Medtronic plc recently announced both the U.S. launch of Deep Brain Stimulation (DBS) for medically-refractory epilepsy and the first commercially implanted patient at Emory University in Atlanta, Ga. According to the Epilepsy Foundation, as many as 3.4 million Americans have epilepsy, with one-third estimated to be drug resistant.
Professor Stafford Lightman at the University of Bristol began investigating the links between stress and seizures in 2014. This research is vital as although the association between stress and seizures has been noted it is still not fully understood. Lightman’s team from University of Bristol and the University of Exeter placed their focus on the research of cortisol. This is a hormone that is released by the body in response to stress.
Concerns have been raised in the media in recent weeks regarding possible interruptions to the supply of essential medications in Ireland that might occur in the event of a no-deal Brexit. Currently, about 60% of all medications used in Ireland are imported from or pass through Britain.
A new study carried out by a University of Iowa research team has used a multidisciplinary strategy that uses a combination of bioinformatics and gene expression profiling to determine a list of close to 90 drugs that are FDA approved and may also be effective as anti-seizure treatment.
A study which focused on patients with intellectual disabilities who reside in care homes found that seizures marked with convulsions that occur at night are more likely to be associated with sudden unexpected death in epilepsy (SUDEP).
A group of scientists based in the Netherlands have developed a new watch like bracelet that will possibly be saving lives in the future.
This new bracelet, called the Nightwatch was first unveiled in the Neurology journal. It is reported that it has the capability to detect 85% of seizures at night. This is a much higher detection rate than other similar technology.
GPs and pharmacists in the UK are being warned to review all female patient cases that are taking the epilepsy medication sodium valproate. This comes from data showing that there is a wide variation in prescription practices in the UK.
FutureNeuro researcher, Dr. Gary Brennan (pictured) has received funding as part of a Government investment of €10.8 million in research funding announced today.
A research team based in Japan are currently developing a device which will allow a person with epilepsy’s smartphone to notify them if they are about to have a seizure. The device is a sensor that identifies seizure warning signs through heart beat fluctuations.
Engineers out of UC Berkeley have developed a new type of neurostimulator which has the ability to stimulate and observe electric current in the brain concurrently. This has the potential to offer fine-tuned treatments to patients living with epilepsy.
The device, named the WAND, has been described as a “pacemaker for the brain,” it monitors the brain’s electrical activity and delivers electrical stimulation if it identifies something wrong.