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Electrophoretic Delivery of γ-aminobutyric Acid (GABA) into Epileptic Focus Prevents Seizures in Mice
Published on: May 16, 2019
Intractable epilepsy: management and therapeutic alternatives
Stephan U Schuele1, Hans O Lüders
1Northwestern University, Feinberg School of Medicine, Chicago, IL 60611, USA. s-schuele@northwestern.edu
The Lancet. Neurology
|May 20, 2008
Summary
Many epilepsy patients achieve seizure control with initial treatment. Those with persistent seizures require comprehensive assessment and tailored strategies, including surgery or experimental therapies, to manage intractable epilepsy.
Area of Science:
- Neurology
- Epileptology
- Clinical Neuroscience
Background:
- Epilepsy affects millions globally, with over half of newly diagnosed patients achieving seizure control via initial medical therapy.
- A significant portion of patients, however, experience refractory epilepsy despite standard treatments.
- Temporal lobe epilepsy is the most common focal epilepsy, and surgical interventions can be effective for select patients.
Purpose of the Study:
- To outline the diagnostic and therapeutic strategies for patients with newly diagnosed and refractory epilepsy.
- To discuss the role of surgery and experimental therapies in managing intractable epilepsy.
- To emphasize the importance of comprehensive care in addressing the multifaceted challenges of chronic epilepsy.
Main Methods:
- Review of current medical and surgical treatment guidelines for epilepsy.
- Analysis of outcomes for surgical interventions, particularly in temporal lobe epilepsy.
- Discussion of emerging experimental therapies and their potential benefits and risks.
Main Results:
- Initial medical therapy is effective in over 50% of newly diagnosed epilepsy patients.
- Surgery for temporal lobe epilepsy can improve seizure control and quality of life in well-selected individuals.
- Approximately 20-30% of patients remain refractory to both medical and surgical treatments.
Conclusions:
- Early and thorough assessment is crucial for patients with refractory epilepsy to guide treatment selection.
- A balanced consideration of risks and benefits is necessary when evaluating surgical or experimental therapies.
- Comprehensive management addressing adverse events, quality of life, and comorbidities is essential for intractable epilepsy care.
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