Epilepsia. Official Journal of the International League Against Epilepsy

Abstract

Objective

Transient loss of consciousness (TLOC) is a common presentation in the emergency room, where patient history can usually differentiate syncope from generalized tonic‐clonic (GTC) seizures. Several serum markers, such as creatine kinase and lactate, can be helpful, especially when history is unreliable. Here, we explore a potential supporting role of electrolyte plasma levels in a case‐control study.

Methods

In our electroencephalographic database, we retrospectively identified consecutive episodes of loss of consciousness in adults seen over 3 years in our hospital emergency department for ...

Abstract

Seven large European Union (EU)–funded epilepsy‐related research projects joined forces in May 2018 in Brussels, Belgium, in a unique community building event—the epiXchange conference. During this conference, 170 investigators from the projects DESIRE, EpimiRNA, EPISTOP, EpiTarget, EpiXchange, and EpiPGX as well as the European Reference Network EpiCARE, met up with key stakeholders including representatives of the European Commission, patient organizations, commercial partners, and other European and International groups. The epiXchange conference focused on sharing and reviewing the advances made by ...

Abstract

Objective

Recent data indicate that amygdala kindling leads to significant changes in interictal neuronal firing patterns of thalamic reticular nucleus (TRN) neurons by decreasing the spontaneous firing rate and increasing burst firing in nonepileptic control (NEC) rats. Genetic Absence Epilepsy Rats From Strasbourg (GAERS) were resistant to these kindling‐induced firing changes in TRN neurons, and are also resistant to the progression of kindling. We investigated whether a homozygous, missense, single nucleotide mutation (R1584P) in the Ca_v3.2 T‐type Ca²⁺ channel gene, which ...

Abstract

Objective

To assess factors associated with favorable outcome in refractory insular epilepsy treated by volume‐based stereotactic radiofrequency thermocoagulation (RFTC).

Methods

We performed volume‐based RFTC in 19 patients (11 males, 7‐44 years old). The volume for thermocoagulation was identified by multimodal data including electroencephalography (EEG)‐video, magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), and fluorodeoxyglucose–positron emission tomography (PET) in all patients, and epileptogenic zone (EZ) was assessed by stereo‐electroencephalography (SEEG) in 16. MRI showed insular lesions in four patients (benign tumors, n = 2; focal cortical dysplasia [FCD], n ...

Abstract

Objectives

Nonhuman primates (NHPs) are model organisms for understanding the pathophysiology and treatment of epilepsy in humans, while data from human patients informs the diagnosis and treatment of NHP with seizures and epilepsy. We reviewed the literature and surveyed veterinarians at zoos and NHP research centers to (a) better define the range of seizures and epilepsy in NHP, (b) understand how NHPs can inform our knowledge of the pathophysiology and treatment of epilepsy in humans, and (c) identify gaps of knowledge ...

Abstract

Objective

To evaluate the efficacy and tolerability of antiepileptic drugs (AEDs) in elderly individuals with epilepsy.

Methods

We searched four electronic databases as well as bibliographies and conference abstracts. Published and unpublished, randomized, or quasirandomized trials reporting the use of AEDs in people aged at least 60 years with epilepsy were eligible for inclusion. Two authors independently carried out each stage of the review. Meta‐analyses were performed using random‐effects models.

Results

Three thousand four hundred seventeen titles and abstracts were reviewed. Eighteen studies evaluating 12 ...

Abstract

Objective

To determine whether a less‐invasive approach to surgery for medically refractory temporal lobe epilepsy is associated with lower health care costs and costs of lost productivity over time, compared to open surgery.

Methods

We compared direct medical costs and indirect productivity costs associated with treatment with stereotactic radiosurgery (SRS) or anterior temporal lobectomy (ATL) in the ROSE (Radiosurgery or Open Surgery for Epilepsy) trial. Health care use was abstracted from hospital bills, the study database, and diaries in which participants recorded health ...