Epilepsy is a central nervous system disorder (neurological disorder) in which nerve cell activity in the brain becomes disrupted, causing seizures or periods of unusual behavior, sensations and sometimes loss of consciousness (Mayo Clinic). Seizure symptoms can vary widely, from low to high intensity. Difficulty breathing and temporary confusion, are also symptoms related to epilepsy.
Who gets affected by epilepsy and what are the causes?
People of any age can get affected by epilepsy, especially if there is any structural brain lesion. It is, however, more common in young children and older people. The disorder can be developed through life or be present since birth. Car accidents, falling, gun shots, pregnancy complications and emotional issues can affect or cause epilepsy. Additional factors such as health conditions, age, and race can make its development more likely. For example, it is more common in people with Hispanic backgrounds.
How is epigenetics involved in epilepsy?
The methylation hypothesis of epileptogenesis (development and progression of epilepsy) suggests that changes in DNA methylation are implicated in the progression of the disease. In particular, global DNA hypermethylation appears to be associated with chronic epilepsy (Boison, 2016).
Can it be treated or cured?
Currently, there are no cures for epilepsy, but instead the seizures and symptoms are controlled by specific medications. Fortunately, epigenetic influences in epilepsy are being studied, and since epigenetic changes are reversible, there may be an answer in the near future.
For more information,
http://perspectivesinmedicine.cshlp.org/content/5/12/a022731.long
Buenas noches. El artículo nos informa que las metilaciones de ADN pueden ser la causa del progreso de la enfermedad. Entonces estas metilaciones una vez se llevan acabo van a alterar la expresión del gen pero no la información. Si esto es cierto pues las metilaciones no van a tener efectos en la replicación de ese ADN o si?
ReplyDeleteSaludos, Danny Rivera. Como fue mencionado, las metilaciones no afectan la información o secuencias del ADN, pero si afectan su expresión o la forma en que se lee esta información. Las metilaciones no van a tener efectos en la replicación del ADN, pero sin embargo, estas metilaciones se mantienen en el ADN del organismo por medio del gen DNMT1 (metiltransferasa de ADN I). Al producirse ese nuevo ADN, este gen se encarga de que tenga la misma metilación que su ADN parental, ya que al replicarse no posee ninguna metilación.
DeleteEste proceso es explicado en más detalle en el siguiente enlace:
http://epigenie.com/key-epigenetic-players/important-dna-methylation-factors/dna-methyltransferases/
Greetings, Danny Rivera. As mentioned, methylations do not affect DNA information or sequences, but they do affect their expression or the way this information is read. Methylations will have no effect on DNA replication, but these methylations are maintained in the DNA of the organism by means of the DNMT1 (DNA I-methyltransferase) gene. When this new DNA is produced, this gene ensures that it has the same methylation as its parent DNA, since replicating does not have any methylation.
This process is explained in more detail in the following link:
http://epigenie.com/key-epigenetic-players/important-dna-methylation-factors/dna-methyltransferases/
Gracias por la respuesta. ¿Al transferirse estas metilaciones al ADN replicado, pues entonces esto significa que la epilepsia que sea causada por el mecanismo de metilación siempre va a empeorar y de manera más rápida con el paso del tiempo a menos que sea tratada?
DeleteHello! Thank you for the valuable information. I have a little question, why are Hispanos more commonly affected by epilepsy?
ReplyDeleteGreetings, Doris Rivera Charón. The exact reason why Hispanics are more commonly affected by epilepsy is not known entirely. However, it's been proven that their overall genetic background is the reason why it is more common.
DeleteHe escuchado decir que la epilepsia se puede heredar, ¿ está afirmación ha sido probada científicamente o solo es una especulación de las personas?
ReplyDeleteSaludos, Janeishly Román. Está comprobado que la epilepsia si puede ser heredada, pero sin embargo, también puede ser adquirida a través de la vida como resultado de golpes o traumas.
DeleteGreetings, Janeishly Roman. It is proven that epilepsy can be inherited, but nevertheless, it can also be acquired through life as a result of blows or traumas.
Por qué la epilepsia afecta a niños y ancianos en mayor cantidad?
ReplyDeleteSaludos, Rocio Rivera. Esto es debido a varias razones. Entre algunas, se presenta mayormente en los niños o niñas como resultado de convulsiones a causa de fiebres elevadas a esta temprana edad o por razones genéticas en donde heredan la condición de un familiar, por ejemplo. En los ancianos, las probabilidades de tener epilepsia aumentan al desarrollar convulsiones, derrames, tumores cerebrales o enfermedad de Alzheimer's. Adicionalmente, ambos grupos de edades son muy susceptibles a caídas y golpes en la cabeza que eventualmente pueden ser causantes de epilepsia.
DeletePara leer más:
http://www.epilepsy.com/learn/epilepsy-101/who-gets-epilepsy
http://www.healthline.com/health/epilepsy/facts-statistics-infographic#4
Greetings, Rocio Rivera. This is due to several reasons. Among them, it occurs mainly in children as a result of convulsions due to elevated fevers at this early age or for genetic reasons where they are inherited from the relative, for example. In the elderly, the chances of having epilepsy increase with seizures, strokes, brain tumors, or Alzheimer's disease. Additionally, both age groups are very susceptible to falls and blows to the head that may eventually cause epilepsy.
To read more:
http://www.epilepsy.com/learn/epilepsy-101/who-gets-epilepsy
http://www.healthline.com/health/epilepsy/facts-statistics-infographic#4
A qué se refieren con "global DNA hypermethylation"?
ReplyDeleteSaludos Nicole. El término de "global DNA hypermethylation" se refiere a que el ADN de un individuo que padece de epilepsia se encuentra, de manera general (o global) más metilado que el ADN de un individuo promedio saludable. Se destaca el aspecto global, ya que no hace referencia a partes específicas del ADN como promotores de genes y elementos repetitivos. A veces ocurre el caso que GLOBALMENTE el DNA se encuentra hipo-metilado (menos metilado), por ejemplo, pero regiones específicas pueden estar hiper-metiladas, interesantemente.
ReplyDeleteThere has been mention of the role of epigenetics when reffering to epilepse but its definition seems a ittle unclear to me can you help me understand it a bit more??
ReplyDeleteEs posible que una persona presente un síntoma que lo alerte antes de sufrir un ataque epiléptico?
ReplyDeleteEn mi núcleo familiar, una tía, dos de mis hermanas y una prima están diagnosticadas con esta enfermedad, como ya mencione todas son del sexo femenino, esta enfermedad es considerada como una ligada al sexo?
ReplyDeleteIs it more common to see epilepsy as a consequence of inheritance or as a consequence of some kind of trauma?
ReplyDeletein other words, epigenetics is involved with epilepsy due to the fact that the disease doesn't necessarily have to be inherited by genetics, it can also be acquired by some trauma experienced in your life, and it is clear that the young and the old are the ones more likely to have epilepsy because they are more prone to suffer some trauma, let it be emotional or physical. however,it says here that in the future, a cure may be developed since the epigenetic changes can be reversible; how is that so?(im not very clear on how the epigenetic changes are reversible)
ReplyDeleteQue efectos pueden tener las convulsiones en una persona que sufre de epilepsia?
ReplyDeleteLa epilepsia puede empeorar con el tiempo y causar convulsiones mas a menudo?
ReplyDelete