09-17-2013, 03:53 PM
Epilepsy is still a disorder which is very hard to control. In some cases, antiepileptic drugs are effective, but the disease requires the use of medication for many years because of the possible relapses. It is not only a medical, but also a social problem which affects not only the patient, but also his family. The most severe form of epileptic seizure is Grand mal, which includes clonic-tonic seizure.
Medication
In order to develop novel treatment options for epilepsy, many approaches have been explored. They include medication, surgery, and recently studied and above explained – stem cell treatment. Antiepileptic drugs, also called anticonvulsants, encompass a wide range of drug groups such as benzodiazepines, carbamates, barbiturates, GABA analogs, etc. The problem is that it is usually needed to try several different drugs until the appropriate treatment plan is established. Other issues with these drugs are their side effects. They often cause sedation and fatigue, and are unbearable for some patients.
Surgery
Current studies show that 20 – 30% patients are unresponsive to standard medical treatment, so the surgery has become another option for the treatment of some forms of epilepsy. The most important step during this approach is patient selection. Namely, only a certain number of patients can benefit from surgery. The aim of the operation is to remove the area of the brain which represents the focus of epilepsy, in other words, the place where seizures originate. It is therefore clear that the best candidates for this approach are the patients with only one epileptic focus in the brain.
Vagus Nerve Stimulation
Scientists have recently discovered that the stimulation of vagus nerve has the ability to change EEG wave patterns. Therefore, a new treatment option has been developed called Vagus Nerve Stimulation (VNS). VNS device looks like a pacemaker, and it is implanted under the skin and connected to vagus nerve. It is then adjusted to deliver electrical impulses at a certain regimen. Many patients benefited from this treatment, but the downsides include the need for surgical operation, and the need for battery replacement after 5 years.
Medication
In order to develop novel treatment options for epilepsy, many approaches have been explored. They include medication, surgery, and recently studied and above explained – stem cell treatment. Antiepileptic drugs, also called anticonvulsants, encompass a wide range of drug groups such as benzodiazepines, carbamates, barbiturates, GABA analogs, etc. The problem is that it is usually needed to try several different drugs until the appropriate treatment plan is established. Other issues with these drugs are their side effects. They often cause sedation and fatigue, and are unbearable for some patients.
Surgery
Current studies show that 20 – 30% patients are unresponsive to standard medical treatment, so the surgery has become another option for the treatment of some forms of epilepsy. The most important step during this approach is patient selection. Namely, only a certain number of patients can benefit from surgery. The aim of the operation is to remove the area of the brain which represents the focus of epilepsy, in other words, the place where seizures originate. It is therefore clear that the best candidates for this approach are the patients with only one epileptic focus in the brain.
Vagus Nerve Stimulation
Scientists have recently discovered that the stimulation of vagus nerve has the ability to change EEG wave patterns. Therefore, a new treatment option has been developed called Vagus Nerve Stimulation (VNS). VNS device looks like a pacemaker, and it is implanted under the skin and connected to vagus nerve. It is then adjusted to deliver electrical impulses at a certain regimen. Many patients benefited from this treatment, but the downsides include the need for surgical operation, and the need for battery replacement after 5 years.
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