Epilepsia. Official Journal of the International League Against Epilepsy

Abstract

Drug discovery in epilepsy began with the finding of potassium bromide by Sir Charles Locock in 1857. The following century witnessed the introduction of phenotypic screening tests for discovering antiseizure medications (ASMs). Despite the high success rate of developing ASMs, they have so far failed in eliminating drug-resistance and in delivering disease-modifying treatments. This emphasises the need for new drug discovery strategies in epilepsy. RNA-based drugs have recently shown promise as a new modality with the potential of providing disease-modification ...

Abstract

Objective

To establish if advanced workup including long-term EEG (LT-EEG) and brain MRI provides an additional yield for the diagnosis of new onset epilepsy (NOE) in patients presenting with a first seizure event (FSE).

Methods

In this population-based study, all adult (≥16 years) patients presenting with FSE in the emergency department (ED) between 1.3.2010 and 1.3.2017 were assessed. Patients with obvious non-epileptic or acute symptomatic seizures were excluded. Routine EEG, LT-EEG, brain CT and brain MRI were performed as part of the initial workup. ...

Abstract

Objective

This study aimed to explore the effectiveness of brivaracetam (BRV) according to baseline seizure frequency and past treatment history in subjects with focal epilepsy who were included in the Brivaracetam Add-On First Italian Network Study (BRIVAFIRST).

Methods

BRIVAFIRST was a 12-month retrospective, multicenter study including adults prescribed adjunctive BRV. Study outcomes included sustained seizure response (SSR), sustained seizure freedom (SSF), and the rates of treatment discontinuation and adverse events (AEs). Baseline seizure frequency was stratified as <5, 5–20, and >20 seizures per ...

Abstract

Seizures are common in neonates, but there is substantial management variability. The Neonatal Task Force of the International League Against Epilepsy (ILAE) developed evidence-based recommendations about antiseizure medication (ASM) management in neonates in accordance with ILAE standards. Six priority questions were formulated, a systematic literature review and meta-analysis were performed, and results were reported following the PRISMA (Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses) 2020 standards. Bias was evaluated using the Cochrane tool and risk of Bias in non-randomised ...

Abstract

Objectives

To assess the occurrence rate, characteristics, and impact of eating disorders (EDs) in adolescents with epilepsy.

Methods

In this observational study, adolescents with epilepsy seen in a single center between 2013-2022 who had comorbid EDs were compared to two control groups of adolescents with only epilepsy and only EDs. Patients with intellectual disability or autism spectrum disorder were excluded. Data retrieved included demographic and anthropometric details and clinical variables relating to seizure types, EDs, and psychiatric disorders and behaviors.

Results

A total of 376 ...

Abstract

Objectives

Post-seizure functional decline is a concern in post-stroke epilepsy (PSE). However, data on electroencephalogram (EEG) markers associated with functional decline are scarce. Thus, we investigated whether periodic discharges (PDs) and their specific characteristics are associated with functional decline in patients with PSE.

Methods

In this observational study, patients admitted with seizures of PSE and who had scalp EEGs were included. The association between the presence or absence of PDs and post-seizure short-term functional decline lasting 7 days after admission was investigated. In patients ...

Abstract

Objective

To evaluate the safety, tolerability, pharmacokinetics, and preliminary efficacy of lacosamide (LCM) (up to 12 mg/kg/day or 600 mg/day) as adjunctive therapy in pediatric patients with epilepsy syndromes associated with generalized seizures.

Methods

Phase 2, multicenter, open-label exploratory trial (SP0966; NCT01969851; 2012-001446-18) of oral LCM for epilepsy syndromes associated with generalized seizures in pediatric patients ≥1 month to <18 years of age taking one to three concomitant antiseizure medications. The trial comprised a 6-week prospective baseline period, 6-week flexible titration period, and 12-week maintenance period.

Results

Fifty-five patients ...

Abstract

Objective

We conducted a systematic review and meta-analysis to evaluate postoperative seizure and memory outcomes of temporal lobe epilepsy with different hippocampal sclerosis (HS) subtypes classified by ILAE Consensus Guidelines in 2013.

Method

Following the PRISMA and MOOSE guidelines, we searched PubMed, Embase, Web of Science, and Cochrane Library from January 1, 2013 to August 6, 2023. Observational studies reporting seizure and memory outcomes among different HS subtypes were included. We used the Newcastle-Ottawa scale to assess the risk of bias and the ...

Abstract

Objective

While interoceptive abnormality in patients with functional seizure (FS) has been demonstrated using explicit tasks, implicit measurements of interoception such as the effect of interoception on perceptual brain processes, have not been investigated. It has been shown that perception
is
normally modulated by interoceptive signals related to the
different phases (systole v diastole) of the
cardiac cycle (cardiac modulation
effect
). Given our previous findings using ...