It's About Time! Timing in Epilepsy Evaluation and Treatment.

Area of Science:

• Neurology
• Epilepsy Research
• Clinical Neuroscience

Background:

• The 2023 American Epilepsy Society Annual Course,
• It's About Time,
• focused on the crucial aspect of timing in epilepsy management.

Purpose of the Study:

• To explore the impact of timing on epilepsy evaluation and treatment, particularly concerning health disparities and vulnerable populations.
• To review current knowledge in seizure forecasting, epileptogenesis, and diagnostic/surgical evaluations.
• To discuss controversies and intricacies in timing for various epilepsy treatments and patient groups.

Main Methods:

• A comprehensive review of current knowledge and expert discussions presented at the 2023 American Epilepsy Society Annual Course.
• Examination of timing in relation to diagnostic, clinical, and surgical evaluations for epilepsy.
• Exploration of timing in specific epilepsy types and therapeutic modalities.

Main Results:

• Addressed gaps in epilepsy care and the optimization of behavioral health for individuals with epilepsy.
• Detailed current understanding of seizure forecasting and epileptogenesis.
• Discussed timing controversies in nonconvulsive seizures, acute symptomatic seizures, neuromodulation vs. surgery, and epilepsy surgery in status epilepticus.

Conclusions:

• Emphasized the importance of timing in optimizing clinical care across autoimmune-associated epilepsy, developmental and epileptic encephalopathy, and dietary therapy.
• Highlighted the role of novel biomarkers and neuropsychological outcomes in epilepsy management.
• Underscored the need for a comprehensive approach to timing in epilepsy evaluation and treatment.