ABSTRACT
INTRODUCTION Epilepsy is the second most common neurological disorder after stroke and affects 1-2 per cent of the population worldwide. According to the World Health Organization, approximately 50 million people worldwide have epilepsy. Although major advances in drug and surgical treatments have been made, in many patients, seizures remain uncontrolled, affecting the quality of life of patients and caregivers, with adverse psychological consequences, social stigma and the burden of excess morbidity and mortality associated with recurrent seizures. The healthcare costs of epilepsy are enormous. The ultimate goal for the future is the cure or prevention of epilepsy, or at least optimal control of seizures for the majority of the affected population.
