Sharp Waves: ILAE's epilepsy podcast
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.
Episodes
70 episodes
Exercise and epilepsy: Research and myths
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. Jan...
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33:56
Practice guideline on outcomes after in utero exposure to anti-seizure medications: Dr. Alison Pack
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, adve...
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23:41
Changing the term for "epilepsy" in Malaysia: Why and how? Dr. Chong Tin Tan
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 s...
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11:48
Global neurology: Pitfalls and purpose - Dr. Melody Asukile and Dr. Deanna Saylor
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 t...
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28:08
Epilepsy comorbidities present before diagnosis: Research recap with Remy Pugh and Dr. Chris Tailby
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 presc...
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20:22
Reflections on the life and career of Dr. Juhn Wada (1924-2023)
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 th...
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37:28
Astrocytes and epilepsy: Dr. Peter Bedner
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 a...
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23:46
From epilepsy patient to epilepsy surgeon: Dr. Ashok Pillai
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 hi...
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24:42
The epileptic heart: Seizures and cardiac risk factors - Dr. Trudy Pang and Dr. Richard Verrier
Recent community-based studies suggest that people with chronic epilepsy have three times the risk of sudden cardiac death, compared with the general population. The studies also found that two-thirds of the cases of cardiac arrest in people...
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29:54
The bumpy road from pediatric to adult epilepsy care: Dr. Danielle Andrade
When a child with epilepsy ages out of pediatric healthcare, the shift to adult epilepsy care can be complex. Planning this transition and coordinating care can prevent gaps that can affect quality of life and possibly lead to health crises.&nb...
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20:37
Investigating pediatric epilepsy in Nigeria: Dr. Edwin Trevathan
In northern Nigeria, as in many other low- and middle-income countries, more people need epilepsy treatment than traditional medical care can support. Dr. Edwin Trevathan discusses projects in that region aimed at identifying children with undi...
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24:34
Consensus recommendations for epilepsy with eyelid myoclonia (Jeavons syndrome): Dr. Kelsey Smith
A recent publication outlined areas of consensus on the recommended management, treatment options, and prognosis for epilepsy with eyelid myoclonia, also known as Jeavons syndrome. Dr. Alina Ivaniuk interviewed Dr. Kelsey Smith about the result...
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23:03
Developmental and epileptic encephalopathies: Managing more than seizures - Dr. Scott Demarest
Besides seizures, people with developmental and epileptic encephalopathies experience a wide variety of symptoms, including sleep problems, vision problems, and behavioral issues. Dr. Scott Demarest discusses how neurologists may be able to add...
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29:15
Seizure action plans as educational tools: Dr. Lucretia Long
Seizure action plans can help people with epilepsy manage their seizures and address emergencies. They often are aimed at a subset of people with epilepsy, particularly children. Dr. Lucretia Long discusses how seizure action plans can be used ...
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21:01
The Human Intracerebral EEG Platform and the power of big data: Dr. Philippe Ryvlin
What is the Human Brain Project and how might it advance epilepsy research? Dr. Maryam Nouri speaks with Dr. Philippe Ryvlin about the project in terms of the Human Intracerebral EEG Platform and how compiling these unique data from around the ...
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26:26
Reproductive health counseling in adolescents with epilepsy: Dr. Elizabeth Harrison and Dr. Laura Kirkpatrick
Counseling of teens and young adults with epilepsy about reproductive issues is not happening often enough. Conversations about pregnancy are almost non existent. Sharp Waves spoke with authors of a recent paper that details these findings and ...
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21:26
Changing epilepsy care through entrepreneurship: Dr. Mark Cook
People with epilepsy don't always know when they have had a seizure - and yet establishing seizure frequency is a key part of epilepsy management. When Dr. Mark Cook's father was diagnosed with epilepsy, Dr. Cook realized that a system to ident...
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23:25
Maximizing health-related quality of life after pediatric epilepsy surgery: Dr. Mary Lou Smith
Is surgery for pediatric epilepsy "worth it"? What factors determine quality of life in families with a child who has epilepsy? Dr. Kette Valente talks with Dr. Mary Lou Smith, whose work has implications for clinical treatment decisions, as we...
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24:38
Clinical neurophysiology training: The present and the future - Dr. Sandor Beniczky
EEG training varies within countries as well as between them; in many countries, there is no training available. Dr. Bruna Nucera talks with Dr. Sandor Beniczky about the present and future of clinical neurophysiology training, including a rece...
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15:07
Neonatal seizures: Guidelines and consensus-based recommendations: Dr. Ronit Pressler
Seizures are common in neonates, but there is substantial management variability. The Neonatal Task Force of the International League Against Epilepsy (ILAE) developed evidence-based recommendations about anti-seizure medication management in n...
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24:48
Bringing epilepsy out of the shadows: How far have we come? Dr. Edward (Ted) Reynolds
In the 1990s, there was more funding for leprosy research in the United Kingdom than for epilepsy research. It was around that time that Dr. Edward (Ted) Reynolds, then president of ILAE, recognized that as a global problem, epilepsy required g...
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25:15
"Talking about things that no one else will talk about": Torie Robinson, host of Epilepsy Sparks Insights
For her podcast, Epilepsy Sparks Insights, Torie Robinson interviews epilepsy clinicians and scientists from around the world. Diagnosed with epilepsy at a...
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23:14
Neurology researcher and parent advocate: Dr. Luis Oliviera and the v-ATPase Alliance
Dr. Luis Oliviera is parent to a son with an ultra-rare developmental and epileptic encephalopathy. He's also a researcher with the Michael J. Fox Foundation. He created an organization bringing parents and researchers together to b...
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26:44
The Idea of Epilepsy: Dr. Phillip Pearl and Dr. Simon Shorvon
The Idea of Epilepsy, published in 2023, covers the history of epilepsy from multiple perspectives over the past 160 years. It ends with a tantalizing question: Does epilepsy actually exist? Dr. Phillip Pearl interviews author Dr. Simo...
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35:37
First seizure from sleep - What is the risk of recurrence? Dr. Elaine Pang
Are people who have their first seizure during sleep at greater or lesser risk for future seizures, compared with people who have their first seizure when they're awake? Dr. Laurent Sheybani interviews Dr. Elaine Pang, author of
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17:21