RUTGERS UNIVERSITY A surgical treatment commonly used to reduce epileptic seizures in adults also is effective and safe for children, according to a Rutgers study. The study, published in the journal Neurosurgery, is one of the first to investigate responsive neurostimulation system (RNS)—a device similar to a pacemaker that sends electric charges to the heart, which delivers...
Tag: <span>epilepsy treatment</span>
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Can Stem Cells be Used to Treat Epilepsy?
By Osman Shabir, M.Sc. Reviewed by Dr. Jennifer Logan, MD, MPH Epilepsy is a neurological condition characterized by recurrent episodes of seizures. Most cases of epilepsy do not have a clear known cause, apart from susceptible genetic factors. The primary pathogenesis of genetic forms of epilepsy is an abnormal expression of certain receptors in the brain that lead to...
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New causative gene found in severe childhood epilepsy
A large international research team has discovered a new genetic cause for a severe, difficult-to-treat childhood epilepsy syndrome. Spontaneous mutations in one gene disrupt the flow of calcium in brain cells, resulting in epileptic overactivity. The team’s research in patients also found clues to potential medical treatments for the rare condition. Image: Katherine L. Helbig,...
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The gene that turns epilepsy treatment deadly
Drug responses are known to vary based on the genetic profiles of patients. This is why personalized medicine is highly desirable to prevent adverse effects. Drug-induced hypersensitivity reactions (DIHRs) are serious and life threatening. A common example is the use of the antiepileptic drug carbamazepine, but the mechanisms that trigger it are unclear. Current...