Rescue therapies for seizures.

Area of Science:

• Neurology
• Pharmacology
• Medical Devices

Background:

• Epilepsy treatment often involves daily oral medications, but many patients still experience seizures.
• Existing therapies may not fully control seizure activity, necessitating alternative treatment strategies.

Purpose of the Study:

• To review currently available and emerging rescue therapies for epilepsy.
• To discuss pharmacologic and non-pharmacologic interventions for seizure management.

Main Methods:

• Review of US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) approved and nonapproved drugs.
• Examination of nonpharmacologic behavioral treatments.
• Inclusion of device-based therapies like vagus nerve stimulation and NeuroPace RNS® System.

Main Results:

• Rescue therapies provide rapid intervention for seizures, including seizure clusters and status epilepticus.
• These therapies benefit patients who can self-administer, caregivers, and those experiencing emergencies.
• A range of FDA-approved and non-FDA-approved options, alongside devices, are available or in development.

Conclusions:

• Rescue therapies are crucial for managing breakthrough seizures and emergencies in epilepsy.
• Both pharmacologic and non-pharmacologic approaches, including advanced devices, offer therapeutic benefits.
• Ongoing research and development continue to expand options for seizure abortant therapy.