Chemicals released by the brain's immune system attempting to repair traumatic head injuries may be the cause behind chronic seizures, a new study has revealed.
Researchers from University of Colorado at Boulder have revealed that micro-glial cells may play a major role in seizures.
Epilepsy
Fits or convulsions or Epilepsy is characterized by recurrent, involuntary seizures and is described as a chronic neurological disorder
Advertisement
They found that glial cells, which are supportive cells that also constitute a major part of the brain's immune system, cluster within areas in the brain when a severe brain injury has occurred.
"When there has been serious damage to the brain, such as a head injury or infection, the immune system is activated and tries to counteract the damage and repair it," said CU-Boulder psychology and neuroscience Professor Daniel Barth.
![Neurocysticercosis]( "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.
"These glial cells migrate to the damaged area and release chemicals called cytokines that, unfortunately, also profoundly increase the excitability of the neurons that they are near.
"In our new study, we showed for the first time that glial cells moving in and secreting these cytokines cause the neurons in the area to become excitable enough to cause seizures," he added.
Barth hopes that the findings may help prevent one of the most common forms of adult epilepsy, called acquired epilepsy, which is often found in people who have suffered a brain injury or infection.
He said if the brain's initial immunity reaction could be temporarily shut down, this could prevent the development of acquired epilepsy.
"So instead of giving anti-seizure drugs, which have no effect in preventing or subsequently treating post-traumatic epilepsy, we could give some anti-immune drugs which may actually stop the process of developing epilepsy in the first place," Barth added.
The study appears in the journal Brain.
Source: ANI
TAN
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.
Advertisement
"These glial cells migrate to the damaged area and release chemicals called cytokines that, unfortunately, also profoundly increase the excitability of the neurons that they are near.
"In our new study, we showed for the first time that glial cells moving in and secreting these cytokines cause the neurons in the area to become excitable enough to cause seizures," he added.
Barth hopes that the findings may help prevent one of the most common forms of adult epilepsy, called acquired epilepsy, which is often found in people who have suffered a brain injury or infection.
He said if the brain's initial immunity reaction could be temporarily shut down, this could prevent the development of acquired epilepsy.
"So instead of giving anti-seizure drugs, which have no effect in preventing or subsequently treating post-traumatic epilepsy, we could give some anti-immune drugs which may actually stop the process of developing epilepsy in the first place," Barth added.
The study appears in the journal Brain.
Source: ANI
TAN
Febrile Fits / Febrile Convulsions
High fever in kids can cause convulsions and are called febrile fits that do not include the seizures that occur as a result of brain infection.
Advertisement
 EclampsiaEclampsia is convulsions during pregnancy that are not related to a pre-existing brain condition. | Advertisement
|
Advertisement
Recommended Reading
Latest Mental Health News
Women with multiple sclerosis (MS) Beware! Sleep disorders such as insomnia and sleep apnea may put you at a higher risk of cognitive decline.
Targeting changes mediated by immune cells in the gut could shed insights into new ways to treat mental health disorders such as depression.
Is there a link between oral health and mental health? Yes, people with mental illness usually have poorer oral health compared to the general population.
Resilience and well-being in difficult, stressful, or pandemic times was developed through online program.
Does mental fatigue affect exercise performance? Mental fatigue has a negative effect on technical and decision-making skills in physical performance.