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Newsletter N° 15 | September, 2014 |
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Anti-epileptic drugs: Generic versus brand name Feature Article
Drugs that are used to treat epilepsy are called anti-epileptic drugs (AEDs for short). Epilepsy is a disorder that has been mentioned in ancient texts; hence, it is no surprise that the ancient Greeks and medieval Europeans used a variety of plants and herbs to cure epilepsy. In the 1800s, potassium bromide was found to be effective in seizures, and this marked the advent of modern AEDs. Today, there are a number of AEDs in the market. AEDs treat or curb seizures, they do not cure epilepsy. For this reason, some researchers say that perhaps a more accurate term would be ‘anti-seizure drug’ instead of ‘anti-epileptic drug’. Different AEDs are used for different epilepsy syndromes. The good news is that for two-third of people with epilepsy, their seizures will be effectively stopped with one AED. For the rest of the patient population, this is not the case, and a combination of AEDs may be necessary.
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Epilepsy Star: Mary Holtz |
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This issue we are featuring an incredible epilepsy star who has been working to raise epilepsy and seizure disorders awareness for years. She has singlehandedly put together massive teams of walkers for local and the national epilepsy walk and fund raised like nobody’s business.
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Epilepsy Survey Results: What is the national month of epilepsy awareness in the US? |
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Did you know that there is a NATIONAL EPILEPSY MONTH in the USA? On that month, the epilepsy community launches countless events throughout the country. Individuals dress in purple, education about epilepsy and seizures takes place almost on a daily basis, and much more. The National Epilepsy Month in the US is November. Now that you know, what are you going to do to raise epilepsy awareness?
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Safety in Epilepsy: 4Paws for Ability |
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For this issue of the Northeast Regional Epilepsy Center newsletter, we would like to feature an organization called 4Paws for Ability. Of course, we were interested in how 4Paws for Ability can help individuals with epilepsy, Sloka Iyengar, PhD talked to Ms. Karen Shirk – the founder of this wonderful institution.
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Our epilepsy community has been busy with Walks and epilepsy webinars |
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Our patients and doctors have been working steadily to educate the public on epilepsy and seizure topics, raise epilepsy awareness and support our local foundations through fundraising. We are especially proud of NEREG team captain, Shelby Santucci, who won the Best Individual and Corporate Fundraising awards in Dutchess County, NY!
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Our Epilepsy and Seizure Experts have been busy |
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Our epilepsy and seizure experts have been working hard educating health professionals about epilepsy and seizure disorders, advancing projects as well as becoming better trained in subspecialties.
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Support Groups
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Our support groups are back up and running through September 2014 to June 2015!
ADULTS WITH EPILEPSY & THEIR CAREGIVERS
1st Thursday of every month - 6:30 pm White Plains Hospital Centennial Room Davis Avenue & East Post Road White Plains, NY 10601
3rd Wednesday of every month - 6:30 pm Hackensack University Medical Center 20 Prospect Avenue - Suite 800 Main Conference Room Hackensack, NJ 07601
1st Tuesday of every month - 6:00 pm Jersey City Medical Center 355 Grand Street Conference Room #5 Jersey City, NJ 07302
PSYCHOGENIC NON-EPILEPTIC SEIZURES (PNES)
Third Wednesday of the month - 5:30 pm 20 Prospect Ave. Suite 800 Hackensack, NJ 07601 (the group closes for the summer in July and August and starts up again in September)
CONTACT INFORMATION
Urmi Vaidya 201-343-6676 uvmlcsw@gmail.com
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Epilepsy education and awareness events don’t take a break in the fall and winter. There are a number of activities being offered by NEREG for all kinds of personal tastes and necessities. We will be offering our 1) annual New York City epilepsy conference that is offered simultaneously in Spanish and English, 2) three webinars given by our epileptologists, 3) the Purple Pumpkin Project Event in Hackensack, and 4) our team is walking and running in Jersey City to raise funds for the Epilepsy Foundation of NJ.
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Launched in 1998, Northeast Regional Epilepsy Group (NEREG) is a multi-site practice in New Jersey, New York and Connecticut that offers unique services and comprehensive care to children and adults with epilepsy. NEREG provides state-of-the-art diagnostic procedures, 24/7 patient service, highly skilled and experienced practitioners, and exceptional specialty programs designed to cover a broad range of health care needs in each epilepsy patient. NEREG consists of twenty board-certified epilepsy specialists with fellowship training in adult and childhood epilepsy, as well as many other highly skilled health care providers including pediatric/adult neurosurgeons, neuropsychologists, clinical psychologists, epilepsy nurse practitioners, a specially trained nutritionist and epilepsy advocates.
Launched in 2003, Mid-Atlantic Epilepsy and Sleep Center (MAESC) is a practice located in Bethesda, Maryland that offers neurological services and comprehensive care to children and adults. MAESC consists of six board-certified neurologists who treat epilepsy, multiple sclerosis and other neurological illnesses.
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20 Prospect Avenue, Suite 800
Hackensack, New Jersey 07601
Tel (201) 343-6676 / Fax (201) 343-6689
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333 Westchester Avenue, Suite E104
White Plains, NY 10604
(914)4289213
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