GABA

October 6, 2022

Gene tied to childhood epilepsy

Data drawn from four unrelated patients with a childhood epilepsy syndrome — and from in vitro and in vivo studies — link novel variants in a GABA transporter gene to seizure activity, Vanderbilt researchers reported.

By Paul Govern

June 23, 2021

Common mechanism found for diverse brain disorders: study

Researchers at Vanderbilt University Medical Center have identified a common mechanism underlying a spectrum of epilepsy syndromes and neurodevelopmental disorders, including autism, that are caused by variations in a gene encoding a vital transporter protein in the brain.

By Bill Snyder

October 3, 2019

Team discovers one more piece to the autism puzzle

Vanderbilt investigators have linked genetic mutations in a single receptor to epilepsy, autism and intellectual disability.

By Bill Snyder

Asian baby girl getting temperature taken

September 6, 2017

Heat a trigger for seizures

Elevated body temperature alone can increase vulnerability to fever-induced seizures, even in the absence of infection or inflammation.

By Sanjay Mishra

November 10, 2016

Protein structure and epilepsy severity

Understanding how mutations affect the structure and function of inhibitory neurotransmitter receptors will shed light on the mechanisms underlying some types of epilepsy.