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Updated: Nov 23, 2025
Network Analysis of Foramen Ovale Electrode Recordings in Drug-resistant Temporal Lobe Epilepsy Patients
Published on: December 18, 2016
MicroRNAs in temporal lobe epilepsy: a systematic review
Ali A Asadi-Pooya1,2, Amir Tajbakhsh3, Amir Savardashtaki3,4
1Epilepsy Research Center, Shiraz University of Medical Sciences, Shiraz, Iran. aliasadipooya@yahoo.com.
Objective:
About 30% of patients with epilepsy have drug-resistant seizures. The aim of the current endeavor was to systematically review the existing evidence on the potential applications of microRNAs as biomarkers in people with difficult to treat temporal lobe epilepsy (TLE).
Methods:
MEDLINE (accessed from PubMed) and Scopus from inception to March 18, 2020 were systematically searched for related published articles. In both electronic databases, the following search strategy was implemented, and these keywords (in the title/abstract) were used: "microRNA" AND "temporal lobe epilepsy." Articles written in English that were human studies in people with epilepsy were all included in this search.
Results:
We could identify 16 articles about different aspects of microRNAs in the serum of patients with TLE. However, only three studies robustly investigated microRNAs as potential biomarkers in the diagnosis of drug-resistant TLE (microRNA-155 (upregulated), microRNA-129-2-3p (upregulated), microRNA-153 (downregulated)). One small study provided class II, and two small studies provided class III evidence.
Conclusion:
While this systematic review identified three studies that provided some evidence on the potential applications of circulating serum microRNAs as biomarkers in people with drug-resistant TLE, the evidence is not robust yet. While these findings provide a new horizon, substantial challenges remain before the roles of microRNAs as biomarkers in the diagnosis of drug-resistant TLE can be translated into clinical practice.
Insights
Researchers reviewed microRNAs as biomarkers for drug-resistant temporal lobe epilepsy (TLE). While some microRNAs show potential, current evidence is not robust enough for clinical use in diagnosing TLE.
Area of Science:
- Biomarker discovery
- Epilepsy research
- Molecular diagnostics
Background:
- Approximately 30% of epilepsy patients experience drug-resistant seizures.
- Temporal lobe epilepsy (TLE) is a common form of epilepsy, often associated with drug resistance.
Purpose of the Study:
- To systematically review the evidence on microRNAs as potential biomarkers for drug-resistant TLE.
- To assess the current state of research regarding microRNA utility in diagnosing difficult-to-treat TLE.
Main Methods:
- Systematic literature search of MEDLINE (PubMed) and Scopus databases.
- Keywords used: "microRNA" AND "temporal lobe epilepsy."
- Inclusion criteria: English language, human studies on epilepsy.
Main Results:
- 16 articles were identified concerning microRNAs in TLE patient serum.
- Three studies investigated specific microRNAs (miR-155, miR-129-2-3p, miR-153) as biomarkers for drug-resistant TLE.
- Evidence quality ranged from Class II to Class III, indicating limited robustness.
Conclusions:
- Limited evidence suggests circulating serum microRNAs may serve as biomarkers for drug-resistant TLE.
- Current evidence is not yet robust enough for clinical application in diagnosing drug-resistant TLE.
- Further research is needed to overcome challenges before clinical translation of microRNA biomarkers for TLE.
