Welcome back to the Epilepsy Digest 🥳

Highlights of this edition include new research uncovering specific DNA areas associated with epilepsy, and the story of a 12-year-old boy who successfully campaigned for a new law to safeguard people with photosensitive epilepsy from online trolls.

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Latest Research and News

Recent publications

🧬 Meta-analysis of over 29,000 people with epilepsy identifies 26 risk loci and subtype-specific genetic architecture: A comprehensive meta-analysis involving more than 29,000 individuals diagnosed with epilepsy has identified 26 DNA areas linked to the condition. The findings revealed distinct genetic differences between epilepsy subtypes, with 19 distinct DNA areas associated with genetic generalized epilepsy. The researchers utilised these findings to highlight alternative drugs with potential efficacy if repurposed for the treatment of epilepsy. Link to article.

🐭 Researchers develop new gene therapy to cure severe childhood epilepsy: Researchers have developed a promising gene therapy that significantly reduces seizures in mice with focal cortical dysplasia, a common cause of drug-resistant epilepsy in children. Researchers introduced an engineered potassium channel gene called EKC into the affected frontal lobe of epileptic mice and found an 87% reduction in seizures, on average. This new therapy may be a suitable alternative to surgery, and plans for the first human clinical trial are underway. Link to article.

😴 Wake slow waves in focal human epilepsy impact network activity and cognition: A study led by researchers at University College London examined electroencephalogram (EEG) scans from 25 patients with focal epilepsy while they carried out an associative memory task. Local wake slow waves (LoWS), which usually only occur in the brain during sleep, were found to be present during wakefulness in participants with epilepsy. The researchers suggest that LoWS may protect against increased brain excitability associated with the condition. Link to article.

New in News

🏀 Childhood illness threatened Bryce Cotton's life, but set him on a path to basketball glory: Diagnosed with epilepsy at a young age, Bryce Cotton was prohibited from playing contact sports but turned to basketball as an outlet. From college basketball all the way to the NBA, Cotton shares his inspiring story, stating “It's always a reminder of if you have the opportunity to go after something you want or to do something you like, go after it while you have the chance.” Link to article.

💸 NIH grant funds innovative approach to enhance epilepsy surgery: Researchers from Vanderbilt University Medical Center, Vanderbilt University, and the University of Pennsylvania received a $3.2 million grant to develop novel brain network-based measures to guide surgical decisions and improve outcomes in the field of epilepsy surgery. The goal is to aid physicians around the country in improving patient selection and surgical outcome prediction as well as localization of surgical targets. Link to article.

🔬Therapeutic Solutions International launches adult stem cell therapy company focused on curing epilepsy: Therapeutic Solutions International announced the formation of Epilepsy Bio Inc., a subsidiary company dedicated to cellular and immunological approaches to epilepsy. Following the successful treatment of an advanced epilepsy patient with their JadiCell stem cell product, the company aims to enhance understanding through in vitro and animal model research. Link to article.

Featured

Uncontrollable: A Novel

Uncontrollable is a thought-provoking story about the fragility of health, life, and family, inspired by the author’s own experience with epilepsy.

In a recent interview with News 5 Cleveland, Stagg stated “There was no adult novel out there where the protagonist had epilepsy,” she said. “So, I said, ‘I’m going to write it and let’s change the narrative.”

The novel follows the story of 36-year-old Casey Scott, whose worsening seizures threaten to destroy the life she toiled to build. Told by Casey and her husband, Uncontrollable examines what happens when the life we may be forced to live is not the life we planned to live, and the compromises we make to survive in the face of adversity.

You can read more about Uncontrollable on Sarah’s website.

Community Corner

🏆 Inspirational schoolboy who led an online epilepsy campaign receives award from UK’s Prime Minister: Zach Eagling, a 12-year-old with epilepsy and cerebral palsy, has received the Points of Light award from UK Prime Minister Rishi Sunak for leading the Epilepsy Society’s campaign against online harm. Zach's Law, introduced in October 2023, resulted from his campaigning efforts to introduce new legislation to safeguard people with photosensitive epilepsy from online trolls. Link to article.

🐈‍⬛ Clever cat can detect seizures: Molly Brooke, a 30-year-old woman with epilepsy, shares her unique experience with her cat that can predict her seizures up to eight hours in advance. This unexpected bond with her feline companion has proven to be a valuable source of support. Link to article.

💜 Flat Rock woman with epilepsy now seizure-free: A local woman who experienced regular epileptic seizures is now seizure-free, thanks to a temporal lobectomy conducted at Corewell Health William Beaumont University Hospital’s Comprehensive Epilepsy Center in Royal Oak. Link to article.

Resources and Tools

📖 The Epilepsy Hub: A knowledge-base for current information about Epilepsy, including live feeds of the latest clinical trials and publications, news articles, community stories, and more. Visit the Epilepsy Hub.

📱 Health tracking: Human Health is a free mobile app that helps you track Epilepsy symptoms and treatments. Download the app here.

💬 Ask an expert: Epilepsy Action Australia offers a series of video interviews featuring experts who address common questions about epilepsy. Topics include depression, childhood epilepsy, the management of treatment-resistant epilepsy, and surgical options. Watch the videos here.

🤝 Support groups: You can find a list of Epilepsy support groups (in-person and virtual) on the Epilepsy Foundation Website. Link to list.

Inspiration and Motivation