Treatments & Management

A recent study set out to explore how well the treatment guidelines for epilepsy are being followed, specifically looking at the impact of using non-recommended antiseizure medications (ASMs) on healthcare utilization. Epilepsy, a neurological disorder that causes seizures, is commonly treated with ASMs, but not all medications are equally effective or safe. Researchers focused on adults who had just been diagnosed with epilepsy between 2015 and 2019, and they analyzed their treatment patterns and subsequent healthcare needs.

The International League Against Epilepsy (ILAE) recently took a closer look at the mental health challenges faced by children and adolescents with epilepsy, specifically focusing on anxiety and depression. They assembled a group called the Psychiatric Pediatric Issues Task Force to develop guidelines on how to effectively diagnose and treat these mental health issues in young patients. Through a thorough review of existing studies, they aimed to fill in the gaps where evidence was lacking and come up with practical recommendations.

In a fascinating study on epilepsy, researchers focused on structural epilepsies, which can develop long after an initial brain injury or insult. What makes this research particularly important is the potential for secondary prevention; if doctors could identify those at greatest risk for developing epilepsy, they might be able to intervene before the condition fully develops. However, a major hurdle has been the lack of reliable biomarkers—essentially biological indicators—needed to spot individuals at higher risk.

In a recent study, researchers explored the effects of a new drug called E2730, which inhibits the GABA transporter-1 (GAT-1), on controlling seizures in a rodent model of chronic temporal lobe epilepsy. GABA is a key neurotransmitter that helps calm down brain activity, and its dysfunction is linked to epilepsy. Using a model known as kainic acid status epilepticus (KASE), the researchers found that E2730 could significantly reduce the occurrence of spontaneous seizures. In fact, out of 11 treated rats, 8 became completely seizure-free!

In a recent study, researchers investigated the antiseizure effects of three compounds—amorfrutin 2, honokiol, and magnolol—that have a similar structure to cannabinoids but come from non-cannabis plants.

Epilepsy is a common brain condition that affects millions, but for about one-third of those with it, traditional medications just don’t work, leading to what’s called drug-resistant epilepsy (DRE). This situation calls for new treatment options, and researchers are looking into a technique known as transcranial magnetic continuous theta burst stimulation (cTBS). In a recent clinical trial, scientists set out to see if this method could effectively treat DRE by specifically targeting an area of the brain called the cerebellum.

Researchers have recently made significant strides in understanding how to potentially prevent epilepsy following a severe brain condition called status epilepticus (SE). SE is characterized by prolonged, uncontrolled seizures and leads to brain changes that can trigger epilepsy later on. A critical aspect of this study involved examining the role of the glymphatic system, which…

A recent long-term clinical trial explored the safety and effectiveness of lacosamide (LCM) as an additional treatment for people suffering from generalized-onset tonic-clonic seizures (GTCS), particularly those with idiopathic generalized epilepsy (IGE). This study, known as EP0012, involved 239 participants aged four years and older, and it provided a look into how well LCM could help manage seizures over an extended period—up to five years for children and two years for adults.

Epilepsy is a neurological disorder that can lead to a range of psychiatric issues, including various types of psychosis. Those with epilepsy may experience preictal, ictal, postictal, and interictal psychoses, which can significantly impact their quality of life. Antipsychotic drugs (APDs), primarily used to treat psychosis and schizophrenia, have been considered for managing these psychiatric symptoms in people with epilepsy. However, there hasn’t been a clear understanding of how effective or safe these medications are for this specific group.