Epilepsy Action Early years education award 2019 - Willow Garden Day Nursery
Willow Garden Day Nursery has won this year’s early years education award. The nursery supports Amelia, two, and her family.
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Epilepsy Action healthcare worker award 2019 - Malisa Pierri
Malisa’s work has benefitted thousands of people with epilepsy in Wales. She has worked for over 15 years as an epilepsy specialist nurse in the Alan Richens Unit (epilepsy unit) in the University Hospital of Wales in Cardiff.
Higher levels of serotonin following seizure linked to reduced breathing problems
New research has found that higher levels of serotonin in the blood after a seizure are linked to a lower rate of seizure-related breathing problems.
Brains of children with epilepsy able to ‘re-map’ after surgery, US research finds
The brains of children with severe epilepsy can rewire themselves to compensate for missing regions of the visual cortex following surgery.
This was discovered in a study jointly led by researchers at York University and Carnegie Mellon University.
Currently, surgery for children with severe epilepsy is often a last resort, as the treatment poses a risk to their sight and perception.
Alzheimer’s disease linked to recurring epileptic seizures
People living with Alzheimer’s disease experience epileptic seizures up to six-and-a-half times more often than people without dementia.
That’s according to new research presented at the Alzheimer’s Association International Conference (AAIC) 2019 in Los Angeles.
Alzheimer’s disease causes death of neurons, and researchers predict this may contribute to abnormal electrical activity in the brain that leads to seizures.
New sensor could monitor effectiveness of brain treatments
A new type of micro sensor could help tell doctors of the effectiveness of epilepsy treatments. Many conditions including epilepsy, depression and chronic pain are caused by neurotransmitter disorders in the brain.
Five-year-old cycles 90 miles for Epilepsy Action
A five-year-old boy has raised more than £1,000 for Epilepsy Action by completing a 90-mile bike ride.
Max McLeod, accompanied by his dad Kevin, set off from Halifax and rode to his grandparents’ house in Winsford, Cheshire.
The pair mostly rode on canal paths and took just five days to complete the journey. They stayed in hotels along the way.
Max wanted to raise money to help his cousin Oscar, who was diagnosed with epilepsy.
Better seizure control with ketogenic diet in infants
Young children with epilepsy due to genetic causes respond better to ketogenic diet treatment compared to people with other types of epilepsy. This is according to a review of cases across 10 years at a Chicago hospital in the US. The results were published in Scientific Reports in June 2019.
Epilepsy Action ambassador sets 'Rowing Dangerously' world record
A new world record has been set by former soldier and extreme adventurer Jordan Wylie. An Epilepsy Action ambassador, Jordan has epilepsy. He took on the challenge of rowing unarmed and unsupported across the Bab-el-Mandeb Strait on 4 October. It is one of the most dangerous water passages in the world and is also known as the Gate of Tears.
Largest ever study finds links in epilepsy genes
Researchers have taken part in the largest ever study looking at the genes of people with epilepsy.
The international research was published in the American Journal of Human Genetics and involved almost 18,000 people worldwide. The study found rare genetic differences that were linked with a higher risk of epilepsy.