Seizure

IRF2BPL is an intronless gene (also known as EAP1 or c14orf4) that was mapped in the 2000 on chromosome 14q24.3 [1]. This gene codes for the 796 amino acids-long interferon regulatory factor 2 binding-like protein, which is expressed in multiple human tissues, including the brain. Albeit its functions are largely unknown, several preclinical and clinical studies have suggested a possible role in neuronal development and homeostasis [2], transcription of the gonadotropin-releasing hormone [3], modulation of the ubiquitin-proteasome pathway (UPS) [4] ...

There are NICE guidelines and quality standards outlining principles of effective care provision for patients with epilepsy in England1. Nearly fourteen years ago, in 2008, Tittensor and colleagues2 highlighted that for people with epilepsy within the prison system the standards applicable at that time were not met (the standards have been revised since.) The UK prison population is currently around 80,000 and has risen by 74 percent in the last 30 years3 There are important demographic challenges in this population ...

The risk of teratogenicity from anti-seizure medicines (ASMs) varies depending on drug type and dosage [1]. Various academic societies have issued warnings about the teratogenicity of ASMs during pregnancy [2,3]. Therefore, the choice of ASM prescribed for pregnant women with epilepsy is important1.

: This study assessed psychiatric and personality characteristics in relation to pediatric functional seizures (FS).

To the Editor,

Lennox Gastaut syndrome (LGS) is an age-dependent epileptic encephalopathy characterized by drug-resistant polymorphic seizures with an onset in early childhood, distinctive electroencephalographic findings (generalized slow spike-wave discharges), and cognitive impairment [1,2]. The multiple seizure types associated with LGS include drop seizures (tonic, atonic, or tonic atonic), atypical absences, and other convulsive seizures (clonic, tonic-clonic, etc.). Drop seizures are often very frequent (occurring multiple times/day) and disabling, with a risk of sustaining injuries acutely and poor long-term outcomes in general (many ...

Versive seizures, consisting of forced, involuntary, sustained and unnatural turning of eyes and head toward one side, lateralize to the hemisphere contralateral to the direction of the eye and head turn. The characteristics of eye and head movements in version have been rarely and incompletely studied in spontaneous epileptic seizures as opposed to direct cortical stimulation studies.

Schizencephaly is a rare congenital anomaly with polymicrogyric gray matter-lined clefts [1–3]. Along with polymicrogyria, schizencephaly belongs to a group of malformations of cortical development occurring at the stage of neuronal organization [2, 4]. Patients with malformations of cortical development have a high prevalence of epilepsy, and many cases are medically refractory [5–7]. Although data from precise epidemiological studies are lacking, epilepsy has been reported in 37–74% of patients with schizencephaly [1, 8-10].

Ictal piloerection (IP) is a rare manifestation of focal seizures subjectively associated with the sensation of goosebumps or shivers, and it may be distributed on one or both sides of the body. Pilomotor seizures mainly originate from the mesial temporal lobe. Although the precise neural network of IP has not yet been determined, the generator is suspected to lie in the insula or amygdala [1]. Previous analysis of the “localising value” of IP has not given conclusive results. Clearly unilateral ...

Ketogenic diet therapy (KDT) has become an important option in the management of drug-resistant epilepsy and some of the inborn errors of metabolism in children, with increasing evidence of its favorable effects. KDT has also shown to be successful in adults and in other neurological conditions [1].