The epilepsy medication sodium valproate, while effective for treating conditions such as epilepsy and bipolar disorder, is not recommended during pregnancy due to potential risks for congenital conditions like spina bifida and lifelong learning difficulties.
Recent research from the University of Queensland reveals that the drug rapamycin may mitigate these risks associated with sodium valproate. Researchers created mini spinal cord organoids using stem cells to simulate the spinal development in early pregnancy. When exposed to sodium valproate, these organoids exhibited changes linked to increased risks for congenital defects.
The study identified that the mTOR signaling pathway in the organoid cells indicated they were entering senescence—a state where cells cease to divide but continue to produce inflammatory chemicals. Rapamycin, originally developed as an immunosuppressant and now being explored for its anti-aging properties, also targets this mTOR pathway.
The researchers conducted further experiments where spinal organoids were exposed to both sodium valproate and rapamycin, successfully preventing the onset of senescence. Additional tests in zebra fish larvae confirmed that these cells similarly avoided the damaging effects typically induced by sodium valproate alone.
Giovanni Pietrogrande, leading the study, suggests the possibility of combining rapamycin with sodium valproate to prevent adverse effects for women who are, or may become, pregnant, although further studies in humans are necessary before any recommendations can be made.
Expert Frank Vajda from the University of Melbourne emphasizes the importance of sodium valproate as a crucial and effective treatment for generalized seizures, calling this research significant in potentially restoring its standing in medical practice despite its known risks.
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