Epilepsia. Official Journal of the International League Against Epilepsy

Abstract

Objective

Postictal symptoms may result from cerebral hypoperfusion which is possibly a consequence of seizure-induced vasoconstriction. Longer seizures have previously been shown to cause more severe postictal hypoperfusion in rats and epilepsy patients. We studied cerebral perfusion after generalized seizures elicited by electroconvulsive therapy (ECT) and its relation to seizure duration.

Methods

Patients with a major depressive episode who underwent ECT were included. During treatment, 21-channel continuous electroencephalogram (EEG) was recorded. Arterial spin labeling magnetic resonance imaging (ASL-MRI) scans were acquired before the ...

Abstract

Objective

The objective was to systematically evaluate the current evidence surrounding the effect of vagus nerve stimulation (VNS) on quality of sleep and obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) among patients with epilepsy.

Methods

A literature search was conducted using the Embase and MEDLINE databases. Studies were included if they involved patients with drug-resistant epilepsy treated with VNS and used validated tools to report on quality of sleep or sleep apnea. The literature search yielded 112 citations related to VNS and sleep quality, and 82 ...

Abstract

Objectives

Hemimegalencephaly (HME) is a rare congenital brain malformation presenting predominantly with drug-resistant epilepsy. Hemispheric disconnective surgery is the mainstay of treatment; however, little is known about how postoperative outcomes compare across techniques. Thus we present the largest single-center cohort of patients with HME who underwent epilepsy surgery and characterize outcomes.

Methods

This observational study included patients with HME at University of California Los Angeles (UCLA) from 1984 to 2021. Patients were stratified by surgical intervention: anatomic hemispherectomy (AH), functional hemispherectomy (FH), or ...

Abstract

Objective

In the placebo-controlled, double-blind phase of the Marigold study (NCT03572933), ganaxolone significantly reduced major motor seizure frequency (MMSF) in patients with cyclin-dependent kinase-like 5 (CDKL5) deficiency disorder (CDD). We report 2-year safety and clinical outcomes data from the open-label extension (OLE) phase of Marigold.

Methods

Patients with CDD who completed the double-blind phase were eligible to continue in the OLE. Efficacy assessments included MMSF reduction from pre-randomization baseline, responder rates, and Clinical Global Impression of Improvement scale (CGI-I) scores, including assessment of ...

Abstract

Objective

The aim was to investigate the monitoring, interventions, and occurrence of critical, potentially life-threatening incidents in patients with Dravet syndrome (DS) and caregivers’ knowledge about sudden unexpected death in epilepsy (SUDEP).

Methods

This multicenter, cross-sectional study of patients with DS and their caregivers in Germany consisted of a questionnaire and prospective diary querying the disease characteristics and demographic data of patients and caregivers.

Results

Our analysis included 108 questionnaires and 82 diaries. Patients with DS were 49.1% male (n = 53), with a mean age of ...

Abstract

Recent morphometric MRI studies suggested the possibility that valproate (VPA) use is associated with parieto-occipital cortical thinning in patients with heterogeneous epilepsy syndromes. In this study, we examined the effect of VPA on the brain volume using a large number of homogenous patients with idiopathic generalized epilepsy. Voxel-based morphometry was used to compare regional grey matter (GM) volume between 112 patients currently taking VPA (VPA+ group), 81 patients not currently taking VPA (VPA– group), and 120 healthy subjects (control group). ...

Abstract

Objective

Concern about climate change amongst the general public is acknowledged by surveys. The healthcare sector must play its part in reducing greenhouse gas emissions and adapting to a changing climate, which will require the support of its stakeholders including those with epilepsy who may be especially vulnerable. It is important to understand this community’s attitudes and concerns about climate change and societal responses.

Methods

A survey was made available to over 100,000 people amongst a section of the neurological community (patients, carers ...

Abstract

Catamenial epilepsy is the best described and most researched sex-steroid specific seizure exacerbation. Yet despite this there are no current evidence based treatments nor an accepted diagnostic tool. The best tool we can currently have is tracking seizures over menstrual cycles however the reality of tracking seizures and menstrual cycles is fraught with challenges. In Part 1 (citation to be added on publication) of this two-part review we outlined the often complex and reciprocal relationship between seizures and sex steroids. ...