In support of Black History Month, we are highlighting some of the many Black individuals who are making a meaningful impact within the epilepsy community. Today, we want to share the inspirational story of Michael Platt, a teenage business owner, social entrepreneur, food justice advocate, and baker.
Pediatric Epilepsy
Status epilepticus (SE) is one of the most common neurological emergencies in children. To date, there is no definitive evidence to guide treatment of SE refractory to benzodiazepines.
Patients with highly active and ultra-refractory focal epilepsy experienced meaningful seizure outcomes on cenobamate. Emergence of adverse events at doses above 250mg/day may limit the potential for further improvements in seizure control at higher cenobamate doses.
“When we looked at other genes that handle potassium, we found that there is a major loss of these genes in tumor cells of patients that have seizures. This is very specific to patients with seizures.”
CBD
A study reveals a previously unknown way in which cannabidiol (CBD), a substance found in cannabis, reduces seizures in many treatment-resistant forms of pediatric epilepsy.
There is urgent need for novel therapies for refractory SE that rely upon a better understanding of the basic mechanisms underlying this clinical condition. Preclinical and clinical evidence encourage consideration of specific anti-inflammatory treatments for controlling SE and its consequences in patients.
Recognition of familial adult myoclonic epilepsy (FAME) will inform prognostic and genetic counseling, and diagnosis of the insidious progression which may occur in older individuals who show mild cognitive deterioration. Distinguishing FAME from other disorders in individuals or families with this constellation of symptoms is essential to allow identification of the underlying aetiology.
Pediatric Epilepsy
Biallelic WWOX pathogenic variants cause an early-infantile developmental and epileptic encephalopathy syndrome. The most common seizure types are focal seizures and epileptic spasms.
Ketogenic Diet, Pediatric Epilepsy
The latest research on new information on post-traumatic epilepsy, managing sleep with epilepsy, and more in this issue of Epilepsy Research News.
