Brain Inflammation Markers Change Quickly In NORSE And FIRES
This paper was a systematic review, which means the authors gathered and summarized results from earlier studies rather than testing one new group of patients.
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 | Genetics | New Studies | Pediatrics
Brain Device Helps Many Children With Hard-To-Treat Epilepsy
This study combined results from 39 published studies on responsive neurostimulation (RNS) in children and teens age 18 or younger with drug-resistant epilepsy.
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Drug-Resistant Epilepsy | Epilepsy Research Summaries | Genetics | New Studies | Pediatrics | Status Epilepticus
Childhood Hard-To-Control Seizures Linked To Adult Disability
This study looked at adults with tuberous sclerosis complex (TSC) who had a history of seizures and were followed at one center in Paris from 2005 to 2021.
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Brain Protein Changes May Affect Thinking In Epilepsy
This paper was a systematic review, which means the authors gathered and summarized results from many earlier studies instead of testing one new group of patients.
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Epilepsy Surgery Helps Despite Delays In Lower Income Areas
This study looked at whether neighborhood-level socioeconomic status was linked to when people got epilepsy surgery and how they did afterward.
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Surgery May Beat Medicines For Hard-To-Treat Childhood Epilepsy
This study did not follow real children in a trial.
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Earlier Surgery And Full Removal Improve Seizure Freedom
This study looked at long-term seizure outcomes after epilepsy surgery in children with drug-resistant epileptic spasms.
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Drug-Resistant Epilepsy | Epilepsy Research Summaries | Imaging & EEG | New Studies | Safety & First Aid
Laser Therapy Vs Surgery For Temporal Lobe Epilepsy
This paper describes the plan for a clinical trial, not results.
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Brain Wave Guidance May Improve Seizure Control After Surgery
This study looked at adults with cerebral cavernous malformations (CCMs), which are abnormal blood vessel clusters in the brain that are frequently associated with drug-resistant epilepsy.
