Epilepsy

Incidence of medication problems and their harm potential following hospital discharge among pediatric patients with epilepsy were not significantly different for individuals who received discharge medication education and those who did not.

Patients treated with 5-mg midazolam nasal spray were more likely than those given placebo to remain seizure free for 6 hours after treatment or have their seizure terminated within 10 minutes, with no recurrence seen from 10 minutes to 6 hours after the treatment.

School nurses reported improved knowledge and confidence in the care of students with seizures after undergoing the Project ECHO (Extension for Community Healthcare Outcomes) telementoring program for epilepsy.

Children with epilepsy had an increased risk for injuries requiring hospitalization compared with controls in Finland, with boys showing greater risk than girls among all included participants.

Individuals exposed to antidepressant drugs for longer than 365 days had an increased risk of epilepsy, particularly those given escitalopram, venlafaxine, and mirtazapine, according to a recent study conducted in Taiwan.

The modified Atkins diet exhibited superior tolerability and effectiveness in reducing seizure frequency compared with other dietary therapies in the management of childhood drug-resistant epilepsy.

Approximately 70% of veterans with drug-resistant epilepsy reported diagnosis of at least 1 psychiatric condition, with female patients showing a higher prevalence than male patients.

Significant geographical variation was found regarding the prevalence and incidence of epilepsy in United Kingdom primary care data between 2013 and 2018, suggesting a potential relationship between the disease and deprivation.

A review of randomized controlled trials suggests patients with epilepsy refractory to medical management may benefit from vagal nerve stimulation.

In an animal study, researchers found that valproate, a common epilepsy drug, possessed hypnotic and antiepileptic properties during sleep, suggesting that the drug could help improve sleep quality for patients with nocturnal epilepsy.

Progressive muscle relaxation exercises may improve depression, sleep, and quality of life in patients with epilepsy.

Patients with epilepsy on Medicaid insurance of Black, Latino, and Native Hawaiian and Other Pacific Island ethnicity were associated with lower odds of being on newer, second- and third-generation, antiseizure medications compared with White individuals.

A study showed 18.3% of adolescents with epilepsy (AWE) had at least 1 emotional or behavioral problem, and 24.9% of parents felt others had stigma towards their children with epilepsy.

A review explored the connection between 4 domains (structural, sociocultural, health care, and physiological) contributing to the persistence of inequities in epilepsy risk and outcomes in the United States, as well as key areas of intervention to promote health equity.

A specific genetic variant of SCN1A may be associated with earlier-onset epilepsy.

Martina Bebin, MD, MPA, professor of neurology, University of Alabama at Birmingham Epilepsy Center, discussed Infantile Spasms Awareness Week, the strides made within the field, and the emphasis on early and accurate diagnosis.

Abstracts from the American Epilepsy Society annual meeting show that telemedicine is capable of meeting the needs of patients with epilepsy, and that the patient portal accessibility for patients experiencing high social vulnerability index needs further research.

Abstracts from the American Epilepsy Society (AES) display potential benefits of cannabidiol (CBD) on pediatric patients with epilepsy in tertiary care centers and highlight areas where further research is needed.

New research shows people with psychogenic nonepileptic seizures (PNES) have higher rates of childhood trauma of all types compared with people with epilepsy.

A small, prospective, open-label trial found evidence of improved quality of life (QOL) and clinical outcomes among patients with treatment-resistant Sturge-Weber syndrome when they were treated with CBD.

Compared with patients who have influenza infection, people infected with SARS-CoV-2 have a higher risk of epilepsy and seizures, according to a new study.

A systemic review analysis evaluated associations between epilepsy and seizures in people with multiple sclerosis (MS).

Investigators still do not fully understand how cannabidiol (CBD) works in patients with seizures, according to a new review.

A new study has found that a low dose of antidepressants and issues with adherence may contribute to ongoing anxiety or depression among patients with epilepsy on drug therapy.

A study found that the characteristics and location of epilepsy centers in the United States are associated with differences in presurgical testing for drug-0resistant epilepsy.

The FDA approved a drug to treat a rare form of childhood epilepsy; uninsured Americans will no longer have access to free COVID-19 tests; a conservation group is suing the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) over failure to protect rivers from pollution.

The report gives a more holistic picture of a highly studied by little understood issue in multiple sclerosis.

Compared with patients with epilepsy, migraineurs tend to suffer more from psychological difficulties, according to a study published in Journal of Multidisciplinary Healthcare.

Amid the coronavirus disease 2019 pandemic in Italy, a significant number of patients with epilepsy reported difficulties managing their condition, especially those who reported greater use of antiseizure medications for chronic therapy and poor sleep quality, according to study findings.