Seizures affect about 0.5-1% of the human world population, and around 20% are pharmacoresistant patients. These numbers are similar for dogs. What if we could predict a seizure? Would it be a good idea? Would we use it to avoid hazardous activities like driving and running when a seizure is predicted? Could this technology improve human quality of life by reducing embarrassment when seizures occur in social situations. What if we could give a drug to stop the seizure when an algorithm predicts one is near? Chronic anticonvulsant therapy often comes with clinical adverse effects. Drug administration based on seizure forecasting could avoid the use of chronic anticonvulsants thus improving daily quality of life for epileptics and saving money on daily medication. If this sounds like science fiction, think again. There are many research groups working to determine if seizure prediction is feasible, and if so, how to use it.

A group of human and veterinary researchers published a study in PLOS One in 2014 that determined that seizures were not random, and that seizure forecasting is possible. Three dogs with naturally occurring epilepsy wore continuous EEG monitors that had been surgically placed. Based on their analysis, the seizure forecasting algorithm performed significantly better than chance at predicting seizure occurrence. Reference below.

In 2020, a group of veterinary researchers published a study which reported almost 60% of owners reported an ability to predict seizures based on pre ictal behavior. Understanding preictal behavior, could also allow us to administer medications or forgo activities that might be affected by seizures.

While I don’t have new research to share today, I just wanted to remind you that between the basic science approach (surgically implanted EEG) and the owner prediction models there are ways for owners to feel like they have some control. Neither prediction model will work for all people or animals, but it can be helpful to remind pet owners that science is working to help them, and humans with epilepsy, to live fuller lives!

This TidBit Tuesday wasn’t very science-y but I hope you were able to take some useful information from it. I recently re-read the EEG prediction paper for a paper I’m working on and thought it might be a nice TidBit Tuesday update. While we don’t have all of the answers worked out yet, there are brilliant people working to solve these complex problems!

Thanks for reading and I hope you have a good week!

References
1) https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pone.0081920
2) https://doi.org/10.1136/vr.105307