Epilepsia. Official Journal of the International League Against Epilepsy

Abstract

Objective

Traumatic brain injury (TBI) may lead to the disruption of the intestinal barrier (IB), and to the escape of products of commensal gut bacteria, including lipopolysaccharide (LPS), into the bloodstream. We examined whether lateral fluid percussion injury (LFPI) and post‐traumatic epilepsy (PTE) are associated with the increased intestinal permeability and endotoxemia, and whether these events in turn are associated with PTE.

Methods

LFPI was delivered to adult male Sprague‐Dawley rats. Before, 1 week, and 7 months after LFPI, the IB permeability was ...

Abstract

Objective

Many nutrients essential to the fetus and for proper function of the placenta itself cannot freely diffuse across membrane barriers, and their transplacental transfer depends on transporters. Our previous studies provided evidence for altered expression of transporters for folic acid in trophoblasts exposed to antiseizure medications (ASMs). The goal of the current study was to explore the effects of older and newer ASMs on the expression and function of uptake transporters for choline, which interacts with folate at pathways for ...

Abstract

Objective

We aimed to better characterize the magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) findings of mild malformation of cortical development with oligodendroglial hyperplasia (MOGHE), a rare clinicopathological entity associated with pharmacoresistance recently described in patients with frontal lobe epilepsy.

Methods

We studied 12 patients who underwent epilepsy surgery and whose surgical specimens showed histopathological findings of MOGHE, characterized by preserved cortical lamination, blurred gray–white matter interface due to increased number of oligodendrocytes, and heterotopic neurons in the white matter. The age at MRI evaluation ranged ...

Abstract

Objective

Epileptic patients with hypothalamic hamartoma (HH) frequently present cognitive impairments. Surgical techniques aiming at HH can be very efficient for epilepsy relief and cognitive improvement but are also demonstrated to carry a significant risk of additional reduction in memory function in these already disabled patients. Gamma knife radiosurgery (GKS) offers an efficient minimally invasive procedure. We evaluated the effect of stereotactic radiosurgery on cognitive outcome.

Methods

We designed a prospective single‐center case series study. Thirty‐nine epileptic patients (median age = 17 years, ...

Abstract

Objective

Interictal dysphoric disorder (IDD) has been regarded as an affective disorder occurring only in people with epilepsy (PWE). Data showing similar characteristics and similar prevalence of IDD in patients with migraine and with psychogenic nonepileptic seizures question the epilepsy‐specific nature of IDD. The aim of the study was to investigate the nature of IDD in people with prevalent epilepsy with mood disorders and people with mood disorders who are free of neurological disease.

Methods

This is a case–control study, with 142 patients ...

Summary

Objective

This study evaluated factors influencing reproductive decision‐making in families containing multiple individuals with epilepsy.

Methods

One hundred forty‐nine adults with epilepsy and 149 adult biological relatives without epilepsy from families containing multiple affected individuals completed a self‐administered questionnaire. Participants answered questions regarding their belief in a genetic cause of epilepsy (genetic attribution) and estimated risk of epilepsy in offspring of an affected person. Participants rated factors for their influence on their reproductive plans, with responses ranging from “much more likely” to “much ...

Abstract

Objective

To estimate time to onset of cannabidiol (CBD) treatment effect (seizure reduction and adverse events [AEs]), we conducted post hoc analyses of data from two randomized, placebo‐controlled, Phase 3 trials, GWPCARE3 (NCT02224560) and GWPCARE4 (NCT02224690), of patients with Lennox–Gastaut syndrome.

Methods

Patients received plant‐derived pharmaceutical formulation of highly purified CBD (Epidiolex, 100 mg/ml oral solution) at 10 mg/kg/day (CBD10; GWPCARE3) or 20 mg/kg/day (CBD20; both trials) or placebo for 14 weeks. Treatment started at 2.5 mg/kg/day for all groups and reached 10 mg/kg/day on Day 7 and 20 mg/kg/day ...

Summary

Objective

This is an audit of the use of valproate (VPA) during pregnancy in women with epilepsy (WWE).

Methods

We identified all pregnancies exposed to VPA in the Kerala Registry of Epilepsy and Pregnancy between January 2010 and December 2019. Subjects’ past usage of antiepileptic drugs (AEDs), seizure count before and during pregnancy, fetal outcome, and major congenital malformations (MCMs) were abstracted from the registry records. The presumed reason for usage of VPA was deducted from the clinical records.

Results

There were 221 pregnancies (17.75%) ...

Abstract

Objective

Scalp electroencephalographic (EEG)–functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI) studies suggest that the maximum blood oxygen level‐dependent (BOLD) response to an interictal epileptiform discharge (IED) identifies the area of IED generation. However, the maximum BOLD response has also been reported in distant, seemingly irrelevant areas. Given the poor postoperative outcomes associated with extra‐temporal lobe epilepsy, we hypothesized this finding is more common when analyzing extratemporal IEDs as compared to temporal IEDs. We further hypothesized that a subjective, holistic assessment of other significant ...

Abstract

Objective

This study was undertaken to improve understanding of late relapse following epilepsy surgery in pharmacoresistant epilepsy.

Methods

Retrospective comparison was made of 99 of 1278 patients undergoing surgery during 1999–2015 with seizure relapses after at least 2 years of complete seizure freedom with matched controls experiencing continued long‐term seizure freedom. Univariate and multivariate analyses were performed.

Results

With a mean follow‐up of 9.7 years, mean time to seizure relapse was 56.6 months. In multivariate analysis, incomplete resection based on magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), bilateral lesions on preoperative ...