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Sudden unexpected death in epilepsy (SUDEP) is the most common condition-related cause of death in chronic epilepsy. Case-control studies using living people with epilepsy as controls have aimed at identifying factors that distinguish the epilepsy patient at risk of SUDEP, but there are disagreements between studies and a lack of precision in the risk estimates attributed, in part, to the small number of cases in each study. To counterbalance these study limitations, the Epidemiology Task Force of the International League Against Epilepsy (ILAE) pooled data from four published studies of SUDEP from the U.S., Sweden, Scotland and England.

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Many children with certain forms of epilepsy achieve seizure control through a stringent medically supervised diet, either the ketogenic diet (KD) or a Modified Atkins Diet (MAD). When to use these diets and the mechanisms underlying their anticonvulsant effect are not well defined. Research presented here at the 64th American Epilepsy Society annual meeting provides new insight into when and how these diets work.

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In retrospective research reported today at the 64th American Epilepsy Society annual meeting, all newborns in a study who received IV levetiracetam for their seizures had achieved acute seizure freedom within 72 hours of being treated. Improvement both in brain wave activity and in clinically observable behavior was seen in 86 percent of newborns in the study within an hour after the initial dosing.

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External trigeminal nerve stimulation (TNS), a novel form of neurostimulation, is an emerging therapy for drug resistant epilepsy. The results of a pilot feasibility study on the safety and tolerability of external TNS and its effect on the heart and blood pressure were reported here today at the 64th American Epilepsy Society Annual Meeting.

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A study reported today at the 64th American Epilepsy Society Annual Meeting has found that, of patients with a cerebral hemorrhage or hematoma, one in four had a diagnosis of sub-clinical seizures while in the ICU: sub-clinical seizures can only be detected with continuous electroencephalographic (EEG) recording.

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Approximately 5 – 30% of patients with traumatic brain injury (TBI) develop post traumatic epilepsy (PTE). The onset of seizures in patients who are susceptible to PTE can range from weeks or months to more than a decade after TBI. In a presentation at the 64th American Epilepsy Society annual meeting, scientists report that the analysis of routine MRI scans can reliably quantify the disruptions in the blood brain barrier that are increasingly believed to be a prominent contributor to epilepsy development.

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In the first study to utilize continuous EEG monitoring (cEEG) to define the incidence of early post traumatic seizures (EPTS) in children compared to published rates in adults, investigators at the University of Colorado followed pediatric patients with moderate to severe traumatic brain injury (TBI) admitted to Denver Children’s Hospital over a nine month period.. Their report presented here at the 64th American Epilepsy Society Annual Meeting suggests that the incidence of EPTS in children with moderate to severe TBI is more than twice the rate in adults. (Platform C.05)

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Status epilepticus (SE) is a true medical and neurologic emergency. To better understand the causes, treatment approaches and associated outcomes among SE patients, investigators at the Veterans Affairs Greater Los Angeles Healthcare System retrospectively reviewed all SE cases treated within their system over an eight year period.

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Post-traumatic seizures and epilepsy can develop anytime from immediately to days or weeks to more than a decade after brain injury. Not all military personnel who have experienced combat-related TBI obtain care in the VA hospital system. Many integrate into civilian medical practice and receive care from healthcare professionals who might not recognize TBI as the cause of the epilepsy.

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The American Epilepsy Society (AES) announces Daniel H. Lowenstein, M.D., as the Society's President for 2004. Dr. Lowenstein is a professor and vice chairman in the Department of Neurology at the University of California, San Francisco (UCSF).

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More than 3,000 physicians, researchers, nurses and other health care professionals from around the world have gathered in Boston starting today through Wednesday, Dec. 10, for the 57th Annual Meeting.

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BOSTON, Mass. (Dec. 8, 1997) ó A number of new anti-epileptic drugs introduced in the last several years are providing millions of epilepsy patients with new hope for this often devastating disorder. Which drugs work when ó and for whom ó will be part of the discussion at the 1997 meeting of the American Epilepsy Society (AES) Dec. 5ñ10 at The Westin Copley Place in Boston.

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BOSTON, Mass. (Dec. 8, 1997) ó One of several key topics at the 1997 annual meeting of the American Epilepsy Society (AES) Dec. 5ñ10 at The Westin Copley Place in Boston will be the discussion of potential treatments and advances in the study of epilepsy. A report on this, as well as other important topics, will likely capture the attention of the medical community, the 2.5 million people who have the disorder and the nation.

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BOSTON, Mass. (Dec. 8, 1997) ó Systematic research into epilepsy's unique effect on women is a relatively new and developing area of scientific investigation. Yet, pilot studies reported at the 1997 meeting of the American Epilepsy Society (AES) Dec. 5ñ10 at The Westin Copley Place in Boston suggest that even what is already known may not be adequately incorporated into the health care and counseling of women with seizures.

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BOSTON, Mass. (Dec. 3, 1997) ó Three pioneering scientists who have had a major influence on the direction of epilepsy research and treatment over the past several decades will be honored for their work at a luncheon Monday, Dec. 8, during the 1997 annual meeting of the American Epilepsy Society (AES). The meeting will be held at The Westin Copley Place in Boston, Dec. 5ñ10.

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To help you make the most of the American Epilepsy Society Annual Meeting, a full-service press room will be open for your convenience. Use it to gather information, check daily briefing schedules, interview experts and investigate article leads.

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The American Epilepsy Soceity (AES) will hold its annual meeting at the Westin Copley Place in Boston, MA. Dec. 5-10, 1997. Leading epilepsy physicians and scientists will discuss the latest news on epilepsy and 21st Century Therapy Advances, including predicting seizures, electrical stimulation, new medications and the treatment of women with epilepsy.