Unlocking a New Layer of Control in Temporal Lobe Epilepsy

Background

Temporal lobe epilepsy (TLE) is the most common type of epilepsy in adults. Over 30% of people with TLE do not respond to current medications, and the underlying changes in brain cell function remain poorly understood. 

Recent research has uncovered a new layer of gene regulation: chemical “tags” added to RNA—the messages that tell cells which proteins to make. One such tag, called m6A, acts like a “sticky note” telling the cell to read, delay, or discard a message. This system is critical for keeping brain cells healthy. 

Research

FutureNeuro researchers examined m6A tags in brain tissue from people with TLE and in an experimental model of epilepsy—the first detailed study of its kind. They found widespread disruption to this tagging system in epilepsy. Messages with extra m6A tags tended to produce fewer proteins, while those with fewer tags often produced more—especially proteins linked to seizure activity. 

When the team experimentally altered m6A levels in human brain cells, the cells became more active and changed shape, confirming that the system plays a key role in controlling brain cell behaviour. 

Potential Impact

This study reveals, for the first time, a previously unknown mechanism controlling gene expression in epilepsy, emphasizing the critical role of the m6A RNA tagging system. Targeting this system could pave the way for new treatments that address the root molecular disruptions in brain cells, offering more effective and lasting options for people with drug-resistant epilepsy.