Seizure

Admissions to epilepsy monitoring units (EMUs) are a necessary part of the diagnostic and investigative process of most modern epilepsy centres. Video Telemetry (VT) utilises simultaneous video and EEG to capture episodic events for a variety of indications, including the diagnosis of transient episodes of uncertain nature (especially to distinguish epileptic from non-epileptic attack disorder); the classification of epilepsy syndrome; and pre-surgical evaluation in patients with medically refractory epilepsy [1].

Eslicarbazepine acetate (ESL) is a once-daily antiepileptic drug (AED) that is approved for the treatment of focal-onset seizures as monotherapy or adjunctive therapy [1,2]. The efficacy and safety/tolerability of ESL as adjunctive therapy for focal-onset seizures in adults have been established in a series of randomised, double-blind, placebo-controlled, Phase III trials [3–6] and long-term extension studies [7–9]. The efficacy and safety/tolerability of ESL in the monotherapy setting have been established in a randomised, double-blind, active-controlled, Phase III trial, conducted in ...

Epilepsy is the most common neurological disorder in children. The prevalence of epilepsy ranges from 3 to 5 per 1000 children in developed countries, and the incidence is about 41 to 187/100,000 person-years [1]. Previous studies have shown the incidence of epilepsy to be highest in the first year of life, ranging from 81 to 130/100,000 [1]. Of those with epilepsy, about 10% of children have drug-resistant epilepsy [2]. The common etiologies of drug-resistant epilepsy can be very diverse, including ...

Epilepsy is one of the most common chronic brain disorders, and globally 50 million people are affected [1]. Epilepsy prevalence varies between 0.5 and 1 % [2]. Common for all epileptic conditions are recurrent unprovoked seizures. Epilepsy can have severe consequences for the patient, and treatment with antiepileptic drugs is strongly recommanded for most patients. There is a wide range of antiepileptic drugs, and they can be used in combination as their mode of action varies. One third of the ...

Deep brain stimulation (DBS) in the treatment of dystonic tremor is well established with targets including the venterointermediate nucleus (VIM), globus pallidus interna (GPi). More recently the subthalmic nucleus (STN) and zona incerta (ZI) have emerged as promising targets [1]. DBS targeting the centromedian nucleus (CMN) has been found to be a safe and effective treatment for refractory generalised epilepsy. [2]. There is no body of evidence in the literature where dystonic tremor and refractory generalised epilepsy have been managed ...

In clinical practice, the dichotomy of focal vs generalized epilepsy dictates the choice of antiepileptic drugs (AEDs) for treatment and subsequent management of epileptic patients. In general, patients with focal epilepsy are good candidates for excisional epilepsy surgery, whereas those with generalized epilepsy are not. In most cases, the diagnosis of focal vs generalized epilepsy is clear after a careful consideration of the seizure semiology and results from diagnostic testing, namely video electroencephalography (VEEG), neuroimaging, and genetic testing.

Intractable epilepsies in infants and children have enduring, far-reaching consequences for psychomotor and social development. Early epilepsy surgery for patients who are surgical candidates can have an immeasurably positive impact on their lives. To this end, I am excited to present this Special Issue of Seizure authored by forty-two experts to discuss the important topic of pediatric epilepsy surgery. Even before a child is considered for epilepsy surgery, assessment of all children who present with a first seizure begins with ...

The Lennox-Gastaut syndrome (LGS) is a recognizable form of epileptic encephalopathy characterized by multiple etiologies, multiple seizure types, cognitive deterioration, extensive electroencephalographic (EEG) changes awake and asleep, and resistance to antiepileptic drug (AED) treatment [1–3]. The long-term evolution of LGS is characterized by the possible abatement of EEG changes, especially awake, and by the persistence of invalidating seizures [4]. Traditional pharmacological options include valproate (VPA) and a combination of VPA and lamotrigine (LTG) [2].

Even if improvements in neonatal intensive care [1] have resulted in a significant increase in the survival of preterm newborns (13% increase in the <27wGA group between 1995 and 2006) [1], preterm birth is still a significant cause of morbidity and mortality [2].

Initially described by Dr. Charlotte Dravet over 30 years ago [1], Dravet syndrome (OMIM #607208) is an infantile-onset epileptic encephalopathy associated with global developmental delays and intractable epilepsy. Hallmarks of the disease include initial normal development and seizure onset typically in the first year of life, consisting of prolonged generalized or unilateral clonic seizures often following a febrile illness or vaccination. Subsequent intractable epilepsy comprises multiple seizure types (generalized tonic-clonic, alternating hemiconvulsive, absence, myoclonic, and other focal seizures) that often ...