Epilepsy is a neurological disorder characterized by recurrent, unprovoked seizures, which are sudden surges of electrical activity in the brain affecting how a person appears or acts for a short time. These seizures can manifest in various ways, from brief lapses of attention or muscle jerks to severe and prolonged convulsions. The condition can develop in any person at any age and is diagnosed after an individual has had at least two seizures that were not caused by some known medical condition like alcohol withdrawal or extremely low blood sugar. The causes of epilepsy include genetic influences, brain trauma, infections, and stroke, but in over half of the cases, the cause remains unknown. Treatment primarily involves medications known as antiepileptic drugs, and in some cases, surgical interventions may be considered. Managing epilepsy effectively also entails lifestyle adjustments to minimize the risk of triggering seizures. Despite treatment, living with epilepsy can challenge daily activities and poses risks, but many people with epilepsy lead full and active lives with proper management.
A team of researchers from the Institute for Bioengineering of Catalonia (IBEC) has developed light-activated derivatives of the anti-epileptic drug carbamazepine to treat neuropathic pain….
Results offer a deeper understanding of the intricate link between sleep disorders and epilepsy. According to a new study funded by the National Institutes of…
Cambridge researchers have created flexible, minimally invasive devices that can wrap around nerves, offering new ways to treat neurological conditions and control prosthetics. Researchers have…
Seizures often differ from their dramatic portrayals in films. Recognizing less obvious symptoms, such as laughter or lip-smacking, can be crucial for diagnosing and treating…
Researchers at the Francis Crick Institute, UCL, and MSD have identified a potential treatment target for a genetic type of epilepsy. Developmental and epileptic encephalopathies…
UCL researchers find that slow brain waves, common in sleep, also occur in awake epilepsy patients, protecting against seizures but affecting memory, hinting at new…
For the first time, a single electrode targets two brain regions for dual benefit; patient reports a life-changing outcome from 2019 procedure. A patient at…
Seizure activity in the amygdala may help explain sudden unexpected death in epilepsy. A research team supported by the National Institutes of Health (NIH) has…
The findings may establish the groundwork for therapy for cognitive impairment and help improve memory. Neurons create rhythmic electrical activity patterns within the brain. A…
Study finds amygdala region is linked to persistent loss of breathing after seizure. New findings may take scientists a step closer to understanding what causes…
Researchers from Brigham have traced lesions associated with epilepsy to a common brain circuit. Over 30 million individuals around the globe are affected by focal…
Glut1 deficiency syndrome is a relatively obscure neurological condition that remains unknown to the medical community, despite its serious debilitating effects. The disorder results from…
Recent research conducted by psychologists at the University of Vienna has found that there is no scientific basis for the claimed beneficial impact of Mozart’s…
International research teams have uncovered a new cause for pediatric seizures: mosaicism, a condition in which cells within the same individual have different genetic compositions….
Researchers at EPFL have combined the fields of low-power chip design, machine learning algorithms, and soft implantable electrodes to create a neural interface capable of…
According to a study published in Neurology – the medical journal of the American Academy of Neurology – a combination of a modified Atkins diet…
Method offers new approach to treating neurological conditions such as epilepsy. A new method to target diseased neurons in the brain and change their long-term…
Researchers at Oregon Health & Science University have discovered a key molecule that contributes to understanding and treating neurological diseases like epilepsy and autism. Researchers…