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Updated: Jun 13, 2025
07:01
Electrophoretic Delivery of γ-aminobutyric Acid GABA into Epileptic Focus Prevents Seizures in Mice
Published on: May 16, 2019
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Patient Perspectives on Antiseizure Medication Discontinuation: A Mixed-Methods Exploration of Risk Perception,
Samuel W Terman1, Jordan M Silva2, Max Kuster3
1Department of Neurology, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor.
Neurology. Clinical Practice
|May 8, 2025
Summary
Patients with epilepsy perceive high effectiveness of antiseizure medications (ASMs) and are reluctant to withdraw them. Graphical risk communication tools can aid decisions about ASM withdrawal after seizure freedom.
Area of Science:
- Neurology
- Clinical Psychology
Background:
- Antiseizure medications (ASMs) are standard epilepsy treatment.
- Guidelines suggest considering ASM withdrawal after seizure freedom due to potential adverse effects.
Purpose of the Study:
- To explore patients' perceived seizure risk, risk tolerance, and experiences with risk counseling regarding ASM withdrawal.
Main Methods:
- Interviews with adults seizure-free for at least one year across three academic institutions.
- Participants rated perceived seizure risk on and off ASMs, discussed minimal clinically important differences for ASM continuation, and rated likelihood of withdrawal under hypothetical risks.
- Recalled previous seizure risk counseling experiences.
Main Results:
- Patients perceived significantly higher seizure risk off ASMs (median 5/10) compared to on ASMs (median 1/10).
- A median effectiveness of 6/10 for ASMs warranted continuation, with some willing to continue for any extension of seizure-free time.
- 50% of participants desired numerical seizure risk information for withdrawal decisions, particularly in graphical formats.
Conclusions:
- Patients perceive ASMs as highly effective and show reluctance towards withdrawal.
- Hypothetical seizure risk information influences decisions, and graphical tools are welcomed for risk communication.
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