American Epilepsy Society

Sometimes when a patient with epilepsy has a seizure they may not even recognize it for any number of reasons. A device no bigger than a piece of gum which is being developed could help in that effort going forward.

When epilepsy patients use marijuana their memory test results may not be accurate, researchers report.

There are many factors to consider when treating patients with epilepsy, from the number of medications they take to the impact of the condition on their daily lives. All these factors can help determine their overall quality of life.

There are many factors to consider when treating patients with epilepsy, from the number of medications they take to the impact of the condition on their daily lives. All these factors can help determine their overall quality of life.

Tetramethylenedisulfotetramine, a banned yet still available rat poison, is considered a potential terrorist weapon, largely because there is no specific antidote. Poisoning causes status epilepticus and death. Perampanel may be an antidote, researchers found.

Focal epilepsy is just one form of the condition which can affect patients of all ages. Recent research into what may cause the condition and what can be done to treat it focused on a gene known as CLOCK.

Epileptic seizures that go on for 30 minutes or more put children in mortal danger. Researchers report on promising treatments, and ones that appear ineffective.

MRI scans of patients with intractable epilepsy showed their brains age prematurely, a study found. These patients' brains looked almost 9 years older than they really were.

Cannabidiol-a marijuana plant extract that does not have psychoactive effects-is showing promise in treatment-resistant forms of epileps

Sudden unexpected death in epilepsy (SUDEP) is poorly understood. In research presented at the American Epilepsy Society 69th Annual Meeting in Philadelphia, there is new evidence that mutations in genes that control heart rhythm may explain some cases.

Could personal monitoring devices give patients with epilepsy advance warning of seizures? An array of such gizmos is already available and more are coming.

Sleep disorders are common in children with Dravet syndrome, a genetic epileptic encephalopathy. Researchers call for medicating these young patients.

Ketamine, an anesthetic drug that is also being used for patients with treatment-resistant depression, may hold promise for refractory status epilepticus.

Magnetoencephalography (MEG) is used by about 20% of epilepsy surgery programs, but not without controversy. Researchers came up with case data and showed MEG is a valid approach and useful tool.

Genetic testing is increasingly used in studying epilepsy, but few studies have looked at how patients and their families feel about getting tested from a religious standpoint.

Researchers are looking at how cannabidiol interacts with traditional anti-seizure drugs. It appears to have a synergy with one but an antagonistic effect with others.

Drugs do not usually help patients with autoimmune epilepsy but surgery may. The severity of illness appears to vary depending on which antineuronal antibodies are present.

In cardioverting a patient with atrial fibrillation, physicians accidentally overstimulated an implanted vagal nerve stimulator, harming the patient.

Rosa Michaelis, MD, discusses her goals of cultivating more patient interaction within epilepsy research at the American Epilepsy Society 2014 Annual Meeting.

Franck Kalume, PhD, shared the potential possibility for treatment options for both geriatric and pediatric epilepsy patients at the American Epilepsy Society 2014 Annual Meeting.

Franck Kalume, PhD, discusses his lab's primary research focus at the American Epilepsy Society 2014 Annual Meeting.

Helen Scharfman, PhD, discusses the next steps of her research study at the American Epilepsy Society 2014 Annual Meeting.

Helen Scharfman, PhD, shares her physiological approach to epilepsy management at the American Epilepsy Society 2014 Annual Meeting.

Kimford J. Meador, MD speaks about the neurodevelopment effects of combination drug exposure in women with epilepsy at the American Epilepsy Association 2014 Annual Meeting.

Laura Jansen, MD, PhD, speaks about her experiences with management and treatment of pediatric epilepsy at the American Epilepsy Society 2014 Annual Meeting.

The potential uses of cannabis in treating epilepsy have gotten a lot of press but so far little scientific research. Three studies presented today at the American Epilepsy Society's meeting in Seattle represent an attempt to fill that gap. Their authors report on the use of marijuana and its derivative cannabidiol (CBD) in treating some forms of epilepsy.

Sudden unexpected death in epilepsy (SUDEP) is a growing concern for patients and physicians. The National Institutes of Health's National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke today announced it will fund a $5.9 million research project on SUDEP. The Center for SUDEP Research, a virtual "center without walls" will enable 9 groups of scientists to shared findings and data with a goal of fostering collaborations, the NIH said in announcing the program. The news was released in conjunction with several SUDEP studies presented today at the American Epilepsy Society's annual meeting in Seattle, WA.

The medical problems faced by children with epilepsy are much studied, but in 3 studies presented at the American Epilepsy Society's annual meeting in Seattle, researchers report on these kids' behavioral and intellectual development problems.

Changing kids' diets has been shown to help control epileptic seizures. But until recently there was little data on whether strict dietary regimens are beneficial for adults with epilepsy. Reporting at the American Epilepsy Society's annual meeting in Seattle, WA today, two research teams said they have had some success with diet modification as a way to reduce seizures in adults with drug-resistant epilepsy.

W. Curt LaFrance, Jr., MD, MPH shares his views on combining neurological and psychological approaches to epilepsy management and treatment at the American Epilepsy Society 2014 Annual Meeting.