http://www.sciencedaily.com/news/mind_brain/epilepsy/ Get the facts and latest medical research on epilepsy and epileptic seizures. Information on the symptoms of epilepsy as well as the causes, treatment and medications for adult and childhood epilepsy and seizure disorders. en-us Wed, 11 Nov 2009 11:05:01 EST Wed, 11 Nov 2009 11:05:01 EST 60 http://www.sciencedaily.com/images/logosmall.gif http://www.sciencedaily.com/news/mind_brain/epilepsy/ For more science articles, visit ScienceDaily. http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2009/11/091108131440.htm The loss of a gene through deletion of genetic material on chromosome 15 is associated with significant abnormalities in learning and behavior, say researchers in a new study. Mon, 09 Nov 2009 08:00:00 EST http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2009/11/091108131440.htm http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2009/11/091109173724.htm The long-held theory that our brains use different mechanisms for forming long-term and short-term memories has been challenged by new research. Mon, 09 Nov 2009 00:00:00 EST http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2009/11/091109173724.htm http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2009/10/091020161952.htm Young animals treated with commonly-prescribed drugs develop behavioral abnormalities in adulthood say researchers. The drugs tested include those used to treat epilepsy, mood disorders and pain. Sun, 25 Oct 2009 17:00:00 EDT http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2009/10/091020161952.htm http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2009/10/091018141720.htm Epileptic seizures are the most dramatic and prominent aspect of the "alcohol withdrawal syndrome" that occurs when a person abruptly stops a long-term or chronic drinking habit. Researchers have shown that the flow of calcium ions into brain cells via voltage-gated calcium channels plays an important role in the generation of alcohol withdrawal seizures, because blocking this flow suppresses these seizures. But do the changes in calcium currents contribute to alcohol withdrawal seizures or are they a consequence of the seizures? Mon, 19 Oct 2009 11:00:00 EDT http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2009/10/091018141720.htm http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2009/10/091014144720.htm The most common gene for long QT syndrome triggers epileptic seizures and could explain sudden unexpected death in epilepsy, say researchers in a new study. Thu, 15 Oct 2009 08:00:00 EDT http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2009/10/091014144720.htm http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2009/10/091008123226.htm Researchers have identified a key molecular player in guiding the formation of synapses -- the all-important connections between nerve cells -- in the brain. This discovery, based on experiments in cell culture and in mice, could advance scientists' understanding of how young children's brains develop as well as point to new approaches toward countering brain disorders in adults. Mon, 12 Oct 2009 05:00:00 EDT http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2009/10/091008123226.htm http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2009/09/090925092858.htm Researchers have discovered that epileptic brains are more ordered than non-epileptic ones and also that certain flicking colors seem more likely to cause fits. Sun, 27 Sep 2009 17:00:00 EDT http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2009/09/090925092858.htm http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2009/09/090917131544.htm In mice that are missing a protein found only in the brain, neural signals "go crazy," leaving the animals with epileptic seizures from a young age, researchers have found. Their study details what it is that happens when the protein encoded by plasticity related gene-1 gets lost, revealing an important fine-tuning mechanism for brain function. Fri, 18 Sep 2009 08:00:00 EDT http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2009/09/090917131544.htm http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2009/09/090916153134.htm Medical researchers have identified a gene with mutations that cause febrile seizures and contribute to a severe form of epilepsy known as Dravet syndrome in some of the most vulnerable patients -- infants 6 months and younger. Thu, 17 Sep 2009 11:00:00 EDT http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2009/09/090916153134.htm http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2009/09/090914172330.htm A new guideline from the American Academy of Neurology finds that children with microcephaly -- that is, children whose head size is smaller than that of 97 percent of children -- are at risk of neurologic and cognitive problems and should be screened for these problems. Thu, 17 Sep 2009 05:00:00 EDT http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2009/09/090914172330.htm http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2009/09/090909122058.htm A new study provides new insight into the mechanism of neonatal seizures, which have features very different from seizures in older children and adults. The finding that neurons in different parts of the brains of newborn mammals respond differently to the neurotransmitter GABA may explain why seizures in the neonatal brain may not produce visible convulsions and why the antiseizure drug phenobarbital can exacerbate the invisible nature of neonatal seizures. Wed, 09 Sep 2009 17:00:00 EDT http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2009/09/090909122058.htm http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2009/08/090823184351.htm A form of partial epilepsy associated with auditory and other sensory hallucinations has been linked to the disruption of brain development during early childhood, according to a new study. Mon, 24 Aug 2009 17:00:00 EDT http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2009/08/090823184351.htm http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2009/08/090812163746.htm Children who have normal IQs before they experience a first seizure may also have problems with language, memory, learning and other cognitive skills, according to a new study. Mon, 17 Aug 2009 23:00:00 EDT http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2009/08/090812163746.htm http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2009/08/090810161913.htm Women with epilepsy who have seizures during pregnancy appear more likely to give birth to pre-term, small or low-birth-weight babies than women without epilepsy, according to a new report. Wed, 12 Aug 2009 14:00:00 EDT http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2009/08/090810161913.htm http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2009/08/090803172953.htm Scientists have prevented epilepsy caused by a gene defect from being passed on to mice offspring -- an achievement which may herald new therapies for people suffering from the condition. Tue, 04 Aug 2009 11:00:00 EDT http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2009/08/090803172953.htm http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2009/07/090727113056.htm Switching off a key DNA repair system in the developing nervous system is linked to smaller brain size as well as problems in brain structures vital to movement, memory and emotion, according to new research. Wed, 29 Jul 2009 14:00:00 EDT http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2009/07/090727113056.htm http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2009/07/090721090224.htm Interim results of a new study suggest that children aged three years and younger, who are born to women taking the anti-epileptic drug sodium valproate whilst pregnant, are likely to have an IQ of six to nine points lower than average. Thu, 23 Jul 2009 08:00:00 EDT http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2009/07/090721090224.htm http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2009/07/090714191850.htm According to one theory, severe head injury causes leaks in the blood-brain barrier that allow entry of serum albumen, which triggers epilepsy and seizures. Scientists now show that albumen interacts with the TGF-beta receptor on astrocytes, triggering a cascade of events that lead to epilepsy. In rats, TGF-beta blockers stop such changes in the brain, and may halt development of epilepsy in humans. Mon, 20 Jul 2009 14:00:00 EDT http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2009/07/090714191850.htm http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2009/07/090715131430.htm Scientists have devised a chemical technique that promises to allow neuroscientists to discover the function of any population of neurons in an animal brain, and provide clues to treating and preventing brain disease. Thu, 16 Jul 2009 11:00:00 EDT http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2009/07/090715131430.htm http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2009/07/090707183136.htm Catastrophic epilepsy -- characterized by severe muscle spasms, persistent seizures, mental retardation and sometimes autism -- results from a mutation in a single gene, researchers report. Wed, 08 Jul 2009 11:00:00 EDT http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2009/07/090707183136.htm http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2009/07/090706161308.htm Chronic seizures caused by traumatic head injuries may result from chemicals released by the brain's immune system attempting to repair the injured site, according to a new study. Tue, 07 Jul 2009 11:00:00 EDT http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2009/07/090706161308.htm http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2009/06/090629081137.htm Experimental devices that read brain signals have helped paralyzed people use computers and may let amputees control bionic limbs. But existing devices use tiny electrodes that poke into the brain. A new study shows that brain signals controlling arm movements can be detected accurately using new microelectrodes that sit on the brain but don't penetrate it. Mon, 06 Jul 2009 05:00:00 EDT http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2009/06/090629081137.htm http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2009/06/090624213348.htm A new study examines how molecules producing erections may change the way we think and hear. Tue, 30 Jun 2009 20:00:00 EDT http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2009/06/090624213348.htm http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2009/06/090628171951.htm Alcohol's inebriating effects are familiar to almost everyone. But the molecular details of alcohol's impact on brain activity remain a mystery. A new study brings us closer to understanding how alcohol alters the way brain cells work. Mon, 29 Jun 2009 08:00:00 EDT http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2009/06/090628171951.htm http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2009/06/090610124817.htm Researchers have discovered a potential new way to treat childhood epilepsy using a widely available therapeutic drug. In the first use of a mouse model of cortical dysplasia, they introduced the drug rapamycin. Cortical dysplasia is often the cause of childhood epilepsy. Tue, 23 Jun 2009 02:00:00 EDT http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2009/06/090610124817.htm http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2009/06/090610124631.htm Clinicians have perfected an operation, which was previously considered too dangerous, to control refractory insular epilepsy, using an innovative microsurgery technique. According to a recent study, the new surgical technique is both safe and beneficial for patients. Fri, 19 Jun 2009 08:00:00 EDT http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2009/06/090610124631.htm http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2009/06/090601121712.htm Researchers studying a difficult-to-treat form of childhood epilepsy called infantile spasms have developed a line of mice that experiences seizures with features closely resembling those occurring in human infants. These genetically engineered mice provide a new opportunity for scientists to test treatments that may benefit children. Sun, 07 Jun 2009 17:00:00 EDT http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2009/06/090601121712.htm http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2009/06/090601182914.htm A drug with potential to prevent epilepsy caused by a genetic condition may also help prevent more common forms of epilepsy caused by brain injury. Fri, 05 Jun 2009 20:00:00 EDT http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2009/06/090601182914.htm http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2009/05/090519104109.htm Studying the way a person's brain "sings" could improve our understanding of conditions such as epilepsy and schizophrenia and help develop better treatments, scientists have discovered. Tue, 19 May 2009 20:00:00 EDT http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2009/05/090519104109.htm http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2009/05/090506121202.htm Inappropriate use of camphor-containing products may be a common and under-appreciated cause of seizures in young children, according to a new study. The study calls for efforts to educate communities about the hazards of camphor and to crack down on illegally marketed camphor products. Thu, 07 May 2009 17:00:00 EDT http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2009/05/090506121202.htm http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2009/05/090504122155.htm Researchers have identified a new anticonvulsant compound that has the potential to stop the development of epilepsy. The research discovery builds on previous work identifying a specific molecular target whose increased activity is associated with seizure disorders, a potassium channel known as the BK channel. Tue, 05 May 2009 05:00:00 EDT http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2009/05/090504122155.htm http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2009/04/090429132231.htm Some experts believe that vision isn't possible without feedback from higher levels of the brain, but a study now demonstrates that the brain can rapidly recognize objects under a variety of conditions at a very early processing stage. The study involved patients with epilepsy who were undergoing high-resolution brain mapping prior to neurosurgery. Mon, 04 May 2009 08:00:00 EDT http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2009/04/090429132231.htm http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2009/04/090429152422.htm A drug widely used to treat seizures and anxiety appears to be an effective treatment for restless legs syndrome and helps people with the disorder get a better night's sleep, according to a new study. Thu, 30 Apr 2009 17:00:00 EDT http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2009/04/090429152422.htm http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2009/04/090423180233.htm An important genetic study has identified vital new information concerning alcoholism in subjects with European ancestry. Research findings indicate that alcohol dependence is highly inheritable, although specific genes and their variations associated with this illness remain unknown. Tue, 28 Apr 2009 23:00:00 EDT http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2009/04/090423180233.htm http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2009/04/090421080208.htm New research suggests a possible pathway for the operation of lithium in the treatment of bipolar disorder. It offers potential for new perspectives on the genetics of bipolar disorder and the development of new treatments for this disorder and other conditions. Mon, 27 Apr 2009 02:00:00 EDT http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2009/04/090421080208.htm http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2009/04/090427163821.htm New guidelines show it's relatively safe for women with epilepsy to become pregnant, but caution must be taken, including avoiding one particular epilepsy drug that can cause birth defects. Mon, 27 Apr 2009 00:00:00 EDT http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2009/04/090427163821.htm http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2009/04/090423082644.htm A new discovery made while studying mice may help explain how some people without a genetic predisposition to epilepsy can develop the disorder. Fri, 24 Apr 2009 14:00:00 EDT http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2009/04/090423082644.htm http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2009/04/090415172227.htm Three-year-olds whose mothers took the antiepileptic drug valproate during pregnancy had average IQs six to nine points lower than children exposed to three other antiepileptic drugs, a landmark multi-center study has found. Tue, 21 Apr 2009 02:00:00 EDT http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2009/04/090415172227.htm http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2009/04/090415141228.htm Researchers have found that cognitive behavioral therapy can reduce the frequency of seizures in patients with psychogenic nonepileptic seizures, along with improving their overall quality of life. Wed, 15 Apr 2009 00:00:00 EDT http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2009/04/090415141228.htm http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2009/04/090406084213.htm A new study has shown that the highly regimented ketogenic diet, a high-fat nutritional therapy used to limit seizures, requires long-term medical management and strong parental commitment to achieve both sufficient nutrition and improved seizure control in children. Wed, 08 Apr 2009 14:00:00 EDT http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2009/04/090406084213.htm http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2009/03/090323134309.htm Surgery for babies and toddlers suffering from epilepsy is relatively safe and is effective in controlling seizures, according to a new study. The findings also show that early surgery may have a positive impact on babies' brain development. Fri, 27 Mar 2009 02:00:00 EDT http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2009/03/090323134309.htm http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2009/03/090318140616.htm A unique nerve-stimulation treatment called trigeminal nerve stimulation reduced the number of seizures over 50 percent. The results, though preliminary, are very encouraging. Wed, 25 Mar 2009 02:00:00 EDT http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2009/03/090318140616.htm http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2009/03/090316173222.htm Researchers have discovered that convulsive seizures in a form of severe epilepsy are generated, not on the brain's surface as expected, but from within the memory-forming hippocampus. The scientists hope that their findings -- based on a mouse model of severe epilepsy -- may someday pave the way for improved treatments of childhood epilepsy, which affects more than two percent of children worldwide. Sun, 22 Mar 2009 17:00:00 EDT http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2009/03/090316173222.htm http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2009/03/090319142357.htm A novel stimulation method, the first potential therapy to target the spinal cord instead of the brain, may offer an effective and less invasive approach for Parkinson's disease treatment, according to pre-clinical data published in the journal Science. Sat, 21 Mar 2009 23:00:00 EDT http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2009/03/090319142357.htm http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2009/03/090316133431.htm The prevalence of depression is almost twice as high in people with epilepsy compared to the general population. Tue, 17 Mar 2009 23:00:00 EDT http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2009/03/090316133431.htm http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2009/03/090316173210.htm Stun guns, in certain circumstances, may result in brain-specific complications such as seizures, according to a new case. Tue, 17 Mar 2009 17:00:00 EDT http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2009/03/090316173210.htm http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2009/03/090310173558.htm Biomedical and materials engineers have developed a nanotech coating for brain implants that helps the devices operate longer and could improve treatment for deafness, paralysis, blindness, epilepsy and Parkinson's disease. Mon, 16 Mar 2009 05:00:00 EDT http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2009/03/090310173558.htm http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2009/03/090313080258.htm It is more difficult to recognize and treat epilepsy in old than in young patients. Researchers now summarize the clinical characteristics of the disease and the therapeutic options. Fri, 13 Mar 2009 00:00:00 EDT http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2009/03/090313080258.htm