Epilepsia. Official Journal of the International League Against Epilepsy

Abstract

Ring chromosomes occur when the ends of normally rod‐shaped chromosomes fuse. In ring chromosome 20 (ring 20), intellectual disability and epilepsy are usually present, even if there is no deleted coding material; the mechanism by which individuals with complete ring chromosomes develop seizures and other phenotypic abnormalities is not understood. We investigated altered gene transcription as a contributing factor by performing RNA‐sequencing (RNA‐seq) analysis on blood from seven patients with ring 20, and 11 first‐degree relatives (all parents). Geographic analysis ...

Abstract

The ring 14 syndrome is a rare condition caused by the rearrangement of one chromosome 14 into a ring‐like structure. The formation of the ring requires two breakpoints and loss of material from the short and long arms of the chromosome. Like many other chromosome syndromes, it is characterized by multiple congenital anomalies and developmental delays. Typical of the condition are retinal anomalies and drug‐resistant epilepsy. These latter manifestations are not found in individuals who are carriers of comparable 14q ...

Abstract

Precision medicine can be distilled into a concept of accounting for an individual’s unique collection of clinical, physiologic, genetic, and sociodemographic characteristics to provide patient‐level predictions of disease course and response to therapy. Abundant evidence now allows us to determine how an average person with epilepsy will respond to specific medical and surgical treatments. This is useful, but not readily applicable to an individual patient. This has brought into sharp focus the desire for a more individualized approach through which ...

Abstract

Objective

The effects of anticonvulsants on lipids are the subject of considerable concern and investigation, but there are almost no data on this issue from randomized trials. We evaluated serum lipid profiles in adults with newly diagnosed epilepsy, following randomization to lacosamide (LCM) or carbamazepine (CBZ) monotherapy.

Methods

We analyzed data from a Phase 3, international, randomized, double‐blind trial of LCM vs CBZ for the initial treatment of focal epilepsy. Serum lipid profiles in patients not taking lipid‐lowering agents and providing blood samples ...

Abstract

Objective

Clinical genetic sequencing is frequently utilized to diagnose individuals with neurodevelopmental disorders (NDDs). Here we perform a meta‐analysis and systematic review of the success rate (diagnostic yield) of clinical sequencing through next‐generation sequencing (NGS) across NDDs. We compare the genetic testing yield across NDD subtypes and sequencing technology.

Methods

We performed a systematic review of the PubMed literature until May 2020. We included clinical sequencing studies that utilized NGS in individuals with epilepsy, autism spectrum disorder (ASD), or intellectual disability (ID). Data ...

Abstract

Objective

Epilepsy with myoclonic‐atonic seizures (EMAS) is a rare childhood onset epileptic encephalopathy. There is no clear consensus for recommended treatments, and pharmacoresistance is common. To better assess the clinical phenotype, most effective treatment, and determinants of cognitive and seizure outcomes, three major pediatric epilepsy centers combined data, creating the largest cohort of patients with EMAS ever studied to date.

Methods

Authors performed a retrospective chart review of patients with EMAS who received care at the authors’ institutions.

Results

A total of 166 children were ...

Abstract

Presurgical evaluation and surgery in the pediatric age group are unique in challenges related to caring for the very young, range of etiologies, choice of appropriate investigations, and surgical procedures. Accepted standards that define the criteria for levels of presurgical evaluation and epilepsy surgery care do not exist. Through a modified Delphi process involving 61 centers with experience in pediatric epilepsy surgery across 20 countries, including low–middle‐ to high‐income countries, we established consensus for two levels of care. Levels were ...

Abstract

Since 1992, the Eilat Conferences have provided a forum for all stakeholders in the epilepsy community to appraise the latest data on new antiepileptic drugs and emergency seizure treatments, including, in recent years, updates on progress with the development of novel monitoring and therapeutic devices. Because of the COVID‐19 pandemic, the Fifteenth Eilat Conference on New Antiepileptic Drugs and Devices (EILAT XV) was held as a fully virtual conference on July 27‐30, 2020 for the sessions on drugs and on ...

Abstract

Objective

Infantile spasms (IS) is a severe epilepsy in early childhood. Early treatment of IS provides the best chance of seizure remission and favorable developmental outcome. We aimed to develop a prediction rule to accurately predict which neonates with acute symptomatic seizures will develop IS.

Methods

We used data from the Neonatal Seizure Registry, a prospective, multicenter cohort of infants with acute symptomatic neonatal seizures born from July 2015 to March 2018. Neonates with acute symptomatic seizures who received clinical electroencephalography (EEG) and ...