Epilepsia. Official Journal of the International League Against Epilepsy

Abstract

Objective

This study was undertaken to report clinical presentations and outcomes of CASPR2-IgG-associated seizures.

Methods

Mayo Clinic Neuroimmunology database was queried to identify CASPR2-IgG-seropositive (CASPR2-IgG+) patients evaluated at our institution (2009–2019).

Results

Of the 53 CASPR2-IgG+ patients (titer ≥ 1:10), 20 had seizures (38%). All seizure patients were male, with median onset age of 68 years. Eighteen (90%) had seizures at initial presentation. One patient was found to have malignancy (colon adenocarcinoma). Two patients had coexisting LGI1-IgG. Twelve patients had archived sera, which on titration had CASPR2-IgG ...

Abstract

Objective

We aimed to identify genes associated with genetic generalized epilepsy (GGE) by combining large cohorts enriched with individuals with a positive family history. Secondarily, we set out to compare the association of genes independently with familial and sporadic GGE.

Methods

We performed a case–control whole exome sequencing study in unrelated individuals of European descent diagnosed with GGE (previously recruited and sequenced through multiple international collaborations) and ancestry-matched controls. The association of ultra-rare variants (URVs; in 18 834 protein-coding genes) with epilepsy was examined ...

Abstract

Objective

This study was undertaken to determine the plasma concentration and pharmacokinetic variability of fenfluramine (FFA) and its main active metabolite norfenfluramine (norFFA) in relation to the prevalence of adverse effects in patients with refractory epilepsy treated with FFA. In addition, the interaction with concomitant antiseizure medications including stiripentol (STP) is studied.

Methods

Patients were recruited at our center from two open-label sources, an investigator-initiated observational study and an international multicenter extension study. Venous blood samples were collected between June 2015 and December ...

Abstract

Objective

In order to more appropriately apply and understand the “epilepsy treatment gap” (ETG) concept in current health systems, revised conceptual and operational definitions of ETG are timely and necessary. This article therefore systematically reviews worldwide studies of the ETG, distinguishing high-, middle-, and low-income regions, and provides recommendations for an updated International League Against Epilepsy (ILAE) definition of ETG.

Methods

A systematic review of the ETG was performed using Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses (PRISMA) standards. The search was ...

Abstract

Objective

Despite the overall success of responsive neurostimulation (RNS) therapy for drug-resistant focal epilepsy, clinical outcomes in individuals vary significantly and are hard to predict. Biomarkers that indicate the clinical efficacy of RNS—ideally before device implantation—are critically needed, but challenges include the intrinsic heterogeneity of the RNS patient population and variability in clinical management across epilepsy centers. The aim of this study is to use a multicenter dataset to evaluate a candidate biomarker from intracranial electroencephalographic (iEEG) recordings that predicts clinical ...

Abstract

The International League Against Epilepsy (ILAE) seizure classification scheme has been periodically updated to improve its reliability and applicability to clinicians and researchers alike. Here, members of the Epilepsy Study Consortium propose a pragmatic seizure classification, based on the ILAE scheme, designed for use in clinical trials with a focus on outcome measures that have high reliability, broad interpretability across stakeholders, and clinical relevance in the context of the development of novel antiseizure medications. Controversies around the current ILAE classification ...

Abstract

Epilepsy, a neurological disorder characterized by recurrent seizures, is known to be associated with impaired sleep and memory. Although the specific mechanisms underlying these impairments are uncertain, the known role of sleep in memory consolidation suggests a potential relationship may exist between seizure activity, disrupted sleep, and memory impairment. A possible mediator in this relationship is the sleep spindle, the characteristic electroencephalographic (EEG) feature of non-rapid-eye-movement (NREM) sleep in humans and other mammals. Growing evidence supports the idea that sleep ...

Abstract

Objective

To review the evidence of felt and enacted stigma and attitudes toward persons living with epilepsy, and their determining factors.

Methods

Thirteen databases were searched (1985–2019). Abstracts were reviewed in duplicate and data were independently extracted using a standardized form. Studies were characterized using descriptive analysis by whether they addressed “felt” or “enacted” stigma and “attitudes” toward persons living with epilepsy.

Results

Of 4234 abstracts, 132 met eligibility criteria and addressed either felt or enacted stigma and 210 attitudes toward epilepsy. Stigma frequency ranged ...

Summary

Objective

This is a systematic review aimed at summarizing the evidence related to instruments that have been developed to measure stigma or attitudes toward epilepsy and on stigma-reducing interventions.

Methods

This review followed the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses (PRISMA) standards. A broad literature search (1985–2019) was performed in 13 databases. Articles were included if they described the development and testing of psychometric properties of an epilepsy-related stigma or attitude scale or stigma-reducing interventions. Two reviewers independently screened abstracts, reviewed ...

Abstract

Objective

This study was undertaken to identify shared functional network characteristics among focal epilepsies of different etiologies, to distinguish epilepsy patients from controls, and to lateralize seizure focus using functional connectivity (FC) measures derived from resting state functional magnetic resonance imaging (MRI).

Methods

Data were taken from 103 adult and 65 pediatric focal epilepsy patients (with or without lesion on MRI) and 109 controls across four epilepsy centers. We used three whole-brain FC measures: parcelwise connectivity matrix, mean FC, and degree of FC. ...