Growing observations strongly suggest that abnormal activation of critical inflammatory processes contributes to epileptogenesis. This paper reviews evidence conceptually supporting the potential role of inflammatory mechanisms and the relevant blood-brain barrier (BBB) disruption in epileptogenesis.
Sleep-related problems are major comorbidity in up to three-fourths of patients with DRE and sleep architecture is significantly affected particularly in the DRE group.
Previous studies have shown the effectiveness of manual?based treatment for psychogenic nonepileptic seizures (PNES), but access to mental health care still remains a problem, especially for patients living in areas without medical professionals who treat conversion disorder.
Find CURE news and upcoming events, such as SUDEP Action Day 2020, taking place on October 23.
Genetics, Pediatric Epilepsy
Dr. Heather Mefford is a current CURE Grantee who is as dedicated to driving science toward cures for epilepsy as she is to treating people in her clinical practice. As Associate Professor of Pediatrics at the University of Washington and attending physician at Seattle Children’s Hospital, Dr. Mefford is making an impact both in and out of the laboratory.
Assessment tool helps doctors ensure adolescents and young adults with epilepsy have the skills and confidence they need to take control of seizures and health care.
By applying tools of machine learning and network analysis, the Davis Lab in the Penn Epilepsy Center was assisted by a team of Penn interns this summer to target the ‘missing electrode problem,’ identifying regions of the brain that cause epilepsy.
SUDEP
Polytherapy, especially the use of three or more antiepileptic drugs, correlated with a substantially decreased risk for sudden unexpected death in epilepsy, according to findings from a nationwide case-control study conducted in Sweden. The findings, which were published in Neurology, also demonstrated a link between statin use and a decreased risk for sudden unexpected death in epilepsy.
Valproic acid (VPA) is a widely used anti-epileptic drug, but many regulatory agencies have recommended that it should not be administered to women of childbearing age, unless they are taking contraceptives. This study aims to determine if candidate patients will (or will not) change their treatment.
