In the largest genetic analysis performed to date, coordinated by the International League Against Epilepsy (ILAE) and published inĀ Nature Genetics, researchers from around the world sought to advance our knowledge of why epilepsy develops and potentially inform the development of new treatments for the condition.Ā The researchers identified 26 distinct areas in our DNA that appear to be involved in epilepsy. This included 19 which are specific to a particular form of epilepsy called āgenetic generalized epilepsyā (GGE). They were also able to point to 29 genes that are probably contributing to epilepsy within these DNA regions.
The scientists found that the genetic picture was quite different when comparing distinct types of epilepsy, in particular when āfocalā and āgeneralizedā epilepsies were compared. The results also suggested that proteins that carry electrical impulse across the gaps between neurons in our brain make up some of the risk for generalized forms of epilepsy.Ā This webinar will discuss the results of this genetic analysis in greater detail.
