Particle.news
Download on the App Store

Long-Term Study Finds Seizure Reductions in Drug-Resistant Focal Epilepsy

Researchers say extended follow-up reveals delayed gains for patients labeled drug-resistant.

Overview

  • Monitoring nearly 150 adults across 10 U.S. centers for up to three years, the Human Epilepsy Project reported in JAMA Neurology on Oct. 20 that roughly 68–70% saw declines in average monthly seizures.
  • A subset achieved sustained seizure-free periods, with about 13% reaching at least three months, nearly 8% at six months, and 3% at 12 months or longer.
  • More than half of participants who improved had started a new anti-seizure medication during the study, yet the number of previously failed drugs did not predict later reduction.
  • Electronic seizure diaries captured real-world patterns during ongoing treatment changes, so investigators caution that improvements may reflect either management effects or the natural course of refractory epilepsy.
  • The project plans to assess generalized epilepsy next, with the study disclosing support from UCB, Neurelis, and SK Life Science.