Epilepsy In The News

Celebrating Success Stories - Epilepsy Foundation of Michigan

The Epilepsy Foundation of Michigan first met Cassandra Emerson through the Studio E Art Therapy program, during which her frustration with epilepsy, along with her boundless creativity, became apparent to everyone she met.

‘STAR TREK’ Crew Share Proper Epilepsy And Seizure First Aid

Chris Pine and Zachary Quinto, stars of the new film “Star Trek Into Darkness,” are talking about proper seizure first aid on www.talkaboutit.org/firstaid.

Epilepsy Foundation To Present Epilepsy Therapy Project Lifetime Accelerator Award To Henrik Klitgaard, Ph.D., Recognizing Contributions To New Therapies

Klitgaard to be Honored at Antiepileptic Drug and Device Trials XII Conference in Miami May 15-17

Jacqueline A. French, M.D. Receives The Epilepsy Foundation's 2013 Hero Of Epilepsy Award

JACQUELINE A. FRENCH, M.D. RECEIVES THE EPILEPSY FOUNDATION’S 2013 HERO OF EPILEPSY AWARD

Rosalynn Carter, Former Congressman Tony Coelho To Host Expert Discussion On Building Community Support For People With Mental Illness

Rosalynn Carter, Former Congressman Tony Coelho To Host Expert Discussion On Building Community Support For People With Mental Illness

Annual National Walk For Epilepsy Calls On Thousands To Join The Fight For People Living With Epilepsy And Seizures

The Seventh Annual National Walk for Epilepsy will bring thousands of people – those who face the challenge of living with seizures, and their families, friends and supporters – to the Washington Monument on Saturday, April 20, 2013 for a three-mile walk around the Tidal Basin’s Franklin Delano Roosevelt, Martin Luther King, Jr. and Jefferson Memorials. The Epilepsy Foundation started the family-oriented annual walk in 2007 to heighten awareness and raise funds to continue the fight to stop seizures, find a cure and improve the quality of life for people living with epilepsy.

After Brother Chelone’s Death from Apparent Seizure, our Thoughts are with Bode Miller and his Family

The Epilepsy Foundation was saddened to hear about the death of professional Snowboarder Chelone “Chilly” Miller, who died Sunday from an apparent seizure, according to a U.S. Snowboarding release.

Epilepsy Foundation Statement on the BRAIN Initiative

WASHINGTON, April 2, 2013 – The Epilepsy Foundation is excited epilepsy will be addressed as part of the new BRAIN (Brain Research through Advancing Innovative Neurotechnologies) Initiative.

Defining Epilepsy

Janice Buelow, PhD, FAAN, To Join The Epilepsy Foundation As Vice President Of Programs And Research

Distinguished epilepsy advocate, researcher, educator and clinical nurse specialist Janice Buelow, PhD, FAAN, will take the helm as our new Vice President of Programs and Research effective July 1, 2013. Dr. Buelow will oversee the Foundation’s nationwide epilepsy education and research programs.

UCB announces positive results in a trial designed for the goal of a Monotherapy Indication for Vimpat (Lacosamide)

This week UCB announced positive and exciting first results of a Phase III study designed to evaluate the efficacy and safety of conversion to Vimpat® (lacosamide) monotherapy in adult epilepsy patients with partial-onset seizures with or without secondary generalization.

Epilepsy Foundation Announces “Now I Know” Facebook Video Contest Prize Winners

Video testimonials share hope, encouragement and advice about epilepsy

SUDEP Institute Kickoff Meeting Unites Leading Organizations with Clinical Thought Leaders to Help Raise Awareness about Epilepsy Sudden Unexplained Death

FDA Announces New Drug Application for Review

The New Drug Application (NDA) resubmission for STEDESA® (eslicarbazepine acetate), an adjunctive therapy in the treatment of partial onset seizures in patients 18 years and older, has been accepted for review by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA), indicating that the application is sufficiently complete to permit a substantive review.

FDA Panel Approves New Device For Treating Adults with Partial Seizures

The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) Neurological Devices Panel voted unanimously (11 to 0 with two abstentions) that the clinical benefits of the NeuroPace RNS System outweigh the risks of its use. NeuroPace is seeking approval for the RNS System for treating adults with partial onset seizures that have not been controlled with two or more antiepileptic medications. The final decision regarding approval of the device is made by the FDA.

Epilepsy Foundation Leadership Addresses FDA Panel on New Medical Device for Seizures

Epilepsy Foundation President and CEO Phil Gattone and Board member Warren Lammert spoke before the Food and Drug Administration’s Neurological Devices Panel of the Medical Devices Advisory Committee, which is reviewing the NeuroPace RNS® System for the treatment of partial onset seizures.

All in the Family: A Genetic Link Between Epilepsy and Migraine

New research reveals a shared genetic susceptibility to epilepsy and migraine. Findings published in Epilepsia, a journal of the International League Against Epilepsy (ILAE), indicate that having a strong family history of seizure disorders increases the chance of having migraine with aura (MA).

Epilepsy Foundation And Epilepsy Therapy Project Finalize Merger To Create Strong, Unified Organization To Support People With Epilepsy

New foundation will drive awareness, supportive care and accelerate new therapies for millions of people living with seizures

First Extended Release Oxcarbazepine Is Approved By The FDA

Oxtellar XR™ is the first and only FDA-approved once-daily oxcarbazepine product and will be available in the first quarter 2013

Epilepsy Foundation Disappointed by Treaty Defeat in U.S. Senate, Vows Support for Reintroduction in Next Congress

On Tuesday, the Senate voted against ratification of the Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities (CRPD). The treaty received YES votes from sixty-one Senators, just six votes short of the two-thirds majority required for ratification.

Epilepsy Foundation Applauds the Social Security Administration New Compassionate Allowance Listing for Dravet Syndrome

The Social Security Administration (SSA) announced a very important policy change for individuals with Dravet syndrome and their families. Michael J. Astrue, Commissioner of Social Security, announced that the agency will add Dravet Syndrome and 34 other additional conditions to its Compassionate Allowances program.

Two Fathers Share Personal Stories And Vision As They Join Forces To Lead The Nation's Largest Epilepsy Organization

Commentary Published in Epilepsy & Behavior by Epilepsy Foundation CEO and Epilepsy Therapy Project Chairman Delivers Powerful Commitment to Improving Lives and Medical Options for Those Living with Epilepsy

Infantile Spasms Awareness Week – December 3rd – December 9th 2012

“Now I Know” Video Contest Invites People to Share Struggles, Successes with Epilepsy

As Epilepsy Awareness Month kicks off, the Epilepsy Foundation today announced the launch of its first-ever video contest campaign. Themed “Now I Know,” the campaign asks the epilepsy community to share their experiences with epilepsy, provide advice and educate others about the condition.

Newport Foundation Continuing Support of Epilepsy Foundation Will Enhance Long Term Research for People Living with Epilepsy

FDA approves Fycompa to treat seizures

The U.S. Food and Drug Administration today approved Fycompa (perampanel) tablets to treat partial onset seizures in patients with epilepsy ages 12 years and older.

Epilepsy Foundation and Epilepsy Therapy Project Announce Merger to Create New National Organization

New Epilepsy Foundation to Drive Education, Awareness, Supportive Care and New Therapies for Millions of People Living with Seizures

Epilepsy Foundation Cosponsors Presidential Forum on Disability in Columbus, Ohio

Podcast Highlights the Latest News and Information on Dravet Syndrome

CDC: Children with neurologic disorders, including epilepsy, at higher risk of death from flu

Consortium for Citizens with Disabilities Calls on U.S. Senate to Quickly Ratify Disability Rights Treaty

New CEO of the Epilepsy Foundation

Tony Coelho Responds to Comments on Epilepsy & the ACA

Foundation Responds to ACA Decision

First-Ever Partners Against Mortality in Epilepsy (PAME) Conference

Childhood Virus Infection Linked to Prolonged Seizures with Fever

One Third of Febrile Seizures Associated with Roseola Virus

Recent News Stories Regarding Seizures

Study Reports Seizure-Freedom in 68% of Juvenile Myoclonic Epilepsy Patients

AAN Issues New Guideline for Treating Rare Seizure Disorder in Babies, Young Children

Consortium for Citizens with Disabilities Calls on U.S. Senate to Quickly Ratify Disability Rights Treaty

Pediatric Epilepsy Impacts Sleep for the Child and Parents

Room sharing and co-sleeping decrease sleep quality, prevent restful sleep

Response to First Drug Treatment May Signal Likelihood of Future Seizures in People with Epilepsy

Epilepsy Awareness for Mother's Day

Preventing Autism after Epilepsy

Wrist Sensors Gauge Seizure Severity

Simple wrist sensors let neurologists collect better data about patients with epilepsy — and could alert patients that they need to seek medical care.

Aging Accelerates Brain Abnormalities in Childhood Onset Epilepsy Patients

5,000 Walked to Make a Difference for the Epilepsy Community

The Epilepsy Foundation Applauds Landmark Institute of Medicine Report on the Spectrum of Epilepsy

Onfi Availability for Patients in Pennsylvania

Xeris Pharmaceuticals Receives U.S. Patent for Injection of Emergency Medication

Medtronic Seeking Long-Distance Runners Who Benefit From Medical Technology

Will Receive Entry and Travel to the Medtronic Twin Cities Marathon
or Medtronic TC 10 Mile in October

Public Needs Voice in Health Care Decisions

Surgery Soon After Failure of Drug Treatment For Epilepsy May Lower Risk of Seizures

Supreme Court Challenges Affordable Care Act Medicaid Expansion Puts at Risk a Host of Other Federal-State Programs - Broad Coalition Files Amicus Brief

Epilepsy Community Has Major Concern Over Release of Anticonvulsant Drug Comparison Report

Autoinjectors Offer Way to Treat Prolonged Seizures

Study Shows Epilepsy Surgery Improves Seizure Control and Quality of Life

Brain Receptor in Eyes May Link Epilepsy, Cataracts and Anti-depressants

UCB announces FDA approval for Keppra in infants and children from one month of age with partial onset seizures

University of Charleston to Open Speaker Series with Healthcare Panel Featuring Tony Coelho

New Gene Discovery Unlocks Mystery of Epilepsy in Infants

Dept of Education Issues ADA Amendments Act ‘Dear Colleague’ Letter to Provide Guidance Under Amended Legal Standards

Caution Needed When Choosing Seizure Drugs for People with HIV/AIDS

New Drug for LGS Patients Now Available

Why Patients Opt For or Against Epilepsy Surgery

Barriers to epilepsy care

Study finds superior drug combo for difficult-to-control epilepsy

A lamotrigine/valproate treatment regimen significantly reduced seizure frequency

Department of Labor Seeks to Improve Job Opportunities for Americans with Disabilities

Gamma Knife Surgery Benefits Epilepsy Patients Beyond Seizure Reduction

Autism Risk Linked to Prenatal Drug Exposure

Study: Adverse Effects of Epilepsy Drug Persist

Epilepsy Organizations Award Grants for Promising New Technologies

Undiagnosed Autism and Developmental Delay in Children with Epilepsy

Photosensitivity Rate Unexpectedly High with Autism-Epilepsy Co-morbidity

Study Zeroes in on Nuclear Anatomy of Laughing Seizures

Novel Approach Reveals Potential Mechanism Underlying Dravet Syndrome

Research Shows Seizure Trends in Women with Epilepsy

Causative Gene May Differ Among Patients with Dravet Syndrome

Progesterone Therapy for Women with Epilepsy Shows Favorable Outcome

Novel Musical Event to Highlight Hoyer Lecture at Baltimore Convention Center

Latest Twilight Movie Reportedly Caused Seizures

NIH Rewards Duke University 25 Million Dollar Grant for Epilepsy Research

Flexible Brain Implant Shines New Light on Seizures

November is National Epilepsy Awareness Month

It Is Time to Get Seizure Smart

FDA Approves Onfi to Treat Severe Type of Seizures

Epilepsy Foundation Chair and Board Member Discuss Promising News on Epilepsy Surgery Study on ABC News

California Governor Signs Epilepsy Bill into Law

Premature Birth May Increase Risk of Developing Epilepsy

USA Network Joins Epilepsy Foundation in National Campaign to Make America Seizure Smart

Adjunctive antiepileptic drug treatment can lower risk of dying from a sudden unexpected death

Study Finds Bidirectional Relation Between Epilepsy and Schizophrenia

Mighty Mike Bounces Back

New generic versions of Keppra XR

Non-epileptic seizures may be misdiagnosed longer in veterans

Eisai’s antiepileptic agent, Banzel, receives approval in Canada

California SB161 Passes in Assembly

Researchers Identify Possible Trigger Point of Epileptic Seizures

Lifesaving Legislation in California Needs Support

Epilepsy Foundation and the Epilepsy Therapy Project Award New Therapy Grant

NIH Announces New Funding Opportunity for Epilepsy Research

New trials for MRI-guided laser surgery

Epilepsy Foundation Welcomes New Vice President of Development

7-Year-Old Child Author Raises Money for Seizure Assistance Dog

New, stronger MRI could lead to improved care

Epilepsy Foundation Announces Research Grant Winners

NFL Player Suffers a Seizure

Study Found Greater Seizure Frequency in Women during Anovulatory Cycle

Study Found Greater Seizure Frequency in Women during Anovulatory Cycle

Texas Children’s Hospital pioneers new MRI-guided laser surgery

Texas Children’s Hospital pioneers new MRI-guided laser surgery- Epilepsy Foundation Funding Furthers New Options to Treat Epilepsy

Support Epilepsy Awareness Resolution in the House of Representatives

Support Epilepsy Awareness Resolution in the House of Representatives

Pennsylvania State Funding Restored

Pennsylvania State Funding Restored

Epilepsy Foundation Metropolitan New York Secures Funding for Epilepsy Clinic

Epilepsy Foundation Metropolitan New York Secures Funding for Epilepsy Clinic

FDA Issues Safety Communication on Valproate

FDA Issues Safety Communication on Valproate

Drug Shortage Alert: Pfizer Announces DILANTIN® 30 mg (Extended Phenytoin Sodium Capsules, USP) Shortage

Drug Shortage Alert: Pfizer Announces DILANTIN® 30 mg (Extended Phenytoin Sodium Capsules, USP) Shortage

Epilepsy Foundation Chair Brien Smith Interviewed for the New York Times

New Epilepsy Foundation Board Chair, Dr.  Brien Smith, was recently interviewed for The New York Times in the nationally recognized “Well” blog.

University of California Riverside Neuroscientists’ Discovery Could Bring Relief to People with Epilepsy

Researchers at the University of California, Riverside have made a discovery in the lab that could help drug manufacturers develop new antiepileptic drugs and explore novel strategies for treating seizures associated with epilepsy – a disease affecting about 3 million Americans.

Epilepsy Awareness in the News!

Hear the story of patient Daniel Jakubowitz tomorrow, Wednesday, June 22, between 7:30 and 9:00 a.m., when he speaks with reporters from the CBS Early Show to discuss the success of his epilepsy surgery. 

Help NIH Prevent Closing an Important Epilepsy Study

Epilepsy surgery can be an effective therapy for some people whose seizures cannot be controlled by anticonvulsant medications. A new clinical trial is testing whether a minimally-invasive approach called radiosurgery is as effective as standard open surgery at reducing or eliminating seizures in patients with medically refractory partial epilepsy. 

Connecticut Governor Signs Legislation with Protections for People with Epilepsy

The Epilepsy Foundation of Connecticut announced that after a 4-year legislative effort, the Patient Prescription Protection Act has finally passed the legislature and was signed into law today by Connecticut Governor Dannell Malloy.

FDA Approves Potiga for Seizures in Adults

Valeant Pharmaceuticals International, Inc. and GlaxoSmithKline (NYSE: GSK) announced today that the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has approved Potiga(TM) (ezogabine) Tablets, a potassium channel opener, as adjunctive treatment of partial-onset seizures in patients aged 18 years and older.

Study Reveals Birth Defects Increased with Four Common Epilepsy Drugs

A total of 230 pregnancies associated with major birth defects were identified by the end of the first year after birth. An increase in the rate of birth defects was noted with increasing dose for all drugs. The rate was lowest for low doses of the drugs lamotrigine (less than 300 mg per day) and carbamazepine (less than 400 mg per day).

Seizure Recognition Training for First Responders Proves Popular and Beneficial

Epilepsy Foundation announces free, online epilepsy and seizure response training for law enforcement and emergency medical service personnel. 

Unique Nerve-Stimulation Treatment Proves Effective Against Drug-Resistant Epilepsy

Unique Nerve-Stimulation Treatment Proves Effective Against Drug-Resistant Epilepsy

New Research Study on Most Effective Seizure Treatments for Children with Autism Spectrum Disorder

New Research Study on Most Effective Seizure Treatments for Children with Autism Spectrum Disorder

California Advocates Fight for Right to Administer Life-Saving Seizure Medication

California Advocates Fight for Right to Administer Life-Saving Seizure Medication

California Advocates Help Pass Lifesaving Legislation

The united voice of the California epilepsy community spoke up in support of Senate Bill 161—and the Senators in Sacramento heard it.

Epilepsy Foundation Announces Brien J. Smith, M.D. as New Board Chair

The Epilepsy Foundation has elected Brien J. Smith, M.D. as chair of its board of directors. Dr. Smith is Chief of Neurology for the Spectrum Health Medical Group, the Michigan healthcare system recently named one of the Top 10 healthcare systems in America by Thomson Reuters.

Difficult to Treat Epilepsy and Higher Death Rates More Common for People with both Autism and Epilepsy, Says New Studies

People living with both autism and epilepsy have more treatment-resistant seizures and a much higher death rate than people living with just one of the conditions, according to two new studies published this month.

FDA Approves Lamictal XR for Monotherapy

FDA Approves Lamictal XR for Monotherapy

Ortho-McNeil Neurologics Voluntarily Recalls Two Lots of TOPAMAX®

Titusville, N.J., April 14, 2011 – Ortho-McNeil Neurologics Division of Ortho-McNeil-Janssen Pharmaceuticals, Inc., today announced it is voluntarily recalling two lots of TOPAMAX® (topiramate) 100mg Tablets.

Epilepsy Treatment Has a New Direction

If common anticonvulsant drugs fail to manage epileptic seizures, then perhaps the anti-inflammatory* route is the way to go. That’s according to Mattia Maroso and colleagues from the Mario Negri Institute for Pharmacological Research in Milan, Italy, who found that giving mice repeated doses of a specific enzyme inhibitor significantly reduced both chronic epileptic activity and acute seizures.

Higher Prevalence of Psychiatric Symptoms Found in Children with Epilepsy

Gender plays major role in development of psychiatric problems.

Epileptic Seizures Linked to Significant Risk of Subsequent Brain Tumor

Epileptic seizures can precede the development of a subsequent brain tumor by many years, suggests research published online in the Journal of Neurology Neurosurgery and Psychiatry.

Epilepsy Foundation Applauds EEOC for New Rules Under the ADA

The Epilepsy Foundation applauds the newly issued regulations from the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC)  for implementing Title I of the Americans with Disabilities Act Amendments Act (ADAAA). Title I protects people with disabilities, like epilepsy, from discrimination in the workplace.

epilepsyUSA Journalist Wins Premier Journalism Award for Article on Native Americans and Epilepsy

Ortho-McNeil-Janssen's statement with additional safety information

New Role for an Old Molecule--Protecting the Brain from Epileptic Seizures

PROVIDENCE, R.I. [Brown University] — For years brain scientists have puzzled over the shadowy role played by the molecule putrescine, which always seems to be present in the brain following an epileptic seizure, but without a clear indication whether it was there to exacerbate brain damage that follows a seizure or protect the brain from it.

FDA Approves Rufinamide Oral Suspension for Lennox-Gastaut Syndrome

The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has approved BANZEL® (rufinamide) Oral Suspension, 40 mg/mL, for the adjunctive treatment of seizures associated with Lennox-Gastaut Syndrome (LGS) in children 4 years and older and adults.

FDA Warns of Increased Risk of Oral Birth Defects in Children Born to Mothers Taking Topiramate

New data suggest that the drug Topamax (topiramate) and its generic versions increase the risk for the birth defects cleft lip and cleft palate in babies born to women who use the medication during pregnancy.

Study to Analyze Seizure Risk for HIV Patients

EAST LANSING, Mich. — A Michigan State University researcher is looking to uncover the risks of treating seizures in HIV-positive patients, providing much-needed data

Health Care Disparities Seen in Epilepsy Patients with Low Socioeconomic Status

More uncontrolled seizures and drug-related side effects found in this patient group

Voluntary Recall of Drug Mislabeled as Phenobarbital

Qualitest, a generic drug manufacturer recently acquired by Endo Pharmaceuticals, Inc., issued a voluntary recall of three lots (11,000 bottles) of its hydrocodone with acetaminophen product on February 5, 2011.

Hundreds to Rally at Candlelight Vigil in Support of Fairfax Family

Epilepsy Foundation presents remarks to FDA on medication switching

Epilepsy Foundation Funds New Therapy Grant to Support Innovative Approach to Treat Epilepsy