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Volume 36, issue 4

Review article

Non-pharmacological treatment of epilepsy

Bartosz Osuch1, Piotr Maciejak1,2
1. Department of Neurochemistry, Institute of Psychiatry and Neurology, Warsaw, Poland
2. Department of Experimental and Clinical Pharmacology, Medical University of Warsaw, Warsaw, Poland
Farmakoterapia w Psychiatrii i Neurologii 2020, 36 (4), 313–326
Date of publication: 08-02-2021
DOI: https://doi.org/10.33450/fpn.2020.11.002
Keywords: drug-resistant epilepsy, surgery of epilepsy, neurostimulation methods, ketogenic diet

Abstract

Objectives. This paper aims to summarise the existing knowledge regarding the available non-pharmacological methods of epilepsy treatment. The accurate diagnosis of patients with drug-resistant epilepsy is vital for optimising further treatment.

Literature review. In case of failure to achieve permanent seizure control with two appropriately selected and applied antiepileptic pharmacological regimens, it is recommended to consider surgical treatment. The possibility of removing the epileptic focus without causing functional deficits is evaluated (resection surgery). If the resection operation is not possible, alternative methods of treatment are palliative surgery (disconnection procedures) and neurostimulation systems. Some patients may also benefit from a ketogenic diet.

Conclusions. While a satisfactory therapeutic effect with only one of the aforementioned methods is difficult to achieve, the combined therapy is to be taken into consideration.

Address for correspondence:
Bartosz Osuch
Department of Neurochemistry
Institute of Psychiatry and Neurology
9 Sobieskiego Str., 02-957 Warsaw, Poland
e-mail: bartosz.osuch@op.pl