New Method for Understanding Brain Function and Dysfunction

International researchers from FutureNeuro, the Research Ireland Centre for Translational Brain Science, and RCSI University of Medicine and Health Sciences have created a novel technique to characterize gene activity in the living human brain.

This novel method, published in JCI Insight, brings up new possibilities for comprehending and managing neurological disorders like epilepsy.

It has long been a barrier in neuroscience to study gene activity in the brain without intrusive tissue samples from post-mortem donation or surgery. However, by analyzing chemical traces, particularly RNA and DNA, obtained from electrodes placed in epileptic patients' brains and correlating them with brain electrical recordings, the researchers were able to obtain a “snapshot” of gene activity in the living brain.

These electrodes offer a rare chance to connect brain activity to the genes turned on or off in certain brain areas. They are clinically utilized to identify patient seizure activity so that surgical procedures can be performed.

The study shows how combining electrical seizure recordings with molecular data can improve knowledge of the brain's seizure networks and possibly increase the accuracy of epilepsy procedures.

Broader Research

This study represents a significant advancement in epilepsy research, providing a method to detect active genes within the living brain of individuals with epilepsy. This technology has the potential to complement traditional brain imaging and EEG tests that measure electrical activity in the brain, offering valuable insights to guide surgical decision-making in the treatment of those with epilepsy.”

David Henshall, Professor and Director of FutureNeuro, Molecular Physiology and Neuroscience, RCSI University of Medicine and Health Sciences

About 40,000 people in Ireland suffer from epilepsy, and one in three of them cannot manage their seizures with medicine. Frequent surgery is the best course of action for these people, but its effectiveness depends on precisely identifying the areas that cause seizure activity.

Beyond epilepsy, the study establishes the foundation for more general uses, such as studies into schizophrenia, Parkinson's disease, and Alzheimer's disease, where knowledge of the molecular mechanisms in the living brain is essential.

A Step Forward

The research, led by Professor Henshall and Professor Vijay Tiwari, a Genome Biology expert at the University of Southern Denmark, was conducted in collaboration with a global network of specialists. Contributors included experts from Beaumont Hospital, Blackrock Clinic, Queen's University Belfast, the University of Southern Denmark, and the Danish Institute for Advanced Study.

It highlights the need for global cooperation and represents a breakthrough in understanding the molecular mechanisms underlying brain function, providing hope for better diagnosis and treatment for those affected by neurological disorders.