Related Experiment Video

Updated: Apr 19, 2026

Electrophoretic Delivery of γ-aminobutyric Acid GABA into Epileptic Focus Prevents Seizures in Mice
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Published on: May 16, 2019

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Immunomodulatory treatments in epilepsy

Joseph J Melvin1, H Huntley Hardison2

  • 1Section of Neurology, St. Christopher's Hospital for Children, Department of Pediatrics, Drexel University College of Medicine, Philadelphia, PA..

Seminars in Pediatric Neurology
|December 17, 2014
PubMed

The role of immunity and inflammation appears to be an integral part of the pathogenic processes associated with some seizures, particularly with refractory epilepsy. Prompt treatment with immunotherapy may lead to better outcomes. Immune treatment options for treatment of epilepsy include therapies such as corticosteroids, immunoglobulins, plasmapheresis, or steroid-sparing drugs such as azathioprine. Recent alternatives have included even more aggressive treatment with cyclophosphamide, anti-pre-B-lymphocyte monoclonal antibody rituximab, and monoclonal antibodies such as efalizumab or natalizumab, which are presently used for other inflammatory disorders. Randomized controlled trials of immunotherapy in presumed autoimmune epilepsy are needed to provide further support for the rapid use of immunotherapy in patients with immune mediated epilepsy.

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