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Can fewer seizures sometimes come at the expense of quality of life? Epilepsy Specialist Nurse (ESN) Matilda Modigh goes into the challenges of living with drug-resistant epilepsy, surprising, positive findings about children's experiences of long-term video EEG monitoring (they appreciated it!), and the balance between seizure control, medication side effects and wellbeing. Discover how ESNs support independence, safety, mental health, and quality of life.This episode is sponsored by the Drug-Resistant Epilepsy Course organised by the Spanish Epilepsy Society - supporting education and public understanding of epilepsy: https://2026.drugsresistantepilepsy.com Chapters 📖00:00 Trailer & intro00:54 Meet Matilda Modigh01:38 Life beyond seizures: sleep, behaviour & wellbeing04:34 Epilepsy, education & child development05:22 Long-term video EEG monitoring07:24 Surprising findings: what children really thought08:49 Quality of life beyond seizure control09:38 Living with epilepsy: independence & everyday life11:33 Transitioning from paediatric to adult epilepsy care13:20 Epilepsy safety, mental health & support14:58 Fewer seizures, but at what cost?17:22 The importance of consistent epilepsy nursing care19:17 Listening to people's emotional needs21:11 Supporting independence in young people22:09 Improving quality of life with uncontrolled seizures23:17 Closing thoughts & thanks 🔗 Episode page and transcript epilepsysparks.com/epilepsy-sparks-insights/epilepsy-nurse-eeg-seizure-control 🌐 More about Matilda epilepsysparks.com/guests/matilda-modigh 🌐 More Epilepsy Sparks Insights epilepsysparks.com/epilepsy-sparks-insights 🎥 Watch on YouTube youtu.be/IzwsZyJDRdg 🔤 Don’t understand terms used? Check out the Epilepsy Sparks Glossary epilepsysparks.com/glossary 📲 Join us on social media!〰️ LinkedIn epilepsy-sparks〰️ Instagram epilepsysparks〰️ Facebook epilepsysparks〰️ TikTok epilepsysparks〰️ Bluesky epilepsysparks​

What if we could diagnose epilepsy before the first seizure, offer surgery much earlier, or treat the underlying causes rather than just control seizures? And could better organisation and AI improve epilepsy care worldwide? Hear from leading epileptologist Dr José Serratosa as we explore the causes of epilepsy, advances in surgery, genetics and precision medicine, and what the future could hold!This episode is sponsored by the Drug-Resistant Epilepsy Course organised by the Spanish Epilepsy Society - supporting education and public understanding of epilepsy: https://2026.drugsresistantepilepsy.com Chapters 📖00:00 Trailer & intro01:34 Meet José Serratosa03:29 Why epilepsy is not a single disease05:26 Epilepsy at different ages06:14 The many causes of epilepsy08:07 Why epilepsy rates differ around the world10:08 Improving access to epilepsy diagnosis and care14:23 Public awareness and education about epilepsy18:18 Improving epilepsy education for clinicians19:39 Access to epilepsy surgery and delays21:15 Advances in epilepsy surgery - operating earlier26:48 Genetics and precision medicine in epilepsy30:08 Understanding the multiple causes of epilepsy32:38 The future of epilepsy treatment and prevention36:11 How AI could improve epilepsy care40:10 Closing thoughts and thanks 🔗 Episode page and transcript epilepsysparks.com/epilepsy-sparks-insights/causes-of-epilepsy-treatment-prevention 🌐 More about José epilepsysparks.com/guests/jose-serratosa 🌐 More Epilepsy Sparks Insights epilepsysparks.com/epilepsy-sparks-insights 🎥 Watch on YouTube youtube.com/@EpilepsySparksInsights 🔤 Don’t understand terms used? Check out the Epilepsy Sparks Glossary epilepsysparks.com/glossary 📲 Join us on social media!〰️ LinkedIn epilepsy-sparks〰️ Instagram epilepsysparks〰️ Facebook epilepsysparks〰️ TikTok epilepsysparks〰️ Bluesky epilepsysparks​

Epilepsy care has come a long way - from safer pregnancies and advances in genetics to better understanding the risks of epilepsy, including SUDEP. But why are some risks still not openly discussed, and could we one day prevent epilepsy rather than simply control seizures? Hear from leading epilepsy researcher Prof. Torbjörn Tomson on this week's podcast.This episode is sponsored by the Drug-Resistant Epilepsy Course organised by the Spanish Epilepsy Society - supporting education and public understanding of epilepsy: https://2026.drugsresistantepilepsy.com Chapters 📖00:00 Trailer & intro01:25 Meet Torbjörn Tomson03:26 Discoveries from epilepsy research05:55 Pregnancy in women with an epilepsy - history08:06 Fear and risk of fetal abnormalities - a reduction 09:50 Benefits of epilepsy pregnancy registers11:54 The valproate debacle - positive changes15:26 SUDEP history, education, and risk reduction23:15 Other risks to minimise25:23 Shared decision-making (clinician and person with an epilepsy/carer)25:48 Hopes for the future: anti-epileptogenic treatments27:37 Closing thoughts and thanks  🔗 Episode page and transcript epilepsysparks.com/epilepsy-sparks-insights/progress-history-epilepsy-care 🌐 More about Torbjörn epilepsysparks.com/guests/torbjorn-tomson 🌐 More Epilepsy Sparks Insights epilepsysparks.com/epilepsy-sparks-insights 🎥 Watch on YouTube youtube.com/@EpilepsySparksInsights 🔤 Don’t understand terms used? Check out the Epilepsy Sparks Glossary epilepsysparks.com/glossary 📲 Join us on social media!〰️ LinkedIn epilepsy-sparks〰️ Instagram epilepsysparks〰️ Facebook epilepsysparks〰️ TikTok epilepsysparks〰️ Bluesky epilepsysparks​

Good epilepsy care isn't about pills - it's about prevention, care, prescribing the right treatment, at the right time, for the right person. It’s about understanding each individual, their specific needs, and looking beyond seizure control. Hear more from Epileptologist Prof. Bernhard Steinhoff on this week’s podcast.This episode is sponsored by the Drug-Resistant Epilepsy Course organised by the Spanish Epilepsy Society - supporting education and public understanding of epilepsy: https://2026.drugsresistantepilepsy.com Chapters 📖00:00 Trailer & intro01:34 Meet Bernhard Steinhoff02:04 What is great epilepsy care?03:20 Using the right medications06:39 Capacity of neurolgoists09:11 Sleep, alcohol, driving, and bathing12:44 Talking about SUDEP15:40 When people don’t know they’ve seized17:41 When you find out you don’t have an epilepsy18:46 Therapeutic nihilism21:27 Strategy: new medications and side effects24:02 Epilepsy surgery26:03 Precision medicine for children and in DEEs27:15 Increasing number of older people with an epilepsy: the future30:01 Hope: never give up30:33 Closing thoughts and thanks 🔗 Episode page and transcript epilepsysparks.com/epilepsy-sparks-insights/treatment-strategy-specialist-epilepsy-care 🌐 More about Bernhard epilepsysparks.com/guests/bernhard-steinhoff 🌐 More Epilepsy Sparks Insights epilepsysparks.com/epilepsy-sparks-insights 🎥 Watch on YouTube youtube.com/@EpilepsySparksInsights 🔤 Don’t understand terms used? Check out the Epilepsy Sparks Glossary epilepsysparks.com/glossary 📲 Join us on social media!〰️ LinkedIn epilepsy-sparks〰️ Instagram epilepsysparks〰️ Facebook epilepsysparks〰️ TikTok epilepsysparks〰️ Bluesky epilepsysparks​

What’s it like to have/develop an epilepsy when you’re 65+ years? Epileptologist Dr. Manuel Toledo shares how commonly this age group is affected, the differences and challenges in having an epilepsy at an older age, what the priorities are, how medication effectiveness can vary, and so much more! Tune in to learn more.This episode is sponsored by the Drug-Resistant Epilepsy Course organised by the Spanish Epilepsy Society - supporting education and public understanding of epilepsy: https://2026.drugsresistantepilepsy.com Chapters 📖00:00 Trailer & intro01:32 Meet Manuel Toledo03:14 Epilepsy in people 65+ years04:36 Why is epilepsy so common in older people?07:07 Common challenges of having an epilepsy when 65+ years09:18 A fragile population10:25 Stigma in this age group15:04 Cognitive impairment and dementia18:53 Epileptic seizures - or not?22:01 Serious events missed if misdiagnosed with an epilepsy26:05 Day to day awareness: things to know32:33 Future impacts of research into epilepsy in older people35:02 Closing thoughts and thanks 🔗 Episode page and transcript epilepsysparks.com/epilepsy-sparks-insights/older-people 🌐 More about Manuel epilepsysparks.com/guests/manuel-toledo 🎧 Manuel's episode on travelling with an epilepsy: https://share.transistor.fm/s/4ddd368c 🌐 More Epilepsy Sparks Insights epilepsysparks.com/epilepsy-sparks-insights 🎥 Watch on YouTube youtube.com/@EpilepsySparksInsights 🔤 Don’t understand terms used? Check out the Epilepsy Sparks Glossary epilepsysparks.com/glossary 📲 Join us on social media!〰️ LinkedIn epilepsy-sparks〰️ Instagram epilepsysparks〰️ Facebook epilepsysparks〰️ TikTok epilepsysparks〰️ Bluesky epilepsysparks​

How can we improve access to epilepsy diagnoses around the world? Neurologist Dr. Victor Patterson shares with us how telemedicine and simple apps, AI, and machine learning can bring epilepsy expertise to people wherever they live - and make a huge difference to millions of lives! Chapters 📖00:00 Trailer & intro01:19 Meet Victor Patterson02:00 What is telemedicine and how did it start?05:03 Using an app to diagnose epilepsy09:13 More generalised than focal seizures in low-middle income countries10:17 Machine learning in epilepsy diagnoses11:03 Inaccuracies in diagnosis - what then?12:26 Let’s take action!12:58 Diagnoses aren’t always complex14:54 AI and the future in medicine16:03 Closing thoughts and thanks 🔗 Episode page and transcript epilepsysparks.com/epilepsy-sparks-insights/telemedicine-ai-machine-learning-lmic 🌐 More about Victor epilepsysparks.com/guests/victor-patterson 🌐 More Epilepsy Sparks Insights epilepsysparks.com/epilepsy-sparks-insights 🎥 Watch on YouTube youtube.com/@EpilepsySparksInsights 🔤 Don’t understand terms used? Check out the Epilepsy Sparks Glossary epilepsysparks.com/glossary 📲 Join us on social media!〰️ LinkedIn epilepsy-sparks〰️ Instagram epilepsysparks〰️ Facebook epilepsysparks〰️ TikTok epilepsysparks〰️ Bluesky epilepsysparks​

Why don’t we all have the same access to and quality of epilepsy treatment and care? We all deserve the best, no matter what makes us different. Today we hear from neurologist & epileptologist Dr. Jonathan Williams about these needs, health equity, and how we can satisfy them - through working together and addressing stigma. Chapters 📖00:00 Trailer & intro00:45 Meet Jonathan Wlliams01:04 What is health equity?02:36 The invisible things that affect health 03:48 Why is health equity important?05:59 What are the societal costs of epilepsy?06:52 Why should people without an epilepsy care?08:42 Employment and driving10:14 Next steps: education & challenging stigma13:11 Closing thoughts and thanks 🔗 Episode page and transcript epilepsysparks.com/epilepsy-sparks-insights/health-equity-disparities 🌐 More about Jonathan epilepsysparks.com/guests/jonathan-williams 🌐 More Epilepsy Sparks Insights epilepsysparks.com/epilepsy-sparks-insights 🎥 Watch on YouTube youtube.com/@EpilepsySparksInsights 🔤 Don’t understand terms used? Check out the Epilepsy Sparks Glossary epilepsysparks.com/glossary 📲 Join us on social media!〰️ LinkedIn epilepsy-sparks〰️ Instagram epilepsysparks〰️ Facebook epilepsysparks〰️ TikTok epilepsysparks〰️ Bluesky epilepsysparks​

Does epilepsy impact cognition? Could it be seizures, medications - or something that happened right at the beginning - even before seizures started? Hear all about it from epileptologist Dr. Jacob Pellinen who speaks of exciting answers - and questions - from the Human Epilepsy Project. Chapters 📖00:00 Trailer & intro01:07 Meet Jacob Pellinen01:17 Cognitive testing: The Human Epilepsy Project05:01 Types of cognitive testing used07:08 Results: cognition and epilepsy08:34 What might be causing the cognitive problems?09:44 Clinicians must take a holistic approach in care11:36 Cognitive issues with other causes12:27 Depression doesn’t cause epilepsy!13:51 Cognitive challenges must be addressed with all other symptoms15:14 Terrible experience - what a clinician should not do!15:56 Appointments: topic could be depression or memory - not just seizures16:37 Closing thoughts and thanks  🔗 Episode page and transcript epilepsysparks.com/epilepsy-sparks-insights/cognition-memory-attention-perception-metacognition-language 🌐 More about Jacob epilepsysparks.com/guests/jacob-pellinen 🌐 More Epilepsy Sparks Insights epilepsysparks.com/epilepsy-sparks-insights 🎥 Watch on YouTube youtube.com/@EpilepsySparksInsights 🔤 Don’t understand terms used? Check out the Epilepsy Sparks Glossary epilepsysparks.com/glossary 📲 Join us on social media!〰️ LinkedIn epilepsy-sparks〰️ Instagram epilepsysparks〰️ Facebook epilepsysparks〰️ TikTok epilepsysparks〰️ Bluesky epilepsysparks​

What are some newer types of epilepsy surgery? Today we hear about the new version called Robotic Thermocoagulative Hemispherotomy - for which you need a plaster! Also, what defines epilepsy surgery success? It isn't always just seizure reduction or freedom. Hear  all about it from epilepsy surgeon Prof. Sarat Chandra. Chapters 📖00:00 Trailer & intro01:19 Different epilepsy surgery techniques03:26 Endoscopic hemispherectomy07:11 Measuring the success of epilepsy surgery09:04 Improvements in mood09:44 Managing expectations11:03 Robotic Thermocoagulative Hemispherotomy17:02 Future use of lasers and radiofrequency18:14 The monetary price of Robotic Thermocoagulative Hemispherotomies19:06 Closing thoughts and thanks 🔗 Episode page and transcript epilepsy-sparks-insights/radio-frequency-robotic-thermocoagulative-hemispherotomy 🌐 More about Sarat epilepsysparks.com/guests/sarat-chandra 🌐 More Epilepsy Sparks Insights epilepsysparks.com/epilepsy-sparks-insights 🎥 Watch on YouTube youtube.com/@EpilepsySparksInsights 🔤 Don’t understand terms used? Check out the Epilepsy Sparks Glossary epilepsysparks.com/glossary 📲 Join us on social media!〰️ LinkedIn epilepsy-sparks〰️ Instagram epilepsysparks〰️ Facebook epilepsysparks〰️ TikTok epilepsysparks〰️ Bluesky epilepsysparks​

Lots of people are very scared of epilepsy surgery. What are the risks of having it? What are the risks of not having it? Potential benefits? The processes beforehand? Hear all about it from epilepsy surgeon Prof. Sarat Chandra!. Chapters 📖00:00 Trailer & intro01:02 Meet Sarat Chandra 01:55 Reasons to get epilepsy surgery05:03 Different types of epilepsy surgery08:19 Fear, full investigations, and consent for epilepsy surgery11:38 Example: Stereoelectroencephalography14:15 Measuring success of an epilepsy surgery and “The burden of normality”16:18 Considering memory18:49 Closing thoughts & thanks 🔗 Episode page and transcript epilepsy-sparks-insights/neurosurgery-risks-benefits-memory 🌐 More about Sarat epilepsysparks.com/guests/sarat-chandra 🌐 More Epilepsy Sparks Insights epilepsysparks.com/epilepsy-sparks-insights 🎥 Watch on YouTube youtube.com/@EpilepsySparksInsights 🔤 Don’t understand terms used? Check out the Epilepsy Sparks Glossary epilepsysparks.com/glossary 📲 Join us on social media!〰️ LinkedIn epilepsy-sparks〰️ Instagram epilepsysparks〰️ Facebook epilepsysparks〰️ TikTok epilepsysparks〰️ Bluesky epilepsysparks​

With neurologist Dr. Manjari Tripathi we hear about the complex world of epilepsy management, focusing on how treatments go beyond medications - including lifestyle changes and innovative surgical options! Join Manjari as she demystifies epilepsy treatments, preventative measures, quality of life, and looking at epilepsy surgery. Chapters 📖00:00 Trailer & intro01:03 Meet Manjari Tripathi 01:39 Epilepsy Is More Than Seizure Control: Daily Life, Stigma, and Mental Health 03:38 Diagnosing Epilepsy: Clinical History, EEG, Imaging, and Finding the Cause 05:27 Before Calling Epilepsy Drug-Resistant: Medication Adherence, Lifestyle, and Assessment 08:20 Why Early Referral Matters and How Patients Reach Epilepsy Surgery 11:01 Who Can Have Surgery? Ketogenic Therapy, Yoga, and Other Options When Surgery Isn’t Suitable 14:40 Improving Quality of Life: Exercise, Mental Health, Emotional Support, Family Communication, and Community Inclusion 18:25 Closing thoughts & thanks 🔗 Episode page and transcript epilepsysparks.com/epilepsy-sparks-insights/diagnosis-treatment-mental-health-surgery-yoga 🌐 More about Manjari epilepsysparks.com/guests/manjari-tripathi 🌐 More Epilepsy Sparks Insights epilepsysparks.com/epilepsy-sparks-insights 🎥 Watch on YouTube youtube.com/@EpilepsySparksInsights 🔤 Don’t understand terms used? Check out the Epilepsy Sparks Glossary epilepsysparks.com/glossary 📲 Join us on social media!〰️ LinkedIn epilepsy-sparks〰️ Instagram epilepsysparks〰️ Facebook epilepsysparks〰️ TikTok epilepsysparks〰️ Bluesky epilepsysparks​

Why do around 30% of people with epilepsy still have uncontrolled seizures despite decades of new antiseizure medications? Graeme Sills, PhD, explains the leading theories behind drug resistance - and how a better understanding of the brain could transform future epilepsy treatments. Chapters 📖00:00 Trailer & intro00:45 Meet Graeme Sills01:29 Introduction to pharmacology and epilepsy02:17 Challenges in epilepsy reatment06:30 Why the drugs don’t work: the drug-transporter hypothesis08:38 Why the drugs don’t work: the network hypothesis09:31 Why the drugs don’t work: the severity and genetic hypothesis10:06 Future directions in epilepsy research13:08 Innovative approaches to research and treatment?17:58 Closing thoughts & thanks 🔗 Episode page and transcript epilepsysparks.com/epilepsy-sparks-insights/pharmacology-past-present-future 🌐 More about Graeme epilepsysparks.com/guests/graeme-sills 🌐 More Epilepsy Sparks Insights epilepsysparks.com/epilepsy-sparks-insights 🎥 Watch on YouTube youtube.com/@EpilepsySparksInsights 🔤 Don’t understand terms used? Check out the Epilepsy Sparks Glossary epilepsysparks.com/glossary 📲 Join us on social media!〰️ LinkedIn epilepsy-sparks〰️ Instagram epilepsysparks〰️ Facebook epilepsysparks〰️ TikTok epilepsysparks〰️ Bluesky epilepsysparks​

Could a brain implant do more than reduce seizures? Dr. Vikram Rao explains how responsive neurostimulation (RNS) is changing the treatment of epilepsy, why researchers think it may work differently than first imagined, and how the technology is helping us learn more about the brain than ever before. Could it even help treat conditions beyond epilepsy in the future? Chapters 📖00:00 Trailer & intro01:07 Meet Dr. Vikram Rao02:01 What is RNS (Responsive Neurostimulation)?03:38 Surgery length and battery replacement04:21 Who’s suitable for RNS?05:12 Where RNS wires are placed06:53 RNS: a preventative approach?09:50 RNS data recording benefits12:11 Suitable for focal or generalised epilepsy?12:59 Benefits for DEEs, treatment resistant depression, and OCD?15:15 More information15:55 Safety and further development of RNS18:19 Closing thoughts & thanks 🔗 Episode page and transcript epilepsysparks.com/epilepsy-sparks-insights/rns-responsive-neurostimulation 🌐 More about Vikrkam epilepsysparks.com/guests/vikram-rao 🌐 More Epilepsy Sparks Insights epilepsysparks.com/epilepsy-sparks-insights 🎥 Watch on YouTube youtube.com/@EpilepsySparksInsights 🔤 Don’t understand terms used? Check out the Epilepsy Sparks Glossary epilepsysparks.com/glossary 📲 Join us on social media!〰️ LinkedIn epilepsy-sparks〰️ Instagram epilepsysparks〰️ Facebook epilepsysparks〰️ TikTok epilepsysparks〰️ Bluesky epilepsysparks​

Most people think every cell in their body contains exactly the same DNA. It turns out that's not always true. Epilepsy genetics researcher Dr. Stéphanie Baulac explains mosaicism, how tiny genetic mutations can exist in just a small number of brain cells, and why they can cause a type of epilepsy called focal cortical dysplasia (FCD). These discoveries are transforming our understanding of epilepsy and could pave the way for highly targeted treatments in the future. Chapters 📖00:00 Trailer & intro00:55 Meet Dr. Stéphanie Baulac01:12 What is focal cortical dysplasia?02:33 Are these genetic mutations inherited?04:17 How can so few cells cause seizures?07:12 What is mosaicism?09:26 What does this mean for families?10:03 What is precision medicine?10:04 Can treatments target only the affected brain cells?12:49 Why were these mutations only discovered recently?14:23 How are these mutations detected?15:09 Closing thoughts & thanks 🔗 Episode page and transcript epilepsysparks.com/epilepsy-sparks-insights/fcd-mosaicism-somatic 🌐 More about Stéphanie epilepsysparks.com/guests/stephanie-baulac 🌐 More Epilepsy Sparks Insights epilepsysparks.com/epilepsy-sparks-insights 🎥 Watch on YouTube youtube.com/@EpilepsySparksInsights 🔤 Don’t understand terms used? Check out the Epilepsy Sparks Glossary epilepsysparks.com/glossary 📲 Join us on social media!〰️ LinkedIn epilepsy-sparks〰️ Instagram epilepsysparks〰️ Facebook epilepsysparks〰️ TikTok epilepsysparks〰️ Bluesky epilepsysparks​

Could inflammation and the blood-brain barrier help explain why some seizures remain uncontrolled? Prof. Colin Doherty discusses emerging research into immune activity in epilepsy, how steroids may temporarily improve seizure control, and why future immunotherapies could help some people whose seizures do not respond to current treatments. Chapters 📖00:00 Trailer & intro00:31 Precision therapy for autoimmune diseases01:27 Hypothesis: could steroids prevent seizures through mending the leakage of the Blood Brain Barrier? 03:53 Neurologists and researchers need to think about autoimmune04:57 Blood Brain Barrier, steroids and genetics - current study07:01 History: why haven’t we done this research already?08:13 Immunologists: work with us!09:48 Comparison: cancer and immunology12:08 Clinicians and scientists: work with us!13:51 People with an epilepsy and carers: work with us!15:27 Closing thoughts & thanks 🔗 Episode page and transcript epilepsy-sparks-insights/autoimmune-therapy-blood-brain-barrier 🌐 More about Colin epilepsysparks.com/guests/colin-doherty 🌐 More Epilepsy Sparks Insights epilepsysparks.com/epilepsy-sparks-insights 🎥 Watch on YouTube youtube.com/@EpilepsySparksInsights 🔤 Don’t understand terms used? Check out the Epilepsy Sparks Glossary epilepsysparks.com/glossary 📲 Join us on social media!〰️ LinkedIn epilepsy-sparks〰️ Instagram epilepsysparks〰️ Facebook epilepsysparks〰️ TikTok epilepsysparks〰️ Bluesky epilepsysparks​