A comprehensive collection of the most recent knowledge on the biological bases of various kinds of epilepsies and modern clinical approaches to their treatment. Epilepsy affects about 0.5-1% of the world's population (about 50,000,000 individuals) and the main goal of its treatment is to eliminate seizures without creating side effects.

Despite numerous advances in the treatment of epilepsy and the approval of several new antiepileptic drugs, about 30% of patients continue to experience recurrent seizures which are medically, physically, and/or socially disabling. The editor of this volume hopes that by bridging the gap between the fundamental biology of epilepsy and its clinical implications he might spur further research and treatment options.

Autorentext
Dr. Pasquale Striano is a Research Associate at the University of Genova's Pediatric Neurology and Muscular Diseases Unit, where his main field of interest is molecular genetics of idiopathic epilepsies with a special interest in structural genomic variation and genotype-phenotype relationships. Dr. Striano is actively included in multicenter projects in Italy, Europe, and around the world. He is also a member of the Board of Italian League Against Epilepsy (LICE), a scientific association focused on promoting knowledge of Epilepsy in order to improve patient care.

Inhalt

Preface.- Copy number variants and epilepsy: new emerging syndromes.- Mutations of ion channels in genetic epilepsies.- LGI1 dysfunction in inherited and acquired epileptic disorders.- Glioneuronal tumors and epilepsy: clinico-diagnostic features and surgical strategies.- Metabolic causes of epilepsy.- New insights into mechanisms underlying generalized reflex seizures.- Current status and future prospective of neuroimaging for epilepsy.- The complex relationship between epilepsy and headache and the concept of ictal epileptic headache.- Epilepsy and immune system: a tour around the current literature.- Novel molecular targets for drug-treatment of epilepsy.- Reproductive hormones in epilepsy therapy: from old promises to new hopes.- Neuromodulation for the treatment of drug-resistant epilepsy.- New radiosurgical paradigms to treat epilepsy using synchrotron radiation.