Epilepsy

The phrase “my whole life flashed before my eyes” may have some truth to it. Scientists have recorded the activity of a dying human brain for the first time ever, revealing brain wave patterns related to processes like dreaming and memory recall.

Scientists have developed an advanced new brain sensor that promises to take the safety and efficiency of cancer and epilepsy treatment into new terrain, by recording electrical signals in record-breaking resolution.

A study has found epileptic children treated with whole plant cannabis products displayed reductions in seizure frequency. The researchers call for clinical trials to test whether whole plant products are better at treating epilepsy than CBD alone.

New research systematically investigating the anticonvulsant effects of a number of rare compounds in cannabis is reporting cannabigerolic acid (CBGA), known as the “mother of all cannabinoids”, may be more effective at reducing seizures than CBD.

We're seeing some significant advances in efforts to leverage light-sensitive proteins to improve human health, a field known as optogenetics, but new research out of Germany flips the script on this emerging technology.

Microglia are immune cells that clean out unwanted debris in the brain and central nervous system, but it turns out they might help heal injured neurons too – a discovery that could pave the way for new treatments for epilepsy and other conditions.

A research team has demonstrated how using light to target specific brain cells, a technique called optogenetics, might work to tackle epilepsy, by using the approach to prevent seizures in mouse models of the disease.

A study is showing that it may be possible to predict the onset of epileptic seizures several days in advance. By analyzing data from a brain implant designed to monitor and prevent seizures, the research hopes to develop a seizure forecasting tool.

Although medication does help control seizures in some epilepsy patients, it doesn't have much of an effect on others. A new system is designed to help the latter group, by at least letting them know when seizures are about to occur.

A new review has examined a dozen studies into the effect of Mozart’s music on epilepsy, finding the classical music may reduce the frequency of seizures. It rekindles an old pseudoscientific idea that listening to Mozart can make you smarter.

The Epilepsy Foundation is striking back against a campaign by Twitter trolls to flood some hashtags with flashing GIFs designed to trigger seizures in vulnerable individuals. The cyber-attacks follow on from a similar attack on a journalist in 2016.

Two compelling new studies are building on a hypothesis suggesting age-related dementia is caused by a leaky blood-brain barrier. Experts suggest the studies are interesting but not particularly applicable to human cases of dementia.