Depression Strongly Shapes Quality Of Life In Epilepsy
This study followed 665 adults with drug-resistant focal epilepsy after an anti-seizure medicine was added or substituted.
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
New Epilepsy Treatments Offer Hope for Hard-to-Control Seizures
This article is a conference summary, not a single clinical trial.
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Devices & Neuromodulation | Drug-Resistant Epilepsy | Epilepsy Research Summaries | New Studies | Pediatrics | Safety & First Aid
Deep Brain Stimulation For Children With Hard-To-Treat Epilepsy
This paper is a review, not a new experiment.
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Devices & Neuromodulation | Drug-Resistant Epilepsy | Epilepsy Research Summaries | Genetics | New Studies | Pediatrics
Surgery May Improve Daily Skills In Children With Epilepsy
This study looked at everyday functioning in children and teens with drug-resistant epilepsy who had palliative epilepsy surgery.
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Drug-Resistant Epilepsy | Epilepsy Research Summaries | Genetics | New Studies | Pediatrics | Status Epilepticus
Ring Chromosome 20 Often Causes Hard-To-Treat Childhood Seizures
This paper was a systematic review, meaning the researchers gathered and summarized published reports about a rare genetic condition called ring chromosome 20 and the epilepsy linked to it.
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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.
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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.
