Epilepsia. Official Journal of the International League Against Epilepsy

Abstract

Objective

Therapeutic drug monitoring (TDM) of antiepileptic drugs (AEDs) helps optimize drug management for patients with epilepsy. Salivary testing is both noninvasive and easy, and has several other advantages. Due to technical advances, salivary TDM has become feasible for several drugs, including AEDs, and its value has been investigated. Until recently, saliva TDM of perampanel (PER) had not been reported. The purpose of our study was to confirm whether saliva is a biological substitute for plasma in PER TDM.

Methods

Adult patients diagnosed ...

Abstract

Objective

Hyperkinetic epileptic seizures (HKS) are difficult to characterize and localize according to semiologic features. We propose a multicriteria scale to help visual analysis and report results of cerebral localization.

Methods

We assessed seizures from 37 patients with HKS, explored with stereoelectroencephalography during presurgical evaluation. We used a multicriteria scale (hyperkinetic seizure scale [HSS]) with 10 semiologic features, scored independently by two neurologists. The item scores were used to group seizures using the k‐means method. Semiologic features were correlated with the seizure onset ...

Abstract

Although several validated seizure detection algorithms are available for convulsive seizures, detection of nonconvulsive seizures remains challenging. In this phase 2 study, we have validated a predefined seizure detection algorithm based on heart rate variability (HRV) using patient‐specific cutoff values. The validation data set was independent from the previously published data set. Electrocardiography (ECG) was recorded using a wearable device (ePatch) in prospectively recruited patients. The diagnostic gold standard was inferred from video–EEG monitoring. Because HRV‐based seizure detection is suitable ...

Abstract

Seizure detection devices can improve epilepsy care, but wearables are not always tolerated. We previously demonstrated good performance of a real‐time video‐based algorithm for detection of nocturnal convulsive seizures in adults with learning disabilities. The algorithm calculates the relative frequency content based on the group velocity reconstruction from video‐sequence optical flow. We aim to validate the video algorithm on nocturnal motor seizures in a pediatric population. We retrospectively analyzed the algorithm performance on a database including 1661 full recorded nights ...

Abstract

Objective

To identify cognitive phenotypes in temporal lobe epilepsy (TLE) and test their reproducibility in a large, multi‐site cohort of patients using both data‐driven and clinically driven approaches.

Method

Four‐hundred seven patients with TLE who underwent a comprehensive neuropsychological evaluation at one of four epilepsy centers were included. Scores on tests of verbal memory, naming, fluency, executive function, and psychomotor speed were converted into z‐scores based on 151 healthy controls (HCs). For the data‐driven method, cluster analysis (k‐means) was used to determine the ...

Abstract

Objective

Epilepsy is a nervous system abnormality that may be caused by unknown exposures during fetal development. Studies have shown neuroprotective effects of early exposure to vitamin D in other neurological disorders, and seasonal variation in birth of children with epilepsy. We aimed to investigate if neonatal 25(OH)D₃ was associated with risk of childhood epilepsy.

Methods

This case‐cohort study compared neonatal 25(OH)D₃ levels from children with epilepsy (n = 403) and a random selected cohort of controls (n = 1163), assessing the hazard of first epilepsy diagnosis ...

Abstract

Our aim was to clarify the incidence and risk of acute symptomatic seizures in people with coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID‐19). This multicenter retrospective study enrolled people with COVID‐19 from January 18 to February 18, 2020 at 42 government‐designated hospitals in Hubei province, the epicenter of the epidemic in China; Sichuan province; and Chongqing municipality. Data were collected from medical records by 11 neurologists using a standard case report form. A total of 304 people were enrolled, of whom 108 had ...

Abstract

Organophosphate (OP) compounds constitute a class of highly toxic molecules, characterized by irreversible cholinesterase (ChE) inhibition. Being either pesticides or chemical warfare agents, they present a major health issue in some countries, as well as a terrorist or military threat. Prompted by the need for suitable animal models to test novel medical countermeasures, we developed a new convulsive mouse model of OP poisoning using diisopropylfluorophosphate (DFP). Using electrocorticography (ECoG), we analyzed seizure and status epilepticus (SE) occurrences, as well as ...

Summary

Objective

To compare the severity of psychological distress between epilepsy patients and healthy controls during the COVID‐19 outbreak in southwest China, as well as identify potential risk factors of severe psychological distress among epilepsy patients.

Methods

This cross‐sectional case control study examined a consecutive sample of patients older than 15 years treated at the epilepsy center of West China Hospital between 01 and 29 February 2020. As controls, sex‐ and age‐matched healthy visitors of inpatients (unrelated to the patients) were also enrolled during ...

Abstract

Objective

To assess pharmacokinetics and safety of diazepam nasal spray (NRL‐1; VALTOCO®) in pediatric and adult patients with epilepsy in seizure and nonseizure states.

Methods

A single dose of diazepam nasal spray (5, 10, 15, or 20 mg based on weight) was administered during each of two conditions (ictal/peri‐ictal and interictal condition) to patients 6‐65 years old with partial or generalized epilepsy with motor seizures or seizures with clear alteration of awareness; a second dose was permitted if needed for persistent seizures. Dosing could be ...