Hypothalamic Treatment Shows Promise for Some Neurological Patients
Researchers studied the effects of a treatment called Liposom Forte, which contains hypothalamic phospholipids, in three patients with different neurological disorders.
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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Devices & Neuromodulation | Drug-Resistant Epilepsy | Epilepsy Research Summaries | Imaging & EEG | New Studies
Shared Network Dysfunction Found in Focal Epilepsy Patients
Researchers studied how brain networks are affected in people with nonlesional focal epilepsy, which is a type of epilepsy that doesn’t show visible brain damage on scans.
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Drug-Resistant Epilepsy | Epilepsy Research Summaries | Lifestyle & Sleep | New Studies | Pediatrics
Cardiac Health Improves After Surgery for Pediatric Epilepsy
This study looked at children with drug-resistant epilepsy (DRE) who had surgery to stop their seizures.
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Devices & Neuromodulation | Drug-Resistant Epilepsy | Epilepsy Research Summaries | Genetics | Imaging & EEG | New Studies
Deep Learning May Help Locate Epilepsy Zones
Researchers studied how deep learning (DL) techniques can help locate the epileptogenic zone (EZ), which is the area in the brain that causes seizures, in people with drug-resistant epilepsy.
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Drug-Resistant Epilepsy | Epilepsy Research Summaries | Genetics | New Studies | Pediatrics | Status Epilepticus
Surgery May Help Treat Severe, Long-Lasting Seizures
Researchers studied surgical treatments for a serious condition called super-refractory status epilepticus (SRSE), which is a prolonged seizure that lasts more than 24 hours and does not respond to standard treatments.
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Drug-Resistant Epilepsy | Epilepsy Research Summaries | Genetics | New Studies | Pediatrics | Safety & First Aid
Perampanel Shows Promise for Reducing Seizures in Lennox-Gastaut Syndrome
Researchers studied the effectiveness and safety of a medication called perampanel in patients with Lennox-Gastaut syndrome (LGS), a severe form of epilepsy that often starts in childhood.
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Devices & Neuromodulation | Drug-Resistant Epilepsy | Epilepsy Research Summaries | Genetics | Imaging & EEG | New Studies
EEG Biomarkers May Predict Neuromodulation Success in Epilepsy
This study looked at how certain brain activity signals, called biomarkers, can help predict how well invasive treatments for drug-resistant epilepsy (DRE) work.
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Devices & Neuromodulation | Drug-Resistant Epilepsy | Epilepsy Research Summaries | Genetics | Imaging & EEG | New Studies
Understanding Epilepsy in Muscle-Eye-Brain Disease Patients
Researchers studied the characteristics of epilepsy in patients with Muscle-Eye-Brain disease (MEB), a rare genetic condition that affects muscle and brain development.
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New Model Shows How DEPDC5 Deficiency Causes Focal Cortical Dysplasia
Researchers studied a specific type of brain condition called focal cortical dysplasia type II (FCDII), which is a common cause of epilepsy in children that does not respond to medication.
