Articles tagged with Epilepsy
Researchers found that mandatory reporting of seizures can lead patients to withhold information from their doctors, harming the doctor-patient relationship. The study also suggests that this may result in more uncontrolled seizures, posing a risk to public safety.
A recent community-based clinical trial found that Keppra significantly reduced partial seizures in nearly 80% of elderly patients, aged 65 and older, with a median overall reduction in seizure frequency of 80.1%. The medication was well-tolerated, with a low incidence of side effects.
A review of 176 patients found that the addition of Keppra led to complete seizure control in 22.3% of patients who had at least 12 months of treatment, with some also experiencing reduction or discontinuation of other anti-epileptic drugs.
A study found that epilepsy surgery programs in developing countries can produce results comparable to those from developed countries using a carefully selected actuarial approach and the Seizure Scoring System. Researchers audited their program and identified factors most predictive of successful outcomes, yielding a nearly 60% succes...
UCB's pharma sector announces a new antiepileptic drug candidate, ucb 34714, which demonstrates higher efficacy than existing levetiracetam in reducing epileptiform activity and seizure severity. The compound also shows tolerability and disease-modifying properties, supporting its potential for improving epilepsy therapy.
Maryanoff, a renowned medicinal chemist, has developed topiramate, a successful drug approved in over 70 countries to treat epilepsy and other central nervous system disorders. His work also focuses on structure-based drug design, with recent breakthroughs in human clinical trials.
Researchers are conducting a nationwide study to develop more personalized care for older adults with epilepsy. The study will consider factors like age, gender, and biological makeup to optimize treatment outcomes.
A comprehensive review of research findings shows that surgery is a superior treatment option for disabling seizures caused by mesial temporal lobe epilepsy, with better quality of life and reduced medication use. The analysis also found low surgical morbidity and mortality rates, making it an attractive alternative to medication.
A new laser-based technique could aid in drug design and testing for various neurological disorders, enabling the discovery of compounds to block cocaine poisoning effects. The technique allows researchers to study signal transmission between cells and identify potential therapeutic agents.
A large-scale study confirms KEPPRA's efficacy in reducing seizure frequency and achieving seizure freedom in patients with refractory epilepsy. The study analyzed data from 1,422 patients over a 54-month period, showing sustained antiepileptic benefits without tolerance developing.
Children with a first unprovoked seizure are unlikely to develop epilepsy, and most will have few or no recurrences. Individualized assessment of the child's medical history and neurological exam can help determine the best course of action.
Researchers found that age of onset, type of surgery, and history of febrile seizures are related to the amount of time before seizures become intractable. In patients whose seizures began before age 5, it took an average of 15 years for their seizures to become intractable.
A new study by American Academy of Neurology found that patients with epilepsy who respond positively to medication do not necessarily have a good long-term outcome. The study analyzed 333 adults with epilepsy and found that younger patients were more likely to experience remission periods without seizures before undergoing surgery.
A new study published by Georgetown University Medical Center found a link between worsening epileptic seizures and estrogen intake in women. Approximately 20% of women with epilepsy experienced seizures worsened when using estrogen-containing oral contraceptives.
New data confirm KEPPRA's sustained antiepileptic effect over 7.13 years, with a high retention rate of 54.3%. The incidence of adverse events is similar to previous studies, ensuring the safety and tolerability profile for KEPPRA.
Researchers created a new mouse model that mimics the natural development of epilepsy, revealing the crucial role of astrocytes in seizure disorders. The study, led by David H. Gutmann and Kelvin Yamada, found that mice lacking TSC1 in astrocytes developed abnormal neuronal organization and seizures.
Researchers identified genetic mutations associated with inherited epilepsy that perturb brain cell electrical properties. These findings support a plausible mechanism for the disorder and suggest potential targets for anticonvulsant drugs.
A new radiosurgery protocol using the Gamma Knife is being tested to eliminate epileptic seizures in patients with temporal lobe epilepsy. The treatment has shown promising results, with up to 95% effectiveness and significant improvement in quality of life.
Epilepsy does not increase motor vehicle crash risks compared to other medical conditions; regulations hinder patients from seeking proper care. Mandatory reporting laws are discriminatory and destroy patient-physician confidentiality.
A Brazilian study found that anticonvulsant therapy can lead to cognitive disabilities in epileptic children, affecting their ability to recall information. The research suggests a need for cooperation between physicians and educators to develop strategies to mitigate these effects.
A retrospective study of 1407 VNS Therapy patients found that reducing antiepileptic medications did not impair seizure control. The study analyzed changes in medication use and seizure rates over one year, with no significant differences between groups.
A new study shows that VNS Therapy is more effective in treating epilepsy patients when used earlier in their treatment course, resulting in a three-fold improvement in seizure control. The therapy also improves quality of life indicators such as alertness, mood, and verbal communications.
A retrospective review of studies on psychological interventions found no direct impact on seizures or quality of life among patients with epilepsy. However, some promising indications were noted regarding reduced anxiety and improved medication compliance.
Only 25% of patients have been seizure-free for the past year, with many experiencing frequent seizures despite medication attempts. Vagus Nerve Stimulation Therapy (VNS) has shown promise in reducing seizures and improving quality of life.
Researchers from Women's and Children's Hospital, Adelaide have identified a major gene responsible for both intellectual disability and epilepsy. The new gene is found on the X-chromosome and acts as a master gene controlling other genes' function, contributing to normal brain cognitive function.
Researchers have identified a gene called LGI1 associated with a rare type of epilepsy characterized by auditory hallucinations and other symptoms. The discovery provides new insights into the cause of common epilepsy.
A study found that vagus nerve stimulation (VNS) increases blood flow in thalamic areas of the brain, leading to improved seizure control. VNS was shown to reduce seizures by up to 91% in patients with partial epilepsy.
Vagus nerve stimulation (VNS) therapy is safe, well-tolerated, and highly effective in reducing seizure frequency in children with refractory epilepsy. The study found significant improvements in quality of life, including alertness, verbal communication, and school performance.
A team of researchers led by Louis J. Ptacek identified a novel gene, mass1, responsible for audiogenic reflex epilepsy in the Frings mouse strain. The gene was found to be mutated in mice with spontaneous seizures triggered by loud noises.
Researchers at Emory University found that temporal lobectomy significantly reduces complex partial seizures in patients with temporal lobe epilepsy (TLE) who cannot be controlled by medication. However, the procedure is less effective in reducing generalized tonic-clonic seizures, also known as grand mal seizures.
A pilot study found that an implanted 'brain pacemaker' for epilepsy may cause mild increases in sleep apnea, a condition where breathing is disrupted during sleep. Researchers are investigating ways to fine-tune the device to reduce these effects and improve treatment outcomes.
The conference will feature presentations by renowned neurologists and Epilepsy experts, including Dr. Paul Mullin and Dr. Moise Danielpour, discussing the latest anticonvulsants and epilepsy surgery options.
A new study by the University of Michigan found that a significant proportion of people with epilepsy may also have undiagnosed sleep apnea, which can disrupt brain function and exacerbate symptoms. The study suggests that addressing sleep apnea through lifestyle and medical interventions may help improve seizure control and quality of...
A study by Johns Hopkins Medicine found that 31% of recent popular press articles on epilepsy contained gross mistakes, including inaccurate science and exaggerated treatment claims. The print media often reflect and shape views about epilepsy, but also perpetuate misconceptions that can shame patients.
Researchers discovered two mutations in a sodium channel gene that regulate electrical activity in nerve cells, which may cause inherited forms of epilepsy. Genetic testing could identify at-risk infants and prevent seizures and neurological damage.
Researchers at U of T used nonlinear dynamics techniques to predict seizures and identified a dynamic regime - type III intermittency - that takes place during seizures. This approach may improve techniques to control the brain's transition to seizure, offering new hope for patients with intractable epilepsy.
Scientists at Brandeis University and Children's Hospital Boston used video games to study the brain's sense of direction in teenagers with severe epilepsy. They found that theta oscillations, a special type of brain wave, play a crucial role in spatial learning and navigation.
A new study at Johns Hopkins and the University of Maryland provides a tool for physicians to evaluate an epilepsy patient's risk of having an accident while driving. The study found that four illness-related characteristics can predict accidents, including the length of time between seizures.
Researchers have identified a genetic link between the stargazer gene and calcium channel defects in absence epilepsy. The Cacng2 gene produces a defective protein that disrupts normal brain function, leading to abnormal neuron firing and seizures.
Treating people with epilepsy or seizures who are in remote locations like space, underwater or extended airline flights may be possible through telemedicine. Sleep deprivation and weightlessness can provoke seizures during travel.
A new study by Columbia University researchers establishes the first mathematically sound definition of epilepsy, requiring two unprovoked seizures for a diagnosis. The study found that patients who have had two seizures are at high risk of recurrence, with a 73% chance of having a third seizure within five years.
Researchers have discovered how a rare epilepsy mutation works at a molecular level, potentially helping understand other nervous-system disorders. The mutation impairs signaling between nerve cells, leading to seizures in people with autosomal dominant nocturnal frontal lobe epilepsy (ADNFLE).
A new mouse model, swe mice, has been identified by researchers at Jackson Laboratory with a defect in the Nhe1 gene. The mice exhibit both petit mal and grand mal seizures, similar to human absence and convulsive epilepsy, making it a promising authentic model for studying human absence epilepsy.
A new vagus nerve stimulator device has been shown to prevent epileptic seizures in over 30% of patients, with some becoming completely seizure-free. The device, which is battery-operated and inserted just below the collarbone, sends electric current to stimulate the vagus nerve without impairing heart rate or cardiac cycles.
Researchers at KU Medical Center developed a technique predicting seizures by analyzing brain activity, potentially leading to new treatment options for patients with epilepsy. The algorithm measures seizure and non-seizure components, allowing for up to three-minute warning before a seizure occurs.
A Johns Hopkins study found that over 1 in 5 neurologists and obstetricians had patients with epilepsy who developed unwanted pregnancies due to anti-epilepsy drugs interfering with birth control pills. Increasing birth control medication levels or switching to non-interfering medications can reduce the risk of unplanned pregnancy.