LivaNova Partners with Greg Grunberg to Raise Epilepsy Awareness
The actor advocates for his son and others affected by epilepsy
This press release features multimedia. View the full release here: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20181126005045/en/
Grunberg’s inspiration to speak out about epilepsy comes from his 22-year-old son, Jake, who has epilepsy that is now under control. Finding relief from seizures wasn’t always easy for Jake, who was first diagnosed at age 7. Jake has DRE, which affects one in three people with seizures, and medication alone did not provide adequate seizure control. Jake’s seizures progressively became worse as he grew older. By age 12, he was having hundreds of seizures per day.
Today, Jake is a thriving young adult. His seizures are controlled thanks to his medication, Vagus Nerve Stimulation Therapy® (VNS Therapy), brain surgery, and a combination of lifestyle modifications and treatments. VNS Therapy—a medical device designed to prevent seizures before they start and stop them if they do—has been a constant Jake has relied on for more than 10 years.
“The most important piece of advice I can share with other caregivers and people living with epilepsy is: do not settle. If medication alone isn’t working, know there are other treatments available that are worth exploring,” said Grunberg. “Keep fighting. Keep looking for a better and more effective way of controlling seizures.”
Since Jake’s diagnosis more than 15 years ago, Grunberg has become one of the most prominent and active advocates within the epilepsy community. He has partnered with the
“With his first-hand experience as a parent of someone living with seizures and his passion to bring hope to others affected by epilepsy,
An actor, writer, producer and epilepsy advocate, Grunberg has appeared in numerous feature films, including “Star Wars: The Force Awakens,” “Star Trek Beyond” and, most recently, “A Star is Born,” featuring
About Drug-Resistant Epilepsy
An estimated 3.4 million Americans are living with epilepsy, which is the fourth most common neurological disorder–behind migraine, stroke and Alzheimer’s disease. While medication is the first line of treatment for seizures, about one-third of all epilepsy patients have drug-resistant epilepsy–or seizures that continue despite trying multiple antiepileptic drugs. After the first two drugs have failed, there is roughly a 5 percent chance that adding more medication will result in seizure freedom. Despite this, most patients will continue to be prescribed additional medications instead of being evaluated for non-drug therapy options.
About VNS Therapy® for Epilepsy
VNS Therapy is clinically proven safe and effective for the treatment of drug-resistant epilepsy for adults and children 4 years of age and older. VNS Therapy is designed to prevent seizures before they occur and stop them if they do. It is a unique treatment approach developed for people with drug-resistant epilepsy—a condition that affects one in three people with epilepsy. For more information, visit VNSTherapy.com.
INTENDED USE / INDICATIONS –
Epilepsy—The VNS Therapy System is indicated for use as an adjunctive therapy in reducing the frequency of seizures in patients 4 years of age and older with partial onset seizures that are refractory to antiepileptic medications.
Commonly reported side effects are hoarseness, shortness of breath, sore throat and coughing. Side effects typically occur during stimulation and decrease over time.
See safety information at VNSTherapy.com/safety.
Manufactured by
©2018
About
For more information, please visit livanova.com.
Safe Harbor Statement
This news release contains forward-looking statements within the meaning of Section 27A of the United States Securities Act of 1933, as amended, and Section 21E of the United States Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended. Forward-looking statements are not historical facts but are based on certain assumptions of management and describe LivaNova’s future plans, strategies and expectations. Forward-looking statements can generally be identified by the use of forward-looking terminology, including, but not limited to, "may," “could,” “seek,” “guidance,” “predict,” “potential,” “likely,” "believe," "will," "expect," "anticipate," "estimate," "plan," "intend," "forecast," or variations of these terms and similar expressions, or the negative of these terms or similar expressions. Forward-looking statements contained in this news release are based on information presently available to
All information in this news release is as of the date of its release.
View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20181126005045/en/
Source:
LivaNova PLC
Deanna Wilke, +1 (281) 727-2764
Director, Corporate Communications
corporate.communications@livanova.com
Havas PR
Melissa Reiger, +1 (412) 251-2172
melissa.rieger@havas.com