Epilepsy is a widespread neurological disorder affecting millions worldwide. It's not a single disease but a spectrum of conditions, each with its own set of characteristics and causes.

The defining feature is the presence of epileptic seizures, which result from sudden, uncontrolled bursts of electrical activity in the brain. These disruptions can temporarily affect brain function, leading to a variety of physical and mental changes.

The impact of epilepsy can range from minor, hardly noticeable events to debilitating episodes that significantly affect a person's quality of life.

Epileptic seizures manifest in diverse ways, depending on the part of the brain affected. Symptoms can vary greatly from person to person and even from seizure to seizure in the same individual.

Common symptoms include:

Temporary confusion: A period of disorientation or difficulty understanding.

Staring spells: Brief episodes where the person appears to stare blankly into space, often seen in absence seizures.

Stiff muscles (Tonic seizures): Sudden stiffening of the body, arms, or legs.

Loss of muscle control (Atonic seizures/drop attacks): Sudden loss of muscle tone, causing the person to fall.

Uncontrollable jerking movements (Clonic or Myoclonic seizures): Repeated, rhythmic jerking of the arms, legs, or face.

Loss of consciousness or awareness: The person may become unresponsive or unaware of their surroundings.

Psychological symptoms: These can precede, accompany, or follow a seizure and may include fear, anxiety, déjà vu, or a sense of detachment.

Sensory changes: Altered sensations such as unusual smells, tastes, sounds, or visual disturbances (flashing lights).

Repetitive movements: Lip smacking, chewing, hand rubbing, or walking in circles (often seen in focal seizures with impaired awareness).

Some individuals may experience a warning sign called an "aura" before a seizure. This can be a specific sensation, emotion, or visual disturbance that signals an impending seizure.

In many cases (around 50-60%), the cause of epilepsy remains unknown, categorized as idiopathic epilepsy.

However, for others, epilepsy can be attributed to various factors that disrupt the brain's normal electrical activity. These causes can include:

Genetic predisposition: Certain genetic mutations can increase the likelihood of developing epilepsy.

Brain injury: Traumatic brain injury (TBI), stroke, or oxygen deprivation to the brain can lead to epilepsy.

Brain infections: Conditions like meningitis, encephalitis, or brain abscesses can cause inflammation and damage to brain tissue, leading to seizures.

Brain tumors: Tumors, even benign ones, can disrupt brain activity and cause seizures.

Structural abnormalities of the brain: Congenital brain malformations or acquired structural changes like cortical dysplasia or mesial temporal sclerosis.

Developmental disorders: Conditions such as Down Syndrome, Angelman Syndrome, or Tuberous Sclerosis Complex are often associated with epilepsy.

Metabolic disorders: Problems with the body's metabolism, such as GLUT-1 deficiency syndrome, can affect brain function and cause seizures.

Autoimmune disorders: In some cases, the immune system may mistakenly attack brain cells, leading to autoimmune epilepsy.

Diagnosing epilepsy involves a comprehensive evaluation by a neurologist, often including a detailed medical history, physical examination, and various diagnostic tests:

Neurological Examination: To assess motor skills, sensory function, reflexes, and mental status.

Electroencephalogram (EEG): This is the most common test, which measures and records the electrical activity in the brain. Abnormal brainwave patterns can indicate epilepsy. An EEG may be performed during wakefulness or sleep, and sometimes with video monitoring to capture seizures.

Brain Imaging:

Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI): Provides detailed images of the brain to detect structural abnormalities, tumors, or areas of scarring.

Computed Tomography (CT) Scan: Uses X-rays to create cross-sectional images of the brain, useful for identifying bleeding, tumors, or cysts.

Positron Emission Tomography (PET) Scan: Helps visualize metabolic activity in the brain, identifying areas with abnormal function.

Single-Photon Emission Computed Tomography (SPECT): Used to identify areas of blood flow during a seizure, helping to pinpoint the seizure origin.

Blood Tests: To rule out other conditions that can cause seizures, such as infections, metabolic imbalances, or genetic conditions.

Neuropsychological Tests: These assess cognitive functions like memory, attention, and language, helping to identify areas of the brain affected by seizures.

Epilepsy treatment aims to control seizures, minimize side effects, and improve quality of life.

Treatment approaches often include:

Anti-Epileptic Drugs (AEDs): These medications are the primary treatment for most people with epilepsy. They work by stabilizing brain activity and reducing the frequency and severity of seizures. Finding the right AED and dosage often requires careful titration and monitoring.

Dietary Therapies: For some individuals, particularly children with drug-resistant epilepsy, specific diets like the ketogenic diet (high fat, low carbohydrate) or modified Atkins diet can help control seizures.

Surgery: If seizures originate from a specific, identifiable area of the brain that can be safely removed without causing significant neurological deficits, surgical intervention may be an option.

Neuromodulation Devices:

Vagus Nerve Stimulation (VNS): A device implanted under the skin stimulates the vagus nerve, sending regular electrical impulses to the brain.

Responsive Neurostimulation (RNS): An implanted device monitors brain activity and delivers electrical stimulation when it detects abnormal activity, preventing a seizure.

Deep Brain Stimulation (DBS): Electrodes are surgically implanted in specific brain areas to regulate abnormal brain activity.

Stem Cell Therapy (Advanced Therapies): For individuals with refractory epilepsy where conventional treatments are ineffective, emerging regenerative medicine approaches, such as stem cell therapy, are being explored.

The Role of Concord Stem Cell Limited in Advanced Epilepsy Treatment

Concord Stem Cell Limited, as the only DGDA-approved stem cell manufacturer and provider lab in Bangladesh with a cGMP facility, is dedicated to advancing regenerative medicine. While stem cell therapy for epilepsy is largely considered experimental and is under ongoing research globally, Mesenchymal Stem Cells (MSCs), particularly Human Umbilical Cord Mesenchymal Stem Cells (hUC-MSC), hold significant promise due to their:

Immunomodulatory properties: Ability to regulate the immune system and reduce inflammation in the brain, which can contribute to seizure activity.

Neuroprotective effects: Potential to protect existing brain cells from damage.

Trophic support: Secretion of growth factors that promote the health and repair of brain tissue.

Differentiation potential: Though direct differentiation into neurons is limited in this context, their paracrine effects are key.

Concord Stem Cell Limited is actively involved in the production of high-quality autologous and allogeneic stem cell products in their state-of-the-art cGMP facility, adhering to stringent international standards for safety and efficacy.

Patients seeking information on advanced treatment options for epilepsy, including the potential of stem cell therapies, are encouraged to consult with Concord Stem Cell Limited's expert team to understand the current research landscape and whether such therapies may be suitable for their specific condition.