New Clues to the Cause of Epilepsy

Epilepsy, or its effects, has been known for countless generations. At times in history those with epilepsy were considered inhabited by demons, at other times sufferers were considered blessed. The disorder remains a medical mystery.  Though sufferers know the official name of their condition it was not known with certainty what causes the problem. Many causes have been included in as possibilities, genetics, disease, injury, or developmental problems. With out a clear cause scientists can treat the symptoms of the disease, but they cannot offer prevention.

A new study released in the November 23rd issue of Nature Medicine may give new insight into the cause of the disease and help in search for a preventative. According to the study, the interaction of white blood cells and blood vessels may contribute to seizures. The white blood cells known as leukocytes are part of the immune system that should protect the body from bacteria, viruses, and infections. Researchers from the University of Verona in Italy, demonstrated, in mice, seizures caused "sticky" molecules in blood vessels in the brain to attach to white blood cells and cause inflammation. According to Gabriela Constantin of the University of Verona, “We found a lot of inflammation in this process in the generation of a new seizure.”  When the interaction was interrupted by "unsticking" the cells it helped to prevent the development of epilepsy in mice. The research also found that there were more leukocytes present in the brains of people with epilepsy than present in healthy individuals. This data indicates that epilepsy could be an immune system disorder and if further study confirms this interaction it may provide a target for treatments and prevention.

“This mechanism was not previously suspected in epilepsy,” according to Constantin.

The results mean that some modern antibody drugs which are designed to modify the immune system and used to treat other diseases could help fight epilepsy. Many of the medications currently used to treat the debilitating symptoms of epilepsy have significant side effects including mood changes that could lead to suicidal thoughts. If drugs with fewer side effects could be used to treat or prevent the condition it would be a significant breakthrough in treatment.

As with all research conducted with animals, it is not known if the findings will have the same results in humans.