'Calm down' genes treat epilepsy in rats

Epilepsy can begin at any age

Adding "calm down" genes to hyperactive brain cells has completely cured rats of epilepsy for the first time, say UK researchers.

They believe their approach could help people who cannot control their seizures with drugs.

The study, published in the journal Science Translation Medicine, used a virus to insert the new genes into a small number of neurons.

About 50 million people have epilepsy worldwide.

However, drugs do not work for up to 30% of them. The alternatives include surgery to remove the part of the brain that triggers a fit or to use electrical stimulation.