Compounds have been shown to prevent epilectic seizures in mice

Researchers have developed neuroprotective compounds that may be capable of preventing seizures in people who suffer from epilepsy.

The research team, led by Nicolas Bazan, MD, PhD, Boyd Professor and Director of LSU Health New Orleans' Neuroscience Center of Excellence, developed the compounds in an effort to better understand the role that brain plasticity in a variety of diseases including; dyslexia, aging, retinal degeneration, neurotrauma, TBI, stroke, Parkinson's and Alzheimer's disease.

The study has already been conducted on mice which showed that the compounds were able to prevent against seizures caused by epilepsy.

"In the current study, preservation of dendritic spines and subsequent protection from seizures, were observed up to 100 days post-treatment, suggesting the process of epilepsy development has been arrested," said Bazan. "Future clinical studies would evaluate the potential application of the compounds that we have developed and/or the mechanisms that we have discovered that are targeted by these compounds in the development of epilepsy. Most of the anti-epileptic drugs currently available treat the symptom - seizures- not the disease itself. Understanding the potential therapeutic usefulness of compounds that may interrupt the development process may pave the way for disease-modifying treatments for patients at risk for epilepsy."