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

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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

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The epilepsies are a complex neurological disease, and patients, families, and clinicians all deserve clear, empowering information! Torie Robinson sits down with nurse, writer Cheryl Tveit and paediatric neurologist/epileptologist writer Dr. Charbel El Kosseifi. from Gillette Children’s Hospital to discuss their new Mac Keith Press book: “Epilepsy”. They explain how they simplified the science for everyone, highlighting crucial topics often ignored in clinic-like morbidities, driving, and the vital need for reassurance. An empowering publication!

We discuss:

• How the new Gillette Children's Hospital & Mac Keith Press book makes complex epilepsy science accessible for everyone

• The importance of plain language - not patronising, just clear

• The book's value for med students, residents, and practicing physicians

• Quality of life beyond seizures - school, work, relationships & mental health

• Cognition, anxiety, and other common comorbidities

• Writing with empathy and the voice of families

• Why collaboration between patients, clinicians, and educators matters

🔗 More about episode 👇🏻

https://www.torierobinson.com/epilepsy-sparks-insights/epilepsy-book-full-life-guide

👤👤 More about Cheryl & Charbel 👇🏻

Cheryl https://www.torierobinson.com/guests/cheryl-tveit

Charbel https://www.torierobinson.com/guests/charbel-el-kosseifi

📘 Get the book "Epilepsy" (Mac Keith Press) with 20% off 👇🏻

https://www.mackeith.co.uk/book/epilepsy - code: epilepsysparks20

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🎧 Watch the video-podcast 👇🏻

https://youtu.be/bHhtMfNxErw

📒 Glossary 👇🏻

https://www.epilepsysparks.com/glossary

This chat delves into the intricate relationship between the blood-brain barrier and epilepsy - particularly temporal lobe epilepsy! Claire, Chris, and Torie highlight the dysfunction of the blood-brain barrier in people with an epilepsy, the role of imaging techniques in assessing this dysfunction, and the outcomes of surgical interventions. Excitingly, Claire and Chris also explore future research directions aimed at targeting the blood-brain barrier to improve treatment outcomes!

🌐 More about the episode 👇🏻

https://www.torierobinson.com/epilepsy-sparks-insights/claire-behan-chris-greene-blood-brain-barrier-temporal-lobe-epilepsy-neurosurgery

🌐 More about Claire https://www.torierobinson.com/guests/claire-behan

🌐 More about Chris https://www.torierobinson.com/guests/chris-greene

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🌐 More Epilepsy Sparks Insights 👇🏻

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

🎧 Listen to the podcast 👇🏻

https://epilepsysparksinsights.podbean.com

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

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

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- Facebook https://www.facebook.com/epilepsysparks

- TikTok https://www.tiktok.com/@epilepsysparks

Around 20–30% of people with an epilepsy don’t respond well to anti-seizure medications - so what happens next? Dr. Ricardo Morcos (UCLH) joins host Torie Robinson to explain the epilepsy surgery journey: how people are assessed, what tests are involved, and how teams make decisions together.

We discuss:

• The “tube map”(!) that helps explain this complex process

• Why surgery isn’t talked about enough

• Common myths & fears

• What to expect from surgery & recovery

• How neuromodulation, new medications & trials also fit in

This empowering conversation is for anyone affected by the epilepsies - patients, carers, and clinicians alike! Check out:

🔗 More about episode (inc. transcription) 👇🏻 https://www.torierobinson.com/epilepsy-sparks-insights/ricardo-morcos-epilepsy-surgery-journey

🌐 More about Ricardo 👇🏻 https://www.torierobinson.com/epilepsy-sparks-insights/ricardo-morcos

👕 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://youtu.be/QzIoLlRG1Lw

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- TikTok https://www.tiktok.com/@epilepsysparks