Sharp Waves: ILAE's epilepsy podcast

• Language models reveal concerns of people with epilepsy in online discussions

  Many of the most common concerns of people with epilepsy are topics they don't usually talk about with physicians. This is one of many findings of a study using AI to analyze more than 55,000 posts about epilepsy on Reddit. Sharp Waves spoke with the study's first author and two epilepsy advocates about the results and how they could help initiate important patient-provider conversations. PLEASE NOTE: This episode includes discussion of suicidal ideation. If you are in crisis, call your local emergency number or crisis hotline.The Reddit study is freely available online; no journal subscription is required:Bridging the conversational gap in epilepsy: Using large language models to reveal insights into patient behavior and concerns from online discussions - Fennig - 2025 - Epilepsia  Sharp Waves episodes are meant for informational purposes only, and not as clinical or medical advice.Let us know how we're doing: [email protected] International League Against Epilepsy is the world's preeminent association of health professionals and scientists, working toward a world where no person's life is limited by epilepsy. Visit us on Facebook, Instagram, and LinkedIn.

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• Music, epilepsy, and the brain: Dr. Phillip Pearl & Prof. Nigel Osborne

  Music can affect emotions, spark memories, and influence mood. In cases of musicogenic epilepsy, music can trigger seizures. In other cases, music may reduce seizure frequency. Dr. Cecilie Nome talks with Dr. Phillip Pearl and Prof. Nigel Osborne about the power of music and its effects on the brain.Sharp Waves episodes are meant for informational purposes only, and not as clinical or medical advice.Links:Nigel Osborne - WikipediaPersonalised music as a treatment for epilepsy - Epilepsy & BehaviorNeuroscience and “real world” practice: music as a therapeutic resource for children in zones of conflict - Osborne - 2012 - Annals of the New York Academy of Sciences - Wiley Online LibraryX-System Overview  Sharp Waves episodes are meant for informational purposes only, and not as clinical or medical advice.Let us know how we're doing: [email protected] International League Against Epilepsy is the world's preeminent association of health professionals and scientists, working toward a world where no person's life is limited by epilepsy. Visit us on Facebook, Instagram, and LinkedIn.

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• Genetic testing for epilepsy in low-resource regions

  In lower- and middle-income countries, raising awareness of genetic etiologies in epilepsy and genetic testing options may ultimately shift national priorities toward making genetic testing part of the standard of care. Dr. Parthvi Ravat spoke with Dr. Jo Wilmshurst and Dr. Alina Esterhuizen about initiatives to increase awareness of genetics and genetic testing in epilepsy, including a decision tree model for epilepsy care in resource-restricted settings that has been implemented in Africa.Sharp Waves episodes are meant for informational purposes only, and not as clinical or medical advice.Publication mentioned in the episode:Precision medicine for developmental and epileptic encephalopathies in Africa—strategies for a resource-limited setting  Sharp Waves episodes are meant for informational purposes only, and not as clinical or medical advice.Let us know how we're doing: [email protected] International League Against Epilepsy is the world's preeminent association of health professionals and scientists, working toward a world where no person's life is limited by epilepsy. Visit us on Facebook, Instagram, and LinkedIn.

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• Emergency diagnosis and treatment of status epilepticus

  As a neurological emergency, status epilepticus (SE) requires timely diagnosis and treatment. A US study found that 10% of people with SE were not diagnosed by emergency services. Among those who were diagnosed in an ambulance, 20% did not receive any first-line treatment, while others received lower-than-recommended doses. Sharp Waves spoke to senior author Dr. Elan Guterman about the study.Sharp Waves episodes are meant for informational purposes only, and not as clinical or medical advice.Publications mentioned during the conversation:Status Epilepticus Identification and Treatment Among Emergency Medical Services Agencies  JAMA Neurology A Comparison of Lorazepam, Diazepam, and Placebo for the Treatment of Out-of-Hospital Status Epilepticus | New England Journal of MedicineParamedic-Identified Enablers of and Barriers to Pediatric Seizure Management: A Multicenter, Qualitative Study: Prehospital Emergency CareEmergency response to out-of-hospital status epilepticus | Neurology Sharp Waves episodes are meant for informational purposes only, and not as clinical or medical advice.Let us know how we're doing: [email protected] International League Against Epilepsy is the world's preeminent association of health professionals and scientists, working toward a world where no person's life is limited by epilepsy. Visit us on Facebook, Instagram, and LinkedIn.

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• Folic acid supplementation in women with epilepsy

  Folic acid supplementation is recommended for all women with epilepsy who may become pregnant. However, there is no agreed-upon dose for women with epilepsy taking antiseizure medication, and there may be risks of high-dose (>1 mg/day) folic acid supplementation. Dr. Bruna Nucera spoke with Dr. Marte Helene Bjørk about the risks and benefits of folic acid supplementation and what this means for pregnant women with epilepsy. Sharp Waves episodes are meant for informational purposes only, and not as clinical or medical advice.Let us know how we're doing: [email protected] International League Against Epilepsy is the world's preeminent association of health professionals and scientists, working toward a world where no person's life is limited by epilepsy. Visit us on Facebook, Instagram, and LinkedIn.

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