Resource: Endgame for Epilepsy?

This research article gives a unique perspective into the search for a cure for epilepsy.  While it does mostly focus on the stereotypical forms of epilepsy, with grand mal seizures, instead of localized ones like we discussed in class, it still seems that science is making progress toward at least understanding epilepsy better.  Much of the focus of research has been the NMDA receptor.  A virus has been developed to deploy a drug that works in this receptor when a seizure is sensed.  Although it has only been tested on mice, it shows promising possibilities.  There is also the possibility of a sort of epilepsy “pacemaker” because scientists can now predict the onset of a seizure nearly an hour in advance.  With that kind of warning, the medication could be dumped directly into the brain when such signals are felt by a machine.  The hook of the article focuses on the parent of an epileptic child.  The mother believes that most medication either cause severe side effects or does not work.  The research in the article certainly seems supported by scientific data, such as lab experiments on mice.  The information agrees with what we heard about in class.  I suppose the important lesson to learn from this article for the classroom would be that many drugs do not work to control seizures much at all, and, like Dr. King said, students cannot control seizures even if they have an aura beforehand.

Work cited:

Christensen, Damaris.  “Endgame for Epilepsy?”  Science News. 157.3 (June 3, 2000):

            364-365.