Seventy-four Articles match your search

Helmets Can Save Lives in Winter Sports

October 24, 2009
Injured skiers, snowboarders with head protection are less apt to lose consciousness, study finds. Skiers and snowboarders who don't wear helmets are more likely to suffer a head injury and lose consciousness than those who do wear helmets, a new U.S. study has found.

Psychiatric Meds for Infants Linked to Later Behavior Problems

October 22, 2009
Researchers found drugs used to treat mood disorders, pain and epilepsy raised risk. Researchers report that infant rats given commonly prescribed drugs to treat mood disorders, pain and epilepsy develop behavioral problems in adulthood.

Earlier studies showed that brain cells in young rats die after they're given the drugs. The cells are in parts of the brain that control mood, cognition and movement.

As More Cyclists Hit the Road, Serious Injuries Rise

October 14, 2009
Helmet use, investment in bike lanes could protect more riders, researchers say. Bicyclists are facing higher injury rates and longer hospital stays, with both worsening over the past 11 years at a Denver trauma center, according to the results of a study of biking injuries.

Chest injuries rose by 15 percent and abdominal injuries tripled over the last five years, the study authors found. Cyclists themselves appear to be part of the problem: Helmet use did not go up over the study period, and more than 33 percent of 329 injured cyclists had a significant head injury.

Autumn Chores Often Hazardous

September 27, 2009
Take precautions to avoid falls, strains and sprains, experts say. Taking health and safety precautions when raking leaves, cleaning gutters and performing other outdoor chores can help prevent injuries, according to the American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons (AAOS).

"Many people work vigorously in the yard during the autumn season, and it often takes a toll on your body," AAOS spokesman Dr. Laurence Laudicina, said in a news release from the academy.

Alcohol Might Lower Death Rates in Brain Injury Patients

September 25, 2009
Could have protective effect after accident, but also raises chances of complications, study shows. People who suffer serious head injuries are more likely to survive if they have alcohol in their bloodstream, a new study suggests.

Data on more than 38,000 people with such injuries showed that 9.7 percent of those with no trace of alcohol in the bloodstream died in the hospital, compared to a 7.

Surgery Best for Carpal Tunnel Syndrome

September 25, 2009
Operation has modest advantage over non-surgical therapies, researchers say. Surgery is slightly better than non-surgical treatment for patients with carpal tunnel syndrome who don't have severe nerve damage (denervation), new research has found.

The study included 44 patients who had surgery and 52 patients who had non-surgical treatment, such as hand therapy and ultrasound. A year after treatment, the patients' hand function was measured using the Carpal Tunnel Syndrome Assessment Questionnaire (CTSAQ).

Gene Mutation Linked to Fever-Induced Seizures

September 18, 2009
Finding could lead to better treatment options, study suggests. Mutations in a sodium channel gene are associated with fever-induced seizures and a severe form of epilepsy called Dravet syndrome in children 6 months and younger, a new study has found.

American and Dutch researchers studied a large family with a history of febrile seizures and zeroed in on mutations in the SCN9A sodium channel gene. When the mutation was introduced into mice, the rodents had significantly lower thresholds for seizures than those without the mutation.

Study Links Epilepsy to Brain Protein

September 17, 2009
Research on mice points to possible cause of seizures. New research has uncovered possible causes of epilepsy related to signals in the brain that go haywire.

It suggests that when a certain protein is missing in the brains of mice, the animals have epileptic seizures. The protein appears to be important to the brain's ability to calm and fine-tune itself.

Not All Kids With Head Injuries Need Brain Scans

September 15, 2009
Screening could cut down on radiation exposure, researchers say. Guidelines to identify children with a very low risk of serious brain injury after they've suffered a head injury are highly effective and can reduce the use of scans that expose children to radiation, a new study has found.

U.S.

Very Small Head Size Could Signal Problems in Newborns

September 14, 2009
Early screening urged for detection of epilepsy and other health issues, experts say. Children born with a much smaller-than-average head size are more likely to have neurological and cognitive problems, and should be screened for them, new guidelines suggest.

The guidelines, developed by the American Academy of Neurology and the Child Neurology Society, appear in the Sept. 15 issue of Neurology.

Safety Should Be the Goal for Football Players

September 02, 2009
Good coaching, right equipment can prevent serious head and neck injuries, doctors say. Football fans and players may be excited about the start of the season, but everyone wins if players manage to avoid head injuries, experts say.

In 2008, only cycling caused more sports-related head injuries than football, according to the American Association of Neurological Surgeons. And football is the third-leading sports-related cause for spinal cord injuries, after diving and cycling.

Scans Shed New Light on Concussions

August 28, 2009
Technology helps detect hidden brain damage, study shows. Researchers say they've discovered a new way to detect evidence of brain damage after concussions, potentially paving the way toward more effective treatments for head injuries.

By detecting damage from concussions early with the help of the latest brain scanning technology, doctors could begin cognitive rehabilitation treatment and prevent complications, study author Dr. Michael Lipton, an associate director of the Gruss Magnetic Resonance Research Center at Albert Einstein College of Medicine of Yeshiva University, explained in a university news release.

Experts Urge Cognitive Testing of Kids With Epilepsy

August 12, 2009
Underlying brain abnormalities may cause learning problems, study finds. Children recently diagnosed with epilepsy should have their language, memory, learning and other cognitive skills tested because they're at increased risk for problems, say U.S. researchers.

Seizures, Not Epilepsy Itself, May Raise Birth Risks

August 10, 2009
It's the attacks during pregnancy that cause problems, study contends. Epileptic seizures during pregnancy increase the likelihood of premature and small babies, says a new study.

Taiwanese researchers compared children born to 1,016 women with epilepsy with those born to 8,128 women without epilepsy. During pregnancy, 503 of the women with epilepsy had seizures and 513 did not.

Scientists Find Way to Stop Epilepsy in Mice

August 04, 2009
Blocking bad gene kept disease from being passed to offspring. Blocking a gene defect prevents epilepsy from being passed from adult mice to their offspring, a finding that may help in efforts to develop new treatments for people with epilepsy, British researchers say.

The study proves that a faulty version of a gene called ATP1A3 causes epileptic seizures in mice, said lead researcher Dr. Steve Clapcote, of the Faculty of Biological Sciences at University of Leeds, and colleagues.

Catastrophic Epilepsy Caused by Defect in One Gene

July 08, 2009
Mouse study led to discovery of mutation and could advance treatments. A mutation in a single gene causes catastrophic epilepsy, U.S. scientists say.

Drug Shows Promise Against Childhood Epilepsy

June 15, 2009
Rapamycin helped suppress seizures in mouse study. A drug commonly used to prevent rejection in organ transplant patients may be effective against childhood epilepsy, animal studies suggest.

The drug, rapamycin (also known as sirolimus), appears to block seizures in mice with cortical dysplasia, a brain malformation that is a common cause of childhood epilepsy and a frequent reason for pediatric epilepsy surgery, said Gabriella D'Arcangelo, an associate professor in the department of cell biology and neuroscience at Rutgers, the State University of New Jersey.

"The surgery is not without risks, and while it may help control the seizures, it does not work in all cases," D'Arcangelo said in a news release from the university.

After Concussion, Follow-Up Visit a Must

May 20, 2009
Children with head trauma need it before returning to play, researchers say. Children admitted to a hospital with a concussion should have a follow-up assessment with a clinician before resuming normal play activities or sports, a new study suggests.

Using a computer program to assess preteen and teenage concussion victims, researchers at The Children's Hospital of Philadelphia found that most scored poorly on tests of their attention span, memory, nonverbal problem-solving and reaction time, and nearly all scored in the lowest test quartile on at least one of those four areas. The study looked at 116 children, aged 11 to 17, who were hospitalized for such head trauma over a two-year period.

Ladders, Swings and More Can Cause Peril

May 10, 2009
Simple precautions are urged to prevent head, neck injuries. A few simple precautions can help prevent head and neck injuries related to recreational or work activities outdoors, health experts say.

Each year in the United States, about 1.5 million people are treated in hospital emergency rooms for head injuries, and nearly 12,000 are treated for neck fractures, according to the Consumer Product Safety Commission.

Pregnant Women With Epilepsy Should Avoid Valproate

April 27, 2009
New guidelines stress that, with good planning, most moms-to-be will do fine. Despite recent concerns about fetal malformations linked to the anti-seizure medication valproate, most women with epilepsy can expect to have a relatively uneventful pregnancy with careful planning and preparation, say new guidelines from the American Academy of Neurology.

Whenever possible, women should avoid taking valproate (Depakote) while pregnant, the guidelines state, because its use has been associated with fetal malformations and a decline in cognitive abilities in children whose mothers took the drug during pregnancy.

However, "women with well-controlled epilepsy can safely have children," stressed the lead author of the new guidelines, Dr.

Epilepsy Drug Impairs Baby's Intelligence

April 15, 2009
When taken during pregnancy, valproate lowers IQ, study finds. When a pregnant woman takes the epilepsy medication valproate, her child's intelligence may be lowered for at least three years, and possibly beyond, a new study suggests.

Reporting in the April 16 issue of the New England Journal of Medicine, researchers found that when tested at age 3, children who were exposed to valproate in the womb had IQ scores up to nine points lower than children exposed to other epilepsy medications in utero.

The problem is, many women with epilepsy can only get good control of their seizures with valproate.

Baby's Sleep Position May Not Affect Severity of Head Flattening

March 27, 2009
But study finds lower gestational age, being male did have a correlation. Sleeping position doesn't affect the extent of head flattening in infants, U.S. researchers say.

Alzheimer's Drug May Someday Help Head Trauma Victims

March 16, 2009
Finding may prevent long-term harm that often follows brain injury, researcher says. A new class of Alzheimer's disease drugs may prevent long-term damage from traumatic brain injury, suggests a study of mice by Georgetown University Medical Center researchers.

The drugs .

Many Combat Vets Suffer Severe Headaches Upon Return

February 23, 2009
Almost all of those who had mild brain injury, blast exposure are affected, study says. Headaches have become a common complaint among soldiers who suffered mild head trauma while serving in Iraq or Afghanistan.

These headaches tend to be debilitating, mirroring migraines in intensity, according to research released Monday that is to be presented next month at the American Academy of Neurology's annual meeting in Seattle.

About 15 percent of soldiers deployed to Iraq experience mild traumatic brain injury (TBI), according to background information from the researchers, who are based at Madigan Army Medical Center in Tacoma, Wash.

Head Injury While Young Ups Epilepsy Risk

February 23, 2009
But treatment can prevent the illness from emerging, Danish researchers say. Children and young adults who suffer a traumatic brain injury are at high risk of developing epilepsy for more than 10 years after the injury, Danish researchers report.

But there's good news, too: treatments carried out during that time period may help prevent epilepsy, the team adds.

"Traumatic brain injury is a significant risk indicator for epilepsy many years after the injury.

Gene Discovered for Most Common Form of Epilepsy

January 28, 2009
The hope is the finding could lead to new treatments for the neurological disorder. Researchers have linked a genetic variation to a common form of epilepsy in children, potentially paving the way toward greater insight into the disorder.

"It's the first step toward developing a diagnostic test, which can help provide a more precise diagnosis and information about which particular drug or treatment may be effective," said study senior author Dr. Deb Pal, a pediatric neurologist and research scientist at Columbia University.

War Vets With Headaches Could Have Brain Problems

January 05, 2009
Reduced sense of smell might also signal need for testing, expert says. Headache frequency and severity caused by traumatic brain injury might signal cognitive deficits, suggests a new study of Iraq war veterans.

Traumatic brain injuries, also called concussions, are common among veterans who served in Iraq. And as deployment times have become longer, military personnel have more chances to be exposed to explosions that can cause injury.

FDA Adds Suicide Warning to Epilepsy Drugs

December 16, 2008
Says patients on antiepileptics need to be monitored for indications of mood changes. The U.S. Food and Drug Administration announced Tuesday that it was adding a label warning on heightened suicide risk for users of antiepileptic drugs.

Seizure Meds Can Be Safely Withdrawn From Kids With Epilepsy

December 08, 2008
Study finds relatively low risk of developing intractable disease. It's generally safe to stop giving anti-seizure medication to children with epilepsy who've achieved seizure-freedom while on the medication, because these children aren't at high risk of later developing intractable epilepsy, a Mayo Clinic study finds.

Intractable epilepsy, which affects about 10 percent of children with epilepsy, is a condition in which medications alone don't control seizures and in which seizures have a disabling effect on the patient's quality of life.

"It is often recommended that children with epilepsy who become seizure-free on anti-seizure medications be withdrawn from the drugs to avoid side effects of long-term use.

Epilepsy Drug May Raise Autism Risk in Offspring

December 03, 2008
Yet another reason pregnant women should avoid this medication, experts say. Women taking the epilepsy drug valproate while pregnant are at increased risk of delivering a child who develops autism.

The British findings, appearing in the Dec.

Surgery a Boon for Most Common Form of Epilepsy

December 02, 2008
But too few patients are having the procedure, study says. People with the most common form of epilepsy who don't respond to drugs would gain about five years of life, and dramatically improved quality of life at that, if they had a certain form of brain surgery.

That's the finding of a new study that relied on computer modeling to assess the benefits of surgery of the temporal lobe region for people with temporal lobe epilepsy.

Clue to Cause of Epileptic Seizures Discovered

November 24, 2008

Finding could lead to new treatments, researchers say. The interaction between white blood cells of the immune system and blood vessels may contribute to epileptic seizures, new research suggests.  If this turns out to be the case, such interactions may be a target for new treatments or even preventive measures for epilepsy, said researchers reporting in the Nov. 23 issue of Nature Medicine.

FDA Approves New Drug for Severe Epilepsy

November 21, 2008

Trials showed Banzel proved effective against Lennox-Gastaut syndrome A new drug called Banzel (rufinamide) has been approved as a supplementary treatment for a severe form of epilepsy called Lennox-Gastaut syndrome, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration announced Friday.

Banzel Approved for Lennox-Gastaut Syndrome

November 21, 2008

Banzel (rufinamide) has been approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration to treat seizures associated with Lennox-Gastaut syndrome, a severe form of epilepsy. The disease usually begins before a child turns 4. Common triggers include a malformed brain, severe head injury, an infection of the central nervous system, or certain inherited conditions.

Head Injury in Young Kids May Predict ADHD Diagnosis

November 07, 2008

Risk-taking an early sign of attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder, researchers say. Very young children who sustain a head injury may be more likely to be diagnosed with attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) later, researchers report.

Sedative Could Be Deadly in People With Seizures

October 28, 2008

At high doses, propofol tied to cardiac arrest in patients with a form of epilepsy. Use of the sedative propofol is associated with a high risk for complications and even death in patients with prolonged seizures, according to a study by researchers at the Mayo Clinic in Rochester, Minn.

Health Tip

Coping With Epilepsy

October 10, 2008

Help protect yourself in the event of a seizure People with epilepsy are prone to injury in the event of a sudden seizure.

Keppra XR Approved for Partial-Onset Seizures

September 15, 2008

For people 16 and older The U.S. Food and Drug Administration has approved an extended release form of Keppra (levetiracetam) as an add-on treatment for people with epileptic seizures aged 16 and older, Belgian drug maker UCB said Monday.

Safety Gear a Must to Prevent Kids' Sports Injuries

September 14, 2008

Concussion most common danger, expert says, so head, face gear should take priority. Children who play school sports need to wear proper safety gear to reduce their risk of injuries, emphasizes the director of sports medicine at Cincinnati Children's Hospital Medical Center.

Imaging Shows Why Injured Brains 'Work Harder'

September 11, 2008

Tool highlighting increased blood flow could become standard measure of rehab, study says. A brain imaging study reveals why people who've recovered well from a brain injury often report mental fatigue and that they don't feel quite the same as they did before the injury, even though they score well on cognitive tests.

Scientists Track Hourly Changes in Alzheimer's Protein

August 28, 2008

Recovery from brain injury, not injury itself, associated with increased plaque. A group of researchers has described hourly changes in a protein in the brain that is thought to play a key role in Alzheimer's disease.

Epilepsy Raises Drowning Risk

August 18, 2008

Seizures could boost the danger in tubs, pools, experts say. Having epilepsy might put you at a significantly higher risk for death by drowning, a new report says.

Epilepsy Receiving Inadequate Attention

August 13, 2008

About one in 100 American adults has active epilepsy and more than one-third of those with epilepsy aren't receiving adequate treatment, according to a Centers for Disease Control and Prevention study that examined the prevalence of epilepsy or seizure disorders among more than 120,000 adults in 19 states.

Golf Cart Injuries Give Rise to Calls for Regulation

June 27, 2008

Using golf carts as an alternative means of transportation is becoming common in some parts of the United States, but it is also leading to an increasing number of injuries, say researchers at the University of Alabama at Birmingham Center for Injury Sciences.

Head Injuries All Too Common in Summer Play

June 23, 2008
But proper sports gear and preparation can prevent unnecessary accidents, experts say,

Failure to Take Seizure Drugs Boosts Death Risk

June 18, 2008
Car accidents, bone breaks also common among those who don't take meds regularly, study says.

Pennsylvania Injuries Rise After Repeal of Helmet Law

June 12, 2008
Study finds 32% increase in motorcyclists' head trauma deaths since law revoked in 2003.

Injury Patterns Similar for 'Circus' Artists, Elite Athletes

May 30, 2008
Most injuries occurred to muscles, tendons, analysis finds.

Seizures Likely Sign of Brain Injury After Stroke

May 29, 2008
Patients face 30% risk of dying within month, study finds.

Special Diet Can Ease Epileptic Seizures in Kids

May 02, 2008
Strong support for ketogenic regimen from major randomized trial.

Epilepsy Drug Linked to Bone Loss

April 28, 2008
Women on Dilantin may want to consider other seizure medications, experts say.

Researchers ID Gene Behind Rare Form of Epilepsy

February 28, 2008
Findings 'crack open the cell biology' of lethal inherited syndrome.

Epilepsy Drug Doesn't Prevent Migraines

February 11, 2008
Unlike other epilepsy meds, Trileptal was no better than placebo, study finds

FDA Warns Epilepsy Drugs May Raise Suicide Risk

February 01, 2008
Agency will ask drug makers to put warning labels on entire class of medicines.

Atkins-Like Diet Cuts Epileptic Seizures

January 31, 2008
High-fat, low-carb plan may work when other treatments fail, study says.

Concussion Raises PTSD Risk for Iraq Vets

January 30, 2008
Study found loss of consciousness increased chances of trauma the most.

Helmets Save Lives in Winter Sports

January 12, 2008
Snow activities boost head injury risk, but experts say precautions can keep you safe.

Tracking Drug Levels Helps Pregnant Women With Epilepsy

November 30, 2007
Blood testing cuts down on seizures linked to lamotrigine use, research shows

Experts Issue Guidelines on Diagnosing Seizure

November 20, 2007
EEG, MRI and CT can all help spot a variety of underlying disorders

Some Epilepsy Patients Not Always Aware of Seizures

November 15, 2007
That can lead to under-reporting when applying for driver's licenses, researchers suggest

Certain Seizure Patients Need Emergency CT Scan

October 29, 2007
ER staff should focus on those with first-ever attack, babies, and people with AIDS, guideline says

Health Tip

Wear a Helmet

October 22, 2007
Protect your head

Lamotrigine May Reduce Epilepsy Seizures

October 16, 2007
Adding it to existing regimen may help, researchers say

Epilepsy Drug Holds Promise as Treatment for Alcoholism

October 10, 2007
Topiramate reduced heavy drinking and helped to boost abstinence, study finds.

Caffeine Plus Acetaminophen Toxic for Some

September 26, 2007
Rat study suggests liver danger, but doses must be very high.

Some Epilepsy Patients Are Good Candidates for Surgery

August 24, 2007
Study found those with multiple auras had seizures arising from one part of brain

Vision Restoration Therapy Might Improve Sight for Trauma, Stroke Victims

August 17, 2007
In-home computer device shows promise in stimulating affected brain areas, study shows

Experts Split on Whether Chief Justice Roberts Has Epilepsy

August 01, 2007
Seizures may be caused by epilepsy, which can be controlled with medication.

Orthopedic Surgeons Weigh in on Pool Safety

August 02, 2008

Most people love a dip in the pool to cool off during the summer swelter, but don't let that refreshing feeling make you forgot basic safety rules. According to the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission, medical professionals in 2007 treated almost 172,000 swimming-related injuries

First Generic Versions of Depakote Approved

July 29, 2008

The first generic versions of Depakote (divalproex sodium) have been approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration to treat epileptic seizures, migraine headaches and bipolar disorder, the agency said Tuesday. Eight firms were granted license to produce generic versions of the brand-name drug made by Abbott Laboratories.

Epilepsy Drug May Boost Birth Defect Risk

July 21, 2008

Women who take topiramate should discuss preconception planning with their doctor. Pregnant women who use the epilepsy drug topiramate alone or in combination with other epilepsy drugs may be increasing their risk of birth defects, British researchers report.

FDA Advisers Don't Back 'Black Box' Warning for Epilepsy Drugs

July 10, 2008

Experts do find 11 anti-seizure drugs heighten suicide risk, and they recommend medication guide for doctors. Anti-seizure drugs can cause increased suicidal tendencies in patients, but not enough to warrant the government's strongest warning label on them, a U.S. health advisory panel concluded Thursday.

Gender Plays Role in Post-Concussion Healing

July 10, 2008

Females scored worse than males on neurocognitive tests; reason remains elusive. Being female and having a history of concussions both slow recovery from a concussion among young athletes, according to a new study done on soccer players.

Researchers ID Gene Behind Rare Form of Epilepsy

Findings 'crack open the cell biology' of lethal inherited syndrome

May 30, 2008
A gene mutation associated with a rare form of epilepsy that also leads to kidney failure has been identified by Australian researchers, who said the findings "crack open the cell biology of this problem."
Symptoms of this lethal inherited form of progressive myoclonus epilepsy usually appear between the ages of 15 to 25. Symptoms include kidney trouble or neurological symptoms such as tremors, seizures, and eventually other movement disorders.


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