Regenerative medicine for epilepsy: from basic research to clinical application

Int J Mol Sci. 2013 Nov 28;14(12):23390-401. doi: 10.3390/ijms141223390.

Abstract

Epilepsy is a chronic neurological disorder, which presents with various forms of seizures. Traditional treatments, including medication using antiepileptic drugs, remain the treatment of choice for epilepsy. Recent development in surgical techniques and approaches has improved treatment outcomes. However, several epileptic patients still suffer from intractable seizures despite the advent of the multimodality of therapies. In this article, we initially provide an overview of clinical presentation of epilepsy then describe clinically relevant animal models of epilepsy. Subsequently, we discuss the concepts of regenerative medicine including cell therapy, neuroprotective agents, and electrical stimulation, which are reviewed within the context of our data.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't
  • Review

MeSH terms

  • Animals
  • Brain-Derived Neurotrophic Factor / metabolism
  • Cell- and Tissue-Based Therapy
  • Electric Stimulation
  • Epilepsy / metabolism
  • Epilepsy / pathology
  • Epilepsy / therapy*
  • Humans
  • Neural Stem Cells / cytology
  • Neural Stem Cells / transplantation
  • Neuroprotective Agents / therapeutic use
  • Regenerative Medicine*

Substances

  • Brain-Derived Neurotrophic Factor
  • Neuroprotective Agents