Ketogenic Diet Helps Control Seizures in Child with Epilepsy
Researchers studied a young patient with a specific type of epilepsy linked to a gene called DLG3.
Drug-Resistant Epilepsy
This hub covers drug-resistant epilepsy: When seizures aren’t controlled after trying two appropriate medicines. Research-backed next steps on diet therapies, devices, surgery evaluation, and safety.
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
Drug-Resistant Epilepsy: What Families Usually Want to Know
- What “drug-resistant” means (and what it doesn’t)
- When to ask for an epilepsy center referral
- Treatment options beyond meds (diet, devices, surgery)
- How to think about risk, safety, and quality of life
Options Beyond Medication in Plain English
- Ketogenic diet / modified Atkins: Nutrition therapy that can reduce seizures
- VNS / RNS / DBS: Devices that modulate brain activity
- Surgery evaluations: Tests to see if seizures start in one removable area
- Rescue meds: Fast meds for clusters/prolonged seizures
- Sleep + triggers: Sometimes a meaningful lever (especially in teens)
Related Topics
Drug-Resistant Epilepsy FAQ
When should we consider surgery?
If seizures aren’t controlled after two meds, it’s worth at least an evaluation at an epilepsy center.
Is VNS a “last resort?”
Not necessarily. Some familiar consider it earlier depending on seizure type and goals.
Can seizures still improve later?
Yes. Treatment response can change over time, and combinations/approaches matter.
What should we track?
Seizure frequency, triggers, sleep, missed meds, side effects, and rescue med use.
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Comorbidities | Drug-Resistant Epilepsy | Epilepsy Research Summaries | Imaging & EEG | New Studies | Pediatrics
New Insights on Pediatric Autoimmune Encephalitis and Epilepsy
Researchers studied pediatric autoimmune encephalitis-associated epilepsy (AEAE), which is a type of epilepsy linked to problems in the immune system.
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Devices & Neuromodulation | Drug-Resistant Epilepsy | Epilepsy Research Summaries | Genetics | Imaging & EEG | New Studies
Targeting Deep Brain Stimulation for Better Epilepsy Outcomes
Researchers studied deep brain stimulation (DBS) as a treatment for people with epilepsy who do not respond to medication and cannot have surgery.
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Drug-Resistant Epilepsy | Epilepsy Research Summaries | Imaging & EEG | New Studies | Safety & First Aid
Robot-Assisted sEEG Saves Time Without Sacrificing Accuracy
Researchers studied two methods of placing electrodes in the brain for patients with drug-resistant epilepsy: robot-assisted stereoelectroencephalography (sEEG) and frame-based sEEG.
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New Hope for Managing Seizures in Dravet Syndrome
Researchers studied Dravet syndrome (DS), a severe form of epilepsy that begins in infancy and is often resistant to treatment.
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Ketogenic Diets Can Cause Common Adverse Events
Researchers studied the effects of ketogenic diets (KDs) on people with various health conditions, including epilepsy.
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Long-Term Effects of Infantile Epileptic Spasms in Children
This study looked at the long-term effects of infantile epileptic spasms syndrome (IESS) in children in Korea.
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Drug-Resistant Epilepsy | Epilepsy Research Summaries | Genetics | Lifestyle & Sleep | New Studies | Pediatrics
Seizures May Trigger Cellular Stress in Children with Epilepsy
This study looked at children under 12 years old who have epilepsy that does not respond to medication, specifically those with malformations of cortical development (MCD).
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Drug-Resistant Epilepsy | Epilepsy Research Summaries | Genetics | Imaging & EEG | New Studies | SUDEP
Wearable Devices Improve Seizure Detection and Prediction
Researchers studied different ways to detect and predict generalized tonic-clonic seizures (GTCS), which are severe types of seizures that can lead to serious health risks.
