Brain surgery gives a better quality of life to those who have temporal lobe epilepsy.

Around one person in 100 is troubled by epilepsy - a brain disorder characterised by seizures that arise from abnormal electrical activity. Often the temporal lobe - at the front and side of the head - is involved. A new study by researchers at the University of Western Ontario, Canada, suggests the best approach for those with temporal lobe epilepsy.

They looked at a group of 80 patients with temporal lobe epilepsy - assigning them to either surgery or anticonvulsant drugs. Those in the surgery group reported fewer of the type of seizures that impair awareness. And they had a better quality of life than those who were on medication. Further research is now needed to reveal more about the timing of surgery to get the best results for people with epilepsy.

Source

American Association of Neurological Surgeons 27th August 2002