Sharp Waves: ILAE's epilepsy podcast

Dec 09 2024 72 ep. 25 mins 20
Sharp Waves: ILAE's epilepsy podcast artwork

Epilepsy affects more than 50 million people. Every day. Sharp Waves brings you stories about people with epilepsy, physicians treating epilepsy, and researchers studying the condition. We'll cover the latest research, challenges to diagnosis and treatment, and issues from around the world.

  Health & Fitness  Science
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Epilepsy surgery outcomes: Two experiences with life-changing consequences

Dec 09 2024 27 mins  
Christina Rezek and Brad Levy each have daughters who underwent epilepsy surgery, with dramatically different results. Sharp Waves talked with them about the journeys to and through epilepsy surgery, the consequences, and what they have learned.Brad Levy is a founder of Epilepsy Awareness Day at Disneyland, a free event held every November in Anaheim, California, USA. Visit epileps

Heart health and SUDEP in people with epilepsy: Dr. Katia Lin and Dr. Guilherme Fialho

Nov 25 2024 24 mins  
Sharp Waves spoke with a neurologist and a cardiologist who are part of a team researching the interactions among seizures, heart function, heart health, and SUDEP. Learn more about their research.Selected publications from Drs. Lin & Fialho and colleagues:Determining factors of electrocardiographic abnormalities in patients with epilepsy: A case-control study (2017, Epilepsy R

Exercise and epilepsy: Research and myths

Nov 11 2024 33 mins  
In this episode, we explore the science behind exercise as an adjunct treatment for epilepsy and debunk some common myths (spoiler alert: With very rare exceptions, exercise does NOT increase seizure risk). Dr. Ayushe Sharma talked with Dr. Jane Allendorfer, Dr. Halley Alexander, and Brian Wiedmeyer, who participated in an exercise research study.The episode refers to a 2016 report

Practice guideline on outcomes after in utero exposure to anti-seizure medications: Dr. Alison Pack

Oct 28 2024 23 mins  
A recent practice guideline provides updated evidence-based conclusions and recommendations regarding in utero effects of anti-seizure medications and folic acid supplementation on the prevalence of major congenital malformations, adverse perinatal outcomes, and neurodevelopmental outcomes. Dr. Parthvi Ravat interviewed Dr. Alison Pack about the guideline, which was produced by the

Changing the term for "epilepsy" in Malaysia: Why and how? Dr. Chong Tin Tan

Oct 14 2024 11 mins  
Some historic names for epilepsy have been derogatory and stigmatizing. An older term for “epilepsy” in Malay means “mad pig disease.” Neurologists in Malaysia collaborated to change the word to a medically accurate term. Sharp Waves spoke with Dr. Chong Tin Tan about the origins of the older term and how the new term was introduced.Resources:Name of epilepsy: Does it matte

Global neurology: Pitfalls and purpose - Dr. Melody Asukile and Dr. Deanna Saylor

Sep 30 2024 28 mins  
With all the best intentions, undertakings in global neurology can include assumptions and biases that lead to unforeseen negative consequences. Sharp Waves spoke with Drs. Melody Asukile and Deanna Saylor about their recent article on the perils and pitfalls of global neurology. They discussed specific examples of some of these unforeseen consequences and talked about the ingredie

Epilepsy comorbidities present before diagnosis: Research recap with Remy Pugh and Dr. Chris Tailby

Sep 16 2024 20 mins  
Some people with epilepsy also experience memory and learning issues, as well as depression or anxiety. A small study in Australia screened people for these conditions at a first seizure clinic before any anti-seizure medications had been prescribed. Compared with a control group, the people at the first seizure clinic had higher rates of all of these cognitive and neuropsychologic

Reflections on the life and career of Dr. Juhn Wada (1924-2023)

Sep 02 2024 37 mins  
Juhn Atsushi Wada was a Japanese–Canadian neurologist known for research on epilepsy and human brain asymmetry, including his description of the Wada test to assess cerebral hemispheric dominance of language function. The Wada test is the gold standard for establishing cerebral dominance and is conducted worldwide prior to epilepsy surgery. He became a pioneer in the utilization

Astrocytes and epilepsy: Dr. Peter Bedner

Aug 19 2024 23 mins  
Previously thought to be mere connective tissue and support for neurons, astrocytes are now understood to have many functions in the nervous system that are linked with seizures and epilepsy. Dr. Cecilie Nome spoke with Dr. Peter Bedner about astrocytes' involvement in epilepsy and how identifying and resolving astrocyte dysfunction is a new frontier in drug development.Relevant ar

From epilepsy patient to epilepsy surgeon: Dr. Ashok Pillai

Aug 05 2024 24 mins  
Dr. Ashok Pillai is a professor of neurosurgery and neuroscience associated with Amrita Institute of Medical Sciences, Kochi, India. He underwent epilepsy surgery after a diagnosis of epilepsy in his mid-30s. Dr. Pillai received his undergraduate degree and medical training in the United States before returning to Kochi in 1999. He experienced ecstatic seizures for nearly a decade