A new study that was recently published in Epilepsiais suggesting that humans may have a novel electrical bio-marker that can help predict the onset of seizures. This research was led by Newcastle University’s Dr. Mark Cunningham and Professor Miles Whittington.

During this research, the colleagues monitored the brain’s pattern in epileptic patients by using electrodes that were attached to the scalp (EEG) and analyzing tissue samples. In doing this, the team was able to see an abnormal brain wave that was easy to see because of increasing frequency. The team then compared those to a musical “glissando,” which is an upwards glide from one pitch to another. This is something that is truly unique in the brain rhythm of humans. The team believes that this may be associated with epilepsy.

“We were able to examine EEG collected from patients with drug-resistant epilepsy who were continually monitored over a two-week period,” Cunningham notes. “During that time, we noticed patterns of electrical activity with rapidly increasing frequency, just like glissandi, emerging in the lead-up to an epileptic seizure. We are in the early days of the work and we want to investigate this in a larger group of patients, but it may offer a promising insight into when a seizure is going to start.”

“Classical composers such as Gustav Mahler are famous for using notes of rapidly increasing pitch — called glissando — to convey intense expressions of anticipation,” Whittington adds. “Similarly, we identified glissando-like patterns of brain electrical activity generated in anticipation of seizures in patients with epilepsy.”

Predicting seizures in epileptic patients could go a long way to scientists being able to finding a way to completely prevent seizures from occurring. This would make anti-seizure medications like Topamax unnecessary. In the long run, that would also help to prevent patients from suffering from the terrible side effects of these drugs. Topamax, for example, has been linked to various adverse side effects including birth defects babies whose mothers take the drug while pregnant. Some of those birth defects include PPHN, oral clefts, cleft palate, spina bifida and neural defects.

If your child was born with birth defects and you have taken Topamax, 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 injuries.