Recent Research

In a recent study focused on neonates suffering from hypoxic–ischemic encephalopathy (HIE), researchers aimed to tackle the challenge of identifying electroencephalographic seizures (ES) efficiently. Monitoring for these seizures is typically done using continuous electroencephalographic (CEEG) methods, which can be resource-intensive. The team wanted to create a predictive model that could help identify which babies are more likely to experience seizures, ultimately streamlining the process and reducing the need for prolonged monitoring.

A recent study has shed light on a critical issue in epilepsy research: the significant underrepresentation of minority groups in clinical trials. With a growing number of individuals with epilepsy belonging to these groups, the findings emphasize the urgent need for inclusivity in clinical trial enrollment. Researchers analyzed completed epilepsy trials in the U.S. from 2006 to 2022 and focused on both race and sex disparities among participants.

A recent study has shed light on the brain’s white matter (WM) health in patients who have experienced their first seizure, even before they are diagnosed with epilepsy. Researchers set out to investigate whether any microstructural changes in the brain could be detected in these patients using a technology called diffusion imaging. They focused on a group of 82 individuals, including those who had just one seizure, those with established epilepsy, and a control group of healthy individuals. The goal was to see if there were notable differences in the brain’s white matter that could hint at the development of epilepsy down the line.

In the world of epilepsy treatment, particularly for those with drug-resistant focal epilepsy (DRFE), pinpointing the exact area of the brain responsible for seizures is crucial. This process, known as localizing the epileptogenic zone (EZ), often involves a combination of non-invasive tests like EEG and MRI. However, when these tests don’t provide clear answers, doctors may turn to invasive methods like stereo-electroencephalography (SEEG). A recent study has explored a new approach to assist in this challenging task by using a type of PET imaging that targets a specific protein marker associated with glial activation, called the 18-kDa translocator protein (TSPO).

In the world of epilepsy treatment, surgery can be a game-changer for patients whose seizures don’t respond to medication. One crucial step in ensuring the best outcomes after surgery is understanding the characteristics of the brain tissue that gets removed. This involves examining the tissue under a microscope, but distinguishing specific types of brain abnormalities, like focal cortical dysplasia (FCD), can be quite tricky. A recent study has explored a cutting-edge technique called imaging mass spectrometry, which may make this process easier and more accurate.

A recent study shines light on the connection between drug-resistant temporal lobe epilepsy (TLE) and the presence of certain brain abnormalities, specifically focusing on amyloid-β (Aβ) and tau proteins. Researchers investigated the cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) and brain scans of adults aged 25 to 55 with TLE to identify signs of neuronal damage. They found significant Aβ deposition in specific brain areas, suggesting that these biomarkers might help us understand better the cognitive challenges faced by people with TLE.

In a recent study, researchers explored how health state utilities—essentially a measure of the quality of life from the perspective of those living with a health condition—affect people with epilepsy. This is crucial because these utilities help calculate quality-adjusted life years (QALYs), a metric that plays a significant role in making clinical decisions, evaluating health policies, and planning treatments. Surprisingly, until now, not much was known about how health state utilities vary among epilepsy patients or what factors influence these ratings.

In a recent study, researchers investigated how epilepsy affects the retina over time, specifically looking at a phenomenon known as neuroaxonal loss. This condition involves the damage or loss of nerve fibers in the brain, which is also reflected in the retina—the part of the eye that helps us see. The study aimed to track changes in the retina of people with epilepsy (PwE) compared to healthy individuals, helping to shed light on how this brain disorder could impact vision and overall brain health.

A recent study set out to find out how long electroencephalography (EEG) recordings need to be in order to effectively detect epileptic spasms (ES) in patients with infantile epileptic spasms syndrome (IESS). This research looked back at data from patients who had overnight video-EEG monitoring between January 2020 and June 2022. The goal was to gather insights on how the duration of EEG monitoring impacts the detection of these spasms and related conditions.