Seizure

The last 20 years have seen great advances in our understanding of the genetic basis of epilepsy. Next-generation sequencing (NGS) technologies have enabled the discovery of hundreds of genes associated with idiopathic epilepsies, in particular early infantile epileptic encephalopathies [1–4].

Seizures and epilepsy are the most common manifestations of all the evolutionary stages of NCC (78.8%, 95% CI: 65.1%-89.7%) [1]. The seizure presentation can be an isolated seizure, seizures in cluster, and convulsive status epilepticus (CSE) [2,3]. CSE is an extremely rare presentation of all the evolutionary stages of NCC [2–5]. Extremely rarely CSE due to NCC may evolve into super refractory SE [6]. However because of its rarity, CSE due to NCC has not been well characterized, hence this ...

Antiepileptic drugs (AEDs) are associated with rashes and other hypersensitivity reactions. The incidence varies depending on the type of rash, the AED used, and the previous history of rash with quoted incidences ranging from 1.7 -8.8%. Drugs with the greatest risk include phenytoin, carbamazepine, oxcarbazepine, and lamotrigine, while several other AEDs have a risk < 1% [1,2]. AEDs are commonly used in adult and pediatric patients with epilepsy (PWE), pain, and behavioral health problems [3]. It is important to understand ...

Stroke is a common cause of epilepsy in the elderly population. The abnormal neuronal discharges of post-stroke seizures (PSS) can cause damage to neurons and worsen the outcome of stroke. Numerous studies have focused on the clinical epidemiology of PSS; and the reported incidence varies from 2% to 20%, depending on the study population, stroke subtype, and the seizure onset time after the stroke [1–4]. Patients with early-onset seizures (ES) have a high risk of disability and mortality [1,5], whereas ...

Polymicrogyria is one of the most frequently occurring brain malformation and is characterized by an excessive number of small gyri associated with lamination abnormalities (either a four layer lamination or a dyslamination). PMG is a heterogeneous malformation with variable localizations within the brain. An overview of all the topographic types of PMG shows that unilateral hemispheric PMGs are rare (2/328) [1].

Infantile spasms (IS) has been described as a challenging epilepsy syndrome because its drug resistance and poor prognosis, which have given rise to a large burden on society and patients’ families. IS typically have an onset between 3 and 12 months of age with a peak incidence around 6-7 months [1].However, the patients were divided into three groups by age at onset of spasms [2]: early onset ( less than 3 months), classic onset (3 months and up to 12 ...

Epilepsy is a common disorder that occurs worldwide in all age groups and without distinction of gender. There are many superstitious beliefs in African counties about etiology of epilepsy [1–5]. In some of these countries, traditional healers, teachers, and students have linked epilepsy to spiritual attacks and witchcraft. Furthermore, epilepsy is widely believed to be transmissible by direct or indirect contact with body fluids of patients such as saliva and urine [6,7]. Therefore, children with epilepsy (CWE) are often stigmatized, ...

Glucose transporter-1 (GLUT1)/SLC2A1 is expressed at the highest levels in brain capillaries, astroglia, and erythrocytes. GLUT1-deficiency syndrome is a neurological disorder resulting primarily from aberrant glucose transport into the brain. Clinically, it is classified as GLUT1-deficiency syndrome with epilepsy and without epilepsy. The phenotypic spectrum of GLUT1- deficiency syndrome expanded over last two decades, encompassing a varying combination of epilepsies (absence, atypical absence, myoclonic, myoclonic-astatic, refractory generalized epilepsy, intractable infantile epilepsy etc.), movement disorders (paroxysmal exercise-induced dyskinesia, ataxia, etc.), and ...

Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) is a well-recognized diagnostic tool in most brain disorders. Today, high-strength magnetic field (3 Tesla) MRI are standard. Though 7 T MRI are not currently widely used yet, it becomes more and more available for clinical and neuroscientific researchers. However, the higher spatial resolutions that are possible at ultra high field imaging increase scan time as a result, which can result in patient discomfort. The main complaint at ultra high field followed by nausea, light flashes, metallic taste ...

Non-convulsive seizures (NCS) are common in critically ill patients (8-50%) [1–6], and if untreated, are associated with high mortality (17-51%) [6–8]. Furthermore, effective treatment must be timely, as delayed treatment can lead to long term neurologic disability [9–11]. Many intensive care units (ICU) now perform continuous EEGs (cEEG) to monitor for NCS. However, although continuously recorded, cEEGs are rarely continuously monitored. Even in large academic medical centers, cEEGs are typically reviewed 2-3 times daily by a neurophysiologist.