Image: Epilepsy Research UK - Team of researchers
There are at least 40 different types of epilepsy which means that everyone’s epilepsy is personal and will be treated individually as people will react differently to the various types of anti-epileptic medication available.
We would like to extend an enormous thank you to everyone who so generously donated to our Radio 4 appeal in May. With your help we raised a healthy £7,814 for research.
Epilepsy is hampered by a lack of awareness in the population and as a result is a much misunderstood condition. When the word ‘epilepsy’ is mentioned many will think of the classic ‘tonic clonic’ seizure which results in a loss of consciousness and violent spasms, often causing injury to the individual.
The general public does not realise that medication does not work for everyone. This means that about 30% of people will still experience uncontrolled and unpredictable seizures. These two factors combine to make it absolutely vital for research into the condition to help advance the day when everyone can live seizure free.
This year, with your help, we were able to fund a total of 12 new research grants – more than we have ever funded before. In fact, the monies raised was more than sufficient to fund one entire pilot grant looking at whether or not hospitals who treat many people with status epilepticus (a medical emergency characterised by more than 5 minutes of unrelieved seizure activity) have better outcomes than those centres that only deal with a few.
You can find out more about the charity .