First-line immunotherapy and the ketogenic diet are two main recommendations for treatment of NORSE/FIRES of unknown cause, according to results from an international consensus group published in Epilepsia.

Dr. Maryam Nabavi Nouri interviews first author Dr. Ronny Wickstrom.

For cases with unknown etiology,  first-line immunotherapy should be considered within 72 hours of seizure onset, and second-line immunotherapy and the ketogenic diet should be considered within 7 days of seizure onset.

The recommendations and clinical tools are available now:

International consensus recommendations for management of new-onset refractory status epilepticus (NORSE) including febrile infection-related epilepsy syndrome (FIRES): Summary and clinical tools

International consensus recommendations for management of new-onset refractory status epilepticus (NORSE) including febrile infection-related epilepsy syndrome (FIRES): Statements and supporting evidence

This episode was reported by Dr. Maryam Nabavi Nouri and edited and produced by Nancy Volkers.

Sharp Waves content is meant for informational purposes only and not as medical or clinical advice.

Families affected by NORSE can join the NORSE Family Registry and contribute information that may help shape and initiate research.  NORSE Family Registry registration information is available in multiple languages:
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Sharp Waves episodes are meant for informational purposes only, and not as clinical or medical advice.

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