Epilepsy is one of the most common neurological chronic disorders characterized by unpredictable recurrent seizures, which leads to brain dysfunction, cognitive, psychological, and social disorders. Various treatment options for epilepsy are: antiepileptic drugs, surgery, neuromodulation, gene therapy and ketogenic diet. However, definitions, diagnosis and treatment of epilepsy are still challenging issues for clinicians and researchers. Antiepileptic drugs play a central and crucial role in the treatment of epilepsy patients. Brivaracetam Cannabidiol (CBD), Cenobamate, Everolimus and Fenfluramine are the five novel anticonvulsant drugs during the last 5 years. Brivaracetam anticonvulsant effects are due to its highly selective affinity for synaptic vesicle protein 2A (SV2A) in the brain. It is act as an SV2A ligand. Among these drugs Cannabidiol is one of the prominent phytocannabinoids derived from the cannabis sativa. The anticonvulsant mechanisms of action of CBD including antagonism of G protein-coupled receptor 55 (GPR55), desensitization of transient receptor potential vanilloid type 1 (TRPV1) channels, and potentiation of adenosine-mediated signaling through inhibition of the equilibrative nucleoside transporter 1 (ENT-1) and enhancement of GABAergic transmission. The mechanisms of the antiseizure effect of Cenobamate are: increasing the inactivated state of voltage-gated sodium channels, and acting as a positive allosteric modulator of the GABA-A receptors by binding at a non-benzodiazepine site. Everolimus is a mammalian target of rapamycin (mTOR) inhibitor. Fenfluramine is able to enhance extracellular serotonin levels, modulate serotonergic and other neurologic receptors. Nevertheless, the exact mechanism of action of most of these drugs is unknown. At least 30% of people with epilepsy have drug-resistant epilepsy (DRE), therefore, non-pharmacological treatments have been considered. the Vagus Nerve Stimulation (VNS), Trigeminal Nerve Stimulation (TNS), Transcranial Direct Current Stimulation (tDCS), Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation (TMS) are the most common neuromodulation-based approaches. Also, in recent years, a new field of GABA-, adenosine-, galanin-, and neuropeptide Y- based cell and gene therapies for refractory epilepsy has emerged. In spite of these advances, significant gaps in knowledge still remain. In particular, the mechanisms underlying epilepsy, including status epilepticus, drug and surgical treatments are still not well elucidated. Novel insights on pathophysiological mechanisms of epilepsy and new treatment options prompted us to collect the most recent publications on pharmacological and non-pharmacological treatments of epilepsy. So, in this Research Topic, we will focus on the advances in the field of treatment in epilepsy, the pathophysiology and molecular aspects of seizure attacks and novel antiseizure medications.

Epilepsy research has entered an exciting phase as advances in molecular analysis have supplemented in vitro and in vivo electrophysiologic and phenotypic characterization. Recent Advances in Epilepsy Research sets forth a series of chapter reviews by researchers involved in these advances. This volume is a composite profile of some exciting recent investigations in select areas of enquiry. Key features: neurogenetics of seizure disorders, new developments in cellular and molecular neurobiology of seizure disorders, the role of growth factors in seizures, new advances in the roles of metabotropic glutamate receptors and GABA receptors and transporters, gap junctions, neuroimmunology of epilepsy, malformations of cortical development, neurogenesis, new animal models of epilepsy and the use of brain stimulation to treat epilepsy. This book should be of interest to a wide variety of audiences, including graduate students in neurobiology and related disciplines, neuroscientists, medical students, neurologists, neurosurgeons, and industry including pharmaceutical companies and medical device companies. There are many ideas in this book that will lead ingenious innovators in academia and industry to develop new and better therapies.

This book is to improve our understanding of mechanisms leading to seizures in humans and in developing new therapeutic options. The book covers topics such as recent approaches to seizure control, recent developments in signal processing of interest for seizure prediction, ictogenesis in complex epileptic brain networks, active probing of the pre-seizure state, non-EEG based approaches to the transition to seizures, microseizures and their role in the generation of clinical seizures, the impact of sleep and long-biological cycles on seizure prediction, as well as animal and computational models of seizures and epilepsy. Furthermore the book covers recent developments of international databases and of parallel computing structures based on Cellular Nonlinear Networks that can play an important role in the realization of a portable seizure warning device.

Immunology is the branch of biomedical sciences to study of the immune system physiology both in healthy and diseased states. Some aspects of autoimmunity draws our attention to the fact that it is not always associated with pathology. For instance, autoimmune reactions are highly useful in clearing off the excess, unwanted or aged tissues from the body. Also, generation of autoimmunity occurs after the exposure to the non-self antigen that is structurally similar to the self, aided by the stimulatory molecules like the cytokines. Thus, a narrow margin differentiates immunity from auto-immunity as already discussed. Hence, finding answers for how the physiologic immunity turns to pathologic autoimmunity always remains a question of intense interest. However, this margin could be cut down only if the physiology of the immune system is better understood. The individual chapters included in this book will cover all the possible aspects of immunology and pathologies associated with it. The authors have taken strenuous effort in elaborating the concepts that are lucid and will be of reader's interest.

Researchers have tried various effective treatments that prevent the progressive neurodegeneration of neurons within the brain. Parkinson’s disease (PD), Alzheimer’s disease (AD), and Multiple sclerosis (MS) are some of the most common neurodegenerative diseases (NDDs). Recent Advances in the Treatment of Neurodegenerative Disorders provides interesting updates on treatments of these neurological disorders. Ten chapters have been contributed by experts in pharmacology and give a unique perspective to reader on special topics in this area, including the treatment of neurodegenerative treatment of neurodegenerative disease through ayurveda and phytochemicals, the therapeutic role of vitamins in Parkinson’s disease, mushrooms in NDD treatment, MS treatment, ALS treatment and the use of nanoparticles and nano formulations in NDD treatment. This is an informative reference for pharmacologists, medicinal chemists and healthcare professionals (general practitioners and neurologists) seeking updates in the treatment of some common neurodegenerative disorders.

Recent Advances and Controversies in Gamma Knife Neurosurgery, Volume 268, the latest release in the Progress in Brain Research series, highlights new advances in the field with this new volume presenting interesting chapters on the latest in Dosimetry, Radiobiology, Evolving Gamma Knife Technology, Imaging, Arteriovenous Malformations, Dural A-V Fistulae, Cavernous Malformations, Vestibular Schwannoma, Other Schwannoma, Meningiomas, Pituitary Adenomas, Craniopharyngiomas, Metastases, Glioma Low Grade, Glioma High Grade, Glomus Tumors, Less Common Tumors, Orbital Indications, Trigeminal Neuralgia, Epilepsy, Movement, Psychosurgery, and Future Trends. - Provides the authority and expertise of leading contributors from an international board of authors - Presents the latest release in Progress in Brain Research serials - Updated release includes the latest information on Recent Advances and Controversies in Gamma Knife Neurosurgery

This book reviews the role of glial cells (astrocytes, microglia, oligodendroglia, satellite cells, and Schwann cells) in neuronal health and diseases. It discusses the latest advances in understanding their origin, differentiation, and hemostasis. The book also examines the role of microglial cells in central nervous system (CNS) development, maintenance, and synaptic plasticity. Further, the book presents the functions of astrocytes in healthy CNS and their critical role in CNS disorders, including Parkinson's and Alzheimer's diseases. Notably, the book describes the pathobiology, molecular pathogenesis, stem cells, and imaging characteristics of gliomas. It defines the role of glial cells in regulating iron homeostasis and their effect on the neurodegeneration of neurons. Lastly, it covers the structure, function, and pathology of oligodendrocytes and their role in neuronal health and disease. ​