New Gene Leads to Epilepsy – Neuroscientists Say’s

New Irish research posted in Nature Medicine has noted a brand new gene associated with epilepsy that might potentially provide a new treatment method for affected individuals with the condition.

The analysis, issued from a team at the RCSI, focused on a brand new class of gene called a microRNA, which generally controls protein producing inside receptors. The analysis looked in greater detail at a particular microRNA called microRNA-134 and located that stages of this were very high in the part of the brain that brings about seizures in affected individuals with epilepsy.

By applying a new method of drug-like molecule known as an antagomir, which locks into the microRNA-13 and drives out it from the brain cell, the scientists found might also put a stop to epileptic seizures from happening.

Epilepsy affects 37,000 in Ireland alone. For each two out of three individuals with the condition, their own seizures are controlled by drugs, but one-in-three always have seizures, despite being prescribed medication. This research could potentially offer new therapy options for these affected individuals.

Researchers within the Department of Physiology and Medical Physics and Molecular and Cellular Therapeutics, RCSI, clinicians at Beaumont Hospital and experts in brain constitution direct from Cajal Institute in Madrid were really associated with the research.