Stop! …Seizures

Epilepsy is a condition in which abnormal neurons spontaneously emit abnormally high electrical activity, causing seizures. Epilepsy can be caused by hypoxia during birth, head injuries, brain tumors, central nervous system infections, cerebrovascular diseases, or hereditary in some cases. Seizures in epilepsy patients can cause physical injuries and also have social impacts to the patients. Many of them may not receive opportunities from society as still there have been some false beliefs regarding competency of epilepsy patients. Since the goal of our center is to help improve the patients’quality of life, for years we have attempted to bring more advanced and effective treatments to the patients.

The Chulalongkorn Comprehensive Epilepsy Centre of Excellence is one of the pioneers in the region i.e., Thailand and ASEAN to initiate surgical treatment of drug-resistant epilepsy, where more than 1,000 patients who have undergone an epilepsy surgery. Currently, advanced devices are being used in complex epilepsy in order to help define seizure spots for surgery. Among them, a 256-channel high-density eslectroencephalography (dEEG) allows us be able to more accurately identify the origin of the seizures, rendering better seizure control after the surgery and reducing the surgical risks.

Regarding treatments for non-operable patients, a neuromodulation therapy is one of the approved methods. The neuromodulation devices i.e., vagus nerve stimulation (VNS), deep brain stimulation (DBS) and Responsive neurostimulation (RNS) have been approved by US FDA and/or Europe to be used in these patients. In our center, there have been only limited number of the patients who can receive these treatments due to their high cost although our initial experiences showed that some patients did respond well to these treatments. 

In addition, nowadays, there are newer antiseizure medications that are effective in helping control seizures, but they are not covered by patient’s treatment rights. These medications are very important and are vitally needed to treat patients whose seizures are difficult to control. The epilepsy centre needs the funding to purchase these drugs to treat this group of patients who are greatly in need.

Benefits for the patients of epilepsy

Patients with complex epilepsy that their seizures are difficult to control will have access to more advanced treatments, which increases their chances of recovery from seizures or a decrease in seizure frequency. This will allow them to assimilate into society and have a better quality of life.

Expenses

1.  Upgrading the high-density EEG system – 5,000,000 baht

2.  Neuromodulation devices for patients with seizures which are difficult to control – 5,000,000 baht

3.  Antiseizure medications that are not covered by treatment eligibility without extra cost – 2,000,000 baht

Total expenses- 12,000,000 baht