Ictal Video-Electroencephalography Findings in Bathing Seizures: Two New Cases and Review of the Literature.

INTRODUCTION: Reflex bathing seizures are described during the course of bathing in water near body temperature. These seizures differ from other epilepsies characterized by bathing-induced seizures such as hot water epilepsy, but there are few well-described patients and only some of these have been documented by ictal video-electroencephalography. METHODS: Our objective was to characterize the clinical presentation of bathing-induced seizures demonstrated by ictal video-electroencephalographic recordings with water temperature below 38°C. We described two previously unreported infants and reviewed additional cases in the literature that fulfilled those criteria. RESULTS: Eighteen infants were indentified. They were predominantly male (72%), and the mean age of seizure onset was 15 months (one to 36 months). The most frequent seizure triggers included pouring water over the face and immersion. Seizures were of focal onset with loss of awareness and prominent autonomic symptoms. Ictal video-electroencephalography revealed delta-theta high-amplitude focal waves involving temporal and adjacent regions, with a rapid spread to the ipsilateral hemisphere or generalization. Avoiding known triggers usually controlled the seizures, but carbamazepine, valproate, and levetiracetam were also helpful. Neuroimaging was normal in all cases, and neurodevelopment was unaffected. DISCUSSION: Bathing seizures predominate in boys with an early onset and a benign self-limited course. The use of ictal video-electroencephalographic recordings in these cases leads to diagnosis and reveals individual differences in triggers.

Successful treatment of reflex epilepsy with praxis induction by stimulus avoidance only.

PURPOSE: Reflex epilepsy is a type of epilepsy with seizures that are consistently triggered by a specific stimulus. Zipai is a Chinese ancient card game which has been popular in Southern China for hundreds of years. We sought to report and characterize clinical features of patients with reflex epilepsy evoked by playing Zipai. METHODS: We collected and analyzed clinical data of patients with Zipai-induced epilepsy. Patients were regarded as having Zipai-induced epilepsy if they suffered at least two seizure attack during the course of playing Zipai. Prolonged electroencephalography (EEG) and brain magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) were applied to all patients. All patients were advised to avoid watching and playing Zipai games in daily life, instead of using antiepileptic drugs. The seizure outcome was assessed during outpatient visits and by telephone contact. RESULTS: Five patients were included in this study. No spontaneous seizures occurred in all five patients. No patients had experienced myoclonic and coexistent absences with generalized tonic-clonic seizures (GTCS). All patients had normal MRI and prolonged EEG findings. All patients were advised to avoid the Zipai game, and became seizure-free without medication during the follow-up period (mean 5.4 years, range 3.5-7 years). CONCLUSION: Zipai-induced epilepsy may be an unreported subtype form of reflex epilepsy with praxis induction. Nonpharmacological conservative treatment plays a significant role in the treatment of reflex epilepsy.

Antagonists of Metabotropic Glutamate Receptors Prevent the Development of Audiogenic Seizures.

Pretreatment with mGluR1 antagonist AIDA (1 mg/kg) nearly completely prevented the onset of tonic-clonic seizures and increased generation of NO in the cerebral cortex of rats with genetically determined audiogenic reaction to acoustic stimulation. Administration of mGluR5 antagonist MPEP (10 mg/kg) before audiogenic exposure was followed by a significant decrease in the degree of seizure and partially prevented increased generation of NO due to acoustic stimulation. These data indicate that mGlu receptors and NO play an important role in the pathogenetic mechanisms of audiogenic seizures.

Long-term disease-modifying effect of the endocannabinoid agonist WIN55,212-2 in a rat model of audiogenic epilepsy.

BACKGROUND: Modulation of the endocannabinoid (eCB) transmission is a promising approach to treating epilepsy. Animal models can be used to investigate this approach. Krushinsky-Molodkina (KM) rats have, genetically, audiogenic epilepsy. Moreover, in these animals, repeated induction of audiogenic seizures results in a progressive prolongation of the seizures, known as audiogenic kindling. METHODS: The present study evaluated, in these KM rats, acute and long-term effects of a single dose of 4 mg/kg of the cannabinoid-receptor agonist WIN55,212-2. RESULTS: Administration of the single dose of WIN55,212-2 one hour before the 4th seizure delayed the kindling process by two weeks, without any acute effect on the audiogenic seizures. CONCLUSIONS: This result suggests that short-term potentiation of the eCB system might modify the epileptogenic disease process in patients with a progressive course of epilepsy.

Loudness perception affected by early age hearing loss.

Tinnitus and hyperacusis, commonly seen in adults, are also reported in children. Although clinical studies found children with tinnitus and hyperacusis often suffered from recurrent otitis media, there is no direct study on how temporary hearing loss in the early age affects the sound loudness perception. In this study, sound loudness changes in rats affected by perforation of the tympanic membranes (TM) have been studied using an operant conditioning based behavioral task. We detected significant increases of sound loudness and susceptibility to audiogenic seizures (AGS) in rats with bilateral TM damage at postnatal 16 days. As increase to sound sensitivity is commonly seen in hyperacusis and tinnitus patients, these results suggest that early age hearing loss is a high risk factor to induce tinnitus and hyperacusis in children. In the TM damaged rats, we also detected a reduced expression of GABA receptor δ and α6 subunits in the inferior colliculus (IC) compared to the controls. Treatment of vigabatrin (60 mg/kg/day, 7-14 days), an anti-seizure drug that inhibits the catabolism of GABA, not only blocked AGS, but also significantly attenuated the loudness response. Administration of vigabatrin following the early age TM damage could even prevent rats from developing AGS. These results suggest that TM damage at an early age may cause a permanent reduction of GABA tonic inhibition which is critical towards the maintenance of normal loudness processing of the IC. Increasing GABA concentration during the critical period may alleviate the impairment in the brain induced by early age hearing loss.

Brain anticonvulsant protection of mice given chronic carbamazepine under various fatty acid and magnesium diet conditions.

The anticonvulsant and mood stabilizer drug carbamazepine (CBZ) was evaluated for anti-seizure activity after drug pretreatment of young weaning mice given various oil-based diets. These diets had various mono-(MUFA) and poly-(PUFA) unsaturated fatty acid contents, were associated or not with magnesium deprivation, and were given over the entire experimental period (34 days). The diets included a commercial and three purified synthetic diets (n-6 PUFA, n-3 PUFA and MUFA-based chows containing 5% corn/sunflower oils 1:3, 5% rapeseed oil and 5% high oleic acid sunflower oil/sunflower oil 7:3, respectively). A 10-days CBZ treatment (50 mg/kg/day fragmented in two daily intraperitoneal injections of 25 mg/kg) was given 20 days after initiating diet administration and evaluations of mice was performed 4 days after arrest of CBZ in various seizure tests. In these conditions, CBZ pretreatment still exhibited anticonvulsant protection especially in magnesium-deficient animals. Ethosuximide (ESM)-like profiles under MUFA and n-3 PUFA diets and unusual GABA(A)ergic profile under n-6 PUFA diet in magnesium-deficiency dependent audiogenic seizures (MDDAS) test as well as protection against NMDA-induced seizures in all lipid (n-3 PUFA>MUFA and n-6 PUFA) diet conditions were observed in CBZ-pretreated mice. By highlighting ESM-like and anti-NMDA mechanisms previously induced by an n-3 PUFA diet, present CBZ anticonvulsant properties suggest brain protective targets common to CBZ and n-3 PUFAs.

New observations in primary and secondary reading epilepsy: excellent response to levetiracetam and early spontaneous remission.

The response of reading epilepsy to new antiepileptic drugs is not known. Due to the rarity of this condition little is known about its natural history. We evaluated and treated three patients with primary and secondary reading epilepsy. Seizures in all patients were characterized by twitching of the jaw or lips with secondarily generalized tonic-clonic seizures if reading continued. One patient with primary reading epilepsy became seizure-free with divalproex monotherapy and another with levetiracetam monotherapy after failure of lamotrigine. One other patient with secondary reading epilepsy became seizure-free with levetiracetam add-on therapy. The divalproex-treated patient stopped therapy less than 3 years after seizure onset and remained seizure-free with 6 years of follow-up. We propose levetiracetam as a first-line treatment for primary and secondary reading epilepsy. Spontaneous medication-free remission of primary reading epilepsy may occur within 3 years of seizure onset, much earlier than previously reported.

Early age conductive hearing loss causes audiogenic seizure and hyperacusis behavior.

Recent clinical reports found a high incidence of recurrent otitis media in children suffering hyperacusis, a marked intolerance to an otherwise ordinary environmental sound. However, it is unclear whether the conductive hearing loss caused by otitis media in early age will affect sound tolerance later in life. Thus, we have tested the effects of tympanic membrane (TM) damage at an early age on sound perception development in rats. Two weeks after the TM perforation, more than 80% of the rats showed audiogenic seizure (AGS) when exposed to loud sound (120 dB SPL white noise, < 1 min). The susceptibility of AGS lasted at least sixteen weeks after the TM damage, even the hearing loss recovered. The TM damaged rats also showed significantly enhanced acoustic startle responses compared to the rats without TM damage. These results suggest that early age conductive hearing loss may cause an impaired sound tolerance during development. In addition, the AGS can be suppressed by the treatment of vigabatrin, acute injections (250 mg/kg) or oral intakes (60 mg/kg/day for 7 days), an antiepileptic drug that inhibits the catabolism of GABA. c-Fos staining showed a strong staining in the inferior colliculus (IC) in the TM damaged rats, not in the control rats, after exposed to loud sound, indicating a hyper-excitability in the IC during AGS. These results indicate that early age conductive hearing loss can impair sound tolerance by reducing GABA inhibition in the IC, which may be related to hyperacusis seen in children with otitis media.

Subchronic administration and combination metabotropic glutamate and GABAB receptor drug therapy in fragile X syndrome.

The most common cause of inherited mental retardation, fragile X syndrome, results from a triplet repeat expansion in the FMR1 gene and loss of the mRNA binding protein, fragile X mental retardation protein (FMRP). In the absence of FMRP, signaling through group I metabotropic glutamate receptors (mGluRs) is enhanced. We previously proposed a mechanism whereby the audiogenic seizures exhibited by FMR1 null mice result from an imbalance in excitatory mGluR and inhibitory GABA(B) receptor (GABA(B)R) signaling (Mol Pharmacol 76:18-24, 2009). Here, we tested the mGluR5-positive allosteric modulator 3-cyano-N-(1,3-diphenyl-1H-pyrazol-5-yl)benzamide (CDPPB), the mGluR5 inverse agonist 2-methyl-6-(phenylethynyl)pyridine (MPEP), and GABA(B) receptor agonists, alone and in combination on receptor protein expression and audiogenic seizures in FMR1 mice. Single doses of MPEP (30 mg/kg), the GABA(B)R orthosteric agonist R-baclofen (1 mg/kg), or the GABA(B)R-positive allosteric modulator N,N'-dicyclopentyl-2-(methylthio)-5-nitro-4,6-pyrimidine diamine (GS-39783) (30 mg/kg), reduced the incidence of seizures. However, when administered subchronically (daily injections for 6 days), MPEP retained its anticonvulsant activity, whereas R-baclofen and GS-39783 did not. When administered at lower doses that had no effect when given alone, a single injection of MPEP plus R-baclofen also reduced seizures, but the effect was lost after subchronic administration. We were surprised to find that subchronic treatment with R-baclofen also induced tolerance to a single high dose of MPEP. These data demonstrate that tolerance develops rapidly to the antiseizure properties of R-baclofen alone and R-baclofen coadministered with MPEP, but not with MPEP alone. Our findings suggest that cross-talk between the G-protein signaling pathways of these receptors affects drug efficacy after repeated treatment.

Binding characteristics of brivaracetam, a selective, high affinity SV2A ligand in rat, mouse and human brain: relationship to anti-convulsant properties.

Brivaracetam is a novel synaptic vesicle protein 2A (SV2A) ligand reported to be 10 fold more potent than levetiracetam in animal models of epilepsy. This study reports the binding profile of brivaracetam in the brain of several species in relation to its anticonvulsant properties. The affinity, kinetics and selectivity of brivaracetam and its tritiated form [(3)H]ucb 34714 have been determined by in vitro binding experiments in rat, human and mouse brain and on recombinant human SV2A. Brivaracetam and levetiracetam ex vivo binding to SV2A and anticonvulsant activities in audiogenic mice were compared in relation to dose and time. Brivaracetam bound selectively with 20 fold higher affinity than levetiracetam to SV2A. [(3)H]ucb 34714 bound reversibly and with high affinity to an homogenous population of binding sites in rat and human brain and to human SV2A expressed in CHO cells. The binding sites labeled by [(3)H]ucb 34714 in brain had the pharmacological characteristics of SV2A and no specific binding could be detected in the brain of SV2A(-/-) knock-out mice. The time- and dose-dependency of brivaracetam and levetiracetam for binding to brain SV2A and for providing seizure protection in audiogenic mice correlated well; brivaracetam being more potent and faster than levetiracetam. Brivaracetam is a potent and selective SV2A ligand. From its affinity and pharmacokinetics, simulations predicted that at therapeutically relevant doses, brivaracetam should occupy more than 80% of SV2A in human brain, in line with levels of occupancy observed in pre-clinical models of epilepsy.

Modulation of behavioral phenotypes by a muscarinic M1 antagonist in a mouse model of fragile X syndrome.

RATIONALE: Muscarinic acetylcholine receptors (mAChR) are G protein-coupled receptors, widely expressed in the CNS. Electrophysiological and molecular studies have provided evidence for overactive M1 receptor signaling in the fragile X knockout (Fmr1 KO) mouse model, suggesting the involvement of the M1 receptors in fragile X syndrome. Overactive signaling through the M1 receptor has been hypothesized to contribute to the phenotypes seen in fragile X mice. OBJECTIVE: We investigated the modulation of behavioral responses in the Fmr1 KO animals by reducing the activity through the muscarinic M1 receptor using the pharmacological agent dicyclomine, an M1 antagonist. METHODS: The behavioral assays used to investigate the pharmacological effects include marble burying (perseverative behavior), open-field exploration (activity), passive avoidance (learning and memory), prepulse inhibition (sensorimotor gating), and audiogenic seizures. RESULTS: Data from the marble-burying assay suggests that treatment with dicyclomine results in a decrease in the number of marbles buried in the wild-type and in the KO animals. To examine the possibility of drug-induced sedation, overall activity was measured in an open-field chamber. Dicyclomine only increases activity at a dose of 20 mg/kg in the wild-type mice but did not affect exploration in the KO animals. Lastly, we observed that dicyclomine causes a significant decrease in the percentage of audiogenic seizures in the Fmr1 KO animals. CONCLUSION: Our findings suggest that pharmacologically reducing the activity through the mAChR M1 alters select behavioral responses in the Fmr1 KO mice.

A descriptive analysis of seizure events among adults who participated in a computer-based assessment.

The purpose of this study was to document seizure events associated with the use of a computer-based assessment and to describe the contextual factors surrounding these seizure episodes. Study participants were adults with epilepsy who were enrolled at research sites in Atlanta and Boston. Subjects were asked to complete a computer-based assessment at 3 time points. Fourteen seizure events were documented; they occurred during 1.6% of all completed assessments (896) and affected 4.4% of the participants (320). The mean age of participants who experienced seizure events was 41.4 years; about 70% were female, and 70% were white. A variety of possible precipitating factors for seizure events included hunger, fatigue, stress, and medication changes. Participants indicated computer use could have triggered their seizures in 2 instances. These findings suggest use of computer-based assessments may pose minimal risks for adults with epilepsy, particularly those without a history of photosensitivity epilepsy.

Wind turbines, flicker, and photosensitive epilepsy: characterizing the flashing that may precipitate seizures and optimizing guidelines to prevent them.

Wind turbines are known to produce shadow flicker by interruption of sunlight by the turbine blades. Known parameters of the seizure provoking effect of flicker, i.e., contrast, frequency, mark-space ratio, retinal area stimulated and percentage of visual cortex involved were applied to wind turbine features. The proportion of patients affected by viewing wind turbines expressed as distance in multiples of the hub height of the turbine showed that seizure risk does not decrease significantly until the distance exceeds 100 times the hub height. Since risk does not diminish with viewing distance, flash frequency is therefore the critical factor and should be kept to a maximum of three per second, i.e., sixty revolutions per minute for a three-bladed turbine. On wind farms the shadows cast by one turbine on another should not be viewable by the public if the cumulative flash rate exceeds three per second. Turbine blades should not be reflective.

The photoparoxysmal response: the probable cause of attacks during video games.

Photic stimulation is part of a typical EEG in most countries, especially to check on the photoparoxysmal response (PPR). Interest in this response was enhanced in 1997 when hundreds of Japanese children had attacks while viewing a TV cartoon called "Pokemon." The overall prevalence of the PPR among patients requiring an EEG is approximately 0.8%, but 1.7% in children and 8.87% in patients with epilepsy, more often in Caucasians and females. Autosomal dominant inheritance is indicated, and this response is seen especially at the wavelength of 700 nm or at the flicker frequency of 15-18 Hz. The PPR extending beyond the stimulus carries no increased risk of seizures. Prognosis is generally good, especially after 20 years of age. Attention to PPR has been increased with the advent of video games, and the evoked seizures from these games are likely a manifestation of photosensitive epilepsy. Drug therapy has emphasized valproic acid, but Levetiracetam has also been successful in eliminating the PPR.

Effects of levetiracetam on EEG abnormalities in juvenile myoclonic epilepsy.

PURPOSE: A multicenter, prospective, long-term, open-label study to evaluate the effects of levetiracetam on electroencephalogram (EEG) abnormalities and photoparoxysmal response (PPR) of patients affected by juvenile myoclonic epilepsy (JME). METHODS: Forty-eight patients with newly diagnosed JME (10) or resistant/intolerant (38) to previous antiepileptic drugs (AEDs) were enrolled. After an 8-week baseline period, levetiracetam was titrated in 2 weeks to 500 mg b.i.d. and then increased to up to 3,000 mg/day. Efficacy parameters were based on the comparison and analysis of EEG interictal abnormalities classified as spikes-and-waves, polyspikes-and-waves, and presence of PPR. Secondary end point was evaluation of EEG and PPR changes as predictive factors of 12-month seizure freedom. RESULTS: Overall, mean dose of levetiracetam was 2,208 mg/day. Mean study period was 19.3 +/- 11.5 months (range 0.3-38). During the baseline period, interictal EEG abnormalities were detected in 44/48 patients (91.6%) and PPR was determined in 17/48 (35.4%) of patients. After levetiracetam treatment, 27/48 (56.2%) of patients compared to 4/48 (8.3%) in the baseline period (p < 0.0001) had a normal EEG. Thirteen of 17 (76.4%) (p < 0.0003) patients showed suppression of PPR. Cumulative probability of days with myoclonia (DWM) 12-month remission was significantly higher (p < 0.05) in patients with a normal (normalized) EEG after levetiracetam treatment compared to those with an unchanged EEG. CONCLUSIONS: Levetiracetam appeared to be effective in decreasing epileptiform EEG abnormalities, and suppressing the PPR in JME patients. This effect, along with a good efficacy and tolerability profile in this population further supports a first-line role for levetiracetam in the treatment of JME.

Solution-phase parallel synthesis of novel 1,2,3,4-tetrahydroisoquinoline-1-ones as anticonvulsant agents.

Following our previous studies in the field of anticonvulsant agents, we planned a one-pot solution-phase parallel synthesis (SPPS) of a small library of new 1,2,3,4-tetrahydroisoquinoline derivatives. The activity against audiogenic seizures in DBA/2 mice of the newly synthesized compounds has also been evaluated.

Effects of carisbamate (RWJ-333369) in two models of genetically determined generalized epilepsy, the GAERS and the audiogenic Wistar AS.

PURPOSE: The antiepileptic effects of carisbamate were assessed in two models of genetic epilepsy, a model of absence seizures, the Genetic Absence Epilepsy Rat from Strasbourg (GAERS) and a model of convulsive seizures, the Wistar Audiogenic Sensitive (AS) rat. METHODS: GAERS were equipped with four cortical electrodes over the frontoparietal cortex and the duration of spike-and-wave discharges (SWD) was recorded for 20-120 min. In Wistar AS, the occurrence of, latency to, and duration of wild running and tonic seizures were recorded. RESULTS: In GAERS, carisbamate (10, 30, and 60 mg/kg) dose dependently reduced the expression of SWD that totally disappeared at the two highest doses by 40 min after injection. SWD duration returned to control levels by 100 min after the injection of 30 mg/kg carisbamate while SWDs were totally suppressed for 120 min after the injection of 60 mg/kg carisbamate. In Wistar AS, 10 mg/kg carisbamate increased the latency to the first running episode and induced the occurrence of a second running episode in three of eight rats. This episode was not present in untreated rats and was indicative of decreased sensitivity to the stimulus. This dose of carisbamate increased by 327% the latency to the tonic seizure that still occurred in the six of eight rats studied. At 20 and 30 mg/kg, no rats exhibited any wild running or tonic seizure. CONCLUSIONS: The present results support the broad spectrum of antiepileptic activity of carisbamate confirming its efficacy in animal models of primary generalized seizures of both tonic-clonic and of the absence type.

Audiogenic epilepsy in young mice of different strains after neonatal semax treatment.

Neonatal (from day 2 to day 7 of life) injection of neuropeptide semax to mice of 5 inbred strains significantly reduced predisposition to audiogenic epilepsy in only one-month-old DBA/2J mice, which manifested in changes in the mean audiogenic sensitivity score and percentage of animals dead as a result of acoustic stimulation.

Is colour modulation an independent factor in human visual photosensitivity?

Considering that the role of colour in photosensitive epilepsy (PSE) remains unclear, we designed a study to determine the potential of different colours, colour combinations and white light to trigger photoparoxysmal responses (PPRs) under stringent controlled conditions. After assessing their photosensitivity to stroboscopic white light and black and white patterns, we studied 43 consecutive PSE patients (mean age 19 years, 34 women), using a specially designed colour stimulator. Stimuli included: pulse trains between 10 and 30 Hz of white light and of all primary colours, and also isoluminant alternating time-sequences of colours. Illuminance was kept constant at 100 lux. A progressive stepwise increase of the modulation-depth (MD) of the stimuli was used to determine PPRs threshold. Whereas all the 43 patients were found to be sensitive during the stroboscopic and pattern protocol, only 25 showed PPRs (Waltz's score >2) at least in one session when studied with the colour stimulator. Coloured stimuli elicited PPRs in all these patients, whereas white light did so only in 17 patients. Of the primary colours, red elicited more PPRs (54 in 22 patients) and at a lower MD (max Z-score 0.93 at 10 Hz). Of the alternating sequences, the red-blue was the most provocative stimulus, especially below 30 Hz (100% of patients, max Z-score: 1.65 at 15 Hz). Blue-green was the least provocative stimulus, since it elicited only seven PPRs in seven (28%) patients (max Z-score 0.44 at 10 Hz). Sensitivity to alternating colours was not correlated to sensitivity to individual colours. We conclude that colour sensitivity follows two different mechanisms: one, dependent on colour modulation, plays a role at lower frequencies (<30 Hz). Another, dependent on single-colour light intensity modulation correlates to white light sensitivity and is activated at higher frequencies. Our results suggest that the prescription of spectacles with coloured lenses, tailored to the patient, can be an effective preventative measure against visually induced seizures.

Lacosamide, a novel anti-convulsant drug, shows efficacy with a wide safety margin in rodent models for epilepsy.

This paper comprises a series of experiments in rodent models of partial and generalized epilepsy which were designed to describe the anti-convulsant profile of the functionalized amino acid lacosamide. Lacosamide was effective against sound-induced seizures in the genetically susceptible Frings mouse, against maximal electroshock test (MES)-induced seizures in rats and mice, in the rat hippocampal kindling model of partial seizures, and in the 6Hz model of psychomotor seizures in mice. The activity in the MES test in both mice (4.5mg/kg i.p.) and rats (3.9 mg/kg p.o.) fell within the ranges previously reported for most clinically available anti-epileptic drugs. At both the median effective dose for MES protection, as well as the median toxic dose for rotorod impairment, lacosamide elevated the seizure threshold in the i.v. pentylenetetrazol seizure test, suggesting that it is unlikely to be pro-convulsant at high doses. Lacosamide was inactive against clonic seizures induced by subcutaneous administration of the chemoconvulsants pentylenetetrazol, bicuculline, and picrotoxin, but it did inhibit NMDA-induced seizures in mice and showed full efficacy in the homocysteine model of epilepsy. In summary, the overall anti-convulsant profile of lacosamide appeared to be unique, and the drug displayed a good margin of safety in those tests in which it was effective. These results suggest that lacosamide may have the potential to be clinically useful for at least the treatment of generalized tonic-clonic and partial-onset epilepsies, and support ongoing clinical trials in these indications.