There is a new study being done on the NeuroPace implant for epilepsy. This device aids in sensing seizures through small leads or wires placed where the seizures begin. The system works continually, reading the brain's electrical activity. If something out of the ordinary happens, such as the onset of a seizure, the unit will give a small pulse to the area of the brain where the seizure is starting. This pulse helps the brain to avoid the seizure.

In an interview with Dr. Martha Morrell, Chief Medical Officer for Neuropace and Professor of Neurology at Stanford University, she talks about RNS treatment for seizures and says the unit was designed for people who have partial onset seizures.

Epilepsy safety should be a concern for anyone who experiences seizures. A goal for anyone with epilepsy should be to live life as fully as possible, while knowing there are simple ways to increase safety when having a seizure. Special care should always be taken when around water, including bathtubs. It may prove safest to shower sitting on a stool while using a hand shower. If you go swimming, it is important to have someone with you who knows of your condition.

What actually happens during a seizure? According to Dr. Karen Parko at the San Francisco Veterans Administration Medical Center, an electrical discharge happens in the brain. The brain uses electrical and chemical discharges to communicate with itself and the body.

If you are concerned about your epilepsy and employment, there are some things that you should know. There is two times an increase in unemployment rates among those with epilepsy, but it does not need to be that way. A person with epilepsy can be productive at a lot of different jobs. Many people with epilepsy who want to work are confronted with employers who are afraid of the potential effects of a seizure on the job. The potential employer can be worried about liability, missed work, or a customer witnessing a seizure. While the potential of one of these things happening is th

Epilepsy and driving can sometimes be a dangerous mix. For many, driving is not just a convenience; driving can mean freedom, independence, and economic self sufficiency. While many people with epilepsy are able to drive, it is important to keep in mind some statistics. Between 5-10% of Americans crash a car each year. For people with epilepsy, that number goes up considerably, about 30-50% higher. Although that may sound alarming, the 50% increase is still much lower than those who choose to drink and drive, young male drivers, and even elderly drivers.

Mothers of children with epilepsy came together to found CURE (Citizens United for Research in Epilepsy) in 1998. This non-profit organization is dedicated to finding a cure for epilepsy. The parents who started this organization were frustrated with their children having seizures and the many side effects of medication.

What children with epilepsy go through can be very dramatic. Many have other health problems stemming from the epilepsy. Some children's brains are so damaged that they can no longer talk, no longer walk, and many regress from where they were developmentally when the seizures began. It is not always practical for children with siblings who have epilepsy to play with them.

Partial seizures are an electrical discharge in a specific, localized area of the brain. There are different types of partial seizures, with each seizure having a different outcome. This is due to the fact that different parts of the brain control different functions. The cortex, also known as the thinking part of the brain, is divided into four lobes: the frontal lobe, the temporal lobe, the parietal lobe, and the occipital lobe. Other, deeper structures in the brain are associated with life support functions, movement, and other semi automatic behaviors.

Stevens Johnson Syndrome can occur when a patient has a severe reaction to Phenobarbital. The importance of understanding the damage that some drugs can do to a person is paramount. Julie Farrell understands the seriousness probably as good as anyone. When Julie was only 10 months old she had her first grand mal seizure. She was diagnosed with pediatric epilepsy by her pediatrician after having another seizure. The pediatrician gave her mother Phenobarbital to stop the seizures, telling her that there were no other options and that it was safe. The pediatrician said the only side e