News

An emerging study has established the structure of a protein in our cells which could help improve epilepsy treatments in the future.

Researchers in the United States working out of the UT Southwestern Medical Center used advanced microscope technology in order to establish the structure of Potassium Chloride Cotransporter 1 (KCC1).

A new study published recently in the journal, Epilepsy & Behaviour, has pointed to the use of the medication brivaracetam (Briviact) as a potential adjunctive treatment for those with drug –resistant epilepsy who cannot tolerate the drug levetiracetam (Keppra).

In the week where Epilepsy Ireland officially announced the opening of our 7^th research funding call, we are delighted to see another global acknowledgement of research we have funded.

Data from the Epilepsy Ireland-funded How2Tell study conducted by Trinity College Dublin has been published in the world’s leading epilepsy journal Epilepsia this week.

New research published by the American Academy of Neurology in the latest issue of the Neurology Journal has linked the brain chemical serotonin with a lower risk of seizure-related breathing problems.

The research was led by Dr. Samden Lhatoo of the University of Texas.

Further to our recent news article on this matter, we can confirm that CBD based drug Epidyolex has received marketing approval by the EU commission.



Approval for the drug has been granted for in Lennox Gastaut & Dravet Syndromes in patients over two years old who are already prescribed Clobazam (Frisium). The marketing approval will apply to all EU member states, including Ireland.

A meta-analysis of studies regarding epilepsy surgery has concluded that the earlier surgical intervention takes place, the more chance a person has of becoming seizure- free.

The analysis was conducted by researchers from the Sahlgrenska Academy of the University of Gothenburg in conjunction with the Swedish Council for Assessment of Health Technology.

Their findings were recently published in the renowned journal, Neurology, from the American Academy of Neurology.

New research from the Korea Brain Institute has identified the structure and mechanism of a membrane protein which can cause epilepsy.

Membrane proteins are the gatekeepers to the cell and are essential to the function of all cells. They control the flow of information or messages between cells.

The UK’s National Institute for Health and Care Excellence (NICE) has announced that it would not recommend Epidyolex (cannabidiol) combined with clobazam (Frisium) for the treatment of Lennox-Gastaut syndrome and Dravet syndrome.

New research from the Ann & Robert H Lurie Children’s Hospital of Chicago has found that young children with epilepsy caused by genetic abnormality had a better response to the ketogenic diet compared to children with other types of epilepsy.

The ketogenic diet is a low carbohydrate, high fat diet that is used to treat epilepsy which has not responded to other treatments. More information on this can be found here.