Epilepsy, depression in focus at House of Blues event

By: BRADLEY J. FIKES - Staff Writer

Michael Connolly joined the world of those with epilepsy when he was 5 years old. At that age, Michael began having severe, uncontrolled seizures that steadily worsened as he grew older. His mother, Mary Lou Connolly, struggled for years to find treatments.

Today, Michael, now 21, is studying computer science at MiraCosta college. With the help of a "brain pacemaker" called a vagus nerve stimulator, he's got the seizures under control.

Mary Lou Connolly wrote about Michael's struggle ---- and her family's ---- in Missing Michael, available at (http://tinyurl.com/hwyab). On Sept. 30, she's to be honored for her work at "Epilepsy and the Blues," at the House of Blues in downtown San Diego.

The event is sponsored by the Epilepsy Foundation of San Diego County and Cyberonics Inc., maker of the vagus nerve stimulator. The device was approved last year for use in treatment-resistant depression.

Medical professionals will speak at the event on the relationship between depression and epilepsy. There's also going to be live music and food at the event, which runs from 11 a.m to 2 p.m. Donations will be accepted, but are not required. The food, and the whole event, is free. More information can be found at (http://www.epilepsysandiego.org/events.htm).

Depression is known to be more common among the 2.5 million Americans with epilepsy than the general population. Moreover, those with depression may be at greater risk of developing epilepsy, according to a March 9, 2005, news release from the American Association for the Advancement of Science.

The release noted a statistical link between epilepsy and depression, and noted that animal studies have found similar disturbances in brain chemistry in epilepsy and depression. To put it another way, when treating either epilepsy or depression, doctors should see if both are present. The release is here: (http://tinyurl.com/g8x96).

Mary Lou Connolly said she began working with the Epilepsy Foundation in response to the lack of treatment options for Michael, and to educate the public. A registered nurse who works as a medical consultant, the Del Mar resident started with her colleagues.

"I participated in a fundraiser, and wrote a letter to about 175 of my business associates," she said. "I detailed briefly what impact epilepsy has had on Michael's life and our lives."

That letter raised about $9,000, Connolly said. She proceeded to get more involved with the Epilepsy Foundation and joined its board of directors. About 30,000 epileptics live in San Diego County, according to the foundation.

Epilepsy is a disturbance of brain cells that emit their electrical signals abnormally. These cells can "recruit" other cells to join in their firing, triggering uncontrollable movements or an "absence seizure," temporary lapse of consciousness in which the person blankly stares into space. Michael Connolly had both, which could not be controlled with medication. He also experienced a very serious complication called status epilepticus, a life-threatening occurrence in which seizure follows seizure until the overloaded brain is stunned into unconsciousness.

Michael Connolly's symptoms are similar to about 30 to 40 percent of epileptics whose seizures cannot be controlled well. But the majority of epileptics can minimize or avoid seizures entirely with treatment, and by monitoring themselves.

"If I'm stressed out, then I may have seizures," Michael Connolly said. "Lately, I've been taking medications that have been (raising) the seizure threshold."

One doesn't have to be epileptic to experience a seizure. A Los Angeles Times columnist, Steve Lopez, wrote in March 2004 about his experience with seizures that occurred after he banged his head in a bad bicycle accident. He temporarily lost his driver's license.

According to the national Epilepsy Foundation, it's possible that anyone can have a seizure under certain circumstances, but epileptics have a lower threshold. Stress or lack of sleep can reduce the threshold, making seizures more likely.

The vagus nerve stimulator is effective in stopping seizures at the outset, Michael Connolly said. It is an implant in the chest that extends to the neck, where it reaches the vagus nerve. The device sends a seizure-inhibiting current to the nerve. When a seizure is imminent, a more powerful "dose" of current is provided. That estra dose is activated by a magnet "swiped" across it.

Mary Lou Connolly said it's helpful for epileptics and their families to talk about their experiences.

"I guess the biggest lesson for me has been to be open about it and not treat it like some kind of secret," she said.

For more information on epilepsy, she recommends contacting the Epilepsy Foundation of San Diego County at (http://www.epilepsysandiego.org) or (619) 296-0161. The national foundation is at (http://www.efa.org).

Contact staff writer Bradley J. Fikes at (760) 739-6641 or bfikes@nctimes.com.