Conventional Epilepsy Treatments in Morocco and Recommendations for Future Research Directions: An Up-to-Date Review

Epilepsy affects around 70 million people globally, with a high prevalence in low- and middle-income countries like Morocco. Rural populations face difficulties accessing treatment due to economic challenges, poor healthcare infrastructure, and social stigma. Over 20 clinically approved medications are used for treatment. This review explores conventional approaches to epilepsy treatment in Morocco, emphasizing the need for improved healthcare access and culturally sensitive interventions. The study was conducted through a comprehensive literature search across various databases, including ScienceDirect, Springer, PubMed, MDPI, Frontiers, and Hindawi. Keywords, such as "epilepsy," "mental disorder and seizures," "brain disorder," and "epilepsy treatment" were used to perform the search. The literature review revealed a rising prevalence of epilepsy, affecting individuals of all ages and representing 0.6% of the global disease burden, particularly in low- and middle-income countries. Causes include stroke, infections, genetic factors, and environmental influences. Conventional treatments, such as antiepileptic drugs (AEDs) and surgical interventions, are vital for seizure control, but many patients experience medication resistance and side effects. Surgical options remain underutilized due to misconceptions and access issues. In rural areas, reliance on traditional healers and medicinal plants like Artemisia herba-alba and Mentha pulegium for alternative therapies highlights a gap in epilepsy awareness and diagnosis. The review emphasizes the need to integrate traditional knowledge with modern medical practices and calls for interdisciplinary research and equitable distribution of treatment centres. Future efforts should prioritize culturally sensitive, cost-effective strategies to improve early diagnosis, treatment access, healthcare services, and public awareness for better epilepsy outcomes in Morocco.