Too many potassium channels, too much synapsin and too many other proteins whose genes are overactive as well – all this could severely disturb the information transfer in the nervous system.

Whether or not an electrical impulse is transmitted depends on the number of potassium particles and other electrically charged sodium particles inside and outside a nerve cell. The secretion of biochemical messengers, which involves synapsin, plays an important part as well. Too large or too small quantities of a signaling substance lead to grave defects in the information network which makes up our brain.

Frequently, temporal lobe epilepsies cannot be controlled with medication. Consequently for some patients who are particularly severely affected, the last possibility of cure is a surgical procedure during which parts of the temporal lobe are removed. Based on the new insights, Dr. Becker hopes to be able to improve treatment of this type of epilepsy in the future.

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