Epilepsy Patients Help Decipher the Brain

Epilepsy patients are working with scientists at Stanford Medical Center to better map the brain. Implanted electrodes used to record the source of a seizure can also provide “functional mapping” of the brain. Using painless electrical pulses, doctors can locate the position of various abilities like vision or motor control.

These researchers are also working in collaboration with a Stanford music professor to translate electroencephalogram (EEG) recordings into sound with “human-like tones.” Their hope is to create a device that could act like a stethoscope for the brain, transforming brain signals into sound, therefore allowing doctors to detect non-convulsive seizures without surgery.

Read the series of articles and listen to the audio here:

http://blogs.kqed.org/science/audio/epilepsy-reveals-the-brain-in-action/

http://blogs.kqed.org/science/2013/10/01/what-does-an-epileptic-seizure-sound-like/

Internet-based therapy may improve disease control among adults with chronic health conditions

The link between physical and psychological health is well established and psychosocial treatment has been demonstrated to ameliorate the condition of patients with chronic diseases such as epilepsy. This includes improvements in self-management strategies such as compliance to medical regimes and reduction in psychiatric comorbidities like anxiety and depression. Internet-based self-help therapies are growing in number and popularity as they circumvent the typical barriers to treatment like transportation and cost. In the article, "A Systematic Review of Internet Based Self-Help Therapeutic Interventions to Improve Distress and Disease-Control among Adults with Chronic Health Conditions", investigators evaluate the current state of research regarding the efficacy of online educational platforms for a variety of diseases. In the 24 experiments considered, online interventions contributed to improvements of the physical symptoms in many diseases and were often as efficacious as therapist-led interventions. Read the full article here:

http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0272735813000445

Researchers find new epilepsy genes, hope treatments will follow

New genetic mutations associated with epilepsy have been identified through the Epilepsy Phenome/Genome Project. The $25 million genetic research project involved 150 scientists from 40 institutions dispersed over three continents. Researchers focused on 4,000 patients with epileptic encephalopathies, the most severe form of epilepsy which affects about one in 2,000 kids. 264 kids were identified whose seizures were not caused by more identifiable causes of epilepsy (such as strokes at birth). The genomes of these individuals were then compared to their non-epileptic family members. This identified disease causing mutations in at least six genes, including two new ones. Read more at http://www.cbsnews.com/8301-204_162-57598179/researchers-find-new-epilepsy-genes-hope-treatments-will-follow/

“'Epilepsy in a Dish': Stem Cell Research Reveals Clues to Disease's Origins and May Aid Search for Better Drugs”

Stem Cell research has led to new findings regarding causes and possible treatments of seizure disorders. The research, reported by the University of Michigan Medical School and colleagues, involves turning the skin cells of epilepsy patients into stem cells, and then turning those stem cells into neurons. This process creates a miniature “testing ground” for epilepsy, where researchers are able to measure the signals that cells are sending to one another through sodium channels. In the neurons tested of children with Dravet syndrome (a severe, rare genetic form of epilepsy) abnormally high levels of sodium current activity and “hyperexcitbility” were  reported. Read full article here: http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2013/07/130725090900.htm

"Why Online Patient Communities are Better than Life Support Groups"

In the article “Why Online Patient Communities are Better than Life Support Groups,” David Lee Scher presents five advantages of Online Patient Communities (OPCs) over in-person support groups. These include the possible difficulties involved in physically attending a support group, OPCs represent the same demographics as patients in general, both caregivers and physicians are more likely to participate,  and lastly OPCs provide focused information to helpful third parties. Click here for full article: http://davidleescher.com/2013/07/11/why-online-patient-communities-are-better-than-real-life-support-groups/

"Interactive Software Helps Veterans Suffering from PTSD'

UCSF researchers affiliated with the SFVA recently discussed their advancing research and clinical care at the 2013 “Brain at War” symposium. The symposium included innovative mechanisms of identifying and exploring brain trauma and post traumatic stress, such as mental training through a computer game, a mobile app used to calm  threat anxiety, and monitoring cognitive decline through an online portal. Read the full article here: http://www.ucsf.edu/news/2013/07/107291/interactive-software-helps-veterans-suffering-ptsd

"Implanted Device Predicts Epilepsy Seizures In Humans"

A new technology developed by NeuroVista and tested in a proof-of-concept study, has demonstrated the ability to predict the onset of seizures in some adults who have epilepsy. The device detects abnormal electrical activity that precedes a seizure using electrodes implanted between the skull and brain surface; the data is sent to a small sensor located just beneath the skin of the chest.  The individual is then warned by a red light if the device detects that they are at high risk of an impending seizure. Click here for more information: http://www.medicalnewstoday.com/releases/259922.php

“Two-Week Treatment Found to Prevent Epilepsy in Mice Gives Hope for Drug Development”

While temporal lobe epilepsy is the most common form of epilepsy, it is sometimes not responsive to anticonvulsant medications.  New research in mice indicates that by targeting a particular signaling pathway, scientists can prevent the development of temporal lobe epilepsy in two weeks of treatment. Full article can be found here: http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2013/06/130620132318.htm?+Medicine+News+--+Epilepsy+Research

“New epilepsy treatment: Using lasers to stop seizures”

Traditionally, children with seizures caused by tumors that do not respond to medication are faced with the possibility of invasive brain surgery. Visualase Laser Ablation, a new type of surgery, inserts a laser fiber into the skull and uses heat to  destroy the tissue causing the seizures. This investigational method destroys the targeted tissue while protecting surrounding areas.  Read here for more information: http://abclocal.go.com/kabc/story?id=9150833

“Social media increasingly important for military families”

Check out this article, “ Social media increasingly important for military families,” which explains how social media networks are revolutionizing the military experience for military families and service members. These networks, including Facebook, Twitter, and Skype, potentially strengthen family bonds and ease post-deployment transition for service members. This articles weighs the positives and even some drawbacks of social media access.  Read here for more information: http://www.stripes.com/news/army/social-media-increasingly-important-for-military-families-1.220713