Contact Information Available for logged-in reporters only Newswise Hartford, Conn. February 9, 2015 The American Epilepsy Society (AES) the U.S. branch of the International League Against Epilepsy, joins epilepsy professionals around the globe in recognizing International Epilepsy Day and calling for more investment in epilepsy research. The need for more research was underscored by the World Health Organization in a January 29, 2015 draft resolution outlining the global burden of epilepsy and the need for more access to treatment and more investment in research worldwide. In the U.S., 1 in 26 Americans will develop epilepsy in their lifetime adding more than 200,000 new epilepsy cases annually to the 3 million already living with the condition. Yet, despite having an advanced medical system and access to treatments, 1 million Americans with epilepsy still experience on-going seizures. No current therapies exist to reduce development of epilepsy in those at risk due to brain injuries from trauma, stroke or other causes. Similarly, no therapies exist to prevent Sudden Unexpected Death in Epilepsy (SUDEP) nor to treat the cognitive co-morbidities that negatively impact the quality of life of more than 1/3 of Americans with epilepsy. Additional research efforts are desperately needed to discover new … Continue reading →

MINNEAPOLIS (WCCO)-Cutting edge technology being used at a Twin Cities hospital could change the treatment for stroke patients. Abbott Northwestern is a comprehensive stroke center and specializes in a procedure called mechanical thrombectomy. Doctors use a machine with a catheter and suction to remove the stroke-causing blood clot, essentially like a miniature vacuum.. The recovery time can be much quicker than the traditional procedure of using medication to dissolve a clot. Few understand the impact of a fast recovery better than Kyle Smith. Two months ago, Smith was being rushed intoAbbott Northwestern.A blood clot in his carotid artery caused a massive stroke, paralyzing the right side of his body and his ability to speak. Ill tell you, its a life changing experience, for sure, Smith said.It really gave me a glimpse as towhat life looks like after youve had a serious stroke. Dr. Yasha Kadkhodayan performed the mechanical thrombectomy. The tools we used today and that I had available to me for Kyle, were not available even a year to 18 months ago, Kadkhodayan said. While most stroke recovery can take weeks, even months, Smith started regaining movement and speech almost immediately. This is one of those special cases where … Continue reading →

Press Release -- WEST MONROE, La. Stroke patients at Glenwood Regional Medical Center now have immediate access to highly specialized vascular neurologists as the result of a partnership between Glenwood and Ochsner Clinic Foundation in New Orleans (Ochsner). Through this network, emergency department physicians have the ability to consult immediately with Ochsner vascular neurologists 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, 365 days a year using telemedicine equipment to determine the best treatment options for stroke patients. Telemedicine programs improve the quality of care for patients outside of urban areas by allowing them access to specialists and by reducing the costs associated with travel and the time spent away from work and family. If you dont live near a major hospital, you shouldnt have fewer options, says Liz Cothren, Director of Telemedicine at Ochsner. With the push of a button, within seconds of getting on an Internet browser, youre able to interact with a provider, added Cothren. Ischemic stroke is caused by a blockage in a blood vessel that stops the flow of blood to the brain and deprives the surrounding brain tissue of oxygen. In the absence of oxygen, the brain cells in the immediate area begin to … Continue reading →