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Updated: Jul 17, 2026
05:54
Stereo-Electro-Encephalo-Graphy (SEEG) With Robotic Assistance in the Presurgical Evaluation of Medical Refractory Epilepsy: A Technical Note
Published on: June 13, 2016
Refractory epilepsy: one size does not fit all.
1Professor of Neurology, Director, Penn Epilepsy Center, Assistant Dean for Clinical Trials, Hospital of the University of Pennsylvania Philadelphia, PA, USA. frenchj@mail.med.upenn.edu
Epilepsy Currents
|January 30, 2007
Summary
Defining refractory epilepsy remains challenging, as many patients show partial response to treatments or worsen with drug withdrawal. Current assessment methods overlook key factors like seizure severity and response variability.
Area of Science:
- Neurology
- Clinical Pharmacology
Background:
- A universally accepted definition of refractory epilepsy is lacking.
- Clinical trial evidence suggests current definitions may misclassify patients.
Purpose of the Study:
- To highlight limitations in current refractory epilepsy definitions.
- To propose improvements in assessing antiepileptic drug (AED) response.
Main Methods:
- Review of clinical trial data and existing literature on epilepsy treatment.
- Analysis of factors influencing AED response assessment.
Main Results:
- Many patients classified as refractory epilepsy show partial response to add-on AEDs.
- Antiepileptic drug (AED) withdrawal can lead to seizure worsening in some patients.
- Current assessment methods fail to account for baseline seizure severity and response variability over time.
Conclusions:
- A revised definition of refractory epilepsy is needed.
- Improved assessment of AED response should incorporate partial responses and consider individual variability.
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