NEWS
BREAKTHROUGH: Amino Acid Appears to Block Seizures in Mice
Finding may pave way for much-needed treatments for people with epilepsy Finding suggests novel mechanism for treating epilepsy An amino acid whose role in the body has been all but a mystery appears to act as a potent seizure inhibitor in mice, according to a study...
Diabetic Diet for Autism?
Autism symptoms can be reduced in an animal model with low glycemic index diets, similar to those diabetics follow to control blood sugar levels, according to a new study. The study by Salk Institute scientists found that the brains of mice fed diets with a high...
Study Identifies Brain Cells Responsible for Memory-Based Decision Making
The witness on the stand says he saw the accused at the scene of the crime. Is he sure? How sure? The jury's verdict could hinge on that level of certainty. Many decisions we make every day are influenced by our memories and the confidence we have in them. But very...
Cannabis Harms Brain, Imaging Shows
The heavy, long-term use of cannabis is associated with negative changes in parts of the brain not previously implicated, and is linked to deficits in learning and memory, new research suggests. "In light of a current trend toward legalizing marijuana, with...
Concussion Recovery May Be Slower Than Current Estimates
With head injury being the leading known cause of epilepsy news on concussion is always important. Recovery from a concussion might take much longer than the previously established 7 to 14 days, a new study shows. "More and more people are starting to realize that you...
My Medications Aren’t Stopping My Seizures: What’s Next?
Epilepsy is the fourth most common neurological disease, and surgery is often an effective treatment option. Epilepsy is the fourth most common neurological disease, currently affecting at least 2.3 million adults and nearly 500,000 children in the U.S. Each year,...
Cyberonics AspireSR Generator, VNS Upgrade, Improves Care, Reduces Seizures
Medical technology provider Cyberonics, Inc.’s (CYBX - Analyst Report) novel AspireSR generator, which supports the company’s pioneering Vagus Nerve Stimulation (VNS) Therapy system, recently received the FDA nod for its commercial launch in the U.S. market....
Autism struck by surprise
A new study shows that social and sensory overstimulation drives autistic behaviors. The study, conducted on rats exposed to a known risk factor in humans, supports the unconventional view of the autistic brain as hyper-functional, and offers new hope with therapeutic...
Exploring the links between epilepsy surgery and academic outcomes
A new study by a University of Toronto Mississauga researcher has taken the first-ever look at the academic outcomes of children with epilepsy who have had brain surgery, and found that they have a higher chance of struggling in class following their surgery....
BREAKTHROUGH: Understanding and Reversing Memory Loss in Epilepsy Patients
New research from the University of Alabama at Birmingham identifies an epigenetic cause for why patients with temporal lobe epilepsy tend to have memory loss, and suggests a potential way to reverse that loss. The findings, published in April in the Annals of...
Scientists uncover why some people more prone to major depression
Scientists are beginning to unwrap the biology behind why some people are more prone to major depression and other psychiatric disorders than others when experiencing stressful life events. The researchers found that cellular activity in response to stress hormone...
New study looks at academic outcomes of children following resective epilepsy surgery
A new study by a University of Toronto Mississauga researcher has taken the first-ever look at the academic outcomes of children with epilepsy who have had brain surgery, and found that they have a higher chance of struggling in class following their surgery....
Seizure Frequency and Number of AEDs Play Role in Risk Factors for SUDEP
SUDEP is the most common "direct epilepsy-related" cause of death in persons with epilepsy. While the risk for is still relatively low for all patients, our understanding of SUDEP is also relatively low. Researchers in Korea recently conducted and published a study...
New insights on strategies to treat infants with seizures
New recommendations offer insights on strategies for treating infants with seizures. In an Epilepsia report, child neurologists who are members of the International League Against Epilepsy note that intervening at the time of a febrile seizure does not alter the risk...
Brain Connectivity Study Could Lead to Better Outcomes for Epilepsy Patients
SOURCE: UCSF ARTICLE The areas in purple are the regions of the brain where connectivity is significantly lower in patients with epilepsy, as compared to well patients. The different images show the brain data from different angles. Image courtesy of Dario Englot A...
New Research To Focus on Epilepsy Development After TBI
Researchers at Newcastle University are beginning a first-of-its-kind study that focusses on the development of epilepsy after a serious brain injury, known as a TBI (Traumatic Brain Injury). Epilepsy has many causes and TBI is just one of them, but it is a leading...
ACCESS TO CBD FINALLY MAKES ADVANCE IN FLORIDA
By the end of 2015, patients in Florida may finally have access to CBD under a bill that was signed into law in November, 2014 by Governor Rick Scott. A judge in Tallahassee dismissed the final challenge to the rule Wednesday night. The Florida Department of Health,...
Ketogenic Diet and Enzyme Inhibitors Treat Drug-Resistant Epilepsy
SOURCE - One percent of the world's population suffer from epilepsy, and a third of sufferers cannot be treated with antiepileptic drugs (AEDs). Diet control has been used to treat patients suffering from drug-resistant epilepsy since the 1920s, but how metabolic...
Animals’ presence may ease social anxiety in kids with autism
NIH-funded study could have implications for treatment Animals' presence may ease social anxiety in kids with autism NIH-funded study could have implications for treatment When animals are present, children with autism spectrum disorders (ASDs) have lower readings on...
POLL: Is Epilepsy Prejudice and Mis-understanding Still Prevalent ?
A new poll conducted in Wales shows that young people with epilepsy are still faced with high levels of discrimination, prejudice and lack of understanding about epilepsy. Half of the young responders who had epilepsy reported feeling depression and nearly 90%...
