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Published on: May 16, 2019
Novel frontiers in epilepsy treatments: preventing epileptogenesis by targeting inflammation
Raimondo D'Ambrosio1, Clifford L Eastman, Cinzia Fattore
1Department of Neurological Surgery, University of Washington, Seattle, WA, USA.
Abstract:
Currently available epilepsy drugs only affect the symptoms (seizures), and there is a need for innovative treatments that target the underlying disease. Increasing evidence points to inflammation as a potentially important mechanism in epileptogenesis. In the last decade, a new generation of etiologically realistic syndrome-specific experimental models have been developed, which are expected to capture the epileptogenic mechanisms operating in corresponding patient populations, and to exhibit similar treatment responsiveness. Recently, an intervention known to have broad-ranging anti-inflammatory effects (selective brain cooling) has been found to prevent the development of spontaneously occurring seizures in an etiologically realistic rat model of post-traumatic epilepsy. Several drugs used clinically for other indications also have the potential for inhibiting inflammation, and should be investigated for antiepileptogenic activity in these models. If results of such studies are positive, these compounds could rapidly enter Phase III trials in patients at high risk of developing epilepsy.
Insights
New epilepsy treatments targeting inflammation, not just seizures, are needed. Selective brain cooling prevented seizures in a rat model, suggesting anti-inflammatory drugs could be future epilepsy therapies.
Area of Science:
- Neuroscience
- Inflammation research
- Epilepsy research
Background:
- Current epilepsy drugs manage symptoms (seizures) but not the underlying disease process.
- Inflammation is increasingly recognized as a key factor in epileptogenesis.
- New experimental models are being developed to better mimic specific epilepsy syndromes.
Purpose of the Study:
- To explore novel therapeutic strategies for epilepsy that target its root causes.
- To investigate the potential of anti-inflammatory interventions in preventing epilepsy development.
Main Methods:
- Utilized an etiologically realistic rat model of post-traumatic epilepsy.
- Assessed the effects of selective brain cooling, an intervention with broad anti-inflammatory properties.
- Identified existing drugs with anti-inflammatory potential for further investigation.
Main Results:
- Selective brain cooling successfully prevented the onset of spontaneous seizures in the epilepsy model.
- This intervention demonstrated the potential of targeting inflammation to inhibit epileptogenesis.
Conclusions:
- Anti-inflammatory approaches, such as selective brain cooling, show promise in preventing epilepsy.
- Repurposing existing anti-inflammatory drugs could offer a rapid pathway to new epilepsy treatments.
- Further research into anti-inflammatory agents is warranted for developing disease-modifying epilepsy therapies.
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