https://www.sciencedaily.com/news/mind_brain/epilepsy/ Read the latest medical research on epilepsy and seizures including new treatments and potential cures under development. en-us Wed, 15 Apr 2026 09:42:00 EDT Wed, 15 Apr 2026 09:42:00 EDT 60 https://www.sciencedaily.com/images/scidaily-logo-rss.png https://www.sciencedaily.com/news/mind_brain/epilepsy/ For more science news, visit ScienceDaily. https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2026/03/260304184215.htm A new experimental drug is showing remarkable promise for children with Dravet syndrome, a severe genetic form of epilepsy. In clinical trials, the treatment zorevunersen cut seizures by as much as 91% while also improving quality of life for many patients. The therapy works by boosting the function of a key gene involved in nerve cell signaling. Encouraging results have led researchers to launch a larger Phase 3 trial. Wed, 04 Mar 2026 21:14:30 EST https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2026/03/260304184215.htm https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2025/12/251224015649.htm A new study suggests temporal lobe epilepsy may be linked to early aging of certain brain cells. When researchers removed these aging cells in mice, seizures dropped, memory improved, and some animals avoided epilepsy altogether. The treatment used drugs already known to science, raising the possibility of quicker translation to people. The results offer new hope for patients who do not respond to existing medications. Thu, 25 Dec 2025 23:55:32 EST https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2025/12/251224015649.htm https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2025/05/250512105207.htm ChatGPT responses matched or outperformed epileptologists' responses related to the regions where epileptogenic zones are commonly located. Yet epileptologists provided more accurate responses for the regions rarely affected. Mon, 12 May 2025 10:52:07 EDT https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2025/05/250512105207.htm https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2025/03/250325141535.htm A drug typically prescribed for arthritis halts brain-damaging seizures in mice that have a condition like epilepsy, according to researchers. If the drug proves viable for human patients, it would be the first to provide lasting relief from seizures even after they stopped taking it. Tue, 25 Mar 2025 14:15:35 EDT https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2025/03/250325141535.htm https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2025/02/250219111313.htm New research focuses on diagnostic delays experienced by people with epilepsy, a neurological disorder characterized by unpredictable seizures that affects over 3 million people in the United States and 50 million worldwide. Wed, 19 Feb 2025 11:13:13 EST https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2025/02/250219111313.htm https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2025/01/250122130017.htm Doctors could soon reduce epilepsy misdiagnoses by up to 70% using a new tool that turns routine electroencephalogram, or EEG, tests that appear normal into highly accurate epilepsy predictors, a study has found. Wed, 22 Jan 2025 13:00:17 EST https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2025/01/250122130017.htm https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2024/11/241127135517.htm Children of mothers who took certain anti-seizure medications while pregnant do not have worse neurodevelopmental outcomes at age 6, according to a long-running study. Wed, 27 Nov 2024 13:55:17 EST https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2024/11/241127135517.htm https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2024/11/241126135629.htm Researchers have developed a new method called MoPEDE, which has the potential to improve epilepsy treatment. The method combines brain measurements with genetic analyses, offering deeper insights into the origins and mechanisms of epileptic seizures. Tue, 26 Nov 2024 13:56:29 EST https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2024/11/241126135629.htm https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2024/08/240821124334.htm In awake mice, researchers found that even low deep brain stimulation currents in the central thalamus could sometimes still cause electrographic seizures. Wed, 21 Aug 2024 12:43:34 EDT https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2024/08/240821124334.htm https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2024/04/240411130322.htm Childhood verbal abuse by adults costs society an estimated $300 billion a year globally, show recent findings. Thu, 11 Apr 2024 13:03:22 EDT https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2024/04/240411130322.htm https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2024/03/240322145412.htm Only a very small percentage of neurons show changes after an epileptic seizure in mice, but these alterations can be permanent and trigger future seizures. An experimental treatment may prevent these long-term changes. Fri, 22 Mar 2024 14:54:12 EDT https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2024/03/240322145412.htm https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2024/01/240104210209.htm In a study designed to better understand sudden, unexpected deaths in young children, which usually occur during sleep, researchers have identified brief seizures, accompanied by muscle convulsions, as a potential cause. Thu, 04 Jan 2024 21:02:09 EST https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2024/01/240104210209.htm https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2023/10/231009191651.htm In cases where standard therapies fail, a medication called XEN1101 reduces seizure frequency by more than 50% in some patients and sometimes eliminates them altogether, a new study shows. Unlike several treatments that must be started at low doses and slowly ramped up, the new drug can safety be taken at its most effective dose from the start, the authors say. Mon, 09 Oct 2023 19:16:51 EDT https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2023/10/231009191651.htm https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2023/03/230301141411.htm Seizures can be predicted more than 30 minutes before onset in patients with temporal lobe epilepsy, opening the door to a therapy using electrodes that could be activated to prevent seizures from happening, according to new research. Wed, 01 Mar 2023 14:14:11 EST https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2023/03/230301141411.htm https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2023/01/230126095557.htm People with diabetes who experience periods of low blood sugar -- a common occurrence in those new to blood sugar management -- are more likely to have worsening diabetic eye disease. Now, researchers say they have linked such low blood sugar levels with a molecular pathway that is turned on in oxygen-starved cells in the eye. Thu, 26 Jan 2023 09:55:57 EST https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2023/01/230126095557.htm https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2022/12/221207163034.htm People who take cholesterol-lowering drugs called statins may have a lower risk of having a type of stroke called an intracerebral hemorrhage, according to a new study. An intracerebral hemorrhage is caused by bleeding in the brain. Wed, 07 Dec 2022 16:30:34 EST https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2022/12/221207163034.htm https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2022/11/221129112724.htm Two new models could solve a problem that's long frustrated millions of people with epilepsy and the doctors who treat them: how to find precisely where seizures originate to treat exactly that part of the brain. By helping surgeons decide if and where to operate, the tools could help patients avoid risky and often-ineffective surgeries as well as prolonged hospital stays. Tue, 29 Nov 2022 11:27:24 EST https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2022/11/221129112724.htm https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2022/11/221123213558.htm Temporal lobe epilepsy (TLE) is one of the most common types of epilepsy worldwide. Although symptomatic medications are available, one-third of TLE patients remain unresponsive to current treatment, so new drug targets are critically needed. Neuroscientist have recently identified and developed a new drug candidate that has potential for effectively treating TLE by suppressing neuroinflammation. Wed, 23 Nov 2022 21:35:58 EST https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2022/11/221123213558.htm https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2022/11/221115114026.htm Children with a severe form of epilepsy should be vaccinated against the flu due to the high risk of seizures being triggered by an influenza infection, according to a new study. Tue, 15 Nov 2022 11:40:26 EST https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2022/11/221115114026.htm https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2022/11/221103140808.htm Researchers have provided the first demonstration of a progressive increase in epileptic spasms along with learning and memory deficits in an animal model of this disorder. Thu, 03 Nov 2022 14:08:08 EDT https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2022/11/221103140808.htm https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2022/10/221019090722.htm Scientists have found that a stress response in cells, when 'switched on' at a post-reproductive age, could be the key to slow down ageing and promote longevity. Wed, 19 Oct 2022 09:07:22 EDT https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2022/10/221019090722.htm https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2022/08/220816175109.htm A novel peptide augments the brain's natural mechanism to help prevent seizures and protect neurons in research models of both Alzheimer's and epilepsy, scientists report. Tue, 16 Aug 2022 17:51:09 EDT https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2022/08/220816175109.htm https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2022/08/220805103734.htm Neuroscientists have discovered a feedback loop that modulates the receptivity of the auditory cortex to incoming acoustic signals when bats emit echolocation calls. The researchers show that information transfer in the neural circuits involved switched direction in the course of call production. It seems likely that this feedback prepares the auditory cortex for the expected echoes of the emitted calls. The researchers interpret their findings as indicating that the importance of feedback loops in the brain is currently still underestimated. Fri, 05 Aug 2022 10:37:34 EDT https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2022/08/220805103734.htm https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2022/06/220614095549.htm Researchers propose a new method to differentiate signals from the epileptic focus from those recorded in other parts of the brain without the presence of an epileptic seizure. This technique may help detect epilepsy-induced features from these signals much quicker than conventional analysis techniques. Tue, 14 Jun 2022 09:55:49 EDT https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2022/06/220614095549.htm https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2022/05/220512121826.htm New research introduces a novel network analysis technology that uses minimally invasive resting state electrophysiological recordings to localize seizure onset brain regions and predict seizure outcomes in just 10 minutes. Thu, 12 May 2022 12:18:26 EDT https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2022/05/220512121826.htm https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2022/05/220512092703.htm A new study suggests that antidepressant use by mothers during the first trimester of pregnancy does not increase the chances of epilepsy and seizures in babies. Thu, 12 May 2022 09:27:03 EDT https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2022/05/220512092703.htm https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2022/04/220427100503.htm The likelihood of developing high cholesterol -- a risk factor for heart disease and stroke -- was higher among white men and white women who experienced abuse during childhood, according to a study of more than 5,000 Black and white adults in the U.S. In contrast, growing up in a well-managed household with family members who were involved and engaged in the child's life offset the higher risk of high cholesterol among white women and Black men who reported abuse during childhood. Wed, 27 Apr 2022 10:05:03 EDT https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2022/04/220427100503.htm https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2022/04/220405123902.htm Scientists presents evidence that adults can generate new brain cells, and that this process is dramatically altered in patients with long-term epilepsy. The study details the presence of newborn neurons and an immature version of a related cell type, known as astroglia, in patients with epilepsy, furnishing new evidence of neurogenesis in adults and new insights into how immature astroglia might contribute to epilepsy. The study also opens an unexplored avenue toward the development of new anti-seizure medications for millions of people. Tue, 05 Apr 2022 12:39:02 EDT https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2022/04/220405123902.htm https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2022/03/220324104443.htm Epilepsy, one of the most common neurological disorders, is characterized by the spontaneous repetition of seizures caused by the hyperactivity of a group of neurons in the brain. Could we therefore reduce neuronal hyperactivity, and treat epilepsy, by reducing the amount of energy supplied to neurons and necessary for their proper functioning? Researchers discovered that, in mice, the seizures were actually exacerbated. Thu, 24 Mar 2022 10:44:43 EDT https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2022/03/220324104443.htm https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2022/03/220322111247.htm Researchers studying epileptic seizures of the temporal lobe -- the most common type of epilepsy -- discovered a compound that reduces seizures in the hippocampus, a brain region where many such seizures originate. The compound, known as TC-2153, lessened the severity of seizures in mice. Tue, 22 Mar 2022 11:12:47 EDT https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2022/03/220322111247.htm https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2022/03/220315095012.htm A research group has revealed that amyloid-beta detected in blood is secreted from peripheral tissues (pancreas, adipose tissue, skeletal muscle, liver, etc.) that are sensitive to glucose and insulin. Tue, 15 Mar 2022 09:50:12 EDT https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2022/03/220315095012.htm https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2021/11/211109193307.htm A new study found patterns could be identified in patients who wear a special wristwatch monitoring device for six to 12 months, allowing about 30 minutes of warning before a seizure occurred. This worked well most of the time for five of six patients studied. Tue, 09 Nov 2021 19:33:07 EST https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2021/11/211109193307.htm https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2021/10/211020135951.htm Epilepsy seizures can be triggered when a natural braking system meant to control brain activity goes awry, researchers found. The discovery could open the door to new treatments. Wed, 20 Oct 2021 13:59:51 EDT https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2021/10/211020135951.htm https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2021/09/210927172926.htm An inexpensive anti-seizure medication markedly improves learning and memory and other cognitive functions in Alzheimer's patients who have epileptic activity in their brains, according to a new study. Mon, 27 Sep 2021 17:29:26 EDT https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2021/09/210927172926.htm https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2021/08/210804123457.htm Release of the brain's equivalent of THC, marijuana's active component, reduces seizure activity but leads to post-seizure oxygen deprivation in the brain, scientists have shown. Wed, 04 Aug 2021 12:34:57 EDT https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2021/08/210804123457.htm https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2021/06/210608113220.htm New molecules have promising properties as possible drugs against epilepsy. A study shows that several of the molecules have antiseizure effects. Tue, 08 Jun 2021 11:32:20 EDT https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2021/06/210608113220.htm https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2021/05/210506105413.htm To understand the effect of sleep seizures, researchers monitored the brain and heart activity of people with epilepsy as they slept. Thu, 06 May 2021 10:54:13 EDT https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2021/05/210506105413.htm https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2021/04/210420183133.htm New research combines clinical application and engineering innovation to present a safe, noninvasive, cost-effective, and quicker imaging option for patients with epilepsy. Tue, 20 Apr 2021 18:31:33 EDT https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2021/04/210420183133.htm https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2021/03/210310150351.htm Scientists have identified key genes involved in brain waves that are pivotal for encoding memories. The findings could eventually be used to develop novel therapies for people with memory loss disorders such as Alzheimer's disease and other forms of dementia. Wed, 10 Mar 2021 15:03:51 EST https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2021/03/210310150351.htm https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2021/02/210226103814.htm A research team has developed mathematical model to predict seizures that will give epilepsy patients an accurate warning five minutes to one hour before they are likely to experience a seizure. Fri, 26 Feb 2021 10:38:14 EST https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2021/02/210226103814.htm https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2021/01/210125191817.htm In a brain with a neurological disorder like epilepsy, synchronization between groups of neurons can grow to a dangerous extent when a collection of brain cells begins to emit excess electricity. Researchers used a mathematical model to explore the interplay between neurons that leads to these transitions in synchronization during the onset of seizures. Mon, 25 Jan 2021 19:18:17 EST https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2021/01/210125191817.htm https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2021/01/210111135902.htm A team of scientists has identified a new link between seizures and connexin 36 deficiency. The discovery found that this interaction may make the brain more prone to having seizures. Mon, 11 Jan 2021 13:59:02 EST https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2021/01/210111135902.htm https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2021/01/210107135708.htm In a large-scale study of electronic health records investigators determined the prevalence of functional seizures and characterized comorbidities associated with them. Functional seizures are sudden attacks or spasms that look like epileptic seizures but do not have the aberrant brain electrical patterns of epilepsy. The research team confirmed associations between functional seizures and psychiatric disorders and sexual assault trauma and discovered a novel association with stroke. Thu, 07 Jan 2021 13:57:08 EST https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2021/01/210107135708.htm https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2020/10/201020081743.htm Having subtler symptoms, a form of epilepsy that affects only one part of the brain often goes undiagnosed long enough to cause unexpected seizures that contribute to car crashes, a new study finds. Tue, 20 Oct 2020 08:17:43 EDT https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2020/10/201020081743.htm https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2020/10/201013164414.htm Researchers have found that an amino acid produced by the brain could play a crucial role in preventing a type of epileptic seizure. Tue, 13 Oct 2020 16:44:14 EDT https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2020/10/201013164414.htm https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2020/10/201008142048.htm A new study shows that a protein -- called DUSP4 -- was increased in healthy brain tissue directly adjacent to epileptic tissue. The research suggests that boosting levels of DUSP4 could be a novel way of preventing or treating epilepsy. Thu, 08 Oct 2020 14:20:48 EDT https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2020/10/201008142048.htm https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2020/08/200826101628.htm More frequent seizures during the menstrual cycle in women with genetic generalized epilepsy have been linked for the first time to drug-resistant epilepsy, when anti-seizure medications don't work, according to a new study that may help lead to tailored treatments. Wed, 26 Aug 2020 10:16:28 EDT https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2020/08/200826101628.htm https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2020/07/200701162902.htm Now a new study has found there is no difference in developmental and behavioral outcomes for children who have febrile seizures after vaccination, children who have febrile seizures not associated with vaccination and children who have never had a seizure. Wed, 01 Jul 2020 16:29:02 EDT https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2020/07/200701162902.htm https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2020/06/200629124052.htm Research has shown that understanding brain activity as a network instead of readings from an EEG allow for more accurate and efficient detection of seizures in real-time. Mon, 29 Jun 2020 12:40:52 EDT https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2020/06/200629124052.htm https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2020/06/200625140740.htm Researchers visualize how memories are selectively retrieved in the brain. Thu, 25 Jun 2020 14:07:40 EDT https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2020/06/200625140740.htm https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2020/06/200610135018.htm A new clinical research study has found that a Mozart composition may reduce seizure frequency in patients with epilepsy. Wed, 10 Jun 2020 13:50:18 EDT https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2020/06/200610135018.htm https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2020/03/200305203531.htm In a study of epilepsy patients, researchers monitored the electrical activity of thousands of individual brain cells, called neurons, as patients took memory tests. They found that the firing patterns of the cells that occurred when patients learned a word pair were replayed fractions of a second before they successfully remembered the pair. Thu, 05 Mar 2020 20:35:31 EST https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2020/03/200305203531.htm https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2020/02/200204125713.htm An advanced imaging technology is allowing scientists unprecedented access into brain activities during intricate behaviors. The 'Flyception2' system has produced the first-ever picture of what happens in the brain during mating in any organism, in addition to surprise findings about neuron activity during copulation. Tue, 04 Feb 2020 12:57:13 EST https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2020/02/200204125713.htm https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2019/12/191218153201.htm A drug that once helped obese adults lose weight, withdrawn from the market due to heart risks, may be safe and effective for children with a seizure disorder called Dravet syndrome, say researchers. The drug fenfluramine was developed for pediatric use and found to decrease the number of seizures by more than half for many Dravet syndrome patients. Wed, 18 Dec 2019 15:32:01 EST https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2019/12/191218153201.htm https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2019/12/191216221243.htm A team of neuroscientists have found, in animal models, that they can 'switch off' epileptic seizures. The findings provide the first evidence that while different types of seizures start in varied areas of the brain, they all can be controlled by targeting a very small set of neurons in the brain or their tendril-like neuronal axons. Mon, 16 Dec 2019 22:12:43 EST https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2019/12/191216221243.htm https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2019/11/191121090947.htm Imagine not being able to drive, shower alone or even work because you are never quite sure when the next seizure will leave you incapacitated. Hope may be on the horizon for epilepsy patients who have had limited success with seizure drugs. Thu, 21 Nov 2019 09:09:47 EST https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2019/11/191121090947.htm https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2019/10/191030110017.htm Scientists have developed a new therapeutic concept for the treatment of temporal lobe epilepsy. It represents a gene therapy capable of suppressing seizures at their site of origin on demand. Having been shown to be effective in an animal model, the new method will now be optimized for clinical use. Wed, 30 Oct 2019 11:00:17 EDT https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2019/10/191030110017.htm https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2019/10/191001102213.htm In some forms of epilepsy, the function of certain ''brake cells'' in the brain is presumed to be disrupted. This may be one of the reasons why the electrical malfunction is able to spread from the point of origin across large parts of the brain. A current study points in this direction. Tue, 01 Oct 2019 10:22:13 EDT https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2019/10/191001102213.htm https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2019/09/190926141745.htm In response to seizures, the endoplasmic reticulum (ER), a network of flattened tubes in the cell that packages and transports proteins, triggers a stress response that reduces brain activity and seizure severity. The new findings may have important implications for the development of new epilepsy therapies. Thu, 26 Sep 2019 14:17:45 EDT https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2019/09/190926141745.htm https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2019/09/190925113008.htm Epileptic seizures can probably not be predicted by changes in brain wave patterns that were previously assumed to be characteristic precursors. Wed, 25 Sep 2019 11:30:08 EDT https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2019/09/190925113008.htm