Frances E. Jensen, Chair of the Department of Neurology, has stated that future interventions for epilepsy may find utility in recent research. Researchers at Penn Medicine have discovered through experimentation that a very minuscule area of neurons is affected in epileptic brains.
"It is clear that there is some connection between an epileptic brain, impaired memory and trouble controlling emotions and how we act on those feelings, but we don't understand the underlying mechanisms," said E. Jensen, according to Penn Medicine. "The overactive neurons lose their ability to build the strong synapses necessary for learning, which may explain why some people with epilepsy have trouble with learning and with memory."
According to Penn Medicine News, this discovery holds significant implications for the intellectual development of individuals with epilepsy. The experiment involved 'tagging' neurons in the hippocampus, a region of the brain critical to memory. The researchers exclusively tagged neurons impacted by epilepsy. As the experiment progressed, this so-called overactivity began to decline relative to other neurons, which explains why learning or comprehension becomes challenging for those with epilepsy. To address this issue, researchers employed a blocker named IEM-1460 to prevent the neurons from becoming permanently epileptic. Forty-eight hours later, effects of epilepsy did not manifest and the neurons did not activate permanently.
Penn Medicine News explains that epilepsy can be described as an overactivity of brain cells or neurons. An estimated 3.4 million people in America are affected by epilepsy. Complications arising from epilepsy include difficulty learning, emotional regulation challenges, and overall learning difficulties. Despite its widespread prevalence, there is currently no known cause or cure for this disease. Existing treatments for epilepsy primarily focus on preventing and treating seizures. However, ongoing experimentation aims to contribute to future prevention strategies and therapeutic formulations.
Penn Medicine reveals that Jensen attended medical school at NewYork-Presbyterian and possesses expertise in various areas including Alzheimer's disease, Arteriovenous Malformations (AVM), Charcot Marie Tooth Disease (CMT), and epilepsy. She currently serves as Professor of Neurology and Chairman of Neurology at the Perelman School of Medicine. In addition to receiving multiple awards and authoring over 150 manuscripts, Jensen is also an advocate for understanding the teenage brain—she authored a book titled "The Teenage Brain," which has been translated into over 25 languages.
