Sharp Waves: ILAE's epilepsy podcast

Mar 03 2025 76 ep. 25 mins 22
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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High-frequency oscillations and epilepsy: Clinical and basic science perspectives

Mar 03 2025 25 mins  
High-frequency oscillations (80 to 500 Hz) are being studied as biomarkers of epileptogenic areas in the brain, as well as markers to be used in epilepsy surgery. Dr. Cecilie Nome leads a discussion about clinical research on HFOs and areas of uncertainty, as well as the importance of basic research in helping to understand this phenomenon. Publications mentioned during the episode

Finding epilepsy genes: Dr. Allan Bayat

Feb 17 2025 14 mins  
There are potentially hundreds of "epilepsy genes" - but what is an epilepsy gene? How do researchers discover these genes and associate them with epilepsy? Sharp Waves spoke with Dr. Allan Bayat, a pediatric neurologist in Denmark focused on rare monogenic neurodevelopmental disorders and epilepsy. Sharp Waves episodes are meant for informational purposes only, and not as clinical

Genetic testing for epilepsy surgery: Dr. Pat Moloney

Feb 03 2025 23 mins  
In the second episode of our genetics and epilepsy series, Sharp Waves explores how genetic insights can inform considerations and outcomes of epilepsy surgery. Dr. Alina Ivaniuk interviews Dr. Patrick Moloney, currently an epilepsy genomics fellow at the Chalfont Center for Epilepsy at University College London. Selected publications: Do germline genetic variants influence surgica

Genetic testing in epilepsy: Who, how, and why? Dr. Ilona Krey

Jan 20 2025 16 mins  
This first episode in a multipart series on genetics in epilepsy covers the basics of genetic testing. Dr. Alina Ivaniuk interviews Dr. Ilona Krey, a physician and researcher at the Institute of Human Genetics at Leipzig University Medical Center. Sharp Waves episodes are meant for informational purposes only, and not as clinical or medical advice. Let us know how we're doing: podc

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 epilep

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

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 repor

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 mat

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