Science Writing

epilepsy.com is the premier website for patients with epilepsy and their caregivers. As the editor of the basic science section, I write about basic epilepsy research in nonscientific terms. Take a look at my articles below! If you would like to write about epilepsy research for nonscientists, email Sloka@SlokaIyengar.com to submit articles.

This article reviews a study indicating that multi-day rhythms modulate seizure risk in epilepsy.

In this article I review the role of GABA receptors in status epilepticus.

This article is a review of two vagus nerve stimulation (VNS) studies. VNS is an alternative treatment for people with epilepsy who fail to respond to anti-epileptic drugs.

This article reviews a study of catamenial-like seizure exacerbation in mice.

I co-wrote this article about placement, programming and safety of Responsive Neurostimulation.

I co-wrote this article about Responsive Neurostimulation (RNS) as a treatment for epilepsy. RNS is similar to a heart pacemaker - it can monitor brain waves, then respond to activity that is different from usual or that looks like a seizure.

This article is a review of recent work indicating that stress is associated with an increased risk of recurrent seizures in adults.

Recent research summarized here indicates that repetitive transcranial magnetic stimulation (rTMS) and lorazepam may suppress seizures in the treatment for status epilepticus.

I co-wrote this article, the fourth in a four-part series about hypothalamic hamartomas, about options for treatment.

I co-wrote this article, the third in a four-part series about hypothalamic hamartomas, about techniques for diagnosis, and the importance of early diagnosis in improving the chances that treatment will be successful.

I co-wrote this article, the second in a four-part series about hypothalamic hamartomas, about gelastic (laughing) and dacrystic (crying) seizures. These seizures are typically the first type of seizures seen in people with hypothalamic hamartomas.

I co-wrote this article, the first in a four-part series about hypothalamic hamartomas. Hypothalamic hamartomas are rare, benign tumors found in the hypothalamus. They are associated with seizures, early puberty, cognitive (for example thinking and memory) problems, and mood or behavior problems.

In this article, I answer questions about clinical research, including how it is conducted and what steps are taken to keep participants' information safe and private. I also suggest questions to ask if you are considering participating in a clinical trial.

I co-authored a study review about predicting drug resistance in adult patients with generalized epilepsy.

This article is about the role of executive functioning in the quality of life in pediatric intractable epilepsy.

This article reviews ictal bradyarrhythmias and asystole requiring pacemaker implantation, and its relation to SUDEP (sudden unexplained death in epilepsy).

This article is the last of a four part series about catamenial epilepsy, and reviews recent studies.

This article is the third of a four part series about catamenial epilepsy, and reviews how catamenial epilepsy is studied in the lab.

This article is the second of a four part series about catamenial epilepsy, and examines possible underlying mechanisms.

This article is the first of a four part series about catamenial epilepsy, a gender-specific type of epilepsy in which seizure frequency intensifies during certain phases of the menstrual cycle.

This article gives ideas about possible causes and brain changes in people with autism spectrum disorder and epilepsy.

In this article, I compiled a summary of basic science research in the field of epilepsy.

This article, about the interaction of antidepressants and epilepsy, generated an unusually high level of response from readers.

In this article, I review the use of stem cell therapy for epilepsy.

The podcast linked here discusses Sturge Weber syndrome.

In this article, I summarized the process of immunohistochemistry and its utility in basic epilepsy research.

Epilepsy and autism can occur together quite frequently. In this article, I talk about a new model to study this phenomenon.

In this article, I summarize an article that suggests a possible link between inflammation and febrile seizures.

This article suggests that brain tumor related epilepsy could be better managed using intercranial EEG.

This article discusses a potential new therapy for neonatal seizures.

Depression and epilepsy can exist together quite often. An article written by Dr. Alisha Epps and edited by me talks about new research that can shed light on depression comorbid with epilepsy.

This article reviews the basic science of EEG.

In an article and podcast, I talk about basic science in epilepsy, why one might choose to spend time working with experimental rodents and what we can gain from this basic research.

Benzodiazepines are considered as the first line of treatment for status epilepticus, but they may lose effectiveness during the progression of SE. In this article written by Dr. Denise Grosenbaugh and edited by me, the role of stiripentol for status epilepticus was investigated.

Epilepsy is rather common in people with brain tumors. Read more to find out where research stands in the field of brain tumor-related epilepsy.

Deep brain stimulation (DBS) can be effective in some refractory cases of epilepsy. This article investigates the mechanism by which DBS can act to reduce seizures.

In this study, scientists discover a novel target for anti-epileptic drugs.

Lennox-Gastaut Syndrome (LGS) is a rare form of epilepsy that is characterized by multiple seizure types, cognitive deficits and spike-and-wave complexes on the EEG. Read more about the role of the ketogenic diet in LGS here.

Febrile seizures usually occur in children and are associated with a rise in the body temperature. Read more about if MRI can be a biomarker for febrile seizures.

A meeting to understand mechanisms underlying mortality in people with epilepsy was held in Minneapolis from June 19-22. Read more about the meeting here.

Read this article to find out if statins could be useful in epilepsy. This article was reprinted in the September 2014 Epilepsy South Africa Newsletter.

Find out what can cause febrile seizures.

Find out where research stands on discovering a biomarker for epilepsy.

Read more to find out how scientists use zebrafish to find novel therapies for epilepsy

One of the causes of mortality in subjects with epilepsy is SUDEP (Sudden Unexpected Death with Epilepsy). A reason why this could be the case is that subjects with epilepsy can have cardiac dysfunction as well. Read more to find out more about cardiac dysfunction in epilepsy.

Dravet syndrome (DS), also known as Severe Myoclonic Epilepsy of Infancy (SMEI), is a form of catastrophic epilepsy with a bleak prognosis. Read more to find out new research for Dravet Syndrome.

Read here to find out what scientists are finding out about absence seizures.

Scientists find a novel mutation that could cause febrile seizures.

The International League Against Epilepsy is an organization dedicated to promote education about epilepsy worldwide. I have covered these topics for the basic science section of ILAE:

1. Tight Coupling of Astrocyte pH Dynamics to Epileptiform Activity Revealed by Genetically Encoded pH Sensors.
2. Multiscale aspects of generation of high-gamma activity during seizures in human neocortex.
3. Adenosine kinase, glutamine synthetase and EAAT2 as gene therapy targets for temporal lobe epilepsy.
4. Targeting pharmacoresistant epilepsy and epileptogenesis with a dual-purpose antiepileptic drug.
5. Tau reduction prevents disease in a mouse model of Dravet syndrome.
6. The ketogenic diet is an effective adjuvant to radiation therapy for the treatment of malignant glioma.
7. A novel anticonvulsant mechanism via inhibition of complement receptor C5ar1 in murine epilepsy model.
8. Bumetanide reduces seizure progression and the development of pharmacoresistant status epilepticus.
9. Astrocyte uncoupling as a cause of human temporal lobe epilepsy.
10. Relation between stress-precipitated seizures and the stress response in childhood epilepsy.
11. Ketogenic diet exhibits anti-inflammatory properties.
12. The Glycine transporter 1 as a potential target for the treatment of epilepsy.
13. The role of microglial Reactive Oxygen Species (ROS) in an electrical rat post-status epilepticus model of epileptogenesis.
14. The epileptogenic effects of N-methyl D-aspartate receptor (NMDAR) antibodies in a passive transfer mouse model.
15. Treatment during a vulnerable developmental period rescues a form of genetic epilepsy.
16. Postictal immobility and generalized EEG suppression are associated with the severity of respiratory dysfunction.

FACES (Finding A Cure for Epilepsy and Seizures) is affiliated with the NYU School of Medicine and the Comprehensive Epilepsy Center, and provides comprehensive care to people with epilepsy and their caregivers. Below are the articles I’ve written for FACES.

I wrote a review for the FACES 2017 annual newsletter about a trial of cannabidiol for drug-resistant seizures in Dravet Syndrome.

This article is an overview of status epilepticus.

In this article, I examine what people know about epilepsy.

In this article, I review what we know about febrile seizures.

In this article, I write about recent advances in Dravet Syndrome.

In this article, I examine the link between epilepsy and depression.

In this article, I write about high frequency oscillations (HFOs) and what they might mean in the epileptic brain.

I write about a certain kind of glial cell called microglia, and how ‘activated’ microglia might play a role in seizure generation and spread.

In this article, I talk about the Vagus Nerve Stimulation (VNS) and its usefulness in epilepsy.

Most anti-epileptic drugs focus on neurons. New evidence shows the role of glia in epilepsy, which I write about in this article.

In this article, I write about the science behind epilepsy and depression.

In this article, I write about the role of the hippocampus in epilepsy.

Here, I talk about what we know about refractory epilepsy.

In this article, I recap the PAME (Partners Against Mortality in Epilepsy) meeting that was held in Minneapolis in June 2014.

Here, I write a short article about temporal lobe epilepsy. I also provide a recap of the NYU Neuroscience Retreat.

In this article, I write about seizures and brain tumors.

Here, I talk about the common myths regarding epilepsy, as well as epilepsy first-aid.

In this article, I provide an overview of the 2013 American Epilepsy Society Meeting.

Read more about SUDEP (Sudden Unexpected Death in Epilepsy) and what scientists are doing to understand SUDEP better.

I did my postdoctoral fellowship at the Nathan Kline Institute, where I also wrote for the newsletter – ‘NKI Informer’. Here are my articles:

I interviewed a postdoctoral fellow at NKI and talked to her about her most recent paper that investigated the effect of quality of maternal care on the development of the brain and behavior.

For this edition, I wrote about the NYU Community Brain Fair held to celebrate Brain Awareness Week.

For this edition, I interviewed a scientist who studies Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorders (FASD) at NKI.

In this article, I summarized a networking session that I attended as part of NYU Postdoctoral Appreciation Week.

In this article, I interviewed a fellow students and trainees to discuss the challenges female scientists have to face while balancing a family and career.

A festschrift for Philip Schwartzkroin – a famed epilepsy researcher - was held in Monterrey where his students and trainees celebrated his work and his contributions to the field of epilepsy. In this article, I recapitulated the meeting.

Below is an article I wrote for the Weill Cornell Epilepsy Center.

In this article, I summarize the effects of anti-epileptic drugs on children born to women with epilepsy.

Science Recorder is an online magazine that presents breaking news on all things science

In this article, I wrote about the role of transcranial magnetic stimulation in refractory depression.

At the Northeast Regional Epilepsy Group, I wrote several articles for the newsletter and managed the social media page.

I interviewed a neurologist about the use of vagus nerve stimulator (VNS) for children and another article about Safety helmets that people with epilepsy can use.

For this issue of the newsletter, I interviewed a neurologist about the Sturge Weber syndrome and another article about a Safety product called Handmade by Heroes.

I wrote an in-depth article about the basic science behind refractory epilepsy and another article about Captureproof – a medical software designed to make the lives of people with epilepsy easier and safer.

For this issue, I wrote an article about what to do in case of a seizure emergency. I also wrote an article about Seizure Tracker –a tool that combines seizure history, details about anti-epileptic drug (AED) therapy, changes in AED dosages, doctor appointments and other daily notes in one platform.

There’s much confusion about generic anti-epileptic medication. In this article, I interviewed an epileptologist about generic anti-epileptic drugs. I also wrote an article about an organization called 4Paws for Ability - a nonprofit organization places service dogs with children who have disabilities and veterans who have unfortunately lost their sense of vision or hearing.

The first article I wrote for this issue was about complementary and alternative medicines for epilepsy. I also interviewed the first patient to have ever undergone the Visualase Laser Ablation Technology procedure at The Northeast Regional Epilepsy Group for treatment of his epilepsy.

I wrote an article about the usefulness of the ketogenic diet (a very high-fat and very low-carbohydrate diet) in epilepsy.

Navigating epilepsy is a comprehensive resource for an array of support and life-improvement opportunities for people diagnosed with epilepsy and their caregivers.

In this article, I write about specific issues that can be observed in women with epilepsy.

In this article, I write about the annual American Epilepsy Society meeting.

I also wrote about safety tips that people with epilepsy should keep in mind.

In June 2016, I wrote an article for Academics for the Future of Science (AFS) on what it's like to lobby for science.

Neuroscience for Kids is a resource for all students and teachers who would like to learn about the nervous system. I contributed an article about the Zika virus in general, and another article about how the Zika virus disrupts neural progenitor cells.

I took a course at NYU called ‘Business of Science’ offered by SciPhD. For the SciPhD website, I reviewed a book that suggests why contrary to popular belief, being a genuinely helpful person may help advance one’s career.

Tuberous sclerosis complex is a genetic disorder that may be associated with seizures. The Tuberous Sclerosis Alliance aims to promote education and research about tuberous sclerosis complex.

I summarized a study on interdependence of clinical factors predicting cognition in children with tuberous sclerosis complex.

I summarized a study indicating that resection of ictal high frequency oscillations is associated with favorable surgical outcome in pediatric drug resistant epilepsy secondary to tuberous sclerosis complex.

I reviewed a study indicating that reduced levels of CD47 and CD200 proteins in patients with focal cortical dysplasia type IIb (FCD IIb) and tuberous sclerosis complex (TSC) may contribute to inflammation and subsequent seizures.

I summarized a study that looks at abnormalities in dendrites in tuberous sclerosis.

Research that shows that MRI-guided laser ablation may be able to reduce seizures in difficult-to-treat refractory epilepsy cases.

In this study, researchers show how mutations in TSC gene interacts with mammalian target of rapamycin complex 1 (mTORC1) to cause imbalance in excitation / inhibition balance. Perhaps this is a reason why subjects with TSC can have seizures.

I wrote about a study that shows that everolimus may be a safe and effective treatment option for individuals who do not respond to treatment with the usual anti-epileptic drug therapies.

In this article, I write about the Clinical Research Data Management Resource center at NYU Langone Medical Center.

In this article, I wrote about the Annual Retreat hosted by the NYU Neuroscience Institute.

I am putting together two articles for the Hope for Hypothalamic Hamartomas website, one about using focused ultrasound to treat patients with epilepsy, and another about gene variations in hypothalamic hamartomas.

I am helping to develop a document for The Open Medicine Foundation, to give donors information about an important autism trial where a drug called suramin was used to treat children with autism. The hope is that with more resources, scientists can proceed to do a larger, preferably multi center trial.

I wrote this article for Seizure Free about absence seizures.

1. This paper proposes a study of the ketogenic diet in brain tumor-related epilepsy.
2. This paper reports on a study of the efficacy of surgery on seizure control in drug-resistant, primary brain tumor-related epilepsy.
3. Here are some ideas for science graduate students interested in a career outside academia.
4. This article reviews a study indicating that ketamine and imipramine reverse transcriptional signatures of susceptibility and induce resilience-specific gene expression profiles.
5. This article reviews recent research connecting circuit-wide transcriptional profiling and brain region-specific gene networks regulating depression susceptibility.
6. This is a press release for Epilepsy Currents, a journal published by the American Epilepsy Society.
7. In this article, I summarized the potential mechanisms underlying bipolar disorder.
8. In this article, I reviewed conditions that may accompany epilepsy.
9. In this article, I wrote about data privacy in clinical research.
10. In this article, I wrote about the possible role of adult neurogenesis in the comorbidity of autism-spectrum disorders that may be seen in people with epilepsy.