Gene for Epilepsy

Researchers learn more every day about how our genes influence our health and wellbeing. A recently described group of tiny molecules – microRNAs – can trigger or terminate the process by which genes produce proteins. MicroRNAs literally ‘mop up’ messages from genes preventing their translation into protein products. Researchers investigating microRNA-134 found it in particularly high levels in a brain region associated with epileptic seizure. They discovered this tiny molecule was blocking the expression of a gene called LIMK1. However, they used another small molecule to ‘hoover up’ microRNA-134 from the brain cells (pictured) of epileptic mice, with the result that the animals suffered fewer seizures. These results offer a glimmer of hope for epilepsy sufferers, a third of whom gain no benefit from current drug treatments. It seems likely that this drug-resistant group of patients could benefit significantly from the new approach.

Written by Brona McVittie

Brona McVittie

Writer/Consultant

Independent science blogger and musician. Got the whole BPoD show on the road while heading up the public engagement team at the MRC CSC. Loves gardening, cooking and diving. Makes corkbots too.

• David Henshall
• Royal College of Surgeons in Ireland
• Reprinted by permission from Macmillan Publishers Ltd: Nature Medicine Copyright 2012
• Published in Nature Medicine 18: 1087–1094