FMT as an Effective Therapeutic Agent for Epilepsy

Pushkala K and Gupta PD

Published on: 2024-10-02

Abstract

Epilepsy is a neurological disease involving the brain that makes people to have unprovoked seizures. In some, seizure alone, in others become unconscious along with symptoms. Some people stare blankly for a few seconds during a seizure. Others may repeatedly twitch their arms or legs, movements known as convulsions. This seizure disorder affects people of all ages, races and ethnic background. Treatment with medicines or sometimes surgery can control seizures. Some people require lifelong treatment. Though the development of epilepsy is idiopathic, the intestinal microbiota may play a role in the etiology of epilepsy. Manipulating the gut microbiota using FMT (faecal microbiota transplantation) technique have significant effect on the physiological, behavioral and cognitive functions of the brain operating through diverse pathways such as neuroanatomical pathways, neuroendocrine-hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal axis, intestinal immune system, some neurotransmitters, and nerve regulators synthesized by intestinal bacteria and intestinal mucosal barrier and blood brain barrier systems. Therefore FMT is a promising alternative for the management of epilepsy.