Trends in Epilepsy Research
Loss of GABA transporter function in Doose Syndrome
05/11/2015
Normal neuronal activity depends on the fine equilibrium between the actions of excitatory neurotransmitters (eg: glutamate) and inhibitory neurotransmitters (eg: gamma-aminobutyric acid, GABA). Usually, GABA, the major inhibitory neurotransmitter, counterbalances neuronal excitation in the brain, preventing neuronal hyperexcitabilty and seizures. At the same time, in order to ensure that neuronal activity continues at the optimal level, it is critical that GABA present in the space between neurons does not accumulate or linger.
Two major classes of inhibitory neurons are dysfunctional in Dravet syndrome mice
04/09/2015
Dravet syndrome is a rare and catastrophic form of incurable epilepsy that begins in infancy. Initially, these children develop normally but by the second year of life, they exhibit a progressive decline. It starts initially as febrile seizures i.e. seizures triggered by high fever but eventually progresses to severe spontaneous seizures. Over time, these children commonly exhibit developmental delays in cognitive and sensory abilities, and autistic traits. Moreover, the incidence of SUDEP (sudden unexplained death in epilepsy) is high among these patients.
Taking West syndrome by a storm of fast EEG oscillations (FOs)
02/16/2015
West syndrome is a rare epilepsy syndrome that affects about 1 in 3000 infants. It is diagnosed based on a triad of symptoms: infantile spasms, a high-voltage, chaotic electroencephalogram (EEG) pattern called hypsarrhythmia and cognitive impairment.