Researchers at Harvard Medical School and the Kempner Institute for the Study of Natural and Artificial Intelligence at Harvard University have launched a new project to uncover how genetic mutations in the brain give rise to epilepsy.
- By YOHAN J. JOHN | Kempner Institute
The project combines a pioneering genetic technique developed at HMS with a compact desktop supercomputer, allowing the team to quickly and efficiently analyze thousands of mutations that may be involved in the disease.
Studying how these mutations alter the structure and function of neurons in the brain could provide new insights into the role of genetic variation in epilepsy. Eventually, this information may help scientists identify new treatment targets for the disease.
A new window into the brain
Epilepsy is marked by seizures caused by overactivity of brain circuits. The neurons that make up these brain circuits generally fall into two categories: excitatory and inhibitory. Excitatory neurons increase the activity of other neurons, while inhibitory neurons suppress it. Seizures are thought to emerge when this delicate balance is disrupted.
Understanding how certain genetic mutations cause neurons to become hyperactive is critical to explaining why seizures occur. Yet mutations in inhibitory neurons often present a paradox.
