Exploration of Neuroscience

Special Issue Topic

Advances in Epilepsy Research

Submission Deadline: December 31, 2025

Guest Editor

Jinwei Zhang E-Mail

Principal Investigator, University of Exeter Medical School, Exeter, UK

Research Keywords: Epilepsy, protein phosphorylation, kinases, ubiquitin, signalling, cellular chloride volume regulation, disease mechanism

About the Special Issue

Rationale
Building on the success of the previous special issue on Epilepsy, this new collection aims to capture recent advancements and emerging research in the field. Epilepsy remains a significant global health concern, affecting millions of individuals and necessitating a multidisciplinary approach to address its challenges. New discoveries in molecular mechanisms, therapeutic interventions, and technological innovations continue to shape the future of epilepsy research.
Scope and Focus Areas
This special issue will include papers focusing on but not limited to the following themes:
1. Molecular Mechanisms
o Advances in the understanding of genetic contributions (e.g., SLC12A5/KCC2 mutations).
o Role of ion channels, neurotransmitter systems, and intracellular signaling pathways.
o Insights into neuroinflammation and oxidative stress in epilepsy pathogenesis.
2. Therapeutic Innovations
o Development of new anti-seizure medications and therapeutic targets.
o Dietary interventions such as the ketogenic diet and its variants.
o Cutting-edge surgical techniques and neuromodulation strategies.
3. Technological and Computational Approaches
o Integration of computational models for seizure prediction.
o Application of AI in diagnosis and treatment personalization.
o Development of wearable devices and patient-specific management systems.
4. Psychosocial and Epidemiological Insights
o Long-term impact of social support and stigma reduction.
o Addressing disparities in epilepsy care across different regions.
o Understanding epilepsy’s comorbidities and their management.
Objective
This special issue seeks to foster dialogue and collaboration among researchers, clinicians, and policymakers, paving the way for transformative advances in epilepsy research and care.

Keywords: Epilepsy, disease mechanisms, new therapeutic targets, novel treatment strategies, drug development

Call for Papers

Published Articles

Open Access

Original Article

Buccal midazolam vs rectal diazepam administered by parents for continuing and serial epileptic seizures: a randomised controlled trial of parental preferences
Aim: We aimed to undertake a small study comparing buccal midazolam and rectal diazepam in the emergency out-of-hospital treatment of prolonged or serial epileptic seizures in children. We wanted [...] Read more.

Aim:

We aimed to undertake a small study comparing buccal midazolam and rectal diazepam in the emergency out-of-hospital treatment of prolonged or serial epileptic seizures in children. We wanted to see if the parent/carer could not only administer the emergency medication but also document the timings and outcomes of the trial. We also aimed to demonstrate parental preference for either treatment.

Methods:

This was an open-label, randomised, cross-over clinical trial. The primary outcome was parental preference, secondary outcomes included therapeutic success (seizure stopped within 10 minutes of treatment with no relapse in the next 24 hours), and adverse events. Research Ethics Committee approval and appropriate written informed consent were obtained for all participants. Identical convenient age-related doses of buccal midazolam and rectal diazepam were used: for those aged 6 to < 12 months, 2.5 mg was prescribed; for those aged 1 to < 5 years, 5 mg; 5 to < 10 years, 7.5 mg; 10 years and over, 10 mg. Appropriate randomisation and statistical methods were used.

Results:

Twelve children, three males, aged 2.5–8 (median 5) years, including 10/12 with developmental delay or intellectual impairment completed the trial. Each participant had between 2–4 types of epileptic seizure, was taking 2–3 different regular antiseizure medications, and had been previously on 2–9 (median 3) regular other antiseizure medications in the past. Nine of twelve parents preferred buccal midazolam, 1/12 preferred rectal diazepam (P < 0.05). Therapeutic success was seen in 7/12 participants with either treatment. No respiratory depression was seen in this small trial.

Conclusions:

Buccal midazolam was clearly preferred to rectal diazepam by parents. This small study was not powered to show a difference in efficacy and adverse effects. The study did show that the cross-over design with parents recording trial data, including data for the outcome measures was feasible.

Hoong Wei Gan ... William P. Whitehouse

Published: December 20, 2024 Explor Neurosci. 2024;3:559–563
DOI: https://doi.org/10.37349/en.2024.00067

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Aim:

We aimed to undertake a small study comparing buccal midazolam and rectal diazepam in the emergency out-of-hospital treatment of prolonged or serial epileptic seizures in children. We wanted to see if the parent/carer could not only administer the emergency medication but also document the timings and outcomes of the trial. We also aimed to demonstrate parental preference for either treatment.

Methods:

This was an open-label, randomised, cross-over clinical trial. The primary outcome was parental preference, secondary outcomes included therapeutic success (seizure stopped within 10 minutes of treatment with no relapse in the next 24 hours), and adverse events. Research Ethics Committee approval and appropriate written informed consent were obtained for all participants. Identical convenient age-related doses of buccal midazolam and rectal diazepam were used: for those aged 6 to < 12 months, 2.5 mg was prescribed; for those aged 1 to < 5 years, 5 mg; 5 to < 10 years, 7.5 mg; 10 years and over, 10 mg. Appropriate randomisation and statistical methods were used.

Results:

Twelve children, three males, aged 2.5–8 (median 5) years, including 10/12 with developmental delay or intellectual impairment completed the trial. Each participant had between 2–4 types of epileptic seizure, was taking 2–3 different regular antiseizure medications, and had been previously on 2–9 (median 3) regular other antiseizure medications in the past. Nine of twelve parents preferred buccal midazolam, 1/12 preferred rectal diazepam (P < 0.05). Therapeutic success was seen in 7/12 participants with either treatment. No respiratory depression was seen in this small trial.

Conclusions:

Buccal midazolam was clearly preferred to rectal diazepam by parents. This small study was not powered to show a difference in efficacy and adverse effects. The study did show that the cross-over design with parents recording trial data, including data for the outcome measures was feasible.

Guest Editor

About the Special Issue

Call for Papers

Published Articles

Aim:

Methods:

Results:

Conclusions:

Aim:

Methods:

Results:

Conclusions: