Scientists Develop a Brain-Cooling Treatment

Scientists have found new insights into the mechanism by which lowering the temperature of specific brain regions could potentially treat epileptic seizures. The scientists have used a computer simulation technique for the successful results.

Data revealed that more around 50 million people universally deal with sudden, chronic seizures that are the hallmark of epilepsy. This computational model is a result of scientists’ long-term research. The scientists have stated that treatment with medication or surgery does not work for some patients. Thus, they have created this potential alternative called focal cooling, in which a device would be fixed in the brain to curb the electrical signals discharges that characterize epileptic seizures.

This research was conducted by scientist Jaymar Soriano of Nara Institute of Science and Technology (NAIST), Japan, and colleagues. The purpose of this study was to understand the mechanism by which focal cooling operates. So far, the technique has been applied only momentarily in epilepsy patients as intraoperative studies.

By: Priyanka Negi

Content: www.sciencedaily.com