AAN 2022 | Novel agents to control seizures & target epileptogenesis

Claude Steriade, MD, New York School of Medicine, New York, NY, discusses the prosperity of immunomodulation and genetically targeted therapies in treating epilepsy. One of the most exciting aspects of epilepsy clinical trials is that it is no longer just about the anti-seizure effect but also the antiepileptic effect. Dr Steriade comments on her excitement for the Phase II trial of natalizumab conducted in the past year; while there was no significant efficacy demonstrated, the study still proved that the antibody was safe to administer to treatment-resistant epilepsy patients and has paved the way for other immunomodulation therapies. Another exciting development is gene-targeted therapy for rare genetic epilepsies, with clinical trials for Dravet syndrome. As there are patients with epilepsy who are severely impaired and are not being adequately treated with current therapies, these new immunomodulation and genetic targeting therapies will be an exciting area to follow over the next few years. This interview took place at the American Academy of Neurology 2022 Congress in Seattle, WA.