eGP epilepsy in general practice

October 2019

Epilepsy Action Australia in partnership with SUDEP Action in the UK has launched the SUDEP and Seizure Safety Checklist, the first resource in Australia to assist clinicians and those living with epilepsy to discuss seizure risks, including SUDEP.

October 2019

Hear the message from Matt Preston here

23rd October 2019

SUDEP Action announces Matt Preston, award winning food writer and international TV personality as its first SUDEP Action International Ambassador to raise awareness of work to prevent epilepsy deaths.

June 2019

An Australian-first telephone and email service to support people living with epilepsy and their families has been launched today by Epilepsy Action Australia.

The Epilepsy Nurse Line, which is available from 9am to 5pm seven days a week in all Australian states and territories, has been funded by the Australian Government Department of Health.

May 2019

This grant will help the University of Sydney to accelerate its work on a seizure advisory system for adult individuals diagnosed with epilepsy who want or used to drive a vehicle.

The system, NeuroSyd, aims at real-time monitoring and processing of brain-signals while driving, in a group of people living with epilepsy. 

Decemver 2018

International researchers, led by Australian Prof Sam Berkovic, have examined the DNA of more than 45 000 people, leading to the discovery of 11 genes associated with the disorder.

November 2018

Epilepsy diagnoses prompt parents to embark on gruelling record for longest journey by dragon boat

October 2018

Predicting epileptic seizures: creating an implantable detection device.

Presentation delivered by Professor Mark Cook, University of Melbourne.

April 2018

“Don't do medicine”, was the advice of Ingrid Scheffer's mother (a nurse). Thankfully, these were some of her mother's wise words that she would ignore.

July 2017

A new device developed in Melbourne that is like a "fit bit for the brain" has the potential to predict and prevent epileptic seizures, scientists say.

April 2017

The American Academy of Neurology and the American Epilepsy Society have released a new guideline on sudden unexpected death in epilepsy (SUDEP), highlighting the incidence, risk factors, and preventive approaches for this poorly understood and catastrophic risk of epilepsy.

March 2017

In this ABC Health Report podcast hear Professor Ingrid Scheffer explain how the new classifications in epilepsy will assist clinicians in the management of the condition.

March 2017

An overhaul of epilepsy guidelines has given seizure types formal recognition and provides general practitioners with better information on epilepsy causes and its association with other disorders, such as autism. It also describes epilepsy types in plain language so patients and their families can understand.

March 2017

The International League Against Epilepsy presents a revised operational classification of seizure types. Because current knowledge is insufficient to form a scientifically based classification, the 2017 Classification is operational (practical) and based on the 1981 Classification, extended in 2010.

February 2017

RN - ABC Radio   Amanda Smith hosts this important discussion on 'Life Matters'

November 2016

The Epilepsy Society of Australia has released a Medical Marijuana position statement. 

October 2016

Melbourne researchers have grown a “brain in a box” — a 3D network of connected neurons made from a patient’s cells — that will be used to test medications for brain disorders so the best drug and dose can be found.

Autumn /Winter 2016

'To be able to create a device that can record brainwave activity over long periods of time, without damaging the brain is an amazing devlpment in modern medicine.' Professor Terence O'Brien

June 2016

Computational models of the brain are transforming how we study it.New technologies that interact with the organ can help to solve neurological conditions.

May 2016

Patients with epilepsy have a higher rate of premature death than the general population. The commonest cause of death from epilepsy is sudden unexpected death in epilepsy (SUDEP).

This course uses video and case studies to illustrate various points in the clinical management of patients with epilepsy.

General Practice has an important role to work with people with epilepsy and their families to minimise the impact of the condition and the risk of death. 

May 2016

SUDEP Action and partners win Neurology Team of the year BMJ Award for innovation to reduce deaths in people with epilepsy

January 2016

An Auckland mother is calling for greater awareness about the links between some epilepsy drugs and birth defects

August 2015

Professor Frank Vajda received the International League against Epilepsy and the International Bureau for Epilepsy’s Ambassador Award. Internationally, Professor Vajda has led the charge in understanding and treating the complications of epilepsy drugs and pregnancy.

July 2015

Neurological similarities exist between epilepsy and sleep disorders. Professor Sahoo says 'it is known that sleep stages affect expression of epilepsy, and sleep has an impact on the poorly understood occurrence of SUDEP. So there are significant benefits to correlating epilepsy with sleep research data.' 

July 2015

EpSMon will show which risks are getting better, which have worsened and which have stayed the same so the patiet can show this to their GP. It can also help patients decide whether to seek help earlier than the next planned visit. Available in the UK now.

Newly released guidance on the use of valproate in girls and women of childbearing age from a joint Task Force of the Commission on European Affairs of the International League Against Epilepsy (CEA-ILAE) and the European Academy of Neurology (EAN).

July 2015

The family of friends of Kirsty Cosgriff are raising funds in her name. 

May 17th 2015

BMJ report points out need to monitor epilepsy risks and keep patients safe.

March 4th 2015,

An editorial published this month in the British Medical Journal, calls for GP screening of people with epilepsy at high risk of premature death to allow for a step-up of care. 

Ostler, Cousins & Ridsdale

A review of research on epilepsy deaths has been published focussing on behavioural and psychosocial risks. It highlights the importance of interventions that could help reduce deaths that might be amenable to better medical care, such as accidents and suicide.

December 5, 2014

A unique sudep knowledge repository is now availalbe online.

October 2, 2014

Scientists in the US are conducting a new study that aims to provide a better understanding on the factors that affect the onset of epilepsy. 

September 4, 2014

Mark Horstman reveals the advancements in epilepsy treatment that are giving epilepsy sufferers new hope

September 3 2014

Epilepsy researchers think they're getting closer to developing a cure for the condition after a major discovery about its cause. The world's biggest ever epilepsy gene study has identified two genes that together appear to trigger the most common form of the neurological disorder.

September 2, 2014

Delegates attending the10th Asian & Oceanian Epilepsy Congress (AOEC), which took place in Singapore this August, heard an update on research on SUDEP from Dr Rosey Panelli, International Research Officer at SUDEP Action.