Generation of input in the brain is isolated from surrounding areas of the brain (science daily)

PharmaLive.com (8 December 2010) - research clinic Mayo has found that the part of the brain that generates seizures in patients with epilepsy is functionally isolated surrounding regions of the brain. Researchers hope that this discovery could be a clinical biomarker to help identify individuals with abnormal function of the brain.

This study was presented at the annual meeting of the American Epilepsy Society in San Antonio on December 4.

Epilepsy is a disorder characterized by the presence of two or more seizures. It affects more than 3 million USD.

"Synchronization of local and distributed neural assemblies underlying process basic brain such as perception, learning and cognition," says Gregory Worrell, MD, Dr., Mayo Clinic epileptologist and an author of this study. "In the neurological disease neuronal synchrony can be modified and in epilepsy, synchrony plays an important role in the generation of seizures."

Clinical Mayo researchers studied neural synchrony by studying intracranial EEG (electroencephalogram may be) records in patients with epilepsy subjects and facial pain control. Researchers have discovered that control patients had a greater average synchrony as focal epilepsy patients (when seizures occurred in a small part of the brain, not whole brain). When implanted leads pairs bridged brain generating input and other parts of the brain, synchrony is significantly less between other pairs electrodes in epileptic brain and brain control. The team also found with higher activity area of generators of seizure, there is less synchrony with tissue outside of this region.

"Our study shows us that the part of the brain that generates seizures is isolated in the neighbouring regions of the brain", explains Mr. Worrell. "This discovery could serve as an abnormal brain clinical biomarker, and it can also be useful in Epilepsy Surgery and treatments for brain, stimulation as well as help us understand how entries are generated."

Other scientists involved in this research include v. Warren, Ph. d.. S. Hu; S. Stead, M.D., Dr..; B. Brinkmann and Dr. M. Bower.

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The story above is reproduced (with drafting adaptations by PharmaLive.com staff) of materials supplied by the Mayo Clinic.

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