A kill switch for epilepsy? China cuts seizures by 92.6% in first human chemogenetic trial

South China Morning Post · Shi Huang · 2026-11-06 13:00 UTC

Study results show a new way that might dramatically reduce – and in some cases eliminate – dangerous and frightening attacks.

For people living with refractory epilepsy, the brain is like a city that can suffer a blackout any time lightning strikes.

Without warning, an abnormal neural discharge can sweep through the intracranial circuits, leaving behind convulsions, loss of consciousness and years of lingering panic.

Around one-third of epilepsy patients worldwide are completely unresponsive to existing medications, while traditional craniotomy resection surgery often carries the risk of irreversible neurological deficits.

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