News

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-

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.

As part of the World Brain Day themes of #ONEWORDFORCOVID and #SAVEMYCHARITY, the Neurological Alliance of Ireland has made a submission to the Oireachtas Committee on COVID-19 to outline the issues that are facing both those living with a neurological conditions and the charities that support them.

-Epilepsy Ireland seeking participants for ‘Training For Success’ programme based in IT Sligo-

- Course renowned as pathway to further education or workforce for people with epilepsy-

For the 22^nd year, Epilepsy Ireland’s renowned ‘Training For Success’ programme based in IT Sligo is seeking participants for the 2020/21 year.

In response to today's developments in the UK regarding the publication of a two year inquiry into how the British healthcare system responded to reports from patients regarding sodium valproate - and which has subsequently recommended that the British Government apologise to those who have been impacted by exposure to sodium valproate in utero - we have immediately written jointly with OACS Ireland to new Health Minister, Deputy Stephen Donnelly seeking an urgent meeting on three actions whi