Publications by authors named "Wilmshurst J"

This is a protocol for a Cochrane Review (intervention). The objectives are as follows: Primary objective To analyse the benefits and harms of pharmacological or other interventions (e.g.

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A large proportion of those affected by epilepsy live in resource-poor areas. The Epilepsy surgery in low-resource settings Task Force from the ILAE undertook a survey in Africa and Latin America to identify fellowships in Epilepsy and EEG as well as in Epilepsy Surgery. The results revealed a significant shortage of training programs in these two regions of the globe.

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The interaction between basic science epilepsy researchers and clinical epileptologists is a longstanding issue. Efforts to provide opportunities for a dialogue between preclinical and clinical epilepsy professionals are crucial to reduce the knowledge gap between them and improve the translational success of neurobiology-based research. The International League Against Epilepsy (ILAE) Research and Innovation Task Force circulated a survey to investigate the need for an update on new clinical epilepsy concepts within the basic science community.

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Arthropod biodiversity research usually requires large sample collections. The efficient handling of these samples has always been a critical bottleneck. Sweep netting along transects is an effective and commonly used approach to sample diverse insects.

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  • - The objective of the study was to review how neonatal status epilepticus (SE) is defined and measured, focusing on literature available on seizure burden in newborns.
  • - The review analyzed 44 studies that primarily included infants with conditions like hypoxic-ischemic encephalopathy, using continuous EEG (cEEG) for SE identification, and mostly defined SE via specific seizure durations.
  • - Key findings revealed significant variability in definitions of neonatal SE, with a consistent trend showing that higher seizure burden was linked to worse outcomes in the 16 studies that explored this relationship.
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This report summarizes the key findings of a workshop undertaken at the International Child Neurology Congress in 2024 by child neurologists with expertise in training education and invested colleagues. The workshop aimed to explore global issues which have impact on access to child neurology training. The major findings supported a great need for more training programs globally, that consensus is needed for the minimum standards of training, and that training programs can be strengthened via global health partnerships especially with collaborations from regions with more available resources.

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Recent advances in genetic testing technologies have revolutionised the identification of genetic abnormalities in early onset developmental and epileptic encephalopathies (DEEs). In this Review, we provide an update on the expanding landscape of genetic factors contributing to DEEs, encompassing over 800 reported genes. We focus on the cellular and molecular mechanisms driving epileptogenesis, with an emphasis on emerging therapeutic strategies and effective treatment options.

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  • - The International League Against Epilepsy's (ILAE) Task Force created recommendations for diagnosing and treating anxiety and depression in kids with epilepsy after reviewing studies on screening measures and treatment effectiveness.
  • - Key recommendations for diagnosis include universal screening, closer monitoring for high-risk children, and using multiple sources to assess symptoms while emphasizing the importance of recognizing symptoms for better treatment outcomes.
  • - For treatment, individualized plans are advised, with monitoring for mild cases and referrals for more severe conditions, alongside the development of clinical care pathways and age-appropriate psychosocial interventions.
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  • Recent advancements in HIV prevention highlight the effectiveness of pre- and post-exposure prophylaxis (PrEP and PEP), particularly in the context of new anti-seizure medications (ASMs) that have emerged since 2012.
  • The review discusses the potential drug interactions between PrEP/PEP and various ASMs, particularly focusing on enzyme-inducing ASMs that may lower the effectiveness of tenofovir-containing treatments, as well as the impact of ritonavir on lamotrigine levels.
  • Clinicians are encouraged to be aware of these interactions and side effects, such as osteopenia and gastrointestinal issues, to provide better care for patients who might be at risk for both seizures and HIV infection.
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  • Human settlement in the Pacific led to rapid faunal extinctions, including the large, flightless moa birds endemic to New Zealand.
  • Researchers reconstructed the extinction dynamics of six moa species using extensive simulations of climate and human interactions, validated with fossil records.
  • The study found that while different species had unique extinction traits, their geographic range declines were similar, with last populations surviving in isolated, suboptimal habitats, which offers insights for conserving New Zealand's remaining flightless birds.
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Objective: To assess the need for an epilepsy educational curriculum for primary healthcare providers formulated by the International League Against Epilepsy (ILAE) and the importance attributed to its competencies by epilepsy specialists and primary care providers and across country-income settings.

Methods: The ILAE primary care epilepsy curriculum was translated to five languages. A structured questionnaire assessing the importance of its 26 curricular competencies was posted online and publicized widely to an international community.

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At present, there is no internationally accepted set of core outcomes or measurement methods for epilepsy clinical practice. The International Consortium for Health Outcomes Measurement (ICHOM) convened an international working group of experts in epilepsy, people with epilepsy, and their representatives to develop minimum sets of standardized outcomes and outcome measurement methods for clinical practice. Using modified Delphi consensus methods with consecutive rounds of online voting over 12 months, a core set of outcomes and corresponding measurement tool packages to capture the outcomes were identified for infants, children, and adolescents with epilepsy.

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At present, there is no internationally accepted set of core outcomes or measurement methods for epilepsy clinical practice. Therefore, the International Consortium for Health Outcomes Measurement (ICHOM) convened an international working group of experts in epilepsy, people with epilepsy and their representatives to develop minimum sets of standardized outcomes and outcomes measurement methods for clinical practice that support patient-clinician decision-making and quality improvement. Consensus methods identified 20 core outcomes.

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Epilepsy diagnosis is often delayed or inaccurate, exposing people to ongoing seizures and their substantial consequences until effective treatment is initiated. Important factors contributing to this problem include delayed recognition of seizure symptoms by patients and eyewitnesses; cultural, geographical, and financial barriers to seeking health care; and missed or delayed diagnosis by health-care providers. Epilepsy diagnosis involves several steps.

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This study utilized a qualitative design to explore dietitians' perceptions regarding Ketogenic Diet Therapy (KDT) for patients with drug-resistant epilepsy in Kenya. Dietitians from Kenya were selected and consented. Audio-recorded interviews were conducted, followed by thematic analysis of verbatim transcripts to identify recurring patterns.

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Drivers and dynamics of initial human migrations across individual islands and archipelagos are poorly understood, hampering assessments of subsequent modification of island biodiversity. We developed and tested a new statistical-simulation approach for reconstructing the pattern and pace of human migration across islands at high spatiotemporal resolutions. Using Polynesian colonisation of New Zealand as an example, we show that process-explicit models, informed by archaeological records and spatiotemporal reconstructions of past climates and environments, can provide new and important insights into the patterns and mechanisms of arrival and establishment of people on islands.

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In the last two centuries, a high proportion of peatlands have been lost or severely degraded across the world. The value of peatlands is now well-recognised for biodiversity conservation, flood management, and carbon mitigation, with peatland restoration now central to many government policies for climate action. A challenge, however, is to determine 'natural' and 'disturbed' conditions of peatlands to establish realistic baselines for assessing degradation and setting restoration targets.

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Aim: To evaluate improvement in knowledge and clinical behaviour among healthcare professionals after attendance at paediatric epilepsy training (PET) courses.

Method: Since 2005, 1-day PET courses have taught evidence-based paediatric epilepsy management to doctors and nurses in low-, middle-, and high-income countries. A cohort study was performed of 7528 participants attending 252 1-day PET courses between 2005 and 2020 in 17 low-, middle-, and high-income countries, and which gathered data from participants immediately after the course and then 6 months later.

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Background: Paediatric electroencephalography (EEG) training is inadequate amongst healthcare practitioners and technicians managing children with epilepsy in sub-Saharan Africa. An entry level handbook was developed for healthcare practitioners in sub-Saharan Africa and subsequently made globally accessible via the International Child Neurology Teaching Network.

Aim: To investigate the usefulness of a paediatric online EEG handbook.

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A variety of terms, such as "antiepileptic," "anticonvulsant," and "antiseizure" have been historically applied to medications for the treatment of seizure disorders. Terminology is important because using terms that do not accurately reflect the action of specific treatments may result in a misunderstanding of their effects and inappropriate use. The present International League Against Epilepsy (ILAE) position paper used a Delphi approach to develop recommendations on English-language terminology applicable to pharmacological agents currently approved for treating seizure disorders.

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The increasing similarity of plant species composition among distinct areas is leading to the homogenization of ecosystems globally. Human actions such as ecosystem modification, the introduction of non-native plant species and the extinction or extirpation of endemic and native plant species are considered the main drivers of this trend. However, little is known about when floristic homogenization began or about pre-human patterns of floristic similarity.

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