Living with epilepsy can be arduous if symptoms aren't well-controlled. For some people, that means medication. For others, it may mean surgery. But despite a recent study showing that epilepsy surgery can be highly effective in the long term, just a fraction of those who suffer with the seizure disorder actually opt for it. Affecting some 3 million Americans and 50 million people worldwide, epilepsy is a neurological condition that produces brief disturbances in the brain's electrical functions that can cause seizures and other symptoms. According to the Epilepsy Foundation, in seven out of 10 cases, the cause of epilepsy isn't known; in other cases, head injuries, lack of oxygen during birth, brain tumors or infections such as meningitis and encephalitis are the culprits. Seizures can be a tremendous burden. For those who don't respond to medication, seizures may occur daily, weekly, monthly or even less frequently, but the results can be devastating. Those with epilepsy may not be allowed to drive, employment can be difficult and they're at risk for injuries, including falls and drowning because seizures are unpredictable. It's estimated that 60 percent to 70 percent of those with epilepsy remain seizure-free with medication. Those who don't respond … Continue reading →

Newswise — WEST HARTFORD, CT, February 16 -- Leading representatives of the American Epilepsy Society, American Academy of Neurology, and the Epilepsy Foundation today reported they have grave concerns about the implications and potential misuse of the anticonvulsant (AED) drug comparisons study recently released by the U.S. Agency for Health Research and Quality (AHRQ). The study’s intent is to provide an evidence-based analysis of the Effectiveness and Safety of Antiepileptic Medications in Patients With Epilepsy. But the AHRQ report has little clinical value according to the specialists in neurology and epilepsy and could negatively impact patient care. The AHRQ report is an examination of the comparative efficacy, safety, and tolerability of newer versus older and innovator versus generic antiepileptic medications. The representatives and their organizations strongly support evidence–based medicine and comparative effectiveness research, which they believe improves quality of care. At issue, however, is the study focus, which fails to recognize the different types of epilepsy and deals with this multiform disorder as if it were a monolithic and homogeneous condition. The study further compares effectiveness of old-line anticonvulsants to newer epilepsy drugs irrespective of epilepsy type. Given that seizures have vastly different pathologies and the use of AEDs differs … Continue reading →

A fundraising blitz by the Office of the Vice President for Research’s first development director hopes to make a proposed autism research center a reality. The University has stayed committed to the autism and neuro-developmental disorder center since its conception in 2010, but Vice President for Research Leo Chalupa said the project cannot move forward unless newly hired Heather Russell can raise the capital for it. Chalupa has said $10 million is needed to completely launch an autism research center, but University spokeswoman Jill Sankey said Tuesday that the development of a center could begin with a portion of that sum raised. Chalupa said Russell, a former development director for the Texas-based Autism Treatment Center who started at the University last week, has a tough task ahead of her. “The reason autism was targeted for raising money is because it’s expensive,” Chalupa said. “It’s very broad. It varies in everything from lab work with animals to human brain imaging to things like that. So it’s expensive.” He has set a goal for Russell to raise $2 million to $3 million this year, which could get a lift from forging partnerships with private foundations, and continue fundraising over the next three … Continue reading →