Interviews with inspiring clinicians, scientists, researchers & geneticists in the field of epilepsy - out every Thursday.
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Looking for earlier episodes? You’ll find our full archive at torierobinson.com/epilepsy-sparks-insights
How do we reduce the 30% of people who have uncontrollable seizures? Pharmacologist Graeme Sills PhD, explains the complexities of epilepsy treatment, the challenges of drug-resistance, and where to go going forward.
Could a brain implant do more than reduce seizures? Dr. Vikram Rao explains how responsive neurostimulation (RNS) is changing epilepsy treatment, who may benefit, and why researchers are so excited about its future.
Could epilepsy be caused by just a tiny number of abnormal brain cells? Dr Stéphanie Baulac explains how hidden genetic mutations in the brain are transforming our understanding of focal cortical dysplasia and opening the door to future precision medicine.
Could inflammation and the blood-brain barrier help explain why some seizures remain uncontrolled? Prof. Colin Doherty shares emerging research into immune activity in epilepsy!
Could the immune system play a role in some treatment-resistant epilepsies? Prof. Colin Doherty discusses autoimmune epilepsies, early immunotherapy findings, and why epilepsy may involve more than abnormal electrical activity alone.
How may medical ketogenic therapy reduce anxiety, depression, and improve cognition? What might the effects be on cholesterol levels? What about support for those on the diet? Hear more from Dr. Manny Bagary.
How can ketones affect the brain in epilepsy? Dr. Manny Bagary explores the science behind medical ketogenic therapy, including brain excitability, neurotransmitters, mitochondria, inflammation, cognition and status epilepticus.
Exploring the complexities and benefits of ketogenic therapy for epilepsy, addressing misconceptions, patient selection, mechanisms of action, safety concerns, and the importance of multidisciplinary care - with Dr. Neha Kaul.
Dr. Jacob Pellinen discusses the Human Epilepsy Project, subtle focal seizures, delayed epilepsy diagnosis, learning difficulties, brain volume changes, and why epilepsy symptoms may begin years before recognised seizure onset.
Dr. Laurie Miller explains why memory problems happen in epilepsy, how different memory systems are affected, and the practical evidence-based strategies that may help improve everyday functioning.
What does epilepsy care look like when a clinician has to see more than 60 people in one day? Prof. Mamta Singh shares what high-volume epilepsy care really looks like in New Delhi - from specialist epilepsy clinics to outreach services across rural India.
Can exercise improve memory in people with an epilepsy? Jane Allendorfer shares early evidence from a six-week intervention and her newly completed randomised trial exploring how physical activity may drive cognitive improvement and changes in brain connectivity.
A deep dive into how combined MEG and high-density EEG can precisely localise seizure source in children with drug-resistant epilepsy, improving surgical decision-making and outcomes! With Christos Papadelis, Ph.D..
Exploring how epilepsy care goes beyond seizures, with a focus on mood, cognition, and the real-life priorities that shape quality of life, with Epilepsy Nurse Practicioner, Dr. Lucretia Long.
Many children suitable for epilepsy surgery are still not referred for evaluation. Asst. Prof. Juan Perez discusses the barriers behind this in Latin American and the steps being taken to address them.
What happens when epilepsy medication doesn’t work? Prof. John Duncan explains how treatment moves beyond medication, including surgery and neuromodulation, and why decisions must balance seizure control, risk, and quality of life.
Why does epilepsy still receive so little funding, attention and public understanding? Intellectual disability nurse Jay Price discusses underfunding, ignorance, misdiagnosis, and how co-produced training could improve care.
MRI scans can miss epilepsy lesions that may be treatable with surgery. Dr. Konrad Wagstyl discusses how his biotech AI tools trained on large MRI datasets are helping detect subtle brain abnormalities and identify surgical candidates earlier.
Generalised epilepsy is often described as involving the whole brain at once. Dr. Frederic Schaper discusses research suggesting shared brain networks may underlie these seizures - and how those networks overlap with targets used for deep brain stimulation.
Psychiatric symptoms are integral to the epilepsies and can shape disease course and quality of life. Dr. Andres M. Kanner explains how depression, anxiety, ADHD, and psychosis influence treatment decisions and outcomes.