Epilepsy Therapy Project Launches Epilepsy: Insights & Strategies

--Unique Peer-Reviewed Resource Honors the Expertise of Those Touched by Epilepsy, Elevates Quality-of-Life Issues--

Reston, VA, May 7, 2009 -- An innovative new type of medical journal has been launched by www.epilepsy.com, the world’s most visited website about epilepsy. This quarterly journal is written and reviewed by people who live with epilepsy, not by medical professionals. The goal of the new publication is to provide information and advice from those who have years of experience living with epilepsy, people who have found a way to face the everyday challenges. Unlike most online community resources, the journal articles are edited for clarity and reviewed for medical accuracy. As with professional medical journals, the journal content is reviewed for relevance by an editorial board of peers, in this case, people who have perspective on living with epilepsy. Supplementary medical comments are provided by the medical staff of www.epilepsy.com.

"Epilepsy: Insights & Strategies honors the expertise and experience of those who truly know the most about epilepsy," said Dr. Robert Fisher, Director of the Stanford Epilepsy Center and Editor-in-Chief of epilepsy.com. "It’s a new breed of journal written by people whose lives are affected by seizure conditions, and enhanced by peer-review reliability and insights of expert medical professionals. The publication fills the information gap between the nuggets of useful information that can be mined on the internet and a true medical journal."

The journal's focus on the patient’s experience and knowledge parallels a dramatic shift in the focus of current treatment -- to elevate the importance of a patient’s quality of life, as well as family and caregiver issues,” said Joyce Cramer, President of the Epilepsy Therapy Project, the non-profit parent organization of www.epilepsy.com. Readers of our website and the new journal are applauding this new style of communicating about epilepsy. We’re delighted to provide such a unique, progressive resource.”

The inaugural issue of Epilepsy: Insights & Strategies (http://www.epilepsy.com/epilepsy/journal/issue1) includes articles on the experience of undergoing epilepsy surgery, strategies for coping with seizures and how to have more productive epilepsy clinic visits. It also reviews the recent changes in the Americans with Disabilities Act and the protection it now affords employees with epilepsy. Articles on how to travel when you have epilepsy and the experience of video-EEG monitoring, as well as a moving piece on empowerment from the parent of a child with epilepsy, round out the current issue. The editors welcome submissions on all aspects of living with epilepsy including social, financial, legal, and career-related articles.

About epilepsy.com

Epilepsy.com is an online resource that was developed by the Epilepsy Therapy Development Project to provide in-depth information and community for people living with epilepsy. The mission of www.epilepsy.com is to inform, empower and connect patients, families and caregivers facing newly-diagnosed epilepsy and those struggling with epilepsy that has resisted the usual treatments. Founders and editorial board members of www.epilepsy.com include leading clinicians and researchers in the field of epilepsy from leading medical institutions. For more information, visit http://www.epilepsy.com.

About the Epilepsy Therapy Project

The Epilepsy Therapy Project is a non-profit organization whose mission is to advance new therapies for people living with epilepsy. Founded in 2002 by a group of parents, distinguished physicians and researchers, the Epilepsy Therapy Project supports the commercialization of new therapies through direct grants and investments in promising academic and commercial projects. The organization has raised over six million dollars towards its mission. Learn more at www.epilepsy.com.

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