Epilepsy Action funds non-laboratory research into the condition – and is pleased to announce the research awards it made in 2012
PhD studentship – £75,000
Assessing seizure susceptibility using psychophysical tests
Supervised by Dr Andrew Trevelyan
Newcastle University
Buccolam® has received approval from the All Wales Medicines Strategy Group (AWMSG). This means it will be available through NHS Wales to clinicians and carers of children and adolescents who have prolonged, acute, convulsive seizures.
US manufacturer of medical equipment, Neurosigma, has developed a new treatment for several conditions, including epilepsy. The treatment uses the trigeminal nerve to send electronic pulses into the brain. Significantly, the device can do this without the need for invasive surgery.
Research at the Gladstone Institutes in the US has uncovered further evidence about the link between epilepsy and Alzheimer’s disease. Scientists have discovered that the same disruptions in the messaging between brain cells happen in people with either condition. They also found that the anti-epileptic drug (AED) levetiracetam might reverse memory problems in people with Alzheimer’s
Take epilepsy action campaign resources have proved to be very popular since Epilepsy Action launched the national campaign last year. The campaign is now in its final stage. If you haven’t already requested a Take epilepsy action employers’ pack, now is the time.
An announcement from the NHS Commissioning Board represents a significant step forward for neurology services. Neurology will now be included as one of the first Strategic Clinical Networks (SCNs) in a new initiative.
The Children and Young People’s Health Outcomes Forum has released a new report. This report could be good news for children and young people with epilepsy. It contains several recommendations ultimately designed to improve their healthcare.
In compiling its report, the forum looked at the two current outcomes frameworks. These are the following.
• NHS Outcomes Framework – this is used to see how successful the NHS is in providing good healthcare.
• Public health outcomes framework – this aims to tackle public health challenges.
The Neurological Alliance has launched a new report: Intelligent Outcomes: Applying the health and social care reforms to improve outcomes for people with neurological conditions.
Epilepsy Action is looking for women to describe the care and support they have received from health professionals. This includes any information you have received on a range of different women’s issues, such as pregnancy and the menopause.
Professor Malcolm Harrington is conducting a third independent review of Work Capability Assessments (WCA) in the UK.
As part of this review, he is asking for people who have had a WCA to send in their comments; about how the Work Capability Assessment is working and what changes are needed to improve the process. WCAs are the main assessments for Employment and Support Allowance (ESA). ESA is a benefit available to help people who are unable to work because of illness or disability. From 2008 ESA replaced Incapacity Benefit.
