News
New feature identified in gene activity could provide answers on why epilepsy develops.
In another acknowledgement of the high quality research that is taking place in Ireland, researchers in FutureNeuro and the RCSI – in conjunction with their colleagues in Severo Ochoa-Centre for Molecular Biology and the Institute for Research in Biomedicine (IRB) of Barcelona in Spain– have reported the identification of a new feature of how brain cells behave in people with temporal lobe epilepsy. Their work is published in the journal Brain.
Bus Éireann plan to end Epilepsy Ireland members discount
Epilepsy Ireland have been notified by Bus Éireann that they intend to remove Epilepsy Ireland member discounts at the end of the year.
Could new Vitamin K compound lead to new epilepsy medication?
New research from the USA has reported positive findings regarding the use of a Vitamin K based compound in the treatment of drug-resistant epilepsy.
Epilepsy Ireland & OACS Ireland seek response from Minister Donnelly regarding Independent Inquiry on Sodium Valproate
Together with our colleagues in OACS Ireland, Epilepsy Ireland have written again to Minister for Health, Deputy Stephen Donnelly, following up on our request for an urgent meeting to discuss the establishment of an independent inquiry for families impacted by Sodium Valproate (Epilim). Our further correspondence comes nine weeks after our initial correspondence with the Minister on this matter in the wake of the "First Do No Harm" report in the UK.
New Patient Information Leaflet published for women & girls taking Sodium Valproate (Epilim)
An updated Patient Information Leaflet has been published for women and girls that are taking Sodium Valproate (Epilim).
Study suggests epilepsy deaths are not decreasing despite advances in treatments
A study presented at the European Academy of Neurology annual congress has found that mortality rates for epilepsy-related deaths did not decrease between 2009 and 2015 despite advances in treatment during this time.
The study was conducted by Dr. Gashirai Mbizvo from the University of Edinburgh who analysed anonymous data from healthcare settings around Scotland of patients who had died between 2009 & 2015.
Smoking in pregnancy identified as world's first environmental risk factor for a common type of epilepsy
A new study published in the Lancet has identified the world's first environmental risk factor for a common form of childhood epilepsy, Benign Childhood Epilepsy with Centro-temporal Spikes (BECTS). BECTS is also known as Benign Rolandic Epilepsy and accounts for about 20% of all childhood epilepsy. The mechanisms behind BECTS are not well understood, but but it is thought that genetic factors play a role in susceptibility to it.
New review study considers use of facemasks for people with epilepsy
A new article recently published in the medical journal Acta Neurologica Scandinavica has concluded that people with epilepsy should wear a facemask in public insofar as possible in response to the Covid-19 pandemic.
Pandemic could accelerate adoption of Epilepsy e-portal within epilepsy services in Ireland according to researchers.
While the COVID-19 pandemic has brought significant challenges for the delivery of healthcare services across the country; it has also highlighted shining lights of our health service and areas which are being heralded as possible game-changers in healthcare delivery in a COVID-19 environment.