Background

Epilepsy is a neurological condition affecting approximately 60 million people worldwide. There is no cure and the medicines used to prevent the primary symptom, seizures, fail to work in one third of people. In this study, we conducted a multi-centre brain imaging investigation across Ireland, England, Canada, and Israel to examine the integrity of the network of blood vessels in the human brain in individuals with drug resistant epilepsy.

Research

Using a technique called dynamic contrast-enhanced magnetic resonance imaging, we examined blood-brain barrier (BBB) integrity in people with drug resistant epilepsy and compared them to individuals without the condition. Our findings revealed significant BBB disruption in brain regions associated with seizure activity in people with epilepsy.

Potential Impact

These results support previous research in animal models, confirming that BBB integrity is compromised in drug resistant epilepsy. Developing treatments aimed at stabilising the integrity of these blood vessels could offer a promising new therapeutic approach for managing epilepsy in the future.