Research note: Yale team provides new insight into intractable epilepsy

One of the major causes of intractable epilepsy is a malformation of brain development that occurs in individuals with focal cortical dysplasia or tuberous sclerosis complex. These malformations are marked by misplaced and abnormally large neurons in focal cortical brain regions. However, a Yale team led by Angelique Bordey and Lawrence S. Hsieh developed a new mouse model of focal cortical malformation that showed neuronal misplacement is not required to trigger seizures. Instead, large misshapen neurons by themselves can generate seizures, according to the study published June 1 in the journal Nature Communications. The new model will also help researchers test new drugs to manage intractable seizures, the authors say. For more on work done at Bordey lab see.