Sudden Death Risk in Epilepsy Can Wane Over Time

SUNDAY, Dec. 2, 2018 -- The risk of sudden unexpected death in people with epilepsy can change over time, and it usually changes for the better, a new study reports.

In what the researchers are calling hopeful news, the study found that people who have a medium or high risk of sudden unexpected death in epilepsy (SUDEP) often don't remain at the same risk level.

Benefits of CBD Liquid for Epilepsy May Fade With Time: Study

SUNDAY, Dec. 2, 2018 -- A marijuana-derived drug that helps control epileptic seizures appears to become less effective over time in some patients, a new Israeli study reports.

Cannabidiol (CBD) liquid has been proven effective against seizures, but about one-third of patients develop tolerance that blunts the drug's effectiveness, according to research presented Sunday at the American Epilepsy Society's annual meeting, in New Orleans.

Dead End for Treatment of Polio-Like Disorder Striking Kids

FRIDAY, Nov. 9, 2018 -- The antidepressant fluoxetine (Prozac) is ineffective in treating a rare, polio-like disorder that can cause muscle weakness and paralysis in children, researchers are reporting.

In the United States, there have been 219 possible cases of acute flaccid myelitis (AFM) reported so far this year, and 80 have been confirmed, according to the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

First U.S. Drug Containing Marijuana-Derived Ingredient Goes on Sale

THURSDAY, Nov.1, 2018 -- The first Food and Drug Administration-approved drug containing an ingredient derived from the marijuana plant went on sale Thursday in the United States.

Epidiolex is a twice-daily oral solution -- a cannabidiol, or CBD liquid -- made by Britain-based GW Pharmaceuticals. It is approved for use in patients 2 years old and older with two types of epileptic syndromes, Dravet syndrome and Lennox-Gastaut syndrome.

'Stress Hormone' Tied to Worse Memory in Middle Age

WEDNESDAY, Oct. 24, 2018 -- Middle-aged people with higher-than-average levels of the "stress" hormone cortisol may have fuzzier memories, a new study suggests.

The study, of more than 2,000 adults, found those with relatively high cortisol levels in their blood tended to perform worse on memory tests.