Neurológia pre prax 2/2009

Modern rational treatment of epilepsy

Epilepsy treatment went through a substantial evolution in the last years, which obviously improved prognosis of the patients, but simultaneously strongly increased demands on disease management from the viewpoint of the medical professionals. Contemporary management of epilepsy patients requires highly complex and rational approach. The treatment always has to be „tailored“ to the need of individual patient. Regarding the pharmacological treatment choice we should prefer maximal effectivity and tolerability of the antiepileptic drugs before economic factors. In patients resistant to the pharmacotherapy an early assessment of epilepsy surgery is strongly recommended. Systematic psychosocial support represents a significant part of the modern care of intractable epilepsy patients.

Keywords: antiepileptic drugs, epilepsy, epilepsy surgery, psychosocial support, therapy