This month in epilepsy news, the vagus nerve played a critical role in epilepsy treatment, Mozart’s music reduced seizures, the impact of antiseizure medication on the development of children’s language skills were analyzed, a sea lion’s epilepsy was reversed with a pioneered cellular transplant therapy, and osteoporosis drugs seemed to lower the mortality rate in adult epilepsy patients.
Vagus nerve could play role in treating epilepsy
New research and techniques are emerging that could help scientists treat epilepsy via the vagus nerve. The vagus nerve is a network of 100,000 fibers that send signals between the brain, heart, and other internal organs. Scietists are just now learning that the vagus nerve plays a huge role in memory and emotion, and could also be integral in treating a range of disorders including Alzheimer’s, depression, PTSD, and epilepsy.
Mozart may lead to reduced seizures
Researchers at the Epilepsy Centre at CEITEC Masaryk University in the Czech Republic have been studying the effect that Mozart’s music has on epileptic patients. Their findings concluded that after playing Sonata for Two Pianos K448, their patients had a reduction in epileptiform discharges, the brainwaves that can cause seizures. They believe the acoustic properties of Mozart’s compositions have the possibility to reduce seizures with music therapy.
Mothers' antiseizure medication did not impact language development
New research conducted at Standord University has found that antiseizure medication taken during pregnancy did not impact children’s language development. The children of epileptic mothers had scores similar to children of non-epileptic mothers when they were tested at the age of 2. This is more than likely due to the development of lower risk antiseizure medication.
Sea lion's epilepsy reversed with pioneered cellular transplant therapy
Cronutt the sea lion suffered from epilepsy caused by domoic acid poisoning from oceanic algae blooms until a professor of neuroscience at the University of California San Francisco reversed it! Scott Baraban, PhD, used a pioneered cellular transplant therapy that he developed by harvesting and transplanting embryonic brain cells from epileptic mice. The weekend before Cronutt’s innovative surgery, he had a dozen seizures. Since the procedure, he hasn’t had a single one!
Osteoporosis drug could lower mortality risk in adults with epilepsy
A study conducted by Daniel G. Whitney, PhD, with the University of Michigan found that adults with epilepsy who initiated the use of osteoporosis drug therapy had a lower 3-year mortality rate than those who did not take an osteoporsosis medication. The osteoporosis medication is associated with a 30% reduced 3-year mortality risk that was noticeable after just 6 months.
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