Researchers have been exploring a specific area in the brain known as the piriform cortex, which plays a role in triggering seizures. This area was identified as a key seizure trigger spot in rats back in the 1980s, but scientists were curious whether a similar region exists in primates, such as macaque monkeys. In a recent study, they set out to pinpoint this potential seizure trigger zone and to see if they could block the seizures by targeting another part of the brain called the substantia nigra pars reticulata (SNpr).

A recent study has delved into the intricate relationship between white matter abnormalities and temporal lobe epilepsy (TLE) in patients suffering from hippocampal sclerosis (HS). White matter is crucial for connecting different parts of the brain, and damage to it can have significant implications on brain function. Researchers used a novel imaging technique called peak width of skeletonized mean diffusivity (PSMD) to assess the integrity of white matter in these patients. This new method might help in understanding underlying issues like small vessel disease, which can affect brain health.

Surgery for epilepsy can be a real game-changer, especially when it involves the operculoinsular cortex, a tricky area of the brain. This study focused on 30 pediatric patients who underwent this type of surgery at the Motol Epilepsy Center in Prague over a span of 12 years. The authors aimed to understand the outcomes of these surgeries, given the complexities and risks involved, like difficulties in pinpointing where the seizures originate and the potential for postoperative complications.

Focal epilepsy, particularly lesional focal epilepsy (LFE), is a serious condition that leads to uncontrolled seizures and can severely impact the quality of life for those affected. Recent research has aimed to uncover the genetic factors behind the brain lesions that cause LFE, such as malformations of cortical development (MCD) and low-grade epilepsy-associated tumors (LEAT). In a groundbreaking study involving a massive analysis of brain tissue from 1,386 surgical patients, researchers confirmed several known gene associations with LFE and identified new genetic players that could pave the way for better treatments.

Researchers have been diving into the complex world of epilepsy, trying to unravel the relationship between neuronal cell death and the pesky epileptic seizures that can disrupt lives. A recent study focused on a specific type of neuron in the brain called CCL17-expressing hippocampal neurons. These neurons play a vital role in managing another type of brain cell known as microglia, which helps keep inflammation in check. By creating a special mouse model that allowed them to safely eliminate these neurons, scientists were able to observe what happens when they’re gone.

A recent study is tackling a significant challenge in epilepsy surgery: determining the precise areas in the brain where seizures start, known as the seizure onset zone (SOZ). While high-frequency oscillations (HFOs) are considered promising biomarkers for identifying these zones, their practical use has been hindered by noise and artifacts in intraoperative recordings. This research introduces a new computational approach that uses advanced signal processing and machine learning techniques to distinguish between genuine HFOs and misleading signals that can mimic them, improving the accuracy of SOZ localization during surgery.