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1.
PLoS Pathog ; 18(8): e1010718, 2022 08.
Article in English | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-35951530

ABSTRACT

Viruses are ubiquitous intracellular genetic parasites that heavily rely on the infected cell to complete their replication life cycle. This dependency on the host machinery forces viruses to modulate a variety of cellular processes including cell survival and cell death. Viruses are known to activate and block almost all types of programmed cell death (PCD) known so far. Modulating PCD in infected hosts has a variety of direct and indirect effects on viral pathogenesis and antiviral immunity. The mechanisms leading to apoptosis following virus infection is widely studied, but several modalities of PCD, including necroptosis, pyroptosis, ferroptosis, and paraptosis, are relatively understudied. In this review, we cover the mechanisms by which viruses activate and inhibit PCDs and suggest perspectives on how these affect viral pathogenesis and immunity.


Subject(s)
Virus Diseases , Viruses , Apoptosis , Cell Death , Humans , Pyroptosis , Viruses/metabolism
2.
Epilepsy Behav ; 127: 108510, 2022 Feb.
Article in English | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-34991054

ABSTRACT

During the COVID-19 pandemic, restrictions on reimbursement for telehealth visits were lifted and this visit type was suddenly available to patients around the United States of America. Telehealth visits offer potential cost savings for patients and families, which may vary by region of the world studied. Also, aggressiveness of the care patients receive may differ, and patients or families may be more likely to choose one visit type over another based on seizure control. This is a prospective face-to-face clinic versus telehealth clinic visit comparison study involving patients with seizures, their legal guardians, and caretakers who attend clinic. We compared travel distance, work-related factors, childcare, satisfaction of care, changes in seizure medication or diagnostics tests ordered, and willingness to cancel appointments to better understand the behavioral patterns of patients, caretakers, and providers. Our results indicate that many patients and families still prefer in-person interactions with their medical providers. Patient and family satisfaction levels were equal with both visit types. No significant difference was seen in medical management between face-to-face and telehealth visits. Also, prior seizure control did not dictate the type of visit chosen. Telehealth participants were significantly more willing to cancel appointments if asked to switch to face-to-face then face-to-face participants asked to complete telehealth visits. Surprisingly, we found that patients and families choosing telehealth were not statistically more likely to be employed or take less time off work. Also, distance from home to office was not significantly shorter for participants choosing face-to-face visits. Offering a combination of telehealth and face-to-face visits appears to be the optimal strategy in caring for patients with controlled and uncontrolled seizure disorders to ensure adherence with clinic visits and satisfaction with care. Our study suggests that providers are equally willing to adjust medications or order additional diagnostic testing regardless of visit type. Patients and families may be less likely to cancel telehealth visits than face-to-face visits; this finding may translate to improved seizure control and long-term decreased cost of care.


Subject(s)
COVID-19 , Epilepsy , Telemedicine , Ambulatory Care , Epilepsy/epidemiology , Epilepsy/therapy , Humans , Pandemics , Prospective Studies , SARS-CoV-2 , United States
3.
Epilepsy Behav ; 112: 107451, 2020 11.
Article in English | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-32956944

ABSTRACT

OBJECTIVE: An important role of neuropsychology in the preoperative evaluation of epilepsy surgery candidates is to assess risk for postoperative memory decline. One factor associated with postoperative verbal memory decline is surgery in the language-dominant temporal lobe (TL). The aim of the study was to determine whether atypical language representation has a protective effect against verbal memory decline following left temporal, frontotemporal, or hippocampal excision. METHODS: Data from 61 patients with medically refractory epilepsy, Wada testing, and pre- and postsurgical memory assessment from four comprehensive epilepsy surgery centers were gathered and examined for pre- to postsurgical memory change. Wada testing was used to determine language dominance (left vs. atypical [bilateral + right]). Postoperative memory change was examined at both the individual (using nonparametric analyses) and group (using parametric analyses) levels for the two language dominance groups. RESULTS: Significant postoperative verbal memory decline was observed in the left hemisphere language-dominant group, while the atypical language group showed verbal memory improvement. Individuals with left hemisphere language dominance were more likely to show postoperative declines in verbal memory, whereas individuals with atypical language dominance were significantly less likely to decline. As expected, there were no significant differences between language groups with regard to postoperative visuospatial memory outcome. CONCLUSION: Patients with atypical language dominance had better verbal memory outcomes following left hemisphere resections than those with left hemisphere language dominance suggesting that typical memory substrates likely reorganized along with language. Thus, atypical cerebral organization of language may be considered a protective factor against verbal memory decline following epilepsy surgery involving the left TL.


Subject(s)
Epilepsy, Temporal Lobe , Epilepsy , Epilepsy/surgery , Epilepsy, Temporal Lobe/complications , Epilepsy, Temporal Lobe/surgery , Humans , Language , Memory , Memory Disorders/etiology , Neuropsychological Tests , Protective Factors
4.
Epilepsy Behav ; 112: 107394, 2020 11.
Article in English | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-32932153

ABSTRACT

Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) has required novel solutions for issues that arise with social distancing. Telehealth has become one of those solutions in many clinics around the U.S. As we look beyond, the pandemic telehealth can be utilized as an important tool for clinics in the future. Patient satisfaction will most likely affect reimbursement, while provider perception will affect implementation. We see this as a valuable tool to many epilepsy clinics. The goal of our survey was to determine the perceptions and satisfaction of patients with intractable epilepsy and providers with telehealth during the COVID-19 pandemic; we surveyed patient and providers. We evaluated the first 111 patients who participated in our telehealth visits. We conducted telephone surveys with the first 68 patients who agreed to participate. We also conducted surveys by email with our providers who participated in these telehealth visits. We found that 66% of patients and 67% of providers would use a telehealth visit in the future if given the option. Review of our patients' and providers' comments provides valuable insights for building a long-term successful intractable epilepsy telehealth clinic.


Subject(s)
Attitude of Health Personnel , Attitude to Health , Coronavirus Infections , Epilepsy/therapy , Pandemics , Patient Satisfaction , Pneumonia, Viral , Telemedicine , Adult , Betacoronavirus , COVID-19 , Disease Management , Female , Humans , Male , SARS-CoV-2 , Surveys and Questionnaires
5.
J Stroke Cerebrovasc Dis ; 29(5): 104702, 2020 May.
Article in English | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-32107155

ABSTRACT

BACKGROUND: There is conflicting data on the effect of carotid revascularization on cognitive function. OBJECTIVE: To examine cerebral blood flow and cognitive function after carotid revascularization. METHODS: Patients with unilateral, asymptomatic hemodynamically significant carotid artery stenosis (80% by computed tomography angiography or magnetic resonance angiography) were eligible. Cerebral blood flow was measured preoperatively and 1 month postoperatively using quantitative phase contrast magnetic resonance angiography. Preoperative flow impairment was defined as ipsilateral flow at least 20% less than contralateral flow (ie, an ipsilateral and/or contralateral flow ratio ≤0.8). Significant improvement in blood flow was defined as at least a 0.15 increase in flow ratio from pre- to postoperative. A control group was managed medically. Four cognitive domains were assessed at baseline, 1 month, and 6-12 months postoperatively. RESULTS: Seventy-five patients were enrolled at 6 sites; 53 carotid endarterectomy, 11 carotid artery stenting, and 11 medical management only controls. Preoperative Trails B scores were similar between groups. Revascularization was associated with significant improvement in executive function (Trials B) while no improvement was observed in controls (P = .007). Of patients with improvement in middle cerebral artery (MCA) flow, 90% had improved Trails B scores compared to 46.5% of patients without MCA flow improvement (P = .01). Greater absolute improvement in mean Trails B scores was observed in patients with MCA flow improvement compared to those without (48 seconds versus 24.7 seconds, P = .001). CONCLUSIONS: In a cohort of patient with asymptomatic carotid stenosis, improvement in MCA flow following carotid revascularization is associated with improvement in executive functioning.


Subject(s)
Carotid Stenosis/surgery , Cerebrovascular Circulation , Cognition , Endarterectomy, Carotid , Middle Cerebral Artery/physiopathology , Aged , Aged, 80 and over , Asymptomatic Diseases , Carotid Stenosis/diagnostic imaging , Carotid Stenosis/physiopathology , Carotid Stenosis/psychology , Case-Control Studies , Cerebral Angiography , Computed Tomography Angiography , Endarterectomy, Carotid/adverse effects , Endovascular Procedures/adverse effects , Endovascular Procedures/instrumentation , Executive Function , Female , Humans , Magnetic Resonance Angiography , Male , Middle Aged , Middle Cerebral Artery/diagnostic imaging , Prospective Studies , Recovery of Function , Severity of Illness Index , Stents , Time Factors , Treatment Outcome , United States
6.
Epilepsy Behav ; 64(Pt A): 37-43, 2016 11.
Article in English | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-27728901

ABSTRACT

OBJECTIVE: Children with epilepsy are vulnerable to executive dysfunction, but the relationship between executive functioning (EF) and quality of life (QOL) in children with epilepsy is not fully delineated. This exploratory study elucidated the relationship between ecological EF and QOL in pediatric intractable epilepsy. METHOD: Fifty-four consecutively referred pediatric epilepsy surgery candidates and their parents were administered IQ measures, the Behavior Rating Inventory of Executive Function (BRIEF), and the Quality of Life in Childhood Epilepsy (QOLCE) as part of a comprehensive neuropsychological evaluation. RESULTS: A significant difference was found in QOL between those with and without clinical impairments on the BRIEF [t(52)=3.93; p<.001]. That is, children with executive dysfunction had lower overall QOL. All seizure variables and BRIEF scales were associated with overall QOL [F(12, 40)=6.508; p=.001; R2=.661]. Working memory from the BRIEF was the most frequently elevated scale in our sample (57%). Those with executive dysfunction had 9.7 times the risk of having poor QOL. CONCLUSIONS: Poor EF control according to behavior ratings is significantly related to QOL in intractable pediatric epilepsy. Identification of executive dysfunction in home environments is an essential component of presurgical evaluations and target for intervention, which may improve QOL.


Subject(s)
Drug Resistant Epilepsy/psychology , Executive Function , Quality of Life/psychology , Adolescent , Child , Female , Humans , Male , Memory, Short-Term , Neuropsychological Tests , Parents , Social Environment
7.
Epilepsy Behav ; 31: 19-24, 2014 Feb.
Article in English | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-24291525

ABSTRACT

This study examined the degree to which anxiety contributed to inconsistent material-specific memory difficulties among 243 patients with temporal lobe epilepsy from the Multisite Epilepsy Study. Visual memory performance on the Rey Complex Figure Test (RCFT) was poorer for those with high versus low levels of anxiety but was not found to be related to the TLE side. The verbal memory score on the California Verbal Learning Test (CVLT) was significantly lower for patients with left-sided TLE than for patients with right-sided TLE with low anxiety levels but equally impaired for those with high anxiety levels. These results suggest that we can place more confidence in the ability of verbal memory tests like the CVLT to lateralize to left-sided TLE for those with low anxiety levels, but that verbal memory will be less likely to produce lateralizing information for those with high anxiety levels. This suggests that more caution is needed when interpreting verbal memory tests for those with high anxiety levels. These results indicated that RCFT performance was significantly affected by anxiety and did not lateralize to either side, regardless of anxiety levels. This study adds to the existing literature which suggests that drawing-based visual memory tests do not lateralize among patients with TLE, regardless of anxiety levels.


Subject(s)
Anxiety/complications , Epilepsy, Temporal Lobe/complications , Memory Disorders/etiology , Adult , Analysis of Variance , Female , Humans , Longitudinal Studies , Male , Middle Aged , Neuropsychological Tests , Photic Stimulation , Psychiatric Status Rating Scales , Retrospective Studies , Verbal Learning/physiology
8.
Cancer Immunol Res ; 12(1): 7-16, 2024 01 03.
Article in English | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-37902605

ABSTRACT

Cytotoxic anticancer therapies activate programmed cell death in the context of underlying stress and inflammatory signaling to elicit the emission of danger signals, cytokines, and chemokines. In a concerted manner, these immunomodulatory secretomes stimulate antigen presentation and T cell-mediated anticancer immune responses. In some instances, cell death-associated secretomes attract immunosuppressive cells to promote tumor progression. As it stands, cancer cell death-induced changes in the tumor microenvironment that contribute to antitumor or protumor effects remain largely unknown. This is complicated to examine because cell death is often subverted by tumors to circumvent natural, and therapy-induced, immunosurveillance. Here, we provide insights into important but understudied aspects of assessing the contribution of cell death to tumor elimination or cancer progression, including the role of tumor-associated genetics, epigenetics, and oncogenic factors in subverting immunogenic cell death. This perspective will also provide insights on how future studies may address the complex antitumor and protumor immunologic effects of cell death, while accounting for variations in tumor genetics and underlying microenvironment.


Subject(s)
Apoptosis , Neoplasms , Humans , Neoplasms/etiology , Cell Death , Cytokines/metabolism , Antigen Presentation , Tumor Microenvironment
9.
J Immunother Cancer ; 12(4)2024 Apr 04.
Article in English | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-38580330

ABSTRACT

BACKGROUND: Initiation of antitumor immunity is reliant on the stimulation of dendritic cells (DCs) to present tumor antigens to naïve T cells and generate effector T cells that can kill cancer cells. Induction of immunogenic cell death after certain types of cytotoxic anticancer therapies can stimulate T cell-mediated immunity. However, cytotoxic therapies simultaneously activate multiple types of cellular stress and programmed cell death; hence, it remains unknown what types of cancer cell death confer superior antitumor immunity. METHODS: Murine cancer cells were engineered to activate apoptotic or pyroptotic cell death after Dox-induced expression of procell death proteins. Cell-free supernatants were collected to measure secreted danger signals, cytokines, and chemokines. Tumors were formed by transplanting engineered tumor cells to specifically activate apoptosis or pyroptosis in established tumors and the magnitude of immune response measured by flow cytometry. Tumor growth was measured using calipers to estimate end point tumor volumes for Kaplan-Meier survival analysis. RESULTS: We demonstrated that, unlike apoptosis, pyroptosis induces an immunostimulatory secretome signature. In established tumors pyroptosis preferentially activated CD103+ and XCR1+ type I conventional DCs (cDC1) along with a higher magnitude and functionality of tumor-specific CD8+ T cells and reduced number of regulatory T cells within the tumor. Depletion of cDC1 or CD4+ and CD8+ T cells ablated the antitumor response leaving mice susceptible to a tumor rechallenge. CONCLUSION: Our study highlights that distinct types of cell death yield varying immunotherapeutic effect and selective activation of pyroptosis can be used to potentiate multiple aspects of the anticancer immunity cycle.


Subject(s)
CD8-Positive T-Lymphocytes , Neoplasms , Mice , Animals , Pyroptosis , Dendritic Cells , Cytokines/metabolism
10.
J Stroke Cerebrovasc Dis ; 22(7): 1029-37, 2013 Oct.
Article in English | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-22554567

ABSTRACT

BACKGROUND: The effect of carotid endarterectomy on cognitive function is not fully understood. This study aims to characterize changes in cerebral blood flow after carotid endarterectomy and to determine if patients with improvement in cerebral blood flow have improved cognitive function after endarterectomy. METHODS: Cerebral blood flow was measured preoperatively and 1 month postoperatively using phase contrast magnetic resonance angiography. Preoperative flow impairment was defined as ipsilateral flow at least 20% less than contralateral flow. Improvement in flow was defined as an absolute increase of at least 0.10 in flow ratio from pre- to postoperative assessments. Patients underwent cognitive testing preoperatively and at 1, 6, and 12 months postoperatively. RESULTS: Twenty-four patients with unilateral carotid stenosis were enrolled from 3 sites. Preoperative internal carotid artery (ICA) and middle cerebral artery (MCA) flow impairment was observed in 50% and 22% of patients, respectively. Patients with preoperative flow impairment had an average of 0.25 and 0.16 absolute improvement in flow ratio in the ICA and MCA vessels, respectively; this was statistically significant for patients with baseline ICA flow impairment (P < .01). One hundred percent of patients with improvement in MCA flow had a significant improvement in attention compared to 56% of patients without MCA flow improvement (P = .06). Clinically significant improvements in all 4 cognitive domains were observed at 1 year (P < .01). CONCLUSIONS: Patients with baseline impairment of MCA blood flow were more likely to experience improvement in flow after revascularization. Improvement in MCA blood flow was associated with greater cognitive improvement in attention and executive functioning.


Subject(s)
Carotid Stenosis/physiopathology , Cerebrovascular Circulation/physiology , Cognition/physiology , Endarterectomy, Carotid/psychology , Aged , Aged, 80 and over , Carotid Stenosis/psychology , Carotid Stenosis/surgery , Female , Humans , Magnetic Resonance Angiography , Male , Middle Aged , Neuropsychological Tests
11.
Clin Neuropsychol ; 37(3): 459-474, 2023 04.
Article in English | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-35658794

ABSTRACT

Objective:This review provides a summary of historical details and current practice activities related to Forensic Neuropsychology (FN). Under the auspices of the American Board of Clinical Neuropsychology (ABCN), the Forensic Neuropsychology Special Interest Group (FNSIG) views the FN as a subspecialty, which has developed over time as the straightforward result of more than 20 years of numerous publications, extensive continuing education, focused research and growth of forensic practice within neuropsychology. In this article, the FNSIG core work group documents and integrates information that is the basis of efforts to consolidate practice knowledge and facilitate attainment of forensic practice competencies by clinical neuropsychologists. Method:Overview of continuing education topics at professional conferences, search results that identify relevant books and peer-reviewed publications, as well as pertinent findings across years of large-scale national survey results. Results:Relevant evidence has shown for decades that FN is prominent within Clinical Neuropsychology as practiced in the United States and Canada. A majority of U.S. neuropsychologists have received FN training and provide forensic evaluation services. FN practice time per week is considerable for many practitioners, and across survey epochs has been shown to be increasing. Conclusion:The present review leads to the conclusion that in the interest of promoting the acquisition of competence, FN practice should remain a focal point of training and continuing education. Alternate routes to attain competence are discussed, as are ongoing professional activities that undoubtedly will ensure continued growth of, and interest in, the subspecialty of FN.


Subject(s)
Neuropsychology , Humans , United States , Neuropsychology/education , Neuropsychological Tests , Surveys and Questionnaires , Canada
12.
J Neurosurg Pediatr ; 32(5): 553-561, 2023 11 01.
Article in English | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-37657100

ABSTRACT

OBJECTIVE: In this study, the authors describe their 10-year single-institution experience with single-step complete corpus callosotomy (CCC) for seizure management in pediatric and adult patients with catastrophic, medically refractory, nonlocalizing epilepsy at Advent Health Orlando. METHODS: The authors conducted a retrospective observational study of patients aged 6 months to 49 years who underwent clinically indicated CCC for drug-resistant nonlocalizing epilepsy at Advent Health Orlando between July 2011 and July 2021. Follow-up ranged from 12 months to 10 years. RESULTS: Of the 101 patients (57% of whom were male) who met eligibility criteria, 81 were pediatric patients and 20 were ≥ 18 years. All patients had seizures that appeared poorly lateralized on both electroencephalograms and clinical semiological studies. Of 54 patients with drop seizures before CCC, 29 (54%) achieved stable freedom from drop seizures after CCC. Of the 101 patients, 14 (13.9%) experienced stable resolution of all types of clinical seizures (International League Against Epilepsy classes 1 and 2). The most common postoperative neurological complication was a transient disconnection syndrome, observed in 50% of patients; of those patients, 73% experienced syndrome resolution within 2 months after surgery, and all resolved by the 2-year follow-up. Formal neuropsychological test results were stable in 13 patients assessed after CCC. CONCLUSIONS: CCC is an effective and well-tolerated palliative surgical technique. In this study, drop attacks were reduced after CCC but could recur for the first time as late as 44 months after surgery. Other seizure types were also reduced postoperatively but could recur for the first time as late as 28 months after surgery. Nearly 14% of patients achieved stable and complete freedom from seizures after CCC. Re-evaluation after CCC can reveal lateralized seizure onset in some patients.


Subject(s)
Drug Resistant Epilepsy , Epilepsy , Adult , Child , Humans , Male , Female , Retrospective Studies , Treatment Outcome , Corpus Callosum/surgery , Epilepsy/surgery , Seizures/etiology , Seizures/surgery , Drug Resistant Epilepsy/surgery , Postoperative Complications
13.
Cogn Behav Neurol ; 24(3): 107-14, 2011 Sep.
Article in English | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-21945982

ABSTRACT

For both children and adults with neurological, neurodevelopmental, medical, or psychiatric disorders, neuropsychological assessment can be a valuable tool in determining diagnosis, prognosis, and functional abilities as well as informing clinical management. This review summarizes the contributions of neuropsychological assessment to clinical care across diagnostic categories, with the goal of helping clinicians determine its utility for individual patients.


Subject(s)
Developmental Disabilities/diagnosis , Mental Disorders/diagnosis , Nervous System Diseases/diagnosis , Neuropsychological Tests , Humans
14.
Epilepsy Behav ; 18(1-2): 3-12, 2010 May.
Article in English | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-20471914

ABSTRACT

Neuropsychology plays a vital role in the treatment of epilepsy, providing information on the effects of seizures on higher cortical functions through the measurement of behavioral abilities and disabilities. This is accomplished through the design, administration and interpretation of neuropsychological tests, including those used in functional neuroimaging or cortical mapping and in intracarotid anesthetic procedures. The objective of this paper is to define and summarize in some detail the role and methods of neuropsychologists in specialized epilepsy centers. Included are information and recommendations regarding basic ingredients of a thorough neuropsychological assessment in the epilepsy setting, as well as suggestions for an abbreviated alternative exam when needed, with emphasis on functions associated with specific brain regions. The paper is intended for novice and experienced neuropsychologists to enable them to develop or evaluate their current practices, and also for other clinicians, who seek a better understanding of the methodology underlying the neuropsychological input to their work.


Subject(s)
Brain/physiopathology , Cognition , Epilepsy/diagnosis , Memory , Brain Mapping , Epilepsy/physiopathology , Epilepsy/psychology , Humans , Neuropsychological Tests
15.
Epilepsy Behav ; 17(2): 215-20, 2010 Feb.
Article in English | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-20056493

ABSTRACT

Several large meta-analytic studies have failed to support a consistent relationship between visual or "nonverbal" memory deficits and right mesial temporal lobe changes. The Brown Location Test (BLT), a recently developed dot location learning and memory test, uses a nonsymmetrical array and provides control over many of the confounding variables (e.g., verbal influence and drawing requirements) inherent in other measures of visual memory. In the present investigation, we evaluated the clinical utility of the BLT in patients who had undergone left or right anterior mesial temporal lobectomy. We also provide normative data of 298 healthy adults for standardized scores. Results revealed significantly worse performance on the BLT in the right as compared to the left lobectomy group and the healthy adult normative sample. The present findings support a role for the right anterior mesial temporal lobe in dot location learning and memory.


Subject(s)
Anterior Temporal Lobectomy/methods , Functional Laterality/physiology , Memory Disorders/diagnosis , Visual Perception/physiology , Adolescent , Adult , Aged , Aged, 80 and over , Female , Humans , Male , Memory Disorders/physiopathology , Middle Aged , Severity of Illness Index , Young Adult
16.
J Neurosurg ; 135(3): 751-759, 2020 Dec 11.
Article in English | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-33307521

ABSTRACT

OBJECTIVE: The goal of this study was to assess the success rate and complications of stereo-electroencephalogra-phy (sEEG) and laser interstitial thermal therapy (LITT) in the treatment of nonlesional refractory epilepsy in cingulate and insular cortex. METHODS: The authors retrospectively analyzed the treatment response in 9 successive patients who underwent insular or cingulate LITT for nonlesional refractory epilepsy at their center between 2011 and 2019. Localization of seizures was based on inpatient video-EEG monitoring, neuropsychological testing, 3-T MRI, PET scan, magnetoencephalography scan, and/or ictal SPECT scan. Eight patients underwent sEEG, and 1 patient had implantation of both sEEG electrodes and subdural grids for localization of epileptogenic zones. LITT was performed in 5 insular cases (4 left and 1 right) and 3 cingulate cases (all left-sided). One patient also underwent both insular and cingulate LITT on the left side. All of the patients who underwent insular LITT as well as 2 of the 3 who underwent cingulate LITT were right-hand dominant. The patient who underwent insular plus cingulate LITT was also right-hand dominant. RESULTS: Following LITT, 67% of the patients were seizure free (Engel class I) at follow-up (mean 1.35 years, range 0.6-2.8 years). All patients responded favorably to treatment (Engel class I-III). Two patients developed small intracranial hemorrhages during the sEEG implantation that did not require surgical management. One patient developed a large intracranial hemorrhage during an insular LITT procedure that did require surgical management. That patient experienced aphasia, incoordination, and hemiparesis, which resolved with inpatient rehabilitation. No permanent neurological deficits were noted in any of the patients at last follow-up. Neuropsychological status was stable in this cohort before and after LITT. CONCLUSIONS: sEEG can be safely used to localize seizures originating from insular and cingulate cortex. LITT can successfully treat seizures arising from these deep-seated structures. The insula and cingulum should be evaluated more frequently for seizure onset zones.

17.
Clin Neuropsychol ; 34(3): 437-453, 2020 04.
Article in English | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-32037942

ABSTRACT

Objectives: Descriptive labels of performance test scores are a critical component of communicating outcomes of neuropsychological and psychological evaluations. Yet, no universally accepted system exists for assigning qualitative descriptors to scores in specific ranges. In addition, the definition and use of the term "impairment" lacks specificity and consensus. Consequently, test score labels and the denotation of impairment are inconsistently applied by clinicians, creating confusion among consumers of neuropsychological services, including referral sources, trainees, colleagues, and the judicial system. To reduce this confusion, experts in clinical and forensic neuropsychological and psychological assessment convened in a consensus conference at the 2018 Annual Meeting of the American Academy of Clinical Neuropsychology (AACN). The goals of the consensus conference were to recommend (1) a system of qualitative labels to describe results from performance-based tests with normal and non-normal distributions and (2) a definition of impairment and its application in individual case determinations. Results: The goals of the consensus conference were met resulting in specific recommendations for the application of uniform labels for performance tests and for the definition of impairment, which are described in this paper. In addition, included in this consensus statement is a description of the conference process and the rationales for these recommendations. Conclusions/Importance: This consensus conference is the first formal attempt by the professional neuropsychological community to make recommendations for uniform performance test score labels and to advance a consistent definition of impairment. Using uniform descriptors and terms will reduce confusion and enhance report comprehensibility by the consumers of our reports as well as our trainees and colleagues.


Subject(s)
Academic Performance/standards , Neuropsychological Tests/standards , Neuropsychology/standards , Academies and Institutes , Humans , United States
18.
Clin Exp Pediatr ; 63(8): 291-300, 2020 Aug.
Article in English | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-31431603

ABSTRACT

Advances in autoimmune encephalitis studies in the past 10 years have led to the identification of new syndromes and biomarkers that have transformed the diagnostic approach to the disorder. The disorder or syndrome has been linked to a wide variety of pathologic processes associated with the neuron-specific autoantibodies targeting intracellular and plasma membrane antigens. However, current criteria for autoimmune encephalitis are quite dependent on antibody testing and responses to immunotherapy, which might delay the diagnosis. This form of encephalitis can involve the multifaceted presentation of seizures and unexpected behavioral changes. The spectrum of neuropsychiatric symptoms in children is less definitive than that in adults, and the incorporation of clinical, immunological, electrophysiological, and neuroradiological results is critical to the diagnostic approach. In this review, we document the clinical and immunologic characteristics of autoimmune encephalitis known to date, with the goal of helping clinicians in differential diagnosis and to provide prompt and effective treatment.

19.
Epilepsia ; 50(10): 2225-41, 2009 Oct.
Article in English | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-19490042

ABSTRACT

PURPOSE: This work examines the efficacy of functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI) for language lateralization using a comprehensive three-task language-mapping approach. Two localization methods and four different metrics for quantifying activation within hemisphere are compared and validated with Wada testing. Sources of discordance between fMRI and Wada lateralization are discussed with respect to specific patient examples. METHODS: fMRI language mapping was performed in patients with epilepsy (N = 40) using reading sentence comprehension, auditory sentence comprehension, and a verbal fluency task. This was compared with the Wada procedure using both whole-brain and midline exclusion-based analyses. Different laterality scores were examined as a function of statistical threshold to investigate the sensitivity to threshold effects. RESULTS: For the lateralized patients categorized by Wada, fMRI laterality indices (LIs) were concordant with the Wada procedure results in 83.87% patients for the reading task, 83.33% patients for the auditory task, 76.92% patients for the verbal fluency task, and in 91.3% patients for the conjunction analysis. The patients categorized as bilateral via the Wada procedure showed some hemispheric dominance in fMRI, and discrepancies between the Wada test findings and the functional laterality scores arose for a range of reasons. DISCUSSION: Discordance was dependent upon whether whole-brain or midline exclusion method-based lateralization was calculated, and in the former case the inclusion of the occipital and other midline regions often negatively influenced the lateralization scores. Overall fMRI was in agreement with the Wada test in 91.3% of patients, suggesting its utility for clinical use with the proper consideration given to the confounds discussed in this work.


Subject(s)
Brain/physiopathology , Epilepsy/physiopathology , Functional Laterality/physiology , Language , Magnetic Resonance Imaging/statistics & numerical data , Adolescent , Adult , Amobarbital/administration & dosage , Amobarbital/pharmacology , Brain Mapping/methods , Electroencephalography , Epilepsy/diagnosis , Female , Humans , Language Tests , Male , Middle Aged , Psychomotor Performance/drug effects , Psychomotor Performance/physiology , Verbal Behavior/drug effects , Verbal Behavior/physiology
20.
J Korean Neurosurg Soc ; 62(3): 328-335, 2019 May.
Article in English | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-31085959

ABSTRACT

Epilepsy is one of the most common chronic neurological disorder affecting 6-7 per 1000 worldwide. Nearly one-third of patients with newly diagnosed epilepsy continue to have recurrent seizures despite adequate trial of more than two anti-seizure drugs : drug-resistant epilepsy (DRE). Children with DRE often experience cognitive and psychosocial co-morbidities requiring more urgent and aggressive treatment than adults. Epilepsy surgery can result in seizure-freedom in approximately two-third of children with improvement in cognitive development and quality of life. Understanding fundamental differences in etiology, co-morbidity, and neural plasticity between children and adults is critical for appropriate selection of surgical candidates, appropriate presurgical evaluation and surgical approach, and improved overall outcome.

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