Epilepsy in Youth and Adolescence

Epilepsy is one of the most prevalent neurological disorders, with a significant proportion of cases emerging during childhood and adolescence. This developmental stage represents a critical period for brain maturation, making young individuals particularly susceptible to the effects of epileptic activity on cognitive, neural, and physiological functions. Despite advances in treatment, a substantial number of pediatric epilepsy cases remain pharmacoresistant, emphasizing the need for deeper insights into the molecular and neurobiological underpinnings of the disease.This Research Topic aims to explore the complex interplay of genetic, epigenetic, and neurobiological factors contributing to epilepsy in youth and adolescence. The focus will be on recent advancements in molecular and clinical neuroscience, including novel biomarkers, neurodevelopmental mechanisms, and cellular pathways involved in seizure susceptibility and disease progression.We welcome contributions that address, but are not limited to, the following areas:• Genetic and epigenetic influences on epilepsy onset and progression in young individuals, including rare and genetic epilepsies.• Neurodevelopmental alterations and clinical phenotypes associated with pediatric epilepsy, including neuroimaging and electrophysiological studies that inform underlying mechanisms.• Molecular mechanisms underlying seizure generation and propagation in the developing brain, including those involving proteins that are not ion channels.• Role of ion channels, neurotransmitters, and synaptic plasticity in epileptogenesis.• Biomarker discovery, including molecular, imaging and electrophysiological biomarkers, for early diagnosis, prognosis, and mechanistic stratification of epilepsy in youth.• Advances in molecular and gene based therapeutic strategies for treatment resistant epilepsy.• Neuroinflammatory and oxidative stress related pathways in pediatric epilepsy.By gathering cutting edge research on the molecular, neurobiological and clinical aspects of epilepsy in youth, this collection aims to drive forward our understanding of disease mechanisms and foster the development of innovative treatment approaches.Manuscripts focused on molecular, cellular and neurodevelopmental mechanisms are best suited to Frontiers in Molecular Neuroscience, section Brain Disease Mechanisms. Clinically oriented studies, including clinical phenotyping, neuroimaging and electrophysiology, are best suited to section Pediatric Neurology. Topic editors: Emanuela Dazzo, Mina Teicher Source: https://www.frontiersin.org/research-topics/80768/epilepsy-in-youth-and-adolescence