A fiber-optic method of arresting epileptic seizures
February 5, 2013
Blocking a seizure. The vertical green bar indicates online seizure detection, prior to the start of stage 4–5 behavior (arrow). The yellow bars under the trace highlight the theoretical window for intervention.
UC Irvine neuroscientists have developed a way to stop epileptic seizures with fiber-optic light signals, heralding a novel opportunity to treat the most severe manifestations of the brain disorder.
Using a mouse model of temporal lobe epilepsy, Ivan Soltesz, Chancellor’s Professor and chair of anatomy & neurobiology, and colleagues created an EEG-based brain-waves-sensing) computer system that lights up hair-thin fiber optic strands implanted in the brain when it detects a real-time seizure.
These fibers “turn on” specially expressed, light-sensitive proteins called opsins, which can either stimulate or inhibit specific neurons in select brain regions during seizures, depending on the type of opsin.
The researchers found that this process was able to arrest ongoing electrical seizure activity and reduce the incidence of severe “tonic-clonic” events.
“This approach is useful for understanding how seizures occur and how they can be stopped experimentally,” Soltesz said. “In addition, clinical efforts that affect a minimum number of cells and only at the time of a seizure may someday overcome many of the side effects and limitations of currently available treatment options.”
More than 3 million Americans suffer from epilepsy, a condition of recurrent spontaneous seizures that occur unpredictably, often cause changes in consciousness, and can preclude normal activities such as driving and working. In at least 40 percent of patients, seizures cannot be controlled with existing drugs, and even in those whose seizures are well controlled, the treatments can have major cognitive side effects.
Although the study was carried out in mice, not humans, Soltesz said the work could lead to a better alternative to the currently available electrical stimulation devices.
The study was supported by the National Institutes of Health, the Epilepsy Foundation, and the George E. Hewitt Foundation for Medical Research.
Comments (5)
by Tony
This study used genetically modified mice which expressed light-sensitive ion channels in particular neuron subsets in order to find which populations could head off seizures when stimulated. It does not represent a treatment as is, it it just a clue as to how things are wired.
by Frank
This is hopeful. I have suffered from Temporal Lobe Epilepsy (T.L.E.) for years. My seizures were all similar in that they always happened in the morning, just around the time of making coffee. A sense of a deep foreboding memory just about to reveal itself with a sudden immense fear that something was about to take me away and then I instantly hit the floor. (No convulsions.) Then waking up a few moments later, confused with significant memory loss. In some episodes, I couldn’t remember in which city I lived.
It wasn’t just memory loss around the episodes but over the years it’s caused holes in my memories of those years. I am very fortunate in that being prescribed Dilantin, the seizures have abated with no noticeable side effects.
by Jeff
Firstly thank you! as your description is very similar to my case. (which I was unable to describe accurately) I was diagnosed with epilepsy 2 years ago. I have never been able to communicate what happens or how I feel to outside individuals in my life. Now I can use your words to help them understand. I have the same memory holes which really bother me. I am on lamotrigine (lamictal) & has worked well so far.
by bert
HI,
I have a 21 year old daughter with epilepsy. She has not had a seizure in 7 months after taking Kefir (probiotic) once or twice a day. Prior to taking Kefir she would have about 2-4 seizures per week. I can’t say for certain that is is the Kefir doing it but it can’t hurt to try.
by GatorALLin
Love the idea that Any/Every problem can be solved. Maybe not how you think at first, but knowing for sure that it does have a solution then changes how you attack problem solving. Step one is to really understand the problem, so when someone says it can’t be done….they are saying they don’t understand the problem well enough yet…. or that THEY can’t solve the problem and not that the problem can’t be solved (all the difference in the world). Or that you need a new way of looking at the problem to find new/creative solutions. Tracking down what does not work often at least illuminates what is left over to try that might work. Anyhow…I love that this problem of better understanding seizures and epilepsy is making progress (remember that dogs can often sense just before a seizure will strike…they must be sensing something like this).
Maybe someday soon, you can download a $0.99 app to your google glasses and then buy an EKG sensor upgrade for $99 that will read your brainwaves and alert and or prevent seizures in the future. There must be a dozen other non disease related advantages for this same technology (Mr. Smith we noticed your brainwave activity is showing severe stress, this calming music or brain stimulation is now playing to reduce an upcoming panic attack…or anxiety….Yes, your therapist as also been notified that you successfully avoided this attack).