This month in epilepsy news, a South African entertainer speaks out on epilepsy from beyond the grave, a New Jersey organization teaches eplieptic children how to surf safely, UVA researchers discover a new brain repair process, a new treatment for refractory focal epilepsy was given FDA designation, and researchers map brain cells assocaited with drug-resistant epilepsy.
Zola 7 not dead, just epileptic
Bonginkosi Dlamini, also known as the South African entertainer Zola 7, spoke from beyond the grave to address rumors that he had died. He had not, in fact, died, but was struggling with epilepsy. He thanked his fans for their concern as he was out for it for several days, and he even took the time to educate everyone on epilepsy and what to do in the event of a seizure.
Event in New Jersey teaches epileptic children how to surf safely
Children with epilepsy were taught how surf in Sea Isle City, New Jersey, thanks to multiple local groups and volunteers coming together. The event provided kids with an experience they wouldn’t normally be able to participate in thanks to the serious threat of seizures while swimming. Several safety precautions were taken during the event so the kids could try a new sport and overcome obstacles.
Researchers discover new brain repair process, could lead to epilepsy treatments
Researchers at the University of Virginia School of Medicine have found a repair process in the brain that was previously unknown. They hope that learning about this repair process could lead to treatments for seizure-related brain injuries. The newly discovered process took place in microglia, immune cells, that healed damaged neurons.
New treatment for refractory focal epilepsy given FDA designation
A new treatment for refractory focal epilepsy created by Neuroelectrics has been given FDA Breakthrough Device Desigination. Neuroelectrics is a company that develops brain stimulation therapies. In a pilot study for their new Starstim platform, patients had a 44% reduction in seizure frequency, while four patients saw a reduction of seizure frequency greater than 75%.
Researchers map brain cells associated with drug-resistant epilepsy
A team of researchers with the Spanish Research Council (CSIC) created a genomic cellular map of hippocampal sclerosis. This condition is synonymous with temporal lobe epilepsy, the most common form of drug-resistant epilepsy. The genomic cellular map provides precise genetic codes of all cell types affected by the disease, as well as cells affected by Alzheimer’s disease.
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