EPILEPSY PATIENTS AND ADVOCATES URGED TO DECK THEIR HALLS WITH PURPLE LIGHTS THIS HOLIDAY SEASON

Cyberonics, maker of a VNS Therapy^® device to treat refractory (drug-resistant) epilepsy, is launching the #HealthyAndBright holiday lights promotion as part of its new #MyLifeIsBright campaign to shine a light on hope for difficult-to-treat epilepsy cases.

Epilepsy is not an easy road for anyone – and can be especially challenging for those with uncontrolled or drug-resistant seizures. The longer the path toward improved health, the more social and achievement challenges people with epilepsy are likely to face at home, work or school – and the more likely they will be to suffer from depression and anxiety, according to O’Neill D’Cruz, MD, MBA, chief medical officer for Cyberonics.

“Unfortunately, more than 40 percent of those with drug-resistant epilepsy are unaware of treatment options that could make a difference – leaving them feeling hopeless and alone,” said D’Cruz. “Through the #MyLifeIsBright campaign and over the holidays, we want to send the message that there is hope, and inspire those with uncontrolled seizures to take that next step toward a brighter future.”

With the #HealthyAndBright holiday lights promotion, Cyberonics is encouraging people to show their support for those who have epilepsy – both by incorporating purple lights into their holiday light displays, and by sharing photos through social media using the hashtags #MyLifeIsBright and #HealthyAndBright.

“Today, my life is much brighter because I have such good family and friend support,” said Mickey Naschke, Epilepsy Connections^™ Ambassador, who has lived with epilepsy for 30 years. “Unfortunately, I know for a lot of other people with epilepsy, it’s not like that. No matter how low you are, you can always help someone that may really need it.”

More information is available at EpilepsyConnections.com.

About Refractory Epilepsy and VNS Therapy
Epilepsy is a neurologic condition of the brain that causes seizures. Antiepileptic drugs are the primary option for treating epilepsy. While many people with epilepsy have had success with these drugs, as many as one-third are unable to control their seizures with medications alone^1,2.

Fortunately, non-drug treatments are available and offer many patients improved seizure control and quality of life. Cyberonics’ VNS Therapy system is FDA-approved for the treatment of refractory (drug-resistant) epilepsy. The VNS Therapy system uses a surgically implanted medical device that delivers pulsed electrical signals to the vagus nerve. The majority of patients with drug-resistant epilepsy have a 50-90% reduction in seizures with VNS Therapy.³

More information about VNS Therapy is available at www.vnstherapy.com or [email protected].

¹ Kwan P., Brodie M.J. Early Identification of Refractory Epilepsy. New England Journal of Medicine. 2000;342:314-319.
² Schiller Y., Najjar Y. Quantifying the response to antiepileptic drugs: Effect of past treatment history. Neurology 2008;70;54-65.
³ Englot, D J, et al. Vagus nerve stimulation for epilepsy: a meta-analysis of efficacy and predictors of response. Journal of Neurosurgery. Accessed on November 10, 2011 from http://thejns.org/doi/abs/10.3171/2011.7.JNS11977

Contact
Susan English
Havas PR
412.512.6547
[email protected]

Jennifer Lively
Cyberonics, Inc.
281.727.2620
[email protected]