Category Archive

All About Seizures

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…

Scholarship winner began advocating for epilepsy awareness shortly after diagnosis

July 16, 2015

By Deron Hamel It wasn’t long after Sarah Hysenaj had her first seizure that she became an epilepsy awareness advocate. Sarah was 11 years old and on a school field trip when she had her first seizure in front of her classmates. Fortunately for Sarah, her teacher knew exactly what was happening and what to…

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…

CBD study shows promise, but more trials needed

May 1, 2015

By Deron Hamel Results from an early phase clinical trial suggest that cannabidiol (CBD) may be an effective treatment for stemming the number of seizures for people living with severe, drug-resistant forms of epilepsy, however, randomized controlled trials are needed before conclusions can be drawn on the chemical compound’s effectiveness, says Dr. Elizabeth Donner. While…