Epilepsy

Epilepsy denotes any of various neurological disorders characterized by sudden recurring attacks of motor, sensory, or psychic malfunction with or without loss of consciousness or convulsive seizures.

Premature birth increases epilepsy risk later in life

Premature birth may increase risk of epilepsy later in life — Preemies are at higher risk of epilepsy later in life – Being born prematurely may increase your risk of developing epilepsy as an adult, revealed by researchers in a new study published in the Neurology, the medical journal of the American Academy of Neurology.

Patterns of medication nonadherence in epilepsy children linked to socioeconomic status

Patterns of Medication Nonadherence Among Children with Epilepsy Associated With Socioeconomic Status – An examination of medication adherence among children with newly diagnosed epilepsy found that nearly 60 percent showed persistent nonadherence during the first 6 months of therapy, and that lower socioeconomic status was associated with higher non-adherence.

Drugs for epilepsy increases fracture risk in older

Anti-Epileptic Drugs Associated With Increased Risk of Fracture in Older Adults – Most anti-epileptic drugs are associated with an increased risk of non-traumatic fracture in individuals 50 years of age and older, revealed by researchers in a study published in the Archives of Neurology.

Pay more attention to epilepsy, affects millions of people

Researchers: Pay more attention to epilepsy, affects millions of people – Epilepsy, a common and serious neurologic disorder that affects millions of people, is not getting the public attention and funding for research it deserves, according to an editorial on a study published in the January_4, 2011, print issue of Neurology, the medical journal of the American Academy of Neurology.

MMRV vaccine linked to double risk of seizures

Combination MMRV vaccine linked with 2-fold risk of seizures — Electronic health records study of 459,000 children sparked new CDC recommendations – The combination vaccine for measles, mumps, rubella and chickenpox (MMRV) is associated with double the risk of febrile seizures for 1- to 2-year-old children compared with same-day administration of the separate vaccine for MMR (measles, mumps, rubella) and the varicella (V) vaccine for chicken pox.

Epilepsy surgery has good effect

Epilepsy surgery has good effect – Patients with drug-resistant epilepsy run the risk of gradual deterioration in their cognitive abilities. Surgical treatment generally puts an end to seizures but can have a negative effect on memory.

Anticonvulsant medications linked to increased risk of suicide

Use of certain anticonvulsant medications may be associated with increased risk of suicide – An analysis of prescription and clinical claims data suggests that the use of certain anticonvulsant medications may be associated with an increased risk of suicide, attempted suicide or violent death, according to a study in the April 14 issue of JAMA.

Deep brain stimulation may reduce epileptic seizures

Deep brain stimulation reduces epileptic seizures in patients with refractory partial and secondarily generalized seizures – A recent study organized by Stanford University researchers found patients with refractory partial and secondarily generalized seizures had a reduction in seizures after deep brain stimulation.

Ethosuximide is preferred for childhood epilepsy

Comparative effectiveness trial leads to evidence-based care for childhood epilepsy – The first comprehensive comparative effectiveness clinical trial of three widely used anti-seizure drugs for childhood absence epilepsy ? the most common form of epilepsy in kids ? has established an evidence-based approach for initial drug therapy.