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EAN 2021 | Epilepsy genetics: what does a firm diagnosis mean for patients?

A personalized management approach is the ultimate goal in many diseases, and substantial progress in genetics and the implementation of artificial intelligence has begun to carve a more personalized path for the treatment of patients with epilepsy. John Paul Leach, MD, MBBS, University of Glasgow, Glasgow, UK discusses how genetic screening in epilepsy is helping to identify causative mechanisms in patients with gene-related epilepsy. Where available, this may allow targeted treatments to be used, as well as improving patients’ attitudes and understanding of their condition. Prof. Leach emphasizes the psychological benefits of having a defined cause for patients and their families. Whole genome and whole exome sequencing are important next steps to take precision medicine to the next level in epilepsy. This interview took place during the European Academy of Neurology 2021 congress.

Disclosures

Prof. Leach has received speaker’s fees and Advisory Board honoraria from UCB Pharma, EISAI, Desitin, GlaxoSmithkline, GW Pharmaceuticals, and Arvelle. There has been an award of an unrestricted Independent Investigator Award from UCB in 2015 to fund a research fellow