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Shaimardanova AA, Chulpanova DS, Mullagulova AI, Afawi Z, Gamirova RG, Solovyeva VV, Rizvanov AA. Gene and Cell Therapy for Epilepsy: A Mini Review. Front Mol Neurosci 2022; 15:868531. [PMID: 35645733 PMCID: PMC9132249 DOI: 10.3389/fnmol.2022.868531] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/02/2022] [Accepted: 03/30/2022] [Indexed: 11/16/2022] Open
Abstract
Epilepsy is a chronic non-infectious disease of the brain, characterized primarily by recurrent unprovoked seizures, defined as an episode of disturbance of motor, sensory, autonomic, or mental functions resulting from excessive neuronal discharge. Despite the advances in the treatment achieved with the use of antiepileptic drugs and other non-pharmacological therapies, about 30% of patients suffer from uncontrolled seizures. This review summarizes the currently available methods of gene and cell therapy for epilepsy and discusses the development of these approaches. Currently, gene therapy for epilepsy is predominantly adeno-associated virus (AAV)-mediated delivery of genes encoding neuro-modulatory peptides, neurotrophic factors, enzymes, and potassium channels. Cell therapy for epilepsy is represented by the transplantation of several types of cells such as mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs), bone marrow mononuclear cells, neural stem cells, and MSC-derived exosomes. Another approach is encapsulated cell biodelivery, which is the transplantation of genetically modified cells placed in capsules and secreting various therapeutic agents. The use of gene and cell therapy approaches can significantly improve the condition of patient with epilepsy. Therefore, preclinical, and clinical studies have been actively conducted in recent years to prove the benefits and safety of these strategies.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Daria S. Chulpanova
- Institute of Fundamental Medicine and Biology, Kazan Federal University, Kazan, Russia
| | - Aysilu I. Mullagulova
- Institute of Fundamental Medicine and Biology, Kazan Federal University, Kazan, Russia
| | - Zaid Afawi
- Center for Neuroscience, Ben Gurion University of the Negev, Be’er Sheva, Israel
| | - Rimma G. Gamirova
- Institute of Fundamental Medicine and Biology, Kazan Federal University, Kazan, Russia
| | - Valeriya V. Solovyeva
- Institute of Fundamental Medicine and Biology, Kazan Federal University, Kazan, Russia
| | - Albert A. Rizvanov
- Institute of Fundamental Medicine and Biology, Kazan Federal University, Kazan, Russia
- *Correspondence: Albert A. Rizvanov,
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Puranik N, Yadav D, Chauhan PS, Kwak M, Jin JO. Exploring the Role of Gene Therapy for Neurological Disorders. Curr Gene Ther 2021; 21:11-22. [PMID: 32940177 DOI: 10.2174/1566523220999200917114101] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/09/2020] [Revised: 07/30/2020] [Accepted: 08/10/2020] [Indexed: 11/22/2022]
Abstract
Gene therapy is one of the frontier fields of medical breakthroughs that poses as an effective solution to previously incurable diseases. The delivery of the corrective genetic material or a therapeutic gene into the cell restores the missing gene function and cures a plethora of diseases, incurable by the conventional medical approaches. This discovery holds the potential to treat many neurodegenerative disorders such as muscular atrophy, multiple sclerosis, Parkinson's disease (PD) and Alzheimer's disease (AD), among others. Gene therapy proves as a humane, cost-effective alternative to the exhaustive often arduous and timely impossible process of finding matched donors and extensive surgery. It also overcomes the shortcoming of conventional methods to cross the blood-brain barrier. However, the use of gene therapy is only possible after procuring the in-depth knowledge of the immuno-pathogenesis and molecular mechanism of the disease. The process of gene therapy can be broadly categorized into three main steps: elucidating the target gene, culling the appropriate vector, and determining the best mode of transfer; each step mandating pervasive research. This review aims to dissertate and summarize the role, various vectors and methods of delivery employed in gene therapy with special emphasis on therapy directed at the central nervous system (CNS) associated with neurodegenerative diseases.
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Affiliation(s)
- Nidhi Puranik
- Biological Science Department, Bharathiar University, Coimbatore, Tamil Nadu-641046, India
| | - Dhananjay Yadav
- Department of Medical Biotechnology, Yeungnam University, Gyeongsan 38541, South Korea
| | - Pallavi Singh Chauhan
- Amity Institute of Biotechnology, Amity University, Gwalior, Madhya Pradesh 474005, India
| | - Minseok Kwak
- Department of Chemistry, Pukyong National University, Busan, South Korea
| | - Jun-O Jin
- Department of Medical Biotechnology, Yeungnam University, Gyeongsan 38541, South Korea
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Yamamoto Y, Tomonaga K, Honda T. Development of an RNA Virus-Based Episomal Vector Capable of Switching Transgene Expression. Front Microbiol 2019; 10:2485. [PMID: 31781052 PMCID: PMC6851019 DOI: 10.3389/fmicb.2019.02485] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/05/2019] [Accepted: 10/15/2019] [Indexed: 01/16/2023] Open
Abstract
Viral vectors are efficient gene delivery systems, although most of these vectors still present limitations to their practical use, such as achieving only transient transgene expression and a risk of insertional mutations. We have recently developed an RNA virus-based episomal vector (REVec), based on nuclear-replicating Borna disease virus (BoDV). REVec can transduce transgenes into various types of cells and stably express transgenes; however, an obstacle to the practical use of REVec is the lack of a mechanism to turn off transgene expression once REVec is transduced. Here, we developed a novel REVec system, REVec-L2b9, in which transgene expression can be switched on and off by using a theophylline-dependent self-cleaving riboswitch. Transgene expression from REVec-L2b9 was suppressed in the absence of theophylline and induced by theophylline administration. Conversely, transgene expression from REVec-L2b9 was switched off by removing theophylline. To our knowledge, REVec-L2b9 is the first nuclear-replicating RNA virus vector capable of switching transgene expression on and off as needed, which will expand the potential for gene therapies by increasing safety and usability.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yusuke Yamamoto
- Laboratory of RNA Viruses, Department of Virus Research, Institute for Frontier Life and Medical Sciences, Kyoto, Japan.,Laboratory of RNA Viruses, Graduate School of Biostudies, Kyoto, Japan
| | - Keizo Tomonaga
- Laboratory of RNA Viruses, Department of Virus Research, Institute for Frontier Life and Medical Sciences, Kyoto, Japan.,Laboratory of RNA Viruses, Graduate School of Biostudies, Kyoto, Japan.,Department of Molecular Virology, Graduate School of Medicine, Kyoto University, Kyoto, Japan
| | - Tomoyuki Honda
- Division of Virology, Department of Microbiology and Immunology, Osaka University Graduate School of Medicine, Osaka, Japan
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Gene therapy mediated seizure suppression in Genetic Generalised Epilepsy: Neuropeptide Y overexpression in a rat model. Neurobiol Dis 2018; 113:23-32. [DOI: 10.1016/j.nbd.2018.01.016] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/28/2017] [Revised: 01/07/2018] [Accepted: 01/22/2018] [Indexed: 02/01/2023] Open
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Natarajan G, Leibowitz JA, Zhou J, Zhao Y, McElroy JA, King MA, Ormerod BK, Carney PR. Adeno-associated viral vector-mediated preprosomatostatin expression suppresses induced seizures in kindled rats. Epilepsy Res 2017; 130:81-92. [PMID: 28167431 DOI: 10.1016/j.eplepsyres.2017.01.002] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/10/2016] [Revised: 12/04/2016] [Accepted: 01/04/2017] [Indexed: 01/29/2023]
Abstract
Somatostatin is expressed widely in the hippocampus and notably in hilar GABAergic neurons that are vulnerable to seizure neuropathology in chronic temporal lobe epilepsy. We previously demonstrated that sustained bilateral preprosomatostatin (preproSST) expression in the hippocampus prevents the development of generalized seizures in the amygdala kindling model of temporal lobe epilepsy. Here we tested whether sustained preproSST expression is anticonvulsant in rats already kindled to high-grade seizures. Rats were kindled until they exhibited 3 consecutive Racine Grade 5 seizures before adeno-associated virus serotype 5 (AAV5) vector driving either eGFP (AAV5-CBa-eGFP) or preproSST and eGFP (AAV5-CBa-preproSST-eGFP) expression was injected bilaterally into the hippocampal dentate gyrus and CA1 region. Retested 3 weeks later, rats that received control vector (AAV5-CBa-eGFP) continued to exhibit high-grade seizures whereas 6/13 rats that received preproSST vector (AAV5-CBa-preproSST-eGFP) were seizure-free. Of these rats, 5/6 remained seizure-free after repeated stimulation sessions and when the stimulation current was increased. These results suggest that vector-mediated expression of preproSST may be a viable therapeutic strategy for temporal lobe epilepsy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Gowri Natarajan
- Wilder Center of Excellence for Epilepsy Research, University of Florida, Gainesville, FL 32611, USA; J. Crayton Pruitt Family Department of Biomedical Engineering, University of Florida, Gainesville, FL 32611, USA; Department of Pediatrics, University of Florida, Gainesville, FL 32611, USA; Department of Neurology, University of Florida, Gainesville, FL 32611, USA; Department of Neuroscience, University of Florida, Gainesville, FL 32611, USA; McKnight Brain Institute, University of Florida, Gainesville, FL 32611, USA
| | - Jeffrey A Leibowitz
- J. Crayton Pruitt Family Department of Biomedical Engineering, University of Florida, Gainesville, FL 32611, USA
| | - Junli Zhou
- Wilder Center of Excellence for Epilepsy Research, University of Florida, Gainesville, FL 32611, USA; Department of Pediatrics, University of Florida, Gainesville, FL 32611, USA; Department of Neurology, University of Florida, Gainesville, FL 32611, USA
| | - Yang Zhao
- Department of Pharmacology and Therapeutics, University of Florida, Gainesville, FL 32611, USA
| | - Jessica A McElroy
- Wilder Center of Excellence for Epilepsy Research, University of Florida, Gainesville, FL 32611, USA; Department of Pediatrics, University of Florida, Gainesville, FL 32611, USA
| | - Michael A King
- McKnight Brain Institute, University of Florida, Gainesville, FL 32611, USA; Department of Pharmacology and Therapeutics, University of Florida, Gainesville, FL 32611, USA; NF/SG VA Medical Center, University of Florida, Gainesville, FL 32611, USA
| | - Brandi K Ormerod
- J. Crayton Pruitt Family Department of Biomedical Engineering, University of Florida, Gainesville, FL 32611, USA; Department of Neuroscience, University of Florida, Gainesville, FL 32611, USA; McKnight Brain Institute, University of Florida, Gainesville, FL 32611, USA
| | - Paul R Carney
- Wilder Center of Excellence for Epilepsy Research, University of Florida, Gainesville, FL 32611, USA; J. Crayton Pruitt Family Department of Biomedical Engineering, University of Florida, Gainesville, FL 32611, USA; Department of Pediatrics, University of Florida, Gainesville, FL 32611, USA; Department of Neurology, University of Florida, Gainesville, FL 32611, USA; Department of Neuroscience, University of Florida, Gainesville, FL 32611, USA; McKnight Brain Institute, University of Florida, Gainesville, FL 32611, USA.
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Gene Therapy for Epilepsy. Transl Neurosci 2016. [DOI: 10.1007/978-1-4899-7654-3_9] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/22/2022] Open
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Snowball A, Schorge S. Changing channels in pain and epilepsy: Exploiting ion channel gene therapy for disorders of neuronal hyperexcitability. FEBS Lett 2015; 589:1620-34. [PMID: 25979170 DOI: 10.1016/j.febslet.2015.05.004] [Citation(s) in RCA: 19] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/30/2015] [Revised: 04/29/2015] [Accepted: 05/02/2015] [Indexed: 11/25/2022]
Abstract
Chronic pain and epilepsy together affect hundreds of millions of people worldwide. While traditional pharmacotherapy provides essential relief to the majority of patients, a large proportion remains resistant, and surgical intervention is only possible for a select few. As both disorders are characterised by neuronal hyperexcitability, manipulating the expression of the most direct modulators of excitability - ion channels - represents an attractive common treatment strategy. A number of viral gene therapy approaches have been explored to achieve this. These range from the up- or down-regulation of channels that control excitability endogenously, to the delivery of exogenous channels that permit manipulation of excitability via optical or chemical means. In this review we highlight the key experimental successes of each approach and discuss the challenges facing their clinical translation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Albert Snowball
- Department of Clinical and Experimental Epilepsy, UCL Institute of Neurology, Queen Square, London WC1N 3BG, UK
| | - Stephanie Schorge
- Department of Clinical and Experimental Epilepsy, UCL Institute of Neurology, Queen Square, London WC1N 3BG, UK.
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Amini E, Rezaei M, Mohamed Ibrahim N, Golpich M, Ghasemi R, Mohamed Z, Raymond AA, Dargahi L, Ahmadiani A. A Molecular Approach to Epilepsy Management: from Current Therapeutic Methods to Preconditioning Efforts. Mol Neurobiol 2014; 52:492-513. [PMID: 25195699 DOI: 10.1007/s12035-014-8876-5] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/14/2014] [Accepted: 08/25/2014] [Indexed: 01/16/2023]
Abstract
Epilepsy is the most common and chronic neurological disorder characterized by recurrent unprovoked seizures. The key aim in treating patients with epilepsy is the suppression of seizures. An understanding of focal changes that are involved in epileptogenesis may therefore provide novel approaches for optimal treatment of the seizure. Although the actual pathogenesis of epilepsy is still uncertain, recently growing lines of evidence declare that microglia and astrocyte activation, oxidative stress and reactive oxygen species (ROS) production, mitochondria dysfunction, and damage of blood-brain barrier (BBB) are involved in its pathogenesis. Impaired GABAergic function in the brain is probably the most accepted hypothesis regarding the pathogenesis of epilepsy. Clinical neuroimaging of patients and experimental modeling have demonstrated that seizures may induce neuronal apoptosis. Apoptosis signaling pathways are involved in the pathogenesis of several types of epilepsy such as temporal lobe epilepsy (TLE). The quality of life of patients is seriously affected by treatment-related problems and also by unpredictability of epileptic seizures. Moreover, the available antiepileptic drugs (AED) are not significantly effective to prevent epileptogenesis. Thus, novel therapies that are proficient to control seizure in people who are suffering from epilepsy are needed. The preconditioning method promises to serve as an alternative therapeutic approach because this strategy has demonstrated the capability to curtail epileptogenesis. For this reason, understanding of molecular mechanisms underlying brain tolerance induced by preconditioning is crucial to delineate new neuroprotective ways against seizure damage and epileptogenesis. In this review, we summarize the work to date on the pathogenesis of epilepsy and discuss recent therapeutic strategies in the treatment of epilepsy. We will highlight that novel therapy targeting such as preconditioning process holds great promise. In addition, we will also highlight the role of gene reprogramming and mitochondrial biogenesis in the preconditioning-mediated neuroprotective events.
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Affiliation(s)
- Elham Amini
- Department of Medicine, Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia Medical Centre, Cheras, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia
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Dey D, Eckle VS, Vitko I, Sullivan KA, Lasiecka ZM, Winckler B, Stornetta RL, Williamson JM, Kapur J, Perez-Reyes E. A potassium leak channel silences hyperactive neurons and ameliorates status epilepticus. Epilepsia 2014; 55:203-13. [PMID: 24299204 PMCID: PMC4161023 DOI: 10.1111/epi.12472] [Citation(s) in RCA: 25] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 10/14/2013] [Indexed: 01/20/2023]
Abstract
OBJECTIVE To develop a constitutively active K(+) leak channel using TREK-1 (TWIK-related potassium channel 1; TREK-M) that is resistant to compensatory down-regulation by second messenger cascades, and to validate the ability of TREK-M to silence hyperactive neurons using cultured hippocampal neurons. To test if adenoassociated viral (AAV) delivery of TREK-M could reduce the duration of status epilepticus and reduce neuronal death induced by lithium-pilocarpine administration. METHODS Molecular cloning techniques were used to engineer novel vectors to deliver TREK-M via plasmids, lentivirus, and AAV using a cytomegalovirus (CMV)-enhanced GABRA4 promoter. Electrophysiology was used to characterize the activity and regulation of TREK-M in human embryonic kidney (HEK-293) cells, and the ability to reduce spontaneous activity in cultured hippocampal neurons. Adult male rats were injected bilaterally with self-complementary AAV particles composed of serotype 5 capsid into the hippocampus and entorhinal cortex. Lithium-pilocarpine was used to induce status epilepticus. Seizures were monitored using continuous video-electroencephalography (EEG) monitoring. Neuronal death was measured using Fluoro-Jade C staining of paraformaldehyde-fixed brain slices. RESULTS TREK-M inhibited neuronal firing by hyperpolarizing the resting membrane potential and decreasing input resistance. AAV delivery of TREK-M decreased the duration of status epilepticus by 50%. Concomitantly it reduced neuronal death in areas targeted by the AAV injection. SIGNIFICANCE These findings demonstrate that TREK-M can silence hyperexcitable neurons in the brain of epileptic rats and treat acute seizures. This study paves the way for an alternative gene therapy treatment of status epilepticus, and provides the rationale for studies of AAV-TREK-M's effect on spontaneous seizures in chronic models of temporal lobe epilepsy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Deblina Dey
- Departments of Pharmacology, Graduate Program University of Virginia School of Medicine, Charlottesville, Virginia, U.S.A
- Neuroscience Graduate Program University of Virginia School of Medicine, Charlottesville, Virginia, U.S.A
| | - Veit-Simon Eckle
- Departments of Pharmacology, Graduate Program University of Virginia School of Medicine, Charlottesville, Virginia, U.S.A
| | - Iuliia Vitko
- Departments of Pharmacology, Graduate Program University of Virginia School of Medicine, Charlottesville, Virginia, U.S.A
| | - Kyle A. Sullivan
- Departments of Pharmacology, Graduate Program University of Virginia School of Medicine, Charlottesville, Virginia, U.S.A
- Undergraduate School of Arts and Sciences, University of Virginia, Charlottesville, Virginia, U.S.A
| | - Zofia M. Lasiecka
- Department of Neuroscience, Virginia School of Medicine, Charlottesville, Virginia, U.S.A
| | - Bettina Winckler
- Neuroscience Graduate Program University of Virginia School of Medicine, Charlottesville, Virginia, U.S.A
- Department of Neuroscience, Virginia School of Medicine, Charlottesville, Virginia, U.S.A
| | - Ruth L. Stornetta
- Departments of Pharmacology, Graduate Program University of Virginia School of Medicine, Charlottesville, Virginia, U.S.A
| | - John M. Williamson
- Department of Neurology, Graduate Program University of Virginia School of Medicine, Charlottesville, Virginia, U.S.A
| | - Jaideep Kapur
- Neuroscience Graduate Program University of Virginia School of Medicine, Charlottesville, Virginia, U.S.A
- Department of Neurology, Graduate Program University of Virginia School of Medicine, Charlottesville, Virginia, U.S.A
| | - Edward Perez-Reyes
- Departments of Pharmacology, Graduate Program University of Virginia School of Medicine, Charlottesville, Virginia, U.S.A
- Neuroscience Graduate Program University of Virginia School of Medicine, Charlottesville, Virginia, U.S.A
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Shen HY, Sun H, Hanthorn MM, Zhi Z, Lan JQ, Poulsen DJ, Wang RK, Boison D. Overexpression of adenosine kinase in cortical astrocytes and focal neocortical epilepsy in mice. J Neurosurg 2013; 120:628-38. [PMID: 24266544 DOI: 10.3171/2013.10.jns13918] [Citation(s) in RCA: 29] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/28/2022]
Abstract
OBJECT New experimental models and diagnostic methods are needed to better understand the pathophysiology of focal neocortical epilepsies in a search for improved epilepsy treatment options. The authors hypothesized that a focal disruption of adenosine homeostasis in the neocortex might be sufficient to trigger electrographic seizures. They further hypothesized that a focal disruption of adenosine homeostasis might affect microcirculation and thus offer a diagnostic opportunity for the detection of a seizure focus located in the neocortex. METHODS Focal disruption of adenosine homeostasis was achieved by injecting an adeno-associated virus (AAV) engineered to overexpress adenosine kinase (ADK), the major metabolic clearance enzyme for the brain's endogenous anticonvulsant adenosine, into the neocortex of mice. Eight weeks following virus injection, the affected brain area was imaged via optical microangiography (OMAG) to detect changes in microcirculation. After completion of imaging, cortical electroencephalography (EEG) recordings were obtained from the imaged brain area. RESULTS Viral expression of the Adk cDNA in astrocytes generated a focal area (~ 2 mm in diameter) of ADK overexpression within the neocortex. OMAG scanning revealed a reduction in vessel density within the affected brain area of approximately 23% and 29% compared with control animals and the contralateral hemisphere, respectively. EEG recordings revealed electrographic seizures within the focal area of ADK overexpression at a rate of 1.3 ± 0.2 seizures per hour (mean ± SEM). CONCLUSIONS The findings of this study suggest that focal adenosine deficiency is sufficient to generate a neocortical focus of hyperexcitability, which is also characterized by reduced vessel density. The authors conclude that their model constitutes a useful tool to study neocortical epilepsies and that OMAG constitutes a noninvasive diagnostic tool for the imaging of seizure foci with disrupted adenosine homeostasis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hai-Ying Shen
- Robert Stone Dow Neurobiology Laboratories, Legacy Research Institute, Portland, Oregon
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Galanopoulou AS, Kokaia M, Loeb JA, Nehlig A, Pitkänen A, Rogawski MA, Staley KJ, Whittemore VH, Dudek FE. Epilepsy therapy development: technical and methodologic issues in studies with animal models. Epilepsia 2013; 54 Suppl 4:13-23. [PMID: 23909850 DOI: 10.1111/epi.12295] [Citation(s) in RCA: 38] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/09/2023]
Abstract
The search for new treatments for seizures, epilepsies, and their comorbidities faces considerable challenges. This is due in part to gaps in our understanding of the etiology and pathophysiology of most forms of epilepsy. An additional challenge is the difficulty in predicting the efficacy, tolerability, and impact of potential new treatments on epilepsies and comorbidities in humans, using the available resources. Herein we provide a summary of the discussions and proposals of the Working Group 2 as presented in the Joint American Epilepsy Society and International League Against Epilepsy Translational Workshop in London (September 2012). We propose methodologic and reporting practices that will enhance the uniformity, reliability, and reporting of early stage preclinical studies with animal seizure and epilepsy models that aim to develop and evaluate new therapies for seizures or epilepsies, using multidisciplinary approaches. The topics considered include the following: (1) implementation of better study design and reporting practices; (2) incorporation in the study design and analysis of covariants that may influence outcomes (including species, age, sex); (3) utilization of approaches to document target relevance, exposure, and engagement by the tested treatment; (4) utilization of clinically relevant treatment protocols; (5) optimization of the use of video-electroencephalography (EEG) recordings to best meet the study goals; and (6) inclusion of outcome measures that address the tolerability of the treatment or study end points apart from seizures. We further discuss the different expectations for studies aiming to meet regulatory requirements to obtain approval for clinical testing in humans. Implementation of the rigorous practices discussed in this report will require considerable investment in time, funds, and other research resources, which may create challenges for academic researchers seeking to contribute to epilepsy therapy discovery and development. We propose several infrastructure initiatives to overcome these barriers.
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Affiliation(s)
- Aristea S Galanopoulou
- Laboratory of Developmental Epilepsy, Saul R. Korey Department of Neurology, Dominick P. Purpura Department of Neuroscience, Albert Einstein College of Medicine, Bronx, New York 10461, USA.
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12
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Carney PR. Special issue on epilepsy. Exp Neurol 2013; 244:1-3. [PMID: 23651566 DOI: 10.1016/j.expneurol.2013.04.006] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/26/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Paul R Carney
- Department of Pediatrics, University of Florida, Gainesville, FL 32610, USA
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