Gene therapy of focal-onset epilepsy by adeno-associated virus vector-mediated overexpression of neuropeptide Y

P>Adeno-associated virus (AAV)-mediated neuropeptide Y (NPY) overexpression in areas of seizure onset or generalization may be effective for the treatment of pharmacoresistant seizures in focal onset epilepsy. NPY overexpression mediates anticonvulsant activity in various seizures models and antiepileptogenic effects in kindling. Side effects are limited thus suggesting that this therapeutic approach could be effective and relatively safe. For an expanded treatment of this topic see Jasper's basic mechanisms of the epilepsies. 4th ed. (Noebels JL, Avoli M, Rogawski MA, Olsen RW, Delgado-Escueta AV, eds) published by Oxford University Press (available on the National Library of Medicine Bookshelf [NCBI] at http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books).