Epilepsia. Official Journal of the International League Against Epilepsy

Abstract

Objective

The pharmacokinetics of brivaracetam (BRV), added to its effectiveness observed in animal models of status epilepticus (SE), makes this drug attractive for use in emergency situations. Our objective was to evaluate the use of intravenous BRV in a multicenter study.

Methods

A retrospective multicenter registry of SE cases treated with BRV was created. These patients were evaluated between January and December 2018 at seven hospitals in Spain. Demographic variables, SE characteristics, concomitant drugs, loading doses, and response to treatment were collected.

Results

Forty‐three patients ...

Abstract

Objective

Forced normalization (FN) is an intriguing phenomenon characterized by the emergence of psychiatric disturbances following the establishment of seizure control or reduction in the epileptic activity in a patient with previous uncontrolled epilepsy. We aim to describe the clinical characteristics of the condition.

Methods

We conducted a systematic review on MEDLINE, EMBASE, Cochrane, and Scielo from January 1953 to January 2018. Clinical, electrographic, and imaging data were gathered. We considered all outcomes in children and adults. We performed no meta‐analyses due to ...

Abstract

Objective

To determine the incidence, etiology, and outcome of status epilepticus (SE) in Auckland, New Zealand, using the latest International League Against Epilepsy (ILAE) SE semiological classification.

Methods

We prospectively identified patients presenting to the public or major private hospitals in Auckland (population = 1.61 million) between April 6, 2015 and April 5, 2016 with a seizure lasting 10 minutes or longer, with retrospective review to confirm completeness of data capture. Information was recorded in the EpiNet database.

Results

A total of 477 episodes of SE ...

Abstract

Objective

Critical decisions regarding resection boundaries for epilepsy surgery are often based on results of electrical stimulation mapping (ESM). Despite the potentially serious implications for postoperative functioning, age‐referenced data that might facilitate the procedure are lacking. Age might be particularly relevant, as pediatric ESM studies have shown a paucity of language sites in young children followed by a rapid increase at approximately 8‐10 years. Beyond adolescence, it has generally been assumed that the language system remains stable, and therefore, potential age‐related changes ...

Abstract

Objective

Ethical approval of experiments in chronic epilepsy models requires a careful balancing of the expected gain‐in‐knowledge with the level of distress. Thus recommendations for evidence‐based severity assessment and classification are urgently needed for preclinical epilepsy research.

Methods

Therefore, we have completed a comprehensive analysis of alterations in behavioral, biochemical, and physiological parameters in a rat electrical post‐status epilepticus model. Selected parameters were repeatedly analyzed during different experimental phases to obtain information about the level of distress throughout the course of the model.

Results

Behavioral ...

Abstract

Objective

To evaluate the pharmacokinetics of a purified oral cannabidiol (CBD) capsule administered with and without food in adults with refractory epilepsy.

Methods

Adult patients who were prescribed CBD for seizures, had localization‐related intractable epilepsy with ≥4 seizures per month, and qualified for Minnesota cannabis were enrolled. A single dose of 99% pure CBD capsules was taken under both fasting (no breakfast) and fed (high fat 840‐860 calorie) conditions. Blood sampling for CBD plasma concentrations was performed under each condition between 0 and ...

Abstract

Our objective was to summarize and evaluate the rapidly expanding body of literature studying functional connectivity in childhood epilepsy. In the self‐limited childhood epilepsies, awareness of cognitive comorbidities has been steadily increasing, and recent advances in our understanding of the network effects of these disorders promise insights into the underlying neurobiology. We reviewed publications addressing functional connectivity in children with epilepsy with an emphasis on studies of children with self‐limited childhood epilepsies. The majority of studies have been published in ...

Abstract

Objective

To compare direct and indirect costs and quality of life (QoL) of pediatric and adult patients with Dravet syndrome (DS), with drug‐resistant epilepsy (DRE) and in seizure remission (SR), and their caregivers, in Germany.

Methods

Questionnaire responses from 93 DS patients and their caregivers were matched by age and gender with responses from 93 DRE and 93 SR patients collected in independent studies, and were compared across main components of QoL, direct costs (patient visits, medication use, care level, medical equipment, and ...

Abstract

The Epilepsy Surgery Grading Scale (ESGS) is a simple tool that predicts a patient’s likelihood of progressing to resective surgery and becoming seizure‐free. The aim of our study was to validate the ESGS in an independent patient cohort. We retrospectively calculated the ESGS score for adult patients with drug‐resistant focal epilepsy undergoing presurgical evaluation at two reference centers for drug‐resistant epilepsy in Belgium. We classified patients into ESGS grade 1 (most favorable), grade 2 (intermediate), and grade 3 (least favorable). ...