A new report has found that only about half of US adults with ‘active’ epilepsy see a specialist.
The report by the United States Centers for Disease Control and Prevention found that about one per cent of adults have active epilepsy, while 0.8 per cent have inactive epilepsy.
A recent study has shown that surgery for children with epilepsy can completely remove the need for epilepsy medicines. Around 40 per cent of people with epilepsy develop it before the age of 15.
Brainwave, the Irish Epilepsy Association, has pressed 40 members of parliament in the Republic of Ireland to exclude epilepsy from the Health (Pricing and Supply of Medical Goods) Bill 2012.
A new version of the epilepsy medicine Lyrica (pregabalin) has failed to significantly reduce seizures during tests. The manufacturer Pfizer had hoped the new version of the medicine would mean people taking it just once a day. However, it didn’t show enough of an improvement in reducing seizure frequency.
One of President Obama’s senior advisers, David Axelrod, is famous for his moustache. Even his wife of 33 years has never seen him without it. But he has promised to shave it off if he can raise $1 million for epilepsy research by 30 November.
Scientists working at University College London have cured epilepsy in rats by adding a special ‘calm down’ gene. The gene stops groups of neurons (brain cells) becoming too excited – and prevents seizures.
According to a report on BBC News, the researchers have developed two ways of manipulating the behavior of individual cells inside the brain in order to prevent seizures.
Last night there was a short debate in the Houses of Parliament on epilepsy and neurology.
It took place in the Main Chamber of the House of Lords, allowing Lords, Ladies and Peers to discuss improving health and social care services for people with epilepsy.
The debate was proposed, and was be opened, by Epilepsy Action’s President Baroness Ford of Cunninghame.
An inquest into the death of Sunderland resident Karen MacIntyre in April 2012 found that she died from SUDEP (sudden unexpected death in epilepsy). Evidence from her family doctor, Dr Majella Soumakiyan, highlighted that Karen had not taken her epilepsy medicine regularly.
Scott Liddle was introduced to epilepsy suddenly – when his son Thomas developed a rare genetic epilepsy only weeks after his birth. Determined to make things better for his family and others like it, Scott began a local campaign to improve services and created an epilepsy support group
American football coach, Jerry Kill and his wife, Rebecca, have decided to become spokespeople for epilepsy awareness.
