Subject Review: Seizures in the de-institutionalized patients with early brain injuries

Abstract

The number of individuals with early brain injury and multiple disabilities discharged from institutions has increased steadily over the past 10 years. The most frequently encountered problems by patients with early brain injury and epilepsy placed in the community were reviewed. Unavailability of specialized services, inadequate reimbursement, high turnover and lack of knowledge by caregivers, lack of understanding acceptance of the concepts of seizure intractability and pseudoseizures, unrealistic expectations by overseeing agencies and or family, and side effects of antiepileptic medications were the most common seizure related problems afflicting these patients. Everything else being equal, good exchange of information between the various caregivers and continued education of caregivers, both time consuming endeavours, are the crucial factors for the successful management of seizures in this population.