For Immediate Release
Contact (for working media only, please):
Jonese Holloway, (301) 918-3768 or
jholloway@efa.org

For the Media:

New Epilepsy Centers of Excellence Proposed to Help in the Battle Against Epilepsy for Veterans

Landover, MD, July 3, 2007 —  The Epilepsy Foundation supports Rep. Ed Perlmutter (CO-07) and Rep. Doug Lamborn (CO-05) in their proposal of the Epilepsy Centers of Excellence Act of 2007 (H.R 2818). This act authorizes the establishment of six Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) Epilepsy Centers of Excellence throughout the nation. These centers will lead the way in epilepsy diagnosis, research, treatment and surgery.

“Our service men and women bravely fought for us, now it is time to fight for them and provide them with the best, highest quality medical care available,” said Perlmutter. “As the father of a daughter with epilepsy, I understand and am committed to making sure our nation provides the critical medical care and research necessary to give these brave veterans the highest quality medical treatment.”

The men and women serving in the current war are at a greater risk than ever before of suffering traumatic brain injuries (TBIs), which is one of the most common injuries of the Iraq war. Medical experts believe that 30 to 50 percent of brain injuries in military personnel will develop into epilepsy. According to Walter Reed Army Medical Center, nearly two-thirds of the soldiers coming home from Iraq have been diagnosed with brain injuries, which can affect the soldiers’ post-war quality of life, increase their risks of developing epilepsy and potentially cost the nation billions.

“Many of our brave veterans will develop epilepsy following a traumatic brain injury,” said Eric R. Hargis, President and CEO of the Epilepsy Foundation. “The difficulty is that the epilepsy often will not become apparent for three to five years or more post injury. These Centers will ensure our veterans receive excellent care for a condition they developed as a consequence of military service.”

The “VA Epilepsy Centers of Excellence Act of 2007” addresses critical issues facing veterans who have experienced TBIs, which is a bold step forward for our veterans and against a potentially disabling condition.

“As neurologists, we understand that one of the leading causes of epilepsy is traumatic brain injury,” said Lynn Parry, MD, of the American Academy of Neurology (AAN). “The AAN truly appreciates Congressman Perlmutter’s commitment to veterans and to persons with epilepsy. Creating Epilepsy Centers of Excellence will lead to not only improved care for our veterans returning from Iraq and Afghanistan, but also provide more awareness of the need for research and care for those with TBI and epilepsy.”

About the Epilepsy Foundation
The Epilepsy Foundation, a national nonprofit with affiliated organizations throughout the United States, has led the fight against epilepsy since 1968. The Epilepsy Foundation will ensure that people with seizures are able to participate in all life experiences and will prevent, control and cure epilepsy through services, education, advocacy and research. For additional information, please visit www.epilepsyfoundation.org.

About AAN
The American Academy of Neurology represents 20,000 neurologists and neuroscientists who treat patients with neurological conditions such as epilepsy and traumatic brain injury.