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
78 episodes
Emergency diagnosis and treatment of status epilepticus
As a neurological emergency, status epilepticus (SE) requires timely diagnosis and treatment. A US study found that 10% of people with SE were not diagnosed by emergency services. Among those who were diagnosed in an ambulance, 20% did not rece...
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29:15
Folic acid supplementation in women with epilepsy
Folic acid supplementation is recommended for all women with epilepsy who may become pregnant. However, there is no agreed-upon dose for women with epilepsy taking antiseizure medication, and there may be risks of high-dose (>1 mg/day) folic...
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21:50
High-frequency oscillations and epilepsy: Clinical and basic science perspectives
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 ...
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25:24
Finding epilepsy genes: Dr. Allan Bayat
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 r...
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14:58
Genetic testing for epilepsy surgery: Dr. Pat Moloney
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 ge...
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23:38
Genetic testing in epilepsy: Who, how, and why? Dr. Ilona Krey
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 Cent...
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16:39
Epilepsy surgery outcomes: Two experiences with life-changing consequences
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 hav...
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27:48
Heart health and SUDEP in people with epilepsy: Dr. Katia Lin and Dr. Guilherme Fialho
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 &am...
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24:04
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