What can we tell people with newly diagnosed epilepsy?

http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/22573642

Neurology. 2012 May 9. [Epub ahead of print]

From patterns to patients: What can we tell people with newly diagnosed epilepsy?

Penovich PE, Gruenthal M.

Source

From the Minnesota Epilepsy Group PA (P.E.P.); Department of Neurology (P.E.P.), University of Minnesota School of Medicine, St Paul; Department of Neurology (M.G.), Albany Medical College; and Neurosciences Institute (M.G.), Albany Medical Center, Albany, NY.

Abstract

When seeing a patient with newly diagnosed epilepsy, perhaps the most fundamental question asked is, "If I take this medication, will I ever have another seizure?" The answer is not straightforward or satisfying. Lacking a simple diagnostic test to tell us the best treatment and prognosis, we rely on a statistical estimate based on the epilepsy syndrome and other factors.