BACKGROUND: Gelastic seizures are epileptic events characterized by bouts of laughter. Laughter-like vocalization is usually combined with facial contraction in the form of a smile. Gelastic epilepsy is very rare and occurs slightly more commonly in boys than in girls. Of every 1000 children with epilepsy, only one or at the very most, two children will have gelastic epilepsy. (SOURCE: http://www.epilepsyfoundation.org, http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmedhealth) The gelastic and other types of seizures are often very difficult to control. It is rare for anyone to have their seizures controlled for more than a few weeks or months at a time. The best outcome is probably seen in those children (and adults) who have a benign tumor in the hypothalamus (the hamartoma or astrocytoma) causing their epilepsy. Successful surgery in these children and adults may improve not just their seizure control but also improve their behavioral and even learning problems. (SOURCE: epilepsy.org.uk) TREATMENT: The type of treatment prescribed will depend on several factors including the frequency and severity of the seizures as well as the person's age, overall health, and medical history. The majority of epileptic seizures are controlled through drug therapy. Patients may take a drug called anticonvulsants, to reduce the number of seizures … Continue reading →

HATFIELD, England, April 18, 2012 /PRNewswire/ -- This press release is for European media only Eisai today announces the publication of results from a pivotal Phase III study[1] of perampanel, an investigational, highly selective, non-competitive AMPA-type glutamate receptor antagonist developed as an adjunctive therapy for partial seizures in adult patients with epilepsy. The Study 306 data, published today in Neurology(R), provides evidence that, as an adjunctive therapy, 4 and 8 mg/day doses of perampanel are effective and well-tolerated in reducing uncontrolled partial-onset seizures (with or without secondary generalisation) when compared with placebo.[1] Efficacy in seizure reduction was seen despite treatment with up to three other anti-epilepsy drugs (AEDs).[1] The results from Study 306 are one of three pivotal Phase III studies in the EXPLORE (EXamining Perampanel Observations from Research Experience) clinical trial programme. Marketing authorisation applications for perampanel are currently under review with the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) and the European Medicines Agency (EMA). The development of perampanel underscores Eisais human health care mission, the companys commitment to innovative solutions in disease prevention, cure and care for the health and well being of people worldwide. Eisai is committed to the therapeutic area of epilepsy and addressing the unmet … Continue reading →

LANSING, Mich. (AP) -- Insurance companies will have to offer coverage for autism treatments six months from now, a move the parent of one autistic boy said will make a huge difference to families struggling to pay for their children's treatment. "This legislation means the world to us and to thousands of other families across the state of Michigan," said Scott Koenigsknecht of Fowler, who attended a bill-signing ceremony at the official governor's residence Wednesday with 7-year-old Cooper and the rest of his family. "The beauty of this legislation is ... no family will have ever to leave a doctor's appointment without some kind of hope." Diagnosed with autism at age 2-1/2, Cooper now is attending 1st grade with the help of a full-time aide, and he's functioning at a higher level than he would have without treatment, his father said. As the Montcalm Area Intermediate School District superintendent, Koenigsknecht said Michigan school districts pay more than $150 million a year to educate children with autism, an amount that could decrease if more families get insurance to cover treatment. Lt. Gov. Brian Calley, whose daughter, Reagan, has been diagnosed with autism, signed the measures into law Wednesday with Reagan standing … Continue reading →

Headlines LANSING Legislation that will require insurance companies to offer coverage for autism treatment was signed into law Wednesday by Lt. Gov. Brian Calley while Gov. Rick Snyder was in Afghanistan. Calley has a daughter with autism and pushed the legislation. Previous efforts to mandate such coverage failed. But a bill backed by Senate Majority Leader Randy Richardville, R-Monroe, softened opposition by setting up a fund to help reimburse companies for paid claims for autism diagnosis and treatment. Most states already have laws requiring insurers to cover some types of autism therapies. DETROIT U.S. Transportation Secretary Ray LaHood said Wednesday he has postponed for a month his decision on whether the government will support a private plan to build a light-rail line on Woodward Avenue from downtown to New Center. The delay is in part to allow more time for Detroit Mayor Dave Bing to work on the plan with a group of private investors. Bing is recovering from surgery and not expected to be back to work full time until month's end. PONTIAC A 14-year-old boy was in custody Wednesday after investigators said he stabbed a 9-year-old boy in the back with a kitchen knife Tuesday night. Excerpt from: … Continue reading →

REDLANDS - Redlands area residents can now be taken quickly to Redlands Community Hospital when they call 9-1-1 with symptoms of stroke, thanks to its activation as a designated Level II Neurovascular Stroke Receiving Center by the Inland Counties Emergency Medical Agency (ICEMA). The Inland Counties Emergency Medical Agency awarded the designation to the hospital after it earned a Gold Seal from the Joint Commission as a Primary Stroke Center. The Joint Commission awarded Redlands Community Hospital that designation about three weeks ago. The ICEMA designation means that patients who are close to the hospital can be taken there by emergency personnel for the treatment of stroke. Previously, patients were taken to hospitals outside of the Redlands area for stroke care. "The process of obtaining national approval as a designated primary stroke center from the Joint Commission was required to become part of the stroke receiving network in the Inland Empire," said Dr. Phong Nguyen, medical director of the stroke program and emergency department at Redlands Community Hospital. "We invested hundreds of hours in training and system development with our emergency medical team in order to meet the stringent criteria of being a primary stroke center." Nguyen said the stroke … Continue reading →

ScienceDaily (Apr. 18, 2012) Despite popular belief, gum disease hasn't been proven to cause atherosclerotic heart disease or stroke, and treating gum disease hasn't been proven to prevent heart disease or stroke, according to a new scientific statement published in Circulation, an American Heart Association journal. Keeping teeth and gums healthy is important for your overall health. However, an American Heart Association expert committee -- made up of cardiologists, dentists and infectious diseases specialists -- found no conclusive scientific evidence that gum disease, also known as periodontal disease, causes or increases the rates of cardiovascular diseases. Current data don't indicate whether regular brushing and flossing or treatment of gum disease can cut the incidence of atherosclerosis, the narrowing of the arteries that can cause heart attacks and strokes. Observational studies have noted associations between gum disease and cardiovascular disease, but the 500 journal articles and studies reviewed by the committee didn't confirm a causative link. "There's a lot of confusion out there," said Peter Lockhart, D.D.S., co-chair of the statement writing group and professor and chair of oral medicine at the Carolinas Medical Center in Charlotte, N.C. "The message sent out by some in healthcare professions that heart attack and … Continue reading →

DALLAS, April 18, 2012 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Statement Highlights: Despite popular belief, gum disease hasn't been proven to cause atherosclerotic heart disease or stroke, and treating gum disease hasn't been proven to prevent heart disease or stroke, according to a new scientific statement published in Circulation, an American Heart Association journal. Keeping teeth and gums healthy is important for your overall health. However, an American Heart Association expert committee -- made up of cardiologists, dentists and infectious diseases specialists -- found no conclusive scientific evidence that gum disease, also known as periodontal disease, causes or increases the rates of cardiovascular diseases. Current data don't indicate whether regular brushing and flossing or treatment of gum disease can cut the incidence of atherosclerosis, the narrowing of the arteries that can cause heart attacks and strokes. Observational studies have noted associations between gum disease and cardiovascular disease, but the 500 journal articles and studies reviewed by the committee didn't confirm a causative link. "There's a lot of confusion out there," said Peter Lockhart, D.D.S., co-chair of the statement writing group and professor and chair of oral medicine at the Carolinas Medical Center in Charlotte, N.C. "The message sent out by some in healthcare … Continue reading →