The Long-Term Use of Diagnostic Subdural Electroencephalogram Electrodes and Subdural Hematoma: A Prospective Cohort Study.

OBJECTIVES: Seizures and status epilepticus (SE) are frequent complications of acute subdural hematoma (aSDH) associated with increased morbidity and mortality. Therefore, we aimed to evaluate whether invasive subdural electroencephalogram recording leads to earlier seizure detection and treatment initiation in patients with aSDH. DESIGN: Prospective, single-center, cohort trial. SETTING: Neurologic and neurosurgical ICUs of one academic hospital in Germany. PATIENTS: Patients with aSDH undergoing surgical treatment. In total, 76 patients were enrolled in this study, 31 patients (40.8%) were assigned to the invasive electroencephalogram (iEEG) monitoring group and 45 patients (59.2%) to control group. INTERVENTIONS: The electrode group was implanted with a subdural strip electrode providing up to 7 days of real-time electroencephalogram recording in the neurointensive care unit, whereas the control group received regular normal surface electroencephalograms during the 7-day period. The primary outcomes were the prevalence and time to seizures and SE occurrence. Secondary outcomes included neurologic outcomes assessed using the Glasgow Outcome Scale (GOS) at discharge and 6-month follow-up and the prevalence of focal structural epilepsy within 2 years after discharge. MEASUREMENTS AND MAIN RESULTS: The trial was stopped after a study committee meeting when the prespecified criteria were met. The iEEG and control groups were well-matched for clinical characteristics at admission. Frequencies of seizures and SE detection were significantly higher in the iEEG group than in the control group (61% vs 15.6%; p < 0.001 and 38.7% vs 11.1%; p = 0.005). Time to seizure and SE detection was significantly earlier (median 29.2 vs 83.8 hr; p = 0.018 and 17.2 vs 83.8 hr; p = 0.033) in the iEEG group than in the control group. Favorable outcomes (GOS 4-5) were more frequently achieved in the iEEG group than in the control group (58% vs 31%; p = 0.065). No significant differences were detected in long-term mortality or post-traumatic epilepsy. CONCLUSIONS: Invasive subdural electroencephalogram monitoring is valuable and safe for early seizure/SE detection and treatment and might improve outcomes in the neurocritical care of patients with aSDH.

The phenotypic and genotypic spectrum of epilepsy and intellectual disability in adults: Implications for genetic testing.

OBJECTIVE: The phenotypic and genotypic spectrum of adult patients with epilepsy and intellectual disability (ID) is less clear than in children. We investigated an adult patient cohort to further elucidate this and inform the genetic testing approach. METHODS: Fifty-two adult patients (30 male, 22 female) with epilepsy, at least mild ID and no known genetic or acquired cause were included and phenotyped. Variants identified through exome sequencing were evaluated using ACMG criteria. Identified variants were compared with commercially available gene panels. Cluster analysis of two features, age at seizure onset and age at ascertainment of cognitive deficits, was performed. RESULTS: Median age was 27 years (range 20-57 years) with median seizure onset at 3 years and median ascertainment of cognitive deficits at 1 year. Likely pathogenic/pathogenic variants were identified in 16/52 patients (31%) including 14 (27%) single nucleotide variants and 2 (4%) copy number variants. Simulated yield of commercial gene panels varied between 13% in small (≤144 genes) and 27% in large panels (≥1478 genes). Cluster analysis (optimal number 3 clusters) identified a cluster with early seizure onset and early developmental delay (developmental and epileptic encephalopathy, n = 26), a cluster with early developmental delay but late seizure onset (ID with epilepsy, n = 16) and a third cluster with late ascertainment of cognitive deficits and variable seizure onset (n = 7). The smaller gene panels particularly missed the genes identified in the cluster with early ascertainment of cognitive deficits and later onset of epilepsy (0/4) as opposed to the cluster with developmental and epileptic encephalopathy (7/10). SIGNIFICANCE: Our data indicates that adult patients with epilepsy and ID represent a heterogeneous cohort that includes grown-up patients with DEE but also patients with primary ID and later onset of epilepsy. To maximize diagnostic yield in this cohort either large gene panels or exome sequencing should be used.

Natural History Study of STXBP1-Developmental and Epileptic Encephalopathy Into Adulthood.

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES: Pathogenic STXBP1 variants cause a severe early-onset developmental and epileptic encephalopathy (STXBP1-DEE). We aimed to investigate the natural history of STXBP1-DEE in adults focusing on seizure evolution, the presence of movement disorders, and the level of functional (in)dependence. METHODS: In this observational study, patients with a minimum age of 18 years carrying a (likely) pathogenic STXBP1 variant were recruited through medical genetics departments and epilepsy centers. Treating clinicians completed clinical questionnaires and performed semistructured video examinations while performing tasks from the (modified) Unified Parkinson Disease Rating Scale when possible. RESULTS: Thirty adult patients were included for summary statistics, with video recordings available for 19 patients. The median age at last follow-up was 24 years (range 18-58 years). All patients had epilepsy, with a median onset age of 3.5 months. At last follow-up, 80% of adults had treatment-resistant seizures despite long periods of seizure freedom in 37%. Tonic-clonic, focal, and tonic seizures were most frequent in adults. Epileptic spasms, an unusual feature beyond infancy, were present in 3 adults. All individuals had developmental impairment. Periods of regression were present in 59% and did not always correlate with flare-ups in seizure activity. Eighty-seven percent had severe or profound intellectual disability, 42% had autistic features, and 65% had significant behavioral problems. Video examinations showed gait disorders in all 12 patients able to walk, including postural abnormalities with external rotation of the feet, broad-based gait, and asymmetric posture/dystonia. Tremor, present in 56%, was predominantly of the intention/action type. Stereotypies were seen in 63%. Functional outcome concerning mobility was variable ranging from independent walking (50%) to wheelchair dependence (39%). Seventy-one percent of adults were nonverbal, and all were dependent on caregivers for most activities of daily living. DISCUSSION: STXBP1-DEE warrants continuous monitoring for seizures in adult life. Periods of regression are more frequent than previously established and can occur into adulthood. Movement disorders are often present and involve multiple systems. Although functional mobility is variable in adulthood, STXBP1-DEE frequently leads to severe cognitive impairments and a high level of functional dependence. Understanding the natural history of STXBP1-DEE is important for prognostication and will inform future therapeutic trials.

Prospective evaluation of interrater agreement between EEG technologists and neurophysiologists.

We aim to prospectively investigate, in a large and heterogeneous population, the electroencephalogram (EEG)-reading performances of EEG technologists. A total of 8 EEG technologists and 5 certified neurophysiologists independently analyzed 20-min EEG recordings. Interrater agreement (IRA) for predefined EEG pattern identification between EEG technologists and neurophysiologits was assessed using percentage of agreement (PA) and Gwet-AC1. Among 1528 EEG recordings, the PA [95% confidence interval] and interrater agreement (IRA, AC1) values were as follows: status epilepticus (SE) and seizures, 97% [96-98%], AC1 kappa = 0.97; interictal epileptiform discharges, 78% [76-80%], AC1 = 0.63; and conclusion dichotomized as "normal" versus "pathological", 83.6% [82-86%], AC1 = 0.71. EEG technologists identified SE and seizures with 99% [98-99%] negative predictive value, whereas the positive predictive values (PPVs) were 48% [34-62%] and 35% [20-53%], respectively. The PPV for normal EEGs was 72% [68-76%]. SE and seizure detection were impaired in poorly cooperating patients (SE and seizures; p < 0.001), intubated and older patients (SE; p < 0.001), and confirmed epilepsy patients (seizures; p = 0.004). EEG technologists identified ictal features with few false negatives but high false positives, and identified normal EEGs with good PPV. The absence of ictal features reported by EEG technologists can be reassuring; however, EEG traces should be reviewed by neurophysiologists before taking action.

Postoperative outcomes and surgical ratio at a newly established epilepsy center: The first 100 procedures.

PURPOSE: To describe the patients' characteristics, surgical ratio, and outcomes following epilepsy surgery at the newly established Epilepsy Center Frankfurt Rhine-Main. METHODS: We retrospectively studied the first 100 consecutive patients, including adult (n = 77) and pediatric (n = 23) patients, with drug-resistant epilepsy who underwent resective or ablative surgical procedures at a single, newly established epilepsy center. Patient characteristics, seizure and neuropsychological outcomes, histopathology, complications, and surgical ratio were analyzed. RESULTS: The mean patient age was 28.8 years (children 10.6 years, adults 34.2 years). The mean epilepsy duration was 11.9 years (children 3.9 years, adults 14.3 years), and the mean follow-up was 1.5 years. At the most recent visit, 64% of patients remained completely seizure free [Engel IA]. The rates of perioperative complications and unexpected new neurological deficits were 5%, each. The proportion of patients showing deficits in one or more cognitive domains increased six months after surgery and decreased to presurgical proportions after two years. Symptoms of depression were significantly decreased and quality of life was significantly increased after surgery. The surgical ratio was 25.3%. CONCLUSION: Similar postsurgical outcomes were achieved at a newly established epilepsy center compared with long-standing epilepsy centers. The lower time to surgery may reflect a general decrease in time to surgery over the last decade or the improved accessibility of a new epilepsy center in a previously underserved area. The surgical ratio was not lower than reported for established centers.

Fractures in Parkinson's Disease: injury patterns, hospitalization, and therapeutic aspects.

AIM: The primary aim of this study was to analyze the frequency and characteristic patterns of fall-related fractures as well as consecutive hospitalization and management relating to such fractures. In addition, important pathognomonic and therapeutic aspects are discussed. METHODS: This retrospective mono-center study was conducted at the University Hospital Frankfurt am Main, Germany. Between 2007 and 2017, a total of 145 PD patients with fall-related fractures were identified via a retrospective systematic query in the hospital information system using the ICD-10 German modification codes G20.0-G20.9. Patients with unclear or falsely coded PD were strictly excluded. RESULTS: The mean age of the cohort was 77.7 years (± 7.5, median 77.) and 57.9% of the cohort were females (n = 84). A total number of 151 fractures were reported, with 140 patients (96.6%) suffering from one, four patients from two (2.8%), and one patient from three fractures (0.6%) at a time. For 43.9% (n = 65) of the cohort, fractures concerned lower extremities (LE) followed by trunk (38.1%, n = 58) and upper extremities (UE, 17.9%, n = 27). Most common fracture types in LE were femoral neck fractures (52.3%, n = 34). Mean length of hospital stay (LOS) was 13.6 days (95% CI 12.4-14.7). In 43.4% (n = 63) of cases, an interim admission to an intensive-care unit (ICU) was necessary. Mean ICU LOS was 2.3 days (95% CI 1.5-3.0), and mean LOS for normal care unit was 10.5 days (95% CI 10.3-12.4). Surgical treatment was necessary in 75.9% of the cases (n = 110). Patients undergoing surgical treatment showed significantly longer LOS compared to conservatively treated patients (p < 0.001). Moreover, fractures of the LE (p = 0.018) and UE (p = 0.010) were associated with a significant longer LOS. CONCLUSION: Fall-related fractures are a common and relevant complication in PD patients leading to increased immobility, frequent hospitalization, and immediate surgical care. Fractures of the lower extremities and trunk were the most common in the cohort for this study. A PD patient presenting to the emergency room or at the general practitioner with a fracture should always be checked for osteoporosis and a fall-related injury should be seen as a red flag for reviewing a patient's individual therapeutic regime.

DIagnostic Subdural EEG electrodes And Subdural hEmatoma (DISEASE): a study protocol for a prospective nonrandomized controlled trial.

BACKGROUND: Epileptic seizures are common clinical features in patients with acute subdural hematoma (aSDH); however, diagnostic feasibility and therapeutic monitoring remain limited. Surface electroencephalography (EEG) is the major diagnostic tool for the detection of seizures but it might be not sensitive enough to detect all subclinical or nonconvulsive seizures or status epilepticus. Therefore, we have planned a clinical trial to evaluate a novel treatment modality by perioperatively implanting subdural EEG electrodes to diagnose seizures; we will then treat the seizures under therapeutic monitoring and analyze the clinical benefit. METHODS: In a prospective nonrandomized trial, we aim to include 110 patients with aSDH. Only patients undergoing surgical removal of aSDH will be included; one arm will be treated according to the guidelines of the Brain Trauma Foundation, while the other arm will additionally receive a subdural grid electrode. The study's primary outcome is the comparison of incidence of seizures and time-to-seizure between the interventional and control arms. Invasive therapeutic monitoring will guide treatment with antiseizure drugs (ASDs). The secondary outcome will be the functional outcome for both groups as assessed via the Glasgow Outcome Scale and modified Rankin Scale both at discharge and during 6 months of follow-up. The tertiary outcome will be the evaluation of chronic epilepsy within 2-4 years of follow-up. DISCUSSION: The implantation of a subdural EEG grid electrode in patients with aSDH is expected to be effective in diagnosing seizures in a timely manner, facilitating treatment with ASDs and monitoring of treatment success. Moreover, the occurrence of epileptiform discharges prior to the manifestation of seizure patterns could be evaluated in order to identify high-risk patients who might benefit from prophylactic treatment with ASDs. TRIAL REGISTRATION: ClinicalTrials.gov identifier no. NCT04211233.

Could the 2017 ILAE and the four-dimensional epilepsy classifications be merged to a new "Integrated Epilepsy Classification"?

Over the last few decades the ILAE classifications for seizures and epilepsies (ILAE-EC) have been updated repeatedly to reflect the substantial progress that has been made in diagnosis and understanding of the etiology of epilepsies and seizures and to correct some of the shortcomings of the terminology used by the original taxonomy from the 1980s. However, these proposals have not been universally accepted or used in routine clinical practice. During the same period, a separate classification known as the "Four-dimensional epilepsy classification" (4D-EC) was developed which includes a seizure classification based exclusively on ictal symptomatology, which has been tested and adapted over the years. The extensive arguments for and against these two classification systems made in the past have mainly focused on the shortcomings of each system, presuming that they are incompatible. As a further more detailed discussion of the differences seemed relatively unproductive, we here review and assess the concordance between these two approaches that has evolved over time, to consider whether a classification incorporating the best aspects of the two approaches is feasible. To facilitate further discussion in this direction we outline a concrete proposal showing how such a compromise could be accomplished, the "Integrated Epilepsy Classification". This consists of five categories derived to different degrees from both of the classification systems: 1) a "Headline" summarizing localization and etiology for the less specialized users, 2) "Seizure type(s)", 3) "Epilepsy type" (focal, generalized or unknown allowing to add the epilepsy syndrome if available), 4) "Etiology", and 5) "Comorbidities & patient preferences".

Efficacy, Tolerability, and Safety of Concentrated Intranasal Midazolam Spray as Emergency Medication in Epilepsy Patients During Video-EEG Monitoring.

BACKGROUND: An efficient, well tolerated, and safe emergency treatment with a rapid onset of action is needed to prevent seizure clusters and to terminate prolonged seizures and status epilepticus. OBJECTIVES: This study aimed to examine the efficacy, tolerability, and safety of intranasal midazolam (in-MDZ) spray in clinical practice. METHODS: In this retrospective, multicenter observational study, we evaluated all patients with peri-ictal application of in-MDZ during video-EEG monitoring at the epilepsy centers in Frankfurt and Marburg between 2 014 and 2017. For every patient, we analyzed the recurrence of any seizure or generalized tonic-clonic seizures after index seizures with and without in-MDZ administration. Treatment-emergent adverse events (TEAEs) were also evaluated. RESULTS: In-MDZ was used in 243 patients with epilepsy (mean age 35.5 years; range 5-76 years; 46.5% female) for treatment of 459 seizures. A median dose of in-MDZ 5 mg (i.e., two puffs; range 2.5-15 mg) was administered within a median time from EEG seizure onset until in-MDZ application of 1.18 min [interquartile range (IQR) 1.27], while median time from clinical seizure onset until in-MDZ administration was 1.08 min (IQR 1.19). In-MDZ was given within 1 min after EEG seizure onset in 171 seizures. An intraindividual comparison of seizures with and without application of in-MDZ was feasible in 171 patients, demonstrating that in-MDZ reduced the occurrence of any (Cox proportional-hazard model p < 0.001) and generalized tonic-clonic seizure (Cox proportional-hazard model p = 0.0167) over a period of 24 h. The seizure-free timespan was doubled from a median of 5.0 h in controls to a median of 10.67 h after in-MDZ administration. We additionally clustered in-MDZ administrations for the 119 patients who received in-MDZ more than once, comparing them with the index cases without in-MDZ. Even when considering subsequent seizures with in-MDZ administration, a patient receiving in-MDZ is still half as likely to incur another seizure in the upcoming 24 h as compared with when the same patient does not receive in-MDZ (hazard ratio 0.50; 95% CI 0.42-0.60; p < 0.01). In-MDZ was well tolerated without major adverse events. The most common side effects were irritation of the nasal mucosa [37 cases (8.1%)], prolonged sedation [26 cases (5.7%)], and nausea and vomiting [12 cases (2.6%)]. A decline in oxygen saturation was measured after 78 seizures (17%). CONCLUSION: We conclude that in-MDZ is a safe and efficient treatment option to prevent short-term recurrence of seizures. In-MDZ can be administered very quickly by trained staff within 1-2 min after seizure onset. No major cardiocirculatory or respiratory adverse events were observed.

Prone, lateral, or supine positioning at seizure onset determines the postictal body position: A multicenter video-EEG monitoring cohort study.

PURPOSE: Most patients who die from sudden unexpected death in epilepsy (SUDEP) are found in the prone position. We evaluated whether changes in body position occur during generalized convulsive seizures (GCSs). METHOD: GCSs in patients undergoing video-EEG-monitoring between 2007 and 2017 at epilepsy centers in Frankfurt and Marburg were analyzed in relation to changes in body position. RESULTS: A total of 494 GCSs were analyzed among 327 patients. At seizure onset, positions included supine (48.2 %), right lateral (19.0 %), left lateral (15.6 %), sitting or standing (14.0 %), and prone (3.2 %). Between seizure onset and the start of generalization, 57.5 % of participants altered body positions. During four seizures, patients adopted a prone position, while, in five seizures, patients moved from a prone position. Patients who experienced GCS onset while in a nonprone position had a 2.1 % risk of entering the prone position by the end of their seizure. In contrast, 56.2 % of those in an initial prone position remained so at the end of the GCS, with an odds ratio for maintaining that position of 60.2 (95 % confidence interval: 29.1-124.3; p < 0.001). The likelihood of ending up in the prone position post-GCS did not vary among patients with different nonprone starting positions (p = 0.147). CONCLUSIONS: Seizures in prone position occur during sleep and the highest risk for postictal prone positioning appears to be being in the prone position at GCS onset. Epilepsy patients should therefore be advised to go to sleep in a supine or lateral position to reduce their SUDEP risk.

Predicting outcome of epilepsy surgery in clinical practice: Prediction models vs. clinical acumen.

PURPOSE: Epilepsy surgery is an evidence-based treatment for drug-refractory focal epilepsy. We aimed to evaluate how well preoperative outcome estimates of epilepsy surgery in clinical practice correlated with postoperative outcome and to compare prediction by the clinical team with available scores (m-SFS, ESN). METHOD: Retrospective cohort study including patients with drug-refractory focal epilepsy who underwent resective epilepsy surgery at Epilepsy Center Hessen, Marburg, between 1998-2016. Patients were categorized into four groups based on their estimated chance of postoperative seizure freedom documented in preoperative medical records. Variables required for calculation of m-SFS and ESN were also extracted from presurgical medical records. Seizure outcome using Engel/ILAE classifications was extracted from postoperative medical records. RESULTS: 148 patients were included and 98 had follow-up at 5 years. 69 (70%) had Engel I and 50 (51%) ILAE 1 outcome. Observed 5-year outcome for very good candidates was 20/22 (91%) Engel I and 14/22 (64%) ILAE 1, for good candidates 29/40 (73%) Engel I and 21/40 (53%) ILAE 1, for candidates with slightly reduced chance 11/18 (61%) Engel I and 9/18 (50%) ILAE 1 and for candidates with considerably reduced chance 1/5 (20%) Engel I and 1/5 (20%) ILAE 1.There were no significant differences in discrimination or overall performance between predictions by the clinical team, ESN and m-SFS. CONCLUSIONS: Preoperative outcome estimates corresponded well with observed outcome indicating adequate patient counseling.

Detection of cortical malformations using enhanced synthetic contrast images derived from quantitative T1 maps.

The detection of cortical malformations in conventional MR images can be challenging. Prominent examples are focal cortical dysplasias (FCD), the most common cause of drug-resistant focal epilepsy. The two main MRI hallmarks of cortical malformations are increased cortical thickness and blurring of the gray (GM) and white matter (WM) junction. The purpose of this study was to derive synthetic anatomies from quantitative T1 maps for the improved display of the above imaging characteristics in individual patients. On the basis of a T1 map, a mask comprising pixels with T1 values characteristic for GM is created from which the local cortical extent (CE) is determined. The local smoothness (SM) of the GM-WM junctions is derived from the T1 gradient. For display of cortical malformations, the resulting CE and SM maps serve to enhance local intensities in synthetic double inversion recovery (DIR) images calculated from the T1 map. The resulting CE- and/or SM-enhanced DIR images appear hyperintense at the site of cortical malformations, thus facilitating FCD detection in epilepsy patients. However, false positives may arise in areas with naturally elevated CE and/or SM, such as large GM structures and perivascular spaces. In summary, the proposed method facilitates the detection of cortical abnormalities such as cortical thickening and blurring of the GM-WM junction which are typical FCD markers. Still, subject motion artifacts, perivascular spaces, and large normal GM structures may also yield signal hyperintensity in the enhanced synthetic DIR images, requiring careful comparison with clinical MR images by an experienced neuroradiologist to exclude false positives.

Factorial validity of a neuropsychological test battery and its ability to discern temporal lobe epilepsy from frontal lobe epilepsy - A retrospective study.

PURPOSE: Firstly, to evaluate the validity of a neuropsychological test battery in epilepsy patients, i.e. whether its tests sufficiently allow the assessment of the required cognitive domains in this specific group. Secondly, to examine its ability to differentiate between cognitive profiles of different subgroups of focal epilepsy. METHODS: The test battery suggested by the German ILAE Chapter was performed on 207 epilepsy patients, and its factor structure was investigated by principal component analysis (PCA). To further examine its accuracy in two matched subgroups of patients with temporal lobe epilepsy (TLE, n = 35) and frontal lobe epilepsy (FLE, n = 35), a discriminant function analysis (DFA) was used. RESULTS: PCA revealed eleven interpretable factors, accounting for 69.1% of total variance: Divided Attention, Reaction Time, Verbal Learning, Verbal Memory, Contextual Memory, Short-term- and Working Memory, Visuospatial Functioning, Space Perception, Verbal Fluency, Response Monitoring and Cognitive Flexibility. DFA identified six test to be most appropriate to discern TLE from FLE: WMS-IV Logical Memory, recognition; WMS-R Digit Span, backwards; VLMT, repetitions; VOSP Silhouettes; VLMT, delayed recall; and RWT Phonemic verbal fluency. Group membership was correctly predicted for 78.6% of patients using cross-validation. CONCLUSIONS: As neuropsychological assessments are central in clinical decision-making in presurgical work-up of epilepsy patients, the appropriateness of the test battery in use is essential. The majority of cognitive domains are sufficiently measurable by the test battery and it is highly sensitive to differentiate between the cognitive profiles of TLE and FLE. However, the selection of tests assessing nonverbal memory functions requires further improvement.

Intranasal midazolam as first-line inhospital treatment for status epilepticus: a pharmaco-EEG cohort study.

OBJECTIVE: We sought to evaluate the efficacy and tolerability of intranasal midazolam (in-MDZ) as first-line inhospital therapy in patients with status epilepticus (SE) during continuous EEG recording. METHODS: Data on medical history, etiology and semiology of SE, anticonvulsive medication usage, efficacy and safety of in-MDZ were retrospectively reviewed between 2015 and 2018. Time to end of SE regarding the administration of in-MDZ and ß-band effects were analyzed on EEG and with frequency analysis. RESULTS: In total, 42 patients (mean age: 52.7 ± 22.7 years; 23 females) were treated with a median dose of 5 mg of in-MDZ (range: 2.5-15 mg, mean: 6.4 mg, SD: 2.6) for SE. The majority of the patients suffered from nonconvulsive SE (n = 24; 55.8%). In total, 24 (57.1%) patients were responders, as SE stopped following the administration of in-MDZ without any other drugs being given. On average, SE ceased on EEG at 05:05 (minutes:seconds) after the application of in-MDZ (median: 04:56; range: 00:29-14:53; SD:03:13). Frequency analysis showed an increased ß-band on EEG after the application of in-MDZ at 04:07 on average (median: 03:50; range: 02:20-05:40; SD: 01:09). Adverse events were recorded in six patients (14.3%), with nasal irritations present in five (11.9%) and prolonged sedation occurring in one (2.6%) patient. CONCLUSIONS: This pharmaco-EEG-based study showed that in-MDZ is effective and well-tolerated for the acute treatment of SE. EEG and clinical effects of in-MDZ administration occurred within 04:07 and 5:05 on average. Intranasal midazolam appears to be an easily applicable and rapidly effective alternative to buccal or intramuscular application as first-line treatment if an intravenous route is not available.

Unstable TTTTA/TTTCA expansions in MARCH6 are associated with Familial Adult Myoclonic Epilepsy type 3.

Familial Adult Myoclonic Epilepsy (FAME) is a genetically heterogeneous disorder characterized by cortical tremor and seizures. Intronic TTTTA/TTTCA repeat expansions in SAMD12 (FAME1) are the main cause of FAME in Asia. Using genome sequencing and repeat-primed PCR, we identify another site of this repeat expansion, in MARCH6 (FAME3) in four European families. Analysis of single DNA molecules with nanopore sequencing and molecular combing show that expansions range from 3.3 to 14 kb on average. However, we observe considerable variability in expansion length and structure, supporting the existence of multiple expansion configurations in blood cells and fibroblasts of the same individual. Moreover, the largest expansions are associated with micro-rearrangements occurring near the expansion in 20% of cells. This study provides further evidence that FAME is caused by intronic TTTTA/TTTCA expansions in distinct genes and reveals that expansions exhibit an unexpectedly high somatic instability that can ultimately result in genomic rearrangements.

Drug-Resistant Juvenile Myoclonic Epilepsy: Misdiagnosis of Progressive Myoclonus Epilepsy.

Juvenile myoclonic epilepsy (JME) is a common epilepsy syndrome characterized by bilateral myoclonic and tonic-clonic seizures typically starting in adolescence and responding well to medication. Misdiagnosis of a more severe progressive myoclonus epilepsy (PME) as JME has been suggested as a cause of drug-resistance. Medical records of the Epilepsy Center Hessen-Marburg between 2005 and 2014 were automatically selected using keywords and manually reviewed regarding the presence of a JME diagnosis at any timepoint. The identified patients were evaluated regarding seizure outcome and drug resistance according to ILAE criteria. 87/168 identified JME patients were seizure-free at last follow-up including 61 drug-responsive patients (group NDR). Seventy-eight patients were not seizure-free including 26 drug-resistant patients (group DR). Valproate was the most efficacious AED. The JME diagnosis was revised in 7 patients of group DR including 6 in whom the diagnosis had already been questioned or revised during clinical follow-up. One of these was finally diagnosed with PME (genetically confirmed Lafora disease) based on genetic testing. She was initially reviewed at age 29 yrs and considered to be inconsistent with PME. Intellectual disability (p = 0.025), cognitive impairment (p < 0.001), febrile seizures in first-degree relatives (p = 0.023) and prominent dialeptic seizures (p = 0.009) where significantly more frequent in group DR. Individuals with PME are rarely found among drug-resistant alleged JME patients in a tertiary epilepsy center. Even a very detailed review by experienced epileptologists may not identify the presence of PME before the typical features evolve underpinning the need for early genetic testing in drug-resistant JME patients.

Seizure management and prescription patterns of anticonvulsants in Dravet syndrome: A multicenter cohort study from Germany and review of literature.

OBJECTIVE: The aim of this study was to describe the treatment pattern of patients with Dravet syndrome (DS) in Germany with routine antiepileptic drugs (AEDs) and emergency medication, and to review the literature of real-world evidence on medicine utilization of patients with DS in Europe. METHODS: Patient use of routine AEDs and emergency medications over 3-6 months was analyzed from a 2018 multicenter survey of 93 caregivers of patients with DS throughout Germany. Results were contextualized in a review of real-world evidence on medicine utilization of patients with DS in Europe. RESULTS: The variety of medications and the most frequent combinations routinely used by patients with DS (AEDs and others) are described. Patients use a large number of pharmaceutical treatments to manage seizures. The five most commonly used AEDs were sodium valproate (66% of the patients; mean daily dose: 660 mg; 24.5 mg per kg bodyweight), bromide (44%; 1462 mg; 51.2 mg per kg), clobazam (41%; 10.4 mg; 0.32 mg per kg), stiripentol (35%; 797 mg; 27.6 mg per kg), and topiramate (24%; 107 mg; 3.5 mg per kg). Ninety percent had reported using emergency medications in the last 3 months;, with the most common medications being Buccolam (40%, an oromucosal form of midazolam) and diazepam (20%, mostly rectal application). No discernable relationships between current medication and age or seizure frequency were observed. SIGNIFICANCE: This is the first comprehensive report of routine AEDs and emergency medication use in a large sample of patients with DS in Germany over a period of 3-6 months and shows that despite the most common AED combinations being in line with clinical guidelines/best practice, there is no discernable impact of best treatment on seizure frequency. We find a higher use of bromide in Germany compared with other real-world evidence in Europe.

Characteristics of bilateral versus unilateral temporal encephalocele-associated epilepsy.

PURPOSE: To characterise bilateral temporal encephalocele (BTE)-associated epilepsy relative to unilateral temporal encephalocele (UTE)-associated epilepsy as a rare but curable cause of structural epilepsy using demographics, epilepsy status and imaging findings. METHOD: In this single-centre retrospective study we included all patients from June 2015 to August 2018, who suffered from epilepsy and were diagnosed with a temporal encephalocele. Data were systematically collected and analysed for differences between BTE and UTE. RESULTS: Seventeen epilepsy patients diagnosed with temporal encephaloceles (TE) were identified. One-third exhibited BTE. The age of epilepsy onset was higher in patients with BTE compared to UTE (median 51 vs. 37 years, p = 0.074). Latency between epilepsy diagnosis and definitive TE diagnosis differed considerably with a median five-fold shorter duration for the BTE-group when compared to the UTE-group (2-10 years, p = 0.02). Five of seven (81%) patients with BTE were pharmacoresistant, while this applied to only five out of ten (50%) patients with a UTE. CONCLUSION: When compared to UTE-associated epilepsy, BTE-associated epilepsy is characterised by a later age at onset, shorter delay in TE diagnosis and more frequent drug-resistance. As epilepsy surgery is a valid treatment option for both syndromes, a standardised diagnostic workup should be implemented for temporal lobe epilepsy (TLE) patients with unknown aetiology to facilitate early detection of UTE and BTE.

Noncompliance of patients with driving restrictions due to uncontrolled epilepsy.

Epilepsies are a common and chronic neurological disorder characterized by sustained risk of recurrent seizures. Because of paroxysmal and often unpredictable occurrence of seizures, patients with uncontrolled epilepsy are subject to disease-specific restrictions in daily life, such as their career choice or specific work limitations. According to German law and many other European and international guidelines, driving is strictly prohibited in patients with uncontrolled epilepsy so as to increase active and passive safety in public road traffic. Nevertheless, a significant percentage of patients probably do not comply with these legal restrictions and drive on a regular basis. For this study, we analyzed a representative German cohort with 302 patients (mean age: 45.0 years ±â€¯16.4; 48% male) with established epilepsy to identify the number of patients driving without permission. Overall, 58.6% (n = 177) of patients had a driving license, 71.1% (n = 69/97) of patients were in seizure remission, and 52.7% (n = 108/205) of patients had uncontrolled epilepsy. Among patients in seizure remission, 54.6% (n = 53/97) reported regular driving while, among patients with uncontrolled epilepsy, 15.1% (n = 31/205) reported driving on a regular basis. No patient in the cohort stated driving without a valid license. Permanent employment, freelance work, the absence of a relevant disability, and living alone were identified as significant risk factors, which underlines the already existing evidence for the importance of a possible restricted access to the labor market as motive for disregarding legal driving restrictions. In our opinion, specialized and generally available social counseling with a special focus on vocational and career guidance is urgently needed to improve compliance with epilepsy-caused driving restrictions and the underlying reasons for violating these rules. In addition, more effort has to be spent on improving diagnostics and treatment of epilepsy to reduce the number of patients with uncontrolled seizures. Comprehensive introduction of self-driving vehicles may also help to improve mobility of patients with refractory epilepsy.