Issue 1 – EpLink Quarterly Newsletter
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Research Update – Dr. Elizabeth Donner
While most people with epilepsy live long and healthy lives, there are some situations where seizures can be life-threatening, such as when they happen in or near water. The frequency of drowning among people living with epilepsy (PWE) is nearly ten times greater than the general population. In fact, PWE have a 15-19 times greater…
Research Update – Dr. Elysa Widjaja
For a child who is having epilepsy surgery, several tests may need to be done as part of the clinical assessment. EpLink researcher Dr. Elysa Widjaja and senior neurodiagnostic technologist Rohit Sharma have put together an information booklet to help parents navigate the different tests that may be required before surgery. Some of these are…
Quality of Life Research Update – Ms. Mary Secco
Clinic To Community (C2C) is a referral program for individuals with a seizure disorder or a diagnosis of epilepsy. The C2C program was developed by Epilepsy Southwestern Ontario and offers information, support and training tools to help navigate the different aspects of an epilepsy diagnosis. Their recent report, Voices from the Community, highlights the program’s…
Dr. Mary Pat McAndrews announced as new EpLink Co-Director
EpLink is pleased to announce the appointment of Dr. Mary Pat McAndrews as a new co-director of the research program. Dr. McAndrews will join the existing directorship of Dr. Mac Burnham and Dr. Jorge Burneo. Dr. McAndrews is a Professor of Psychology at the University of Toronto and the director of the Neuropsychology Clinic at…
Epilepsy Toronto Conference 2018
On Saturday, May 26th 2018, Epilepsy Toronto will host their annual conference in downtown Toronto. This year’s theme is Knowledge is Power, and will focus on providing up-to-date information about medical treatments for people with epilepsy and their families. Several EpLink researchers will provide updates on the following topics: Dr. McIntyre Burnham will discuss the…
Katie’s Run for Epilepsy 2018
On Saturday, July 7, 2018, the seventh annual Katie’s Run took place in the beautiful highlands of Haliburton, Ontario. The event offered a scenic 10 km run, 5 km run and 2.5 km run/walk all in support of epilepsy research. For the second straight year, Katie’s Run generously donated all of the proceeds from the…
Imaging and Seizure Surgery Research Update – Dr. Elizabeth Pang and Dr. Taufik Valiante
One of the most important things to do before children have epilepsy surgery is identify which areas of the brain are important for functions like speech, language, and memory so that those areas can be avoided during surgery. This is difficult with language since there is more than one area in the brain involved in…
Purple Day 2018
Each year, Purple Day is honoured on March 26th as the international day for epilepsy awareness. Epilepsy affects 1 in 100 people worldwide of all ages, and from all backgrounds. Purple Day was founded in 2008 by Cassidy Megan, who was diagnosed with epilepsy at the age of 7 and set out to raise awareness…
Brain surgery success story offers hope to people living with drug-resistant epilepsy
Toronto, ON – March 5, 2018 -Today, EpLink – The Epilepsy Research Program of the Ontario Brain Institute begins their campaign to promote Ontario’s new guidelines for epilepsy care. Developed with the support of Critical Care Services Ontario (CCSO), these evidence-based recommendations aim to improve the quality of care and access to different treatment options,…