Epilepsy & Seizures

Latest News

Prenatal Antiepileptic Drug Exposure Associated With Increased Childhood Behavioral Problems

A study found a higher percentage of parental reports of behavioral problems in children of mothers with epilepsy prenatally exposed to antiepileptic drug monotherapy.

Migraine Comorbidity in New Focal Epilepsy Not Associated With Cognitive Impairment

Among those with new onset focal epilepsy, migraine comorbidity has shown no correlation with objective cognitive scores.

Ethnic Disparities Exist in Cost of Care Before and After an Epilepsy Event

Compared with other races/ethnic groups, black Medicare beneficiaries have higher costs following an epilepsy event.

Significant Associations Found Between Some AEDs and Congenital Malformations

Exposure to antiepileptic drugs (AEDs), especially valproic acid, during the first 2 months of pregnancy is strongly associated with a wide range of malformations in offspring.

Improved Counseling Needed for Safe, Effective Contraception in Women With Epilepsy

Despite the elevated risk of having an offspring with congenital malformations, a large proportion of women with epilepsy do not use highly effective contraception.

Carbamazepine and Lamotrigine Associated With Increased Risk for SCC

A comparison of AEDs finds that while most were not associated with skin cancer, carbamazepine and lamotrigine were associated with squamous cell carcinoma.

Rotavirus Infection Linked to Corpus Callosum Lesions in Infantile Seizure Disorder

A study found that rotavirus infection is associated with lesions in the splenium of the corpus callosum in patients with benign convulsions with mild gastroenteritis.

Prenatal Antiepileptic Drug Exposure Puts Child at Increased Risk for Behavioral Problems

Findings seen among Dutch children exposed to one of four common antiepileptic drugs in utero. Researchers noted high percentages of children with clinically relevant behavior problems across all four antiepileptic drug exposure groups.

Study Confirms Teratogenicity of Valproic Acid, Topiramate

Researchers examined the correlation between exposure to monotherapy with 10 different antiepileptic drugs in the first two months of pregnancy and the risk for 23 major congenital malformations.

Long-Term Outcomes With Antiepileptic Drugs in Newly Diagnosed Teenagers

To evaluate long-term pharmacological outcomes for teenagers with different forms of epilepsy, study participants were followed until April 30, 2016, or death, with at least 2 years of follow-up.