Epilepsy Articles April 2020

EWCT brings you the latest news on epilepsy-related articles

  1. Seizure control is the primary driver of epilepsy treatment. For many people with epilepsy, however, the seizures themselves are secondary; it’s the after-effects of the seizures that dramatically affect their lives. More than 70% of people with epilepsy report post-ictal (after-seizure) complications, including confusion, fear, exhaustion, headache, emotional reactivity, memory problems and behavioural changes. Some last an hour; others can last for days. With a few exceptions, there are no treatments for post-ictal complications, other than preventing the seizures that precede them.

  2. The International League Against Epilepsy (ILAE) has answers to some frequently asked questions around epilepsy and Covid-19.

  3. Some people live well with little, or no, impact from having epilepsy. Others feel that their lives are greatly affected by it. Epilepsy can impose immense burdens on individuals, families and society. We need ongoing research to understand what epilepsy is.

    We know that there are different epilepsies, different causes and different treatments and how it affects people varies immensely. We need a targeted approach in helping people living with epilepsy.

    This is an interesting audio conversation that you may wish to hear by a researcher in epilepsy.

  4. You may wish to read the first issue (2020) of the International League Against Epilepsy (ILAE) newsletter to know what is happening around the world with regards to epilepsy.

  5. “Research findings reported over the past month include advances in our understanding of an area of the brain that may contribute to Sudden Unexpected Death in Epilepsy (SUDEP) in children, as well as intriguing discoveries about autoantibodyinduced epilepsy. In addition, scientists are turning to plants to identify novel antiseizure drugs (ASDs) for novel anti-seizure medications. Finally, we spotlight a development for a model of the NeuroPace responsive neurostimulator (RNS®), which will broaden its availability as a treatment option, and strike a precautionary note about the effectiveness of multiple epilepsy surgeries.”

    https://www.cureepilepsy.org/news/epilepsy-research-findings-april-2020/