01428nas a2200181   4500000000100000008004100001100001400042700001200056700002000068700001500088700001400103700001200117245007500129300001400204490000700218520100700225022001401232       2014                            d1 aBa-Diop A1 aMarin B1 aDruet-Cabanac M1 aNgoungou E1 aNewton CR1 aPreux P00aEpidemiology, causes, and treatment of epilepsy in sub-Saharan Africa.  a1029-10440 v133 a<p><b>SUMMARY: </b>Epilepsy is a common neurological disease in tropical countries, particularly in sub-Saharan Africa. Previous work on epilepsy in sub-Saharan Africa has shown that many cases are severe, partly a result of some specific causes, that it carries a stigma, and that it is not adequately treated in many cases. Many studies on the epidemiology, aetiology, and management of epilepsy in sub-Saharan Africa have been reported in the past 10 years. The prevalence estimated from door-to-door studies is almost double that in Asia, Europe, and North America. The most commonly implicated risk factors are birth trauma, CNS infections, and traumatic brain injury. About 60% of patients with epilepsy receive no antiepileptic treatment, largely for economic and social reasons. Further epidemiological studies should be a priority to improve understanding of possible risk factors and thereby the prevention of epilepsy in Africa, and action should be taken to improve access to treatment.</p>  a1474-4465