Status epilepticus in Auckland, New Zealand: Incidence, etiology, and outcomes.

Objective: To determine the incidence, etiology, and outcome of status epilepticus (SE) in Auckland, New Zealand, using the latest International League Against Epilepsy (ILAE) SE semiological classification.

Methods: We prospectively identified patients presenting to the public or major private hospitals in Auckland (population = 1.61 million) between April 6, 2015 and April 5, 2016 with a seizure lasting 10 minutes or longer, with retrospective review to confirm completeness of data capture.

EpiNet study of incidence of status epilepticus in Auckland, New Zealand: Methods and preliminary results.

The EpiNet project has been commenced to facilitate investigator-led collaborative research in epilepsy. A new Web-based data collection tool has been developed within EpiNet to record comprehensive data regarding status epilepticus and has been used for a study of status epilepticus in Auckland, New Zealand. All patients aged >4 weeks who presented to any of the five public hospitals and the major private hospital within Auckland city (population = 1.

EpiNet as a way of involving more physicians and patients in epilepsy research: Validation study and accreditation process.

Objective: EpiNet was established to encourage epilepsy research. EpiNet is used for multicenter cohort studies and investigator-led trials. Physicians must be accredited to recruit patients into trials.

Autonomic dysfunction is a major feature of cerebellar ataxia, neuropathy, vestibular areflexia 'CANVAS' syndrome.

Cerebellar ataxia, neuropathy and vestibular areflexia syndrome (CANVAS) is a recently recognized neurodegenerative ganglionopathy. Prompted by the presence of symptomatic postural hypotension in two patients with CANVAS, we hypothesized that autonomic dysfunction may be an associated feature of the syndrome. We assessed symptoms of autonomic dysfunction and performed autonomic nervous system testing among 26 patients from New Zealand.

Temporal lobe resection for refractory temporal lobe epilepsy at Auckland Hospital.

Aims: To analyse the long-term outcome of patients who underwent temporal lobe resection for intractable temporal lobe epilepsy at Auckland Hospital.

Methods: We performed a retrospective analysis of 176 patients who underwent temporal lobe resection at Auckland Hospital, New Zealand between 1987 and 2007. We had at least 1 year of follow-up on 174 patients.

Using the Internet to recruit patients for epilepsy trials: results of a New Zealand pilot study.

Purpose: We created a database that could be accessed via the Internet by any neurologist or pediatric neurologist in New Zealand. The database was designed to facilitate recruitment of patients for investigator-driven drug trials.

Methods: We established an epilepsy database, and invited neurologists and pediatric neurologists throughout New Zealand to register patients via the Internet when they were uncertain of the optimal management.

Bringing epilepsy out of the shadows in New Zealand.

Epilepsy is a common neurological disorder. Most patients with epilepsy have seizures that are relatively easily controlled, but a significant minority of patients have seizures that are resistant to standard anti-epileptic drugs. The New Zealand chapter of the International League against epilepsy (NZLAE) has recently been formed to improve the care of patients with epilepsy in New Zealand.