| Epilepsy is characterized by repeated seizures that may occur as often as several times a day, or as infrequently as once every few months. Normally, millions of tiny electrical charges pass between nerve cells in the brain and throughout the body to control the body's many functions. Epileptic seizures are caused by unusual and strong bursts of electrical energy in the brain. Nearly one-third of people newly diagnosed each year with epilepsy are children. Children are most prone to developing epilepsy in early childhood or at adolescence. However, epilepsy can develop at any age in children or adults. Epilepsy may be triggered by structural abnormality in the brain, brain injury, an infection, or other factors. In the majority of cases, however, the cause cannot be determined. Diagnosis In addition to a comprehensive physical examination and analysis of the child's medical history, physicians at the University of Chicago Pediatric Epilepsy Center may conduct an electroencephalogram (EEG) to record electrical activity in the brain or an MRI scan of the brain to identify the precise location of abnormal electrical activity. The source of epileptic seizures differs within each child's brain. Significant technological advances have greatly improved the diagnostic accuracy for children with epilepsy. University of Chicago scientists and neurologists pioneered multimodal imaging techniques which provide a detailed look at electrical activity inside the brain and pinpoint the source of abnormal activity. By combining several different imaging techniques, multimodal imaging enables physicians to create a "map" of the brain's electrical activity. During surgery, this map is imposed right on the child's brain to guide the neurosurgeon's procedure. This diagnostic accuracy helps to protect the child's delicate brain structures throughout surgery. Treatment Fortunately, many children respond well to epilepsy treatment. Neurologists at the University of Chicago Comer Children's Hospital use all approved drug therapies to treat children with epilepsy. After several years of treatment, some children seem to outgrow epilepsy and are able to discontinue anti-convulsant medication. Children with severe epilepsy and a well-defined focal point causing erratic electrical brain activity may be candidates for surgical treatment. Depending on the focal point's location, highly trained University of Chicago neurosurgeons may be able to remove the damaged section of brain tissue without impairing the child's brain function. Previously, neurosurgery was postponed until children passed puberty and both the body and brain reached near-maturity. However, epilepsy specialists now know that better results can be achieved when surgery is performed on younger children. Because children are still growing, their brain cortex can rearrange and repair itself after surgery. Children with severe epilepsy are evaluated for surgery as early as possible at the University of Chicago Comer Children's Hopsital. By reducing or eliminating seizures at a younger age, children are spared the side effects of long-term anti-convulsant medications and frequent seizures. (Frequent seizures and strong medications can impair a child's intellectual, social and physical development.) For surgery — Identifying the seizure source: In order to identify the exact site in the brain where epileptic seizures originate, neurologists must study the child's seizures as they occur. This diagnostic process is detail-focused and time-consuming. Children are admitted to the University of Chicago Comer Children's Hospital for up to two weeks, where anti-convulsant drugs are gradually withdrawn so that seizures will occur with more frequency and severity. Then, the child's brain eactivity is recorded during repeated seizures. Of course, patients are closely monitored as seizures occur in the hospital setting. Ketogenic diet: At times epileptic patients are placed on a special diet which can reduce the number of seizures. In fact, one of the pediatric neurologists at the University of Chicago was a pioneer in discovering the efficacy of the ketogenic diet in epileptics. University of Chicago Research in Epilepsy Researchers here continue to work with University of Chicago physicists to enhance brain imaging techniques that will lead to even better neurosurgical treatment of epilepsy. In addition, epilepsy specialists here are active on Epilepsy Foundation of America Related Websites The Epilepsy Foundation of America | 
Free Forum Hosting
Important Announcement
