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Rasmussen's Encephalitis Research Paper

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“Rasmussen’s Encephalitis is a rare chronic inflammatory neurological disease that usually affects only one hemisphere of the brain.” (What is Rasmussen’s Encephalitis: http://www.ninds.nih.gov/disorders/rasmussen/rasmussen.htm). It is more commonly found in children 10 years of age or younger, and is described by seizures, loss of speech and motor skills, hemiparesis, inflammation of the brain, and mental deterioration. Patients with Rasmussen’s Encephalitis will have progressive brain damage in the affected hemisphere, and is accompanied by seizures. Rasmussen’s Encephalitis will have permanent, but stable neurological deficits by the first 8-12 months of diagnosis. There are currently minimal treatments, but the progression of the research …show more content…

Recent studies show success for seizures when using corticosteroids, intravenous immunoglobulins, or tacrolimus. Once neurological deficits have stabilized, doctors will perform a surgical procedure such as a hemispherectomy, (remove affected hemisphere of brain), to reduce seizures and improve cognitive abilities. In some cases the disease can still progress to the opposite brain hemisphere. There has not been any medical advancements to halt the progress of the disease in the long term. The National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke, is currently looking for patients who are “8 years of age or older, have simple or complex partial seizures, (seizures that come from one area of the brain), have seizures that persist despite medical therapy, (medically intractable epilepsy), and are willing to have brain surgery if indicated to treat medically intractable epilepsy.” http://www.ninds.nih.gov/disorders/clinical_trials/NCT01273129.htm. To participate in this clinical study involving brain surgery for the treatment of epilepsy, persons can use the website …show more content…

The website is fairly easy to navigate and is easy on the eyes. The page is laid out in a very organized fashion, where few clicks are necessary to find the detailed information you are looking for. The page provides plenty of information regarding the disease you are researching, such as links to publications, organizations, news, research literature, and clinical trials. There are no fees or special software needed for this specific website. The page was prepared by the National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke, but does not provide contact information. However, it does provide valuable links and contact information to organizations that are more familiar with that particular disorder. The page was last modified on December 19, 2011, which seems a bit outdated. This website is of great value to anyone wanting to research specific neurological

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