Epilepsy Talk
TLE — Important New Research!
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In the study which appears online in the Annals of Neurology, neurologist and neuroscientist Dr. Tallie Z. Baram and her colleagues, explained: “”Understanding how previous brain infections, seizures or injuries can interact with the cellular machinery to cause epilepsy is a crucial step toward designing drugs to prevent the process. We don’t want to just treat people with epilepsy. We hope to develop medicines that will prevent epilepsy from occurring — and influence the lives of millions of people around the globe.”
Adult Epilepsy…Ground-Breaking New Research on Origins
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In a ground-breaking new study which appears online in the Annals of Neurology, neurologist and neuroscientist Dr. Tallie Z. Baram and her colleagues, discovered:
Tags: adult epilepsy, ground-breaking, new research, prevent epilepsy
Checking charities and their accountability
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Since it is so difficult to figure out where our donations are going and we don’t want to give up on giving, I thought I’d tell you about two very reliable sites that can give you the TRUE facts on your chosen charity. They are: The Charity Navigator and Charity Watch — part of the American Institute of Philanthropy.
Both are well-trusted, responsible guides to help you in your contribution decisions. (Fortunately The Epilepsy Foundation is a 3-star charity, according to the Charity Navigator and it’s also ranked as a top-rated charity by Charity Watch.)
Tags: Charity Navigator, Charity Watch, reliable guides for giving
Why 3D TVs are NOT for me…
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Here’s the good news and the bad news…
The GOOD: You can buy a 3D TV without using the 3D function.
The BAD: I threw up watching Avatar and I’m not even photosensitive!
I guess you get the message.
Watching 3D can cause other problems in addition to causing seizures. They include: altered vision, lightheadedness, dizziness, eye or muscle twitching, confusion, nausea, loss of awareness, convulsions, cramps and disorientation. (So I’m not such a wuss.)
MEG — Could It CURE Your epilepsy?
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Regardless of your age or epilepsy syndrome, all patients of all ages deserve the possibility of living seizure-free. And for those with intractable seizures, surgery is often the answer. But it’s a scary and risky proposition.
But, now there’s new hope when all else fails. A powerful new brain scanning tool which could make all the difference between successful and unsuccessful surgery. Even for those whose surgery has failed before.
Called the MEG (Magnetoencephalography), this powerful scanner acts as a real-time brain mapping and imaging device to determine where the epicenters of seizures are in the brain. It can detect changes in brain waves that occur on the order of milliseconds, as opposed to a second or more with magnetic resonance imaging (MRI). And for a select few patients, those extra milliseconds can mean the difference between life and death.
Tags: brain scanner, CURE, death, Epilepsy, insurance approved, life, MEG, non-invasive, precise, surgery
Clinical Trials. YES or NO?
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If I was asked to take part in a clinical trial, I’m not sure what I’d say…
First there is the fear factor. Would I be a guinea pig for something dangerous? Would they take away my medicines? Would it hurt me? Would it change something in me?
I asked those very questions to Patient Advocate David Albaugh at Team Epilepsy. http://www.teamepilepsy.org/
Here’s what he had to say…
Tags: clinical trial, Epilepsy, hope, medications, progress
Two Tests Could Aid in Risk Assessment and Early Diagnosis of Alzheimer’s
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From “The New York Times”, published January 18, 2011…
“Researchers are reporting major advances toward resolving two underlying problems involving Alzheimer’s disease: How do you know if someone who is demented has it? And how can you screen the general population to see who is at risk?…”
Tags: alzheimer's, diagnosis, mental decline, predict, risks, tests
UPDATE: AED Suicide Risk…
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July 28, 2010 Medical News Today
“While the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) requires a warning of an increased risk of suicide for all epilepsy drugs, a new study shows that only certain drugs may increase the risk. The study is published in the July 27, 2010, issue of Neurology®, the medical journal of the American Academy of Neurology…
Tags: anti-epilepsy drugs, depression, new study, risk, suicide
Great Epilepsy Resources
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Below are some helpful epilepsy links — websites for support, awareness and useful information.
Tags: Epilepsy, epilepsy resources, forums, information, links, support, treatments
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