The Latest Epilepsy Research

CURE Epilepsy is dedicated to funding patient-focused research to find a cure for the 65 million people with epilepsy worldwide. This month, we share the following articles and abstracts which are furthering the study of epilepsy and bringing the world closer to a cure.

Study Suggests Potential Heatwave Impact on Epilepsy


Heatwaves may be associated with an increase in abnormal brain activity among people with epilepsy, suggests a recent clinical study carried out by University College London (UCL). The association was revealed by chance in a group of patients receiving intracranial electroencephalography tests, which involve tracking brain activity by inserting small electrodes into the brain to measure electrical impulses. The testing coincided with several heatwaves, defined as a minimum of three days with daily maximum temperatures exceeding 28 degrees Celsius or 82 degrees Fahrenheit. UCL researchers compared brain activity and tracked seizures during heatwave vs. non-heatwave periods.

Maternal Influenza Infection in Pregnancy Tied to Seizures in Offspring


According to a new study, maternal influenza infection during pregnancy is associated with an increased risk for seizures in offspring. Yi-Feng Lee, MD, from Taichung Veterans General Hospital in Taiwan, and colleagues examined the association between maternal influenza infection and risk for childhood seizures in a study of mother-offspring pairs. The primary outcome was the association between maternal influenza infection during pregnancy and risk of any type of seizures during childhood, including both epilepsy and febrile seizures.

Can Antihistamines Trigger Seizures in Young Kids?


First-generation antihistamines are linked to a 22% higher risk for seizures in children, new research shows. The risk appears to be most pronounced in children aged 6-24 months. Researchers in Korea assessed the risk for seizures associated with prescriptions of first-generation antihistamines. They analyzed data from 11,729 children who had a seizure event (an emergency department visit with a diagnosis of epilepsy, status epilepticus, or convulsion) and had previously received a prescription for a first-generation antihistamine, including chlorpheniramine maleate, mequitazine, oxatomide, piprinhydrinate, or hydroxyzine hydrochloride. Prescriptions during the 15 days before a seizure were considered to have been received during a hazard period, whereas earlier prescriptions were considered to have been received during a control period.

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Our mission is to fund breakthrough research that will transform the lives of people with epilepsy as we lead the search for a cure. CURE Epilepsy is a non-profit 501(c)(3) tax-exempt organization. Our tax identification number is 36-4253176.