Theiler’s murine encephalomyelitis virus (TMEV) is a single-stranded RNA murine cardiovirus from the family Picornaviridae. It is useful to model virally-induced acute seizures and encephalitis-induced epileptogenesis. Because epilepsy is an underrecognized long-term complication of central nervous system (CNS) infection, the TMEV model is invaluable to understand the complex interactions between viruses, the immune system, and Read More…
Category: Seizures
Loss of normal presenilin 2 function affects cognitive function in aged females
This blog post delves into the observations of sex differences in cognitive function in older rodent models, exploring the factors that contribute to these disparities and their implications for our understanding of aging in humans. It is likely that men and women experience cognitive aging differently. While the exact reasons are complex and multifaceted, several Read More…
Soticlestat: a selective, potent inhibitor of the enzyme cholesterol 24-hydroxylase
Soticlestat, formerly known as TAK-935/OV935, is an investigational drug developed by Takeda Pharmaceuticals. It is a highly selective, potent inhibitor of the enzyme cholesterol 24-hydroxylase, which plays a crucial role in the regulation of neurosteroid synthesis. Neurosteroids are naturally occurring molecules in the brain that modulate neuronal activity, including in epilepsy. Our recent study adds Read More…
Heterogeneity of Seizure Susceptibility in Alzheimer’s disease
Alzheimer’s disease (AD) is a devastating neurodegenerative disease that affects over 4 million people in the US alone. As the worldwide population continues to age, this number will only grow in the coming decades. Seizures in people with both early- and late-onset AD are more common than in similarly age-matched non-affected individuals. People with epilepsy Read More…
A novel plasma biomarker for seizures?
Gasotransmitters are a relatively untapped therapeutic target in epilepsy. The carbonic anhydrase inhibitor, acetazolamide, is an approved antiseizure drug, and low levels of CO2 have been linked with asynchronous neuronal firing and higher seizure propensity. Nitric oxide is another critical signaling molecule that has undergone a high degree of scrutiny in epilepsy and other neurological Read More…