Seizures are often the focus in childhood epilepsies, but they certainly are not the only symptoms affecting outcomes and quality of life. This episode with Prof. Kette Valente looks at the non-seizure features that matter personally and clinically, why they can be missed, and why identifying them early can change care and long-term impact.

This episode is sponsored by EASEE® by Precisis and had no influence over the editorial content or discussion. Learn more about EASEE® here: https://precisis.de/en

🔗 More about episode (inc. transcription) 👇🏻 https://www.epilepsysparks.com/epilepsy-sparks-insights//seizures-not-only-problem

🌐 More about Kette 👇🏻 https://www.epilepsysparks.com/guests/kette-valente

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Routine EEG provides a brief snapshot of brain activity and may not capture seizures or epileptiform activity. In this conversation, neurologist Prof. Norman Delanty explains how extended and implantable EEG monitoring can improve assessment of seizure burden, support treatment decisions, and clarify diagnosis and management when short recordings are insufficient.

This episode is sponsored by EASEE® by Precisis and had no influence over the editorial content or discussion. Learn more about EASEE® here: https://precisis.de/en

🔗 More about episode (inc. transcription) 👇🏻

https://www.epilepsysparks.com/epilepsy-sparks-insights/long-term-eeg-monitoring

🌐 More about Norman 👇🏻

https://www.epilepsysparks.com/guests/norman-delanty

📃 Related paper 👇🏻

"Unilateral ultra long-term subcutaneous EEG monitoring in drug-refractory idiopathic generalized epilepsy" https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1111/epi.18644

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🎧 Listen to the Epilepsy Sparks Insights podcast on Apple, Spotify, or your favourite provider!

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https://www.epilepsysparks.com/glossary

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In part two of this conversation, Dr. Ching Soong Khoo discusses practical approaches to managing obesity in epilepsy, including exercise safety, diet, and multidisciplinary care. The episode highlights why weight and physical health are often overlooked in routine practice, and how simple clinical changes can support better quality of life and overall outcomes in people with an epilepsy.

🔗 More about episode (inc. transcription) 👇🏻

https://www.epilepsysparks.com/epilepsy-sparks-insights/obesity-quality-of-life

🌐 More about Ching Soong 👇🏻

https://www.epilepsysparks.com/guests/ching-soong-khoo

📜 Related publications

- “High prevalence of obesity and reduced physical activity among people with epilepsy: A single-centre cross-sectional study” https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S1525505025004755

- “Epilepsy, seizures, physical exercise, and sports: A report from the ILAE Task Force on Sports and Epilepsy” https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/26662920

- “Stop stigma, start exercising: How clinicians can encourage people with epilepsy to engage in physical activity” https://www.ilae.org/journals/epigraph/epigraph-vol-25-issue-1-winter-2023/stop-stigma-start-exercising-how-clinicians-can-encourage-people-with-epilepsy-to-engage-in-physical-activity

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🎧 Listen to the Epilepsy Sparks Insights podcast on Apple, Spotify, or your favourite provider!

🔤 Don’t understand all the terms used? Check out the Epilepsy Sparks Glossary! 👇🏻

https://www.epilepsysparks.com/glossary

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Why is obesity so common in people with epilepsy - and why is it often overlooked in clinical care? Dr. Ching Soong Khoo shares new research findings on obesity prevalence, physical activity, and mobility, and discusses how fear, diet, and behaviour intersect with epilepsy management. The episode highlights why addressing weight alongside seizure control matters for long-term health and quality of life.

🔗 More about episode (inc. transcription) 👇🏻

https://www.epilepsysparks.com/epilepsy-sparks-insights/obesity-health-fitness

🌐 More about Ching Soong 👇🏻

https://www.epilepsysparks.com/guests/ching-soong-khoo

📜 Related publications

- “High prevalence of obesity and reduced physical activity among people with epilepsy: A single-centre cross-sectional study” https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S1525505025004755

- “Epilepsy, seizures, physical exercise, and sports: A report from the ILAE Task Force on Sports and Epilepsy” https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/26662920

- “Stop stigma, start exercising: How clinicians can encourage people with epilepsy to engage in physical activity” https://www.ilae.org/journals/epigraph/epigraph-vol-25-issue-1-winter-2023/stop-stigma-start-exercising-how-clinicians-can-encourage-people-with-epilepsy-to-engage-in-physical-activity

👕 Join the Epilepsy Sparks community with our merch 👇🏻

https://epilepsy-sparks.creator-spring.com

🌐 More Epilepsy Sparks Insights 👇🏻

https://www.epilepsysparks.com/epilepsy-sparks-insights

🎧 Listen to the Epilepsy Sparks Insights podcast on Apple, Spotify, or your favourite provider!

🔤 Don’t understand all the terms used? Check out the Epilepsy Sparks Glossary! 👇🏻

https://www.epilepsysparks.com/glossary

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The updated seizure terminology aims to make life easier for everyone both affected by focal seizures and those involved in epilepsy care. In this episode, Prof. Sándor Beniczky breaks down why "consciousness" is now the key term used to describe focal seizures, and how it imporves clarity, consistency, and global usability - benefiting those with with an epilepsy, carers, GPs/physicians, nurses, and specialists alike.

We discuss…

• why focal "awareness” has been retired
• what "consciousness" means during a seizure
• the difference between responsiveness and recall
• why the number of seizure types has been reduced
• how the update strengthens communication at all levels of care
• what these changes mean for real clinical practise
• how shared language supports better decision-making

🔗 More about episode (inc. transcription) 👇🏻

https://www.torierobinson.com/epilepsy-sparks-insights/focal-consciousness-seizures-explained

🌐 More about Sándor 👇🏻 https://www.torierobinson.com/guests/sandor-beniczky

📖 Paper spoken of 👇🏻 https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1111/epi.18338

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🌐 More Epilepsy Sparks Insights 👇🏻 https://www.torierobinson.com/epilepsy-sparks-insights

🎬 Watch the Epilepsy Sparks Insights podcast on YouTube 👇🏻 https://www.youtube.com/@EpilepsySparksInsights

🔗 Don’t understand all the terms used? Check out the Epilepsy Sparks Glossary! 👇🏻 https://www.epilepsysparks.com/glossary

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Prof. Nicola Specchio shares insights into how regional and global collaboration can strengthen epilepsy care, highlighting the need for coordinated systems, improved pathways and fairer access to expertise. The episode also examines the impact of emerging scientific developments and how shared standards across countries could support better long-term outcomes for people living with an epilepsy.

We discuss: • Diagnostic delays and treatment access • Priorities for ILAE Europe • Cross-border collaboration • Networks for rare epilepsies • Precision medicine and biomarkers • Neuroimaging developments • Earlier intervention and improved outcomes

Check out:

🔗 More about episode (inc. transcription) 👇🏻 https://www.torierobinson.com/epilepsy-sparks-insights/global-epilepsy-care-challenges-opportunities

🌐 More about Nicola 👇🏻 https://www.torierobinson.com/epilepsy-sparks-insights-guests-/nicola-specichio

👕 Join the Epilepsy Sparks community with our merch 👇🏻 https://epilepsy-sparks.creator-spring.com

🌐 More Epilepsy Sparks Insights 👇🏻 https://www.torierobinson.com/epilepsy-sparks-insights

🎧 Watch the Epilepsy Sparks Insights podcast on YouTube 👇🏻 https://www.youtube.com/@EpilepsySparksInsights

📲 Join us on social media!

LinkedIn https://www.linkedin.com/company/epilepsy-sparks

Bluesky https://bsky.app/profile/epilepsysparks.bsky.social

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