Articles tagged with Seizures
Women with active epilepsy can have a healthy child if they continue treatment, but the risk of birth defects varies depending on the medication. The importance of individualized counseling and maintaining seizure control is emphasized to balance treatment effectiveness and potential risks.
A study of 387 patients with epilepsy found that the timing of post-surgery seizures is a key predictor of long-term success. Patients who experienced seizures within four months of surgery had a worse prognosis, while those who waited longer tended to become seizure-free.
UC Berkeley researchers developed a mathematical model of the brain's electrical activity during seizures, which may aid in understanding and treating epilepsy. The model, compared with real-world data from electrodes implanted in a patient, suggests that strong coherent waves of electrical activity are responsible for seizure spread.
Research suggests that people with a history of depression are at a higher risk of developing epilepsy, while those with epilepsy may be more likely to experience depression. Studies have found common biological mechanisms underlying both conditions, including abnormal neurotransmitter secretion patterns.
A review of nutritional modalities for treating epilepsy suggests that diets high in fat and polyunsaturated fatty acids may be effective in controlling seizures. The Atkins diet has shown promise as an easier-to-follow alternative to the ketogenic diet, although its success depends on implementation.
A study of 325 patients who underwent temporal lobe removal found that early seizures after surgery were eight times more likely to lead to persistent epilepsy. This suggests that some individuals may have epilepsy that is more persistent and resistant to treatment.
A new study suggests that implantable pacemakers could identify and prevent potentially fatal cardiac abnormalities in patients with epilepsy. The devices monitored heart rhythms during seizures, revealing that four patients had periods of asystole and received permanent pacemaker insertion.
A Mayo Clinic study found that patients with well-controlled epilepsy have a very low risk of injury from seizures. The study examined records of 247 patients and found that 80% of injuries were cuts or bruises that did not cause serious health consequences.
Researchers found that switching from brand phenytoin to generic phenytoin can lead to increased seizures in epilepsy patients. Additionally, a study on concussion history and symptom reporting found that athletes with previous concussions reported fewer symptoms immediately after the injury but more symptoms one week later. The Americ...
A study by Grant Butterbaugh and colleagues found that adult patients with left temporal lobe epilepsy were more likely to experience learning disabilities. The researchers suggest that medically treated but uncontrolled seizures in the language-dominant side of the brain may contribute to these findings.
Researchers analyzed VAERS data for adverse events following pneumococcal conjugate vaccine (PCV) vaccination in children. The study found that 13.2 reports of events were submitted per 100,000 doses distributed.
Researchers at Boston Children's Hospital have found that a compound blocking AMPA glutamate receptors can dampen excitotoxic brain injury in premature infants. The study suggests topiramate may be useful in preventing cerebral palsy and epilepsy in newborns.
A breakthrough in brain-machine interface technique uses electrocorticographic (ECoG) activity to record brain surface signals, enabling humans to control computers with their minds. The study achieved high accuracy rates and promises potential applications in prosthetic limb control for individuals with disabilities.
Recent studies on marijuana use among multiple sclerosis and epilepsy patients have yielded mixed results, highlighting the need for further research to determine its efficacy. Patients reported using marijuana therapeutically to manage pain, spasms, mood, sleep, and stress, but also experienced side effects and variable doses.
Researchers analyzed 770 seizure records to investigate the possible link between lunar phases and frequency of epileptic seizures. The study found that epileptic seizures were lowest during the full moon and highest in its last quarter.
Researchers studied 87 women with epilepsy and found that nearly 40% experience catamential patterns where seizures fluctuate with menstrual cycles. Progesterone lozenges may help reduce seizure frequency and severity during monthly hormonal changes.
Women with epilepsy face difficulties during puberty, pregnancy, menstruation, and menopause, leading to changes in seizure severity and increased risk of fetal loss and birth defects. Doctors can help women balance medication risks by adjusting dosages or switching medications while minimizing harm.
Epileptic seizures result from brain dysfunction, with early diagnosis and treatment crucial to preventing irreversible damage. The stigma surrounding epilepsy exacerbates the condition's impact on daily life and quality of life.
The new guidelines will help physicians select the correct treatment based on individual patient needs, reducing reliance on outdated data. Current insurance policies can lead to inadequate treatment due to cost containment measures, but the guidelines aim to address this issue and improve patient outcomes.
Researchers discovered that abnormal signals scattered across brain images, like a fireworks display, occur in patients who lose consciousness during seizures. In contrast, patients who don't lose consciousness have localized increases confined to the temporal lobe.
Individuals with first-time epileptic seizures after 60 years are three times more likely to experience a subsequent stroke. This increased risk justifies screening for vascular risk factors and treatment to prevent stroke in elderly patients with epilepsy.
A new study has found that Bim regulation plays a crucial role in determining hippocampal vulnerability after injurious seizures and in temporal lobe epilepsy. The researchers suggest that understanding the molecular mechanisms underlying this relationship may lead to new therapeutic strategies for treating these conditions.
Recent studies demonstrate the accuracy of epilepsy diagnosis by doctors (96%), shedding light on dementia risk factors among adults with Down syndrome. Additionally, gabapentin shows significant effectiveness in treating chronic daily headaches, according to a study by The Australian Gabapentin Chronic Daily Headache Group.
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.
A limited study of six patients found that the Atkins diet helped two children and one young adult remain seizure-free for up to 20 months. The researchers suggest that the diet may be a trial run for individuals considering the ketogenic diet, but its use should be cautious due to the small study size.
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.
Researchers found that levetiracetam monotherapy can be an effective and well-tolerated treatment option for adults with new onset and difficult-to-control epilepsy. After one year of treatment, 53% of patients were seizure-free, with some experiencing significant reductions in seizure frequency.
Researchers at Washington University developed a non-invasive fMRI technique to better evaluate brain surgery risks and guide operations to avoid sensitive language areas. This breakthrough holds promise for safer surgeries for nearly 200,000 Americans diagnosed with brain tumors annually.
A recent study published in Neurology confirms that 86% of children who underwent hemispherectomy at Johns Hopkins Medicine are either seizure-free or have non-disabling seizures. The surgery improves quality of life and reduces medication dependence.
A study found that 63% of patients with intractable epilepsy who underwent surgery remained seizure-free for over eight years. The duration of epilepsy before surgery was a significant factor in predicting seizure freedom, with patients having longer episodes more likely to remain free from seizures.
Researchers found prolonged fever-induced seizures increase brain's production of endocannabinoids, leading to long-term modifications in neural receptors linked to them. This can result in an increased susceptibility to seizures until adulthood.
A study published in JAMA found that children on the ketogenic diet for six months had significantly elevated cholesterol and triglyceride levels, but these levels often normalized after treatment cessation. The researchers suggest that the diet should remain a treatment option despite short-term lipids elevation.
Researchers develop novel gene therapy platform using AAV to deliver galanin, a neuroactive peptide that suppresses seizure activity. The treatment reduces sensitivity to focal seizures in laboratory rats, offering hope for treating temporal lobe epilepsy patients.
A recent study suggests that reducing the seizure-free interval from 12 to three months does not significantly increase total crashes. The researchers found that seizures-related crashes increased by 11, while deaths due to seizure-related crashes decreased.
A study published in Archives of Neurology found that patients with moderate to severe brain injuries who inherited the epsilon 4 variation of apolipoprotein E (apoE) gene were more likely to develop seizures. The finding sheds light on post-traumatic epilepsy's pathophysiology and may lead to new therapies.
The KEPPRA international Phase IV SKATE study achieved a significant reduction in partial seizures in 49% of patients, with a seizure freedom rate of 17.2%. The study showed favourable efficacy across various subtypes of partial seizures.
A double-blind study found that patients taking topiramate experienced poorer word recognition and verbal memory compared to those on valproate. The research aims to improve seizure treatment with minimal side effects.
The study finds that adding Keppra to standard therapy can lead to seizure freedom in refractory patients with a moderate increase in costs. This results in significant healthcare savings, making it a cost-effective alternative.
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.
A study on infant rats suggests that high-fat diets and increased production of uncoupling protein 2 (UCP2) may protect the newborn brain from seizure-induced cell injury. The ketogenic high-fat diet is shown to work in human children to prevent or reduce seizures, sparking new research into its potential benefits.
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 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.
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.
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.
A recent Canadian Medical Association Journal investigation found that a massive heroin seizure had no impact on drug prices or overdose rates. Heroin prices actually decreased after the shipment was intercepted, raising questions about the effectiveness of supply-side interventions in controlling Canada's illicit drug epidemic.
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.
A recent study found that hemispherectomy significantly reduces seizures in older children with Sturge-Weber syndrome, a rare disorder characterized by neurological abnormalities. The surgery was effective in more than 80% of patients, regardless of their age at operation.
Researchers found that active brain lesions are key predictors of seizure recurrence in patients with neurocysticercosis. The study suggests that anti-epileptic drugs should be continued until lesions are resolved, and further research on antihelminthic drug therapy is recommended.
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 studied brain activity in patients with epileptic seizures to understand how synchronized gamma waves contribute to conscious perception. The studies found that synchronized fast neural activity in the sensory area is necessary for perceiving simple stimuli.
A study of nearly 22,000 infants found that only one case of seizures was linked to a low Apgar score and high umbilical cord acid levels. Seizures were common in babies born weighing less than 3.3 pounds, affecting 6% of those cases.
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.