'Uncontrolled brain activity' linked to epilepsy

Epileptic seizures are caused by chaotic electrical activity in the brain

Researchers have shed new light on the mechanism behind epilepsy attacks in the brain, revealing a potential new target for drug treatment.

Around half a million people in the UK have some form of epilepsy. Until recently the focus of research has been on cells called neurons, but a US study points to a completely different cell. Nature Neuroscience journal reports its behaviour may be key to uncontrolled brain activity behind the condition.

Epilepsy attacks, which can manifest as fits in some people, or "absences" in others, are caused by too much electrical signalling from the brain's neurons. However, in many cases, the reason for this over-activity is poorly understood. Scientists now believe that, in some cases, although the problem happens at the neuron the underlying reason may be the failure of surrounding cells to help control this activity.

The latest study, from the Tuft University School of Medicine and the Children's Hospital of Philadelphia, provides the strongest evidence yet that a cell called an astrocyte is the culprit. The astrocyte is known to have a wide range of functions, including supplying nutrients to other brain cells, and even helping the brain cope with damaged nerve cells. In some brain diseases, the astrocytes swell up and behave differently, and it is this condition which the researchers believe is linked to epilepsy.

No inhibition

They induced this swelling in brain samples from mice, then tested whether this made a difference to the ability of the brain cells to "turn down", or inhibit, the brain signals from specific neurons. They found that the enlarged astrocytes led to reduced levels of a brain chemical known to inhibit electrical signalling from the neurons.

Dr Douglas Coulter, one of the researchers, said: "We already know that inhibition is a powerful force in the brain. "In epilepsy, inhibition is not working properly, and uncontrolled signalling leads to epileptic seizures. By better understanding the detailed events that occur in epilepsy, we are gaining knowledge that could ultimately lead to better treatments for epilepsy, and possibly for other neurological diseases."

Professor Vincenzo Crunelli, a neuroscientist from the University of Cardiff, said other research, including his own, now pointed towards a role for astrocytes in various different types of epilepsy. He said the finding might be particularly relevant in a form of epilepsy called temporal lobe epilepsy, which can be resistant to treatment.

He said, "This certainly suggests that the astrocytes may be involved in maintaining this over-excitation of the neurons. If this is the case, it offers the chance of a new therapeutic target."

source : www.news.bbc.co.uk

SCARED OF KNOWING MEDICAL TRUTHS


My friend, Jane Lee and I had tea recently. We had our cuppas of tea and a quick exchange of updates revealed that Jane had never had a full body medical examination with blood test done before. I asked Jane how come and she simply answered it is best not to know any results pertaining to her health condition. She wanted to live her life happily in bliss till medical issues crop up. Ignorance is bliss. Although she agreed prevention is always better than cure, she would not lift a finger to do so. She hates coming face to face with the crippling and nightmarish fears of knowing frightening truths related to many types of illnesses.

Many people are like Jane. I admit there were times when I was taken aback by many awful truths of some medical illnesses but then that would be momentarily only. I believe all of us should attempt to know some basic information of health issues affecting us everyday. That way, when illnesses strike us we will be more ready to accept it and not be swept off our feet unguarded and unprepared. In many instances, many illnesses are not frightening by nature and do not portray grave images and also can be treated quickly and easily.

None of us are spared of illness. We are all responsible for our own health. Take action now and start reading, discussing and finding out as much medical information as possible. As an epilepsy advocate I encourage you to read some basic knowledge about epilepsy. Epilepsy is a brain disorder that is still commonly unknown and largely misunderstood by the public. One in every 50 people will develop epilepsy at some time in their live. One in every 20 people will have an epileptic seizure. Find out now what epilepsy is all about before it strikes you.


You can visit the EPILEPSY LINKS I have listed down on the right hand side bar of my blog to read and retrieve epilepsy information.

DANGERS OF WATCHING TOO MUCH T V

Don't watch so much TV!

For once that warning isn't coming from a nagging parent. Instead, it's Samsung that's issuing the warning. Samsung issued an alert on its Australian website warning children and teenagers with a family history of epilepsy or strokes that watching 3D television could heighten their risk of seizures or strokes.

"Children and teenagers may be more susceptible to health issues associated with viewing in 3D and should be closely supervised when viewing these images," Samsung said on its website. "Even those without a personal or family history of epilepsy or stroke may have an undiagnosed condition that can cause photosensitive epileptic seizures."

Samsung's warning is also intended for pregnant women, elderly people, people who suffer from serious medical conditions and sleep-deprived people.

Samsung instructed consumers to immediately stop watching the 3D TV if they experience any of the following symptoms:

• altered vision
• lightheadedness
• dizziness
• involuntary movements such as eye or muscle twitching
• confusion
• nausea
• convulsions
• cramps; and/ or
• disorientation
  

HAPPY EASTER

REJOICE, REJOICE. OUR CRUCIFIED CHRIST HAS RISEN FROM THE DEAD. HE DIED ON THE CROSS TO CLEANSE US OF OUR SINS AND GRANT US NEW LIVES SO THAT WE MAY LIVE OUR LIVES FEARLESS OF SUFFERINGS, PAIN AND DEATH. TO GOD BE THE GLORY.

Wishing everyone a Very Blessed and Happy Easter

26 March is Purple Day For Epilepsy Awareness

Founded in 2008, by nine-year-old Cassidy Megan of Nova Scotia, Canada, with the help of the Epilepsy Association of Nova Scotia, Purple Day is an international grassroots effort dedicated to increasing awareness about epilepsy worldwide. On March 26, people from around the globe are asked to wear purple and spread the word about epilepsy.

Why? Epilepsy affects over 50 million people worldwide. That's more than multiple sclerosis, cerebral palsy, muscular dystrophy and Parkinson's disease combined. Why purple? Lavender is the international colour for epilepsy. Getting involved is easy. Wear purple and encourage others to do the same. Host a Purple Day party or fundraising event at your home, school or business. And most importantly, get real facts about epilepsy by browsing this site at www.purpleday.org

Epilepsy Myth led to killing of boy.

Man ate boy's brain to cure epilepsy.

By MSN NZ

Friday, March 19, 2010

A Chinese man has been arrested after he allegedly killed a boy and ate part of his brain in a failed attempt to cure his epilepsy. Wang Choaxu, 29, allegedly believed a myth that eating a child's brain can cure people of fits, the Sun reported.

Li Xuetang, 11, disappeared from his village late at night before being found several hours later in a grain field 5km away. According to reports the top of the boy's head had been peeled back with a part of his brain missing. Choaxu allegedly told police he believed he could cure his epilepsy if he ate the brain with earthworms and ants. He is also accused of killing a three-year-old girl who was found dead on the same day in a public toilet with a knife cut to her head.

This is by and far the most harrowing epilepsy myth I have come to know about. Chills numb my spine and anguish goes to the loved ones of the killed innocent children. As I type away, my fingers are trembling because of imaginative gruesome photographic shots of the killed children flashing in and out of my mind.

How can a man be so monstrous to commit such a heinous and repulsive act just for the sake of curing himself of epilepsy? Good grief. Where is the killer's conscience at the time of killing? I have heard of an old belief that drinking a herbal concoction consisting of earthworm, rat testis and herbs can permanently treat epilepsy. Eating goat's brain is believed to permanently cure people of epilepsy since many believed epilepsy is developed because of consumption of goat meat.

Myths have existed for as long as human beings have lived for centuries. It is impossible to wipe out myths from society. If people can begin to learn and accept what are myths and what are truths and realities then our society will be friendlier and safer to live in. This also means advocacy, empowerment and awareness of good causes can be done and achieved with less obstacles.

BEFORE YOU BELIEVE IN ANYTHING FIND OUT IF IT IS A MYTH OR NOT

ETHOSUXIMIDE - Trusted Drug For Childhood Epilepsy, Research Confirms

An enlighten finding published in New England Journal of Medicine revealed that one of the oldest and most trusted anti-seizure drug titled ethosuximide can prove to be the most beneficial medication for the treatment of “childhood epilepsy”.

Childhood epilepsy is a medical disorder involving episodes of irregular electrical discharge in the brain and characterized by the periodic sudden loss or impairment of consciousness, often accompanied by convulsions. This study was conducted in order to find the best drug to treat the disorder as no significant contribution has been done in the past towards the concern.

Colin Roberts, M. D., OHSU Doernbecher's principal investigator said, "Much of our scientific understanding of childhood epilepsy care today comes from historical experience or studies involving adult patients with related, but not identical, conditions.”

The research was carried out on 453 children who were reported of having contracted childhood epilepsy from the period extending from July 2004 to October 2007. The study was based on a comparison of three drugs generally used for the disorder namelyethosuximide, valproic acid or lamotrigine. The study went on for 16 weeks and the results were in favor of ethosuximide.