Epilepsy genes 'cut seizures'
Monday, 05 Nov 2007 13:48
Combinations of genes could reduce seizures from epilepsy
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A combination of two genetic mutations that individually cause epilepsy could help to prevent seizures, scientists have claimed.
Different genes can lead to seizure disorders and previous studies have suggested that combinations of genes could make epilepsy worse.
But the latest research indicates that certain combinations could prevent the abnormal patterns of epilepsy.
Researchers from Baylor College of Medicine (BMC) came to the new conclusion after studying mice with two defective genes known to cause epilepsy when inherited singly within families.
Writing in the journal Nature Neuroscience, the researchers argue that the mice had dramatically reduced seizures and did not suffer sudden death associated with one of the mutations.
"In the genetics of the brain, two wrongs can make a right," said Dr Jeffrey Noebels, professor of neurology, neuroscience and molecular and human genetics at BCM.
"We believe these findings have great significance to clinicians as we move toward relying upon genes to predict neurological disease."
The researchers believe that the findings could point to new ways of treating epilepsy using gene-directed therapy.
"Rather than screening for 'bad' genes one at a time, it may be essential to create a complete profile of many or even all genes in order to accurately assess the true genetic risk of any single defect in many common disorders such as epilepsy," Dr Noebels explained.
"Fortunately, this amount of background information will soon become routinely obtainable in individual patients thanks to rapid technological progress in the field of neurogenomics."
