Focal Epilepsy

Mesio-Temporal Lobe Epilepsy (MTLE)

Also called Focal, Drug-refractory or Drug-resistant epilepsy, Mesio-Temporal Lobe Epilepsy (MTLE) is an epileptic condition for which no effective or satisfactory treatment exists to date.

With over 10% of the total epileptic population affected, MTLE is a major challenge for patients as most pharmacological treatments have no effect on these seizures.

How about addressing the disease with a preclinical model that mimicks human MTLE?

clinically-relevant model of mtle

The MTLE mouse model is non-convulsive. Seizures are monitored within the brain and cannot be assessed without appropriate EEG methods.

the mtle mouse mirrors human mtle

At this stage, animals feature histological, electrophysiological, and pharmacological features of human pharmaco-resistant MTLE, which makes the MTLE mouse relevant as a predictive model for the qualification of anti-epileptic compounds.

differential pharmacology

Compare your compound vs standard of care and demonstrate superior effect We have validated the model-biomarker duo (MTLE mouse – HPD) by a pharmacology of reference and demonstrated a differential sensitivity to AEDs with a greater efficacy of drugs that facilitate GABAergic transmission. This is what makes the model a powerful tool to identify new treatments for drug-resistant forms of focal epilepsies.

We find in SynapCell a predictive rodent model of therapy-resistant MTLE that supplements our evaluation capabilities and addresses an important recommendation of the NINDS Working Group.
Pr. Karen S. Wilcox, Chair of Pharmacology and Toxicology at University of Utah

From HIT ID to LEAD Validation

Augmented by our EEG capabilities (Cue), you can use the MTLE model for several applications, including the screening of a small library of compounds, performing dose-response studies or assessing the disease-modifying potential of your compound on epileptogenesis (anti-epileptogenic effect). The model is also relevant to evaluate the potentiating or synergistic effects of an AED when combined to other drugs and identify the most effective drug associations.

Combine a MTLE study (focal epilepsy) with a GAERS study (generalized epilepsy) to derisk your compounds, identify seizure-aggravating effects and more importantly, align your preclinical strategy with your clinical roadmap to validate your AED.

join a complete program for your aed

Pathophysiological and electrical signalling underlying epileptic disorders have common grounds with several brain pathologies. Hypersynchrony of neurons are indeed also found in Alzheimer’s disease, Essential Tremor or Pain for example. As a consequence, Anti-Epileptic Drugs (AED) are today being used aside from epilepsy to treat different types of brain disorders like gabapentine or primidone used as a treatment for Essential Tremor.