DeCure's autonomous Neuro AI scientist is researching a drug-repurposing hypothesis for febrile seizures, familial — screening already-approved drugs against its 1-gene Open Targets disease module to publish open-access research. Research is fast; the path to publication is funded in milestone stages.
Disease moduleFebrile seizures, familial maps to a 1-gene Open Targets module — the target space DeCure's AI scientist screens approved drugs against.
DeCure.ai methodSignature reversal (LINCS) plus network proximity (STRING) rank already-approved drugs likely to perturb this module — the same engine that produces DeCure.ai's repurposing hypotheses.
Repurposing thesisScreening approved medicines against this disease module, then publishing the evidence for the strongest candidate. Known pharmacology and human exposure data make the first question sharper — they do not establish safety or efficacy in a new indication.
Research record
01
ResearchComing soon
Candidate research + dossier — target rationale, drug-repurposing thesis and evidence pack.proof: Published dossier + on-chain hash
02
ValidationComing soon
In-vitro biological validation at a contract research org (CRO).proof: CRO contract + in-vitro report
03
Peer review & paperComing soon
Peer-reviewed paper published open-access (preprint + journal).proof: DOI + open-access link + on-chain hash
Current lead
No approved-drug candidate for febrile seizures, familial is corroborated in the literature DeepSearch retrieved. Some conditions are managed with non-pharmacological care — a device, surgery or physical therapy — rather than a medicine; that may be the case here, or the literature we found may simply be too sparse yet to support a drug-repurposing angle.
Molecular view
sodium voltage-gated channel alpha subunit 9 (SCN9A) — SCN9A is one of the genes genetically linked to this disease in Open Targets — shown as context, not as a drug target we're pursuing: no approved-drug candidate for this disease is yet corroborated in the literature we found.
Loading structure…
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RCSB Protein Data Bank · entry 7W9K · 2.2 Å · ligand O-[(R)-{[(2R)-2,3-bis(octadecanoyloxy)propyl]oxy}(hydroxy)phosphoryl]-L-serine (P5S). Experimental structure, not a prediction.
What the evidence adds up to
Febrile seizures affect 2–5% of young children in Western countries, with incidence rising to as high as 14% in some populations, a difference attributed partly to higher rates of consanguinity. The condition is generally benign, with rare long-term sequelae, but remains a major cause of emergency visits and family distress. Genetic predisposition is considered a major contributor, and the underlying pathophysiology involves complex interactions between genetic, environmental, infectious, and thermoregulatory factors. The 1978 Collaborative Perinatal Project followed 1,706 children with febrile seizures from a cohort of 54,000 pregnant women up to age 7, providing prospective data that helped resolve earlier conflicting advice about treatment.
Most febrile seizures are brief and require no specific treatment or workup. The 2010 study of 179 hospitalised children with febrile convulsions emphasised early diagnosis and management to decrease complications, and noted differences by age, gender, and associated illnesses. No drug treatment is discussed in these abstracts as having been tested or proven effective for preventing or modifying febrile seizures. The reviews consistently state that the condition is benign and that management is primarily about assessment, diagnosis, and reassuring parents.
Despite decades of research, the precise mechanisms driving age-dependent susceptibility remain unclear. The 2009 review called for a systems biology approach to investigate genome-proteome-metabolome interactions, and noted that contributory factors likely differ between simple, recurrent, and complex febrile seizures. What is still missing is a unified biological model that explains why some children have febrile seizures and others do not, and prospective studies that integrate clinical, genetic, infectious, and molecular data in sufficiently large, well-characterised populations. No trial has yet demonstrated that any drug alters the natural history of the condition.
Evidence
Retrieved by DeepSearch across 234,678,978 indexed works and resolved on OpenAlex — ranked by citations, including the results that did not work.
Frontiers in Pediatrics · 2022 · 120 citations · open access
A Review of Febrile Seizures: Recent Advances in Understanding of Febrile Seizure Pathophysiology and Commonly Implicated Viral Triggers
AbstractFebrile seizures are one of the commonest presentations in young children, with a 2-5% incidence in Western countries. Though they are generally benign, with rare long-term sequelae, there is much to be learned about their pathophysiology and risk factors. Febrile seizures are propagated by a variety of genetic and environmental factors, including viruses and vaccines. These factors must be taken into consideration by a clinician aiming to assess, diagnose and treat a child presenting with fevers and seizures, as well as to explain the sequelae of the febrile seizures to the concerned parents of the child. Our article provides an overview of this common childhood condition, outlining both the underlying mechanisms and the appropriate clinical approach to a child presenting with febrile seizures.
Neurology Research International · 2015 · 39 citations · open access
Febrile Seizures and Febrile Seizure Syndromes: An Updated Overview of Old and Current Knowledge
AbstractFebrile seizures are the most common paroxysmal episode during childhood, affecting up to one in 10 children. They are a major cause of emergency facility visits and a source of family distress and anxiety. Their etiology and pathophysiological pathways are being understood better over time; however, there is still more to learn. Genetic predisposition is thought to be a major contributor. Febrile seizures have been historically classified as benign; however, many emerging febrile seizure syndromes behave differently. The way in which human knowledge has evolved over the years in regard to febrile seizures has not been dealt with in depth in the current literature, up to our current knowledge. This review serves as a documentary of how scientists have explored febrile seizures, elaborating on the journey of knowledge as far as etiology, clinical features, approach, and treatment strategies are concerned. Although this review cannot cover all clinical aspects related to febrile seizures at the textbook level, we believe it can function as a quick summary of the past and current sources of knowledge for all varieties of febrile seizure types and syndromes.
AbstractAfter years of conflicting advice from numerous experts about treatment or nontreatment of febrile seizures, there is now a sound basis on which the pediatrician can make decisions. Recent studies1-4 have approached the problems of febrile seizures from different viewpoints and are beginning to present a coherent, understandable picture of their outcome and the results and problems of therapy. Nelson and Ellenberg in this issue (p. 720) present the last in a series of articles on the 1,706 children with febrile seizures from the 54,000 pregnant women enrolled in the Collaborative Perinatal Project and followed up to the age of 7. All data were collected prospectively.
Canadian Journal of Neurological Sciences / Journal Canadien des Sciences Neurologiques · 2009 · 6 citations · open access
Susceptibility to Febrile Seizures: More Than Just a Faulty Thermostat!
AbstractFebrile seizures, always a hot topic, continue to fire up the interest of a wide spectrum of clinical and basic neuroscientists. Several clinical investigators, amongst them the Halifax group (spearheaded by the Camfields to whom we owe a great debt of gratitude for their contributions in this field), have provided us with a sound foundation for clinical management. We now need to explore febrile seizures in new ways to clarify factors and identify mechanisms that contribute to the intriguing age-dependent susceptibility. The complex processes involved in thermoregulation and the febrile response are important pieces of the puzzle. The contributory factors are likely different for isolated simple febrile, recurrent febrile and complex febrile seizures. A 'systems biology approach' is needed to investigate the intricate genome-proteome-metabolome interaction in determining susceptibility. Population studies that incorporate current clinical, experimental, infectious and molecular genetic knowledge in their concept and design will help to 'conquer' the final frontiers of febrile seizures. In 2006, Engel suggested that febrile seizures could 'encompass many different entities', an increasingly plausible opinion. A higher profile for febrile seizures and related syndromes in the ILAE classification scheme will further catalyze progress in the field. The resultant knowledge can only improve management.
AbstractFebrile seizures are the most common seizure disorder in children <5 years of age. They occur in 2-5% of children, but the incidence has been reported as high as 14% in certain populations. This has been attributed to higher rates of consanguinity. However, racial and geographic variations may also be important. Most febrile seizures are brief, do not require any specific treatment or workup, and have benign prognoses. Generalists and pediatricians are frequently faced with anxious parents and are required to make rational decisions regarding the workup and management of these children. Physicians are subsequently required to provide counseling and information about the prognoses to the involved families. The aim of this chapter is to provide an updated overview of febrile seizures and review the most recent diagnostic and therapeutic recommendations.
Zenodo (CERN European Organization for Nuclear Research) · 2010 · 0 citations · open access
Clinical Profile of Hospitalized Children with Febrile Convulsion: A Study of 179 Cases
AbstractThis study analyzes the characteristics and outcomes of children admitted with febrile seizures. The study highlights the importance of early diagnosis and management to decrease complications, emphasizing differences based on age, gender, and associated illnesses. Additionally, it explores preventative strategies and the role of patient history-taking in guiding treatment.
Disease module: DeepOracle (Open Targets). Structures: RDKit from PubChem SMILES. Literature: retrieved by DeepSearch across 234,678,978 indexed works (targeted per-candidate search), resolved on OpenAlex.
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