UC Merced Undergraduate Research Journal

The ADK hypothesis and the disruption of Ca2+ homeostasis in the brain are leading causes of epileptogenesis. These are the main underlying factors that lead to post-stroke epilepsy. In addition to this, epilepsy is known to cause a significant increase in risk for depression, which has been shown to be coupled with attenuation of the hippocampal region. This knowledge would lead one to think that epilepsy should be treatable, but current treatments do not address all of the issues at hand. The newest treatment, Levetiracetam, has been shown to reduce expression of synaptic vesicle protein 2A in order to control Ca2+ regulation but its side effects in terms of depression are controversial. Following is a culmination of new progress in treating epilepsy. Causes, diagnosis, comorbid depression, and levetiracetam specifics are included in search of an all-inclusive treatment.