Epilepsy is a common brain disorder.  It is caused by faulty brain circuits.  The exact reasons why these circuits malfunction are still a mystery.  However, recent progress in brain research has shed some light on the matter.

Scientists have found that certain types of brain cells play a big role in epilepsy.  These cells are called neurons.  There are two main types of neurons: excitatory and inhibitory.  Excitatory neurons use a chemical called glutamate.  Inhibitory neurons use a chemical called GABA.  In a healthy brain, these two types of neurons work together to keep the brain functioning properly.  However, in people with epilepsy, this balance is disrupted.

In epilepsy, excitatory neurons become overactive.  This causes too much brain activity.  At the same time, inhibitory neurons become less active.  This means they can't control the excitatory neurons properly.  This imbalance leads to seizures.  However, it's not always that simple.  Some inhibitory neurons can actually make epilepsy worse.  They do this by controlling other inhibitory neurons in the brain.  This is because different types of inhibitory neurons have different connections.  These connections change how they affect epilepsy.

Even the same type of neuron can act differently at different times.  This is because their role can change depending on the stage of epilepsy.  Some neurons send signals to many different parts of the brain.  But not all of these signals cause epileptic activity.  Even neurons from the same part of the brain can have different effects on epilepsy.  Some can even have opposite effects.

Other types of neurons, like those that use chemicals like acetylcholine, serotonin, dopamine, and norepinephrine, also play a role in epilepsy.  However, scientists don't fully understand how these neurons are involved.  What is clear is that epilepsy involves complex connections between different types of neurons.  These connections are specific to certain cell types and play a big role in epilepsy.  However, there is still much to learn.  This is especially true for types of epilepsy that don't respond to treatment.  Understanding these complex circuits is key to finding better treatments for epilepsy.

EPILEPSY UNDERLYING MECHANISMS

How Brain Cells Go Rogue in Epilepsy

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