Manifestation of epilepsy in a patient with EED-related overgrowth (Cohen-Gibson syndrome).

Cohen-Gibson syndrome is a rare genetic disorder, characterized by fetal or early childhood overgrowth and mild to severe intellectual disability. It is caused by heterozygous aberrations in EED, which encodes an evolutionary conserved polycomb group (PcG) protein that forms the polycomb repressive complex-2 (PRC2) together with EZH2, SUZ12, and RBBP7/4. In total, 11 affected individuals with heterozygous pathogenic variants in EED were reported, so far. All variants affect a few key residues within the EED WD40 repeat domain. By trio exome sequencing, we identified the heterozygous missense variant c.581A > G, p.(Asn194Ser) in exon 6 of the EED-gene in an individual with moderate intellectual disability, overgrowth, and epilepsy. The same pathogenic variant was detected in 2 of the 11 previously reported cases. Epilepsy, however, was only diagnosed in one other individual with Cohen-Gibson syndrome before. Our findings further confirm that the WD40 repeat domain represents a mutational hotspot; they also expand the clinical spectrum of Cohen-Gibson syndrome and highlight the clinical variability even in individuals with the same pathogenic variant. Furthermore, they indicate a possible association between Cohen-Gibson syndrome and epilepsy.

Long-term effects of zonisamide in adult patients with intellectual disability.

OBJECTIVE: This study aimed to evaluate the tolerability and efficacy of zonisamide (ZNS) in adult patients with drug-resistant epilepsy and intellectual disability (ID) at our epilepsy centre. PATIENTS AND METHODS: By conducting a monocentric, open-label observational study based on standardized seizure records we retrospectively assessed 87 patients (39 female, mean age 40.6 ± 13.6, range 18-75 years) with ID and drug-resistant epilepsy. Evaluation, including calculation of retention rate, was performed for the intervals 3-6, 9-12 and 21-24 months after ZNS initiation. The Clinical Global Impressions Scale-Improvement (CGI-I) was used to detect qualitative changes in seizure severity and clinical status. Via regression analysis and the generalized estimating equations approach, we examined changes in body weight and impact of patient age also considering associations with other patient characteristics. RESULTS: The retention rate after 24 months was 60%. 28% discontinued ZNS therapy due to increasing seizure frequency, lack of efficacy or adverse events (AEs). Sedation (38%), language impairment (19%), challenging behaviour (10%), mild rash (10%) and dizziness (10%) were the commonest AEs. The responder rate was 40%, eight patients (9%) became seizure free. We found CGI-I to be dose-dependent. Regarding changes in body weight, we observed no difference between patients continuing or withdrawing ZNS therapy and responders or non-responders. Though, we identified older age as a significant risk factor for weight loss. CONCLUSIONS: Zonisamide may provide a safe and efficient therapeutic option for patients with ID and drug-resistant epilepsy. However, weight status should be carefully monitored, especially in elderly patients.

Stroke in Duchenne Muscular Dystrophy: A Retrospective Longitudinal Study in 54 Patients.

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE: Duchenne muscular dystrophy (DMD) is the most frequent skeletal muscle myopathy. Nearly all patients develop cardiomyopathy in their second decade of life. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the frequency, cause, and outcome of stroke in a German cohort of patients with DMD. METHODS: Retrospective analysis of medical records of 54 DMD patients, who lived in a regional facility for handicapped people (Wichernhaus Altdorf, Germany) between 1963 and 2013. RESULTS: Fifty-four DMD patients were followed up for 7.4 years on average. Mean age at admission and discharge from the long-term care facility or death were 11.4 and 18.8 years, respectively. Covering a total observation period of 400 patient-years, we identified 4 DMD patients with juvenile arterial ischemic strokes. Off-label systemic thrombolysis in 2 patients resulted in a nearly complete regression of stroke-related symptoms, but 1 patient died of septic pneumonia and cardiac failure 24 days after thrombolysis therapy. In the other 2 patients, who had their ischemic strokes in 1994 and 1998, severe infarction-related symptoms persisted, and 1 patient died 13 days later. DMD-associated cardiomyopathy without evidence of atrial fibrillation was the only risk factor for ischemic stroke in all patients. CONCLUSIONS: This study indicates an increased risk for ischemic strokes in DMD patients. Regular cardiological assessment of all DMD patients is mandatory to evaluate the individual risk profile for cardioembolic events and to adapt therapeutic strategies.

Clinical course of intoxication with the new anticonvulsant drug perampanel.

Perampanel has recently been approved as an anticonvulsant drug for focal epilepsies. Phase III trials have shown good tolerability, although data regarding effects of high doses of perampanel are not available. Here, we describe the first case of a 34-year-old patient with perampanel intoxication and attempted suicide, in which the recommended daily dose of perampanel was exceeded ten-fold. Clinical signs of the intoxication and possible psychotropic effects are described.

Transcutaneous vagus nerve stimulation (t-VNS) in pharmacoresistant epilepsies: a proof of concept trial.

To elucidate, in a pilot-study, whether noninvasive transcutaneous vagus nerve stimulation (t-VNS) is a safe and tolerable alternative treatment option in pharmacoresistant epilepsy. t-VNS was applied to 10 patients with pharmacoresistant epilepsies. Stimulation via the auricular branch of the vagus nerve of the left tragus was delivered three times per day for 9 months. Subjective documentation of stimulation effects was obtained from patients' seizure diaries. For a more reliable assessment of seizure frequency, we carried out prolonged outpatient video-electroencephalography (EEG) monitoring. In addition, computerized testing of cognitive, affective, and emotional functions was performed. Three patients aborted the study. Of the remaining seven patients, an overall reduction of seizure frequency was observed in five patients after 9 months of t-VNS. The noninvasive t-VNS stimulation is a safe and well-tolerated method for relatively long periods, and might be an alternative treatment option for patients with epilepsy.

18Fluoroethyl-L-tyrosine-PET in long-term epilepsy associated glioneuronal tumors.

PURPOSE: Long-term epilepsy associated tumors (LEATs) are a frequent cause of drug-resistant partial epilepsy. A reliable tumor diagnosis has an important impact on therapeutic strategies and prognosis in patients with epilepsy, but often is difficult by magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) only. Herein we analyzed a large LEAT cohort investigated by 18fluoroethyl-L-tyrosine-positron emission tomography (FET-PET). METHODS: Thirty-six patients with chronic partial epilepsy and a LEAT-suspect MRI lesion were analyzed by FET-PET using visual inspection and quantitative analysis of standard uptake values (SUV). PET results were correlated with clinical and histopathologic data. RESULTS: FET-PET study was positive in 22 of 36 analyzed lesions and in 14 of 22 histologically verified LEAT lesions. The precise World Health Organization (WHO) tumoral entity was not predicted by FET-PET. Notably, FET uptake correlated strikingly with age at epilepsy onset (p = 0.001). Further correlations were seen for age at surgery (p = 0.007) and gadolinium-contrast enhancement on MRI (p < 0.05). DISCUSSION: FET-PET is a helpful tool for LEAT diagnosis, particularly when MRI readings are ambiguous. FET uptake, which is likely mediated by the l-amino acid transporter (LAT) family, might indicate a principally important biologic property of certain LEATs, since LAT molecules also are involved in cell growth regulation.

Early-onset parkinsonism in PPP2R5D-related neurodevelopmental disorder.

PPP2R5D-related neurodevelopmental disorder (NDD) is a rare autosomal-dominant disease with developmental delay and mild to severe intellectual disability. So far, fewer than 30 affected individuals with mostly recurrent, de novo missense variants in PPP2R5D were reported. Recently, parkinsonism with an onset between 20 and 40 years was reported in four adult individuals with the same p.(Glu200Lys) variant in PPP2R5D. By trio exome sequencing we now identified the variant p.(Glu198Lys) in a 29 year old woman presenting with typical clinical manifestations of PPP2R5D-related neurodevelopmental disorder and additionally with motor decline and levodopa responsive, early-onset parkinsonism from her mid-twenties on. Accordingly, a clear reduction of dopamine transporter in the striatum on both sides was revealed by brain scintigraphy. Our findings further expand the molecular and clinical spectrum of PPP2R5D-related NDD and confirm the association with parkinsonism in early adulthood. This has marked implications for prognosis of PPP2R5D-related NDDs and for the therapeutic management of motor decline and parkinson-like symptoms in affected individuals.

Drug withdrawal after successful epilepsy surgery: how safe is it?

Discontinuation of antiepileptic drugs (AEDs) is one reason patients undergo epilepsy surgery, but little is known about the risk of seizure recurrence. We describe a prospective pilot study of withdrawal performed at our epilepsy center. Sixty completely seizure-free patients were included between 1997 and 2003. AED withdrawal was proposed 1 year after surgery after a detailed discussion of the risks and benefits. On the basis of their decision on withdrawal, patients were stratified into two cohorts (withdrawal group, N=34; control group, N=26). Discontinuation was carried out in small tapering steps over 1 year with yearly follow-up visits. Withdrawal was stopped when seizures recurred or the patients objected to further discontinuation. Twenty-six of 34 (76.5%) persons in the withdrawal group and 16 of 26 (61.5%) persons in the control group were seizure free 5 years after surgery. In this study, AED discontinuation 1 year after successful epilepsy surgery was not associated with a risk of seizure recurrence higher than that of controls.

Lacosamide in patients with intellectual disability and refractory epilepsy.

The objective of this study was to evaluate the tolerability and efficacy of lacosamide (LCM) in residential patients at our epilepsy centre. We assessed retrospectively 80 patients (mean age 36.2 years, range 18-63 years; 29 female) with intellectual disability (ID) and drug-resistant epilepsy using an industry-independent, non-interventional study design based on standardised seizure records. Evaluation, including calculation of retention rate, was carried out for the intervals 3-6, 9-12 and 21-24 months after LCM initiation. The Clinical Global Impression scale (CGI) was used to allow assessment of qualitative changes in seizure severity and clinical status. CGI improved for 61% of the patients. The responder rate was 48%; ten patients (13%) became seizure free. The response was not related to the degree of ID. The retention rates after 12 and 24 months were 71% and 65%, and were significantly lower in patients taking other sodium-channel blockers (SCBs; 76% vs. 55%). The occurrence of adverse events (AEs) was related to the administration of concomitant SCBs (48% with SCBs vs. 26% without). Sedation (15%), ataxia (13%), vertigo (11%), and nausea (9%) were the commonest AEs. While 60% of our patients had concomitant psychiatric diagnosis, we found no relevant effect of this on challenging behaviour. Adjunctive LCM may provide an antiepileptic treatment option for patients with ID with or without additional psychiatric diagnosis. The occurrence of AEs and the LCM retention rate were affected by concomitant SCB use but not by psychiatric comorbidity.

Effect of epileptic seizures on the cerebrospinal fluid--A systematic retrospective analysis.

OBJECTIVE: Analyses of the cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) are obligatory when epileptic seizures manifest for the first time in order to exclude life-threatening causes or treatable diseases such as acute infections or autoimmune encephalitis. However, there are only few systematic investigations on the effect of seizures themselves on CSF parameters and the significance of these parameters in differential diagnosis. METHODS: CSF samples of 309 patients with epileptic and 10 with psychogenic seizures were retrospectively analyzed. CSF samples were collected between 1999 and 2008. Cell counts, the albumin quotient, lactate and Tau-protein levels were determined. Findings were correlated with seizure types, seizure etiology (symptomatic, cryptogenic, occasional seizure), and seizure duration. RESULTS: Pathological findings were only observed in patients with epileptic but not with psychogenic seizures. The lactate concentration was elevated in 14%, the albumin quotient in 34%, and the Tau protein level in 36% of CSF samples. Cell counts were only slightly elevated in 6% of patients. Different seizure types influenced all parameters except for the cell count: In status epilepticus highest, in simple partial seizures lowest values were seen. Symptomatic partial and generalized epileptic seizures had significantly higher Tau-protein levels than cryptogenic partial seizures. In patients with repetitive and occasional epileptic seizures, higher Tau-protein levels were seen than in those with psychogenic seizures. Duration of epileptic seizures was positively correlated with the albumin quotient, lactate and Tau-protein levels. High variability of investigated CSF parameters within each subgroup rendered a clear separation between epileptic and psychogenic seizures impossible. SIGNIFICANCE: Elevated cell counts are infrequently observed in patients with epileptic seizures and should therefore not uncritically be interpreted as a postictal phenomenon. However, blood-CSF barrier disruption, increased glucose metabolism and elevation of neuronal damage markers are observed in considerable percentages of patients and depend on many factors such as etiology, seizure type and duration.

Clinical effects of topiramate against secondarily generalized tonic--clonic seizures.

OBJECTIVE: Intensive and quantitative evaluation of the duration, intensity and frequency of tonic and clonic signs of secondarily generalized tonic-clonic seizures (GTCS) in patients with pharmacoresistant partial seizures during topiramate (TPM) treatment. METHODS: Thirty patients suffering from refractory partial seizures with secondarily GTCS undergoing presurgical evaluation were randomized into a low dosage (100 mg daily) and a parallel medium dosage (200 mg daily) group of TPM add-on medication (15 patients for each group). Study phases included a 3 days baseline video-EEG phase, a 10 days TPM titration phase without video-EEG and a 3 days TPM dose maintenance phase with video-EEG. During the baseline and the dose maintenance phase seizures were recorded using video-EEG monitoring and the following parameters were measured for each recorded secondarily generalized tonic and clonic signs: duration (lasting seconds), intensity (on a 0-3 scale), frequency (numbers per 24 h). RESULTS: A total of 46 complex partial seizures with secondarily generalized tonic-clonic signs during the baseline phase and 20 during the dose maintenance phase were intensively analyzed. More patients in the medium dosage group than in the low dosage groups were free from secondarily GTCS during the dose maintenance phase (nine vs. two, P<0.05). Intergroup comparison suggested that the duration of all tonic signs decreased more in the medium dosage group computing the reduction from baseline to the dose maintenance phase (P<0.05). There were statistically more significant reductions in the duration and intensity of clonic signs in the medium dosage group (P<0.05). CONCLUSION: TPM has an early dose-dependant effect on secondarily GTCS in patients with pharmacoresistant partial seizures. SHORT COMMUNICATION: The present study intensively analyzed the duration, intensity, and frequency of secondarily generalized tonic and clonic signs in patients with pharmacoresistant partial seizures. The quantitative data suggested that TPM had a robust early inhibitory effect on secondarily generalized tonic-clonic signs; effects were more prominent in the medium dosage group (200 mg daily) than in the low dosage group (100 mg daily).

Computerized cognitive testing in epilepsy (CCTE): a new method for cognitive screening.

PURPOSE: Optimized therapy in epilepsy should include individual care for cognitive functions. Here we introduce a computerized screening instrument, called "Computerized Cognitive Testing in Epilepsy" (CCTE), which allows for time-efficient repetitive assessment of the patient's cognitive profile regarding the domains of memory and attention, which are frequently impaired due to side effects of antiepileptic medication. METHODS: The CCTE battery takes 30min and covers tasks of verbal and figural memory, cognitive speed, attention and working memory. The patient's results are displayed immediately in comparison to age-related normative data. For evaluation of psychometrics and clinical correlations, data from patients of a tertiary referral epilepsy center (n=240) and healthy subjects (n=83) were explored. RESULTS: CCTE subtests show good reliability and concurrent validity compared to standard neuropsychological tests (p<0.01). Adverse cognitive effects of antiepileptic medication can be detected (p<0.05), e.g. significant negative effects of increasing drug load. Specific epilepsy subgroups, e.g. focal versus primary generalized epilepsy or right versus left mesial temporal lobe epilepsy, showed different CCTE profiles. CONCLUSION: CCTE appears valuable for early detection of individual cognitive alterations related to medication. In addition, it displays interesting differences between epilepsy syndromes. The CCTE battery provides a standardized, time- and personnel-efficient assessment of cognitive functions open to a large number of patients and applicable for clinical and scientific use in epilepsy.

Non-invasive detection of hippocampal sclerosis: correlation between metabolite alterations detected by (1)H-MRS and neuropathology.

We assessed (1)H-MRS as a screening tool for detection of hippocampal sclerosis in patients with temporal lobe epilepsy (TLE). (1)H-MRS was carried out in the hippocampus of 23 patients with unilateral TLE. Metabolite alterations detected by (1)H-MRS correlated with degree of segmental neuronal cell loss and amount of astrogliosis. Positive correlation was found between total N-Acetylaspartate (tNAA) reduction and neuronal density in hippocampal CA1 (P < 0.001), CA3 (P = 0.015), and CA4 subfields (P = 0.031) and the dentate gyrus (P = 0.006). Neuronal cell loss in CA1 turned out to be the most predictive and only significant variable for tNAA reduction (P = 0.027). The association between myo-inositol (m-Ins) and astroglial glial fibrillary acidic protein (GFAP) expression revealed significantly increased m-Ins concentrations associated with diffuse astrogliosis (m-Ins = 6.4 +/- 1.1 institutional units) compared with gliosis restricted to isolated sectors of the hippocampus (i.e. hilus) (m-Ins = 5.2 +/- 1.2 institutional units) (P = 0.039). A negative correlation was found between m-Ins and neuronal loss in the CA4 subfield of the hippocampus (P = 0.028). Our results support (1)H-MRS as a suitable non-invasive method for preoperative identification of hippocampal sclerosis in patients with TLE. The extent of tNAA reduction correlates with hippocampal neuronal cell density. Furthermore, m-Ins is associated with the extent of hippocampal astrogliosis.

Cyclophosphamide for anti-GAD antibody-positive refractory status epilepticus.

Glutamic acid decarboxylase (GAD) is the enzyme which catalyzes the production of gamma aminobutyric acid (GABA), the main inhibitory neurotransmitter in the central nervous system (CNS). There is increasing evidence that severe GAD autoimmunity may be associated with refractory epilepsy. Immunomodulation and GABAergic drugs have been suggested as treatment options. We report here for the first time on a patient with sudden onset of refractory status epilepticus in the presence of strong intrathecal anti-GAD antibody synthesis who was successfully treated with cyclophosphamide, and give an overview of available data on epilepsy associated with GAD autoimmunity.

1H-MR spectroscopy indicates severity markers in temporal lobe epilepsy: correlations between metabolic alterations, seizures, and epileptic discharges in EEG.

PURPOSE: In this study, hippocampal metabolite alterations in (1)H-MR spectroscopy ((1)H-MRS) were correlated to the findings of intensive video-EEG monitoring and duration of seizure symptoms in patients with temporal lobe epilepsy (TLE). METHODS: The 14 patients with mesial TLE and no pathological findings in imaging were investigated by (1)H-MRS. Seizures were analyzed by: number of clinical seizures in 24 h, exact duration of clinical symptoms in 24 h, frequency of interictal epileptiform discharges (IEDs) and ictal activity, duration of ictal activity, and IEDs occurring within 24 h in intensive EEG monitoring. Pearson Correlation Coefficient (PCC) was calculated between spectral metabolite alterations and the parameters mentioned above. RESULTS: In the analysis, a negative correlation was found between total (t) NAA values and degree of IEDs in EEG (p = 0.04); a positive correlation was found between Cr levels and duration of seizure symptoms registered by video monitoring (p = 0.01). CONCLUSIONS: Our study shows that, in some patients, (1)H-MRS is able to refer the severity of TLE. The degree of tNAA reduction in (1)H-MRS, probably indicating neuronal dysfunction, is associated with interictal spiking in intensive EEG monitoring. Duration of seizure symptoms associated with increased Cr peaks probably reflects increased gliosis.

When do patients forget their seizures? An electroclinical study.

Accurate knowledge of the frequency of epileptic seizures is a precondition for evaluating the efficacy of pharmacotherapy. It is a well-known fact that the information provided by epilepsy patients about the number of seizures they experience is often unreliable. In the present study, we aimed to identify predictors of a higher risk of unrecognized events. Thirty patients who underwent presurgical evaluation in a video/EEG monitoring unit were recruited. As soon as the patient became aware of a seizure, he or she completed a standardized questionnaire on the subjective perception of the seizure, which was then compared with the video/EEG findings. Of the 138 seizures recorded, 49.3% were reliably detected by the patient, whereas 44.2% went unnoticed; the remainder were incompletely or uncertainly perceived. Subjects in whom events occurred during sleep or originated in (or propagated to) the left temporal lobe had a significantly higher percentage of unrecognized events.

Onset of action of levetiracetam: a RCT trial using therapeutic intensive seizure analysis (TISA).

OBJECTIVES: To correlate the onset of clinical effects of add-on levetiracetam (LEV) therapy with daily serum LEV concentration, in pharmaco-resistant focal epilepsies, using the TISA method. METHODS: 25 adult patients (aged>6 years) with pharmaco-resistant focal epilepsies undergoing presurgical evaluation at the Epilepsy Center Erlangen were enrolled in the study. Eligible patients on a maximum of one other antiepileptic drug (AED) were recruited into the 48-hour baseline phase. Those who had at least two seizures during this phase were randomized into the seven-day treatment phase, when they received either LEV or placebo, under continuous day-and-night video-EEG monitoring. The starting daily dose of LEV was 500 mg bid, titrated from the second treatment day to 1,000 mg bid. The peak serum concentration of LEV was monitored daily at 8:00 am (one hour after drug administration) for every patient. The number and duration of seizures per 24h (N/24h and D/24h respectively) were investigated. RESULTS: 23 patients completed the study (LEV group n=11 and placebo group n=12). Seven patients in the LEV group and two patients in the placebo group achieved seizure-freedom during the treatment phase. The intergroup comparison of the decrease in N/24h and D/24h from the baseline phase to the treatment phase was in favor of the LEV group (p<0.05). A significant effect of LEV on D/24h was seen as early as the second treatment day (p=0.013), becoming more apparent on the third treatment day (p=0.009). CONCLUSION: The present study objectively quantified the correlation between the anticonvulsant effects of LEV in focal epilepsies and the peak serum concentration of the drug. For the first time, direct measurement was used to demonstrate the onset of action of LEV to be two days after drug initiation.

Influence on ictal seizure semiology of rapid withdrawal of carbamazepine and valproate in monotherapy.

PURPOSE: To quantify changes in ictal seizure semiology during rapid withdrawal of carbamazepine (CBZ) and valproate (VPA) from a monoregimen in presurgical evaluation. METHODS: Therapeutic intensive seizure analysis (TISA) with video-EEG monitoring was used in 33 patients with pharmacoresistant partial epilepsy undergoing complete withdrawal of CBZ (20 patients) or VPA (13 patients) from a monoregimen. Monitoring phases included a 3-day baseline phase, a 3-day rapid antiepileptic drug (AED) withdrawal phase, and another 3-day AED-free phase with AEDs in subtherapeutic levels. Seizure variables as complete processes and their various elements (ictal signs) were analyzed, including duration (seconds), intensity (on a scale of 0 to 3), frequency (number per 3 days), and total duration of seizures and ictal signs in 3 days (seconds). The localization of seizure patterns on ictal EEG recording (EEG seizure onset) and the first appearing clinical ictal phenomena (initial ictal signs) were recorded. RESULTS: A total of 188 seizures in the CBZ group and 57 seizures in the VPA group were investigated. Compared with the baseline phase, the CBZ group showed increases in duration, frequency of seizures, various ictal signs, and secondarily generalized tonic and clonic signs during the following two phases. Significantly increased values of the VPA group were observed in seizure duration and frequency of hypermotoric phenomena during the AED-free phase. More patients in the CBZ group had secondarily generalized clonic signs during the AED-free phase. EEG seizure onset and initial ictal signs showed no obvious changes between study phases. CONCLUSIONS: Withdrawal of CBZ is followed more quickly by an increase of seizure frequency and severity than is the case for VPA withdrawal. Both CBZ and VPA withdrawal influences seizure propagation rather than the seizure-onset characteristics, which speaks in favor of its use in presurgical evaluation.