Public release date: 30-Mar-2012 [ | E-mail | Share ] Contact: Lauren Rugani news@nas.edu 202-334-2138 National Academy of Sciences WASHINGTON An estimated 2.2 million people in the United States live with epilepsy, a complex brain disorder characterized by sudden and often unpredictable seizures. The highest rate of onset occurs in children and older adults, and it affects people of all ethnicities and socio-economic backgrounds, yet this common disorder is widely misunderstood. Epilepsy refers to a spectrum of disorders with seizures that vary in type, cause, severity, and frequency. Many people do not know the causes of epilepsy or what measures to take if they witness a seizure. A new report from the Institute of Medicine highlights numerous gaps in the knowledge and management of epilepsy and recommends actions for improving the lives of those with epilepsy and their families and promoting better understanding of the disorder. Effective treatments for epilepsy are available but access to treatment and timely referrals to specialized care are often lacking, the report's expert committee found. Reaching rural and underserved populations, as well as providing state-of-the art care for people with persistent seizures, is particularly crucial. The report's recommendations for expanding access to patient-centered health care … Continue reading →

Editor's Choice Academic Journal Main Category: Epilepsy Article Date: 30 Mar 2012 - 5:00 PDT email to a friend printer friendly opinions Current Article Ratings: 5 (1 votes) According to the researchers: Seizures are prevalent in autoimmune neurologic disorders, such as limbic encephalitis. Amy M. L. Quek, M.B.B.S., of the Mayo Clinic, College of Medicine, Rochester, Minn., and her team collected data from the Mayo Clinic computerized diagnostic index from patients diagnosed with autoimmune epilepsy who were assessed between January 2005 and December 2010 in both the Autoimmune Neurology Clinic and Epilepsy Clinic, in order to assess clinical characteristics and immunotherapy responses in individuals suffering with autoimmune epilepsy. Of the patient data examined, the researchers found 32 patients eligible for inclusion in the study. All participants of the study had partial seizures, 81% had daily seizures and had failed treatment with 2+ AEDs, while the remaining participants had at least one seizure per month. Despite AED therapy, 27 of the 32 participants received immunotherapy for treatment of persistent seizures. The authors found that 81% (22 of 27) of the participants reported improvement following immunotherapy after a median follow-up time of 17 months (3-72 months). In addition, the team found that … Continue reading →

At 18 months, Cristina Astacio spoke only a few words, wouldn't respond to her name and shunned other kids in her day care group. Last October, her worried parents found out why. She has a mild form of autism, a diagnosis being given to more U.S. children than ever before, largely because of more awareness and better diagnosis. According to new government statistics, the rate is about 1 in 88. That means autism is nearly twice as common as it appeared in data the government gathered 10 years ago. The largest increases are in Hispanic kids like Cristina. The definition of autism has changed over the years, and Cristina might not have been considered autistic two decades ago. But experts say kids like her are lucky in a way, because her parents recognized early that something was wrong. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention report issued Thursday found that 40 percent of kids weren't diagnosed until after age 4. Evidence shows that children who are identified early and get help have the best chance for reaching their potential, said CDC Director Dr. Thomas Frieden. The American Academy of Pediatrics recommends autism screening for all children at age 18 months … Continue reading →

New research showing one in 88 U.S. children have autism spectrum disorders is focusing national attention on the need for earlier diagnosis and treatment, especially in rural and minority communities. Figures released Thursday by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention show a 23% increase in autism spectrum cases from 2006 to 2008, and a 78% increase since 2002. The largest increases are among black and Hispanic children, who have lagged behind whites in the past. Numbers are higher for boys, with one in 54 8-year-olds now considered to have autism, Asperger's or a related condition. No one knows why the condition is five times more likely to affect boys than girls. More cases are diagnosed sooner -- average age at diagnosis has dropped from 4 to 4. But it needs to be even earlier, says Coleen Boyle, director of the CDC's National Center on Birth Defects and Developmental Disabilities. "We heard from many parents that they were concerned long before their child was diagnosed." It's also not known whether increases are because of better counting or something in the environment -- or a mixture of both. Researchers are studying air pollution, nutrition, medications, environmental toxins and other factors. "What … Continue reading →