Preventing the progression of epileptic seizures and addressing critical treatment gaps

When we think about epilepsies, we are often struck by the progress that’s been made in recent years, both in terms of the understanding we’ve gained about these complex disorders and also the new treatment options that are now available to patients worldwide. Yet despite ongoing commitment and innovation, 30-40% of patients with epilepsy continue to experience seizures on anti-seizure medication.

To address the significant unmet need, a global expert group comprising 12 epileptologists, neurologists and pharmacologists from Europe and North America has published new recommendations, funded by UCB, in Epileptic Disorders to facilitate better management of seizures and avoid progression to a seizure emergency.

So why are uncontrolled seizures of such great concern?

Patients with uncontrolled seizures are at risk of a seizure progressing to a more severe type that requires urgent, emergency care. These prolonged seizures represent a complex challenge that can result in significant physical, psychological, cognitive, and socioeconomic burdens for patients, caregivers and healthcare systems.

Prolonged seizure duration can lead to:

Gaining international consensus on optimal management. 

Recognizing the need to improve patient outcomes, the expert group known as the Seizure Termination Project has formulated a robust and uniform definition framework for different types of seizures, including prolonged seizures and status epilepticus. These recommendations represent the first international evidence-based clinical definitions to support clinical decision-making to reduce the risk of seizure progression or of episodes becoming prolonged.

The expert group also published a new management concept – REST (Rapid and Early Seizure Termination) that advocates for administration of fast-acting treatment as soon as possible after seizure onset. Early termination of seizures can avoid the negative outcomes associated with increased seizure duration and may help prevent progression to seizure emergencies.

REST not only seeks to prevent the escalation of seizures but also aims to alleviate the healthcare burden by reducing the need for hospitalization. This concept marks a significant shift in the way epilepsy is managed today, emphasizing the importance of early intervention.

Ongoing exploration and innovation will be essential to improve seizure emergency management and provide patients with more control over their condition. We remain committed to advancing scientific and clinical research to achieve our goal that every individual with epilepsy has the chance to live a life unburdened by the fear of seizure emergencies. 

For more information, read the new recommendations published in Epileptic Disorders.

Please note, this post is for professional discussion and the information contained is based on theoretical therapeutic approaches. Always consult healthcare professionals for medical advice.