Currently available antiseizure drugs (ASDs) provide only symptomatic relief by suppressing seizures. ASDs when prescribed for prolonged periods can have serious side effects. These drugs neither prevent the development of epilepsy nor do they halt its progression, once the disease is established. Therefore, there is a need to address this critical issue by changing the way epileptic patients are treated, soon after the first seizure is reported. The mechanism by which an initial insult to the brain causes the development of spontaneous seizures remains a major challenge. Although current ASDs suppress hyperexcitability and other neuroinflammatory mediators to reduce seizures, they have no effect on epileptogenesis and the subsequent changes that unceasingly modulate neural circuits and cause epilepsy. Hence, there is a need to investigate novel biomarkers, understand the disease mechanisms, and screen novel drug candidates for the successful treatment of epilepsy.
This Research Topic aims to understand the pathophysiological mechanisms underlying epilepsy, and the treatments that can target the root cause of the disease rather than just the symptoms. Despite advances in the research studies, there are still some questions that remain unanswered in this field. First, what are the major triggers that promote epileptogenesis after the brain injury; second, what are the potential biomarkers that can predict or identify the disease onset at an early stage; third, what type of intervention strategies can we formulate to add to the existing ASD medications to prevent or slow down epileptogenesis; fourth, can we introduce a modification to the existing treatments in order to support current medications effectively; fifth, can we use other measures, such as antioxidants, to protect the existing neurons after the initial seizure insult. Despite emerging technical advances, a thorough understanding of the cell signaling pathways and their precise contributions to different biological disciplines is largely lacking. Understanding the mechanisms that underlie acquired and genetic epilepsies and the development of novel disease-modifying therapies are much needed.
In this Research Topic, we will consider original research and review articles providing insight into the novel biomarkers, disease mechanisms, preclinical models, and novel drug candidates for the treatment of epilepsy. Potential themes relevant to this Topic may also include, but are not limited to:
1. Biomarkers for evaluating neuroinflammatory/neurodegenerative diseases
2. Technologies that can be used to identify potential biomarkers
3. Unifying biological mechanisms/signaling pathways leading to neurodegenerative conditions
4. Multimodal and Therapeutic approaches for the treatment and management of epilepsy and other forms of neurodegenerative conditions
5. Appropriate preclinical models to study neurological diseases
Currently available antiseizure drugs (ASDs) provide only symptomatic relief by suppressing seizures. ASDs when prescribed for prolonged periods can have serious side effects. These drugs neither prevent the development of epilepsy nor do they halt its progression, once the disease is established. Therefore, there is a need to address this critical issue by changing the way epileptic patients are treated, soon after the first seizure is reported. The mechanism by which an initial insult to the brain causes the development of spontaneous seizures remains a major challenge. Although current ASDs suppress hyperexcitability and other neuroinflammatory mediators to reduce seizures, they have no effect on epileptogenesis and the subsequent changes that unceasingly modulate neural circuits and cause epilepsy. Hence, there is a need to investigate novel biomarkers, understand the disease mechanisms, and screen novel drug candidates for the successful treatment of epilepsy.
This Research Topic aims to understand the pathophysiological mechanisms underlying epilepsy, and the treatments that can target the root cause of the disease rather than just the symptoms. Despite advances in the research studies, there are still some questions that remain unanswered in this field. First, what are the major triggers that promote epileptogenesis after the brain injury; second, what are the potential biomarkers that can predict or identify the disease onset at an early stage; third, what type of intervention strategies can we formulate to add to the existing ASD medications to prevent or slow down epileptogenesis; fourth, can we introduce a modification to the existing treatments in order to support current medications effectively; fifth, can we use other measures, such as antioxidants, to protect the existing neurons after the initial seizure insult. Despite emerging technical advances, a thorough understanding of the cell signaling pathways and their precise contributions to different biological disciplines is largely lacking. Understanding the mechanisms that underlie acquired and genetic epilepsies and the development of novel disease-modifying therapies are much needed.
In this Research Topic, we will consider original research and review articles providing insight into the novel biomarkers, disease mechanisms, preclinical models, and novel drug candidates for the treatment of epilepsy. Potential themes relevant to this Topic may also include, but are not limited to:
1. Biomarkers for evaluating neuroinflammatory/neurodegenerative diseases
2. Technologies that can be used to identify potential biomarkers
3. Unifying biological mechanisms/signaling pathways leading to neurodegenerative conditions
4. Multimodal and Therapeutic approaches for the treatment and management of epilepsy and other forms of neurodegenerative conditions
5. Appropriate preclinical models to study neurological diseases
