport system, the Mobile Oxygen-Temperature Sustaining (MOTS) system, to preserve human brain samples for research. They also created a planar Multi-Electrode Array (MEA) that provides in-depth understanding of epileptic seizures.
A new electroencephalography (EEG) tool has been developed to detect refractory idiopathic epilepsy in children, a condition that cannot be managed by antiepileptic drugs. The tool uses EEG classification analysis and identifies significant EEG features that distinguish refractory epilepsy from well-controlled forms.
Low-dose fish oil was found to reduce seizure frequency by a third in people with epilepsy who no longer responded to drug treatment. The study also showed a modest fall in blood pressure, but no significant changes in heart rate or fat levels.
A new animal model reveals that SENP2 deficiency leads to seizures and sudden death due to hyper-SUMOylation of potassium channels. This finding may lead to new treatment opportunities for SUDEP, which affects epilepsy patients at a rate 20-fold higher than the general population.
Researchers found triheptanoin oil to be an efficient treatment for Glut 1 deficiency, reducing seizure frequency and improving brain metabolism. The oil has been shown to have a positive impact on neuropsychological performance in patients with the rare disease.
A new study at the University of Iowa has identified a potential genetic link between epilepsy and neurodegenerative disorders, revealing a novel pathway involved in the pathophysiology of epilepsy. The researchers found that mutations in prickle genes cause seizures in flies, leading to epilepsy-like behaviors.
A clinical trial found that patients with psychogenic nonepileptic seizures (PNES) experienced a significant reduction in seizures and improvements in related symptoms, including depression and anxiety, when treated with cognitive behavioral therapy informed psychotherapy (CBT-ip) alone or in combination with the medication sertraline....
A new study found that a cognitive behavior therapy-informed psychotherapy significantly reduces seizures in patients with psychogenic nonepileptic seizures, improving depression and anxiety. The treatment approach showed promising results in reducing seizure frequency and severity of co-morbid symptoms.
An animal study found that magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) can detect brain changes in young rats hours after a fever-induced seizure, indicating those at risk for developing epilepsy later in life. The MRI signal was not visible in rats that remained epilepsy-free.
A novel biomarker predicts which individuals will develop epilepsy after febrile seizures, according to a UC Irvine study. The diagnostic ability could lead to improved use of preventive therapies for the disorder.
A recent clinical trial published in the Journal of the American Medical Association found that lorazepam and diazepam are equally effective in treating seizures in children. The study, led by Dr. Prashant V. Mahajan, compared outcomes in 273 seizure patients and found no significant differences between the two medications.
The combined MMRV vaccine has been associated with slightly higher rates of febrile seizures in young children, but these seizures are typically self-limiting and rarely have long-term effects. Researchers found a slight increase in the relative risk of febrile seizure with the MMRV vaccine compared to the separate MMR+V vaccine.
A minimally invasive laser procedure, performed under MRI guidance, has been shown to be safe and effective in reducing or eliminating seizures in patients with mesial temporal lobe epilepsy (MTLE). The procedure, known as SLAH, destroys the area of the brain responsible for seizure activity without harming neighboring tissue.
Researchers have developed a new treatment for drug-resistant epilepsy that suppresses seizures 'on demand' with a pill, similar to painkillers. The treatment uses genetic modification of brain cells to make them sensitive to a normally inactive compound, avoiding side effects and permanent brain alterations.
A new study by University of Cincinnati researchers found that only a small proportion of seizure patients receive electroencephalograms (EEGs) in the emergency department, which can lead to delayed or inaccurate diagnoses. The study suggests that this may impact admission decisions and hospital care for these patients.
A recent study published in JAMA found that lorazepam, a commonly used but not yet FDA-approved drug for children, is no more effective than an approved benzodiazepine, diazepam, in treating pediatric status epilepticus. The study enrolled 310 children and found both medications successfully halted seizures in 70 percent of cases.
A UCLA research team has made significant progress in developing a computer-aided diagnostic system to accurately distinguish between epileptic and non-epileptic seizures. By analyzing clinical notes from patients with medication-resistant seizure disorder, the team achieved a diagnosis accuracy of 65% using machine learning methods.
A randomized trial involving 273 pediatric patients with convulsive status epilepticus found that lorazepam was not more effective than diazepam in stopping seizures, but did cause more sedation. The study suggests that diazepam remains a suitable first-line treatment for pediatric status epilepticus.
The NeuroPace RNS System uses responsive stimulation to suppress seizures before they begin, reducing seizure frequency by up to 50%. The device is surgically placed and coupled with a unique electrode placement planning system that facilitates precise targeting of the seizure focus.
A study published in JAMA found that conservative management of brain arteriovenous malformations (abnormal connections between arteries and veins) was associated with lower rates of stroke and death compared to interventional treatment. The study followed 204 patients for up to 12 years, finding a significant reduction in nonfatal str...
The new definition of epilepsy includes individuals with two unprovoked seizures and those with a high risk of seizure recurrence. Epilepsy is defined as a disease of the brain characterized by an enduring predisposition to generate epileptic seizures.
Researchers have identified a conserved pathway responsible for seizures in both Drosophila flies and humans. Flies with prickle gene mutations exhibit myoclonic seizures, similar to those in human patients, and respond to the anti-convulsive drug valproic acid.
Researchers discovered a pattern of damage in the hippocampus — the brain's memory center — similar to humans with temporal lobe epilepsy. Sea lions exposed to domoic acid developed seizures and extensive brain damage due to toxin accumulation in anchovies and other small fish fed on by sea lions.
A University of Wisconsin-Madison researcher has detected a potential association between soy formula and seizures in children with autism. The study found excess seizures among girls and in the total sample of 1,949 children who consumed soy-based infant formula.
Researchers used innovative tools to detect a previously unknown gene mutation and initiate personalized drug treatment for a boy with uncontrollable seizures. Memantine was shown to have an effect in reducing seizure activity.
Two new smartphone applications have been developed to aid in diagnosing epileptic seizures and managing acute stroke care. The epilepsy app was found to be informative in 87% of tested individuals, agreeing with medical diagnoses in 96% of cases.
Researchers have identified metformin as a potential treatment for epilepsy by reducing the intensity of seizures. The study used fruit fly movement to analyze the effects of dietary modifications on seizure susceptibility. Dr. Kuebler's lab developed a low-cost, video-based method to investigate metabolic causes of seizures.
A new study published in Epilepsia found that early treatment with antiepileptic drugs (AEDs) significantly reduces the duration of febrile seizures. The research suggests that a standard Emergency Medical Services (EMS) treatment protocol is needed in the US to improve outcomes for children with prolonged seizures. A total of 199 pedi...
Researchers found that laughter can increase pain thresholds, reduce arterial wall stiffness, and lower heart attack risk, but also cause adverse effects like heart rupture, asthma attacks, and hernias.
A new study by Henry Ford Hospital researchers found that 92% of epilepsy surgery patients are satisfied with the results, experiencing improved driving ability, employment status, and reduced antidepressant use. Patients who underwent temporal resection had significant improvements in these areas, particularly those with favorable sei...
A new study suggests that rotavirus vaccination can also protect children against seizures, with a reduced risk of 20% compared to unvaccinated children. The researchers found that fully vaccinated children had fewer seizure-related hospitalizations and emergency department visits.
A UT Arlington assistant professor has developed a computational model that can accurately predict when an epileptic seizure will occur next. The model analyzes EEG readings to provide early warnings, allowing patients to use medicine to combat an oncoming seizure.
A study published in Nature Medicine suggests a potential new treatment for seizures caused by high levels of ammonia in the blood. Bumetanide, a diuretic drug used to treat high blood pressure, has been found to restore normal electrical activity in the brains of mice with genetic metabolic disorders and prevent seizures.
Researchers have developed software that can learn from a patient's normal and seizure electrical activity to predict when another seizure may occur. This allows for an early warning system, potentially enabling people with epilepsy to live safer lives by avoiding hazardous situations before a seizure begins.
Researchers at Royal Holloway University have made a significant discovery about how valproate blocks seizures in the brain. By using a simple amoeba, they identified the specific chemical responsible for seizure progression and found that its decrease can cause even more seizure activity.