Emphasizing Patient Conversations and Treatment Opportunities for Seizure Management: Danielle Becker, MD, MS, FAES

WATCH TIME: 3 minutes

"I believe a significant aspect is centered around education. It's about providing knowledge to healthcare providers, discussing these emerging possibilities. Moreover, it's about educating patients and caregivers, urging them not to lose hope, encouraging the pursuit of better seizure control—even aiming for zero seizures when feasible. There are new opportunities on the horizon, and even if previous options fell short, recent advancements may prove effective."

Seizures from epilepsy are a result of abnormal brain activity in patients, which requires an early diagnosis and treatment to prevent ongoing seizures called status epilepticus. According to research, risk factors of epilepsy include family history, fever, infections, neurological issues, premature birth, maternal alcohol use, and smoking during pregnancy.¹ Current treatments for this condition aim to counteract the pathological mechanisms such as with early drug administration, airway management, vital sign monitoring, PICU admission, and addressing parent anxiety. Despite the efforts for improving seizure management, especially among pediatric patients with drug-resistant epilepsy, there is still a need for more effective therapies and better education to inform the community about patients’ unmet needs.

At the 2023 American Epilepsy Society Annual Meeting, held December 1-5, in Orlando, Florida, SK Life Science hosted a symposium led by experts in epilepsy titled “Impact of Continued Seizures and Strategies for Seizure Reduction/Freedom.”² During the symposium, the speakers discussed strategies for reducing and achieving seizure freedom, understanding unmet needs for achieving seizure freedom as well as the impact of continued seizures on patients. In addition, experts talked about evidence-based treatment adjustments to consider prior to epilepsy surgery, and the treatment options available to support patients in their care journey.

One of the speakers, Danielle Becker, MD, MS, FAES, division director of epilepsy and associate professor of neurology at The Ohio State University Wexner Medical Center, recently sat down in an interview with NeurologyLive® to discuss how ongoing conversations on patients with drug-resistant epilepsy can contribute to better seizure management and treatment decisions. In the conversation, which occurred prior to the symposium, she talked about the ways that education plays a role in reducing stigma, improving quality of life, and empowering patients to explore new epilepsy treatment opportunities. Additionally, Becker spoke about what makes AES a crucial event for professionals in the epilepsy field and how it impacts the motivation and enthusiasm in the community.

Click here for more coverage of AES 2023.

REFERENCES
1. Minardi C, Minacapelli R, Valastro P, et al. Epilepsy in Children: From Diagnosis to Treatment with Focus on Emergency. J Clin Med. 2019;8(1):39. Published 2019 Jan 2. doi:10.3390/jcm8010039
2. SK Life Science to Host Symposium and Present New Data at the American Epilepsy Society (AES) 2023 Annual Meeting. News Release. SK Life Science. Published November 28, 2023. Accessed December 4, 2023. https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/sk-life-science-to-host-symposium-and-present-new-data-at-the-american-epilepsy-society-aes-2023-annual-meeting-301998374.html