Topiramate ban in women of childbearing potential with idiopathic generalized epilepsy: Does effectiveness offset the teratogenic risks?

Regulatory agencies have recently discouraged the prescription of topiramate (TPM) to women of childbearing potential with epilepsy due to growing evidence of the teratogenic and neurodevelopmental risks associated with its use during pregnancy. It remains, however, unclear whether the use of TPM in this population can be supported to some extent by its high effectiveness. In this multicenter, retrospective, cohort study performed at 22 epilepsy centers, we investigated the comparative effectiveness of TPM and levetiracetam (LEV) given as first-line antiseizure medication in a cohort of women of childbearing potential with idiopathic generalized epilepsy (IGE). A total of 336 participants were included, of whom 24 (7.1%) received TPM and 312 (92.9%) LEV. Women treated with TPM had significantly higher risks of treatment failure and treatment withdrawal and were less likely to achieve seizure freedom at 12 months compared to women treated with LEV. In conclusion, this study highlighted a low tendency among clinicians to use TPM in women of childbearing potential with IGE, anticipating the recently released restrictions on its use. Furthermore, the available data on effectiveness do not appear to support the use of TPM in this population.

A real-world comparison among third-generation antiseizure medications: Results from the COMPARE study.

OBJECTIVE: There are few comparative data on the third-generation antiseizure medications (ASMs). We aimed to assess and compare the effectiveness of brivaracetam (BRV), eslicarbazepine acetate (ESL), lacosamide (LCM), and perampanel (PER) in people with epilepsy (PWE). Efficacy and tolerability were compared as secondary objectives. METHODS: This multicenter, retrospective study collected data from 22 Italian neurology/epilepsy centers. All adult PWE who started add-on treatment with one of the studied ASMs between January 2018 and October 2021 were included. Retention rate was established as effectiveness measure and described using Kaplan-Meier curves and the best fitting survival model. The responder status and the occurrence of adverse events (AEs) were used to evaluate efficacy and safety, respectively. The odds of AEs and drug efficacy were estimated by two multilevel logistic models. RESULTS: A total of 960 patients (52.92% females, median age = 43 years) met the inclusion criteria. They mainly suffered from structural epilepsy (52.29%) with monthly (46.2%) focal seizures (69.58%). Compared with LCM, all the studied ASMs had a higher dropout risk, statistically significant in the BRV levetiracetam (LEV)-naïve (hazard ratio [HR] = 1.97, 95% confidence interval [CI] = 1.17-3.29) and PER groups (HR = 1.64, 95% CI = 1.06-2.55). Women were at higher risk of discontinuing ESL (HR = 5.33, 95% CI = 1.71-16.61), as well as PER-treated patients with unknown epilepsy etiology versus those with structural etiology (HR = 1.74, 95% CI = 1.05-2.88). BRV with prior LEV therapy showed lower odds of efficacy (odds ratio [OR] = .08, 95% CI = .01-.48) versus LCM, whereas a higher efficacy was observed in women treated with BRV and LEV-naïve (OR = 10.32, 95% CI = 1.55-68.78) versus men. PER (OR = 6.93, 95% CI = 3.32-14.44) and BRV in LEV-naïve patients (OR = 6.80, 95% CI = 2.64-17.52) had a higher chance of AEs than LCM. SIGNIFICANCE: Comparative evidence from real-world studies may help clinicians to tailor treatments according to patients' demographic and clinical characteristics.

The neurological core features of the infantile-onset multisystem neurologic, endocrine, and pancreatic disease: A novel nonsense mutation in an Italian family.

AIM: Biallelic mutations in the PTRH2 gene have been associated with infantile multisystem neurological, endocrine, and pancreatic disease (IMNEPD), a rare autosomal recessive disorder of variable expressivity characterized by global developmental delay, intellectual disability or borderline IQ level, sensorineural hearing loss, ataxia, and pancreatic insufficiency. Various additional features may be included, such as peripheral neuropathy, facial dysmorphism, hypothyroidism, hepatic fibrosis, postnatal microcephaly, cerebellar atrophy, and epilepsy. Here, we report the first Italian family presenting only predominant neurological features. METHODS: Extensive neurological and neurophysiological evaluations have been conducted on the two affected brothers and their healthy mother since 1996. The diagnosis of peripheral neuropathy of probable hereditary origin was confirmed through a sural nerve biopsy. Exome sequencing was performed after the analysis of major neuropathy-associated genes yielded negative results. RESULTS: Whole-exome sequencing analysis identified the homozygous substitution c.256C>T (p.Gln86Ter) in the PTRH2 gene in the two siblings. According to American College of Medical Genetics and Genomics (ACMG) guidelines, the variant has been classified as pathogenic. At 48 years old, the proband's reevaluation confirmed a demyelinating sensorimotor polyneuropathy with bilateral sensorineural hearing loss that had been noted since he was 13. Additionally, drug-resistant epileptic seizures occurred when he was 32 years old. No hepatic or endocrinological signs developed. The younger affected brother, 47 years old, has an overlapping clinical presentation without epilepsy. INTERPRETATION: Our findings expand the clinical phenotype and further demonstrate the clinical heterogeneity related to PTRH2 variants. We thereby hope to better define IMNEPD and facilitate the identification and diagnosis of this novel disease entity.

Late-onset fabry disease due to the p.Phe113Leu variant: the first italian cluster of five families.

BACKGROUND: The GLA c.337T > C (p.Phe113Leu) is a known pathogenic variant associated to late-onset Fabry disease phenotype with predominant cardiac manifestations. A founder effect was demonstrated in a large cohort in the Portuguese region of Guimarães. Herein we report an in-depth phenotype description of a cluster of five Southern Italy families. METHODS: Family pedigrees of five index males with the p.Phe113Leu variant were obtained and all at-risk relatives underwent biochemical and genetical screening test. Carriers of GLA p.Phe113Leu variant underwent subsequent multidisciplinary clinical and instrumental evaluation. RESULTS: Thirty-one (16 M, 15 F) individuals with p.Phe113Leu pathogenic variant were identified. Sixteen out of 31 patients (51.6%) had cardiac manifestations. Notably, myocardial fibrosis was found in 7/8 patients, of whom 2 were under 40 years. Stroke occurred in 4 patients. White matter lesions were detected in 12/19 patients and occurred in 2/10 of subjects under 40 years. Seven females complained of acroparesthesias. Renal involvement occurred in 10 patients. Angiokeratomas were evident in 9 subjects. Eyes, ear, gastrointestinal and pulmonary involvement occurred in the minority of subjects. CONCLUSION: This study demonstrates that a cluster of subjects with p.Phe113Leu pathogenic variant is also present in Southern Italy. Disease manifestations are frequent in both sexes and may occur early in life. Cardiac involvement represents the core manifestation, but neurological and renal involvement is also frequent, suggesting that extra-cardiac complications deserve clinical attention.

Late epileptic seizures following cerebral venous thrombosis: a systematic review and meta-analysis.

BACKGROUND: Identifying late epileptic seizures (LS) following cerebral venous thrombosis (CVT) can be useful for prognosis and management. We systematically reviewed the literature to identify risk factors for LS due to CVT. METHODS: We systematically searched PubMed, Scholar, and Scopus databases (May 2021) to identify studies reporting data on prevalence and risk factors for CVT-LS. The methodological quality was assessed with the Ottawa-Newcastle Scale. The risk of developing CVT-LS was summarized in meta-analyses and expressed as odds ratio (OR) and corresponding 95% confidence intervals (CIs) using random-effects models. RESULTS: Out of the 332 records retrieved, four studies were eventually included with a total of 1309 patients with CVT and 142 (11%) with CVT-LS. The most relevant predictors of CVT-LS were symptomatic seizures (OR 5.66, 95% CI 3.83-8.35), stupor/coma (OR 6.81, 95% CI 1.18-39.20), focal neurologic signs (OR 6.81, 95% CI 1.18-39.2), hemorrhagic component (OR 3.52, 95% CI 2.45-5.06), and superior sagittal sinus involvement (OR 1.52, 95% CI 1.04-2.21). CONCLUSION: There are several risk factors for CVT-LS that should be considered in clinical practice. Further high-quality studies are warranted to develop predictive models for individualized risk stratification and prediction of CVT-LS.

Late-onset Fabry disease due to a new (p.Pro380Leu) pathogenic variant of GLA Gene.

Fabry disease is a rare X-linked lysosomal storage disorder due to pathogenic variants of the galactosidase alpha (GLA) gene, leading to a deficiency of alpha-galactosidase A. The inadequate enzymatic activity leads to progressive glycosphingolipids accumulation within tissues and subsequent multi-systemic dysfunction, with predominant involvement of heart, kidney, and nervous system. Two subtypes are recognized: the classic type and the late-onset type. We here describe the clinical characteristics of a patient with late-onset Fabry disease carrying a not previously identified GLA gene variant. This 50-year-old man came to hospital because of an acute ischemic stroke. He also complained of acroparesthesia and had angiokeratomas in the nape and the back. Blood alpha-galactosidase A activity was low, plasmatic lyso-Gb3 level was borderline, cardiac MRI showed cardiac fibrosis, brain MRI documented cerebrovascular disease, and skin biopsy revealed small fiber neuropathy without globotriaosylceramide-3 skin deposits. Genetic study by means of targeted next-generation sequencing analysis disclosed a missense substitution c.1139C>T (p.Pro380Leu) in the GLA gene. We suggest that this novel variant should be considered as pathogenic and associated with a late-onset variant of Fabry disease with a predominant neurological phenotype.

Functional motor disorders associated with other neurological diseases: Beyond the boundaries of "organic" neurology.

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE: The aims of this study were to describe the clinical manifestations of functional motor disorders (FMDs) coexisting with other neurological diseases ("comorbid FMDs"), and to compare comorbid FMDs with FMDs not overlapping with other neurological diseases ("pure FMDs"). METHODS: For this multicenter observational study, we enrolled outpatients with a definite FMD diagnosis attending 25 tertiary movement disorder centers in Italy. Each patient with FMDs underwent a detailed clinical assessment including screening for other associated neurological conditions. Group comparisons (comorbid FMDs vs. pure FMDs) were performed in order to compare demographic and clinical variables. Logistic regression models were created to estimate the adjusted odds ratios (95% confidence intervals) of comorbid FMDs (dependent variable) in relation to sociodemographic and clinical characteristics (independent variables). RESULTS: Out of 410 FMDs, 21.7% of patients (n = 89) had comorbid FMDs. The most frequent coexisting neurological diseases were migraine, cerebrovascular disease and parkinsonism. In the majority of cases (86.5%), FMDs appeared after the diagnosis of a neurological disease. Patients with comorbid FMDs were older, and more frequently had tremor, non-neurological comorbidities, paroxysmal non-epileptic seizures, major depressive disorders, and benzodiazepine intake. Multivariate regression analysis showed that diagnosis of comorbid FMDs was more likely associated with longer time lag until the final diagnosis of FMD, presence of tremor and non-neurological comorbidities. CONCLUSIONS: Our findings highlight the need for prompt diagnosis of FMDs, given the relatively high frequency of associated neurological and non-neurological diseases.

Vacuolated PAS-positive lymphocytes as an hallmark of Pompe disease and other myopathies related to impaired autophagy.

Autosomal recessive Pompe disease is a lysosomal disorder caused by mutations of the acid-α-glucosidase (GAA) gene. Deficiency of GAA enzyme leads to glycogen accumulation and autophagy impairment in cardiac and skeletal muscles, but also in lymphocytes. Since an effective therapy is available, a rapid, sensitive, and specific test is crucial to early identify affected subjects. Number of lymphocytes containing PAS-positive vacuoles was evaluated on blood films from 72 consecutive adult patients with hyperckemia and/or muscle weakness, 13 genetically confirmed late-onset-Pompe-disease (LOPD) and 13 of their offspring. GAA activity, measured on dried blood spot (DBS) in all patients inversely correlated with number of PAS-positive lymphocytes. More than 4 PAS-positive lymphocytes were found in 11 out of the 72 patients (6 new diagnosis of LOPD, 3 different glycogen storage myopathies, 1 glucose-6-phosphate dehydrogenase deficiency, 1 caveolinopathy), in all 13 LOPD patients and in the 13 LOPD offspring. These latter resulted to have all a single GAA mutation but low GAA levels. Immunostaining with the autophagy markers LC3 and p62 confirmed the autophagic nature of lymphocytes vacuoles. ROC curve assessment of PAS-positive lymphocytes disclosed 100% of sensitivity and 94% of specificity in recognizing both compound heterozygous and heterozygous GAA carriers. The other myopathies with more than 4 PAS-positive lymphocytes appeared to be all related to impaired autophagy, which seems to be responsible of PAS-positive vacuolated lymphocytes formation. Quantification of PAS-positive lymphocytes in blood films is useful to identify autophagic vacuolar myopathies and should be routinely used as first level test for Pompe disease.

Do Medical Complications Impact Long-Term Outcomes in Prolonged Disorders of Consciousness?

OBJECTIVE: To investigate medical complications (MCs) occurring within 6 months postinjury in brain-injured patients with prolonged disorders of consciousness (DoC) and to evaluate impact of MC on mortality and long-term clinical outcomes. DESIGN: Prospective observational cohort study. SETTING: Rehabilitation unit for acquired DoC. PARTICIPANTS: Patients (N=194) with DoC (142 in vegetative state [VS], 52 in minimally conscious state; traumatic etiology 43, anoxic 69, vascular 82) consecutively admitted to a neurorehabilitation unit within 1-3 months postonset. INTERVENTIONS: Not applicable. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: Mortality and improvements in clinical diagnosis and functional disability level (assessed by Coma Recovery Scale-Revised [CRS-R] and Disability Rating Scale) at 12, 24, and 36 months postonset. RESULTS: Within 6 months postinjury, 188 of 194 patients (>95%) developed at least 1 MC and 142 of them (73%) showed at least 1 severe MC. Respiratory and musculoskeletal-cutaneous MCs were the most frequent, followed by endocrino-metabolic abnormalities. Follow-up, complete in 189 of 194 patients, showed that male sex and endocrine-metabolic MCs were associated with higher risk of mortality at all timepoints. Old age, anoxic etiology, lower CRS-R total scores, and diagnosis of VS at study entry predicted no clinical and functional improvements at most timepoints; however, epilepsy predicted no improvement in diagnosis at 24 months postonset only. CONCLUSIONS: MCs are very frequent in patients with DoC within at least 6 months after brain injury, regardless of clinical diagnosis, etiology, and age. Endocrino-metabolic MCs are independent predictors of mortality at all timepoints; however,epilepsy predicted poor long-term outcome. Occurrence and severity of MCs in patients with DoC call for long-term appropriate levels of care after the postacute phase.

Modern neurophysiological techniques indexing normal or abnormal brain aging.

Brain aging is associated with a decline in cognitive performance, motor function and sensory perception, even in the absence of neurodegeneration. The underlying pathophysiological mechanisms remain incompletely understood, though alterations in neurogenesis, neuronal senescence and synaptic plasticity are implicated. Recent years have seen advancements in neurophysiological techniques such as electroencephalography (EEG), magnetoencephalography (MEG), event-related potentials (ERP) and transcranial magnetic stimulation (TMS), offering insights into physiological and pathological brain aging. These methods provide real-time information on brain activity, connectivity and network dynamics. Integration of Artificial Intelligence (AI) techniques promise as a tool enhancing the diagnosis and prognosis of age-related cognitive decline. Our review highlights recent advances in these electrophysiological techniques (focusing on EEG, ERP, TMS and TMS-EEG methodologies) and their application in physiological and pathological brain aging. Physiological aging is characterized by changes in EEG spectral power and connectivity, ERP and TMS parameters, indicating alterations in neural activity and network function. Pathological aging, such as in Alzheimer's disease, is associated with further disruptions in EEG rhythms, ERP components and TMS measures, reflecting underlying neurodegenerative processes. Machine learning approaches show promise in classifying cognitive impairment and predicting disease progression. Standardization of neurophysiological methods and integration with other modalities are crucial for a comprehensive understanding of brain aging and neurodegenerative disorders. Advanced network analysis techniques and AI methods hold potential for enhancing diagnostic accuracy and deepening insights into age-related brain changes.

The hidden link between late-onset seizures and cerebral amyloid angiopathy: A case-control study.

OBJECTIVE: Epileptic seizures occurring in late adulthood often remain of unknown origin. Sporadic cerebral amyloid angiopathy (CAA) is a cerebral small vessel disease characterized by intracerebral hemorrhage, microhemorrhage and superficial siderosis, occurring mostly in elderly. This observational case-control study aimed to assess the occurrence of CAA in patients experiencing their first seizure in late adulthood. METHODS: We enrolled consecutive patients aged ≥55 years presenting with late-onset seizures (LOS) to the emergency departments or outpatient clinics of two Italian centers, from April 2021 to October 2022. Two age-matched control subjects with neurological symptoms other than epileptic seizure were recruited for each enrolled case. All participants underwent brain MRI (1.5 Tesla) including blood-sensitive sequences and were assessed for probable CAA diagnosis according to Boston criteria 2.0. Chi-squared test was performed to evaluate group differences. Univariate logistic regression analysis tested the association between clinical variables and CAA. RESULTS: We included 65 patients with LOS (27 females; mean age 72.2 ± 8.9 years) and 130 controls (49 females; mean age 70.3 ± 8.9 years). Diagnosis of probable CAA was achieved in 10.8% (7/65) of LOS patients and 2.3% (3/130) controls, with a statistically significant difference (p = 0.011). The OR for CAA in the LOS group was 5.2 as compared to the control group (95% CI = 1.3-20.6, p = 0.02). SIGNIFICANCE: The frequency of CAA is significatively higher in patients with LOS as compared to other neurological diseases, suggesting that a portion of LOS of unknown or vascular origin are associated with CAA. PLAIN LANGUAGE SUMMARY: Late-onset seizures (LOS) are very frequent in the elderly and often have no clear cause. Cerebral amyloid angiopathy (CAA) is a condition where amyloid proteins build up in the blood vessels of the brain, causing them to become weak and prone to bleeding. In this study, we explored the occurrence of CAA in people with LOS. We found that people with LOS were more likely to have a diagnosis of CAA than controls (i.e., people with other neurological diseases).

Humoral and T-cell response to SARS-CoV-2 mRNA vaccine in multiple sclerosis patients: Correlations with DMTs and clinical variables.

Disease-modifying therapies (DMTs) can affect vaccine responses in individuals with multiple sclerosis (MS). We assessed the humoral and T-cell responses following SARS-CoV-2 mRNA vaccination in MS patients receiving various DMTs. We prospectively enrolled 243 participants, including 113 healthy control subjects and 130 MS patients. Blood samples for detecting SARS-CoV-2 antibodies were collected at three time points: T0, before the first vaccine dose; T1, before the second dose; and T2, one month after the second dose. In a subgroup of 51 patients and 20 controls, samples were collected at T0 and T2 to assess the T-cell immune response to the Spike antigen of SARS-CoV-2 using ELISPOT-IFNγ. The IgG levels in patients treated with fingolimod and ocrelizumab (159.1 AU/ml and 467.1 AU/ml, respectively) were significantly lower than those in healthy controls and patients on other DMTs (P â€‹< â€‹0.0001). The mean Ig titers were higher in patients with an absolute lymphocyte count ≥1000 â€‹cells/mm3 compared to those with a count between 500 and 1000 and with a count <500 (mean â€‹± â€‹SD:7205.6 â€‹± â€‹7339.2, 2413.1 â€‹± â€‹4515.4 and 165.9 â€‹± â€‹152.2, respectively; p â€‹= â€‹0.008). We found correlations between antibody levels and age (r â€‹= â€‹0.233, p â€‹= â€‹0.008). A positive Spike-specific T-cell response was detectable in 100 â€‹% of vaccinated healthy controls and patients treated with teriflunomide, dimethyl-fumarate, and natalizumab, in 90.5 â€‹% of fingolimod patients, and in 63.8 â€‹% of ocrelizumab patients. There is a correlation between IgG-specific titer after SARS-CoV-2 vaccination and clinical variables (age, lymphocyte count). Notably, a T-cell-specific response to SARS-CoV-2 developed in patients treated with fingolimod and ocrelizumab, even with lower rates of humoral response.

Myoclonus: Differential diagnosis and current management.

Myoclonus classically presents as a brief (10-50 ms duration), non-rhythmic jerk movement. The etiology could vary considerably ranging from self-limited to chronic or even progressive disorders, the latter falling into encephalopathic pictures that need a prompt diagnosis. Beyond the etiological classification, others evaluate myoclonus' body distribution (i.e., clinical classification) or the location of the generator (i.e., neurophysiological classification); particularly, knowing the anatomical source of myoclonus gives inputs on the observable clinical patterns, such as EMG bursts duration or EEG correlate, and guides the therapeutic choices. Among all the chronic disorders, myoclonus often presents itself as a manifestation of epilepsy. In this context, myoclonus has many facets. Myoclonus occurs as one, or the only, seizure manifestation while it can also present as a peculiar type of movement disorder; moreover, its electroclinical features within specific genetically determined epileptic syndromes have seldom been investigated. In this review, following a meeting of recognized experts, we provide an up-to-date overview of the neurophysiology and nosology surrounding myoclonus. Through the dedicated exploration of epileptic syndromes, coupled with pragmatic guidance, we aim to furnish clinicians and researchers alike with practical advice for heightened diagnostic management and refined treatment strategies. PLAIN LANGUAGE SUMMARY: In this work, we described myoclonus, a movement characterized by brief, shock-like jerks. Myoclonus could be present in different diseases and its correct diagnosis helps treatment.

Perampanel in post-stroke epilepsy: Clinical practice data from the PERampanel as Only Concomitant antiseizure medication (PEROC) study.

INTRODUCTION: Post-stroke epilepsy (PSE) is one of the most common causes of acquired epilepsy. Nevertheless, there is limited evidence regarding the clinical profile of antiseizure medications (ASMs) in PSE. This study aims to evaluate the 12-month effectiveness and tolerability of perampanel (PER) used as only add-on treatment in patients with PSE in a real-world setting. METHODS: We performed a subgroup analysis of PSE patients included in a previous retrospective, longitudinal, multicentre observational study on adults. Treatment discontinuation, seizure frequency and adverse events were collected at 3, 6 and 12 months. Sub-analyses by early (≤1 previous ASM) or late PER add-on were also conducted. RESULTS: Our analysis included 56 individuals with PSE, characterized by varying initial treatment modalities and timeframes relative to disease onset. We found notable retention rates (92.8%, 83.7%, and 69% at 3, 6, and 12 months), with treatment withdrawal mainly due to poor tolerability. One year after PER introduction, seizure frequency significantly reduced, with a responder rate (≥50% reduction) of 83.9% and a seizure-free rate of 51.6%. Adverse events occurred in 25 (46.3%) patients, mainly dizziness, irritability, and behavioural disorders. No major statistical differences were found between early (30 patients, 53.6%) and late add-on groups, except for a higher 6-month responder rate in the early add-on group. CONCLUSION: Adjunctive PER was effective and well-tolerated in patients with PSE in a real-world setting. Perampanel demonstrated good efficacy and safety as both early and late add-on treatment, making it a compelling option for this unique patient population.

Epilepsy in Cerebrovascular Diseases: A Narrative Review.

BACKGROUND: Epilepsy is a common comorbidity of cerebrovascular disease and an increasing socioeconomic burden. OBJECTIVE: We aimed to provide an updated comprehensive review on the state of the art about seizures and epilepsy in stroke, cerebral haemorrhage, and leukoaraiosis. METHODS: We selected English-written articles on epilepsy, stroke, and small vessel disease up until December 2021. We reported the most recent data about epidemiology, pathophysiology, prognosis, and management for each disease. RESULTS: The main predictors for both ES and PSE are the severity and extent of stroke, the presence of cortical involvement and hemorrhagic transformation, while PSE is also predicted by younger age at stroke onset. Few data exist on physiopathology and seizure semiology, and no randomized controlled trial has been performed to standardize the therapeutic approach to post-stroke epilepsy. CONCLUSION: Some aspects of ES and PSE have been well explored, particularly epidemiology and risk factors. On the contrary, few data exist on physiopathology, and existing evidence is mainly based on studies on animal models. Little is also known about seizure semiology, which may also be difficult to interpret by non-epileptologists. Moreover, the therapeutic approach needs standardization as regards indications and the choice of specific ASMs. Future research may help to better elucidate these aspects.