Comorbidities in Hispanic/Latino Veterans with epilepsy.

BACKGROUND: Hispanic/Latino people with epilepsy may be at a differential risk of medical and psychiatric comorbidities given genetic, environmental, sociocultural, and quality of care factors. In people with epilepsy, comorbidities are especially crucial to investigate given the well-known impact on quality of life and risk of adverse outcomes. Yet, Hispanic/Latino Veterans with Epilepsy (HL-VWE) remain an understudied population. The present nationwide population study sought to investigate medical and psychiatric comorbidities in this group. METHODS: Data from the Veterans Health Administration (VHA) Corporate Data Warehouse administrative data were used to identify 56,556 VWE (5.7 % HL-VWE) using a one-year cross-sectional analysis of ICD codes. Elixhauser Comorbidity Index scores and psychiatric diagnoses were calculated based on ICD-9/ICD-10-CM diagnoses using a lookback period. Comparisons were made between HL-VWE and non-HL-VWE using chi-squared and student t-tests. Regression analyses were then performed to examine group differences while accounting for age. RESULTS: HL-VWE had higher probability of being diagnosed with several psychiatric conditions when accounting for age, including depression (OR 1.21, 95 % CI 1.13-1.31) and schizophrenia (OR 1.56, 95 % CI 1.31-1.84). There were no significant differences in medical comorbidities between the HL-VWE and non-HL-VWE groups. CONCLUSIONS: We present results from the largest known study of HL people with epilepsy examining their psychiatric and medical comorbidities and one of the first to specifically study HL-VWE. Compared to non-HL-VWE, the Hispanic/Latino group had comparable medical comorbidity, but higher rates of multiple psychiatric conditions. Results indicate a need for increased screening and interventions in this population to reduce psychiatric disease burden.

Differentiating Epileptic and Psychogenic Non-Epileptic Seizures Using Machine Learning Analysis of EEG Plot Images.

The treatment of epilepsy, the second most common chronic neurological disorder, is often complicated by the failure of patients to respond to medication. Treatment failure with anti-seizure medications is often due to the presence of non-epileptic seizures. Distinguishing non-epileptic from epileptic seizures requires an expensive and time-consuming analysis of electroencephalograms (EEGs) recorded in an epilepsy monitoring unit. Machine learning algorithms have been used to detect seizures from EEG, typically using EEG waveform analysis. We employed an alternative approach, using a convolutional neural network (CNN) with transfer learning using MobileNetV2 to emulate the real-world visual analysis of EEG images by epileptologists. A total of 5359 EEG waveform plot images from 107 adult subjects across two epilepsy monitoring units in separate medical facilities were divided into epileptic and non-epileptic groups for training and cross-validation of the CNN. The model achieved an accuracy of 86.9% (Area Under the Curve, AUC 0.92) at the site where training data were extracted and an accuracy of 87.3% (AUC 0.94) at the other site whose data were only used for validation. This investigation demonstrates the high accuracy achievable with CNN analysis of EEG plot images and the robustness of this approach across EEG visualization software, laying the groundwork for further subclassification of seizures using similar approaches in a clinical setting.

Health care utilization of Hispanic/Latino veterans with epilepsy: A national population-based study.

OBJECTIVE: Hispanic/Latino people with epilepsy are a growing population that has been understudied in clinical epilepsy research. U.S. veterans are at a higher risk of epilepsy due to greater exposures including traumatic brain injury. Hispanic/Latino Veterans with Epilepsy (HL-VWEs) represent a growing population; however the treatment utilization patterns of this population have been vastly understudied. METHODS: HL-VWE were identified from administrative databases during fiscal year 2019. Variables compared between Hispanic and non-Hispanic VWEs included demographics, rurality, service era, utilization of clinical services/investigations, and service-connected injury. Chi-square and Student's t tests were used for comparisons. RESULTS: Among 56 556 VWEs, 3247 (5.7%) were HL. HL-VWEs were younger (59.2 vs 63.2 years; p < .01) and more commonly urban-dwelling (81.6% vs 63.2%, p < .01) compared to non-HL-VWEs. They were also more likely to have served in recent missions such as the Persian Gulf War and post- 9/11 wars (p < .01). HL-VWEs had a higher utilization of all neurology services examined including neurology clinic visits, computed tomography (CT) scans, magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) scans, electroencephalography (EEG), epilepsy monitoring, and comprehensive epilepsy care (p < .01 for all). HL-VWEs were more likely to visit an emergency room or have seizure-related hospitalizations (p < .01). HL-VWEs were more likely to have a service-connected disability greater or equal to 50% (p < .01). SIGNIFICANCE: This study is one of the largest cohorts examining HL-VWEs. We found higher utilization of services in neurology, epilepsy, and neuroimaging by HL-VWEs. HL-VWE are younger, more commonly urban-dwelling, and more likely to have served during recent combat periods and have higher amounts of service-connected disability. Given that the proportion of Hispanic veterans is projected to rise over time, more research is needed to provide the best interventions and mitigate the long-term impact of epilepsy on this diverse patient group.

Responsive neurostimulation of thalamic nuclei for regional and multifocal drug-resistant epilepsy in children and young adults.

OBJECTIVE: Responsive neurostimulation (RNS) is a US FDA-approved form of neuromodulation to treat patients with focal-onset drug-resistant epilepsy (DRE) who are ineligible for or whose condition is refractory to resection. However, the FDA approval only extends to use in patients with one or two epileptogenic foci. Recent literature has shown possible efficacy of thalamic RNS in patients with Lennox-Gastaut syndrome and multifocal epilepsy. The authors hypothesized that RNS of thalamic nuclei may be effective in seizure reduction for patients with multifocal or regionalized-onset DRE. METHODS: The authors performed a retrospective chart review of all patients who had an RNS device managed at Texas Children's Hospital between July 2016 and September 2023, with at least one active electrode in the thalamic nuclei and ≥ 12 months of postimplantation follow-up. Information conveyed by the patient or their caregiver provided data on the change in the clinical seizure frequency, quality of life (QOL), and seizure severity between the preimplantation baseline visit and the last office visit (LOV). RESULTS: Thirteen patients (ages 8-24 years) were identified with active RNS leads in thalamic nuclei (11 centromedian and 2 anterior nucleus). At LOV, 46% of patients reported 50%-100% clinical seizure reduction (classified as responders), 15% reported 25%-49% reduction, and 38% reported < 25% reduction or no change. Additionally, 42% of patients reported subjective improvement in QOL and 58% reported improved seizure severity. Patients with focal cortical dysplasia (FCD) responded strongly: 3 of 5 (60%) reported ≥ 80% reduction in seizure burden and improvement in seizure severity and QOL. Patients with multifocal epilepsy and bilateral thalamocortical leads also did well, with all 3 reporting ≥ 50% reduction in seizures. CONCLUSIONS: RNS of thalamic nuclei shows promising results in reducing seizure burden for patients with multifocal or regional-onset DRE, particularly in a bilateral thalamocortical configuration or when addressing an underlying FCD.

Computer vision for automated seizure detection and classification: A systematic review.

Computer vision (CV) shows increasing promise as an efficient, low-cost tool for video seizure detection and classification. Here, we provide an overview of the fundamental concepts needed to understand CV and summarize the structure and performance of various model architectures used in video seizure analysis. We conduct a systematic literature review of the PubMed, Embase, and Web of Science databases from January 1, 2000 to September 15, 2023, to identify the strengths and limitations of CV seizure analysis methods and discuss the utility of these models when applied to different clinical seizure phenotypes. Reviews, nonhuman studies, and those with insufficient or poor quality data are excluded from the review. Of the 1942 records identified, 45 meet inclusion criteria and are analyzed. We conclude that the field has shown tremendous growth over the past 2 decades, leading to several model architectures with impressive accuracy and efficiency. The rapid and scalable detection offered by CV models holds the potential to reduce sudden unexpected death in epilepsy and help alleviate resource limitations in epilepsy monitoring units. However, a lack of standardized, thorough validation measures and concerns about patient privacy remain important obstacles for widespread acceptance and adoption. Investigation into the performance of models across varied datasets from clinical and nonclinical environments is an essential area for further research.

Vagus nerve stimulation and heart rate variability: A scoping review of a somatic oscillatory signal.

The goal of this review is to synthesize the literature on vagus nerve stimulator (VNS)-related changes in heart rate variability (HRV) in patients with drug-resistant epilepsy (DRE) and assess the role of these changes in seizure relief. A scoping literature review was performed with the following inclusion criteria: primary articles written in English, involved implantable VNS in humans, and had HRV as a primary outcome. Twenty-nine studies were retrieved, however with considerable heterogeneity in study methods. The overall depression in HRV seen in DRE patients compared to healthy controls persisted even after VNS implant, indicating that achieving "healthy" HRV is not necessary for VNS therapeutic success. Within DRE patients, changes in frequency domain parameters six months after VNS implant returned to baseline after a year. The mechanism of how VNS reduces seizure burden does not appear to be significantly related to alterations in baseline HRV. However, the subtlety of sympathetic/parasympathetic signaling likely requires a more structured approach to experimental and analytic techniques than currently found in the literature.

Epilepsy surgery perceptions among general neurologists and epilepsy specialists: A survey.

OBJECTIVE: Surgical intervention for drug-resistant epilepsy (DRE) is a safe and efficacious evidence-based treatment. Yet, neurologists have historically revealed hesitance in referring patients for surgical evaluations. The present study surveyed general neurologists and epilepsy specialists to assess their views and process in referring patients for specialized epilepsy care and epilepsy surgery. METHODS: A 14-item survey assessing epilepsy referrals and views of epilepsy surgery was distributed to all neurologists currently practicing in a large national integrated health system using REDCap. Responses were qualitatively analyzed and differences between general neurologists and epileptologists were assessed using chi-squared tests. RESULTS: In total, 100 responses were received from 67 general neurologists and 33 epileptologists with several similarities and differences emerging between the two groups. Both groups endorsed surgery and neuromodulation as treatment options in DRE, felt that seizure frequency rather than duration was relevant in considering epilepsy surgery, and indicated patient preference as the largest barrier limiting epilepsy surgery. General neurologists were more likely to require ≥ 3 ASMs to fail to diagnose DRE compared to epileptologists (45% vs. 15%, p < 0.01) who more often required ≥ 2 ASMs to fail. Epileptologists were also more likely than neurologists to try a new ASM (75.8% vs. 53.7%, p < 0.05) or optimize the current ASM (75.8% vs. 49.3%, p < 0.05) in DRE. General neurologists were more likely to consider epilepsy surgery to be less efficacious (p = 0.001) or less safe (p < 0.05). SIGNIFICANCE: Overall, neurologists appear to have generally positive opinions of epilepsy surgery, which is a change from prior literature and represents a changing landscape of views toward this intervention. Furthermore, epileptologists and general neurologists endorsed more similarities than differences in their opinions of surgery and steps to referral, which is another encouraging finding. Those gaps that remain between epileptologists and general neurologists, particularly in standards of ASM prescription, may be addressed by more consistent education about DRE and streamlining of surgical referral procedures.

Psychiatric Comorbidities in Women Veterans with Epilepsy.

Background: Women Veterans with epilepsy (WVE) may have unique psychiatric comorbidities that affect presentation, treatment, and outcomes. This large, nationally representative study of Veterans Health Administration (VHA) patients explores sex differences in psychiatric diagnoses and treatment to better characterize WVE. Methods: This study included a retrospective cohort design utilizing VHA Corporate Data Warehouse administrative data. Data from 58,525 Veterans with epilepsy (8.5% women) were obtained. Psychiatric diagnoses and treatment were analyzed, with comparisons between men with epilepsy and WVE. Secondary analyses included further exploration of select gynecological conditions. Results: WVE had higher psychiatric burden than men, as evidenced by higher rates of nearly all psychiatric diagnoses, including depression (59.1% vs. 38.9%; χ2 = 771.6), posttraumatic stress disorder (42.0% vs. 26.5%; χ2 = 549.1), and anxiety disorder (44.9% vs. 24.5%; χ2 = 977.7), as well as higher use of psychotropic medication prescriptions (2.3 vs. 1.4 average number of psychotropics prescribed). Furthermore, higher percentages of women versus men utilized the emergency room for psychiatric purposes (11.7% vs. 6.9%; χ2 = 153.06) and were hospitalized with psychiatric diagnoses (9.8% vs. 6.1%; χ2 = 100.95). Discussion: Veterans with epilepsy represent a unique group with high rates of psychiatric comorbidity. These results suggest that among Veterans, men and women with epilepsy have differing psychiatric comorbidities, leading to disparate health care needs. Based on this study's findings, WVE may require a different approach to care with an increased focus on specialized psychiatric treatment for WVE.

Surgical Outcomes in Post-Traumatic Temporal Lobe Epilepsy: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis.

Epilepsy surgery provides excellent benefits in post-traumatic epilepsy of the temporal lobe (PTE-TL), but outcomes relative to non-traumatic epilepsy of the temporal lobe (NTE-TL) are less favorable. Large well-designed studies are recommended to further clarify the role of epilepsy surgery in PTE. It is unclear whether epilepsy surgery outcomes in PTE are as robust as described for drug resistant epilepsy (DRE) in general. Prior outcome studies in PTE are limited by small numbers, lack of a control group, or both. We performed a meta-analysis of studies in temporal lobe epilepsy (TLE) to evaluate post-surgical outcomes in those with PTE-TL and compare outcomes to those with NTE-TL. PubMed, EMBASE, and Web of Science databases were queried for studies reporting epilepsy surgery outcomes separately for PTE-TL and NTE-TL. Outcomes were divided into favorable (Engel Class I) or unfavorable (Engel Class II-IV) for comparison. Meta-analyses were performed to evaluate: 1) the proportion of Class I outcomes following epilepsy surgery in PTE-TL; and 2) calculate the odds of Class I surgical outcomes in PTE-TL compared with NTE-TL. Of 3669 articles that reported surgical outcomes in epilepsy, nine studies (n = 886) were identified that reported outcomes for both PTE-TL (n = 219) and NTE-TL (n = 667). The weighted proportion of favorable outcomes (Engel Class I) were high for both PTE-TL (70.1%, 95% CI 61.9%-78.3%) and NTE-TL (75.2%, 95% CI 69.4%-80.2%). Patients with PTE-TL were at greater risk of unfavorable (Engel Class II-IV) outcomes (relative risk 1.36, 95% CI 1.04-1.78) compared with NTE-TL.

The neuropsychological presentation of women with epilepsy: clinical considerations and future directions.

Objective: Cognitive, mood, and behavioral changes are common among persons with epilepsy (PWE), resulting in a complex neuropsychological presentation. Women with epilepsy (WWE) represent a distinct cohort within the broader epilepsy population due to sex and gender-specific factors impacting epilepsy semiology and treatment. However, unique neuropsychological profiles among WWE have not been established. This narrative review aims to further define neuropsychological correlates in WWE and promote meaningful discussion related to enhancing the provision of neuropsychological care within this clinical population. Method: Current literature in PWE examining differences in cognitive function, mental health, and quality of life (QoL) between women and men was critically reviewed, emphasizing considerations for neuropsychological practice. Results: WWE demonstrate a preservation of verbal learning and memory compared to men both pre- and post-surgically, with sex-based, neurobiological mechanisms likely contributing to this association. WWE also have elevated risk for affective disorder psychopathology, suicidality, and traumatic experiences. Epidemiology related to psychotic and bipolar spectrum disorders is less clear, and findings are mixed regarding sex-specific behavioral side effects of antiseizure and psychotropic medication. Finally, hormonal and obstetric factors are highlighted as important contributors to neuropsychological symptoms in WWE, with elevated risk for low QoL and increased stigma associated with greater medical and psychiatric comorbidities compared to men. Conclusions: While emerging literature has begun to characterize the neuropsychological presentation of WWE, future research is needed to define sex and gender differences in neuropsychological sequalae among PWE to ensure consistency and quality of care for WWE.

Use of video alone for differentiation of epileptic seizures from non-epileptic spells: A systematic review and meta-analysis.

INTRODUCTION: Review of videos (without electroencephalography) to differentiate epileptic seizures (ES) from non-epileptic spells (NES) may be helpful where epilepsy monitoring is not feasible. Previous studies of video-based diagnosis have suffered from variable accuracy, sensitivity, and specificity. METHODS: We systematically reviewed relevant literature in PubMed, Embase, and Web of Science from inception to September 2022, identifying articles that reported on the video-based diagnosis of ES and NES. In primary analysis, for each study, the most expert group was chosen when different groups of reviewers classified the videos (e.g., epilepsy specialists and general neurologists). In secondary analysis, we compared the diagnostic accuracy of different expertise levels (e.g., epileptologists, general neurologists, residents, medical students). Meta-analysis was performed to obtain pooled estimates of reliability measures. RESULTS: From 5245 articles identified, 13 met the inclusion criteria, with cumulative data from 683 patients (696 videos) reviewed by 95 independent reviewers in primary analysis. Video alone had a strong ability to differentiate ES from NES as evidenced by the following metrics- area under the curve- 0.9 (considered "outstanding"), sensitivity- 82.2% (95% Confidence Interval [C.I], 80.2%-84.0%), specificity- 84.7% (C.I., 82.8%-86.5%), and diagnostic odds ratio- 24.7 (C.I., 11.5-52.9). The secondary analysis showed reviewer-dependent accuracy with epileptologists showing the highest accuracy (DOR 81.2, C.I., 90.0%-94.6%). CONCLUSIONS: Video alone has reliable diagnostic performance for differentiating ES from NES. Meta-analysis limitations include inter-study heterogeneity including variable video quality and reviewer expertise. Combined video-EEG remains the gold standard for the diagnosis of epilepsy and NES.

Responsive Neurostimulation for the Treatment of Children With Drug-Resistant Epilepsy in Tuberous Sclerosis Complex.

BACKGROUND: To review seizure outcomes in children with tuberous sclerosis complex (TSC) and drug-resistant epilepsy (DRE) treated with the responsive neurostimulation (RNS) System. METHODS: We retrospectively reviewed children (<21 years old) with TSC implanted with the RNS System at Texas Children's Hospital between July 2016 and May 2022. RESULTS: Five patients meeting the search criteria were identified (all female). The median age of the RNS implantation was 13 years (range: 5 to 20 years). The median epilepsy duration before the RNS implantation was 13 years (range: 5 to 20 years). Surgeries before RNS implantation included vagus nerve stimulator placement (n = 2), left parietal resection (n = 1), and corpus callosotomy (n = 1). The median number of antiseizure medications tried before RNS was 8 (range: 5 to 12). The rationale for the RNS System implantation included seizure onset in eloquent cortex (n = 3) and multifocal seizures (n = 2). The maximum current density for each patient ranged between 1.8 and 3.5 µC/cm2, with an average daily stimulation of 2240 (range: 400 to 4200). There was an 86% median seizure reduction (range 0% to 99%) at a median follow-up duration of 25 months (range: 17 to 25 months). No patient experienced implantation or stimulation-related complications. CONCLUSIONS: We observed a favorable improvement in seizure frequency in pediatric patients with DRE secondary to TSC treated with the RNS System. The RNS System may be a safe and effective treatment for DRE in children with TSC.

Seizure control during spontaneous battery failure with responsive neurostimulation.

OBJECTIVE: We examined seizure control during spontaneous responsive neurostimulation (RNS) battery failure to investigate the persistent benefits of RNS in the absence of neurostimulation. We hypothesized that the loss of direct RNS does not immediately result in seizure worsening. METHODS: Patients with RNS battery failure between August 2019 and December 2020 at a single institution were studied. During periods of battery depletion, the RNS device does not store any electrocorticography records, so we used a telephone-based survey and chart review to assess seizure control during battery depletion. RESULTS: Eight of 10 eligible participants responded to the survey, with a mean duration of battery failure of 36 days (range: 10-219 days). During battery depletion, one patient reported decreased seizures and five reported no changes in seizure frequency. Only two patients reported increased seizure frequency. SIGNIFICANCE: The benefits of RNS treatment may outlast the immediate effects of direct neurostimulation, lending support to the notion of persistent neuroplasticity. Larger studies should confirm our preliminary findings.

Utilization of epilepsy care among Women Veterans: A population-based study.

OBJECTIVE: Higher healthcare utilization in epilepsy correlates with better clinical and quality of life outcomes. Women Veterans with epilepsy (WVE) have unique characteristics that may affect access and utilization of care. This study investigates epilepsy care in WVE, with respect to utilization of outpatient, inpatient, and emergency room care. METHODS: Data were collected from 58,525 Veterans with epilepsy using the Veterans Health Administration (VHA) Corporate Data Warehouse administrative data. Overall, 8.5% of the sample were women (n = 4983). Neurology visits, comprehensive epilepsy care, neuroimaging, ASM prescription and hospital and emergency care were analyzed, and comparisons were made with men Veterans with epilepsy to identify gender differences. RESULTS: Compared to men, a greater proportion of WVE utilized services including neurology (73.8% vs. 62.0%), comprehensive epilepsy care (16.1% vs. 11.7%), epilepsy monitoring unit evaluation (EMU; 6.1% vs. 2.9%), neuroimaging (CT: 39.1% vs. 36.6%; MRI: 43.7% vs. 32.5%), and electroencephalograms: (EEG: 36.5% vs. 29.1%). WVE also evidenced higher percentages of seizure-related emergency room care usage vs. men (15.2 vs. 12.6) and hospitalizations (12.3 vs. 10.0) and were prescribed a greater number of ASMs (average:2.3 vs. 1.9). Valproate was prescribed to 17.6% of WVE, despite potential teratogenic concerns. SIGNIFICANCE: WVE have greater utilization of epilepsy care within the VHA system compared to men, which could lead to better epilepsy management and quality of life. However, higher rates of emergency care, hospitalizations, and concurrent ASMs among WVE highlight the clinical complexity and raise concern for potentially comorbid conditions including psychogenic non-epileptic seizures.

Neuro-stimulation in focal epilepsy: A systematic review and meta-analysis.

OBJECTIVES: Different neurostimulation modalities are available to treat drug-resistant focal epilepsy when surgery is not an option including vagus nerve stimulation (VNS), responsive neurostimulation (RNS), and deep brain stimulation (DBS). Head-to-head comparisons of efficacy do not exist between them nor are likely to be available in the future. We performed a meta-analysis on VNS, RNS, and DBS outcomes to compare seizure reduction efficacy for focal epilepsy. METHODS: We systematically reviewed the literature for reported seizure outcomes following implantation with VNS, RNS, and DBS in focal-onset seizures and performed a meta-analysis. Prospective or retrospective clinical studies were included. RESULTS: Sufficient data were available at years one (n = 642, two (n = 480), and three (n = 385) for comparing the three modalities with each other. Seizure reduction for the devices at years one, two, and three respectively were: RNS: 66.3%, 56.0%, 68.4%; DBS- 58.4%, 57.5%, 63.8%; VNS 32.9%, 44.4%, 53.5%. Seizure reduction at year one was greater for RNS (p < 0.01) and DBS (p < 0.01) compared to VNS. CONCLUSIONS: Our findings indicate the seizure reduction efficacy of RNS is similar to DBS, and both had greater seizure reductions compared to VNS in the first-year post-implantation, with the differences diminishing with longer-term follow-up. SIGNIFICANCE: The results help guide neuromodulation treatment in eligible patients with drug-resistant focal epilepsy.

Neurostimulation in generalized epilepsy: A systematic review and meta-analysis.

OBJECTIVE: There are three neurostimulation devices available to treat generalized epilepsy: vagus nerve stimulation (VNS), deep brain stimulation (DBS), and responsive neurostimulation (RNS). However, the choice between them is unclear due to lack of head-to-head comparisons. A systematic comparison of neurostimulation outcomes in generalized epilepsy has not been performed previously. The goal of this meta-analysis was to determine whether one of these devices is better than the others to treat generalized epilepsy. METHODS: Following PRISMA (Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses) guidelines, a systematic review of PubMed, Embase, and Web of Science was performed for studies reporting seizure outcomes following VNS, RNS, and DBS implantation in generalized drug-resistant epilepsy between the first pivotal trial study for each modality through August 2022. Specific search criteria were used for VNS ("vagus", "vagal", or "VNS" in the title and "epilepsy" or "seizure"), DBS ("deep brain stimulation", "DBS", "anterior thalamic nucleus", "centromedian nucleus", or "thalamic stimulation" in the title and "epilepsy" or "seizure"), and RNS ("responsive neurostimulation" or "RNS" in the title and "epilepsy" or "seizure"). From 4409 articles identified, 319 underwent full-text reviews, and 20 studies were included. Data were pooled using a random-effects model using the meta package in R. RESULTS: Sufficient data for meta-analysis were available from seven studies for VNS (n = 510) and nine studies for DBS (n = 87). Data from RNS (five studies, n = 18) were insufficient for meta-analysis. The mean (SD) follow-up durations were as follows: VNS, 39.1 (23.4) months; DBS, 23.1 (19.6) months; and RNS, 22.3 (10.6) months. Meta-analysis showed seizure reductions of 48.3% (95% confidence interval [CI] = 38.7%-57.9%) for VNS and 64.8% (95% CI = 54.4%-75.2%) for DBS (p = .02). SIGNIFICANCE: Our meta-analysis indicates that the use of DBS may lead to greater seizure reduction than VNS in generalized epilepsy. Results from RNS use are promising, but further research is required.

An Update on the Healthy Soldier Effect in U.S. Veterans.

INTRODUCTION: The healthy soldier effect (HSE) describes a phenomenon of enduring health and lower mortality among veterans due in part to initial screening procedures and health care access. Although early data were supportive of a broad HSE among former military members, more recent investigations have suggested a possible attenuation of the effect with older age. The present study aimed to provide an update of the HSE using an expansive Veterans Health Administration (VHA)-wide sample with a particular focus on age and sex effects. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Mortality data for veterans within the VHA were obtained from the VHA Support Service Center program office and compared to mortality data from the general U.S. population spanning FY2014 to the second quarter of FY2020. The standardized mortality ratio (SMR) was calculated for the overall sample and for age- and sex-specific cohorts. Mortality rate ratios were also calculated and compared across sexes. RESULTS: Lower SMRs were observed in veterans compared to the general U.S. population (SMR 0.866). This effect was most prominent in younger and very old veterans, although a higher mortality was seen in the 55- to 64-year age cohort (SMR 1.371 for males and 1.074 for females). The HSE in females was lower than that in males in the <55-year age group but became higher in older cohorts. CONCLUSIONS: This is the largest investigation to date examining the HSE in U.S. veterans and includes younger veterans from more recent military eras. Higher mortality among the 55- to 74-year age groups merits further investigation, as does the relatively higher mortality among older female veterans. Our findings have implications for the provision of health care and preventative care to these veterans most at risk for higher mortality.

Survey of Clinical Neurophysiology and Epilepsy Fellowship Programs in the United States During COVID-19.

PURPOSE: The COVID-19 pandemic impacted clinical practice, education, and research in Neurophysiology/Epilepsy. Although there is published literature on clinical impact, its educational impact is not well described. A national survey of Clinical Neurophysiology (CNP) and Epilepsy fellowship programs was conducted to assess the impact of COVID-19 on fellowship education. METHODS: A list of accredited Clinical Neurophysiology and Epilepsy fellowship programs was obtained from the Accreditation Council for Graduate Medical Education. Program directors at individual locations were contacted to complete a brief survey about the program and impact of COVID-19. Fellows from responding programs were subsequently invited to share their perceptions about the impact of the pandemic on their training. RESULTS: From 176 programs, 40 PDs responded (22.7%). From these 40 programs, fellows from 26 completed surveys (65.0% response). There was a reduction in EEG and epilepsy monitoring unit volumes post-COVID-19, with a trend of change for EMG, whereas continuous EEG volumes were mostly unchanged. The impact of the pandemic on training was rated as moderate to severe (≥50%) by 30.0% of PDs and 49.0% of trainees. In remarkable agreement, 20.0% of PDs and 20.4% of fellows believed that additional fellowship training was needed before graduation. Lack of fellow satisfaction was correlated with the perceived impact of the pandemic on education ( p = 0.008). CONCLUSIONS: This survey revealed a considerable impact on EEG/EMG clinical volume because of COVID-19, although continuous EEG was not as impacted. More fellows than PDs believed that training was considerably impacted by COVID-19, but a similar number thought that additional training was needed. It was unclear from this study whether the fellows' perception of educational impact was solely because of the pandemic or in addition to preexisting training deficiencies in the training programs.