Seizures result from sudden electrical disruptions in the brain, prompting symptoms like convulsions, loss of consciousness, and altered behavior. Contributing factors include genetics, brain injuries, and conditions like epilepsy. Researchers at the University of Virginia (UVA) have revealed that microglia, immune cells in the brain, play crucial roles in managing seizures, particularly for the one-third of patients unresponsive to current treatments.
The study, led by Dr. Ukpong B. Eyo and Dr. Edward Perez-Reyes, challenges previous misconceptions and highlights the potential of enhancing microglial activity as a therapeutic approach. By examining the impact of microglia in seizure models, researchers found that mice lacking these cells experienced more severe seizures, indicating their beneficial role in recovery.
These findings suggest that understanding microglial functions could lead to innovative treatments for seizure disorders, with researchers aiming to explore how these cells might regulate neurotransmitters or calm overstimulated neurons. The initiative at UVA has leveraged seed funding from the UVA Brain Institute, which promotes interdisciplinary neuroscience research, enabling the groundwork for future studies targeting epilepsy and seizure management.
