New Research Offers Hope for Treatment-Resistant Focal Epilepsy

A new study, part of the international Human Epilepsy Project, has found that even people with focal epilepsy who are deemed treatment-resistant may experience a significant reduction in seizures over time. The research, which tracked over 150 adults who had tried at least four different anti-seizure medications, found that 68% of participants had a reduction in seizure frequency during the second half of the study compared to the first half. This challenges the long-held assumption that treatment-resistant patients have little hope of finding relief.

Key Takeaways:

• The study found that 68% of participants with treatment-resistant focal epilepsy experienced a reduction in seizure frequency during the second half of the study.
• The four most common anti-seizure medications used by participants who experienced seizure reduction were cenobamate, clobazam, eslicarbazepine, and epidiolex, all of which are approved within the past 15 years.
• The total number of medications a patient had failed previously had no bearing on their future likelihood of improvement.
• Almost 13% of participants went at least three months without a seizure, while nearly 8% were seizure-free for at least six months, and 3% achieved a full year or more without a seizure.
• The researchers found that whether or not patients had an implantable device had no effect on seizure trajectory.
• The study suggests that achieving seizure reduction is often a long game, with the data indicating that the majority of participants experienced seizure reduction after a prolonged period of treatment.

Statistics:

• 68% of participants experienced a reduction in seizure frequency during the second half of the study.
• 13% of participants went at least three months without a seizure.
• 8% of participants were seizure-free for at least six months.
• 3% of participants achieved a full year or more without a seizure.
• 15 years is the time span within which the four most common anti-seizure medications used by participants who experienced seizure reduction were approved.

Sources:

• NYU Langone Health, news release, Oct. 20, 2025.
• JAMA Neurology, Oct. 20, 2025.