JERUSALEM, Jan. 28 (Xinhua) -- Israeli researchers have developed a peptide-based treatment that may reduce recurring epilepsy seizures and support brain function, the Hebrew University of Jerusalem said in a statement on Wednesday.
The treatment is based on a peptide compound called TXM-CB3, designed to imitate a natural protective protein in the body.
TXM-CB3 helps brain cells cope with chemical stress and regulate inflammation, processes believed to play a key role in triggering seizures and long-term brain damage.
Unlike current medications that focus on suppressing seizures, the new treatment targets the underlying causes of epilepsy and could slow its progression, with the greatest benefits seen when treatment begins early.
In their new study published in the journal Redox Biology, the researchers tested TXM-CB3 in laboratory and preclinical models to examine how it works.
In early lab tests, TXM-CB3 reduced damaging chemical strain and shifted immune signals toward a protective pattern.
In preclinical models, early treatment delayed the onset of seizures, reduced seizure frequency, and improved memory and behavior. Later treatment still reduced seizures but had limited impact on cognitive problems.
Epilepsy affects about 50 million people worldwide, according to the World Health Organization, and up to 40 percent of patients respond poorly to current treatments.
The researchers said that these findings suggest a promising path for improving both seizure control and long-term quality of life. ■
