WE were very sorry to read about the tragic death of epilepsy sufferer Jayne Currie, reported recently in your newspaper, and would like to send our condolences to her family.

Epilepsy is the most common serious brain disorder, affecting at least one in 200 people in the UK, yet it remains in the shadows. It is a very complex condition in which seizures result from a disturbance in the electrochemical activity in the brain.

It is a very individual condition and there are many possible causes, as well as many different types of seizures. These may vary from momentary absences, which are particularly common in children and are sometimes mistaken for day-dreaming, through to the convulsive seizure that most people associate with the condition. Fortunately, the majority of people with a diagnosis of epilepsy will have their seizures fully controlled by medication. For many others, medication will help to reduce seizures so that their quality of life can be maintained. Very sadly, however, there are around 1,000 epilepsy-related deaths each year.

A Government-funded audit of epilepsy deaths has been undertaken with a view to pin-pointing risk factors and identifying research priorities. The findings are due to be published in spring next year.

The National Society for Epilepsy runs an information helpline, Monday to Friday, 10am-4pm. The number is 01494 601400 and there is a website at www.epilepsynse.org.uk

MARGARET

THOMAS,

National Society

for Epilepsy.