Category Archive

Seizures in Children

Cannabidiol the Voices of Epilepsy’s hottest topic of 2015

December 10, 2015

By Deron Hamel Epilepsy Ontario’s weekly column, the Voices of Epilepsy, saw strong readership in 2015, and of all the issues covered this year one received more buzz on the organization’s social-media platforms than any other: cannabidiol (CBD). CBD is a substance derived from the marijuana plant. It is the most abundant, non-psychoactive chemical compound…

2,000% price hike on infantile spasms medication ‘predatory behaviour’: Neurologist

September 24, 2015

By Deron Hamel A 2,000-per-cent price hike on a medication to treat infantile spasms is “predatory behaviour” on the part of Questcor Pharmaceuticals, and drug companies could hike prices on other seizure medications if policies aren’t put into place, says pediatric neurologist Dr. Carter Snead. Infantile spasms – also called West syndrome – is a…

Supreme Court’s medicinal marijuana ruling a relief for family of child with Dravet syndrome

June 18, 2015

By Deron Hamel The Supreme Court of Canada’s landmark decision to legalize all forms of consumption of medicinal marijuana means Mandy McKnight no longer has to break the law in order to stop her young son’s seizures. Mandy’s seven-year-old son, Liam, has Dravet syndrome, a severe form of epilepsy with frequent, prolonged, drug-resistant seizures. He…