RESUMO
Simultaneous EEG-fMRI can contribute to identify the epileptogenic zone (EZ) in focal epilepsies. However, fMRI maps related to Interictal Epileptiform Discharges (IED) commonly show multiple regions of signal change rather than focal ones. Dynamic causal modeling (DCM) can estimate effective connectivity, i.e. the causal effects exerted by one brain region over another, based on fMRI data. Here, we employed DCM on fMRI data in 10 focal epilepsy patients with multiple IED-related regions of BOLD signal change, to test whether this approach can help the localization process of EZ. For each subject, a family of competing deterministic, plausible DCM models were constructed using IED as autonomous input at each node, one at time. The DCM findings were compared to the presurgical evaluation results and classified as: "Concordant" if the node identified by DCM matches the presumed focus, "Discordant" if the node is distant from the presumed focus, or "Inconclusive" (no statistically significant result). Furthermore, patients who subsequently underwent intracranial EEG recordings or surgery were considered as having an independent validation of DCM results. The effective connectivity focus identified using DCM was Concordant in 7 patients, Discordant in two cases and Inconclusive in one. In four of the 6 patients operated, the DCM findings were validated. Notably, the two Discordant and Invalidated results were found in patients with poor surgical outcome. Our findings provide preliminary evidence to support the applicability of DCM on fMRI data to investigate the epileptic networks in focal epilepsy and, particularly, to identify the EZ in complex cases.
Assuntos
Epilepsia , Imageamento por Ressonância Magnética , Encéfalo/diagnóstico por imagem , Encéfalo/cirurgia , Mapeamento Encefálico , Eletroencefalografia , Epilepsia/diagnóstico por imagem , Epilepsia/cirurgia , Humanos , Projetos PilotoRESUMO
Epilepsy with Auditory Features (EAF) is a focal epilepsy syndrome mainly of unknown aetiology. LGI1 and RELN have been identified as the main cause of Autosomal Dominant EAF and anecdotally reported in non-familial cases. Pathogenic variants in SCN1A and DEPDC5 have also been described in a few EAF probands belonging to families with heterogeneous phenotypes and incomplete penetrance. We aimed to estimate the contribution of these genes to the disorder by evaluating the largest cohort of EAF. We included 112 unrelated EAF cases (male/female: 52/60) who underwent genetic analysis by next-generation sequencing (NGS) techniques. Thirty-three (29.5%) were familial cases. We identified a genetic diagnosis for 8% of our cohort, including pathogenic/likely pathogenic variants (4/8 novel) in LGI1 (2.7%, CI: 0.6-7.6); RELN (1.8%; CI: 0.2-6.3); SCN1A (2.7%; CI: 0.6-7.6) and DEPDC5 (0.9%; CI 0-4.9).This study shows that the contribution of each of the known genes to the overall disorder is limited and that the genetic background of EAF is still largely unknown. Our data emphasize the genetic heterogeneity of EAF and will inform the diagnosis and management of individuals with this disorder.
Assuntos
Epilepsia do Lobo Frontal , Síndromes Epilépticas , Feminino , Humanos , Masculino , Mutação , Linhagem , Proteína ReelinaRESUMO
BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE: Some epilepsy syndromes (sleep-related epilepsies, SREs) have a strong link with sleep. Comorbid sleep disorders are common in patients with SRE and can exert a negative impact on seizure control and quality of life. Our purpose was to define the standard procedures for the diagnostic pathway of patients with possible SRE (scenario 1) and the general management of patients with SRE and comorbidity with sleep disorders (scenario 2). METHODS: The project was conducted under the auspices of the European Academy of Neurology, the European Sleep Research Society and the International League Against Epilepsy Europe. The framework entailed the following phases: conception of the clinical scenarios; literature review; statements regarding the standard procedures. For the literature search a stepwise approach starting from systematic reviews to primary studies was applied. Published studies were identified from the National Library of Medicine's MEDLINE database and Cochrane Library. RESULTS: Scenario 1: Despite a low quality of evidence, recommendations on anamnestic evaluation and tools for capturing the event at home or in the laboratory are provided for specific SREs. Scenario 2: Early diagnosis and treatment of sleep disorders (especially respiratory disorders) in patients with SRE are likely to be beneficial for seizure control. CONCLUSIONS: Definitive procedures for evaluating patients with SRE are lacking. Advice is provided that could be of help for standardizing and improving the diagnostic approach of specific SREs. The importance of identifying and treating specific sleep disorders for the management and outcome of patients with SRE is underlined.
Assuntos
Epilepsia Reflexa , Transtornos do Sono-Vigília , Consenso , Humanos , Qualidade de Vida , Sono , Transtornos do Sono-Vigília/diagnóstico , Transtornos do Sono-Vigília/epidemiologiaRESUMO
BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE: The presence of a continuum between physiological déjà vu (DV) and epileptic DV is still not known as well as epidemiological data in the Italian population. The aim was to identify the epidemiological distribution of DV in Italy, and secondly to look for specific features of DV able to discriminate between epileptic and non-epileptic DV. METHODS: In all, 1000 individuals, 543 healthy controls (C) (313 women; age 40 ± 15 years) and 457 patients with epilepsy (E) (260 women; age 39 ± 14 years), were prospectively recruited from 10 outpatient neurological clinics throughout Italy. All populations were screened using the Italian Inventory for Déjà Vu Experiences Assessment (I-IDEA) test and E and pairwise C underwent a comprehensive epilepsy interview. RESULTS: Of E, 69% stated that they experienced 'recognition' and 13.2% reported that this feeling occurred from a few times a month to at least weekly (versus 7.7% of the control group). Furthermore, a greater percentage of E (6.8% vs. 2.2%) reported that from a few times a month to at least weekly they felt that it seemed as though everything around was not real. In E, the feeling of recognition raised fright (22.3% vs. 13.2%) and a sense of oppression (19.4% vs. 9.4%). A fifth of E felt recognition during epileptic seizures. CONCLUSION: Only E regardless of aetiology firmly answered that they had the feeling of recognition during an epileptic seizure; thus question 14 of the I-IDEA test part 2 discriminated E from C. Paranormal activity, remembering dreams and travel frequency were mostly correlated to DV in E suggesting that the visual-memory network might be involved in epileptic DV.
Assuntos
Déjà Vu , Epilepsia/fisiopatologia , Transtornos Neurocognitivos/fisiopatologia , Reconhecimento Psicológico/fisiologia , Adulto , Estudos de Coortes , Epilepsia/complicações , Epilepsia/epidemiologia , Feminino , Humanos , Itália/epidemiologia , Masculino , Pessoa de Meia-Idade , Transtornos Neurocognitivos/epidemiologia , Transtornos Neurocognitivos/etiologiaRESUMO
Juvenile neuronal-ceroid-lipofuscinosis (JNCL) is a lysosomal storage disease caused by mutations in CLN3. The most frequent mutation is a 1.02-kb deletion that, when homozygous, causes the classical clinical presentation. Patients harboring mutations different than the major deletion show a marked clinical heterogeneity, including protracted disease course with possible involvement of extraneuronal tissues. Cardiac involvement is relatively rare in JNCL and it is usually due to myocardial storage of ceroid-lipofuscinin. Only recently, histopathological findings of autophagic vacuolar myopathy (AVM) were detected in JNCL patients with severe cardiomyopathy. We describe a 35-year-old male showing a delayed-classic JNCL with visual loss in childhood and neurological manifestations only appearing in adult life. He had an unusual CLN3 genotype with an unreported deletion (p.Ala349_Leu350del) and the known p.His315Glnfs*67 mutation. Autophagic vacuolar myopathy was shown by muscle biopsy. At clinical follow-up, moderately increased CPK levels were detected whereas periodic cardiac assessments have been normal to date. Adult neurologists should be aware of protracted JNCL as cause of progressive neurological decline in adults. The occurrence of autophagic vacuolar myopathy necessitates periodic cardiac surveillance, which is not usually an issue in classic JNCL due to early neurological death.
Assuntos
Deleção de Genes , Doenças por Armazenamento dos Lisossomos/genética , Glicoproteínas de Membrana/genética , Chaperonas Moleculares/genética , Doenças Musculares/genética , Lipofuscinoses Ceroides Neuronais/genética , Adulto , Humanos , Doenças por Armazenamento dos Lisossomos/diagnóstico , Masculino , Doenças Musculares/diagnóstico , Lipofuscinoses Ceroides Neuronais/diagnóstico , SíndromeRESUMO
BACKGROUND: Headache and epilepsy are two relatively common neurological disorders and their relationship is still a matter of debate. Our aim was to estimate the prevalence and clinical features of inter-ictal (inter-IH) and peri-ictal headache (peri-IH) in patients with epilepsy. METHODS: All patients aged ≥ 17 years referring to our tertiary Epilepsy Centre were consecutively recruited from March to May 2011 and from March to July 2012. They underwent a semi-structured interview including the International Classification Headache Disorders (ICHD-II) criteria to diagnose the lifetime occurrence of headache.χ(2)-test, t-test and Mann-Whitney test were used to compare clinical variables in patients with and without inter-IH and peri-IH. RESULTS: Out of 388 enrolled patients 48.5 % had inter-IH: migraine in 26.3 %, tension-type headache (TTH) in 19.1 %, other primary headaches in 3.1 %. Peri-IH was observed in 23.7 %: pre-ictally in 6.7 %, ictally in 0.8 % and post-ictally in 19.1 %. Comparing patients with inter-ictal migraine (102), inter-ictal TTH (74) and without inter-IH (200), we found that pre-ictal headache (pre-IH) was significantly represented only in migraineurs (OR 3.54, 95 % CI 1.88-6.66, P < 0.001). Post-ictal headache (post-IH) was significantly associated with both migraineurs (OR 2.60, 95 % CI 1.85-3.64, P < 0.001) and TTH patients (OR 2.05, 95 % CI 1.41-2.98, P < 0.001). Moreover, post-IH was significantly associated with antiepileptic polytherapy (P < 0.001), high seizure frequency (P = 0.002) and tonic-clonic seizures (P = 0.043). CONCLUSIONS: Migraine was the most represented type of headache in patients with epilepsy. Migraineurs are more prone to develop pre-IH, while patients with any inter-IH (migraine or TTH) are predisposed to manifest a post-IH after seizures.
Assuntos
Epilepsia/diagnóstico , Epilepsia/epidemiologia , Cefaleia/diagnóstico , Cefaleia/epidemiologia , Adolescente , Adulto , Idoso , Idoso de 80 Anos ou mais , Estudos Transversais , Feminino , Humanos , Masculino , Pessoa de Meia-Idade , Prevalência , Acidente Vascular Cerebral/diagnóstico , Acidente Vascular Cerebral/epidemiologia , Adulto JovemRESUMO
Heterozygous mutations of the leucine-rich, glioma-inactivated 1 gene (LGI1) are the major known cause of partial epilepsy with auditory features (PEAF), accounting for roughly 50% of families. Recently, a partial gene microdeletion has been reported in a single family. To assess the contribution of LGI1 microrearrangements to the pathogenesis of PEAF, we screened 50 patients negative for point mutations through multiplex ligation-dependent probe amplification (MLPA) analysis. No cryptic imbalances were found in LGI1, suggesting that LGI1 microdeletions are not a frequent cause of PEAF. Despite the small number of examined patients and the need for replication studies, these findings support the hypothesis that diagnostic screening for LGI1 microrearrangements lacks clinical utility, especially for sporadic cases, and further highlight genetic heterogeneity of familial and sporadic PEAF.
Assuntos
Epilepsia Parcial Sensorial/genética , Proteínas/genética , Deleção de Sequência , Adolescente , Adulto , Idoso , Análise Mutacional de DNA , Feminino , Humanos , Peptídeos e Proteínas de Sinalização Intracelular , Masculino , Pessoa de Meia-Idade , Reação em Cadeia da Polimerase Multiplex , Adulto JovemRESUMO
The objective of the current article was to review the literature and discuss the degree of evidence for various treatment strategies for status epilepticus (SE) in adults. We searched MEDLINE and EMBASE for relevant literature from 1966 to January 2005 and in the current updated version all pertinent publications from January 2005 to January 2009. Furthermore, the Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials (CENTRAL) was sought. Recommendations are based on this literature and on our judgement of the relevance of the references to the subject. Recommendations were reached by informative consensus approach. Where there was a lack of evidence but consensus was clear, we have stated our opinion as good practice points. The preferred treatment pathway for generalised convulsive status epilepticus (GCSE) is intravenous (i.v.) administration of 4-8 mg lorazepam or 10 mg diazepam directly followed by 18 mg/kg phenytoin. If seizures continue more than 10 min after first injection, another 4 mg lorazepam or 10 mg diazepam is recommended. Refractory GCSE is treated by anaesthetic doses of barbiturates, midazolam or propofol; the anaesthetics are titrated against an electroencephalogram burst suppression pattern for at least 24 h. The initial therapy of non-convulsive SE depends on type and cause. Complex partial SE is initially treated in the same manner as GCSE. However, if it turns out to be refractory, further non-anaesthetising i.v. substances such levetiracetam, phenobarbital or valproic acid should be given instead of anaesthetics. In subtle SE, in most patients, i.v. anaesthesia is required.
Assuntos
Estado Epiléptico/tratamento farmacológico , Adulto , Anestésicos/administração & dosagem , Anestésicos/uso terapêutico , Anticonvulsivantes/administração & dosagem , Anticonvulsivantes/uso terapêutico , Quimioterapia Combinada , Humanos , Estado Epiléptico/epidemiologiaAssuntos
Acidentes por Quedas , Epilepsias Parciais/complicações , Parada Cardíaca/etiologia , Adulto , Anticonvulsivantes/uso terapêutico , Resistência a Medicamentos , Eletrocardiografia , Eletroencefalografia , Epilepsias Parciais/tratamento farmacológico , Epilepsias Parciais/epidemiologia , Feminino , Parada Cardíaca/diagnóstico , Parada Cardíaca/terapia , Humanos , Masculino , Pessoa de Meia-Idade , Marca-Passo Artificial , Síncope/diagnóstico , Síncope/etiologiaAssuntos
Epilepsia do Lobo Temporal/genética , Epilepsia do Lobo Temporal/patologia , Predisposição Genética para Doença/genética , Mutação/genética , Proteínas/genética , Lobo Temporal/anormalidades , Adulto , Diferenciação Celular/genética , Transtornos Cromossômicos/genética , Análise Mutacional de DNA , Epilepsia do Lobo Temporal/fisiopatologia , Feminino , Genes Dominantes/genética , Marcadores Genéticos/genética , Testes Genéticos , Humanos , Peptídeos e Proteínas de Sinalização Intracelular , Imageamento por Ressonância Magnética , Masculino , Pessoa de Meia-Idade , Malformações do Sistema Nervoso/genética , Malformações do Sistema Nervoso/fisiopatologia , Lobo Temporal/fisiopatologiaAssuntos
Epilepsia Reflexa/genética , Epilepsia/genética , Predisposição Genética para Doença/genética , Mutação/genética , Proteínas/genética , Telefone , Adulto , Substituição de Aminoácidos/genética , Encéfalo/metabolismo , Encéfalo/fisiopatologia , Química Encefálica/genética , Análise Mutacional de DNA , Epilepsia/fisiopatologia , Epilepsia Reflexa/fisiopatologia , Feminino , Marcadores Genéticos/genética , Genótipo , Alucinações/genética , Alucinações/fisiopatologia , Humanos , Peptídeos e Proteínas de Sinalização Intracelular , Ruído/efeitos adversos , LinhagemRESUMO
The objective of the current paper was to review the literature and discuss the degree of evidence for various treatment strategies for status epilepticus (SE) in adults. We searched MEDLINE and EMBASE for relevant literature from 1966 to January 2005. Furthermore, the Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials (CENTRAL) was sought. Recommendations are based on this literature and on our judgement of the relevance of the references to the subject. Recommendations were reached by informative consensus approach. Where there was a lack of evidence but consensus was clear we have stated our opinion as good practice points. The preferred treatment pathway for generalised convulsive status epilepticus (GCSE) is intravenous (i.v.) administration of 4 mg of lorazepam or 10 mg of diazepam directly followed by 15-18 mg/kg of phenytoin or equivalent fosphenytoin. If seizures continue for more than 10 min after first injection another 4 mg of lorazepam or 10 mg of diazepam is recommended. Refractory GCSE is treated by anaesthetic doses of midazolam, propofol or barbiturates; the anaesthetics are titrated against an electroencephalogram burst suppression pattern for at least 24 h. The initial therapy of non-convulsive SE depends on the type and the cause. In most cases of absence SE, a small i.v. dose of lorazepam or diazepam will terminate the attack. Complex partial SE is initially treated such as GCSE, however, when refractory further non-anaesthetising substances should be given instead of anaesthetics. In subtle SE i.v. anaesthesia is required.
Assuntos
Estado Epiléptico/terapia , Anticonvulsivantes/uso terapêutico , Europa (Continente) , Humanos , Incidência , Garantia da Qualidade dos Cuidados de Saúde , Estado Epiléptico/classificação , Estado Epiléptico/epidemiologiaRESUMO
Mutations in the LGI1/Epitempin gene cause autosomal dominant lateral temporal lobe epilepsy (ADLTE), a partial epilepsy characterized by the presence of auditory seizures. However, not all the pedigrees with a phenotype consistent with ADLTE show mutations in LGI1/Epitempin, or evidence for linkage to the 10q24 locus. Other authors as well as ourselves have found an internal repeat (EPTP, pfam# PF03736) that allowed the identification of three other genes sharing a sequence and structural similarity with LGI1/Epitempin. In this work, we present the sequencing of these genes in a set of ADLTE families without mutations in both LGI1/Epitempin and sporadic cases. No analyzed polymorphisms modified susceptibility in either the familial or sporadic forms of this partial epilepsy.
Assuntos
Epilepsia do Lobo Temporal/genética , Proteínas/genética , Alelos , Genes Dominantes , Humanos , Peptídeos e Proteínas de Sinalização Intracelular , Masculino , Pessoa de Meia-Idade , Mutação , Linhagem , Fenótipo , Polimorfismo Genético , Análise de Sequência de DNARESUMO
Nocturnal frontal lobe epilepsy is a syndromic entity that includes paroxysmal episodes with variable semeiology, intensity and duration, representing different aspects of the same epileptic condition. In a large series studied by videopolysomnographic recording at the Department of Neurological Sciences in Bologna, we disclosed four main semeiological patterns: the paroxysmal arousals, brief simple motor phenomena, similar to a sudden arousal, recurring several times per night; the hypermotor seizures, more complex motor episodes with violent motor behaviour, vocalisation, screaming, fearful and repetitive movements of the trunk and limbs; asymmetric, bilateral tonic seizures, which can evoke the seizures from the frontal mesial area; and epileptic nocturnal wanderings, which can mimic sleepwalking episodes.
Assuntos
Encéfalo/fisiopatologia , Epilepsia do Lobo Frontal/diagnóstico , Hipercinese/diagnóstico , Parassonias/diagnóstico , Adulto , Epilepsia do Lobo Frontal/complicações , Epilepsia do Lobo Frontal/fisiopatologia , Feminino , Humanos , Hipercinese/etiologia , Hipercinese/fisiopatologia , Masculino , Parassonias/complicações , Parassonias/fisiopatologia , Polissonografia , Gravação em VídeoRESUMO
OBJECTIVES: Little is known about the long term outcome of patients with periventricular nodular heterotopia (PNH) and epilepsy, particularly the course of seizures. This study investigated the electroclinical and prognostic features of 16 patients with PNH. METHODS: Of 120 patients with epilepsy and malformations of cortical development, 16 had PNH. Of these, eight patients had periventricular nodules only (simple PNH) and eight also presented with other cortical or cerebral malformations (subcortical heterotopia; polymicrogyria; focal dysplasia; schizencephaly; cortical infolding; agenesis of the corpus callosum; mega cisterna magna and cerebellar atrophy) (PNH plus). All patients underwent clinical, neurophysiological, and MRI investigation. The mean follow up was 17.3 years (2-40 years). RESULTS: Two electroclinical patterns emerged: (1) The first pattern, associated with simple PNH, was characterised by normal intelligence and seizures, usually partial, which began during the second decade of life. The seizures never became frequent and tended to disappear or become very rare. The EEG showed focal abnormalities. (2) The second pattern, associated with PNH plus, was characterised by mental retardation and seizures that began during the first decade of life. The seizures were very frequent in most cases and sudden drops were observed in six patients. Seizures were medically refractory in four patients. The EEG showed focal and bisynchronous abnormalities. CONCLUSIONS: Two groups of PNH patients with different electroclinical and neuroradiological features can be identified after a long term follow up. The presence of other types of cortical or cerebral malformations, in addition to periventricular nodules, determines a poor prognosis.
Assuntos
Córtex Cerebral/anormalidades , Coristoma/diagnóstico , Epilepsia/diagnóstico , Anormalidades Múltiplas/diagnóstico , Anormalidades Múltiplas/fisiopatologia , Adolescente , Adulto , Córtex Cerebral/patologia , Córtex Cerebral/fisiopatologia , Coristoma/complicações , Coristoma/fisiopatologia , Eletroencefalografia , Epilepsia/etiologia , Epilepsia/fisiopatologia , Feminino , Seguimentos , Humanos , Imageamento por Ressonância Magnética , Masculino , Pessoa de Meia-Idade , Avaliação de Resultados em Cuidados de Saúde , Prognóstico , Estudos RetrospectivosRESUMO
The purpose of our study was to describe the clinical characteristics of sporadic (S) cases of partial epilepsy with auditory features (PEAF) and pinpoint clinical, prognostic and genetic differences with respect to previously reported familial (F) cases of autosomal dominant partial epilepsy with auditory features (ADPEAF). We analysed 53 patients (24 females and 29 males) with PEAF diagnosed according to the following criteria: partial epilepsy with auditory symptoms, negative family history for epilepsy and absence of cerebral lesions on NMR study. All patients underwent a full clinical, neuroradiological and neurophysiological examination. Forty patients were screened for mutations in LGI1/epitempin, which is involved in ADPEAF. Age at onset ranged from 6 to 39 years (average 19 years). Secondarily generalized seizures were the most common type of seizures at onset (79%). Auditory auras occurred either in isolation (53%) or associated with visual, psychic or aphasic symptoms. Low seizure frequency at onset and good drug responsiveness were common, with 51% of patients seizure-free. Seizures tended to recur after drug withdrawal. Clinically, no major differences were found between S and F patients with respect to age at onset, seizure frequency and response to therapy. Analysis of LGI1/epitempin exons failed to disclose mutations. Our data support the existence of a peculiar form of non-lesional temporal lobe epilepsy closely related to ADPEAF but without a positive family history. This syndrome, here named IPEAF, has a benign course in the majority of patients and could be diagnosed by the presence of auditory aura. Although LGI1 mutations have been excluded, genetic factors may play an aetiopathogenetic role in at least some of these S cases.
Assuntos
Percepção Auditiva , Epilepsia Parcial Sensorial/diagnóstico , Transtornos da Percepção/etiologia , Adolescente , Adulto , Idade de Início , Criança , Análise Mutacional de DNA , Epilepsia Parcial Sensorial/genética , Epilepsia Parcial Sensorial/psicologia , Feminino , Predisposição Genética para Doença , Humanos , Peptídeos e Proteínas de Sinalização Intracelular , Masculino , Mutação , Transtornos da Percepção/genética , Prognóstico , Proteínas/genética , Resultado do TratamentoRESUMO
Ictal bradycardia is a rare, probably underestimated, manifestation of epileptic seizures whose pathophysiology is still debated. Autonomic modifications may result either from a sympathetic inhibition or from a parasympathetic activation probably due to the ictal discharge arising from or spreading to the structures of the central autonomic network. We review 60 cases of ictal bradycardia from the available literature and present three additional cases associated with left temporal lobe seizures studied by autonomic polygraphic ictal monitoring. Only 47 of the 63 reported cases were documented by simultaneous EEG and ECG recordings during an attack. About 76% of patients in whom well-localized ictal discharges were recorded had temporal or frontotemporal lobe seizures. Forty-five cases included information allowing confident localization of the side of ictal onset, and a 26 : 19 ratio of the left versus right side was evident. Simultaneous monitoring of ECG and other autonomic parameters during EEG recording in partial seizures should be performed to gain more insight into ictal semiology. Correlation of the symptoms referred to by patients with changes in autonomic parameters could avoid erroneous diagnosis of non-epileptic attacks and disclose a potentially lethal condition. Our cases confirm the preferential role of the left hemisphere in the genesis of ictal bradycardia and shed light on the relationship between suprabulbar control of autonomic function and partial epileptic seizures.
Assuntos
Sistema Nervoso Autônomo/fisiopatologia , Bradicardia/etiologia , Epilepsias Parciais/complicações , Epilepsias Parciais/fisiopatologia , Adulto , Idoso , Idoso de 80 Anos ou mais , Bradicardia/diagnóstico , Eletrocardiografia , Eletroencefalografia , Epilepsias Parciais/diagnóstico , Feminino , Humanos , MasculinoRESUMO
OBJECTIVES: To evaluate the efficacy of lamotrigine (LTG) add-on therapy in drug-resistant, partial epilepsy with epileptic drop attacks (EDA) and secondary bilateral synchrony (SBS) on EEG. METHODS: We carried out a single-center, open-label, prospective study on a restricted group of patients experiencing an EDA frequency of at least one/month during the previous year regardless of multiple antiepileptic drug (AED) trials. Study design consisted of three phases: a 3-month baseline period, a 4-month period in which LTG was titrated and a 9-month maintenance dose observational period. LTG add-on therapy depended on valproate (VPA) association, with a maximum of 200 mg/day with VPA and 600 mg/day in the absence of VPA. Every three months, patients underwent clinical, hematological and EEG evaluation including plasma level of AEDs. To assess the efficacy of LTG add-on therapy, patients were required to keep a detailed seizure diary throughout the study. RESULTS: Fourteen patients (nine men and five women), aged from 21 to 51, were included in the study. All of them had complex partial seizures (CPS), besides EDA, and half of them had secondarily generalized seizures (SGS). Two of the 14 patients had to stop LTG due to side effects, although one of them was seizure-free after LTG. Twelve patients completed the study. The improvement was more than 50% for every type of seizure. SGS disappeared in three cases and improved by more than 50% in another three cases. EDA disappeared in six patients; and improved with more than 50% EDA reduction in five patients. CPS disappeared in two patients and improved by more than 50% in eight. EEG improved in nine cases, with SBS disappearing in six patients. CONCLUSIONS: We have demonstrated a good efficacy of LTG adjunctive therapy on EDA. Results include control of SGS and improvement of EEG tracing.
Assuntos
Anticonvulsivantes/administração & dosagem , Eletroencefalografia/efeitos dos fármacos , Epilepsias Parciais/tratamento farmacológico , Síncope/tratamento farmacológico , Triazinas/administração & dosagem , Adulto , Anticonvulsivantes/efeitos adversos , Quimioterapia Combinada , Epilepsias Parciais/diagnóstico , Feminino , Humanos , Lamotrigina , Masculino , Pessoa de Meia-Idade , Síncope/etiologia , Triazinas/efeitos adversosRESUMO
OBJECTIVES: Fatal familial insomnia (FFI) is linked to a mutation at codon 178 (C178) of the prion protein gene (PRNP). FFI is pathologically characterized by selective atrophy of the anteroventral and mediodorsal thalamic nuclei and clinically by loss of sleep, dysautonomia and motor signs. A key early polysomnographic sign of the disease onset is the loss of sleep spindling (sigma activity, SA). In FFI the loss of SA leads to the spectral representation of a sudden slow wave activity (SWA) increase from an awake state, the reaching of a stable plateau without oscillations, followed by abrupt fall down to REM sleep. We evaluated the presence of differences in the spectral sleep EEG pattern in FFI relatives carriers (C178(pos)) or non-carriers (C178(neg)) of the C178 mutation. METHODS: Seventeen healthy relatives of FFI patients, 8 carriers of the C178 FFI mutation in a preclinical condition and 9 non carriers, underwent two-night polysomnography. The absolute and relative EEG power of the 4 main bands (delta: SWA, 0.5-4.0 Hz; theta: TB, 4.5-8 Hz; alpha: AB, 8.5-12 Hz; sigma: SA, 12.5-16 Hz) has been studied for the total sleep time, the period of delta increase after sleep onset, and the period of delta plateau. Multiple regression has been applied to investigate relations between the power of the bands studied and 3 parameters: age, the gender of the subjects and the C178 genotype. RESULTS: Our study could not show evidence of differences in the sleep EEG composition between carriers and non-carriers of the C178 FFI mutation. CONCLUSIONS: The spectral analysis techniques we used were not able to disclose sleep EEG markers linked to the FFI C178(pos) in the preclinical condition. Key sleep EEG alteration become evident only at the clinical onset of the disease.