News - Clioquinol

Repurposing an antifungal drug as a potential epilepsy treatment

An interdisciplinary research team from KU Leuven and UZ Leuven has made a promising discovery in the fight against drug-resistant epilepsy.

Worldwide, around 25 million people do not benefit from existing treatments. The compound clioquinol, long used as an antibacterial and antifungal agent, now appears to hold potential for treating hard-to-control epilepsy.

The researchers identified the enzyme PHGDH as a possible key player. This enzyme is involved in neurotransmitter production and reducing inflammation. Clioquinol activates PHGDH, leading to more stable brain activity and fewer epileptic seizures.

Initial results in animal models, human cells, and a small group of patients are positive. A clinical trial involving about twenty patients is planned to further investigate these findings.

The research began twenty years ago with a focus on stress responses in fungi. That this foundation now leads to a potential breakthrough in epilepsy treatment is, according to innovation manager Karin Thevissen, a remarkable journey.

Want to learn more about this project?
You can read the publication by Dr. Karin Thevissen, Prof. Dr. Lieven Lagae and Prof. Dr. Peter De Witte via the button below.