For people with epilepsy, the inability to drive is often accompanied by frustration, loss of freedom, and increased dependence on others. Some countries ban people from driving for life, while others allow it after a specific amount of time passes without seizures.
Tag: ILAE
Behind the wheel: Navigating driving with epilepsy
For people with epilepsy, driving is a top concern. The inability to drive often comes with frustration, a loss of freedom, and dependency on others. Regulations vary; some countries ban people with epilepsy from driving for life, while most require a specific seizure-free period.
“Talking about things that no one else will talk about”: Torie Robinson, host of Epilepsy Sparks Insights
Diagnosed with epilepsy at age 10, Torie Robinson uses her podcast to share knowledge with people with epilepsy, their families, and the public. Her episode topics range from the biochemistry of epilepsy to gastrointestinal issues and much, much more.
Book review: The Idea of Epilepsy by Simon Shorvon
In a detailed, comprehensive, and scholarly fashion, the writer takes us on a journey, using the metaphor of “The Voyage of the Good Ship Epilepsy.” As a near footnote, the author suggests in the end that the term “epilepsy” should be abolished altogether.
Dravet syndrome and the influence of the genome: Dr. Sanjay Sisodiya
Dravet syndrome is a rare, severe epilepsy caused by certain changes in the SCN1A gene. But people with Dravet have a wide range of clinical characteristics that cannot be fully explained by these changes. What else is going on?
Comment les médecins peuvent-ils encourager les personnes atteintes d’épilepsie à pratiquer une activité physique ?
Des études suggèrent que faire de l’exercice améliore la condition physique, l’humeur, la pensée et la mémoire, ainsi que la qualité de vie globale des personnes atteintes d’épilepsie – autant d’avantages qui s’appliquent également aux personnes non épileptiques.
Cerebral amyloid angiopathy, seizures, and epilepsy: Dr. Brin Freund
Sixty percent of patients with dementia on autopsy studies have cerebral amyloid angiopathy (CAA) pathology. This episode discusses the relationship between CAA and epilepsy through the lens of a recent publication. Dr. Alina Ivaniuk talks with Dr. Brin Freund.
Largest genetic study of epilepsy to date provides new insights on why epilepsy develops and potential treatments
The largest genetic study of its kind, coordinated by the International League Against Epilepsy (ILAE), has discovered specific changes in our DNA that increase the risk of developing epilepsy.
35th International Epilepsy Congress presents latest in epilepsy research and professional opportunities
The 35th International Epilepsy Congress (IEC) will take place September 2 – 6, 2023, in Dublin, Ireland. Registrants will hear from the best in global epileptology during teaching courses, symposia, and lectures hosted by the ILAE and IBE.
Managing epilepsy in older adults
What special considerations must physicians make when managing epilepsy in older adults? Who is considered an “older adult,” anyway? Dr. Anca Arbune interviews two authors of a recent critical review by an ILAE task force.
Soutenir les personnes atteintes d’épilepsie aves des outils pour réduire la stigmatisation
La stigmatisation affecte tous les aspects des soins de l’épilepsie, du diagnostic au traitement en passant par la législation et aux allocations budgétaires. Elle affecte la vie des personnes atteintes d’épilepsie lorsqu’elles n’ont pas un accès égal à l’éducation, à l’emploi et aux mêmes droits sociaux.
Empowering people with epilepsy to lead the way in reducing stigma
Stigma affects all aspects of epilepsy care. It affects the lives of people with epilepsy when they are not given equal access to education, employment, and social opportunities. In a US study, one-third of respondents identified stigma—not seizures—as the most difficult part of living with epilepsy.
Moving epilepsy care closer to home: Dr. Gagandeep Singh and Dr. Meenakshi Sharma
Can bringing epilepsy care to people’s homes improve outcomes? ILAE spoke with two researchers who conducted a randomized trial of home-based care versus clinic-based care in northern India. Those receiving the home-based care, delivered by community health workers, had better outcomes.
Sleep and epilepsy: Dr. Birgit Frauscher
Bidirectional links between epilepsy and sleep have been known for thousands of years. Despite nearly a century of research using EEG investigations, the relationships are still not well understood.
Automated epilepsy lesion detection on MRI: The MELD Project
In this episode of Sharp Waves, the ILAE podcast, Dr. Maryam Nabavi Nouri talks with Dr. Konrad Wagstyl about the MELD Project, an open-science consortium using deep learning principles to develop automated lesion detection of clinical MRI data.
Podcast: From bedside to industry: Epilepsy career profile of Dr. Caroline Neuray
Dr. Alina Ivaniuk talks with Dr. Neuray about her career path from medical school to industry CEO. They discuss the power of peer mentoring, ways to improve medical education, and finding the courage to accept change.
International recommendations for diagnosis and treatment of new-onset refractory status epilepticus (NORSE)
First-line immunotherapy and the ketogenic diet are two main recommendations for treatment of NORSE of unknown cause, according to results from an international consensus group. Dr. Maryam Nabavi Nouri interviews first author Dr. Ronny Wickstrom.
How can primary health care help to close the epilepsy treatment gap? A journey through Andhra Pradesh, India
Hours from the nearest city in India, down a pothole-studded road framed by fish farms, primary care centers in Andra Pradesh provide service to tens of thousands of people. How do these centers care for people with epilepsy, and what challenges do they face?
Podcast: Nursing roles and value in epilepsy care
Nurses play crucial roles in epilepsy care, but their perspectives and voices are often missing. The ILAE Nursing Section is a “home” for nurses around the world who care for people with epilepsy. Sharp Waves talked to section leaders.
La Section des soins infirmiers vise à répondre aux besoins des infirmières en matière de soins de l’épilepsie dans le monde entier
À l’automne 2021, la section des soins infirmiers de l’ILAE a été créée pour créer un « foyer » pour les infirmières du monde entier qui s’occupent de personnes atteintes d’épilepsie.
La Sección de Enfermería tiene como objetivo satisfacer las necesidades de las enfermeras para la atención de la epilepsia en todo el mundo
En el otoño de 2021, se formó la Sección de Enfermería de ILAE para crear un “hogar” para las enfermeras de todo el mundo que atienden a personas con epilepsia.
Inadequate first-line treatment for status epilepticus: The issue and solutions
A benzodiazepine is the first-line treatment of choice for status epilepticus. Despite guidelines from 2012 and 2016 thta recommend medication types, doses, and means of administration, benzodiazepines are often underdosed, or not given at all.
The value of epilepsy specialty nurses: Taking action
Nurses who care for people with epilepsy fulfill dozens of roles, helping people to navigate clinical, educational, emotional, and social dimensions of epilepsy. But the depth, breadth, and impact of these roles is not always recognized.
La encuesta de ILAE destaca las preocupaciones globales sobre los medicamentos genéricos anticrisis
Los neurólogos de todo el mundo tienen preocupaciones sobre el uso de medicamentos genéricos anticrisis, cuestionando la calidad deficiente o inconsistente, el acceso limitado, el costo y la falta de control regulatorio.
La encuesta de ILAE destaca las preocupaciones globales sobre los medicamentos genéricos anticrisis
Les neurologues du monde entier s’inquiètent de l’utilisation d’antiépileptiques génériques, notamment concernant leur qualité médiocre ou inégale, leur accès restreint, leur coût, et l’absence de contrôle réglementaire.
Podcast: Epilepsy medications during pregnancy may affect infant development
A recent study reported data from more than 1,300 infants whose mothers are enrolled in the Kerala Registry of Epilepsy in Pregnancy. Babies were evaluated for mental and motor development at 1 year of age.
What is autoimmune-associated epilepsy: Dr. Claude Steriade
What is autoimmune-associated epilepsy, and how is it different from acute seizures with an autoimmune cause? How can clinicians best diagnose and treat these conditions? Sharp Waves reporter Dr. Maryam Nabavi-Nouri spoke with Dr. Claude Steriade.
Wiley and ILAE deliver knowledge on epilepsy syndromes
Wiley and ILAE launched the Epilepsy Knowledge Hub to provide health care professionals with the latest research and guidelines to aid in diagnosis, classification, and treatment for people with epilepsy syndromes.
ILAE survey highlights global concerns about generic anti-seizure medications
Neurologists worldwide have concerns about the use of generic anti-seizure medications, including poor or inconsistent quality, limited access, cost, and lack of regulatory control, according to a global survey of health care professionals.
Teaching teachers about epilepsy: Intervention also benefits students, parents, neurologists
Though children spend many hours in school, their teachers often don’t have knowledge about epilepsy. Many are afraid of having students with epilepsy in their classes, which can be a barrier to both effective learning and student inclusion.
World Health Organization unanimously approves plan to improve epilepsy care, reduce stigma
On 27 May 2022, World Health Organization Member States unanimously approved the Intersectoral Global Action Plan on Epilepsy and other Neurological Disorders (IGAP) at the 75th World Health Assembly in Geneva, Switzerland.
Epilepsy and pregnancy: A conversation with Dr. Page Pennell
Can women with epilepsy get pregnant, give birth to healthy babies, and breastfeed? What are the myths and misconceptions, and what do physicians and women need to know? Dr. Anca Arbune interviews Dr. Page Pennell about the latest research and knowledge.
Intersectoral Global Action Plan on Epilepsy and Other Neurological Disorders: What’s next?
The World Health Organization’s 75th World Health Assembly convenes May 22, with implications for epilepsy and other neurological disorders. Join us for a webinar discussing the member states’ vote on the Intersectoral Global Action Plan.
Addressing status epilepticus management in low-resource regions: “Where do we fit in?”
Low-resource areas face multiple challenges to diagnosing and treating long-lasting seizures, or status epilepticus. We talked with neurologists in four countries about how status epilepticus is managed in their areas.
Crisis response in Ukraine: National and international efforts to secure medication and care for people with epilepsy
Since the war began in late February, Ukraine neurologists have been committed to helping citizens with epilepsy, many of whom have lost access to medications and regular care.
Task force gives guidance on classifying neonatal seizures – An ILAE podcast
ILAE has published guidelines on classifying seizures and epilepsies, but those classifications don’t account for seizures in newborn babies. Two ILAE task forces spent several years on a position paper that modifies the seizure and epilepsy classifications for neonatal seizures.
Con cualquier otro nombre: Mejorar el acceso al tratamiento y reducir el estigma en las convulsiones psicógenas no epilépticas
Al igual que la epilepsia, los episodios paroxísticos no epilépticos (EPNE) interfieren en la vida personal, familiar y social de los pacientes.
¿Cómo llamar a los trastornos paroxísticos no epilépticos?
Se llaman convulsiones, ataques, eventos, episodios pero no son epilepsia. Conocidos por varios nombres, que incluyen convulsiones disociativas, episodios paroxísticos no epilépticos (EPNE) y convulsiones funcionales, pueden ser difíciles de identificar.
ILAE’s virtual conferences bring the latest in epilepsy to your laptop
Our Asian & Oceanian Epilepsy Congress, June 10-13, covers it all: social issues, diagnosis, treatment, research, and more. Anyone, anywhere can get a top-level, multi-day epilepsy conference delivered to their home or office and participate at their convenience.
Par une nouvelle dénomination: Améliorer l’accès aux soins et réduire les stigmas des crises psychogènes non épileptiques
Comme l’épilepsie, les crises non épileptiques psychogènes (CNEP) ont des conséquences sur la scolarisation, l’emploi et l’autonomie.
Podcast – Persistent seizures: How to use the ketogenic diet for super-refractory status epilepticus
A recent paper in Neurology Clinical Practice offers practical considerations for using the ketogenic diet in patients with seizures that last more than 24 hours, a condition known as super-refractory status epilepticus. ILAE spoke with two of the authors – dietitian Neha Kaul and epileptologist Joshua Laing.
Podcast – Dieta cetogénica y estatus epiléptico súper refractario
Un artículo reciente en “Neurology Clinical Practice” ofrece consideraciones prácticas para el empleo de la dieta cetogénica en pacientes con estatus epiléptico superrefractario. La ILAE habló con dos de los autores del artículo. (Podcast en ingles; transcripcion en español.)
Is this your brain on Mozart? Music, seizures, and epilepsy
A recent one-year study found a 35% decrease in seizure frequency in people with epilepsy who listened to an excerpt of Mozart’s Sonata for Two Pianos. Research in animal models also suggests that music has multiple effects on the brain.
Food for thought: The ketogenic diet as epilepsy treatment
Treating epilepsy with diet is not a new concept, but it’s gained popularity and credibility in the past 25 years.
New-onset refractory status epilepticus (NORSE): Awareness and research
This rare but life-threatening condition is often due to an autoimmune response. Speedier diagnosis and more effective treatments are priorities.
North American Virtual Epilepsy Congress September 24-27
The ILAE/IBE congresses attract clinicians, researchers, policymakers and advocates from around the world to hear about the latest research and treatment advances in epilepsy.
Will the COVID-19 pandemic give a permanent boost to telemedicine for epilepsy care?
Telemedicine for epilepsy care is more popular than ever. It has many advantages—but can it sustain itself into the future?
Higher hopes for seizure freedom in epilepsy: Setting the record straight
It’s been said that after two failed anti-seizure medications, chances for seizure freedom drop to less than 5%. This error arose nearly two decades ago and needs to be corrected, says a letter in the journal Epilepsia – chances are actually much higher.
Can community-based interventions help to close the epilepsy treatment gap?
More than 50 million people have epilepsy; about 80% live in lower- or middle-income countries, where diagnosis and treatment can be difficult or impossible. The percentage of people with epilepsy that is not receiving treatment is known as the treatment gap; in some countries, this gap exceeds 90%.
Suspended studies and virtual lab meetings: How the COVID-19 pandemic is affecting epilepsy researchers
How was epilepsy research forced to morph during the first few months of the COVID-19 pandemic? Researchers from 11 countries shared their experiences and thoughts on the future of laboratory research, clinical trials, and in-person conferences.