SAN JOSE, Calif., June 12, 2012 /PRNewswire/ -- US patent 8,197,858 issued on June 12, 2012 discloses a previously unknown pathogenesis underlying seizures / epilepsy and migraines and provides novel treatment options for the 50 million seizure patients and 300 million migraine sufferers worldwide.
“We scientifically validated that triggers such as drops in estrogen or testosterone or increases in prostaglandin or Vitamin D synthesis all boost release of calcium ions from bone. We also validated that boosting extracellular calcium ion levels boosts seizure and migraine risk by 1) depolarizing nerve membranes, 2) increasing calcium channel mediated neurotransmitter release and 3) boosting muscle contractility,” according to Mark Zamoyski, NexGen Biomedical, Inc.'s founder and the patent holder.
“Why 50 million people worldwide have low seizures thresholds is not clear, however, the new pathogenesis provides an insight into factors that would increase their risk of having a seizure,” continued Mark Zamoyski. “We can begin to understand the perfect storm of risk factors that possibly contributed to 16 year old Jett Travolta‘s uncontrollable seizure while on a vacation in the Bahamas. Puberty brings nighttime testosterone surges, followed by daytime drops, which boost calcium ion release from bone. Sun exposure can boost Vitamin D synthesis to 25 times the RDA and sunburn boosts prostaglandin synthesis, both of which boost release of calcium from bone and hence boost seizure risk. And those are just some of the risk factors on the list.”
“Previously unexplained migraine observations could now also be explained. As an example, one study found 45% of women with menstrual migraines had magnesium deficiency. The new pathogenesis explanation: It is known that estrogen levels drop precipitously at the start of menstruation. That in turn would result in a boost in extracellular calcium levels. Magnesium is a physiological calcium channel blocker, which would attenuate the calcium channel mediated neurotransmitter release.”
“Basically, the science indicates that anything that boosts release of calcium ions from bone boosts seizure and migraine risk and conversely anything that reduces release of calcium ions from bone reduces seizure and migraine risk. Fortunately, there are existing bone homeostasis drugs that could be easily repurposed to reduce seizure and migraine risk,” Mark Zamoyski summarized.
More comprehensive data supporting the pathogenesis, and a list of things that increase or decrease release of calcium ions from bone, is provided at www.nexgen.biz.
SOURCE NexGen Biomedical, Inc.
