Help epilepsy patients with modern treatment tools and medications.

Epilepsy is a condition where brain cells generate abnormal electrical discharges. It can occur in patients of all ages. The causes of epilepsy vary among individuals and can include: childhood causes like brain oxygen deprivation or brain infections; causes in the elderly like brain injuries or strokes; and in some cases, genetic factors.

The impact of epilepsy is both physical and social. Physically, seizures can cause falls and injuries. Socially, even when seizures are controlled, patients may face employment difficulties and social stigma. According to World Health Organization (WHO) and other sources, there are over 50 million people with epilepsy worldwide, with approximately 2.4 million new cases annually. In Thailand, about 1% of the population, or 700,000 people, have epilepsy.

The Chulalongkorn Comprehensive Epilepsy Center of Excellence (CCEC) at King Chulalongkorn Memorial Hospital, Thai Red Cross Society, pioneered drug-resistant epilepsy surgery in Thailand and Southeast Asia, with over 1,000 patients operated on. The center now uses advanced tools to pinpoint seizure origins in complex, drug-resistant epilepsy cases. These tools include high-density electroencephalography (HD-EEG) with 256 electrodes, allowing for more precise seizure origin identification for surgery compared to the standard 21-23 electrode EEG. This technology helps minimize surgical risks and recovery time.

Neuromodulation therapy is an alternative for non-surgical candidates. Currently, vagus nerve stimulation (VNS) and deep brain stimulation (DBS) are approved in Europe and the US, while responsive neurostimulation (RNS) is US-specific. The Chulalongkorn Epilepsy Center has used VNS for 15 years, with preliminary results showing a 20% seizure frequency reduction, particularly effective in Lennox-Gastaut syndrome (LGS) patients.

Chulalongkorn Epilepsy Center aims to provide neuromodulation therapy to drug-resistant patients with severe seizures who are not surgical candidates, improving their quality of life. Newer, more effective anti-epileptic drugs are available, but are often not covered by health care welfare. The center seeks funding to purchase these medications for 50-100 patients annually who have difficulty controlling their seizures.

Benefits for Epilepsy Patients

• Patients with complex epilepsy and difficult-to-control seizures will have access to advanced diagnostic and treatment methods. This increases their chances of seizure remission or reduction, allowing them to return to social life with improved quality of life
  
  

  Expenses of the Chulalongkorn Comprehensive Epilepsy Center of Excellence (per year)

  1.       High-density EEG upgrade: 5,000,000.00 Baht

  2.       Neuromodulation devices: For treating patients with difficult-to-control seizures: 5,000,000.00 Baht

  3.       Anti-epileptic drugs not covered by patient treatment rights: 2,000,000.00 Baht

  Total Expenses: 12,000,000.00 Baht