Long-term effectiveness of add-on perampanel in patients with Lennox-Gastaut syndrome: A multicenter retrospective study.

This retrospective study assessed long-term effectiveness of add-on perampanel (PER) in patients with Lennox-Gastaut syndrome (LGS). Outcomes included time to PER failure and time to seizure relapse in responders. PER failure was defined as either discontinuation of PER or initiation of another treatment. Seizure relapse in responders was defined as occurrence of a seizure in seizure-free patients and increase of at least 50% in average monthly seizure frequency for those who were responders. Eighty-seven patients were included. Treatment failure occurred in 52 (59.8%) subjects at a median time of 12 months. Treatment failure was due to lack of efficacy in 27 (52.0%) patients, lack of tolerability in 14 (27.0%), and both reasons in 11 (21.0%). A slower titration was associated with a lower risk of PER failure compared to faster titration schedules, and the occurrence of adverse events increased the risk of treatment failure. Thirty-six patients (41.4%) were responders during a median follow-up of 11 months. Seizure relapse occurred in 13 of 36 (36.1%) patients after a median time of 21 months. The overall rate of seizure responders was 23 of 87 (26.4%) at the end of follow-up. This study provides real-world evidence on the effectiveness of PER as adjunctive treatment in LGS patients.

A real-life pilot study of the clinical application of pharmacogenomics testing on saliva in epilepsy.

Response to antiseizure medications (ASMs) can be influenced by several gene polymorphisms, causing either lower efficacy or higher occurrence of adverse drug reactions (ADRs). We investigated the clinical utility of salivary pharmacogenomic testing on epilepsy patients. A commercialized pharmacogenomic salivary test was performed in a cohort of epileptic patients. Genetic variants on five genes (i.e., CYP1A2, CYP2C9, CYP2C19, EPHX1, and ABCB1) involved in common ASMs metabolism were selected. Twenty-one individuals (median age [Q1 -Q3 ]: 15 [6.5-28] years) were enrolled. Six patients harboring the homozygous *1F allele in CYP1A2 could have reduced chance of response to stiripentol due to fast metabolism. CYP2C9 had reduced activity in 10 patients (alleles *2 and *3), potentially affecting phenytoin (PHT), phenobarbital (PB), primidone, lacosamide (LCM), and valproic acid metabolism. Seven patients, carrying the *2 allele of CYP2C19, had an increased risk of ADRs with clobazam (CLB), PB, PHT, LCM, brivaracetam; while one individual with the *17 allele in heterozygosity reported a CLB fast metabolism. Six patients showed a CC polymorphism of EPHX1 associated with the impaired efficacy of carbamazepine. ABCB1 polymorphisms related to drug-resistance (3435 CC) or drug-sensitive phenotype (CT or TT) were found in 6 out of 7 patients. Pharmacogenomic testing on saliva proved easy and safe in clinical practice to convey information for the management of epileptic patients, especially those resistant to treatment or sensitive to severe ADRs.

First reported case of an inherited PACS2 pathogenic variant with variable expression

Neonatal epilepsy, cerebellar dysgenesis and facial dysmorphisms may be associated with de novo PACS2 missense pathogenic variants (EIEE 66) (OMIM #618067). Here, we report a toddler boy with neonatal-onset seizures, developmental delay with hypotonia, facial dysmorphisms and prominence of the cisterna magna, mild inferior vermian and cerebellar hypoplasia. A nextgeneration epilepsy gene panel revealed a known pathogenic PACS2 missense variant, p.Glu209Lys, that was inherited from his mildly affected mother. We describe the first PACS2 pathogenic variant to be inherited, expanding the clinical spectrum, associated with a mild phenotype in the mother and a more severe phenotype in her son, in keeping with previously reported descriptions.

Molecular Genetics and Interferon Signature in the Italian Aicardi Goutières Syndrome Cohort: Report of 12 New Cases and Literature Review.

Aicardi-Goutières syndrome (AGS) is a genetically determined early onset encephalopathy characterized by cerebral calcification, leukodystrophy, and increased expression of interferon-stimulated genes (ISGs). Up to now, seven genes (TREX1, RNASEH2B, RNASEH2C, RNASEH2A, ADAR1, SAMHD1, IFIH1) have been associated with an AGS phenotype. Next Generation Sequencing (NGS) analysis was performed on 51 AGS patients and interferon signature (IS) was investigated in 18 AGS patients and 31 healthy controls. NGS identified mutations in 48 of 51 subjects, with three patients demonstrating a typical AGS phenotype but not carrying mutations in known AGS-related genes. Five mutations, in RNASEH2B, SAMHD1 and IFIH1 gene, were not previously reported. Eleven patients were positive and seven negatives for the upregulation of interferon signaling (IS > 2.216). This work presents, for the first time, the genetic data of an Italian cohort of AGS patients, with a higher percentage of mutations in RNASEH2B and a lower frequency of mutations in TREX1 than those seen in international series. RNASEH2B mutated patients showed a prevalence of negative IS consistent with data reported in the literature. We also identified five novel pathogenic mutations that warrant further functional investigation. Exome/genome sequencing will be performed in future studies in patients without a mutation in AGS-related genes.

Symptomatic and presumed symptomatic focal epilepsies in childhood: An observational, prospective multicentre study.

OBJECTIVE: To describe the clinical, neuropsychological, and psychopathologic features of a cohort of children with a new diagnosis of symptomatic or presumed symptomatic focal epilepsy at time of recruitment and through the first month. The selected population will be followed for 2-5 years after enrollment to investigate the epilepsy course and identify early predictors of drug resistance. METHODS: In this observational, multicenter, nationwide study, children (age 1 month-12.9 years) with a new diagnosis of symptomatic or presumed symptomatic focal epilepsy were consecutively enrolled in 15 Italian tertiary childhood epilepsy centers. Inclusion criteria were as follows: (1) diagnosis of symptomatic focal epilepsy due to acquired and developmental etiologies, and presumed symptomatic focal epilepsy; (2) age at diagnosis older than 1 month and <13 years; and (3) written informed consent. Children were subdivided into three groups: ≤3 years, >3 to 6 years, and >6 years. Clinical, electroencephalography (EEG), neuroimaging, and neuropsychological variables were identified for statistical analyses. RESULTS: Two hundred fifty-nine children were enrolled (116 female and 143 male). Median age: 4.4 years (range 1 month-12.9 years); 46.0% (n = 119) of children were younger than 3 years, 24% (61) from 3 to 6 years of age, and 30% (79) older than 6 years. Neurologic examination findings were normal in 71.8%. Brain magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) was abnormal in 59.9%. Children age ≤3 years experienced the highest seizure frequency in the first month after recruitment (p < 0.0001). Monotherapy in the first month was used in 67.2%. Cognitive tests at baseline revealed abnormal scores in 30%; behavioral problems were present in 21%. At multivariate analysis, higher chances to exhibit more than five seizures in the first month after epilepsy onset was confirmed for younger children and those with temporal lobe epilepsy. SIGNIFICANCE: In this prospective cohort study, an extensive characterization of epilepsy onset in children with symptomatic or presumed symptomatic focal epilepsies is reported in relation to the age group and the localization of the epileptogenic zone.

Lacosamide in children with refractory status epilepticus. A multicenter Italian experience.

OBJECTIVE: Status epilepticus (SE) is considered a life-threatening medical emergency. First-line treatment with antiepileptic drugs (AEDs) consists of intravenous benzodiazepines followed by phenytoin. SE is considered refractory (RSE) when unresponsive to standard doses of the first two AEDs. Scarce evidence is available to support specific guidelines for the management of RSE in either adults or children. This study aimed to assess the efficacy and tolerability of intravenous (iv) lacosamide (LCM) in children affected by RSE. METHOD: Children with RSE who were treated with ivLCM were included in the study. Efficacy was defined as the cessation of seizures after administration of ivLCM, with no need for any further antiepileptic drug. All patients had been unsuccessfully treated following standard protocols before ivLCM was administered. RESULTS: Eleven children entered the study (mean age: 9.4 years). Etiology was symptomatic in 7 patients (63%). RSE was convulsive (focal or generalized) in 6 patients and nonconvulsive in 5. The mean initial bolus dose of LCM was 8.6 mg/kg. The drug, which was used as a fourth or later option, was effective in stopping RSE in 45% of patients, with seizures terminating within 12 h in three children. No serious adverse events attributable to LCM were reported. CONCLUSIONS: LCM might be an effective and well-tolerated AED in children with RSE.

Clinical dissection of early onset absence epilepsy in children and prognostic implications.

PURPOSE: To investigate whether patients with typical absence seizures (TAS) starting in the first 3 years of life, conformed to Panayiotopoulos's definition of childhood absence epilepsy (CAE), show different electroclinical course than those not fulfilling CAE criteria. METHODS: In this multicenter retrospective study, we choose a fixed duration follow-up of 36 months to examine the electroclinical course of epilepsy in all children with TAS starting before 3 years of age. The probands who fulfilled Panayiotopoulos's criteria for CAE were classified as having pure early onset absence epilepsy (P-EOAE), whereas those who did not as nonpure EOAE (NP-EOAE). In addition, these two groups of patients were further stratified according to the number of antiepileptic drugs taken to obtain initial seizure control (mono-, bi-, and tritherapy). KEY FINDINGS: Patients with P-EOAE (n = 111) showed earlier initial seizure control (p = 0.030) and better seizure-free survival curve (p = 0.004) than those with NP-EOAE (n = 77). No mutation in SLC2A1 gene or abnormal neuroimaging was observed in P-EOAE. Among patients with NP-EOAE, those receiving tritherapy showed increased risk of structural brain abnormalities (p = 0.001) or SLC2A1 mutations (p = 0.001) but fewer myoclonic features (p = 0.031) and worse seizure-free survival curve (p = 0.047) than those treated with mono- and bitherapy. Children with NP-EOAE had 2.134 the odds of having relapse during the follow-up compare to those with P-EOAE. SIGNIFICANCE: Children with early onset TAS who did meet Panayiotopoulos's criteria showed a favorable course of epilepsy, whereas patients not fulfilling Panayiotopoulos's criteria showed increased risk of relapse at long-term follow-up.

Lacosamide in pediatric and adult patients: comparison of efficacy and safety.

PURPOSE: This multicenter, prospective study investigates the efficacy and safety of lacosamide adjunctive therapy in pediatric and adult patients with uncontrolled epilepsy. METHOD: This study was carried out between September 2010 and December 2011 at 16 Italian and 1 German neurologic centers. Lacosamide was added to the baseline therapy at a starting dose of 1 mg/kg/day in patients aged <16 years (group A) and 100 mg daily in subjects aged 16 and older (group B), and titrated to the target dose, ranging from 3 to 12 mg/kg/day or from 100 to 600 mg daily, respectively. After completing the titration period, patients entered a 12-month maintenance period and they were followed up at 3, 6 and 12 months. The primary assessment of efficacy was based on the change from baseline in seizure frequency per 28 days and was evaluated at 3, 6 and 12 months as follows: number and proportion of 100% responders, 50% responders, non-responders and worsening patients. Safety evaluation was also performed at 3, 6 and 12 months. RESULTS: A total of 118 patients (59 group A, 59 group B) with uncontrolled generalized and focal epilepsy were enrolled. Patient mean±SD age was 15.9±6.80 years and the age range was 4-38 years. At 3-month evaluation, of 118 treated patients 56 subjects (47.4% group A; 47.4% group B; p=0.8537) experienced at least a 50% reduction in seizure frequency. At 6 and 12-month follow-up, the 50% responders were 57 (52.5% group A; 44.1% group B; p=0.4612) and 51 (47.4% group A; 39% group B; p=0.4573), respectively. Thirty-five subjects (30.5% group A; 28.8% group B; p=1) experienced side effects during the treatment period. The most common adverse events were dyspepsia for group A and dizziness for group B. CONCLUSION: Lacosamide may be a useful and safe pharmacological treatment option for both pediatric and adult patients with uncontrolled seizures.

Reflex myoclonic epilepsy in infancy: a multicenter clinical study.

PURPOSE: To describe the clinical and electroencephalographic (EEG) features of reflex myoclonic epilepsy in infancy (RMEI) and long-term cognitive outcome. METHODS: We enrolled 31 children from 16 neuropediatric centres in Italy, who underwent clinical and video-EEG evaluation. Cognitive assessment was performed in all patients using standardized psychometric tests. RESULTS: The age at onset ranged from 3 to 24 months of age. Seizures were characterised in all patients by symmetric myoclonic seizures (MS), triggered by sudden unexpected acoustic (38.7%) or tactile stimuli (29%) or both (29%). Spontaneous attacks were reported in 32.2% of the cases. Ictal EEG showed generalized high-amplitude 3 Hz polyspike and wave discharges, synchronous with brief rhythmic bursts of electromyographic activity. Patients were re-evaluated after a period of 7.2 ± 5.6 years. The prognosis for seizure control was excellent in all cases and reflex MS disappeared spontaneously or after valproate treatment. The cognitive outcome was excellent in 90.3% of children. CONCLUSIONS: RMEI appears to be a variety of idiopathic generalized epilepsy with specific features that occurs in developmentally normal children.

New association between ring chromosome 20 syndrome and hypomelanosis of Ito.

Hypomelanosis of Ito is an uncommon neuroectodermal disease associated with a wide range of cytogenetic abnormalities. Ring chromosome 20 is a rare chromosomal disorder characterized by severe, refractory epilepsy, cognitive delay, and unspecific dysmorphic traits. An association between the hypomelanosis of Ito and ring chromosome 20 syndrome was never reported peviously. We describe a young girl who has ring chromosome 20 and who also has clinical symptoms of hypomelanosis of Ito. After her diagnosis of epilepsy, she was submitted to neurologic and genetic testing, a skin biopsy, and repeated neuropsychologic examinations. Karyotyping revealed a 46 XX, r(20) with mosaicism in 34% of peripheral blood lymphocytes and 8% of skin fibroblasts. A severe, progressive cognitive deterioration was evident. The epilepsy was refractory to antiepileptic drugs, in apparent contrast with the evidence that both telomeric regions were preserved. The percentage of mosaicism seems unrelated to the severity of the clinical phenotype.

Clinical course of young patients with Dravet syndrome after vagal nerve stimulation.

Medical treatment of Dravet syndrome is disappointing. Ketogenic Diet and neurostimulation procedures as Vagus Nerve Stimulation (VNS) and Deep Brain Stimulation are in ongoing evaluation. In the present study, the long-term effectiveness of VNS on seizures, cognition and behavior was retrospectively evaluated in eight young patients with DS and medically refractory epilepsy (mean age at VNS implant: 10.28 years, range: 5-25). The average duration of treatment was 54 months (range: 12-120). Compared to baseline (mean: 55; standard deviation: 83, range: 4-200), the mean number of monthly seizures after VNS implantation was 39 ± 67 at 3 months, 42 ± 67 at 6 months and 38 ± 69 at twelve months (not significant comparisons). In particular, VNS produced a mean seizure rate reduction of 12% at three months, 6% at six months, and 31% at twelve months. All patients but three experienced some reduction in seizure burden (range: 33-61%) at twelve months. Seizure outcome after one year of stimulation was rated as Mc Hugh class II (50-79% reduction in seizure frequency) in four patients, class III (<50% reduction) in one patient and class V (no improvement) in three patients. In this small case series of patients with DS, VNS therapy had a clinically significant effect in reducing seizures at twelve months in four of the eight patients. Even in patients in whom seizure reduction was not dramatic, a slight improvement in alertness and communicative skills was seen. The long-term clinical course of two selected cases is discussed.