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 for people with an epilepsy!

🌐 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

👕 Check out our cool merch 👇🏻

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

🌐 More Epilepsy Sparks Insights 👇🏻

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

🎧 Listen to the podcast 👇🏻

https://epilepsysparksinsights.podbean.com

📖 Chapters

00:00 Intro

00:00 Understanding the Blood-Brain Barrier and Epilepsy

03:03 Research Focus: Temporal Lobe Epilepsy and Surgery Outcomes

05:52 The Role of Imaging in Assessing Blood-Brain Barrier Dysfunction

08:59 Surgical Interventions and Their Impact on Seizures

11:52 Future Directions: Targeting the Blood-Brain Barrier for Treatment

00:00 Conclusion & Thanks

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

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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

📲 Join us on social media!

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

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

- Instagram https://www.instagram.com/epilepsysparks

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

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

We discuss:

• Why epilepsy is up to four times more common in prison populations

• The role of traumatic brain injuries, substance use & mental health

• Barriers to accessing epilepsy specialists behind bars

• Misuse, mistiming, & under-optimisation of anti-seizure medications

• The continued use of rectal diazepam and lack of rescue treatment awareness

• Increased SUDEP risks for people with epilepsy in prisons

• How NICE guidelines should be improving care - but often aren’t

• What needs to change to ensure prisoners get the epilepsy care they are entitled to

🔗 More about episode 👇🏻 https://www.torierobinson.com/epilepsy-sparks-insights/karen-mcleod-uk-prisons

More about Karen McLeod 👇🏻 https://www.torierobinson.com/guests/karen-mcleod

👕 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 video 👇🏻 https://youtu.be/2yKOxliR1pY

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

📲 Connect with us Website https://www.epilepsysparks.com LinkedIn https://www.linkedin.com/company/epilepsy-sparks Bluesky https://bsky.app/profile/epilepsysparks.bsky.social Instagram https://www.instagram.com/epilepsysparks Facebook https://www.facebook.com/epilepsysparks TikTok https://www.tiktok.com/@epilepsysparks