Johns Hopkins Medicine scientists discovered how perampanel, a common epilepsy drug, controls seizures by super-chilling AMPA receptor brain cell molecules.

Scientists at Johns Hopkins Medicine discovered how a common epilepsy drug works to control seizures by super-chilling brain cell molecules. The research reveals the connections between the drug perampanel and the activity of AMPA receptors, a brain cell surface molecule. This finding may lead to designing new drugs targeting AMPA receptors to treat neurological conditions like Alzheimer's disease, schizophrenia, learning disabilities, brain cancer, and chronic pain.