According to the article published in the international journal Brain, Chinese scientists recently discovered a gene that causes epilepsy, a neurological disorder of the brain. The discovered gene identifies the UNC13B gene, which has loss-of-function variants that can cause demanding seizures and abnormal sensations and behavior.
Using gene screening methods, the research team at Guangzhou Medical University in Guangdong province found novel UNC446B variants in eight unrelated families among 13 epilepsy cases. Researchers note that although partial epilepsy may have variable causes in some patients, such as trauma, infection, immune abnormalities, or neoplasm, in most cases the cause of epilepsy is not known in advance.
Liao Weiping, director of the research team, said the analysis in the study showed that all patients with UNC13B variants had positive results from the treatment, which indicates that partial epilepsy caused by gene variants can be clinically managed with antiepileptic therapy. Liao stated that since the genetic causes of partial epilepsy could not be determined until this discovery, this discovery will contribute to scientists to understand the origin and development of epilepsy and to find solutions.
Source: China International Radio
Be the first to comment