Epilepsy is a chronic neurological disorder characterized by recurrent unprovoked crisis, due to synchronic activity.  Abnormal brain connectivity is caused by coherent phase locked and abnormal increase of brainwaves’ coherence. Approximately 50 million people in the world have had at least one seizure during their life. Usually, it is controlled with medication, but not always. Some types of epilepsy are related to certain childhood events and cease to exist once the adolescence period is over. Epilepsy must not be perceived as a singular disorder, but as a group of symptoms caused by abnormal cerebral electric activity.

          Although throughout the years medication has improved and complicated protocols elaborated, epilepsy was and still is hard to control. The multiple adverse effects of this medication, including cognitive performance impairement, determined researchers and physicians to find new alternative / complementary methods of treatment, or at least an association of alternative treatments, with lower doses of anti-epileptic drugs.

          In order to begin epilepsy treatment, it is necessary to have a set of previous analyses. These analyses represent the base for diagnosis and after the diagnosis is set, the physician can begin the therapy.

A quick analyses sketch:

• A series of thoroughly elaborated blood tests, in order to gain a perspective view on the patient’s health condition and to be aware of the crisis triggering factors, in case they exist
• Computerized tomography (CT) or a more sophisticated and expensive technique, MRI, both used to detect temporal or frontal lobe lesions
• Surgical evaluation in case problems are detected, such as, hematomas, tumors, metastases, arterio-venous malformations (they can be secondary factors in triggering the crisis and can be rectified)

          After analyses and health evaluation, the treatment can begin, whether it implies medication or Vagus Nerve Stimulation (VNS). The latter involves the installation, under the tegument, of a subclavicular stimulator, that sends impulses to the vagus nerve near the cervical blood vessels.    

          Beside these medical recommendations, there are other natural methods like alternative medicine that improve the quality of life: meditation, yoga exercises, massage, Reiki, aromatherapy.

          The well-known diet for epilepsy involves plants and long term tested supplements, for example Sho-saiko-to, and Shaiko-keishi-to (two Chinese formulas), ginseng root, pinnelia, jojoba fruits and others.

          Neurofeedback- In 1960 took place the first researches done by NASA, and while studying the effects of exposure to a chemical used for space racket fuels, scientists discovered that generation of a certain EEG rhythm can determine resistance to epileptic crisis appearance. This rhythm was called SMR (sensory motor rhythm). The generation of this rhythm through operant conditioning or in the 12-15 Hz band, leads to an increased convulsivant threshold, higher than in untrained patients. 

          In 1968, this experiment was tested on humans as well, and the same excellent results were noticed (Sterman, Wyricka).

          In 1975, Lubar and Seifert, introduced among SMR trainings, theta waves suppression with an even better effect, and this proved to be an excellent treatment for ADHD/ADD patients as well. (1976 – Lubar and Bahler)

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