The first comprehensive comparative effectiveness clinical trial of three widely used anti-seizure drugs for childhood absence epilepsy - the most common form of epilepsy in kids - has established an evidence-based approach for initial drug therapy. Published March 4 in the New England Journal of Medicine*, data from the double-blind, randomized, comparative clinical trial fill a large information gap in the treatment of childhood absence epilepsy, also known as "petit mal" epilepsy. The research, which identifies important differences between drugs in seizure control and side effects, is expected to impact how physicians select and monitor initial therapy for children with the disorder and ultimately lead to improved outcomes.
Information and news on study funded by National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke (NINDS) helps explain why newborn brain responds differently to anticonvulsant medications.
Cyanonosis / cyanotic article and definition in relation to seizures at Medline Plus, a service of the U.S. National Library of Medicine and NIH National Institutes of Health
Preventing Seizure Progression - Carnegie Mellow University researchers have identified a new anticonvulsant compount that has the potential to stop the development of epilepsy. Findings are published in the journal Epilepsia.
The investigators study aims to investigate the pharmacokinetic and pharmacodynamic differences of dexmedetomidine between patients receiving and not receiving enzyme-inducing anticonvulsant therapy and to identify a potential mechanism for these differences.