Epilepsia. Official Journal of the International League Against Epilepsy

Abstract

Objective

The frontal lobe in childhood absence epilepsy (CAE) might be affected due to the suggested involvement of the frontal lobe during absence seizures and reports on attentional deficits. Previously, subtle white matter abnormalities have been reported in CAE. However, the impact of one of the most characteristic components of the white matter, the myelin content, remains underdetermined. Therefore, this study investigated whether the myelin content in frontal areas is adversely affected in CAE compared to controls.

Methods

Seventeen children with childhood absence ...

Abstract

Objective

Exposure to organophosphates (OPs) and OP nerve agents (NAs) causes status epilepticus (SE) and irreversible brain damage. Rapid control of seizure activity is important to minimize neuronal injury and the resulting neurological and behavioral disorders; however, early treatment will not be possible after mass release of OPs or NAs.

Methods

We utilized a delayed‐treatment model of OP exposure in adult rats by administration of diisopropyl fluorophosphate (DFP) to study the relationship between the antiseizure and neuroprotective effects of the “standard‐of‐care” benzodiazepine, midazolam ...

Abstract

Objective

To determine the diagnostic yield of a commercial epilepsy gene panel in adults with chronic epilepsy and accompanying intellectual disability, given that genetic evaluation is often overlooked in this group of patients.

Methods

This is a cross‐sectional study analyzing the results of epilepsy gene panels including up to 185 genes in adult epilepsy patients with intellectual disability, according to Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, fifth edition. Patients with acquired structural brain abnormalities or known chromosomal abnormalities were excluded.

Results

From approximately 600 ...

Abstract

Objective

Treatment options for seizure clusters are limited; the need for easy‐to‐administer treatments remains. The Staccato system delivers drug deep into the lung via inhalation. In this phase 2a study, we investigated the ability of three different doses of Staccato alprazolam to suppress the electroencephalographic (EEG) photoparoxysmal response (PPR) compared with placebo in participants with photosensitive seizures.

Methods

Adults (18‐60 years) with a diagnosis and history of PPR on EEG with or without an epilepsy diagnosis were eligible to participate. Participants received Staccato alprazolam ...

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 ...