3 New Findings on Epilepsy
ADHD lowers the quality of life in adults with epilepsy; epilepsy is associated with social deprivation and increased risk of venous thromboembolism: details of these recent findings in this slide show.
Scientists are studying the underlying causes of epilepsy and the seizures that occur after brain trauma, stroke, and brain tumors, says the NIH. Ongoing research is focused on developing new model systems to more quickly screen potential new treatments. Identification of genetic information that may cause epilepsy may help doctors prevent the disorder or predict which treatments will be most beneficial.Recent epilepsy study findings -- highlighted in these slides -- include:
• About one-fifth of patients with epilepsy have ADHD, which is associated with lower quality of life.
• Social deprivation appears to be a cause of epilepsy.
• The risk of venous thromboembolism is higher in patients with epilepsy.
Adults in the United States who self-reported they had epilepsy received a postal survey that included the Adult Attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) Self-Report Scale version 6 (ASRS-6) and the Quality of Life in Epilepsy Inventory-10. There were 1361 respondents with active epilepsy (reporting current prescription medication use for epilepsy).Source: Ettinger AB, Ottman R, Lipton RB, et al. Attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder symptoms in adults with self-reported epilepsy: results from a national epidemiologic survey of epilepsy. Epilepsia. 2015;56:218-224.
