Epilepsy News and Research

Latest Epilepsy News and Research

UW research receives Keck Foundation grant to restore lost brain function using neurochips

Tiny, implantable computers that would restore brain function lost to disease or injury is the goal of University of Washington research recently funded by a $1 million, three-year grant from the W.M. Keck Foundation.

9 Feb 2011

Scientists monitor frequencies of brain activity to unleash new insights into how it works

Like listeners adjusting a high-tech radio, scientists at Washington University School of Medicine in St. Louis have tuned in to precise frequencies of brain activity to unleash new insights into how the brain works.

9 Feb 2011

Higher vitamin D levels and sun exposure linked to lower risk of multiple sclerosis

People who spend more time in the sun and those with higher vitamin D levels may be less likely to develop multiple sclerosis (MS), according to a study published in the February 8, 2011, print issue of Neurology®, the medical journal of the American Academy of Neurology. MS is a chronic disease of the brain and spinal cord, usually with recurrent flare-ups of symptoms. It is often preceded by a first episode (or event) of similar symptoms lasting days to weeks.

8 Feb 2011

North Shore-LIJ begins patient enrollment in epilepsy research study

In the United States, epilepsy affects nearly one million women of childbearing potential and whether there is increased infertility in women with epilepsy is presently unknown. People with epilepsy have been reported to have fewer children, however, the specific factors contributing to this lower birth rate are unknown.

5 Feb 2011

FDA lifts clinical hold on Icagen's IND for ICA-105665 epilepsy drug candidate

Icagen, Inc. today announced that, following a review of data from recently completed clinical studies as well as the Company's proposed protocol for a Phase II clinical trial in patients with treatment resistant epilepsy, the FDA has notified the Company that the clinical hold on Icagen's IND for ICA-105665, a novel orally available small molecule KCNQ potassium channel agonist, has been removed.

3 Feb 2011

Older people with metabolic syndrome may face high risk of developing memory loss

Older people with larger waistlines, high blood pressure and other risk factors that make up metabolic syndrome may be at a higher risk for memory loss, according to a study published in the February 2, 2011, online issue of Neurology, the medical journal of the American Academy of Neurology.

3 Feb 2011

FDA approves Cyberonics Aspire High Capacity generator for vagus nerve stimulation therapy

Cyberonics, Inc. today announced that the AspireHC™ (High Capacity) generator for use in vagus nerve stimulation (VNS) therapy was approved by the United States Food and Drug Administration (FDA) for commercial release.

2 Feb 2011

Loyola inaugurates clinic exclusively to treat children with headaches

Fortunately, in most cases the causes of childhood headaches are usually no cause for alarm, Schnitzler said. Children can get headaches from stress, anxiety, inadequate sleep, vision problems, caffeine or food sensitivities. To help pinpoint the cause, Loyola has opened a clinic that's exclusively devoted to treating children with headaches.

31 Jan 2011

FDA approves GRALISE Tablets for treatment of PHN

Depomed, Inc. today announced that US FDA has approved GRALISE (gabapentin) Tablets for once-daily treatment of post-herpetic neuralgia, which is pain following healing of the rash associated with shingles.

29 Jan 2011

Clarins and Shoppers Drug Mart support Motherisk in Kiss for Life campaign

Consumers can help to support Motherisk, a program of The Hospital for Sick Children (SickKids), during the Kiss for Life campaign with the purchase of the specially-marked Clarins Lip Perfector, exclusively available at 600 Shoppers Drug Mart locations across Ontario.

28 Jan 2011

Scientists discover new mechanism neurons use to fine-tune electrical output

Scientists in the Hotchkiss Brain Institute at the Faculty of Medicine, University of Calgary, have discovered a new mechanism that nerve cells (neurons) use to fine-tune their electrical output. The exciting discovery, published this week in the prestigious journal Nature Neuroscience, provides new insights about how the activity of the nervous system is regulated at the cellular level.

27 Jan 2011

NEREG introduces new locations to memory treatment program

Memory problems are the most frequent complaints in epilepsy patients, and with 3 million people in the US suffering from epilepsy, this condition needs to be addressed. In response, the Northeast Regional Epilepsy Group (NEREG) is introducing new locations to the only existing memory treatment program on January 24 in Staten Island and on January 26 in Middletown, NY.

27 Jan 2011

Nexstim closes additional equity financing for approximately EUR 11.4 million

Nexstim Oy, a medical device company commercializing noninvasive brain diagnostic and therapy technologies, today announced that it has closed on additional equity financing of approximately EUR 11.4 million.

27 Jan 2011

Ligand announces acquisition of CyDex Pharmaceuticals

Ligand Pharmaceuticals Incorporated today announced it has acquired privately held CyDex Pharmaceuticals, for a combination of cash and contingent payments.

26 Jan 2011

Eisai to seek marketing authorization for perampanel in the U.S. and EU

Eisai announced today that it will submit Marketing Authorization Applications in the United States and the European Union for the investigational compound perampanel (E2007) based on the results of three Phase III pivotal studies. Perampanel is a first-in-class, highly selective non-competitive AMPA-type glutamate receptor antagonist, discovered and being developed by Eisai for adjunctive treatment of partial onset seizures in patients with epilepsy.

25 Jan 2011

New study on pain-relieving effect of transcutaneous Vagus Nerve Stimulation

The medical device company cerbomed cooperated with the Clinic for Psychiatry and Psychotherapy of the University of Regensburg 2010 on a randomized, controlled study into somatosensory pain processing. The study, lead by Prof. Dr. Peter Eichhammer and Dr. Volker Busch, aimed to judge the pain-relieving effect of transcutaneous Vagus Nerve Stimulation (t-VNS).

25 Jan 2011

Composer Fr-d-ric Chopin probably had temporal lobe epilepsy

The composer Fr-d-ric Chopin, who regularly hallucinated, probably had temporal lobe epilepsy throughout his short life, reveals research published online in Medical Humanities. Hallucinations typically feature in seizure disorders, they say.

25 Jan 2011

Researchers discover new treatment for difficult-to-control high blood pressure

Researchers were surprised to discover what may be a potential new treatment for difficult-to-control high blood pressure, according to a case report published in the January 25, 2011, print issue of Neurology, the medical journal of the American Academy of Neurology.

25 Jan 2011

VIVUS holds End-of-Review meeting with FDA for QNEXA NDA

VIVUS, Inc. today announced that it held an End-of-Review meeting with the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) for the New Drug Application (NDA) for QNEXA®, an investigational drug for the treatment of obesity. The meeting occurred on January 19th at the FDA's offices in Maryland and was attended by senior members of the FDA and VIVUS' management and consultants.

21 Jan 2011

GSK, Valeant receive European CHMP positive opinion for Trobalt

GlaxoSmithKline and Valeant Pharmaceuticals International, Inc. announced today that the European Medicines Agency's Committee for Medicinal Products for Human Use (CHMP) has issued a positive opinion, recommending marketing authorisation for Trobalt™ (retigabine) as an adjunctive treatment of partial onset seizures, with or without secondary generalisation in adults aged 18 years and above with epilepsy.

21 Jan 2011