This month in epilepsy news, researchers find a drug that treats a severe form of genetic epilepsy, a woman finally achieved remission for her treatment-resistant major depressive disorder thanks to an epilepsy treatment, researchers improve treatments in childhood epilepsy by determining the causes of genetic epilepsy, telemedicine proved to be useful during the pandemic for those diagnosed with epilepsy, and a small study determined that brain implants did not alter epilepsy patients’ personalities or sense of self in any way. Read more about all the latest epilepsy news below!
Researchers use multiple sclerosis drug to successfully treat severe genetic epilepsy
Researchers from the University of Tübingen in Germany have begun studying the effects of a drug typically used to treat multiple sclerosis to treat a severe form of genetic epilepsy. This form of epilepsy is determined by the KCNA2 gene and will usually present itself through severe seizures within the patient’s first year of life, along with other severe developmental disorders such as difficulties with speech and motor skills. The drug blocks channels that create an overproduction of potassium, among other things. In their study, the drug helped relieve symptoms of the genetic epilepsy, as well as reduced the patients’ number of daily seizures.
Woman's major depression in remission thanks to neurostimulation treatment
Neurostimulation has been used to treat drug-resistant epilepsy along with disorders like Parkinson’s disease. Deep brain stimulation delivers electrical impulses to whatever part of the brain is affected via electrodes. But now, a woman with treatment-resistant major depressive disorder has achieved full remission after undergoing neurostimulation. Doctors mapped her brain activity and then used a device to disrupt brain circuits with the abnormal activity. Her depression lessened in just 12 days and she achieved full remission in just a few months.
Researchers determine genetic cause of childhood epilepsy and improve treatment
Of the 290 children in a study at the Danish Epilepsy Centre, about half were identified to have a genetic cause for their epilepsy. After finding their genetic cause for epilepsy, researchers were able to specifically tailor treatment to each individual child based on their needs. In doing so, researchers found that going the extra mile to find the genetic cause of childhood epilepsy could improve each patient’s quality of treatment and care.
Telemedicine proves useful to epilepsy patients during COVID19 pandemic
Thanks to COVID19, telemedicine has been on the rise as more and more people have been decreasing their face-to-face communications. Telemedicine has even been effectively utilized by epileptic patients during the pandemic. Regardless of the type of seizure, frequency, comorbidity, and more, one study found that telemedicine is truly a useful resource for those with epilepsy.
Study finds that brain implants do not alter epilepsy patients' personalities
A new study centering on brain implants used to treat patients with refractory epilepsy won’t alter their personalities. Refractory epilepsy is a form of drug-resistant epilepsy and even brain surgery isn’t a suitable option for all patients. The study followed 12 patients who received the implants and their caregivers over two years. In the end, it concluded that the device did not alter any of the patients’ sense of self or personality.
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