touchLIVE MEETING Addressing unmet needs to improve outcomes for people with epilepsy
Keep up to date on the latest developments by watching this webinar discussing key issues in the treatment and management of severe epilepsy, focussing on:
- The key unmet medical needs that still exist for people with severe epilepsy.
- How the latest clinical trial results support emerging therapeutic options to address these unmet needs.
- Challenges and insights that the COVID-19 pandemic has revealed about the diagnosis, treatment and management of people with epilepsy.
Part 1: Watch the webinar with three internationally renowned experts discussing key issues in the treatment and management of severe epilepsy Watch Now
Part 2: Watch the interview providing the highlights of the webinar Watch Now
Introduction
Key unmet medical needs that remain for people with epilepsy today
PANEL DISCUSSION
The impact of the COVID-19 pandemic in people with epilepsy: Additional burdens and barriers
PANEL DISCUSSION
Audience questions and close
Professor Ley Sander discusses the challenges and unmet needs that people with epilepsy still face today, especially during the COVID-19 pandemic, and recent developments in the field that may help to address these challenges.
Interview Questions
In this interview, Professor Ley Sander answers the following questions:
- What are the main challenges and unmet needs in treating epilepsy?
- In your opinion, what have been the most promising therapeutic developments in the past few years, and how do you think these might address these unmet needs?
- How has the COVID-19 pandemic affected patient care and support?
- Overall, what is the current outlook for patients with epilepsy that is refractory to conventional ASMs, and how can we further improve their quality of life?
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Overview & Learning Objectives
Overview
- Despite the availability of a wide variety of anti-epileptic drugs, there is still a clear unmet medical need; it is estimated that in 30–40% of all people with epilepsy, the disease is refractory to treatment, and patients continue to experience seizures1
- The COVID-19 pandemic has also raised additional challenges and barriers to the effective diagnosis and management of epilepsy and highlighted the need for appropriate support for both people with epilepsy and caregivers
- For this touchLIVE MEETING webinar, three leading experts will be discussing key issues in the treatment and management of severe epilepsy, focussing on:
- The key unmet medical needs that still exist for people with severe epilepsy
- How the latest clinical trial results support emerging therapeutic options to address these unmet needs
- Challenges and insights that the COVID-19 pandemic has revealed about the diagnosis, treatment and management of people with epilepsy
Learning Objectives
After watching this activity, you should be able to:
- Assess the main diagnostic approaches in epilepsy and the challenges that remain in the management and monitoring of the disease, particularly during the COVID-19 pandemic
- Recognize the key medical unmet needs that remain for people with epilepsy, especially with conditions that are often refractory to conventional anti-epileptic drugs, such as encephalopathic epilepsies
- Describe recent therapeutic developments in epilepsy, evaluate the supporting clinical evidence, and appreciate how they might impact quality of life beyond symptom control
Faculty & Disclosures
Professor Ley Sander
Professor of Neurology and Clinical Epilepsy, National Hospital for Neurology & Neurosurgery, Queen Square, London, UK
Ley Sander is Professor of Neurology and Clinical Epilepsy and Honorary Consultant Neurologist with a specialist interest in epilepsy.
Disclosures: Professor Sander has received research grants from Medtronic and UCB, received honoraria as a speaker in virtual and presential events sponsored by Arvelle Therapeutics, Eisai, Novartis, UCB and Zogenix, and for participation on advisory boards for Arvelle, UCB and Zogenix. Professor Sander has, or his department has, undertaken, or are undertaking, studies funded by research grants from Medtronic and UCB. He has not, nor has any members of his family, owned shares or equities in pharmaceutical or medical device companies.
Dr Patricia Smeyers
Paediatric Neurologist, Hospital Infantil Universitario La Fe, Valencia, Spain
Dr Patricia Smeyers is working as a paediatric neurologist in Valencia (Spain), where she is in charge of paediatric epilepsy in the Multidisciplinary Epilepsy Unit at Hospital Universitario y Politécnico La Fe. This unit is a national and European (Epicare) reference centre for rare epilepsies and epilepsy surgery.
Disclosures:
Dr Smeyers has received honoraria for participation in advisory boards, talks and formative activities from Bial, Eisai, GW pharmaceuticals, Humana, Neuraxpharm and UCB.
Dr Pasquale Striano
Associate Professor, Università degli Studi di Genova, Genova, Italy
Dr Striano is actively involved in research projects in Italy, Europe and worldwide. He is a board member of Italian League Against Epilepsy (LICE), a scientific association that is focused on promoting knowledge of epilepsy among people and among physicians to improve the care of patients. The collaborative network of LICE is actively working on both International and European projects.
Disclosures:
Dr Striano has received speaker fees and has participated in advisory boards for Biomarin, GW Pharmaceuticals and Zogenyx, and has received research funding from Eisai ENECTA BV, GW Pharmaceuticals and Kolfarma Srl.
References
References
- Laxer KD, et al. The consequences of refractory epilepsy and its treatment. Epilepsy Behav. 2014;37:59–70.