Progenitor cell therapy for epilepsy

University of California, San Francisco researchers have developed a cell therapy for epilepsy that aims to reduce the abnormal neuronal excitability that underlies the disease.¹ The transplantation of neuronal precursor cells to specific regions of the brain could also avoid the side effects associated with epilepsy drugs, which target neuronal firing throughout the brain. The researchers have founded a company, Neurona Therapeutics Inc., to further develop the transplant strategy.

Epilepsy is characterized by excess neuronal excitation in regions of the brain that can lead to seizures and loss of consciousness. About one-third of epileptics develop resistance to the marketed drugs, which target neurotransmitter receptors and ion channels to prevent seizures. The therapeutics can also cause cognitive side effects such as fatigue, dizziness and slowed thinking processes...