The restrictive element-1 silencing transcription factor (REST)/neuron-restrictive silencing factor (NRSF) is a transcriptional repressor which actively suppresses genes involved in a wide array of neuronal processes such as global ischemia, neurodegenerative conditions and seizure disorders (Calderone et al., 2003; Lu et al., 2014; McClelland et al., 2011). The gene discussed is REST; the disease is epilepsy.