Epilepsia. Official Journal of the International League Against Epilepsy

Abstract

Objective

The aim was to examine the influence of modified Atkins diet on serum concentration of antiepileptic drugs (AEDs).

Methods

Prospective data from 63 adult patients with either focal or generalized drug‐resistant epilepsy recruited to 12‐week dietary treatment as add‐on to AEDs are analyzed. AED serum concentrations, ketones, glucose, and hemoglobin A1c were measured before and after the dietary intervention. Paired t test was used and Spearman correlation coefficient, r, was estimated.

Results

Mean age was 37 years (range 16‐65 years). Mean serum concentrations of carbamazepine, clobazam, ...

Abstract

Traumatic brain injury (TBI) affects 2.5 million people annually within the United States alone, with over 300 000 severe injuries resulting in emergency room visits and hospital admissions. Severe TBI can result in long‐term disability. Posttraumatic epilepsy (PTE) is one of the most debilitating consequences of TBI, with an estimated incidence that ranges from 2% to 50% based on severity of injury. Conducting studies of PTE poses many challenges, because many subjects with TBI never develop epilepsy, and it can be ...

Abstract

The epileptic baboon provides a natural model of idiopathic generalized epilepsy and sudden unexpected death in epilepsy (SUDEP). This retrospective, case‐controlled study aims to evaluate cardiac biomarkers of epilepsy, specifically QT‐interval prolongation and heart rate variability (HRV), in pedigreed, captive baboons undergoing scalp electroencephalography (EEG). We retrospectively identified 21 epileptic (nine females, mean age = 11.4 ± 5.4 years) and 19 asymptomatic control (12 females, mean age = 10.5 ± 6.3 years) baboons, who had undergone scalp EEG studies with an artifact‐free, 10‐beat electrocardiogram sample. All ...

Abstract

Objective

Studies have found that affected individuals who believe the cause of their disorder is genetic may react in various ways, including optimism for improved treatments and pessimism due to perceived permanence of the condition. This study assessed the psychosocial impact of genetic attribution among people with epilepsy.

Methods

Study participants were 165 persons with epilepsy from multiplex epilepsy families who completed a self‐administered survey. Psychosocial impact of epilepsy was assessed with the Impact of Epilepsy Scale, containing items about relationships, employment, overall ...