Epilepsy

by Alarcon, Gonzalo; Nashef, Lina; Cross, Helen; Nightingale, Jennifer; Richardson, Stuart

• ISBN13: 9780198570738
• ISBN10: 0198570732
• Edition: 1st
• Format: Paperback
• Copyright: 2009-05-24
• Publisher: Oxford University Press

Summary

Epilepsy is one of the most common neurological disorders, with a prevalence of 4-10/1000 and an incidence of 50-70/100,000 per year. It is often life-long, can appear at any age and includes a diverse group of neurological disorders, which present considerable challenges in diagnosis andmanagement. Therefore, it is a condition that will frequently be seen by GPs and by a wide range of specialist physicians such as neurologists, psychiatrists, neurosurgeons, paediatricians, geriatricians as well as allied health professionals such as nurses (in particular epilepsy specialistnurses), EEG technicians, neuropsychologists and researchers with an interest in epilepsy. The diversity of epilepsy syndromes makes it difficult to achieve an adequate level of knowledge and expertise in their management.Epilepsy is a comprehensive handbook which guides the reader though all aspects of epilepsy, both practical and academic, covering all aspects of diagnosis and management of the patient with epilepsy in a clear, concise and practical fashion. The book appeals to a wide audience by teaching a simplebut highly practical method to approaching the classification and diagnosis of epilepsy, and then provides patient-centred information on pharmacological and non-pharmacological management.

Author Biography

Dr Gonzalo Alarcon was born in Madrid where he graduated in Medicine with distinction and obtained a PhD from the Universidad Complutense. In 1987 he obtained a Fleming Award to carry out research on spinal processing of pain in the Department of Physiology at the University of Bristol (UK). Since 1989 he has carried out research on several aspects of epileptology at Imperial College and King's College Hospital, with particular interest in presurgical assessment of epilepsy and the mechanisms involved in the generation of human epileptic seizures. In 1994 he was awarded the Gowers Prize (Young Physician) by the International League Against Epilepsy (British Branch). He has been a consultant at King's College London since 1996. He has published over 70 scientific publications and book chapters.
Dr Lina Nashef is an Honorary Senior Lecturer and Consultant Neurologist with an interest in Epilepsy at King's College Hospital, London, UK. She also worked as a consultant neurologist at Kent & Canterbury Hospital between 1996 and 2003 with a district hospital based large epilepsy practice. She qualified from the University of Bristol in 1980, obtained her MRCP in 1984, and did neurology training in Bristol, Charing Cross Hospital, King's College Hospital and the National Hospital for Neurology and Neurosurgery. She researched Sudden Death in Epilepsy with the Epilepsy Research Group at the Institute of Neurology and National Society of Epilepsy, obtaining her MD in 1996. She was elected a fellow of the Royal College of Physicians in 2000. Her research interests include genetics of idiopathic epilepsy and Sudden Death in Epilepsy. She is a member of the DVLA neurology advisory panel. She is regularly involved in teaching and has written a number of peer reviewed publications and book chapters. Dr Helen Cross is the Prince of Wales's Chair of Childhood Epilepsy at UCL-Institute of Child Health, Great Ormond Street Hospital for Children NHS Trust, London and National Centre for Young People with Epilepsy, Lingfield. She qualified from Birmingham University in 1984, trained in paediatrics in Birmingham and subsequently in paediatric neurology in London, obtaining her PhD in 1998. Although she has a significant research commitment, she has been involved specifically in developing epilepsy services, particularly the epilepsy surgery programme, working across four departments. She is on the Editorial Board of Epileptic Disorders and European Journal of Paediatric Neurology. In 2007 she has been awarded an Ambassador for Epilepsy Award by the ILAE. Her research interests include neuroimaging as well as the role of early surgical intervention and new treatments in childhood epilepsy. Jennifer Nightingale qualified as a nurse from St Bartholomew's hospital in 1995. Specialising early, she worked initially in neurosurgery and then neurology, completing various neurosciences courses during that time. She has also worked for The British Brain and Spine Foundation as an information officer. In 1999 she established The Epilepsy Nursing Service at Barts and The London NHS Trust. In 2004 she completed an MSc in Epileptology obtaining a distinction. Jennifer continues to work as an epilepsy nurse specialist at Barts and The London NHS Trust with special interests in women's issues and learning disabilities. She has a keen interest in teaching, including courses at Queen Mary's School of medicine and City University as well as the Msc Epileptology course at King's College.
Stuart Richardson qualified as a pharmacist in 2000. He worked at the Chelsea & Westminster Hospital for 5 years as a clinical pharmacist specialising in stroke and neurology, before moving to King's College Hospital to lead on the clinical pharmacy service to the Regional Neurosciences Unit at King's in 2005 as Principal Pharmacist, Neurosciences.

Table of Contents

1. What is epilepsy?2. Mechanisms of epilepsy3a. Types of epileptic seizures3b. From seizures to syndromes3c. Is it epilepsy4a. What to do I do now4b. Medical treatment of epilepsy4c. Surgical treatment of epilepsy4d. Women's issues5. Seizures under special circumstances6. Consequences of having epilepsy7. Heathcare and economics