Archive for month: March, 2024

Only a very small percentage of neurons show changes after an epileptic seizure in mice, but these alterations can be permanent and trigger future seizures that can affect the whole brain and lead to impaired cognition, like memory and learning, according to new research from the Perelman School of Medicine at the University of Pennsylvania. The researchers identified an experimental treatment that, if provided within the first 48 hours after the first seizure, can prevent these long-term changes. The findings, which were published recently in The Journal of Clinical Investigation, suggest a promising target for developing treatments for epilepsy and preventing downstream effects of seizures.

Epilepsy is characterized by excessive activity of brain cells-neurons-which generate seizures. Research is increasingly showing that the development of epilepsy involves changes of synapses, which are structures that connect one neuron to another. While an estimated 3.4 million people in the United States live with some form of epilepsy, it is still unknown what causes it, and there is no cure. Further, half of individuals with epilepsy experience cognitive impairment, such as problems with memory, or with emotional regulation, but it remains unclear why or how epilepsy changes brain cells to cause this. What’s more, epilepsy is common in children with autism and individuals with dementia.

“It is clear that there is some connection between an epileptic brain, impaired memory and trouble controlling emotions and how we act on those feelings, but we don’t understand the underlying mechanisms,” said Frances E. Jensen, MD, chair of the Department of Neurology, and senior author of the study. “Existing treatments for epilepsy only help manage seizures. This research gives us a promising starting point for developing therapies that prevent them from happening.”

In this study, the researchers used a method that “tagged” neurons in the hippocampus-an area commonly affected by epilepsy, and critical for memory-of mice that were activated by epileptic activity. The researchers were able to monitor those activated neurons over time and observe how they responded to subsequent seizures. They found that only about twenty percent of neurons in the hippocampus were activated by seizures. Over time, the overactivity of these neurons diminished their ability to make connections with other neurons, called synapses, which is necessary for learning.

“The overactive neurons lose their ability to build the strong synapses necessary for learning, which may explain why some people with epilepsy have trouble with learning and with memory,” said Jensen. “If we can stop these neurons from undergoing changes after being activated by seizures, our hope is that we can also prevent not only the progression of epilepsy, but also avoid these cognitive deficits individuals experience long-term.”

To see if they could prevent neurons from becoming permanently epileptic, the researchers used an experimental glutamate receptor-blocker, called IEM-1460, which has been shown to reduce neuron hyperexcitability in models of mice with epilepsy. They found when they treated mice with this blocker in the first 48 hours after their very first seizure the neurons did not become permanently activated, and the subjects did not experience future seizures or the associated effects, like impaired cognition and trouble learning.

“Now that we have identified the subgroup of neurons that are impacted by epilepsy, we can investigate what makes these cells vulnerable to becoming epileptic, and whether that is something we can develop a therapy to stop,” said Jensen. “We are also eager to determine whether there is a glutamate receptor-blocker that works similarly to IEM-1460 in humans, which could be given to people after their first seizure, and prevent the lifelong struggles associated with epilepsy.”

Reference:

Bo Xing, Aaron J. Barbour, Joseph Vithayathil, Xiaofan Li, Sierra Dutko, Jessica Fawcett-Patel, Eunjoo Lancaster, Delia M. Talos, and Frances E. Jensen, Reversible synaptic adaptations in a subpopulation of murine hippocampal neurons following early-life seizures, Journal of Clinical Investigation, DOI:10.1172/JCI175167.

The US Food and Drug Administration has granted 510(k) clearance to bioMerieux for a rapid respiratory/sore throat panel. The test will help clinicians make more informed decisions about antibiotic prescribing.

The new PCR test is capable of detecting upto 15 most common bacteria, viruses, and viral subtypes that cause respiratory or sore throat infections in about 15 minutes from samples taken from nasopharyngeal and throat swabs.

The COVID-19 pandemic has demonstrated the need for healthcare professionals to have diagnostic tests available as close as possible to the patient, providing actionable results quickly. A fast and innovative syndromic testing range, BIOFIRE  SPOTFIRE  perfectly matches these new medical needs worldwide.

The BIOFIRE  SPOTFIRE  R/ST Panel is a unique multiplex PCR1 test capable of detecting and identifying nucleic acids from up to 15 of the most common bacteria, viruses, and viral subtypes responsible for respiratory or sore throat infections in about 15 minutes. Samples can be taken from a nasopharyngeal swab when a respiratory tract infection is suspected, or from a throat swab in case of a pharyngitis syndrome.

“To prescribe or not to prescribe antimicrobials is the age-old question for outpatient upper respiratory infections. The flexibility of this syndromic panel allows healthcare professionals to test for multiple pathogens with overlapping signs and symptoms, ultimately allowing the diagnostic to drive informed decision-making during the outpatient visit. These results further empower the advancement of antimicrobial stewardship and modernize patient care.” declared Dr Charles K. Cooper, Executive Vice-President, Chief Medical Officer, bioMérieux

The BIOFIRE SPOTFIRE R/ST Panel is the third panel to receive FDA clearance for use on the BIOFIRE® SPOTFIRE® System. The two other panels available for use on this system are the BIOFIRE  SPOTFIRE  Respiratory (R) Panel and BIOFIRE® SPOTFIRE® Respiratory (R) Panel Mini, detecting 15 and 5 of the most common respiratory pathogens respectively.

A CLIA-waiver allows the BIOFIRE  SPOTFIRE  System and its so-authorized panels to be used by non-lab professionals and in any clinical setting where patients seek care including an urgent care, physician office, local pharmacy, student health clinic, or an emergency department.

“Receiving FDA clearance for the BIOFIRE  SPOTFIRE  R/ST Panel, just one year after the successful launch of the BIOFIRE  SPOTFIRE  solution, marks another milestone in our mission to move testing closer to the patient,” said Jennifer Zinn, Executive Vice President, Clinical Operations, bioMérieux. “With our innovative approach, we are committed to enhancing patient care by providing healthcare professionals with the tools they need to deliver expedited and effective diagnoses. Together, we are revolutionizing the landscape of healthcare, one diagnosis at a time.”

The BIOFIRE  SPOTFIRE  R/ST Panel is currently CE-marked under IVDD (In Vitro Diagnostic Directive) and has been submitted for CE-marking under IVDR (In Vitro Diagnostic Regulation).

bioMérieux will also submit the BIOFIRE  SPOTFIRE  Respiratory / Sore Throat (R/ST) Panel Mini to the FDA for review for a 510(k) clearance. This panel is intended to detect and identify nucleic acids from 5 of the most common viral and bacterial causes of respiratory tract infections from either a nasopharyngeal or throat swab respectively. The BIOFIRE  SPOTFIRE  R/ST Panel Mini is not yet available for sale.

In the pursuit of beauty, there can be unexpected risks. Recent research has uncovered a concerning connection between hair-straightening products and kidney health. French researchers have unveiled a disturbing link between these popular cosmetic items and acute kidney failure, shedding light on a potentially overlooked health hazard. Their findings, published in The New England Journal of Medicine, reveal a troubling association between glyoxylic acid—a common ingredient in these products—and the formation of calcium oxalate crystals within the kidneys.