A joint effort by the University of British Columbia and Vancouver Coastal Health Research Institute neuroscience researchers has led to the discovery of new drug targets. These can get rid of epileptic seizures subsequent to a brain trauma or stroke.
According to the researchers, hemichannels, which were previously found to cause cell death after a stroke, may also cause epileptic seizures that occur following head trauma or a stroke.
Stroke
Stroke can cause permanent disability and it is important to recognize its early warning signs to stop its progress. Early warning signs of stroke include sudden weakness of facial muscles.
Advertisement
A hemichannel is a channel that can form in nerve cells which allows chemical ions to pass through. And the new findings will enable the researchers to focus on new treatments that block these channels.
"The glutamate receptor that is linked to cell death following a stroke also triggers opening of hemichannels. Therefore both the stroke itself or the glutamate released by a stroke can open hemichannels and cause cell death or epileptic seizures," said UBC Psychiatry Prof. Brian MacVicar, who is a member of the Brain Research Centre at UBC and VCH Research Institute.
![Brilliant Human Brain - Animation]( "Brilliant Human Brain - Animation")
The most amazing and complex organ in the entire universe, the human brain continues to remain an enigma.
By testing the effect of glutamate at levels less than those reached during stroke the researchers found that more moderate activation of glutamate receptors opens hemichannels and causes seizure but does not produce cell death associated with stroke.
Glutamate is one of the brain's most abundant chemical messengers. Gap junctions are connections that allow molecules and ions, to flow between cells. Junctions are composed of two hemichannels that bridge intercellular space.
When epileptic seizures occur, hemichannels open unexpectedly near the synapses, disrupting the normal electrical activity of the brain leading to seizures.
"We found that blocking hemichannels reduced the epilepsy-like discharges," said Roger Thompson, a former UBC Psychiatry post-doctoral Fellow.
MacVicar added: "With these results we are confident that the discovery of safe blockers of hemichannels will provide a new therapy in the treatment to reduce cell loss and seizures that are caused by stroke.
"The next step will be to develop a compound to block brain cell hemichannels from opening. Therapies for epilepsy patients who have suffered a stroke or head trauma may be available within five to 10 years."
The study is published in Science.
Source: ANI
TAN
Brilliant Human Brain - Animation
The most amazing and complex organ in the entire universe, the human brain continues to remain an enigma.
Advertisement
By testing the effect of glutamate at levels less than those reached during stroke the researchers found that more moderate activation of glutamate receptors opens hemichannels and causes seizure but does not produce cell death associated with stroke.
Glutamate is one of the brain's most abundant chemical messengers. Gap junctions are connections that allow molecules and ions, to flow between cells. Junctions are composed of two hemichannels that bridge intercellular space.
When epileptic seizures occur, hemichannels open unexpectedly near the synapses, disrupting the normal electrical activity of the brain leading to seizures.
"We found that blocking hemichannels reduced the epilepsy-like discharges," said Roger Thompson, a former UBC Psychiatry post-doctoral Fellow.
MacVicar added: "With these results we are confident that the discovery of safe blockers of hemichannels will provide a new therapy in the treatment to reduce cell loss and seizures that are caused by stroke.
"The next step will be to develop a compound to block brain cell hemichannels from opening. Therapies for epilepsy patients who have suffered a stroke or head trauma may be available within five to 10 years."
The study is published in Science.
Source: ANI
TAN
Epilepsy
Fits or convulsions or Epilepsy is characterized by recurrent, involuntary seizures and is described as a chronic neurological disorder
Advertisement
 Epilepsy and Slides - AnimationEpilepsy is a medical condition where the brain cells fire abnormal electrical signals that physically manifests as a 'Seizure'. There should be two or more seizures before the term epilepsy should be used. | Advertisement
|
Advertisement
Recommended Readings
Latest Research News
New study sheds light on the intrinsic, yet often overlooked, role of sleep preparation as a hardwired survival strategy.
Microgravity-induced bone loss in space, can be reduced by systemic delivery of NELL-1, a protein required for bone growth and its maintenance.
Researchers establish connections between Alzheimer's-linked genetic alterations and the functioning of brain cells.
Team at NeuroRestore introduces a groundbreaking gene therapy that has effectively promoted nerve regrowth and reconnection, post spinal cord injury.
Scientists aim to pinpoint particular functional pathways affected by these bacteria that may have an impact on skeletal health.
