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November means epilepsy awareness The following article is the last in a series highlighting national epilepsy awareness efforts on behalf of the national Epilepsy Foundation and MUSC.   Epilepsy is a neurological condition characterized by recurring seizures. An estimated 2.7 million Americans have epilepsy. Between 55,000 to 65,000 South Carolinians experience this neurological condition with related health care costs estimated at $220 million annually. Epilepsy affects people of all ages and races and often leads to challenges in employment, financial costs, transportation, social interaction and education. Unfortunately these challenges often go unaddressed and are not understood by much of the general public. MUSC and the Epilepsy Foundation of South Carolina (EFSC) recognize the significance of these burdens and continually offer educational opportunities to raise awareness. In recognition of National Epilepsy month, the MUSC community will offer two events in November to promote understanding of this often misconstrued  condition.   On Nov. 9, from 6:30 to 9 p.m., inspirational and motivational speaker Nancy Coey will present “Finding Gifts in Everyday Life.” This presentation offers participants a chance to take a new look at the best within themselves through humor and real-life examples. Coey promises a funny, feel-good, highly energizing experience at the Harper Student Wellness Center auditorium. MUSC physicians will also present specific concerns and options for epilepsy treatment at MUSC. To register for the free event, call 792-3307.   Tony Coelho, author of the Americans with Disabilities Act, former California congressman and Epilepsy Foundation of America chairman of the board of directors, will be the featured speaker at a reception at the Wickliffe House Nov. 16. This event, from 6 to 8 p.m., will also include short presentations from persons with epilepsy as well as medical providers who treat people with epilepsy. For more information, call 876-1595.   These events and other MUSC efforts to raise epilepsy awareness have the full support of the EFSC. EFSC is a non-profit, voluntary health agency. Its mission is to ensure that people with seizures are able to participate in all life experiences and to prevent, control, and cure epilepsy through research, education, advocacy, and services.   For additional information, visit http://www.epilepsysc.org. Epilepsy in the news A recent event in Michigan has the Epilepsy Foundation calling for police, emergency medical personnel and other first responders to undergo training and implement protocols to ensure they properly respond to people with epilepsy.   Daniel Beloungea was taking a walk in his neighborhood when he experienced a complex partial seizure, leaving him in a state of semiconsciousness and making repetitive involuntary movements.   A person passing by noticed Beloungea acting erratically and called the police. When officers arrived on the scene, they assumed that his failure to respond and erratic involuntary movements suggested resistance.   They did not inspect the medical alert bracelet he was wearing, which indicates that he has epilepsy. According to police reports, Beloungea was unresponsive to police direction. Police kicked a bag he was carrying away from his hand and when he flailed his arms involuntarily, he was tasered; hit with a police baton; threatened at gunpoint; and handcuffed behind his back.   He was prosecuted for assaulting police officers and disorderly conduct, despite the state’s own mental health evaluation confirming that his actions were involuntary and solely the product of a seizure.   A gap in Michigan law required Beloungea to plead not guilty by reason of insanity, rather than being permitted to submit evidence that he lacked the mental and physical capacity to commit the crimes for which he was charged.   Michigan state law requires that all persons who have been adjudicated not guilty by reason of insanity be committed for a mental health evaluation, so Beloungea stayed in a penal institution housing violent criminal offenders for more than three weeks until his release.   In light of this situation, the Epilepsy Foundation’s affiliates around the country are eager to provide training to first responder agencies upon request and the Foundation itself can provide training materials and guidance.   For information on obtaining the current foundation training curriculum, call 1-800-332-1000.  What’s the word on generics? The blessing of generic medications is the amount of money they can save people who require expensive medications. The curse of generics, however, is that the FDA allows a certain degree of variability from generic to brand-name medications. So far, the limited amount of research on generic anti-convulsion medication indicates that for most people with epilepsy, generics are safe. For others with epilepsy, that range of variation could result in break-through seizures even if a person is vigilant about taking his medication.   Seizures are very serious events that can bring considerable costs to a person’s health, well-being, and financial situation. Most epilepsy experts at this time advise switching medications for a patient from brand-name to generic on a case-by-case basis. The Epilepsy Foundation continues to maintain its stance of opposing mandatory substitution of generic drugs for brand name medications, but will review all available literature and data, including physician and consumer surveys, in order to provide an updated official stance by early 2007.     Friday, Nov. 3, 2006 Catalyst Online is published weekly, updated as needed and improved from time to time by the MUSC Office of Public Relations for the faculty, employees and students of the Medical University of South Carolina. Catalyst Online editor, Kim Draughn, can be reached at 792-4107 or by email, catalyst@musc.edu. Editorial copy can be submitted to Catalyst Online and to The Catalyst in print by fax, 792-6723, or by email to catalyst@musc.edu. To place an ad in The Catalyst hardcopy, call Island Publications at 849-1778, ext. 201.