By Sean Zucker –
Sometimes great scientific discoveries present themselves entirely by happenstance. The latest example of this might have just been uncovered as existing high blood pressure drugs were found to potentially help prevent epilepsy.
Led by a cohort of researchers from Stanford University, Brown University and the University of Rhode Island, a team investigated the association between angiotensin receptor blockers (ARBs) and the risk of developing epilepsy in patients with hypertension. ARBs are commonly used to treat high blood pressure and heart failure.
The study analyzed data from over two million patients, focusing on individuals who were prescribed ARBs, as well as those prescribed other popular blood pressure meds including angiotensin-converting enzyme inhibitors (ACEIs), beta-blockers and calcium channel blockers (CCBs). All patients were over the age of 18 with a diagnosis of hypertension and any with prior epilepsy diagnoses or antiseizure medication use were excluded from the data.
The researchers ultimately discovered that the patients who used ARBs to treat their hypertension had a significantly lower rate of developing epilepsy compared to those on ACEIs, CCBs or beta-blockers.
“This is incredibly exciting because we don’t currently have any medicines that prevent epilepsy,” the senior author of the paper Kimford Meador reported. “I hope these initial findings lead to randomized clinical trials.”
The finding could provide significant relief to the nearly three million Americans that the CDC currently reports live with epilepsy, which includes many who struggle to get proper medical care. The condition’s symptoms primarily include recurrent seizures that can manifest as convulsions, loss of consciousness or generally unusual sensations, all of which drastically impact daily life.
The study notes that while anti-seizure medications can be used to control the condition, no drugs have been approved to prevent epilepsy in those at high risk of developing it. “This can be a very debilitating disorder and it’s much more common in older adults than people realize,” Meador said.
The CDC adds that many individuals with epilepsy experience anxiety, social stigma and restrictions on activities such as driving, affecting their independence and quality of life. Not to mention, the unpredictability of seizures can lead to increased emotional stress for both individuals and their families, often requiring ongoing support and management. The discovery of these preexisting drugs’ ability to prevent the disease is substantial.
“This could be a new chapter in the story of preventive medicine,” Meador explained. “There are so many people with stroke or high blood pressure; knowing that this class of drug not only lowers blood pressure but also helps lower their epilepsy risk could change how we treat them.”
Meador did, however, warn that randomized clinical trials are still necessary to definitively establish the link between angiotensin receptor blockers and a reduced risk of epilepsy before any changes are made to treatment guidelines. Not surprisingly, more research is needed.
