Scientists at the University of British Columbia have claimed that the medication for epilepsy could offer a cure for Alzheimer's disease.
The findings reinforce the theory that brain hyperexcitability plays an important role in the disease and that anticonvulsant drugs that prevent or reduce the severity of seizures-represent a promising treatment that deserve further human studies.
Epilepsy
Fits or convulsions or Epilepsy is characterized by recurrent, involuntary seizures and is described as a chronic neurological disorder
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In the study, Dr. Haakon Nygaard tested the effects of brivaracetam, an anticonvulsant drug still in clinical development for epilepsy, and closely related to levetiracetam. Since it is 10 times more potent than levetiracetam, it can be used at lower dosages. Nygaard and his colleagues found that it completely reversed memory loss in a rodent model of Alzheimer's disease.
While the drug appears effective, the researchers are unclear how it works to reverse memory loss. Nygaard also points out that the current study represents very preliminary data with respect to treating patients with Alzheimer's disease.
![Alzheimers Disease]( "Alzheimers Disease")
Alzheimer''s disease is a progressive neurodegenerative disease affecting memory and thinking and making the person increasingly dependent on others.
Nygaard said that they now had many different research groups who were using antiepileptic drugs that engaged the same target, and all pointed to a therapeutic effect in both Alzheimer's disease models, and patients with the disease. Both the drugs were likely to be tested in larger clinical trials in Alzheimer's disease over the next five to 10 years.
Source: Medindia
Alzheimers Disease
Alzheimer''s disease is a progressive neurodegenerative disease affecting memory and thinking and making the person increasingly dependent on others.
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Nygaard said that they now had many different research groups who were using antiepileptic drugs that engaged the same target, and all pointed to a therapeutic effect in both Alzheimer's disease models, and patients with the disease. Both the drugs were likely to be tested in larger clinical trials in Alzheimer's disease over the next five to 10 years.
Source: Medindia
Neurocysticercosis
Neurocysticercosis or Cysticercosis of brain is the most common cause of epilepsy and the most common parasitic infection of the brain. Neurocysticercosis is more common in the developing countries.
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 Risk Factors for Alzheimers DiseaseCognitively normal adults exhibiting atrophy of their temporal lobe or damage to blood vessels in the brain are more likely to develop Alzheimer's disease. | Advertisement
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