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Seeing the light? Seizures and sunlight
That extra hour of morning light we gained as the clocks went back this weekend could make all the difference to some people with epilepsy.
Researchers looking into the relationship between sunlight and seizure patterns in people with the condition have been awarded a grant to take their research a step further.
Dr Sallie Baxendale, a neuropsychologist at Epilepsy Society (formerly The National Society for Epilepsy or 'NSE'), found that epileptic seizures, particularly complex partial seizures (CPS) which affect large areas of the brain and the patient’s consciousness, are less likely to occur on bright sunny days, than dull days with fewer hours of sunshine.
Now, following a cash injection from Action Medical Research, she has been given the go ahead for a new clinical trial to see how patients with difficult to control seizures respond to light box treatment.
The original research was carried out by examining 1715 seizures recorded between 2006 and 2007 at the charity’s epilepsy assessment unit at its Chalfont St Peter centre in Bucks and Sallie is now looking for suitable candidates to take part in the new research.
Sallie said: “I’m thrilled that Action Medical Research has awarded us a grant to continue our work and carry out a clinical trial of light therapy for people with epilepsy. We will be looking to recruit 100 patients for the first phase of the study which will begin in 2010. “
She continued:” More work is needed to refine the relationship between sunlight and seizure patterns. Sunlight is important in the body’s production and regulation of melatonin and vitamin D, both of which may influence seizure thresholds. It will be intriguing to explore the possibility of light box treatment for some patients with hard to treat seizures.”
ends
- You can listen to an interview with Dr Sallie Baxendale about this new research into sunlight and seizures on the website for BBC Radio Coventry & Warwickshire. (Listen from 2hrs 3mins into the programme.)
Dr Sallie Baxendale's research on the moon's phases and epilepsy were also reported in the national news: http://www.mailonsunday.co.uk/health/article-1229856/Moons-phases-ARE-linked-epilepsy-say-scientists.html
