University of Richmond Research Explores Natural Treatment for Epilepsy
Student-Inspired Study Seeks Safer Anti-Seizure Option.
Epilepsy, a neurological condition that causes recurring seizures, affects nearly 65 million people worldwide. While there are many FDA-approved antiseizure medications on the market, many of them cause adverse side effects or simply fail to adequately control seizures. University of Richmond biology professor Colleen Carpenter-Swanson is working to discover a natural treatment for epilepsy, and she’s using zebrafish to help.
Carpenter-Swanson’s lab is researching the use of vitexin, a natural compound found in plants like passion flowers, mung bean, hawthorn, and bamboo. When tested on zebrafish, the plant-based compound known for its antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties reduced seizure-like activity without disrupting normal behavior or causing harm to the fish.
The idea to test vitexin derived from a student-driven project in Carpenter-Swanson’s upper-level course, Drugs & Genetics, in which students found studies that showed that the flavonoid suppressed seizures in rodent models. Intrigued, she began assessing the effects of vitexin on the zebrafish in her lab.
“This is actually a fantastic example of how ideas that sparked in the classroom can grow into meaningful research,” says Carpenter-Swanson.
This is actually a fantastic example of how ideas that sparked in the classroom can grow into meaningful research
Assistant Professor in Biology
University of Richmond
Why zebrafish?
Carpenter-Swanson chose zebrafish because their genetics and brain chemistry are similar those of humans. They also quickly mature from embryo to adult. Unlike rodents, researchers can test many zebrafish at once helping to measure effectiveness.
In the lab, the zebrafish were exposed to a seizure-inducing compound and then given vitexin as treatment. Researchers measured the zebrafish brain activity before and after and found positive results.
“We observed a clear reduction in seizure-like movements and abnormal brain activity following vitexin exposure,” says Carpenter-Swanson, “And we saw no to minimal side effects as the zebrafish developed normally.”
What's next?
The researchers are focused on a related compound called isovitexin that has also been shown to reduce seizure activity.