Pub Date : 2025-02-02DOI: 10.1016/j.ebr.2025.100747
Julian Larkin , Tudor Munteanu , Emma Dolan , Daniel J. Costello , Kieron Sweeney , Ronan Kilbride , Peter Widdess-Walsh
The insula can generate seizures which mimic frontal, temporal and parietal epilepsies making electroclinical localization difficult. We report the case of a twenty-one-year-old woman who presented with seizure semiology of a left-sided painful somatosensory aura, progressing to bilateral tonic posturing and complex manual automatisms. She described a painful sensation and weakness affecting her left side following the offset of a seizure, with the pain consistenly outlasting the weakness. This would last from hours to days depending on the severity and duration of the seizure. Stereo-electroencephalography (SEEG) demonstrated seizure onset in the limen of the right insula. Extra-operative stimulation of the insula reproduced the clinical symptoms. She underwent radiofrequency thermocoagulation (RFTC) which has resulted in a significant reduction in seizure frequency. This case report describes a lateralized painful Todd’s phenomenon as a feature of insular epilepsy confirmed by SEEG and extra-operative stimulation.
{"title":"Painful Todd’s: Post-ictal painful hemiparesis as an identifier of insular epilepsy","authors":"Julian Larkin , Tudor Munteanu , Emma Dolan , Daniel J. Costello , Kieron Sweeney , Ronan Kilbride , Peter Widdess-Walsh","doi":"10.1016/j.ebr.2025.100747","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.ebr.2025.100747","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>The insula can generate seizures which mimic frontal, temporal and parietal epilepsies making electroclinical localization difficult. We report the case of a twenty-one-year-old woman who presented with seizure semiology of a left-sided painful somatosensory aura, progressing to bilateral tonic posturing and complex manual automatisms. She described a painful sensation and weakness affecting her left side following the offset of a seizure, with the pain consistenly outlasting the weakness. This would last from hours to days depending on the severity and duration of the seizure. Stereo-electroencephalography (SEEG) demonstrated seizure onset in the limen of the right insula. Extra-operative stimulation of the insula reproduced the clinical symptoms. She underwent radiofrequency thermocoagulation (RFTC) which has resulted in a significant reduction in seizure frequency. This case report describes a lateralized painful Todd’s phenomenon as a feature of insular epilepsy confirmed by SEEG and extra-operative stimulation.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":36558,"journal":{"name":"Epilepsy and Behavior Reports","volume":"29 ","pages":"Article 100747"},"PeriodicalIF":1.8,"publicationDate":"2025-02-02","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"143369827","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
This review discusses the differing effects of enzyme-inducing and non-inducing antiseizure medications on cardiovascular risk and their implications for the management strategies of epilepsy patients. Traditional risk markers, including low density lipoprotein, high density lipoprotein and triglycerides, can be altered by both enzyme induction and inhibition. Other markers of vascular risk, including c-reactive protein, non-high-density lipoprotein and homocysteine, are affected by antiseizure medications, although adults and children may have different responses. The overall atherosclerotic risk picture is more complex due to indirect effects such as neuroendocrine function and the metabolic syndrome. Large scale data shows an evolving understanding of cardiovascular risk. Long term risks of enzyme inducing antiseizure medications and valproic acid are apparent when studies examine medications individually. Finally, effects of antiseizure medications on cardiac rhythm and possibly autonomic control are discussed with respect to their clinical relevance to the practicing clinician.
{"title":"Antiseizure medications and their differing effects on cardiovascular risk","authors":"Aleena Abbasi , Bassil Abbasi , Scott Mintzer , Carla LoPinto-Khoury","doi":"10.1016/j.ebr.2025.100746","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.ebr.2025.100746","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>This review discusses the differing effects of enzyme-inducing and non-inducing antiseizure medications on cardiovascular risk and their implications for the management strategies of epilepsy patients. Traditional risk markers, including low density lipoprotein, high density lipoprotein and triglycerides, can be altered by both enzyme induction and inhibition. Other markers of vascular risk, including c-reactive protein, non-high-density lipoprotein and homocysteine, are affected by antiseizure medications, although adults and children may have different responses. The overall atherosclerotic risk picture is more complex due to indirect effects such as neuroendocrine function and the metabolic syndrome. Large scale data shows an evolving understanding of cardiovascular risk. Long term risks of enzyme inducing antiseizure medications and valproic acid are apparent when studies examine medications individually. Finally, effects of antiseizure medications on cardiac rhythm and possibly autonomic control are discussed with respect to their clinical relevance to the practicing clinician.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":36558,"journal":{"name":"Epilepsy and Behavior Reports","volume":"29 ","pages":"Article 100746"},"PeriodicalIF":1.8,"publicationDate":"2025-02-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"143350635","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
This study aimed to compare carbamazepine (CBZ) and perampanel (PER) in terms of the efficacy against clinical seizures and electroencephalographic abnormalities such as interictal epileptiform discharges (IEDs) and safety as initial monotherapy in children with non-lesional focal epilepsies. This retrospective review included participants recruited from among epilepsy outpatients treated at the authors’ hospital between January 01, 2000, and December 31, 2019 in the CBZ group and between January 01, 2020, and December 31, 2022 in the PER group. The inclusion criterion in both groups was ≥12 months of follow-up. Responders were identified as participants demonstrating complete disappearance (100 % reduction in seizures or IEDs) or response (>50 % reduction in seizure frequency or IEDs). Safety primary outcome was defined as appearance rate of AEs. The study group comprised 247 participants treated with CBZ and 46 participants treated with PER. Total efficacy rate for clinical seizures was significantly higher with PER than with CBZ (p = 0.0148). Moreover, the rate of complete disappearance was significantly higher with PER than with CBZ (p = 0.0133). Total efficacy rate for IED was again significantly higher with PER than with CBZ (p < 0.0001). The appearance of adverse events was significantly lower with PER than with CBZ (p = 0.023). PER may be useful as initial monotherapy in children with non-lesional focal epilepsies.
{"title":"Usefulness of perampanel as initial monotherapy in children with non-lesional focal epilepsy","authors":"Hideaki Kanemura , Yoshihiro Miyasato , Yutaro Tomi , Fumikazu Sano","doi":"10.1016/j.ebr.2025.100743","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.ebr.2025.100743","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>This study aimed to compare carbamazepine (CBZ) and perampanel (PER) in terms of the efficacy against clinical seizures and electroencephalographic abnormalities such as interictal epileptiform discharges (IEDs) and safety as initial monotherapy in children with non-lesional focal epilepsies. This retrospective review included participants recruited from among epilepsy outpatients treated at the authors’ hospital between January 01, 2000, and December 31, 2019 in the CBZ group and between January 01, 2020, and December 31, 2022 in the PER group. The inclusion criterion in both groups was ≥12 months of follow-up. Responders were identified as participants demonstrating complete disappearance (100 % reduction in seizures or IEDs) or response (>50 % reduction in seizure frequency or IEDs). Safety primary outcome was defined as appearance rate of AEs. The study group comprised 247 participants treated with CBZ and 46 participants treated with PER. Total efficacy rate for clinical seizures was significantly higher with PER than with CBZ (p = 0.0148). Moreover, the rate of complete disappearance was significantly higher with PER than with CBZ (p = 0.0133). Total efficacy rate for IED was again significantly higher with PER than with CBZ (p < 0.0001). The appearance of adverse events was significantly lower with PER than with CBZ (p = 0.023). PER may be useful as initial monotherapy in children with non-lesional focal epilepsies.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":36558,"journal":{"name":"Epilepsy and Behavior Reports","volume":"29 ","pages":"Article 100743"},"PeriodicalIF":1.8,"publicationDate":"2025-01-30","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"143129950","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Pub Date : 2025-01-29DOI: 10.1016/j.ebr.2025.100744
Go Taniguchi , Mao Fujioka , Yumiko Okamura , Minako Miyagi , Kenichi Yano , Shinsuke Kondo , Kiyoto Kasai
An epilepsy monitoring unit (EMU) with long-term video electroencephalographic monitoring (LTVEM) was launched in our psychiatric ward to facilitate close examination of patients with epilepsy and offer hospital experience to psychiatrists unfamiliar with epilepsy care in Japan. This study aimed to examine the usefulness and safety of the EMU in an inpatient psychiatric setting in Japan by retrospectively reviewing the clinical notes of EMU admission cases in the psychiatric ward of the University of Tokyo Hospital between August 2014 and March 2020. The usefulness of the EMU was evaluated in terms of 1) habitual seizure recordings, 2) change in diagnosis, 3) frequency of epileptic seizures, and 4) surgical cases after EMU admission, and 5) EMU safety. Habitual events were recorded during LTVEM in 69 % of patients. The diagnosis was changed post-EMU evaluation in 28 % of the patients admitted for differential diagnosis. Among 41 patients who received anti-seizure medications, seizure frequency improved in 22 (53 %), whereas 10 (24 %) became seizure-free, and seizures were reduced by >50 % in 12 (29 %). Eleven patients eventually underwent surgery for epilepsy. Among the total 134 patients, 13 (10 %) experienced adverse events during EMU stay and 6 experienced falls, but none required prolonged hospitalization. Furthermore, three patients had panic attacks, but no post-ictal psychiatric symptoms were observed. Admission to an EMU in the psychiatric setting can facilitate accurate diagnosis and improve epilepsy management. Fall prevention measures should be implemented during and after LTVEM for safer EMU evaluations.
{"title":"Utility and safety of epilepsy monitoring unit in an inpatient psychiatric setting in Japan","authors":"Go Taniguchi , Mao Fujioka , Yumiko Okamura , Minako Miyagi , Kenichi Yano , Shinsuke Kondo , Kiyoto Kasai","doi":"10.1016/j.ebr.2025.100744","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.ebr.2025.100744","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>An epilepsy monitoring unit (EMU) with long-term video electroencephalographic monitoring (LTVEM) was launched in our psychiatric ward to facilitate close examination of patients with epilepsy and offer hospital experience to psychiatrists unfamiliar with epilepsy care in Japan. This study aimed to examine the usefulness and safety of the EMU in an inpatient psychiatric setting in Japan by retrospectively reviewing the clinical notes of EMU admission cases in the psychiatric ward of the University of Tokyo Hospital between August 2014 and March 2020. The usefulness of the EMU was evaluated in terms of 1) habitual seizure recordings, 2) change in diagnosis, 3) frequency of epileptic seizures, and 4) surgical cases after EMU admission, and 5) EMU safety. Habitual events were recorded during LTVEM in 69 % of patients. The diagnosis was changed post-EMU evaluation in 28 % of the patients admitted for differential diagnosis. Among 41 patients who received anti-seizure medications, seizure frequency improved in 22 (53 %), whereas 10 (24 %) became seizure-free, and seizures were reduced by >50 % in 12 (29 %). Eleven patients eventually underwent surgery for epilepsy. Among the total 134 patients, 13 (10 %) experienced adverse events during EMU stay and 6 experienced falls, but none required prolonged hospitalization. Furthermore, three patients had panic attacks, but no post-ictal psychiatric symptoms were observed. Admission to an EMU in the psychiatric setting can facilitate accurate diagnosis and improve epilepsy management. Fall prevention measures should be implemented during and after LTVEM for safer EMU evaluations.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":36558,"journal":{"name":"Epilepsy and Behavior Reports","volume":"29 ","pages":"Article 100744"},"PeriodicalIF":1.8,"publicationDate":"2025-01-29","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"143387209","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Pub Date : 2025-01-29DOI: 10.1016/j.ebr.2025.100745
Gashirai K. Mbizvo , Viraj Bharambe , Brython Hywel , Shubhabrata Biswas , Andrew J. Larner
The Alice in Wonderland syndrome comprises visual and/or somaesthetic distortions, most often migrainous in origin. We present a case of Alice in Wonderland syndrome in association with a right posterior/visual cortex infarction with subsequent seizures including focal motor status (epilepsia partialis continua), the latter a hitherto unreported association. These pathophysiological changes were of right hemisphere origin, suggesting Alice in Wonderland syndrome, if present, might have localising value for seizure focus in the right hemisphere.
{"title":"Alice in Wonderland Syndrome: Localising insights from right visual cortex stroke complicated by epilepsia partialis continua","authors":"Gashirai K. Mbizvo , Viraj Bharambe , Brython Hywel , Shubhabrata Biswas , Andrew J. Larner","doi":"10.1016/j.ebr.2025.100745","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.ebr.2025.100745","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>The Alice in Wonderland syndrome comprises visual and/or somaesthetic distortions, most often migrainous in origin. We present a case of Alice in Wonderland syndrome in association with a right posterior/visual cortex infarction with subsequent seizures including focal motor status (epilepsia partialis continua), the latter a hitherto unreported association. These pathophysiological changes were of right hemisphere origin, suggesting Alice in Wonderland syndrome, if present, might have localising value for seizure focus in the right hemisphere.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":36558,"journal":{"name":"Epilepsy and Behavior Reports","volume":"29 ","pages":"Article 100745"},"PeriodicalIF":1.8,"publicationDate":"2025-01-29","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"143129968","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Pub Date : 2025-01-19DOI: 10.1016/j.ebr.2025.100742
Amir Reza Bahadori , Parisa Javadnia , Afshan Davari , Sajad Shafiee , Sara Ranji , Mehrdad Sheikhvatan , Abbas Tafakhori
This study investigates the impact of the anterior nucleus of the thalamus deep brain stimulation (ANT-DBS) on patients with drug-resistant epilepsy (DRE) in Iran, specifically focusing on its effects on seizure metrics, severity and its influence on quality of life over time. A cohort of eight patients with DRE in Iran who underwent ANT-DBS was evaluated. Pre-operative assessments included comprehensive documentation of seizure frequency, duration, severity scores, and the Quality of Life in Epilepsy Inventory (QOLIE-13). Each patient also underwent high-resolution imaging using a 1.5 Tesla MRI, with targeted electrode placement in the anterior thalamic area. Post-operative evaluations measured changes in seizure frequency, severity scores, duration, and quality of life indicators. All subjects presented with DRE, and the mean age of participants was 24.62 years. Post-operative data revealed significantly reduced seizure frequency, duration, and severity scores. Notably, this reduction was more pronounced at the 6-month follow-up than the 3-month assessment, indicating a progressive therapeutic effect. All patients demonstrated a response to ANT-DBS, with two individuals achieving seizure freedom. Additionally, there was a marked improvement in quality of life, particularly in the domains of energy/fatigue and social functioning. ANT-DBS has been established as a promising and safe therapeutic intervention for patients with DRE. In a cohort of DRE patients in Iran, the treatment demonstrated comparable efficacy in decreasing seizure frequency and severity and enhancing self-reported quality of life, consistent with findings reported in the existing literature. The therapeutic benefits of ANT-DBS appear to augment over time.
{"title":"Effect of deep brain stimulation on the severity of seizures and the quality of life in patients with multifocal drug-resistant epilepsy in Iran: A pilot review of local experience","authors":"Amir Reza Bahadori , Parisa Javadnia , Afshan Davari , Sajad Shafiee , Sara Ranji , Mehrdad Sheikhvatan , Abbas Tafakhori","doi":"10.1016/j.ebr.2025.100742","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.ebr.2025.100742","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>This study investigates the impact of the anterior nucleus of the thalamus deep brain stimulation (ANT-DBS) on patients with drug-resistant epilepsy (DRE) in Iran, specifically focusing on its effects on seizure metrics, severity and its influence on quality of life over time. A cohort of eight patients with DRE in Iran who underwent ANT-DBS was evaluated. Pre-operative assessments included comprehensive documentation of seizure frequency, duration, severity scores, and the Quality of Life in Epilepsy Inventory (QOLIE-13). Each patient also underwent high-resolution imaging using a 1.5 Tesla MRI, with targeted electrode placement in the anterior thalamic area. Post-operative evaluations measured changes in seizure frequency, severity scores, duration, and quality of life indicators. All subjects presented with DRE, and the mean age of participants was 24.62 years. Post-operative data revealed significantly reduced seizure frequency, duration, and severity scores. Notably, this reduction was more pronounced at the 6-month follow-up than the 3-month assessment, indicating a progressive therapeutic effect. All patients demonstrated a response to ANT-DBS, with two individuals achieving seizure freedom. Additionally, there was a marked improvement in quality of life, particularly in the domains of energy/fatigue and social functioning. ANT-DBS has been established as a promising and safe therapeutic intervention for patients with DRE. In a cohort of DRE patients in Iran, the treatment demonstrated comparable efficacy in decreasing seizure frequency and severity and enhancing self-reported quality of life, consistent with findings reported in the existing literature. The therapeutic benefits of ANT-DBS appear to augment over time.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":36558,"journal":{"name":"Epilepsy and Behavior Reports","volume":"29 ","pages":"Article 100742"},"PeriodicalIF":1.8,"publicationDate":"2025-01-19","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"143129967","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Pub Date : 2025-01-15DOI: 10.1016/j.ebr.2025.100741
Joan E. Devin , Fergal O’Shaughnessy , Muskan Sardana , Brian J. Cleary , Jennifer C. Donnelly , Nicola Maher
Epilepsy is a common serious neurological disorder, affecting approximately 28 per 10,000 pregnancies internationally each year. There are limited data on the use of newer anti-seizure medicines (ASMs) in pregnancy, despite increasing use. We aimed to describe the use of newer ASMs in women with epilepsy (WWE) attending the Rotunda Hospital, Dublin, in pregnancy, between 2018 and 2023. We conducted a retrospective case series using electronic health record data. All WWE with a medication order for a newer ASM and a completed pregnancy were included. We identified 34 pregnancies exposed to newer ASMs, namely zonisamide (35.2 %), brivaracetam (23.5 %), eslicarbazepine (23.5 %), lacosamide (17.6 %), and perampanel (2.9 %). Newer ASMs were used as monotherapy in 58.8 % cases. Levetiracetam was the most commonly prescribed concomitant ASM in polytherapy regimens (32.4 %). Seizures occurred during pregnancy or the postpartum period in 50.0 % and 14.7 % of pregnancies, respectively. Twenty-eight pregnancies (80 %) resulted in a livebirth, with median gestation and birth weight of 39 weeks’ [IQR 2] and 3100 g [IQR 790]. One neonate exposed to polytherapy including eslicarbazepine was observed to have a minor anomaly at birth, not requiring follow-up. Findings show that in WWE, most pregnancies exposed to newer ASMs resulted in healthy livebirths at term without negative outcomes. A high proportion of polytherapy exposures and high rate of seizures during pregnancy suggests that this may be a cohort at greater risk for caesarean section or other complications. Findings should be interpreted with caution, with additional data needed to examine the impact of individual ASMs on outcomes.
{"title":"The use of newer anti-seizure medicines in women with epilepsy in pregnancy: A case series","authors":"Joan E. Devin , Fergal O’Shaughnessy , Muskan Sardana , Brian J. Cleary , Jennifer C. Donnelly , Nicola Maher","doi":"10.1016/j.ebr.2025.100741","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.ebr.2025.100741","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>Epilepsy is a common serious neurological disorder, affecting approximately 28 per 10,000 pregnancies internationally each year. There are limited data on the use of newer anti-seizure medicines (ASMs) in pregnancy, despite increasing use. We aimed to describe the use of newer ASMs in women with epilepsy (WWE) attending the Rotunda Hospital, Dublin, in pregnancy, between 2018 and 2023. We conducted a retrospective case series using electronic health record data. All WWE with a medication order for a newer ASM and a completed pregnancy were included. We identified 34 pregnancies exposed to newer ASMs, namely zonisamide (35.2 %), brivaracetam (23.5 %), eslicarbazepine (23.5 %), lacosamide (17.6 %), and perampanel (2.9 %). Newer ASMs were used as monotherapy in 58.8 % cases. Levetiracetam was the most commonly prescribed concomitant ASM in polytherapy regimens (32.4 %). Seizures occurred during pregnancy or the postpartum period in 50.0 % and 14.7 % of pregnancies, respectively. Twenty-eight pregnancies (80 %) resulted in a livebirth, with median gestation and birth weight of 39 weeks’ [IQR 2] and 3100 g [IQR 790]. One neonate exposed to polytherapy including eslicarbazepine was observed to have a minor anomaly at birth, not requiring follow-up. Findings show that in WWE, most pregnancies exposed to newer ASMs resulted in healthy livebirths at term without negative outcomes. A high proportion of polytherapy exposures and high rate of seizures during pregnancy suggests that this may be a cohort at greater risk for caesarean section or other complications. Findings should be interpreted with caution, with additional data needed to examine the impact of individual ASMs on outcomes.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":36558,"journal":{"name":"Epilepsy and Behavior Reports","volume":"29 ","pages":"Article 100741"},"PeriodicalIF":1.8,"publicationDate":"2025-01-15","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"143129966","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Pub Date : 2024-12-28DOI: 10.1016/j.ebr.2024.100739
Luciana Giambarberi , Halley B. Alexander , Heidi Munger Clary
Attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) and epilepsy have one of the lesser known and yet highly debated relationships in neuropsychiatry. Similar to anxiety and depression, ADHD has a bidirectional relationship with epilepsy, in which individuals with epilepsy are more likely than the general population to have ADHD and vice versa. Most importantly, an untreated psychiatric condition can affect quality of life. Although the management of ADHD in PWE has been debated due to perceived seizure risk related to ADHD medications, a consensus has developed based on early pediatric studies that support the treatment of ADHD. However, the management of adults with ADHD, particularly in PWE, remains relatively unexplored. This critical gap in knowledge will be addressed using an illustrative case study followed by practical tips on the identification and pharmacologic management of ADHD in adults with epilepsy. The management of ADHD in PWE should begin with a thorough history, medication assessment for cognitive risk, and the addition of a brief ADHD screening tool, such as the Adult ADHD Self-Report Scale (ASRS). Treatment with stimulants, such as methylphenidate, and non-stimulants, such as atomoxetine, are effective. Caution, however, should be taken for any patients with history of bipolar disorder, as some ADHD medications may exacerbate symptoms of other psychiatric conditions. Patients can also be referred to psychotherapy, such as cognitive behavior therapy (CBT) for ADHD, in addition to or in lieu of medications, thus further minimizing potential pharmacological risk. Patients who have tried and failed multiple ADHD medications and/or who carry a more complex psychiatric history should be referred to a psychiatrist.
{"title":"ADHD in Adults with Epilepsy: A Guide for Neurologists","authors":"Luciana Giambarberi , Halley B. Alexander , Heidi Munger Clary","doi":"10.1016/j.ebr.2024.100739","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.ebr.2024.100739","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>Attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) and epilepsy have one of the lesser known and yet highly debated relationships in neuropsychiatry. Similar to anxiety and depression, ADHD has a bidirectional relationship with epilepsy, in which individuals with epilepsy are more likely than the general population to have ADHD and vice versa. Most importantly, an untreated psychiatric condition can affect quality of life. Although the management of ADHD in PWE has been debated due to perceived seizure risk related to ADHD medications, a consensus has developed based on early pediatric studies that support the treatment of ADHD. However, the management of adults with ADHD, particularly in PWE, remains relatively unexplored. This critical gap in knowledge will be addressed using an illustrative case study followed by practical tips on the identification and pharmacologic management of ADHD in adults with epilepsy. The management of ADHD in PWE should begin with a thorough history, medication assessment for cognitive risk, and the addition of a brief ADHD screening tool, such as the Adult ADHD Self-Report Scale (ASRS). Treatment with stimulants, such as methylphenidate, and non-stimulants, such as atomoxetine, are effective. Caution, however, should be taken for any patients with history of bipolar disorder, as some ADHD medications may exacerbate symptoms of other psychiatric conditions. Patients can also be referred to psychotherapy, such as cognitive behavior therapy (CBT) for ADHD, in addition to or in lieu of medications, thus further minimizing potential pharmacological risk. Patients who have tried and failed multiple ADHD medications and/or who carry a more complex psychiatric history should be referred to a psychiatrist.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":36558,"journal":{"name":"Epilepsy and Behavior Reports","volume":"29 ","pages":"Article 100739"},"PeriodicalIF":1.8,"publicationDate":"2024-12-28","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"143129969","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Pub Date : 2024-12-28DOI: 10.1016/j.ebr.2024.100735
Rudhab Bahabry, Silvienne Sint Jago, Rebecca M. Hauser, Jonathan Harmon, Leah Dinah Sheppard, Bellafaith Oyassan, Farah D. Lubin
The transcriptional mechanisms underlying impaired hippocampal-dependent memory seen in temporal lobe epilepsy (TLE) have been extensively studied in rodent models. While cognitive testing in these models often involves multiple behavioral tasks, the impact of sequential behavioral testing (SBT) on gene transcription changes in epilepsy remains poorly understood. This study utilized the Kainic Acid (KA) TLE rodent model to examine hippocampal gene expression changes influenced by SBT. Our findings indicate reduced anxiety-related behavior, along with impaired spatial and recognition memory and fear memory in epileptic animals. Quantitative PCR (qPCR) analysis revealed an increase in BDNF, dFosB, Tet2, and Tet3 expression in the epilepsy-SBT group compared to control-SBT, while there was a reduction in Npas4 and Egr4 expression. Immunohistochemistry (IHC) showed that in epileptic animals, performing SBT reversed the loss of 5-hydroxymethylcytosine (5-hmC) in the dorsal hippocampus compared to that seen in home-caged (HC) epileptic animals, and this reversal was neuron-driven. These findings highlight the complex interplay between gene transcription and epigenetic regulation during SBT enrichment in the context of epilepsy.
{"title":"Hippocampal gene expression changes associated with sequential behavioral training in a temporal lobe epilepsy rat model","authors":"Rudhab Bahabry, Silvienne Sint Jago, Rebecca M. Hauser, Jonathan Harmon, Leah Dinah Sheppard, Bellafaith Oyassan, Farah D. Lubin","doi":"10.1016/j.ebr.2024.100735","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.ebr.2024.100735","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>The transcriptional mechanisms underlying impaired hippocampal-dependent memory seen in temporal lobe epilepsy (TLE) have been extensively studied in rodent models. While cognitive testing in these models often involves multiple behavioral tasks, the impact of sequential behavioral testing (SBT) on gene transcription changes in epilepsy remains poorly understood. This study utilized the Kainic Acid (KA) TLE rodent model to examine hippocampal gene expression changes influenced by SBT. Our findings indicate reduced anxiety-related behavior, along with impaired spatial and recognition memory and fear memory in epileptic animals. Quantitative PCR (qPCR) analysis revealed an increase in <em>BDNF, dFosB, Tet2, and Tet3</em> expression in the epilepsy-SBT group compared to control-SBT, while there was a reduction in <em>Npas4</em> and <em>Egr4 expression</em>. Immunohistochemistry (IHC) showed that in epileptic animals, performing SBT reversed the loss of 5-hydroxymethylcytosine (5-hmC) in the dorsal hippocampus compared to that seen in home-caged (HC) epileptic animals, and this reversal was neuron-driven. These findings highlight the complex interplay between gene transcription and epigenetic regulation during SBT enrichment in the context of epilepsy.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":36558,"journal":{"name":"Epilepsy and Behavior Reports","volume":"29 ","pages":"Article 100735"},"PeriodicalIF":1.8,"publicationDate":"2024-12-28","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC11786087/pdf/","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"143081545","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Pub Date : 2024-12-26DOI: 10.1016/j.ebr.2024.100740
Chalongchai Phitsanuwong , Stephanie Schimpf , Sho T. Yano
Dynein Cytoplasmic 1 Heavy chain 1 (DYNC1H1)-related disorders are a spectrum of conditions including neurodevelopmental disorders, congenital brain malformations, and neuromuscular diseases. These clinical features may co-occur, with four main disease entities including epilepsy with developmental epileptic encephalopathy such as infantile epileptic spasms syndrome (IESS) and Lennox-Gastaut syndrome (LGS), axonal Charcot-Marie-Tooth disease type 2O, spinal muscular atrophy with lower extremity-predominance (SMALED), and congenital cortical malformations. Epilepsy associated with this disorder often becomes drug-resistant and requires multiple medications and, in some cases, non-pharmacological treatments. To date, there is no specific epilepsy treatment that is particularly effective in this disorder. We report our experience in a case of a 3-year-old girl with a pathogenic variant in DYNC1H1 who presented with a developmental epileptic encephalopathy consistent with IESS and achieved seizure freedom on classic ketogenic diet (KD) after failing Adrenocorticotropic Hormone (ACTH), vigabatrin, and clobazam. The patient remained seizure free for more than 2 years on dietary monotherapy and had reported improvement in alertness, cognitive ability, muscle tone, and a normalized EEG. The ketogenic diet therapy, therefore, has shown to be highly effective in this case with DYNC1H1-related epilepsy.
动力蛋白-细胞质1重链1 (DYNC1H1)相关疾病是一系列疾病,包括神经发育障碍、先天性脑畸形和神经肌肉疾病。这些临床特征可能与四种主要疾病实体同时发生,包括癫痫伴发展性癫痫性脑病,如婴儿癫痫性痉挛综合征(IESS)和lenox - gastaut综合征(LGS),轴索性charco - marie - tooth病20型,脊髓性肌萎缩伴下肢优势(SMALED)和先天性皮质畸形。与这种疾病相关的癫痫往往具有耐药性,需要多种药物治疗,在某些情况下还需要非药物治疗。迄今为止,还没有针对这种疾病特别有效的特定癫痫治疗方法。我们报告了一例3岁女孩DYNC1H1致病变异,她表现为与IESS一致的发育性癫痫性脑病,在促肾上腺皮质激素(ACTH)、维加巴林和氯巴唑无效后,通过经典生酮饮食(KD)实现了癫痫发作自由。患者接受单一饮食治疗2年多无癫痫发作,并报告警觉性、认知能力、肌肉张力和正常脑电图均有改善。因此,生酮饮食疗法在本例dync1h1相关癫痫中显示出高度有效。
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