According to a recent Duke study that was published in the journal Small, a nanomaterial that they engineered can assist in regulating chloride levels in the nerve cells that can cause epilepsy, chronic pain and traumatic brain injury.

The researchers for this study found that these results were clearly evident in both individual nerve cells in humans as well as rodents. They believe that these results will have future applications in intracranial or spinal devices that are used to treat neural injuries. For those that don’t already know, carbon nanotubes are a nanomaterial that possesses its own unique features, which include mechanical strength and electrical conductivity. These features, when coupled with their size, make them a common target for technological research. Nanotubes are often used to in studying newer ways for scientists to discover a way to improve microchip technology, which can help develop faster means for scientists to discover neurological conditions including epilepsy. Faster detection will inevitably mean better treatment.

“Carbon nanotubes hold great promise for an array of applications, and we are only beginning to see their enormous potential,” said lead author Wolfgang Liedtke, M.D., PhD, associate professor of medicine and neurobiology at Duke. “Their exceptional mechanical and electrical properties make them ideal for developing devices that interface with nervous tissues. However, the precise mechanisms behind carbon nanotubes and their effect on neurons remain elusive.”

Finding an earlier detection method for epilepsy has long been in the list for researchers. It is currently believed that in detecting epilepsy early, doctors will better be able to find treatments that work in preventing seizures, which can cause death. Epilepsy is a common condition that is suffered by millions of people worldwide. The condition is often treated with prescription medications, which include anti-seizure drugs like Topamax, which is linked to babies being born with birth defects, including PPHN, oral clefts, spina bifida and neural tube defects when the mothers take the pills while pregnant. Topamax use is often dangerous because doctors have to guess which dosage to use on patients in order to find the right one. This nanotube information could go a long way toward helping scientists invent a detection device that could catch the condition sooner.

If your baby has suffered from birth defects after being exposed to Topamax in-utero, contact attorney Greg Jones today for a free consultation. I am experienced at fighting Topamax lawsuits and may be able to help you recover money for your child’s injury.