How easy is it to get the right qualified medical expertise and the related support staff to treat and manage the patients?
The treatment gap in epilepsy in India ranges from 22% in the urban setting to as high as 90% in villages. The treatment gap has 2 components- People unable to access healthcare services and People who do not adhere to appropriate medical therapy.
One million Indians have medically refractory seizures. Approximately 5 -6 lakh people are candidates for epilepsy surgery in India. Still... Just about 500-600 epilepsy surgeries per year are performed.
Are there any new clinical trials going on for epilepsy?
There are several medical and surgical trials going on for epilepsy treatment in the Western countries. Few of them are enlisted here:
XEN1101 As Adjunctive Therapy In Focal-Onset Epilepsy
Stereotactic Laser Ablation For Temporal Lobe Epilepsy
Perampanel Study For Infants With Epilepsy
Cannabidiol As An Add-On Therapy In Tuberous Sclerosis Complex
Focused Ultrasound For Treatment Of Epilepsy
Could you specify the new drugs and therapy options accessible in the country?
The pharmacological armamentarium against epilepsy has expanded considerably over the last three decades, and currently includes over 30 different antiseizure medications. The new medications which have been added over the past decade by the FDA include Brivaracetam (Levetiracetam derivative), Perampanel (AMPA antagonist), Cenobamate (Carbamate derivative), Everolimus (Rapamycin derivative), Fenfluramine (Amphetamine derivative) and Cannabidiol (Cannabinoid). Among these Brivaracetam and Perampanel are available in India.
What is the current scene in the country for Epilepsy in terms of patients and advances in treatment?
At the global level, it is estimated that nearly 70 million people suffer from epilepsy and the prevalence of epilepsy across the globe is estimated to be 5-9 per 1,000 population. There are 12 million people with epilepsy in India, contributing to 1/6th of global burden.
In majority of the people with epilepsy ie 70-80%, the seizures can be well-controlled by giving anti-epileptic drugs. The rest 20-30% have medically refractory epilepsy, in these patients advanced modalities of treatment such as dietary therapy, epilepsy surgery and neuromodulation are the emerging therapeutic options.
How important is Epilepsy from a neurology department perspective?
Epilepsy, the fourth most common neurological disorder, affects people of all ages and can cause unpredictable seizures.
What is a seizure?
A Seizure is a condition in which sudden, uncontrolled electrical irregularity occurs in our brain. It may cause changes in behavior, movements or feelings, and levels of consciousness.
What is epilepsy?
Patients having two or more seizures or a tendency to have recurrent seizures, are termed to be having epilepsy.
How long do seizures usually last?
Usually, a seizure may last from a few seconds to a few minutes, based on the type of seizure.
What are the major types of seizures?
Sometimes it is difficult to determine when a person is having a seizure. A person with a seizure may look confused or as if they are staring at something that is not there. Other seizures can cause a person to fall, shake, and become unaware of what’s going on around them.
Seizures are classified into two groups.
Generalized seizures affect both sides of the brain.
Focal seizures affect just one area of the brain. These seizures are also called partial seizures.
If I have a seizure, then does it mean that I have epilepsy?
Not always. Seizures can also happen because of other medical problems. These problems include:
A high fever.
Alcohol or drug withdrawal.
Low blood sugar.
