Health Conditions

What is on the horizon?

Researchers are always studying new drugs that are designed to cause fewer side effects and have fewer interactions with other drugs used in the treatment of epilepsy. Retigabine is a new drug currently being studied for safety and effectiveness. Retigabine is currently the only drug being studied that has an activity in the potassium channels. Researchers hope this new approach to treatment of seizure disorder will work in patients with refractory epilepsy that have taken between one to three other anticonvulsant agents. Researchers are trying to determine whether any of the drugs considered for use only after initial drug treatment fails are effective in the initial treatment of seizures. Using these drugs at the beginning of therapy would be desirable because they cause fewer side effects and drug interactions. Behavioral treatments such as relaxation techniques and life style changes are also being studied for seizure disorders.

Other research is focused on the development of seizure disorders. Studies are being conducted to find the genes involved in seizure disorder. A better understanding of the development of seizure disorders could lead to improved treatments. Because available antiepileptic agents are still inadequate for many patients researchers in this area will continue to strive to improve therapy for seizure disorders.