Madison Reporter

Researchers at the University of Wisconsin–Madison have discovered that a drug commonly used to treat arthritis, known as tofacitinib, can halt seizures in mice with epilepsy-like conditions. This finding could potentially lead to the first treatment providing lasting relief from seizures even after patients cease taking the medication.

The study, led by Avtar Roopra, a neuroscience professor at UW–Madison's School of Medicine and Public Health, was published in Science Translational Medicine. "It ticks all the boxes of everything we’ve been looking for," Roopra stated.

Epilepsy affects over 50 million people worldwide and often arises following brain injuries such as strokes or physical impacts. The condition causes neurons to fire uncontrollably during seizures, leading to significant cell death. Current treatments address symptoms but do not work for one-third of patients.

Olivia Hoffman, the study's lead author and postdoctoral researcher in Roopra’s lab, explained that some arthritis patients on anti-inflammatory drugs had lower rates of epilepsy. "If you’ve had rheumatoid arthritis for that long, your doctor has probably put you on what’s called a JAK-inhibitor," Hoffman said.

The researchers tested tofacitinib on mice induced with epilepsy through brain-damaging drugs. Initial trials showed no effect until they administered the drug during a specific period when seizures reignited. The treatment resulted in seizure-free periods lasting up to five months and restored working memory in mice.

Tofacitinib is already FDA-approved for human use against arthritis, potentially expediting its transition from animal studies to human trials pending NIH review. The research received funding from various sources including NIH grants and Madison-based Lily’s Fund for Epilepsy Research.

Roopra emphasized the drug's potential: "We gave them that drug, and the seizures disappear. But their cognition also comes back online." Researchers are now investigating which brain cells are affected by tofacitinib and exploring its effects on other types of epilepsy.