First Aid
Medications
Find a Doctor
eNewsletter
eCommunitiesNewsroom
News Briefs:Calls for Art by People with Epilepsy
Submissions to the Expressions of Courage® art contest, which is sponsored by Ortho-McNeil Neurologics, Inc., in partnership with the Foundation, should be mailed to: Expressions of Courage, c/o Ortho-McNeil Neurologics, Inc., 389 Pittstown Road, Pitttstown, NJ 08867. An exhibit with selected artwork from previous contests will go on national tour beginning May 1 in Chicago. The exhibit was developed in partnership with the Society for the Arts in Healthcare and will be showcased in medical facilities in cities visited. Scientists Find Potential New Path to Seizure Therapy
The UCI researchers first discovered that agrin influences the process by which nerve cells in the brain produce electrical potentials. Adding the protein caused the brain cells to fire electrical impulses uncontrollably. However, introducing small fragments of agrin blocked the protein from attaching to its normal binding site on the cell, called a sodium pump, and prevented the protein from affecting the cell's electrical activity. According to Martin Smith, professor of anatomy and neurobiology in the UCI School of Medicine, "The ability of agrin to modulate nerve cell excitability suggests that the agrin-sodium pump interactions can be exploited as a novel therapeutic target for epilepsy and other brain disorders." The research report appeared in the April issue of the journal Cell. Epilepsy Surgery Confirms Brain Area for Word Forms
The researchers report in the April 20 issue of the journal Neuron the results of pre- and post-surgery reading, language, and object recognition tests on a 46 year old male epilepsy patient. They found his reading capability before surgery to be normal, including the ability to recognize long words as quickly as short ones, but after the surgery the recognition time increased significantly in proportion to the word length. This indicated that he had been reduced to reading words letter by letter. The patient could still quickly identify objects, however, confirming the hypothesis that the VFWA has an exclusive role in word recognition. Brain mapping is an invaluable aid to neurosurgeons in preserving the ability to perform certain brain functions. While surgery in this patient did result in some functional loss, the knowledge gained adds to the functional map of the brain and contributes to the potential success of surgical procedures in areas bordering the VWFA. FDA Warns Against Approvals for Marijuana Use
The statement said that the FDA agrees with marijuana being listed in Schedule I of the Controlled Substances Act (CSA) because it met the three criteria for placement in the schedule. They are: "marijuana has a high potential for abuse, has no currently accepted medical use in treatment in the United States, and has a lack of accepted safety for use under medical supervision." The statement went on to say that, "there is currently sound evidence that smoked marijuana is harmful. A past evaluation by several Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) agencies, including the Food and Drug Administration (FDA), substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) and National Institute for Drug Abuse (NIDA), concluded that no sound scientific studies supported medical use of marijuana for treatment in the United States, and no animal or human data supported the safety or efficacy of marijuana for general medical use." The agency also pointed out that there are alternative FDA-approved medications available for treating many of the proposed uses of marijuana. "Efforts to seek to bypass the FDA drug approval process," the statement said, "would not serve the interests of public health because they might expose patients to unsafe and ineffective drug products. FDA has not approved smoked marijuana for any condition or disease indication." Scientists Take Another Step Toward Personalized Medicine
Scientists from Imperial College London and Pfizer have now developed a new method that could also predict how an individual would respond to drug treatment. The method involves an analysis of the metabolites and metabolite patterns produced by a person's body. Metabolites are small molecules produced by normal body functions. The analysis is made from urine or other bio-fluid sampled prior to and again following drug administration. In the study published this week in the journal Nature, researchers tested the approach in laboratory animals. The technique will now be tested in humans to evaluate its possible application in providing healthcare. Jeremy Nicholson, who led the study, says: "This new technique is potentially of huge importance to the future of healthcare and the pharmaceutical industry. The 'pharmaco-metabonomic' approach is able to account for genetic as well as many environmental factors, and other important contributors to individual health such as gut microfloral activity. These factors strongly influence how an individual absorbs and processes a drug and also influence their individual metabolism." The study authors hypothesize that these individual metabolite patterns can be used to diagnose diseases, predict an individual's future illnesses, and their responses to treatments. The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) accelereated the focus on developing a more personalized approach to healthcare, issuing guidelines in March 2005 that encouraged pharmaceutical companies to collect information on how genetic variations affect the way people respond to their drugs. The FDA further encouraged companies to submit this information as a way of helping the agency to learn more about this developing field. Blue Sunglasses Reported to Provide Seizure ProtectionItalian scientists studying the protective potential of Z1 blue sunglasses report that the glasses were effective in blocking the abnormal brain waves in three-quarters of the photosensitive individuals who were tested. The lenses reduced but did not eliminate the abnormal response in another 17.9 percent, and provided no protection whatsoever in 6.2 percent of those tested. The cooperative study was conducted with photosensitive epilepsy patients from 12 medical centers in Italy. The study group included 210 males and 400 females between the ages of 2 and 77. Individuals were tested by exposure to a flickering light adjusted to different frequencies while connected to an EEG machine that recorded their brain waves. In the report published in the journal Epilepsia, the researchers conclude that, "The results of our multicenter study give good evidence that the Z1 lens has great effectiveness in controlling photosensitivity. In our opinion, Z1 lens might become a valid resource in the daily activity of clinicians worldwide in the care of people with epilepsy." The Z1 blue lens is of an ultraviolet material with an 80 percent luminance, a measure of the intensity or amount of light that passes through the lens. The sunglasses are available in many eyewear outlets. Expert Reports on Failure to Follow Medical InstructionsResearchers report that people with epilepsy take 75 percent of their prescribed medications on average. While this rate is similar to that of compliance for people with other chronic conditions, the failure to follow instructions for taking seizure medications is an important issue in treating people with epilepsy. According to Joyce A. Cramer, an expert in medication compliance at the Yale University School of Medicine, forgetting to take medications is not as great a problem as might be thought. In earlier research Cramer and her colleagues found that people who are non-compliant cannot be predicted on the basis of low IQ, poor memory, personality disorder, older age or less education. She reported that people are least likely to follow medication schedules if they do not believe in the diagnosis or in the need for treatment; are not committed to their treatment; are not organized or are unwilling to change their lifestyle. The number of daily doses is also an important factor, with compliance dropping sharply when more than three daily doses are prescribed. In a study in which medication taking was monitored electronically, Cramer and her colleagues found that compliance with three doses was 77 percent, and plummeted to only 39 percent at four daily doses. In the report presented at the recent annual meeting of epilepsy physicians, doctors were encouraged to increase compliance by explaining to patients the importance of daily and long term use of medications, and to question patients about their compliance in following medication instructions. Doctors were also advised to provide the most convenient dosing schedule, and to regularly remind patients of the importance of taking epilepsy medications as prescribed. Head-Injured Cyclist Making Good Progress
Raisin has demonstrated full movement throughout his body, a good sign of there being no paralysis. He was last reported to be responding to questions with head nodding and hand squeezes. The international racer was expected soon to be out of intensive care and ready for transport to Atlanta for further medical care. Raisin has had a number of crashes so far in his professional career, including an earlier incident in which he also sustained a head injury. Taking a Shortcut to New Drug Discovery
Each volunteer is sent the lock (a model of the molecule that is the drug target) and 20 to 100 keys (models of drug candidates). Specially designed software tests one candidate drug at a time against the target molecule using idle time of the volunteer's computer. The results from the entire network of personal computers are gathered in TRI's central computers for evaluation and selection for further testing. The most promising drug candidates are then studied in leading universities that work with TRI in devising new therapies. The project provides a unique opportunity for individuals with or without any scientific training to participate in new drug development. Driving Privilege Threatened in Nevada
The Nevada Department of Motor Vehicles decided to drop the waiver program because it lacked an adequate mechanism for reviewing waiver applications. Denying commercial driving privileges and, for many with a history of seizures, the means to make a living, fails to recognize that seizures in young people often go in remission. It also penalizes individuals whose seizures are well controlled under the many treatment options that exist today. The gubernatorial candidate said the number of commercial drivers with a seizure history in the state is unknown, but could be between 30 and 40. He has proposed an application process that would require a statement from the applicant's doctor, a process that exists in other states. More about State Driving Laws... Mishandled Seizure Suit Settled for $102,000
According to the Tribune, the plaintiff was handcuffed by law enforcement personnel, sprayed with pepper spray and dragged down two flights of stairs. He suffered a head injury during the incident and spent several days in the hospital intensive care unit. Editor's note: The mishandling of seizures by first responders is a major concern of the Epilepsy Foundation. The organization monitors seizure mishandling incidents throughout the country, a few of which have resulted in wrongful death in recent years. In these and other cases of discrimination and mistreatment the Foundation, through its Jeanne A. Carpenter Epilepsy Legal Defense Fund, often provides assistance to counsel defending people with epilepsy, including amicus curae filings in selected cases. More... A New Way for Illinois Residents to Help Support Epilepsy Funding
"This is such a positive and exciting development for people with epilepsy and their families," noted Garett Auriemma, Interim President of the Epilepsy Foundation of Greater Chicago. The organization spearheaded the effort to place epilepsy funding on the tax forms. "For the first time, we have the infrastructure and funding mechanism to allow for statewide delivery of needed epilepsy services." An Advisory Committee within the Illinois Department of Public Health - to be appointed by Governor Rod Blagojevich - will develop and oversee the administration of these initiatives, which will follow the guidelines set forth in the state's Epilepsy Disease Assistance Act. The Act was signed by Blagojevich earlier this year. More... Teachers Still Unprepared for Kids with Seizures
The findings are from an Epilepsy Foundation-sponsored national survey of 512 teachers conducted recently by researchers in the University of Kentucky, Special Education and Rehabilitation Counseling Department. Almost three-fourths of teachers (70%) rated their knowledge of epilepsy on the lower end of the scale. Of asthma, HIV/AIDS, diabetes, autism, mental retardation, epilepsy and ADHD, teachers were least familiar with epilepsy. The study also found that teachers with the most positive scores in terms of attitudes and knowledge tended to be female, had more years of teaching experience, higher levels of education, and were currently teaching a student with epilepsy. The survey, "Teachers' knowledge about epilepsy and attitudes toward students with epilepsy: Results of a national survey," is reported in the January issue of Epilepsy & Behavior. Musical Ability Improves After Epilepsy Surgery
Whether or not to undergo brain surgery is a difficult decision for anyone with epilepsy. It is especially difficult for someone who depends on musical skills like melody processing, musical memory, rhythm, meter, harmony, timbre, emotionality and pitch. Each of the three adult professional musicians in the case report underwent temporal lobe surgery for seizures. The musicians were asked to complete a questionnaire before surgery and a number of years following the procedure. Each reported functional improvements and an absence of deficits in musical skills. "The feeling that the disease is cured," the team reports, "increased self-esteem, renewed acceptance among colleagues, and the loss of limitations can boost professional performance." In the Epilepsy & Behavior journal report, the team proposes establishing a database of epilepsy surgery in professional musicians for further study of the risks to musical skills and to gain insight into brain areas that are involved in making music. Cyclist's Crash Reported Due to Epilepsy
Raisin was wearing a helmet at the time of crash and had spoken with his team director on Wednesday. His injuries were not considered life-threatening until Thursday when his condition deteriorated and the hemorrhage was detected. Menstrual Cycles Affect Seizure Frequency
In a presentation today during the American Academy of Neurology meeting in San Diego, researchers reported that seizures occurred on average about every four days in ovulatory cycles, and every three days in cycles where no ovulation occurred. The researchers studied menstrual cycle length, ovulation occurrence, and seizure frequency in 100 women with epilepsy. Ovulation was determined by a rise in the hormone progesterone during the middle of the cycle. They found that ovulation occurred in 90 percent of 26-32 day cycles, but declined sharply to less than 40 percent when cycles were either longer (35 days) or shorter (23 days). The research was conducted by Andrew Herzog, M.D., M.Sc, FAAN, and colleagues of the Harvard Neuroendocrine Unit at Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center, Boston. Epilepsy Surgery Has Long Term Benefit
The study by researchers at the Mayo Clinic and University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences included an analysis of 399 consecutive epilepsy surgeries conducted at the Mayo Clinic, Rochester , MN , between 1988 and 1996. There were 214 females and 185 males, with an average age of 30. The analysis also found the risk of epilepsy surgery to be relatively low, according to Fredric Meyer, M.D., one of the investigators. Four percent of individuals studied had medical problems due to anesthesia or other neurological complications during the procedure. The study, which was released on Tuesday, will be published in the April issue of the Journal of Neurosurgery. Diagnostic Drug Returns to World Market
Amytal Sodium Injection is used in the Wada Test, a procedure that helps to confirm or identify the side of the brain that controls a person’s language ability. The language center is normally in the brain's left hemisphere, but not in all individuals. Identifying the center's location in each patient is critical in assuring that tissue responsible for language ability is not harmed during epilepsy surgery. The injectable medication had been in irregular supply for nearly a decade beginning when its original manufacturer, Eli Lilly, decided to discontinue the product. Intervention at that time by the Epilepsy Foundation and the American Epilepsy Society was instrumental in keeping sodium amytal on the market until manufacturing rights were acquired by Ranbaxy. Ranbaxy began supplying the U.S. market in the summer of 2004, and has now received final approval from the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) and U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) for distribution abroad. |
 |
About Us | Job Opportunities | Questions or comments about the website? | Disclaimer of warranties and liability
8301 Professional Place Landover MD 20785 (800) 332 1000
