19/10/2025
Scientists discover two brain proteins that help stop seizures, offering hope for new treatments
Roughly one in ten people will have a seizure at some point, yet truly effective treatments are still lacking. That’s partly because scientists don’t fully grasp all the brain pathways that lead to these sudden electrical storms. Now, new research in fruit flies is shining light on two key proteins, Imp and Sdc, that seem critical for building brains resistant to seizures. These proteins are present in both flies and mammals, suggesting the findings could be relevant for humans too.
Researchers found that when either of these proteins was reduced during brain development, the flies became much more prone to seizures—though they could still move around just fine otherwise. Interestingly, when flies had lower levels of Imp, boosting Sdc helped them recover from seizures over three times faster. This points to the possibility that the two proteins work together to keep brain circuits stable and protect against sudden electrical misfires.
If similar mechanisms are at play in people, understanding how these proteins shape the brain could lead to earlier diagnoses and more targeted treatments for seizure disorders. Scientists believe that digging deeper into the exact roles of Imp and Sdc might pave the way for therapies that directly address the roots of seizures, not just the symptoms. While this work is still in its early stages, it’s another step toward unraveling the mysteries of the brain and finding smarter ways to keep it healthy.
Research Paper 📄
DOI: 10.1523/ENEURO.0545-24.2025
