title: The Epilepsy Spectrum: Targeting Future Research Challenges.
abstract: There have been tremendous recent advances in our understanding of the biological underpinnings of epilepsy and associated comorbidities that justify its representation as a spectrum disorder. Advances in genetics, electrophysiology, and neuroimaging have greatly improved our ability to differentiate, diagnose, and treat individuals with epilepsy. However, we have made little overall progress in preventing epilepsy, and the number of patients who are cured remains small. Likewise, the comorbidities of epilepsy are often underdiagnosed or not adequately treated. In this article, we suggest a few areas in which additional research will likely pay big dividends for patients and their families.
authors.affiliation: Department of Neurological Sciences, University of Vermont College of Medicine, Burlington, Vermont 05405.
authors.forename: Gregory L
authors.initials: GL
authors.lastname: Holmes
authors.affiliation: Developmental Neurogenetics Laboratory, Departments of Neurology, Neuroscience, and Molecular and Human Genetics, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, Texas 77030.
authors.forename: Jeffrey L
authors.initials: JL
authors.lastname: Noebels
mesh_terms: D000367:Age Factors; D035843:Biomedical Research / Q000639:trends*; D003072:Cognition Disorders / Q000150:complications; D015897:Comorbidity; D004827:Epilepsy / Q000209:etiology / Q000235:genetics / Q000628:therapy; D020936:Epilepsy, Benign Neonatal / Q000378:metabolism; D016678:Genome; D006801:Humans; D017712:Peer Review, Research / Q000639:trends*; D010506:Periodicals as Topic