IOM Report on Epilepsy Supports Comprehensive Approach

The third recommendation focusing on developing and evaluating prevention efforts for epilepsy and its consequences – is of particular interest to both neurologic researchers and clinicians. The committee suggested that the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention partner with other stakeholders to develop and evaluate prevention efforts that focus on: preventing neurocysticercosis in high-risk populations; continuing prevention efforts for established risk factors of epilepsy (for example, traumatic brain injury, stroke, brain infections such as meningitis); preventing continued seizures in people with epilepsy and depression; reducing felt stigma; and preventing epilepsy-related causes of death, including accidents and injuries and suicide.

The fourth recommendation emphasizing the improvement of early identification of epilepsy and its comorbid health conditions also is relevant for clinicians. The committee recommends that the AES and American Academy of Neurology lead a collaborative effort with the wide range of relevant federal agencies and professional organizations to develop and validate screening tests for early identification of epilepsy in at-risk populations, establish and disseminate a standard screening protocol for comorbidities with currently approved screening tests, and establish and disseminate a screening tool for early identification of patients with persistent seizures to lead to earlier referrals to an epileptologist.

For more information, contact epilepsy@nas.edu. For free pdfs of the report, go to iom.edu/epilepsy.