News

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.

An updated Patient Information Leaflet has been published for women and girls that are taking Sodium Valproate (Epilim).

The Patient Information Leaflet has been updated to incorporate further research which has taken place on the potential impacts of the drug if prescribed in pregnancy. If a child is exposed to Sodium Valproate in utero, this can cause serious developmental disorders in 30-40% of cases; while in 10% of cases it can cause congenital malformations for the child.

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.

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.

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.

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.

In recent weeks, we have made calls alongside our colleagues in OACS Ireland for an Independent Inquiry for families affected by Sodium Valproate (Epilim) where the drug was prescribed to women of child-bearing age. The effects of exposure to sodium valproate in utero are well documented, with 30-40% of children exposed to valproate being born with a neurodevelopmental condition and 10% being born with a congenital malformation.

The European Federation of Neurological Associations have published the findings from their recent international survey on stigma experienced by those living with a neurological condition across Europe.

We recently shared the survey across our social media channels and we would like to thank everyone who took the time to take part. 

-Epilepsy ‘Myth-Buster’ urges people with epilepsy to consider joining Epilepsy Ireland’s Training for Success-

- Current TFS student Debra Kobe credits course as having hugely positive impact on her life-

A major international study based in Ireland has reported exciting new discoveries which could lead to the development of new drugs to treat epilepsy.

The findings of the study are the culmination of seven years of research involving 35 scientists across eight European countries and was co-ordinated right here in Ireland by both FutureNeuro and the RCSI.