Epileptic seizures more common in frontotemporal dementia patients than previously known

According to a recent study, in patients with frontotemporal dementia (FTD), epileptic seizures are significantly more common than previously known. The discovery deepens understanding of the symptoms of this memory disorder and emphasises the importance of taking epileptic seizures into account in the treatment and monitoring of patients.  Coordinated by Neurocenter Finland, this major project … Read more

Insulin resistance in the brain may link Alzheimer’s and epilepsy

Researchers at the University of São Paulo (USP) in Brazil have succeeded in showing, in an animal model, that the process of insulin resistance in the brain affects both Alzheimer’s disease and epilepsy and may be a linking factor between the two diseases. The work, supported by FAPESP, confirms clinical evidence that people with epilepsy … Read more

Mount Sinai researchers explore new depression treatment targeting brain’s potassium channels

A mechanism involving potassium channels in the brain that control brain cell activity could provide a new and fundamentally different way of treating depression symptoms in adults with major depressive disorder, according to two complementary papers published recently by researchers at the Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai. In two new research articles, published … Read more

New short film sheds light on the impact of climate change on brain health

A powerful new short film, from the FutureNeuro Research Ireland Centre and RCSI University of Medicine and Health Sciences sheds light on the urgent need to address the impact of climate change on brain health. Produced in collaboration with the International League Against Epilepsy (ILAE) Climate Change Commission, the film calls for urgent action to … Read more

Hidden Risks of Antiepileptic Drugs in Pregnancy

The teratogenic risk of antiepileptic drugs (AEDs) has been a major concern in pharmacovigilance over the past several decades. However, neurodevelopmental and autism-related risks associated with these medications have gradually emerged. Although international registries provide information, they are not sufficiently comprehensive to fully assess the risks posed by many AEDs introduced in the past 20 … Read more

AI identifies brain cell types through electrical signatures

A decades-old challenge in neuroscience has been solved by harnessing artificial intelligence (AI) to identify the electrical signatures of different types of brain cells for the first time, as part of a study in mice led by researchers from UCL. Brains are made up of many different types of neurons (nerve cells in the brain), … Read more

New micropipette allows precise ion delivery to individual brain cells

Researchers at Linköping University have developed a new type of pipette that can deliver ions to individual neurons without affecting the sensitive extracellular milieu. Controlling the concentration of different ions can provide important insights into how individual braincells are affected, and how cells work together. The pipette could also be used for treatments. Their study … Read more

New genetic clues uncovered in epilepsy drug resistance

Certain common genetic changes might make some people with focal epilepsy less responsive to seizure medications, finds a new global study led by researchers at UCL and UTHealth Houston. Focal epilepsy is a condition where seizures start in one part of the brain. It is the most common type of epilepsy. Antiseizure medication is usually … Read more

What really causes keto flu, and how can you prevent it?

As ketogenic diets grow in popularity, a new review sheds light on the short-term side effects of keto-induction and offers science-backed solutions to help manage the dreaded “keto flu.” Symptoms during initiation of a ketogenic diet: a scoping review of occurrence rates, mechanisms and relief strategies. Image Credit: eldar nurkovic / Shutterstock In a recent study published … Read more

Newly Discovered Gene Mutation Linked to Neurodevelopmental Disorders

Summary: Researchers have identified mutations in the non-coding gene RNU2-2 as a cause of a newly defined neurodevelopmental disorder, often accompanied by severe epilepsy. The discovery sheds light on the critical role of small non-coding genes in brain development and could affect thousands of families globally. RNU2-2 joins RNU4-2, previously linked to a related disorder, … Read more