Science / Medicine : Epileptic Risks Reduced

Immediate treatment of epileptics after their first seizure can significantly reduce the risk of further seizures, Italian researchers reported at the American Academy of Neurology meeting. The new study contradicts earlier reports that suggested that such aggressive treatment confers few benefits.

Researchers at the National Research Council and the Mario Negri Institute of Pharmacological Research in Milan studied 169 men and 133 women who had experienced a single, convulsive (grand mal) seizure. Within seven days of their seizures, one group of patients were placed on minimum doses of several commonly used anti-epilepsy medications. Treatment for the second group was delayed until the members had suffered a second seizure.

After 18 months of follow-up, the risk of further seizures was 24% for patients in the immediate treatment group, compared to 53% for those in the delayed treatment group.