Breaking the resistance: a narrative review of the evolution from traditional drugs to precision therapies in epilepsy
Recommended Citation
Patel T, Henna F, Ahmad A, Ahmad A, Huda NU, Aaraiz Ul Hassan S, Muhammad A, Javed A, Filal M, Iltaf A, Anwar Khalid A, Syeda ZR, Hanani C, and Anand N. Breaking the resistance: a narrative review of the evolution from traditional drugs to precision therapies in epilepsy. Ann Med Surg (Lond) 2026;88(1):412-421.
Document Type
Article
Publication Date
1-1-2026
Publication Title
Ann Med Surg (Lond)
Keywords
antiseizure medications; drug resistance; epilepsy; precision medicine; responsive neurostimulation
Abstract
BACKGROUND: Epilepsy is a chronic neurological disorder characterized by recurrent seizures, affecting approximately 50 million individuals globally. While conventional antiseizure medications (ASMs) control seizures in 70-80% of patients, about 30% experience drug resistance or intolerable side effects, necessitating alternative approaches.
OBJECTIVE: To critically compare the efficacy, safety, and accessibility of conventional and emerging therapies for epilepsy, particularly in the context of treatment-resistant cases and global disparities in care.
METHODS: This narrative review synthesized evidence from 120 peer-reviewed articles published between 2015 and 2025. Literature was retrieved from PubMed, Embase, Cochrane Library, and Scopus using predefined search terms related to epilepsy treatments. Comparative analysis included therapeutic mechanisms, clinical outcomes, and implementation barriers.
RESULTS: Conventional treatments such as phenytoin, valproate, levetiracetam, surgical resection, ketogenic diet, and vagus nerve stimulation (VNS) offer 70-80% seizure control. However, emerging therapies are gaining prominence. Cannabidiol (CBD) demonstrates a 30-50% seizure reduction, while responsive neurostimulation (RNS) achieves 50-70% efficacy, especially in drug-resistant epilepsy. Despite these advancements, a 75% treatment gap persists in low-income countries due to limited resources, access, and trained personnel.
CONCLUSION: Emerging therapies hold promise for managing refractory epilepsy, yet global disparities limit their reach. Precision medicine strategies must be coupled with efforts to improve access in underserved regions. This review provides practical insights for personalized care and advocates for increased investment in equitable treatment infrastructure.
PubMed ID
41496926
Volume
88
Issue
1
First Page
412
Last Page
421
