Seizure

Seizure records are essential components for managing epilepsy and understanding seizure patterns. People with epilepsy (PWE) commonly use paper and electronic diaries for this purpose. Paper diaries are straightforward and raise few privacy concerns, requiring only a pen and paper [1]. In contrast, electronic diaries facilitate tracking of seizures, medications, and triggers, with the added benefit of easy sharing with caregivers and healthcare providers [2]. Both methods, effectively capture extensive information over time, typically with minimal training and cost [3,4].

The term developmental epileptic encephalopathy (DEEs), referring to the neurobiological process underlying epilepsy and the impact of both seizures and interictal epileptiform activity on cognitive function [1–3], was recently proposed by the International League against Epilepsy (ILAE). The term early onset DEE (EO-DEE) describes severe interictal epileptiform discharge and repeated seizures that commence within the first three years of life [4].

Infantile epileptic spasm syndrome (IESS) comprises a spectrum of disorders characterized by epileptic spasms (ES). The developmental prognosis is poor, varying based on etiology, with 9–12% of patients exhibiting normal development [1–3]. The standard treatments for IESS include adrenocorticotropic hormone (ACTH) therapy, prednisolone, and vigabatrin (VGB). Previous studies have investigated the efficacy of IESS therapies by comparing two distinct groups: cryptogenic and symptomatic. Findings from these studies suggest that cryptogenic patients exhibit higher treatment efficacy than symptomatic patients [4–6].

Most spontaneous acute atraumatic arterial dissections (SAAADs) present with radiating pain in locations that vary depending on the artery affected. [1] The two most studied SAAAD types, aortic dissection (AoD) and coronary artery dissection, (CoAD) classically present with ripping back pain and chest pain, respectively, but less-specific symptoms like dizziness, headache and focal weakness can also occur. [2,3] When seizures arise in this context, they have traditionally been attributed to downstream effects of the dissections, like syncope, malperfusion or focal ...

The Global Burden of Disease Study 2019 estimates that 52.5 million people worldwide have epilepsy [1]. The primary goal in the treatment of epilepsy is the elimination of seizures, typically achieved using anti-seizure medications (ASM). However, a substantial treatment gap exists in the United States, with upwards of 30% of individuals newly diagnosed with epilepsy remaining untreated with any ASMs at three years [2]. Effective treatment of epilepsy as a public health concern requires closing this gap by extending the ...

For people with focal epilepsy, curative surgery can be a potential treatment option. Still, a comprehensive assessment is necessary to determine if the person is suitable for the procedure. The epileptogenic zone needs to be identified [1]. Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI) helps to identify structural abnormalities associated with epilepsy [2]. Detecting a lesion on an MRI scan (termed ‘MRI-positive’) is crucial, significantly enhancing the likelihood of successful epilepsy surgery and postoperative seizure freedom [3,4].

Anterior nucleus of the thalamus (ANT) is the only deep brain stimulation (DBS) target that is approved by the FDA for treatment of drug-resistant epilepsy (DRE). Hippocampus (HC) and centromedian nucleus (CMN) have been reported as potential DBS targets for DRE. This study aimed to assess the effectiveness and predictors of response among DRE patients treated with DBS in general and among ANT, HC and CMN DBS-targets.

Functional seizures (FS), also known as psychogenic non-epileptic seizures (PNES), dissociative seizures and non-epileptic attack disorder (NEAD), present as clinically observable, paroxysmal alterations in behaviour or consciousness that resemble epileptic seizures but are not associated with epileptiform electroencephalographic (EEG) activity and are not directly caused by other organic conditions [1]. While these seizure-like events are the result of complex neuropsychiatric factors [2,3], their resemblance to epileptic convulsions, especially to healthcare providers who have little experience in dealing with FS, often ...

Epilepsies are diverse brain disorders characterized by unprovoked recurrent seizures [1]. Epilepsies contribute significantly to the global disease burden, affecting over 60 million people worldwide of all ages [2]. The underlying pathogenesis remains poorly understood and many patients continue to suffer from uncontrolled seizures [3,4]. Epilepsies are divided by seizure onset into two broad groups; focal epilepsies and generalized epilepsies, the latter being predominantly composed of genetic generalized epilepsies (GGE).

The diagnosis of epilepsy involves identifying interictal epileptiform discharges (IEDs) on EEG tracings.[1–3] Consistent detection of spikes is challenging, due to significant variability in the waveform shapes of IEDs across different patients.[4,5] The gold standard method for EEG evaluation involves visual interpretation by trained physicians. However, due to scarcity of experienced neurophysiologists, and considering interpersonal variability in interpretation,[6,7] there is an increasing demand for automated systems capable of accurate EEG reading.