• HOME
  • NEWS
  • EXPLORE
    • CAREER
      • Companies
      • Jobs
    • EVENTS
    • iGEM
      • News
      • Team
    • PHOTOS
    • VIDEO
    • WIKI
  • BLOG
  • COMMUNITY
    • FACEBOOK
    • INSTAGRAM
    • TWITTER
Thursday, August 28, 2025
BIOENGINEER.ORG
No Result
View All Result
  • Login
  • HOME
  • NEWS
  • EXPLORE
    • CAREER
      • Companies
      • Jobs
        • Lecturer
        • PhD Studentship
        • Postdoc
        • Research Assistant
    • EVENTS
    • iGEM
      • News
      • Team
    • PHOTOS
    • VIDEO
    • WIKI
  • BLOG
  • COMMUNITY
    • FACEBOOK
    • INSTAGRAM
    • TWITTER
  • HOME
  • NEWS
  • EXPLORE
    • CAREER
      • Companies
      • Jobs
        • Lecturer
        • PhD Studentship
        • Postdoc
        • Research Assistant
    • EVENTS
    • iGEM
      • News
      • Team
    • PHOTOS
    • VIDEO
    • WIKI
  • BLOG
  • COMMUNITY
    • FACEBOOK
    • INSTAGRAM
    • TWITTER
No Result
View All Result
Bioengineer.org
No Result
View All Result
Home NEWS Science News Health

Could an Arthritis Medication Provide Long-Term Relief for Epilepsy and Seizures? Promising Findings from UW–Madison Researchers in Mice

Bioengineer by Bioengineer
March 25, 2025
in Health
Reading Time: 3 mins read
0
Share on FacebookShare on TwitterShare on LinkedinShare on RedditShare on Telegram

Olivia Hoffmann and Avtar Roopra

A groundbreaking study conducted by researchers at the University of Wisconsin–Madison has unveiled the potential of a commonly used arthritis medication to halt brain-damaging seizures in a mouse model resembling epilepsy. The drug in question, tofacitinib, which is typically prescribed to alleviate symptoms of rheumatoid arthritis, demonstrates remarkable efficacy not only in preventing seizures but also in restoring lost cognitive functions and diminishing inflammation within the brain. This discovery could pave the way for a revolutionary treatment for epilepsy, a condition that affects over 50 million individuals worldwide.

Tofacitinib operates by targeting a specific protein known as STAT3, crucial within a cell signaling pathway called JAK. In the context of epilepsy, STAT3’s role has been found to significantly amplify the detrimental activity of neurons during seizures. Prior to this research, it was understood that epilepsy results in a rhythm disruption in brain activity, as neurons begin to fire uncontrollably, leading to dangerous seizures that may cause substantial cell death if left unchecked. Traditional treatments, though they have benefits, often fail to provide relief for approximately one-third of those afflicted by the condition.

The research team, spearheaded by Avtar Roopra, a professor at the UW–Madison School of Medicine and Public Health, and Olivia Hoffman, a postdoctoral researcher, embarked on a systematic investigation employing advanced data science techniques to analyze the gene expression patterns in the brains of mice affected by epilepsy versus those that were not. This meticulous examination unveiled the pivotal role of the STAT3 protein. Further validating the receptors’ relevance, human brain tissue subjected to similar analyses displayed parallel patterns influenced by the STAT3 pathway.

Unexpectedly, during their research, Hoffman stumbled upon a significant correlation between rheumatoid arthritis patients in Taiwan and their incidence of epilepsy. Intriguingly, those receiving long-term treatment with JAK inhibitors exhibited notably reduced epilepsy incidence. This observation propelled the investigation into tofacitinib’s effects, leading to a trial where the mice underwent administration of this JAK inhibitor after being subjected to a brain-damaging agent akin to what simulates epilepsy.

Initially, the results were underwhelming—mice continued to develop epilepsy after the treatment. However, the researchers contemplated a critical aspect of epilepsy: it does not manifest instantaneously following brain injury; rather, there exists a latency period where the brain may appear normal before “reignition” of seizure activity occurs. This pivotal realization prompted the researchers to adjust their approach, administering tofacitinib during this resurgence of seizure activity rather than immediately post-injury.

The outcome was extraordinary. Following a 10-day course of tofacitinib administered at the onset of seizure activity, the researchers observed a surprising cessation of seizures that lasted for two full months. Collaborating institutions, including Tufts University and Emory University, replicated these results in their respective models, signifying the robustness of tofacitinib’s effects across various manifestations of epilepsy.

Remarkably, the prolonged seizure-free period led to substantial recovery in the mice’s cognitive functions, as their ability to navigate mazes returned—a striking improvement reflecting what humans with chronic epilepsy often experience: significant deficits in memory and everyday tasks due to persistent seizure activity. Roopra emphasized the multi-faceted nature of tofacitinib’s impact, noting that it seems to address multiple neurological systems simultaneously, a potential breakthrough in the pharmacological strategy against epilepsy.

Despite tofacitinib’s promising FDA approval for arthritis treatment, transitioning this knowledge into practical applications for human epilepsy patients requires systematic clinical trials. Researchers anticipate that the established safety profile of tofacitinib could expedite this transition, as human consumption of the drug may inherently possess fewer risks due to its prior FDA endorsement.

While awaiting NIH review to facilitate new human studies, Roopra’s lab is focused on unraveling the specific types of brain cells influenced by tofacitinib, intending to expand their investigations into various epilepsy types. Furthermore, Hoffman and Roopra have initiated steps to secure a patent regarding the use of tofacitinib as an innovative disease modifier for epilepsy.

In conclusion, the revelation that a drug previously designated for arthritis could function as an effective therapeutic for epilepsy stands as a testament to the power of interdisciplinary research and innovative thinking in tackling complex health challenges. As epilepsy continues to be a debilitating ailment impacting millions globally, the hope for effective treatments enhances, driven by the promising outcomes witnessed in this groundbreaking study.

Subject of Research: Animals
Article Title: Disease modification upon 2 weeks of tofacitinib treatment in a mouse model of chronic epilepsy
News Publication Date: 19-Mar-2025
Web References: Science Translational Medicine DOI
References: NIH/National Institutes of Health, Lily’s Fund for Epilepsy Research, CURE Epilepsy
Image Credits: Credit: UW–Madison

Keywords: Epilepsy, Seizures, Drug research, Translational medicine, Drug studies

Tags: Alternative treatments for epilepsyArthritis medication for epilepsyCognitive function restoration in epilepsyInflammation reduction in brainJAK signaling pathway in epilepsyLong-term epilepsy managementMouse model for epilepsy researchNeurological effects of arthritis drugsRevolutionary epilepsy treatment findingsSTAT3 protein and seizuresTofacitinib seizure preventionUW Madison epilepsy research

Share12Tweet8Share2ShareShareShare2

Related Posts

Innovative Techniques Broaden Access to Vital Human Health Molecules

August 28, 2025

JAMA Network Appoints New Editor-in-Chief for JAMA Cardiology

August 28, 2025

Ferroptosis Impact on Liver Injury Post-Transplantation

August 28, 2025

Landmark Multi-Center Study Reveals Transcendental Meditation Reduces Diabetes Risk and Promotes Weight Loss in Black Women

August 28, 2025

POPULAR NEWS

  • blank

    Breakthrough in Computer Hardware Advances Solves Complex Optimization Challenges

    150 shares
    Share 60 Tweet 38
  • Molecules in Focus: Capturing the Timeless Dance of Particles

    142 shares
    Share 57 Tweet 36
  • New Drug Formulation Transforms Intravenous Treatments into Rapid Injections

    115 shares
    Share 46 Tweet 29
  • Neuropsychiatric Risks Linked to COVID-19 Revealed

    82 shares
    Share 33 Tweet 21

About

We bring you the latest biotechnology news from best research centers and universities around the world. Check our website.

Follow us

Recent News

Immune Cell Therapy Shows Promise in Stabilizing Advanced Head and Neck Cancer

Innovative Techniques Broaden Access to Vital Human Health Molecules

Innovative Algorithm Paves the Way for Enhanced Noise Reduction in Quantum Devices

  • Contact Us

Bioengineer.org © Copyright 2023 All Rights Reserved.

Welcome Back!

Login to your account below

Forgotten Password?

Retrieve your password

Please enter your username or email address to reset your password.

Log In
No Result
View All Result
  • Homepages
    • Home Page 1
    • Home Page 2
  • News
  • National
  • Business
  • Health
  • Lifestyle
  • Science

Bioengineer.org © Copyright 2023 All Rights Reserved.