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Electrophoretic Delivery of γ-aminobutyric Acid GABA into Epileptic Focus Prevents Seizures in Mice
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From treatment to cure: stopping seizures, preventing seizures, and reducing brain propensity to seize

Ivan Pavlov1, Stephanie Schorge1

  • 1Department of Clinical and Experimental Epilepsy, UCL Institute of Neurology, London, United Kingdom.

International Review of Neurobiology
|August 1, 2014
PubMed

Insights

New research in epilepsy genetics and neurophysiology offers hope for disease-modifying treatments. Advances may lead to therapies that stop or reverse the underlying causes of epilepsy, moving beyond just seizure control.

Area of Science:

  • Neuroscience
  • Genetics
  • Pharmacology

Background:

  • Current antiepileptic drugs manage seizures but do not cure epilepsy.
  • Epilepsy pathophysiology is complex and varies among individuals.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To explore how advances in genetics and neurophysiology can inform new epilepsy treatments.
  • To discuss the potential for disease-modifying therapies in epilepsy.

Main Methods:

  • Review of recent genetic and neurophysiological research.
  • Discussion of emerging therapeutic strategies.

Main Results:

  • Genetics and neurophysiology offer insights into epilepsy causes.
  • Novel approaches are being developed to target underlying disease mechanisms.

Conclusions:

  • Future epilepsy treatments may aim to modify or reverse the disease process.
  • Therapies to halt or reverse epileptogenesis are a promising future direction.
Keywords:
AnticonvulsantAntiepileptic drugsChemogeneticsClosed-loop systemEpilepsyGene therapyInterneuronsOptogenetics

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