In eastern India, epilepsy patients can now breathe a sigh of relief.
A diagnostic procedure that enables detailed monitoring of brain activity has been launched here for patients who fail to respond to drugs.
Epilepsy
Fits or convulsions or Epilepsy is characterized by recurrent, involuntary seizures and is described as a chronic neurological disorder
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The Institute of Neurosciences Kolkata has stepped up to achieve global standards in health care by introducing video telemetry (automatic transmission and recording) services capable of long-term monitoring of epileptic patients.
Video telemetry service with long-term monitoring (upto 72 hours) is "the best option" for epileptic patients who do not respond to medicines, said an expert.
![Exercise may Cut Epilepsy Risk]( "Exercise may Cut Epilepsy Risk")
Men who engage in physical activity as young adults may reduce their risk of developing epilepsy later in life, reveals study.
"This is the best option for non-responsive patients. About 30 percent patients do not respond to medication. This can be used for them to detect the specific regions in the brain where seizures originate," Ashis Datta, consultant neurologist at the institute, told IANS Thursday.
Also known as long-term video-electroencephalograph (EEG) monitoring, the diagnostic procedure involves hospitalisation of the patient for a specified period during which electrical activity of brain and a typical episode of seizure is monitored and recorded with a video camera and EEG.
While for the EEG data, the electrodes glued to the patient's scalp detect electrical activity, the camera records the exact response during a seizure.
"The facilities available till date enabled monitoring till four hours but the standard practice recognised worldwide is up to 72 hours. This way, if we can get to know the spot where the seizure originates we can treat it surgically," said Datta.
"Earlier patients used to go to Thiruvananthapuram for this but now the facility is available here," added Datta.
Source: IANS
Exercise may Cut Epilepsy Risk
Men who engage in physical activity as young adults may reduce their risk of developing epilepsy later in life, reveals study.
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"This is the best option for non-responsive patients. About 30 percent patients do not respond to medication. This can be used for them to detect the specific regions in the brain where seizures originate," Ashis Datta, consultant neurologist at the institute, told IANS Thursday.
Also known as long-term video-electroencephalograph (EEG) monitoring, the diagnostic procedure involves hospitalisation of the patient for a specified period during which electrical activity of brain and a typical episode of seizure is monitored and recorded with a video camera and EEG.
While for the EEG data, the electrodes glued to the patient's scalp detect electrical activity, the camera records the exact response during a seizure.
"The facilities available till date enabled monitoring till four hours but the standard practice recognised worldwide is up to 72 hours. This way, if we can get to know the spot where the seizure originates we can treat it surgically," said Datta.
"Earlier patients used to go to Thiruvananthapuram for this but now the facility is available here," added Datta.
Source: IANS
High Doses of Anti-Epilepsy Drug Linked to High Risk of Birth Defects
The risk of birth defects in babies born to epileptic mothers could be lowered by reducing the dose of anti-epilepsy drug valproate during pregnancy.
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 Zebrafish Used to Discover Epilepsy DrugAn antihistamine discovered in the 1950s to treat itching may also prevent seizures in an intractable form of childhood epilepsy, according to researchers. | Advertisement
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