Knowledge Exchange & Policy Influence

At the Centre for Global Epilepsy, we turn research into action through publishing, policy advocacy, and building key partnerships. By producing reports, hosting funder summits, and collaborating with stakeholders, we shape policies and drive progress in epilepsy care.

Centre for Global Epilepsy Journal Publications

  1. Disentagling Epilepsy and Dementia: More to do, together. Brain. Sen, A. (July 2025).
    This commentary highlights a study showing that active seizures in people with dementia are linked to higher mortality and more severe brain pathology. While causality isn't confirmed, the findings stress the need for better seizure management and deeper research into the epilepsy–dementia connection.
     
  2. Epilepsy Research Institute UK Sudden Unexpected Death in Epilepsy (SUDEP) workshop: Identifying the pre-clinical and clinical priorities for SUDEP research. Epilepsy & Behavior. Pickard, H., Ashby, S., Sibree, D., Elliott, M., Bhandare, A., Wykes, R. C., Sen, A., & Epilepsy Research Institute SUDEP Working Group. (May 2025).
    A workshop led by the Epilepsy Research Institute identified key gaps in SUDEP research and emphasized the need for data-driven infrastructure and global collaboration to reduce risk and guide future efforts.
     
  3. Prioritizing questions and topics for the development of guidelines and consensus-based recommendations supported by ILAE: A scoping review and proposal of prioritization criteria. Epilepsia. Lin, K., Eyal, S., Demarchi, I. G., Ben-Shushan, T., Auvin, S., Khoo, C. S., Al-Baradie, R., Sen, A., et al. (May 2025).
    The ILAE Prioritization Task Force developed a structured, consensus-based tool to guide the selection of future Clinical Practice Guidelines (CPGs) and Consensus-Based Recommendations (CBRs). Informed by a scoping review and stakeholder input, the tool aims to standardize prioritization and ensure efficient, evidence-informed use of ILAE resources.
     
  4. Epilepsy in Low- to Middle-Income Countries. Current Opinion in Neurology. Sen, A., Newton, C. R., & Ngwende, G. (February 2025).
    This review highlights opportunities to improve epilepsy care in low- and middle-income countries (LMICs), where diagnostic and treatment gaps persist. Strategies such as implementing the WHO IGAP, using the Epilepsy Diagnostic Companion, and leveraging innovations like 3D printable EEG headsets offer practical solutions. Expanded access to antiseizure medications and the potential for epilepsy surgery also provide promising options. The review stresses the need for bidirectional learning to support epilepsy care in both LMICs and high-income settings.
     
  5. Classification of the Epilepsies: Evolving with Time, Science, and Knowledge. Practical Neurology. Sen, A., & Zuberi, S. M. (February 2025).
    The article explores the challenges and nuances in classifying seizures and epilepsy. It outlines the ILAE’s 2017 classification, which categorizes seizures into focal, generalised, and unknown onset types, with updates in 2024 suggesting further modifications. Despite these classification systems, the article emphasizes that understanding a patient's history, EEG results, and ongoing investigations is key to accurate diagnosis, as seizures often present in ways that don’t fit neatly into these categories. The article addresses the importance of a holistic approach, revisiting cases, and continuously reassessing diagnoses to ensure the best patient outcomes. 
     
  6. Equitable Access to Levetiracetam for People with Epilepsy. The Lancet Neurology. Sen, A., Chowdhary, N., Hallab, A., Romoli, M., Cross, J. H., & Cappello, B. (November 2024).
    This paper addresses the global challenge of ensuring equitable access to levetiracetam, a key anti-seizure medication recently included in the 2023 WHO Model Lists of Essential Medicines. It highlights the persistent barriers in low- and middle-income countries (LMICs), including gaps in policy, affordability, and healthcare provider training. The paper stresses the need for coordinated global action to update national essential medicines lists, improve the availability of generic medications, and ensure that healthcare systems are equipped to deliver these treatments effectively and affordably to those who need them most. 
     
  7. Prevalence of all epilepsies in urban informal settlements in Nairobi, Kenya: a two-stage population-based study. The Lancet Global Health. Mwanga, D. M., Kadengye, D. T., Otieno, P. O., et al., Sen, A., Newton, C. R., Asiki, G.; EPInA Study Group. (August 2024).
    A population-based study in two urban informal settlements in Nairobi found an epilepsy prevalence of 11.9 per 1,000 people, with higher rates among adolescents, the unemployed, and those with no formal education. The study revealed an 80% diagnostic gap, highlighting the urgent need for targeted interventions to improve early detection and care in underserved urban populations.