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A groundbreaking international study published in Theranostics has shed new light on the potential for preventing post-traumatic epilepsy (PTE), a common condition that can develop following traumatic brain injury (TBI). The research, which involves a team of global scientists, reveals the pivotal role of a receptor in the brain known as P2X7. Their findings suggest that targeting this receptor could reduce the risk of epilepsy and enable earlier identification of patients most at risk of developing PTE.
Traumatic brain injury, often resulting from physical trauma to the head, is a major global health issue and a leading cause of long-term disability and death. One of its most severe consequences is PTE, a condition marked by recurring seizures that severely impair the quality of life. Currently, up to 30% of PTE patients do not respond to existing treatments, and no methods exist to predict or prevent the onset of epilepsy following brain injury.
The collaborative study, led by FutureNeuro and RCSI, with contributions from Trinity College Dublin, CIC biomaGUNE, Soochow University, and the Institute for Stroke and Dementia Research, highlights the P2X7 receptor as a key driver of abnormal brain activity after TBI. Researchers found that blocking this receptor shortly after injury led to significant reductions in brain hyperexcitability, minimizing damage and improving behavior in preclinical models, suggesting its potential as a therapeutic target for preventing epilepsy.
The study also proposes an innovative diagnostic tool based on the P2X7 receptor. Using PET scans to track the receptor’s activity, researchers discovered that the brain’s uptake of a specialized P2X7 tracer shortly after injury was closely linked to an increased risk of seizures weeks later. This could enable clinicians to identify at-risk patients early and implement more personalized, timely interventions.
Dr. Tobias Engel, FutureNeuro Investigator and Senior Lecturer in the RCSI Department of Physiology and Medical Physics, commented on the findings: “Traumatic brain injury is a major cause of epilepsy in adults, with many patients unable to benefit from current anti-seizure treatments. Our research has identified the P2X7 receptor as a promising new target, offering the potential to prevent epilepsy before it develops.”
Dr. David Loane, Associate Professor of Neuroscience at Trinity College Dublin, emphasized the importance of continued research: “While further studies are necessary to confirm our findings and assess their clinical application, this represents a significant step forward in the quest for early intervention in post-traumatic epilepsy.”
Dr. Jordi Llop, Principal Investigator at CIC biomaGUNE, added, “The identification of a potential therapeutic target and diagnostic tool opens new possibilities for personalized care, leading to better outcomes and quality of life for patients at risk of epilepsy following traumatic brain injury.”
While this promising research paves the way for future advancements in treatment and diagnosis, further studies are needed before clinical implementation.
Disclaimer: The findings of this study are based on preclinical models, and further research is required to validate these results in human patients. The potential therapeutic and diagnostic tools discussed are in the early stages of development and have not yet been tested in clinical settings.
Reference: Alves, M., et al. “P2X7R antagonism suppresses long-lasting brain hyperexcitability following traumatic brain injury in mice,” Theranostics (2024). DOI: 10.7150/thno.97254
