Core Viewpoint - The study identifies multiple plasma proteins and signaling pathways associated with incident epilepsy, highlighting their predictive ability for future epilepsy risk and potential as drug targets, thus filling a gap in the research on plasma proteomic characteristics related to epilepsy risk in adults [4][8]. Group 1: Research Background - Epilepsy is a common spectrum disorder with various risk factors and strong genetic predisposition, often accompanied by comorbidities [3]. - The clinical diagnosis of epilepsy relies on detailed medical history, reliable seizure records, and imaging studies, as there is currently no established gold standard [3]. - Antiepileptic drugs are effective in treating symptoms, but specific treatment options targeting the underlying causes remain insufficient [3]. Group 2: Study Methodology - The research utilized plasma proteomics to analyze data from 52,372 participants in the UK Biobank, including 440 new cases, focusing on the association between 2,920 plasma proteins and seizure occurrences [6][7]. - The study overcomes limitations of previous research that primarily focused on animal models and human brain tissue, which faced challenges such as limited sample access and sensitivity of detection methods [6]. Group 3: Key Findings - A total of 103 plasma proteins were identified as significantly associated with epilepsy, with the strongest correlations found for neurofilament light chain (NEFL) (risk ratio = 2.13) and growth differentiation factor-15 (GDF15) (risk ratio = 1.82) [7]. - Pathway analysis emphasized the critical role of immune response, identifying four core hubs related to epilepsy [7]. - The study revealed that the levels of epilepsy-related proteins exhibited abnormal trajectories before disease onset, indicating their potential to predict future epilepsy risk [8].