Prediction of epileptic seizures

The unpredictable occurrence of epileptic seizures not only contributes to physical, psychic and social risks of epilepsy, but also limits present-day therapeutic options. There is some evidence that at least in focal epilepsies there are characteristic alterations in EEG dynamics which precede seizure events for minutes up to hours. During the lost decade, preictal changes could be shown to occur using various linear and non-linear methods of time series analysis. So for their sensitivity and specificity are not sufficient for clinical applications. Both European Union and the National Institutes of Health in the US thus support efforts to push forward the development of seizure prediction during the years to come.