NeurologyLive® Year in Review 2024: Top Stories in Epilepsy and Seizure Disorders

In 2024, the NeurologyLive^® staff was a busy bunch, covering clinical news and data readouts from around the world across a number of key neurology subspecialty areas. From major study publications and FDA decisions to societal conference sessions and expert interviews, the team spent all year bringing the latest information to the website's front page.

Among our key focus areas is epilepsy and related seizure disorders, a field that features complex diseases that are often medically refractory and difficult to manage. Although major news items often appear among the top pieces our team produces, sometimes smaller stories reach those heights for other reasons—clinical impact and interest, or concerns about the small- or big-picture parts of care, for example. Whatever the reason for the attention these stories got, their place here helps provide an understanding of the themes in this field in 2024.

Here, we'll highlight some of the most-read content on NeurologyLive^® this year. Click the buttons to read further into these stories.

1. Updated Guidelines Published to Improve Care in Specialized Epilepsy Centers

The National Association of Epilepsy Centers (NAEC) published recommendations in Neurology of the essential services needed for a comprehensive epilepsy center and the optimal manner for their delivery to advance the quality of care. This review will provide ongoing support for epilepsy centers to obtain adequate resources for their programs and for patients and caregivers to assess their quality of care.

2. High-Fidelity Manikin Training Program Addresses Pitfalls in Epilepsy Monitoring Unit Care

A published pre-post intervention study showed that the implementation of a novel simulation-based education platform using a high-fidelity manikin led to wide-ranged improvements in epilepsy monitoring unit (EMU) staff performance of safety and testing measures. These results provide a framework to minimizing potential pitfalls seen in the EMU and to improve overall care and education.

3. Epilepsy Agent STK-001 Demonstrates Disease-Modifying Effects in Early Phase Studies of Dravet Syndrome

Data from 2 open-label phase 1/2 studies and their open-label extensions showed that treatment with STK-001 (Stoke Therapeutics), an investigational antisense oligonucleotide (ASO), resulted in substantial and durable reductions in convulsive seizure frequency among patients with Dravet syndrome (DS). These improvements, coupled with benefits in measures of cognition and behavior, further demonstrate the potential disease-modifying impacts of this agent in DS

4. New Published Guidelines Issued for Antiseizure Medications in Patients Seeking Pregnancy

Published in Neurology, a practice guideline developed by a panel of experts provided an update on evidence-based conclusions and recommendations on effects of antiseizure medications (ASMs) in children born from patients with epilepsy. These issued guidelines will offer help to neurologists and other healthcare providers to identify the most effective and safe ASMs for patients with epilepsy who may become pregnant.

5. Soticlestat Shows Mixed Results in Phase 3 Studies of Dravet and Lennox-Gastaut Syndrome

Topline data from Takeda’s SKYLINE (NCT04940624) and SKYWAY (NCT05163314) phase 3 studies assessing soticlestat, also known as TAK-935, in patients with refractory Dravet syndrome (DS) and Lennox-Gastaut syndrome (LGS) showed mixed findings on the primary end point of convulsive seizure reduction. The company noted that it will engage with regulatory authorities to discuss the totality of the current data to determine next steps for TAK-935.

6. Mixed Topline Data Reported in Phase 3 RAISE Trial of Ganaxolone for Refractory Status Epilepticus

Topline results from the phase 3 double-blind, randomized, placebo-controlled RAISE trial (NCT04391569) assessing intravenous (IV) ganaxolone (Ztalmy; Marinus Pharmaceuticals) for the treatment of patients with refractory status epilepticus (RSE) showed that the treatment met the first coprimary end point but failed to meet the second end point in the study. The company plans to continue analyzing the full dataset from RAISE and will engage with the FDA for a discussion on the potential path forward for IV ganaxolone in RSE.

7. New Published Guidelines Inform Prevention of Continued Epileptic Seizures in Outpatient Management

Recommendations published in Epileptic Disorders proposed by a global group of experts provided a robust and uniform definition framework for different types of seizures as well as guidelines for early treatment to prevent progression to seizure emergencies. These recommendations complement the existing guidance for the management of acute seizures, emphasizing that earlier treatment may potentially avoid progression to more severe seizures, including status epilepticus.

8. Endo Voluntarily Recalls One Lot of Clonazepam Tablets Following Mislabeling Error

Endo, a specialty pharmaceutical company, issued a voluntary recall of one lot of clonazepam orally disintegrating tablets, an approved antiseizure medication, due to a mislabeling issue with packaging. All told, the product lot showed an incorrect strength on the cartons of some packs, with strengths of 0.125 mg and not 0.25 mg.

9. Phase 4 EpiCom Study Highlights Potential of CBD in Neuropsychiatric Disorders of Tuberous Sclerosis Complex

Newly presented findings from EpiCom, a phase 3/4 study (NCT05864846) of cannabidiol (CBD; Epidiolex; Jazz Pharmaceuticals), revealed that treatment with the cannabis-derived therapy has positive impacts on in the severity of psychiatric and behavioral problems in patients with tuberous sclerosis complex (TSC), a rare epileptic disorder.

10. FDA Clears Zeto’s Adjustable ONE Headset for EEG Brain Monitoring

The FDA granted 510(k) clearance for Zeto’s innovative next-generation product named ONE, a headset device that is equipped with 21 soft-tip electrodes positioned according to the commonly known 10-20 electroencephalography (EEG) system, according to a recent announcement. The company noted that the product, which is accompanied by intuitive LED feedback for any needed adjustment of the electrodes, requires minimal instruction for clinicians to use the device with their patients effectively