News

To mark Brain Awareness Week 2021, our colleagues in the Neurological Alliance of Ireland(NAI) have launched a report on the resourcing of neurology services in Ireland. 

The report is an update to a similar paper published 5 years ago and offers an update on how access to services currently stand. Unfortunately, the report notes that there is significant progress to be made when it comes to improving access to neurological services in Ireland.

The National Centre for Pharmacoeconomics (NCPE) have issued their recommendation to the HSE regarding the reimbursement of Epidyolex.

Epidyolex is a cannabidiol (CBD) medication which through clinical trials has been shown to have a positive impact in the treatment of two rare epilepsies – namely Lennox Gastaut Syndrome & Dravet Syndrome.

The Midlands offices of Epilepsy Ireland, the Migraine Association of Ireland, Acquired Brain Injury Ireland and the Multiple Sclerosis Society of Ireland have announced details of a week-long series of seminars to support people who are living with neurological conditions, their families, friends and carers.

A new study from Iran which focussed on the impact of COVID-19 in patients with epilepsy has recently been published in the medical journal Acta Neurologica Scandinavica.

The findings present some welcome news, reiterating that there is no evidence that people with epilepsy are more susceptible or more adversely affected by COVID-19. However, the researchers also found that COVID-19 may present differently in people with epilepsy compared with people without epilepsy.

In their latest meeting, members of Wexford County Council passed a motion supporting the issue of Free Travel for People with Epilepsy and for Reasonable Accommodations for students with epilepsy who may have a seizure during state examinations.

The passing of the motion follows a similar decision from Louth County Council earlier this year. The motion in Wexford was submitted by Cllr. George Lawlor. 

We are delighted to announce that we have approved research funding for a new study which will investigate the societal impact for people with epilepsy of losing a driving license. The research will take place at FutureNeuro, led by Prof. Norman Delanty; Consultant Neurologist at Beaumont Hospital and Registrar Dr. Stephen Klaus.

The European Commission has approved the use of a new drug as an add-on therapy for the treatment of Dravet Syndrome in patients 2 years and older.

The Commission’s approval of FINTEPLA (Fenfluramine) will mean that the drug’s manufacturers can now apply to European member states regulatory authorities to make the drug available and/or reimbursed  in that country.

- Nearly half of the Irish population admit to having little to no knowledge of epilepsy -

As part of the lead up to #EpilepsyDay, we commissioned a survey of 1,000 members of the general public on their understanding, knowledge & attitudes towards epilepsy.

The survey was conducted online between the 13th - 17th January and received the full 1,000 responses. 

The key findings of our survey are as follows:

A new review published in the UK has investigated the use of several common anti-epilepsy drugs (AEDs) during pregnancy.

The review brought together existing data on AED use in pregnancy in order to provide further clarity to women and parents of girls with epilepsy who may be prescribed any of the medications.  While the review has been carried out by the UK medicines regulator (MHRA), the findings are of equal relevance to women and girls with epilepsy in Ireland.