A new international study has revealed critical insights into understanding post -traumatic epilepsy (PTE), a condition that can develop after traumatic brain injury. Under the leadership of researchers from Futureeureur, the Research Ireland Center for Translational Brain Science and RCSI University of Medicine and Health Sciences and published in TheranosticsThe study emphasizes the important role of a receptor in the brain called P2X7.
It suggests how we can both reduce the epilepsy risk and predict which patients are the most risk of developing PTE by focusing on this receptor. Traumatic brain injury (TBI), caused by physical trauma, is one of the main causes of long -term disability and death worldwide. PTE is a common result, characterized by recurring attacks that deeply influence the quality of life. At present, up to 30% of PTE patients do not respond to existing medicines, and there are currently no treatments available to predict or prevent the development of epilepsy after traumatic brain injury.
The collaborative research, led by Futureneuro and RCSI, involving institutions, including Trinity College Dublin, CIC Biomagune, Soochow University and the Institute for Stroke and Dementia Research, identifies the P2X7 receptor as an important motivation of abnormal brain activity. In pre -clinical models, the blocking of this receptor reduced brain hyperexcitability shortly after the injury considerably, minimized brain damage and improved behavior, underline its promise as a therapeutic target for preventing epilepsy. By looking at the activity of the P2X7 receptor using a PET scan, the authors also suggest a potentially new diagnostic tool. The absorption by the brain of a specialized P2X7 receptor racer shortly after injury correlated weeks later with the risk of attacks. This tool can help clinics to identify early risk patients, making timely and tailor-made interventions possible.
Dr. Tobias Engel, Futureeiro researcher and senior teacher at the RCSI Department of Physiology and Medical Physics, said: “Traumatic brain injury is an important cause of epilepsy in adults, where many patients cannot benefit from existing anti-suction treatments. Our research. Our research. Research has identified the P2X7 receptor as a promising new target and offers epilepsy before they are saved by attacks and the burdens of continuous medication.
“Although additional research is needed to confirm our findings and explore their application in clinical environments, we have taken an important step forward in tackling the unfulfilled need for early intervention in post -traumatic epilepsy” at Trinity College Dublin. “This was made possible through extensive multidisciplinary cooperation, which demonstrates the power of shared expertise in promoting epilepsy research.”
By identifying a potentially therapeutic target and a corresponding predictive diagnostic tool, this study opens new ways for personalized care, improved results and better quality of life for patients with traumatic brain injury due to the risk of epilepsy. “
Dr. Jordi Llop, lead researcher at CIC Biomagune
The study included extensive multidisciplinary cooperation, including important industrial partners, Janssen and Affectis Pharmaceuticals. Financed by Research Ireland, the project uses different expertise to tackle the complex challenges of traumatic brain injury and epilepsy.