Epilepsy Awareness Month - Epilepsy Foundation of Greater Chicago by Town Square Publications, LLC

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Donate used clothing and household items to help end Epilepsy! Visit DonateIllinois.org to find a donation location near you. TVI, Inc. d/b/a Savers is a for profit paid professional fund raiser accepting donations of secondhand clothing and household goods on behalf of Friends of the Epilepsy Foundation of Greater Chicago. Contracts and reports regarding Friends of the Epilepsy Foundation of Greater Chicago are on file with the Illinois Attorney General.

2 800-273-6027 www.epilepsychicago.org

EpilEpsy 101: ThE Brain By Michael C. Smith, MD

What is epilepsy? Epilepsy is a medical condition that produces seizures affecting a variety of mental and physical functions. It’s also called a seizure disorder. When a person has two or more unprovoked seizures, they are considered to have epilepsy. A seizure happens when a brief, strong surge of electrical activity affects part or all of the brain. One in 10 adults will have a seizure sometime during their life.

Our mission To lead the fight to overcome the challenges of living with epilepsy and to accelerate therapies to stop seizures, find cures and save lives. The Epilepsy Foundation of Greater Chicago is a not-for-profit serving 43 counties, offering counseling, advocacy and educational services to people with epilepsy, their families and the communities in which they live.

EPILEPSY AWARENESS

What we do Case managers offer services including assessment and service planning, counseling and advocacy. Support groups are offered throughout the greater Chicago region to individuals with epilepsy, parents and families. Workshops are held throughout the year including Studio E: The Epilepsy Art Therapy Program and Camp Blackhawk, a weeklong summer retreat for kids with epilepsy. The Foundation organizes educational programs tailored to meet the needs of a variety of groups, including families, health care practitioners, schools and organizations. The goals of these programs include prevention, early identification, and improved access to information concerning proper diagnosis and advanced treatment options. Participants are also offered information regarding specific specialized programs available within the community including social services.

Did you know? • You can’t swallow your tongue during a seizure. Never force anything into the mouth of someone having a seizure. • 1 in 26 people will develop epilepsy at some point in their lifetime. • 130,000 people are living with epilepsy in the greater Chicagoland area. • Nearly 3 million people in the U.S. have epilepsy.

SEIZURES happen for a reason

STROKE • HIGH FEVER • BRAIN TUMORS • CONCUSSION • NEUROLOGIC INFECTION • GENETIC AND DEVELOPMENTAL ABNORMALITIES • AUTISM • BIRTH TRAUMA • MENINGITIS • FRIDAY, NOVEMBER 4, 2016

TRAUMATIC BRAIN INJURY • CEREBRAL PALSY

WE CAN HELP

Whatever the cause, the Epilepsy Foundation of Greater Chicago provides services that greatly improve the quality of life of people with epilepsy and supports medical research that can reduce the frequency of seizures, or in some cases eliminate seizures altogether. To find out more or to support our vital work,

visit www.EpilepsyChicago.org or call (800) 273-6027

Director, Section of Clinical Neurophysiology and Epilepsy, Department of Neurological Sciences, Rush University Medical Center Professor, Department of Neurological Sciences, Rush Medical College

Most people think of epilepsy as a single entity — a convulsion. If you ask people to describe epilepsy, the description will be something like: “When a person falls to the ground and shakes all over, maybe biting his or her tongue. I think it can last a short time or maybe it can last a long time.” Having a seizure is perceived as a dramatic, attention-getting and scary event. However, that is not the most common presentation of epilepsy. Simply defined, epilepsy is recurrent seizures. A seizure is a disturbance of brain function due to an electrical short circuit. One can understand how an electrical short circuit could interfere with brain function by knowing that all brain function occurs by a chemical-electrical transfer of information. So, the same way a short circuit in your hard drive within your computer or on your television set can disrupt its function, so can short-circuits in the brain disrupt normal brain function. In addition, the short circuit occurs in the same place in the brain each time so that the disruption in brain function is similar time and time again. Therefore, whenever any recurrent, paroxysmal (coming out of the blue) and stereotypical (always the same) spell occurs, a seizure should be considered as a possible cause. Common presentations of seizures other than convulsions include brief staring spells seen in absence epilepsy and complex partial epilepsy. In both, the patient will stare with eyes open and be unresponsive to others. These may last seconds to minutes. So, it is sometimes discovered that the child who is often thought to be constantly daydreaming and who does not respond when called by a parent or teacher is actually having seizure activity. Absence seizures last 10 to 20 seconds and are not followed by confusion. However, a patient may have multiple seizures an hour. Complex partial seizures last longer (30 to 90 seconds) and are associated with minor autonomic movements such as swallowing, chewing, biting of the lips or

picking at clothes. Complex partial seizures are followed by confusion afterward. Often, complex partial seizures or generalized tonic-clonic seizures are preceded by a warning or an aura. An aura is really a simple partial seizure. Anything that the brain can do may be mimicked by a simple partial seizure. In these types of seizures, the individual is aware of what’s happening and can remember it and report it. The symptoms of simple partial seizures tell us what area and what side of the brain the short circuit is coming from. When a patient feels tingling that begins in the right hand and spreads to the right face, the short circuit or epileptic focus is in the left parietal area — the area of the brain that monitors sensation in the right arm, face and leg. Conversely, if a seizure is manifested as repetitive motor movements (jerking) of the left arm and face, the epileptic focus or short circuit is in the right frontal area — that part of the brain that controls voluntary motor movement of the left arm and face. Seizures may mimic anything the brain can do, even complex auditory, visual or emotional activity. We have all felt the above-mentioned symptoms when suddenly surprised or scared. Patients with complex partial seizures from temporal lobe epilepsy, however, will have these symptoms suddenly without a cause and they will occur repeatedly and demonstrate in the same manner. Other complex cognitive symptoms such as déjà vu (feeling of familiarity, “been there before”) or jamais vu (familiar things are unfamiliar) are described with seizures arising from the memory circuit. Epilepsy may, indeed, have many faces and many manifestations. Identification of the seizure type is aided today by our medical technology, including MRI, PET and SPECT scans and EEG-computerized localization of the local circuit. The most important diagnosis of epilepsy, however, remains in the interview with the patient, carefully obtaining a history of the incident from the patient and witness(es) of the episodes. If the spells are sudden and stereotypical, they should be considered seizures until proven otherwise. Whatever the face that epilepsy can wear, there are many treatment options available today.

Lingering effects from concussions By Marvin A. Rossi, M.D., Ph.D. Co-Director, Multimodality Neuroimaging & Neuroengineering Laboratory Associate Director, Translational Research Rush Epilepsy Center, Depts Neurological Sciences, Diagnostic Radiology & Nuclear Medicine Rush University Medical Center

lingering subtle effects of mTBI. Such lingering disturbances resulting from mTBI can be grouped into four main categories. Specifically, 1) the most common neurological problems include prolonged or recurrent headaches and visual difficulties that include eye tracking problems; 2) persistent mild cognitive deficits including inattention or difficulty concentrating; 3) mood swings; and 4) disturbances of sleep resulting in daytime fatigue. The long-term mental health outcomes of mTBI are not well characterized, but can continue for many months following the initial injury. As a result, concussive injuries are often under recognized in schools, the workplace, and even by health care providers. First line assessments by school nurses and health clerks, athletic coaches and employee health personnel are crucial for appropriately referring individuals with a suspected concussive injury at any level of severity. If TBI is suspected, then appropriate health care providers are obligated to prioritize and expedite clinic appointments. Such timely assessments can minimize premature return to work, play and school, therefore shortening recovery time and even preventing worsening of symptoms. Such worsening of a TBI is of particular concern following a second comparatively less severe head injury. In August 2015, the Illinois Concussion Bill (Public Act 099-0245) was signed into law. This law pertains to all organized elementary and high school sports. All schools under the State Board of Education now must include a concussion oversight team consisting of at least one physician, as well as a trainer and school nurse if the school already employs these individuals. Concussion “return to play” and “return to learn” protocols must be in place. Both protocols must be approved by the Illinois High School (and Elementary School) Associations (IHSA/IESA). If a student is suspected of being concussed, then they must be immediately pulled from play, and meet minimum requirements to return to play (as well as return to learn), and signed off by a physician or athletic trainer working under a physician’s license or direction. It must be emphasized that no protective

upcoming events *Events are held at the Epilepsy Foundation of Greater Chicago, 17 N. State St., Suite 650, Chicago, unless otherwise noted.

Nov. 10, 2-4 p.m. Employment Workshop Exelon Talent Acquisition will be presenting Call Casey: (312) 939-8622, ext. 206

Nov. 19 Tree Decorating with Peer Alliance Brookfield Zoo, 8400 W. 31st St., Brookfield Call Kelly: (312) 939-8622 ext. 208 Nov. 21, noon-3 p.m. Studio E: Epilepsy Art Therapy Program Drop in Session Call Casey: (312) 939-8622, ext. 206

References: Englander J, Cifu DX, Diaz-Arrastia R (2010). Seizures after Traumatic Brain Injury. Arch Phys Med Rehab 2014;95:1223-4.

Nov. 22, 1-3 p.m. Social Club Call Mary Jo: (312) 939-8622, ext. 213

Dec. 15, 2-4 p.m. Employment Workshop Call Casey: (312) 939-8622, ext 206

Nov. 26 Northwestern Epilepsy Awareness Football Game: Northwestern Wildcats vs. University of Illinois Illini Ryan Field, 1501 Central St., Evanston Call Kelly: (312) 939-8622, ext. 208

Dec. 17, 7 p.m Chicago Wolves Epilepsy Awareness Game: Chicago Wolves vs. Cleveland Monsters Allstate Arena, 6920 Mannheim Road, Rosemont Call Kurt: (312) 939-8622, ext 210

Dec. 8, noon-2 p.m. Loop Group Support Group Call Mary Jo: (312) 939-8622, ext. 213

Dec. 19, noon-3 p.m. Studio E: Epilepsy Art Therapy Program Drop in Session Call Casey: (312) 939-8622, ext 206

Dec. 10 Family Holiday Party McKinley Park, 2210 W. Pershing Road, Chicago Call Kelly: (312) 939-8622, ext 208

FRIDAY, NOVEMBER 4, 2016

Nov. 10, 2016, noon-2 p.m. Loop Group Support Group Call Mary Jo: (312) 939-8622, ext. 213

Nov. 12, 8:30 a.m.-3:30 p.m. 7th Annual Epilepsy Consumer Conference “Self-Management in Epilepsy” Crowne Plaza Chicago Metro, 733 W. Madison St., Chicago Call Ayesha: (312) 609-9196

athletic gear, from helmets to mouthpieces, are shown to protect against concussions during play. Simply because a child is acting OK doesn’t mean to child is OK. Academic accommodations including individualized education plans (IEP) may have to be initiated or modified for the child. Return to play and return to learn assessment tools are becoming more commonplace for following progress in individuals diagnosed with mTBI. For example, the King-Devick test is an excellent validated neurocognitive assessment app (costing about 20 dollars per student) that can be quickly used at the sideline, by teachers, school nurses and parents for assessing eye movements and attention compared with the child’s preinjury baseline performance. Neuroimaging techniques are evolving to better identify subtle brain injury resulting from even mild concussions. Such neuroimaging will likely soon include an MRI study called diffusion tensor imaging (DTI). This type of MRI can visualize impact-related injury to white matter pathways connecting different brain regions. This type of injury to brain wiring is known as diffuse axonal injury. Diffuse axonal injury can be imaged using DTI even following mTBI. In fact, diffuse axonal injury may be seen by DTI for at least 6 months following mTBI. Such imaging can be repeated over time and potentially correlate with neurocognitive performance testing. Like any public health epidemic, public awareness education and continuing education discussions with health care providers can dramatically benefit prevention, in addition to timely follow up and treatment of concussions. It is also important to understand the close relationship between TBI, epilepsy and mental health. Continued funding for concussion research must be devoted toward better understanding and preventing TBI. Such research must include developing and deploying efficient and simple to use monitoring strategies for curbing the occurrence of TBI resulting from causes ranging from falls to amateur sports.

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A concussion results from an external physical force to the head causing a traumatic brain injury (TBI) ranging from mild to severe. About 1.7 million people in the U.S. sustain a TBI each year. TBI is the leading cause of disability and death in children and adolescents in the U.S. Moreover, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, the two age groups at greatest risk for TBI are ages 0-4 and 15-19. The majority of individuals diagnosed with moderate and severe TBI experience a seizure. About 25 percent of people who experience an early post-traumatic seizure will have another seizure months or years later. Nearly 80 percent of people experiencing a late post-traumatic seizure, that is beyond the first week following injury, will go on to experience another seizure, and therefore be diagnosed with epilepsy (Englander et al, 2010). On the other end of the spectrum, mild traumatic brain injury (mTBI) accounts for 75-85 percent of children and adults in the U.S. sustaining a TBI. Concussions are a silent public health epidemic due to mTBI often going unrecognized. Presentation of symptoms in this group are most often individualized, and not clearly associated with epilepsy. This silent epidemic is fueled by misinformation. For example, the incorrect assumption that an individual reporting “getting their bell rung,” or “feeling out of it,” even if only for several minutes, is not really a concussion. Neuroimaging, including CT and MRI, are frequently normal following mTBI. In contrast, following a focal neurological deficit in moderate and severe TBI, conventional head CT and MRI are performed to rule out a skull fracture and brain injury with bleeding, also known as a brain contusion. Since CT and standard MRI are almost always normal following a mTBI, these imaging techniques cannot support the diagnosis, or predict recovery from the

All donations at these Savers Thrift stores directly support those living with epilepsy: Arlington Heights 780 West Dundee Rd Carol Stream 1231 N. Gary Ave Crystal Lake 230 W. Virginia Street, Suite 50 Downers Grove 2900 Highland Ave Glenview 9840 Milwaukee Ave Hoffman Estates 26 Golf Center Naperville 204 South State Route 59 Orland Park 15625 94th Ave

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EPILEPSY AWARENESS

Donate used clothing and household items to help end Epilepsy!

TVI, Inc. d/b/a Savers is a for profit paid professional fund raiser accepting donations of secondhand clothing and household goods on behalf of Friends of the Epilepsy Foundation of Greater Chicago. Contracts and reports regarding Friends of the Epilepsy Foundation of Greater Chicago are on file with the Illinois Attorney General.

Proud supporter of

FRIDAY, NOVEMBER 4, 2016

www.savers.com www.epilepsychicago.org

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EPILEPSY AWARENESS

Donate used clothing and household items to help end Epilepsy!

Proud supporter of

FRIDAY, NOVEMBER 4, 2016

www.savers.com www.epilepsychicago.org

Unexpected caUses of seizUres

By Takijah Heard, MD

EPILEPSY AWARENESS

Assistant Professor, Child Neurology and Epilepsy; Head of the Division of Child Neurology and Epilepsy; University of Chicago Pritzker School of Medicine; NorthShore University HealthSystem

Fevers are a common occurrence in infants and toddlers. It is our body’s first sign of illness. Fevers occur for a multitude of reasons in children as their immune system is getting ready to fight infection for a lifespan. With fevers sometimes come seizures. Seizures as a result of fevers occur in 2-4 percent of children older than age 5. Febrile seizures are seizures provoked by the presence of fever and serve as an unexpected cause of epilepsy. Ninety percent of febrile seizures will happen before 3 years of age. The peak age for the onset of febrile seizures is between the ages of 18 to 24 months. The majority of kids who experience febrile seizures continue to have normal development and growth without the development of epilepsy nor the recurrence of seizures. However, epilepsy occurs more frequently in children who have had febrile seizures than in the general population. The risk of developing epilepsy after a febrile seizure is about 2 to 5 percent. This is greater than the 1 to 2 percent risk of developing epilepsy in the general population. However, this risk is even lower in the normally developing child. Normal development and growth prior to the febrile seizure is a positive protective factor to not developing epilepsy. In a

seizures plus (GEFS+). There is a genetic epilepsy that is associated with a very severe form of epilepsy called Dravet’s Syndrome. Dravet’s Syndrome is due to a genetic finding of a mutation in a specialized sodium channel found on SCN1A, SCN2B, & SCN1B genes. Dravet’s Syndrome was made public with its involvement with its improvement with medical marijuana. Dravet’s Syndrome is yet another example of how fever can lead to an unexpected cause of epilepsy. Another known cause of epilepsy due to fever that leads to a catastrophic epilepsy is called FIRES, Febrile Infection-Related Epilepsy Syndrome. FIRES is a devastating epilepsy that occurs with multiple seizure types after a febrile illness. Mortality is high and if the patient survives, intellectual and physical disability along with very-difficult-to-control epilepsy nearly always occurs. Fever can be an unexpected cause of seizures and can lead to epilepsies. The spectrum of fever induced neurologic sequelae with seizures can be broad. For example, fever can lead to simple febrile seizures without neurologic changes and a normal future to genetically induced epilepsies with developmental regression to catastrophic epilepsy with devastating results. Overall, febrile seizures are the most common cause for an emergency room visit for a neurologic complaint in children and the majority of these children lead normal lives without epilepsy.

ask the expert: treatment options By Dr. Julian Bailes Chairman of Neurosurgery, NorthShore University HealthSystem, and Surgical Director, NorthShore Neurological Institute, in Evanston, Illinois

• When should I consider epilepsy surgery? I advise patients to consider surgery when all other options have failed, specifically for those who find their medication isn’t working or continue to suffer cognitive impairment, depression, kidney stones, fatigue and other debilitating reactions to medication. Our goal is seizure freedom, not to just reduce the number of seizures a patient is experiencing.

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normal child with a simple febrile seizure, the risk is approximately 1 to 2 percent, only slightly above that of the general population. Determinants of febrile seizure recurrence are largely based on the age of the first febrile seizure. If the first seizure occurs at less than 1 year of age, there is a 50 percent chance of a second febrile seizure. On the other hand, if the first febrile seizure occurs in a child older than age 3, there is a 20 percent chance of having a second febrile seizure. Complex febrile seizures, on the other hand, are seizures that are prolonged, lasting greater than 15 minutes, and/or with focality, and/or two or more times in a 24-hour time period. Prolonged febrile seizures (greater than 15 minutes) tend to have a higher incidence of seizure recurrence and development of epilepsy. Other factors that lead to febrile seizures turning into epilepsy include: the duration of the seizure, the appearance of the seizure, the age of onset of the first febrile seizure and the family history of epilepsy and febrile seizures. A family history of febrile seizures occurs in 25 to 40 percent of children with febrile seizures. This family history of febrile seizure exists and helps to answer the question of why seizures occur in some. Furthermore, it is because there is a genetic predilection of epilepsies occurring in children and these genetic epilepsy febrile seizures is encompassed in a group called genetic epilepsy with febrile

• My medication is no longer working. What are my options? Nearly one-third of patients with epilepsy are considered medically refractory (resistant to treatment). These patients fail multiple anti-epileptic drugs (AEDs) and combinations either due to inefficacy or side effects. If two AEDs have failed, adding a third will work only about 5 percent of the time. If medications are not working as desired, the patient is often an excellent candidate for surgery. This is done to remove the affected areas of the brain, and can be done with surgery or by a minimally invasive approach with laser ablation. • What is VNS? Vagus Nerve Stimulation (VNS) is a minimally invasive technique that is often used to treat patients who have frequent seizures but are not candidates for surgery. VNS is a unique treatment that is

delivered through an implanted device similar to a pacemaker that gives periodic stimulation to the brain that helps prevent or interrupt seizures. The device is implanted in the chest through a minimally invasive procedure and does not involve brain surgery. Patients have seen a reduction in seizures by up to 70 percent and improvement in cognition and symptoms related to depression.

• Who is an appropriate candidate for Visualase? We are now using surgical alternatives, beyond standard open brain surgery, for selected patients whose seizures cannot be controlled by medications. These advances in surgical techniques provide additional treatment options for patients seeking relief from epileptic seizures and improved quality of life. One new technique is called laser ablation, which we do with a machine called Visualase. This new procedure using an MRI-guided laser is minimally invasive, safe, and poses little risk to the patient if done by a qualified surgeon. During a simple brain procedure, a laser fiber is inserted into the cranium through a small hole to precisely target areas of the brain causing seizures. Light energy from the laser heats the brain tissue, effectively destroying it. The surgeon then adjusts the depth, rotation and intensity of the laser based on the size and shape of the target area so the entire lesion can be treated through the same opening. Since the procedure is done within the MRI suite, the surgeon can monitor the exact location of the laser at all times. Upon removal of the laser, only one stitch is needed

to close the wound. The technology usually requires only an overnight hospital stay. When the affected area of the brain is destroyed, it usually clears seizures or helps patients get off medication.

• What are my options if I am experiencing multiple seizures? If a patient’s assessment indicates that there are multiple seizures, there are several options we consider. If the seizures occur from both sides of brain at about an equal frequency, we discuss responsive neurostimulation (RNS) with the patient. The FDA-approved procedure automatically monitors brain signals and provides stimulation to abnormal electrical events. During the procedure a neurosurgeon places RNS electrodes into the seizure focus. The patient then goes home, and over a six-week time period, the seizures are recorded by the device and the seizure data is then downloaded into our system. Our team reviews the data on the computer and creates a montage of seizures based on the data. We can tell through sophisticated electrodes what the seizures look like, the frequency and amplitude. We then program the device to stimulate the brain if it detects certain activity, including frequency and amplitude. • What kind of results can I expect after surgery? Patients can expect vast improvements after surgery — reducing their seizure frequency or becoming seizure-free, as well as benefiting from a reduction in their need for anti-epileptic medications.

Post-stroke ePilePsy By Jeffrey A. Loeb, M.D., Ph.D. John S. Garvin Chair, Professor and Head, Department of Neurology and Rehabilitation, University of Illinois at Chicago

Misconnections of thousands to millions of neurons can occur in a way that produces spontaneous electrical or “epileptic” discharges. Researchers still do not understand how these abnormal circuits form that leads to large regions of the brain firing synchronously. Recent studies have shown that epileptic discharges by themselves, depending on where they are in the brain, can lead to changes in brain function such as memory and behavior. Clinically, the greatest fear is that these epileptic discharges become highly repetitive and spread throughout the entire brain to produce a seizure leading to loss of consciousness and whole-body convulsions. Seizures are unpredictable and can occur at any time with or without a warning sign called an aura. Because it takes time to rewire the brain after a stroke, it can take months to sometimes years before a first seizure might occur. Once recurrent seizures occur — you now not only have a stroke, but you also now have epilepsy, often for the rest of your life. And now for the good news — not everyone who gets a stroke gets epilepsy. Research is beginning to understand the risk factors that make epilepsy more likely. For example, blood products in the brain are perhaps one of the biggest risk factors, especially for types of strokes that have bleeding in the brain called hemorrhagic strokes. The location of the stroke and severity are also important predisposing risk factors.

Unfortunately, we have no drug treatments that can prevent post-stroke epilepsy. The drugs we do have can suppress seizures once epilepsy begins. For two-thirds of patients with epilepsy, these drugs work well, but require the patient to take these drugs every day often for the rest of their lives. While the drugs work, they all have some side effects, the most common being sedation and dizziness. One third of patients with epilepsy do not respond well to medications and continue to have seizures, despite mounting side effects from the medications. We have a tremendous need and responsibility to do better for patients who suffer strokes. We desperately need better treatments for epilepsy, especially for those who fail to respond to current medications. Even more importantly, we need treatments that can be given at the time of the stroke to PREVENT epilepsy from developing. There is an exciting new wave of research underway with a push from the National Institutes of Health in their newest benchmarks “to prevent epilepsy and its progression.” While epilepsy patient organizations such as the Epilepsy Foundation and CURE (Citizens United for Research in Epilepsy) are following suit, it is critical that we also raise awareness of this problem with other patientcentered organizations, especially those whose mission is to improve the lives of those who have suffered strokes.

Epilepsy Interrupted Epilepsy affects 3 million children and adults in the USA… and when it does, it is a frightening and life-altering experience.

We’ve partnered with the Epilepsy Foundation to help find support and special accommodations for patients living with epilepsy. We see adults and children from newborns to 18 years old and welcome those seeking second opinions.

AMITAhealth.org/epilepsy 1.855.MyAMITA (1.855.692.6482)

* Visit National Association of Epilepsy Centers website to learn more.

FRIDAY, NOVEMBER 4, 2016

The AMITA Health Neurosciences Institute’s Epilepsy Center and Center for Pediatric Brain offer individualized treatment plans to improve seizure control and enhance quality of life for our pediatric and adult patients. We are Level 3 Epilepsy Center*, which means we are prepared to effectively diagnose and treat epilepsy. We offer extended epilepsy monitoring, which allows for continuous brain activity recording while in a secure hospital setting. Our multidisciplinary team includes epileptologists, neurologists, neurosurgeons, neuropsychologists, health psychologist, psychiatrists, epilepsy nurse specialists, and dieticians, who are leaders in their fields.

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“The doctor said mom had a small stroke and with proper treatment, lifestyle changes and rehabilitation mom should be back to life as usual ...” — or will she? According to the National Stroke Association, stroke remains the fifth leading cause of death in the U.S. and over 7 million Americans live with the aftermaths of stroke. Strokes occur when a part of the brain dies, either from a lack of blood supply, such as from the blockage of an artery, or from bleeding into the brain, when a blood vessel breaks open. Strokes can also occur in other parts of the body, but the brain is like no other organ because it is an “electrical organ.” The brain is essentially a large mass of wires and circuits composed of specialized cells called neurons. The brain is responsible for processing all of our sensations, directing our movements and producing all our feelings and emotions. A portion of the brain injured by a stroke loses its electrical connections with other parts of the brain. Amazingly, unlike a circuit board, the human brain can adapt to injury by forming new electrical connections. While this ability may allow many people to recover some function after strokes, it may also lead to an abnormal crisscrossing of brain wires that can lead to “shorting out” circuits.

EPILEPSY AWARENESS

Neurological care for what’s next. The Epilepsy Program at NorthShore Neurological Institute offers adult and pediatric epilepsy care with a multidisciplinary team of experts. We work to develop a tailored treatment plan for every patient, and offer the latest approaches including the latest surgical advances and clinical trials. Our comprehensive services include: • Latest surgical advances including Neuropace RNS, Visualase laser thermal ablation, and vagal nerve stimulation • Epilepsy Monitoring Unit with intracranial monitoring capability • Advanced neuro-diagnostic testing (EEG, fMRI, PET scan and WADA) • Neuropsychological testing for epilepsy • Clinical research

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• Patient and community education

To learn more please visit northshore.org/neuro or call toll free 1-877-570-7020.