Treatment Associated Cognitive Decline: Evaluation of Existing Anti-Seizure Medications and Novel Curcumin Derivatives in A Zebrafish Model System

Anti-seizure medications can be used to manage epilepsy, but they come with undesirable side effects such as reducing the ability to learn and remember. Though newer drugs are said to have fewer side effects, this study found that these drugs still reduce the ability to learn and remember. Curcumin, which is found in turmeric, has potential as a drug but it is not readily absorbed by the body. This study tested 68 compounds that were each slightly modified from the original curcumin. Using zebrafish, this study found two compounds that have the potential to be developed into anti-seizure medications.