Scientists have reported promising results from an experimental gene therapy for people with epilepsy whose seizures do not respond to conventional medication. The treatment, delivered directly into the brain, reduced the number of monthly seizures by more than 90 per cent in three adult patients.
The findings, published in The New England Journal of Medicine, examined the effects of the experimental treatment in three adults with epilepsy.
The approach uses a modified virus as a delivery vehicle to carry genetic material into a specific area of the brain where epileptic seizures originate. The treatment is designed to reduce abnormal electrical activity in affected nerve cells, potentially helping prevent seizures.
According to the report, around 600,000 people in the United Kingdom are living with epilepsy. Approximately one in three patients has a form of the condition that does not respond effectively to standard medication.
Experts warn that drug-resistant epilepsy can have serious consequences, including physical injuries, declining mental and cognitive abilities, and an increased risk of premature death.
Gene Therapy Offers New Hope For Drug-Resistant Epilepsy
Medical specialists have described the findings as a promising development in the treatment of neurological disorders, particularly for patients who do not benefit from conventional medicines.
However, the treatment remains experimental. Larger clinical trials and long-term studies will be needed to establish its effectiveness and safety before it can be considered a widely available treatment option.
The early findings offer hope that gene therapy could eventually provide a new treatment pathway for people living with drug-resistant epilepsy.