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Related Concept Videos

Epilepsy and Seizures: Overview01:24

Epilepsy and Seizures: Overview

Epilepsy is a chronic neurological disease marked by recurrent, unpredictable seizures. These seizures are caused by abnormal electrical discharges in the brain, leading to behavior, sensation, or consciousness alterations. They can also cause transient impairment of awareness, interfering with daily activities.
Various factors can trigger epilepsy, including genetic factors, brain damage, metabolic causes, and unknown etiology. Diagnosis of epilepsy involves electroencephalography (EEG), which...
Antiepileptic Drugs: Glutamate Antagonists01:14

Antiepileptic Drugs: Glutamate Antagonists

Glutamate is a fundamental neurotransmitter in the central nervous system, playing a vital role in neuronal communication and various cognitive processes. Glutamate stands as the principal excitatory neurotransmitter in the brain. Its presence is crucial for the communication between neurons, underpinning essential processes such as synaptic transmission, neuronal excitability, and plasticity. These functions are vital for higher-order cognitive processes, including learning and memory. The...
Antiepileptic Drugs: GABAergic Pathway Potentiators01:18

Antiepileptic Drugs: GABAergic Pathway Potentiators

γ-aminobutyric acid or GABA, plays a pivotal role as an inhibitory neurotransmitter in the brain. GABA pathway potentiators, also known as GABAergic drugs, are a class of pharmaceutical agents designed to enhance the functioning of the GABAergic system. These medications primarily treat epilepsy, a neurological disorder characterized by recurrent seizures.
The key GABA pathway potentiators used in epilepsy management are as follows.
Benzodiazepines are a well-known class of drugs used for their...
Antiepileptic Drugs: Potassium Channel Activators01:20

Antiepileptic Drugs: Potassium Channel Activators

Ezocgabine or retigabine, an antiepileptic drug of remarkable efficacy, has revolutionized the management of seizures. It is a potassium channel activator, explicitly targeting the family of Q subtype potassium channels. It enhances the transmembrane potassium currents, regulating neuronal excitability. This action stabilizes the resting membrane potential, a pivotal factor in mitigating the hyperexcitability that characterizes epilepsy.
Ezogabine has gained approval as an adjunctive treatment...
Epilepsy ll: Types01:22

Epilepsy ll: Types

Recurrent seizures, stemming from abnormal electrical activity in the brain, are the defining characteristic of epilepsy, a chronic neurological condition. Because seizure features vary greatly, epilepsy is classified using two systems: by seizure type and by epilepsy syndromes. These classifications enable clinicians to describe seizure patterns and select suitable treatment strategies.I. Classification by Seizure Type1. Focal EpilepsyFocal epilepsy begins in one hemisphere of the brain.
Antiepileptic Drugs: Modulators of Neurotransmitter Release Mediated by SV2A Protein01:20

Antiepileptic Drugs: Modulators of Neurotransmitter Release Mediated by SV2A Protein

Antiepileptic drugs, such as levetiracetam (Keppra) and brivaracetam (Briviact), have emerged as crucial tools in managing epilepsy. These medications exert their therapeutic effects by targeting the synaptic vesicle protein SV2A, a transmembrane glycoprotein primarily found in the brain.
SV2A is a transmembrane glycoprotein located predominantly in the brain, modulating the release of neurotransmitters for neuronal communication. Both levetiracetam and brivaracetam exhibit a high affinity for...

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Related Experiment Video

Updated: Jun 29, 2026

Manipulation of Epileptiform Electrocorticograms (ECoGs) and Sleep in Rats and Mice by Acupuncture
09:06

Manipulation of Epileptiform Electrocorticograms (ECoGs) and Sleep in Rats and Mice by Acupuncture

Published on: December 22, 2016

Acupuncture for epilepsy.

Daniel K L Cheuk1, Virginia Wong

  • 1Department of Pediatrics and Adolescent Medicine, University of Hong Kong, Queen Mary Hospital, Pokfulam Road, Hong Kong, China. cheukkld@hkucc.hku.hk

The Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews
|October 10, 2008
PubMed
Summary
This summary is machine-generated.

Acupuncture shows no significant benefit for epilepsy treatment when compared to control groups. Current evidence does not support its use as an effective therapy for seizure control in epilepsy patients.

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Area of Science:

  • Integrative Medicine
  • Neurology
  • Evidence-Based Medicine

Background:

  • Epilepsy seizures are often poorly controlled with current antiepileptic drugs.
  • Acupuncture is being explored as an alternative therapy for epilepsy.
  • The existing evidence for acupuncture's efficacy in epilepsy requires rigorous evaluation.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To assess the effectiveness and safety of acupuncture for epilepsy treatment.
  • To synthesize evidence from randomized controlled trials on acupuncture for epilepsy.

Main Methods:

  • Systematic review of randomized controlled trials (RCTs) comparing acupuncture to placebo, sham treatment, antiepileptic drugs, or no treatment.
  • Searches conducted across multiple databases including Cochrane Epilepsy Group's Specialized Register, CENTRAL, MEDLINE, and EMBASE up to March 2008.
  • Data extraction and quality assessment performed independently by two review authors.

Main Results:

  • Eleven small trials (914 participants) of generally poor methodological quality were included.
  • Acupuncture plus Chinese herbs showed some benefit in seizure reduction compared to herbs alone, but needle acupuncture showed no significant difference versus control groups.
  • Compared to phenytoin and valproate, acupuncture and catgut implantation showed potential benefits in seizure frequency reduction in limited trials.

Conclusions:

  • The current body of evidence does not support the use of acupuncture as a treatment for epilepsy.
  • Further high-quality research is needed to definitively determine the role of acupuncture in epilepsy management.