'Calm down' genes treat epilepsy in rats

The brain communicates through different series of elaborate electrical pulses. Different behaviors require a different electrical pathway that are unique to that behavior, and they are very specific. However, if a group of neurons gets out of control, it can throw the brain's whole electrical system out of control and cause epileptic seizures. Researchers at University College London, have developed a treatment for this by using what they're calling "calming genes".

By injecting a virus into brain cells, which goes through reverse transcriptase and codes to add specific DNA segments, the brain cells' natural levels of inhibition, & calms them down, so that they don't become over active. One of the researchers, Dr Robert Wyke, told the BBC: "It's the first time a gene therapy has been used to completely stop these seizures." Much more testing is needed before these drugs can be tested on humans, but the first candidates would be those who need brain surgery. This is becuase if the drug didn't work or had adverse effects, that region of the brain could be removed.



Being that epilepsy hasn't had any new drugs come along to help it in almost 30 years, this seems very promising. This "drug" is a form of gene therapy that will dramatically cut down on the side effects that current medications have. This may also be a broader approach to help more of the epileptic population, because only about 30% respond to current treatments.