The American Epilepsy Society has released a new guideline to help physicians effectively treat patients with prolonged seizures. The guideline recommends a three-phase approach to treatment, prioritizing rapid termination of seizure activity to reduce neurological injuries and deaths.
The 2015 American Epilepsy Society Annual Meeting drew a record attendance of over 5,200 professionals to discuss new discoveries and emerging technologies in treating epilepsy. Key findings included studies on the safety and efficacy of pharmaceutical CBD for severe epilepsy and personalized medicine that offers new targets for diagno...
Dr. Donald Schomer, a Harvard Medical School professor, is recognized for his pioneering work in comprehensive epilepsy programs and training fellow clinicians worldwide. He has trained 46 fellows since establishing the fellowship program at Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center.
Research reveals disrupted sleep in people with epilepsy can impede memory formation, impair cognitive performance, and influence daily life. Studies show links between sleep disturbances and seizure control, as well as the impact of nighttime seizures on memory retention.
Four studies explore the interplay between epilepsy and aging, revealing unexpected consequences on the brain. Researchers found that uncontrolled epilepsy can lead to accelerated brain aging, while others discovered a link between traumatic brain injury and post-traumatic epilepsy in the elderly population.
A study of 261 children with severe epilepsy found significant seizure reduction after taking pharmaceutical CBD (cannabidiol) in combination with anti-epileptic drugs. The frequency of seizures was reduced by a median of 45% in all participants, with some patients experiencing a 50% or greater reduction.
Studies reveal that nearly a quarter of people who experienced SUDEP carried mutations linked to cardiac sudden death, suggesting irregular heart rhythms as a significant cause. Genetic testing could potentially identify people at high risk of SUDEP.
Brian Litt, M.D., receives the American Epilepsy Society's Research Recognition Award for Clinical Science for his pioneering work in neuroengineering and translational neuroengineering. His research focuses on developing new diagnostic and therapeutic technologies to improve epilepsy treatment outcomes.
Researchers have developed personal monitoring devices that can track seizure activity in the home environment, providing advance warning before seizures strike. These devices use biometric recording technology and can operate for seven days on a single charge, revolutionizing epilepsy therapy.
Researchers have found that continuous intravenous infusions may not be appropriate for all patients with drug-resistant status epilepticus, while a sedative called ketamine is increasingly used as a treatment option. The duration of status epilepticus in children depends on factors such as the length of time between seizure onset and ...
The American Epilepsy Society awarded Dr. Christian E. Elger the William G. Lennox Award for expanding his department into a leading program in epilepsy surgery and human brain research. Elger's pioneering work includes studying seizure prediction and developing pre-surgical cognitive outcomes.
Kevin Staley, M.D., has made significant contributions to understanding neonatal seizures through his work on 'neuronal plumbing' and GABA receptors. His research will benefit patients with epilepsy for years to come.
Researchers have identified genes linked to epilepsy using innovative technologies such as gene editing and next-generation sequencing. These findings suggest a spectrum of conditions beyond Infantile Spasms or Lennox-Gastaut syndrome, prompting the exploration of personalized medicine for genetic forms of epilepsy.
Three studies explore SCN8A gene mutations linked to early infantile epileptic encephalopathy and other neurological conditions. The findings provide new data on the spectrum of SCN8A-related epilepsies, including familial and sporadic cases.
Researchers unveil innovative studies on seizure detection and management, including electrodermal biofeedback and machine learning algorithms. These non-invasive methods offer accessible treatment options for patients with drug-resistant epilepsy.
Researchers identified 13 hotspot CNVs associated with JME and found that drug resistance enriches a clinical cohort for common CNVs. This study provides new insights into the genetic basis of JME and highlights the need for further molecular biology studies.
Dr. Story Landis is honored with the AES's highest award for her exceptional service and contributions to epilepsy research. Her leadership at NINDS has supported $1.6 billion in annual research funding, driving progress in understanding synapse formation and neurological disorders.
Page B. Pennell, M.D., is recognized for her extensive service to the American Epilepsy Society (AES), including leadership roles on its Board of Directors and committees. She has made significant contributions to understanding and treating women with epilepsy through her research.
Studies investigate biological factors behind memory decline in people with epilepsy, particularly those with temporal lobe epilepsy. Loss of neurons from the hippocampus is a common cause of impaired memory. Researchers also explore effects of seizures on signaling pathways and brain activity.
Studies reveal that children with epilepsy show global differences in cognitive network development, but hubs of these networks are functionally similar to those of healthy peers. Graph analysis also suggests that neural networks linking cognitive skills are not well integrated in children with epilepsy.
Two studies unveil neural networks that produce and propagate seizure activity, providing information to refine surgical interventions. A third study describes a device capable of detecting and diminishing seizure activity through brief electrical stimulation.
Studies reveal that different types of autoimmune responses elicit distinct responses in patients with drug-resistant epilepsy. Antibodies targeting intracellular proteins lead to a worse prognosis and poorer response to immunotherapy compared to those against cell surface proteins.
A global consensus definition of refractory epilepsy has been developed to aid better care for patients caught in the treatment gap. The definition highlights the need for state-of-the-art care for millions of people with epilepsy worldwide, who are currently not receiving adequate treatment.
Scientists present reports on novel technologies to restore memory circuits, alter drug effects, deliver targeted therapies and improve brain imaging. The advancements aim to pinpoint seizure causes and deliver precise treatments, promising a new era in epilepsy care.
A recent study analyzed patients treated with Keppra and found it to be well-tolerated and more effective in the oldest age group, those 60 years and older. The rate of epilepsy occurring in the elderly is twice that of people under 65, making treatment challenging due to multiple health conditions and medications.
Epilepsy can develop as people age, often due to common health problems like stroke, cancers, or heart diseases. The NCOA and Epilepsy Foundation launch an initiative to educate about epilepsy in the elderly, emphasizing subtle symptoms and effective treatment options.
A study found that elderly patients taking Keppra alone achieved seizure freedom, even in those suffering from epilepsy for nearly 30 years. The medication's kidney-clearance mechanism avoids interactions with other drugs, making it a promising treatment option.