Brivaracetam May Be Safer Than Levetiracetam for Seizures
A study was conducted to compare two medications used to treat seizures: levetiracetam (LEV) and brivaracetam (BRV).
Comorbidities
This hub covers epilepsy comorbidities, which are the other conditions that often show up alongside seizures (like ADHD, anxiety, depression, autism, and sleep issues). Plain-language research takeaways for families.
What you’ll find in this topic:
- Plain-language summaries of new epilepsy studies
- What the research means for real life
- Practical questions to ask your neurologist
- Related topics you can explore next
Epilepsy Comorbidities: What Families Usually Want to Know
- Why conditions like ADHD, anxiety, depression, and sleep problems are common
- How meds and seizures can affect mood, attention, and learning
- What to bring up at appointments (and what screening is normal)
- When to involve behavioral health, neuropsychology, or school supports
Common Comorbidity Terms in Plain English
- Neuropsych testing: a detailed profile of learning, attention, memory
- Mood disorder: ongoing depression/anxiety symptoms affecting daily life
- Executive function: planning, starting tasks, organization, impulse control
- Sleep disorder: trouble falling/staying asleep or poor-quality sleep
- Medication side effects: cognitive/mood changes that may be adjustable
Related Topics
Epilepsy Comorbidities FAQ
Are these “separate problems” or part of epilepsy?
Often both. Shared brain networks, stress, sleep disruption, and medication effects can all contribute.
How do we tell side effects from the condition itself?
Track timing: New symptoms after med changes or dose increases may point to side effects.
Should we ask for neuropsych testing?
If school is hard, attention/memory changes, or there’s concern about learning, yes, it can guide supports.
Can treating anxiety/sleep help seizures?
Sometimes. Improving sleep and stress can reduce seizure susceptibility in some people.
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Comorbidities | Epilepsy Research Summaries | Imaging & EEG | New Studies | Pediatrics | Safety & First Aid
One Night Dose of Levetiracetam Works Well for Kids
Researchers studied a type of epilepsy called self-limited epilepsy with centrotemporal spikes (SeLECTS) in 192 children.
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KMO Inhibition Reduces Seizures and Depression in Mice
This study looked at how blocking a specific enzyme called kynurenine-3-monooxygenase (KMO) affects seizures, depression-like behaviors, and thinking abilities in mice with epilepsy.
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Akkermansia Muciniphila May Help Treat Neurological Disorders
Researchers studied a type of beneficial bacteria called Akkermansia muciniphila (A.
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Levetiracetam Safer Than Phenobarbital for Newborn Seizures
Researchers studied the effectiveness and safety of two medications, levetiracetam (LEV) and phenobarbital (PB), for treating seizures in newborns.
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Guidelines for Resection in Glioma Surgery Released
Researchers studied how much of a brain tumor called glioma should be removed during surgery.
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Comorbidities | Drug-Resistant Epilepsy | Epilepsy Research Summaries | New Studies | Pediatrics | Status Epilepticus
Improving Quality of Life After Refractory Status Epilepticus
This study looked at the long-term quality of life for people who survived a severe type of epilepsy called new onset refractory status epilepticus (NORSE), including a specific form known as febrile infection-related epilepsy syndrome (FIRES).
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Mycophenolate Mofetil Reduces Relapses in NMDA Encephalitis Patients
This study looked at the effects of a medication called mycophenolate mofetil (MMF) on patients with a serious condition known as anti-NMDA receptor encephalitis (NMDARE).
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Comorbidities | Devices & Neuromodulation | Drug-Resistant Epilepsy | Epilepsy Research Summaries | Imaging & EEG | New Studies
High Healthcare Costs for Patients Before Neurostimulator Implantation
This study looked at the healthcare use and costs for people with drug-resistant epilepsy (DRE) who were enrolled in Medicaid and received a neurostimulator implant.
