Intractable epilepsy management: an EEG-oriented approach.

Abstract

Intractable epilepsy has always posed a challenge to management; conventional, surgical and alternative techniques available so far (e.g., vagal nerve stimulation, i.e. VNS). The author has attempted to search for a novel alternative (drug-regime) approach to its management to minimise any invasive technique or surgery. The drug-regime is based primarily on EEG-background picture (namely synchronisation and de-synchronisation), which the author claims plays a crucial role in epileptogenesis and/or enhancement of epileptic recruitment. Thus an EEG (both in wake and sleep states) shall be a pre-requisite. The novel drug-regime promises to alter the cortical background-activity in a manner to render it un-favorable for epileptogenesis/enhancement of epileptic recruitment, thereby attempting to produce control over Intractable Epilepsy. The new drug-regime, by virtue of its properties to alter the EEG-background activity, thus could enhance the efficacy of conventional treatment and together, they could form a highly effective management for Intractable Epilepsy, thus minimising the intervention of invasive techniques like VNS and epilepsy brain surgery.