Invention:
University of Arizona researchers have found the angiotensin II receptor blocker, Candesartan, to effectively reduce epileptic activity.
Background:
As the most prevalent neurological disease, epilepsy is estimated to affect around 50 million people worldwide. In the United States, it is estimated that around 470,000 children and 3 million adults suffer from epilepsy. Anti-epileptic drugs can be expensive in both time and resources to research and develop; however, because Candesartan is already on the market to treat hypertension or heart failure, costly development could be avoided. The drug can be administered in conjunction with existing anti-epileptic medications, which are only 70% effective in treating epilepsy. This technology not only treats epilepsy by offering protection to the blood brain barrier, but it may reverse the progression of the disease. With this technology, not only could epilepsy be treated, but it could help prevent comorbidities associated with epilepsy, including: neurological, neuropsychiatric, and neurobehavioral disorders.
Applications:
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Treat active seizures
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Reverse progression of epilepsy
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Prevent comorbidities associated with epilepsy
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Use in conjunction with existing anti-epilepsy drugs
Advantages:
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Avoids costly development
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Already FDA approved for hypertension treatment
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Can not only treat epilepsy, but reverse its progression
