Epilepsy Blog Relay: Technology—Seizure Alert Devices

This post is part of the Epilepsy Blog Relay™ which will run from November 1 through November 30. Follow along and add comments to posts that inspire you!

At the recent “Talk to the Docs” program that I went to, one of the topics of discussion was epilepsy technology.  Some of the doctors on the panel are trying to get funding to do research in this area, but so far have not been able to find any grant money.  This is just another example of how seriously underfunded epilepsy research is. 

At present, there are no epilepsy-specific seizure alert systems available on the market.  That is, the devices that are being sold do not target the root cause of seizures.  Instead, they measure irregularities in heart rate or physical movement such as jerking.  However, these devices are not 100% reliable.  These devices may be helpful to people with tonic-clonic seizures, but not for others who have absence or partial seizures which do not involve any strong movement.  There are three main types of seizure alerts: mattresses/pillows, watches/phones, and cameras. 

The devices mentioned here are just bandaids for a bigger problem.  Until we have more research, we won't be able to create better technologies to alert, prevent, or stop seizures.

NEXT UP: Be sure to check out tomorrow’s post at http://seizeuretheday.com/ for more on Epilepsy Awareness.  For the full schedule of bloggers visit http://livingwellwithepilepsy.com/epilepsy-blog-relay.

http://www.epilepsy.com/learn/impact/mortality/sudep/role-seizure-alerts

http://www.epilepsy.com/learn/treating-seizures-and-epilepsy/devices

http://epilepsytalk.com/2015/08/02/top-seizure-apps-for-smartphones/

Alvolution epilepsy monitors

http://www.alvolution.co.uk/safety/seizure-and-epilepsy-monitors

Emfit pillow

https://www.emfit.com/
Embrace watch

https://www.empatica.com/product-embrace
Smart Watch

http://smart-monitor.com/
EpDetect app

http://epdetect.com/  
SAMi sleep monitor (video)

http://www.samialert.com/
Apple Watch

http://money.cnn.com/2015/10/19/technology/researchkit-seizure/index.html?iid=ob_homepage_tech_pool&iid=obnetwork

Epilepsy Action Australia website

https://www.epilepsy.org.au/resources/epilepsyproducts

includes books, cds, med bracelet ids, med reminders, seizure diaries, seizure monitors, safety pillows, etc.