Current evidence on the potential therapeutic applications of transcranial magnetic stimulation in multiple sclerosis: a systematic review of the literature.

INTRODUCTION: A growing number of studies have evaluated the effects of transcranial magnetic stimulation (TMS) for the symptomatic treatment of multiple sclerosis (MS). METHODS: We performed a PubMed search for articles, recent books, and recommendations from the most relevant clinical practice guidelines and scientific societies regarding the use of TMS as symptomatic treatment in MS. CONCLUSIONS: Excitatory electromagnetic pulses applied to the affected cerebral hemisphere allow us to optimise functional brain activity, including the transmission of nerve impulses through the demyelinated corticospinal pathway. Various studies into TMS have safely shown statistically significant improvements in spasticity, fatigue, lower urinary tract dysfunction, manual dexterity, gait, and cognitive deficits related to working memory in patients with MS; however, the exact level of evidence has not been defined as the results have not been replicated in a sufficient number of controlled studies. Further well-designed, randomised, controlled clinical trials involving a greater number of patients are warranted to attain a higher level of evidence in order to recommend the appropriate use of TMS in MS patients across the board. TMS acts as an adjuvant with other symptomatic and immunomodulatory treatments. Additional studies should specifically investigate the effect of conventional repetitive TMS on fatigue in these patients, something that has yet to see the light of day.

Trastorno psicótico de novo inducido por levetiracetam: ¿existe un perfil de paciente epiléptico neuroestructural y/o biológicamente más vulnerable a desarrollarlo? / Levetiracetam-induced de novo psychosis: Is there a type of patient with epilepsy who is neurostructural and/or biologically more vulnerable to developing it?

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[Current evidence on virtual reality and its potential usefulness in post-stroke neurorehabilitation]. / Evidencias actuales sobre la realidad virtual y su utilidad potencial en la neurorrehabilitación postictus.

INTRODUCTION: Virtual reality therapy (VRT) constitutes a powerful and motivating tool for stroke patients to actively participate in the process of neurorehabilitation, providing augmented performance feedback, with the aim of achieving better therapeutic results owing to the enhancing of neuroplasticity mechanisms. AIM: To report the most relevant data about the applications of VRT in the post-stroke neurorehabilitation. DEVELOPMENT: We conducted a PubMed search for articles, latest books, leading clinical practice guidelines, and scientific societies, regarding such applications. CONCLUSIONS: Different performed randomized clinical trials (RCT) show that VRT safely facilitates in a statistically significant way motor and functional recovery of upper limb, gait, balance, quality of life related to health, and activities of daily living, together with conventional therapy, but have no clearly demonstrated overall superiority to conventional therapy. In this regard, underlying specific mechanisms remain elusive at this stage. Future RCT should define the good responder stroke patient profile based on the VRT used in conjunction with conventional therapy, allowing the generation of neurorehabilitation approaches that combine a customized immersive VRT with the clinical experience of the therapists, to maximize the results. It is necessary to carry out well-designed RCT, including larger samples of appropriately selected stroke subjects, to draft a consensus document that allows recommending, with a greater level of evidence and on a widespread basis, the implementation of VRT as add-on therapy in post-stroke neurorehabilitation. As well as to determine if the beneficial effects are maintained in the long term and to clarify the most suitable treatment schedule.

TITLE: Evidencias actuales sobre la realidad virtual y su utilidad potencial en la neurorrehabilitación postictus.Introducción. La terapia con realidad virtual (TRV) constituye una herramienta poderosa que motiva a los pacientes con ictus a participar activamente en su neurorrehabilitación, y proporciona retroalimentación aumentada del rendimiento, con objeto de obtener mejores resultados terapéuticos gracias a la potenciación de los mecanismos de neuroplasticidad. Objetivo. Exponer los datos más relevantes sobre las aplicaciones de la TRV en la neurorrehabilitación postictus. Desarrollo. Búsqueda de artículos en PubMed, últimos libros y principales guías de práctica clínica y sociedades científicas publicados con respecto a dichas aplicaciones. Conclusiones. Los diferentes ensayos clínicos aleatorizados (ECA) realizados demuestran que la TRV facilita, de forma segura y estadísticamente significativa, la recuperación motora y funcional del miembro superior, la marcha, el equilibrio, la calidad de vida relacionada con la salud y las actividades de la vida diaria, junto con la terapia convencional, sin ser globalmente superior a la terapia convencional. Aún no se conocen los mecanismos específicos subyacentes. Los ECA futuros deberán definir el perfil de paciente respondedor según la TRV empleada, permitiendo generar enfoques de neurorrehabilitación que conjuguen una TRV personalizada inmersiva y la experiencia clínica de los terapeutas para maximizar los resultados. Son precisos ECA bien diseñados, incluyendo muestras amplias de pacientes adecuadamente seleccionados, para redactar un documento de consenso que permita recomendar, con un mayor nivel de evidencia y de forma generalizada, la implementación de la TRV como terapia complementaria en la neurorrehabilitación postictus, determinar si los efectos beneficiosos se mantienen a largo plazo y clarificar qué esquema de tratamiento es el más apropiado.

Guía para el manejo de las crisis epilépticas en cuidados paliativos: propuesta de un modelo actualizado de práctica clínica basado en una revisión sistemática de la literatura / Guidelines for seizure management in palliative care: Proposal for an updated clinical practice model based on a systematic literature review

Introducción: Dada la escasez de directrices abordando este tema y con motivo de la futura creación de la Unidad de Cuidados Paliativos (CP) en nuestro centro de neurorrehabilitación, los miembros del equipo médico de la Clínica San Vicente hemos decidido proponer una serie de sugerencias sobre el empleo de fármacos antiepilépticos (FAEs) en el manejo de las crisis epilépticas (CEs) en CP. Métodos: Búsqueda de artículos en PubMed, últimos libros y recomendaciones de las guías de práctica clínica y sociedades científicas publicadas más relevantes, referentes al manejo de las CEs en CP. Resultados: La confección de este tipo de guías, además de identificar pacientes candidatos a recibir CP, es fundamental para garantizar un buen control sintomático de las CEs y evitar el sufrimiento innecesario de estos enfermos y sus familiares. Dadas las características de estos pacientes, se recomienda usar FAEs con presentación vía parenteral (preferiblemente intravenosa) y un perfil bajo de interacciones. Diazepam y/o midazolam serían los más idóneos para la fase aguda, y levetiracetam, ácido valproico y/o lacosamida para casos refractarios y/o como tratamiento crónico. Conclusiones: Estas recomendaciones deben considerarse una guía de abordaje integral, debiendo adaptarse a la idiosincrasia de cada caso clínico en particular. Sin embargo, se necesitan ensayos clínicos controlados, aleatorizados, bien diseñados, que incluyan muestras amplias de pacientes subsidiarios de CP, para redactar un documento de consenso que permita recomendar con un mayor nivel de evidencia y de forma generalizada, la utilización adecuada, racional y efectiva de FAEs en este ámbito médico-asistencial de elevada complejidad

Introduction: Very little has been written on seizure management in palliative care (PC). Given this situation, and considering the forthcoming setting up of the Palliative Care Unit at our neurorehabilitation centre, the Clínica San Vicente, we decided to establish a series of guidelines on the use of antiepileptic drugs (AEDs) for handling seizures in PC. Methods: We conducted a literature search in PubMed to identify articles, recent manuals, and clinical practice guidelines on seizure management in PC published by the most relevant scientific societies. Results: Clinical practice guidelines are essential to identify patients eligible for PC, manage seizures adequately, and avoid unnecessary distress to these patients and their families. Given the profile of these patients, we recommend choosing AEDs with a low interaction potential and which can be administered by the parenteral route, preferably intravenously. Diazepam and midazolam appear to be the most suitable AEDs during the acute phase whereas levetiracetam, valproic acid, and lacosamide are recommended for refractory cases and long-term treatment. Conclusions: These guidelines provide general recommendations that must be adapted to each particular clinical case. Nevertheless, we will require further well-designed randomised controlled clinical trials including large samples of patients eligible for PC to draft a consensus document recommending adequate, rational, and effective use of AEDs, based on a high level of evidence, in this highly complex area of medical care

Guidelines for seizure management in palliative care: Proposal for an updated clinical practice model based on a systematic literature review. / Guía para el manejo de las crisis epilépticas en cuidados paliativos: propuesta de un modelo actualizado de práctica clínica basado en una revisión sistemática de la literatura.

INTRODUCTION: Very little has been written on seizure management in palliative care (PC). Given this situation, and considering the forthcoming setting up of the Palliative Care Unit at our neurorehabilitation centre, the Clínica San Vicente, we decided to establish a series of guidelines on the use of antiepileptic drugs (AEDs) for handling seizures in PC. METHODS: We conducted a literature search in PubMed to identify articles, recent manuals, and clinical practice guidelines on seizure management in PC published by the most relevant scientific societies. RESULTS: Clinical practice guidelines are essential to identify patients eligible for PC, manage seizures adequately, and avoid unnecessary distress to these patients and their families. Given the profile of these patients, we recommend choosing AEDs with a low interaction potential and which can be administered by the parenteral route, preferably intravenously. Diazepam and midazolam appear to be the most suitable AEDs during the acute phase whereas levetiracetam, valproic acid, and lacosamide are recommended for refractory cases and long-term treatment. CONCLUSIONS: These guidelines provide general recommendations that must be adapted to each particular clinical case. Nevertheless, we will require further well-designed randomised controlled clinical trials including large samples of patients eligible for PC to draft a consensus document recommending adequate, rational, and effective use of AEDs, based on a high level of evidence, in this highly complex area of medical care.

Evidencias actuales sobre la estimulación magnética transcraneal y su utilidad potencial en la neurorrehabilitación postictus: Ampliando horizontes en el tratamiento de la enfermedad cerebrovascular / Current evidence on transcranial magnetic stimulation and its potential usefulness in post-stroke neurorehabilitation: Opening new doors to the treatment of cerebrovascular disease

INTRODUCCIÓN: La estimulación magnética transcraneal repetitiva (EMTr) constituye una realidad terapéutica en la rehabilitación postictus, ya que confiere efectos neuroprotectores incidiendo favorablemente en la modulación de la neuroplasticidad (NP), ayudando así al cerebro en su capacidad para readaptar circuitos neuronales y, con ello, la restauración y adquisición de nuevas habilidades compensatorias. DESARROLLO: Búsqueda de artículos en PubMed, últimos libros y recomendaciones de las guías de práctica clínica y sociedades científicas publicadas más relevantes, referentes al uso terapéutico de la EMTr en la rehabilitación de pacientes con ictus. Se incluyen las evidencias y recomendaciones según los criterios de la International Federation of Clinical Neurophysiology (2014) al respecto. CONCLUSIONES: La identificación de pacientes con ictus subsidiarios de recibir EMTr es importante para acelerar la fase de recuperación. La EMTr ha demostrado ser segura y efectiva para tratar los déficits que aparecen tras un ictus. Los pulsos electromagnéticos excitatorios e inhibitorios aplicados en el hemisferio cerebral ipsolateral o contralateral a la lesión, respectivamente, así como a nivel transcalloso para regular la comunicación interhemisférica cerebral, nos brindan la posibilidad de optimizar la actividad cerebral funcional. Los diferentes estudios realizados sobre EMTr han demostrado la mejoría de los trastornos motores, la afasia, la disartria, la disfagia orofaríngea, la depresión y las dificultades perceptivo-cognitivas que aparecen en estos pacientes. Sin embargo, se necesitan ensayos clínicos controlados, aleatorizados, bien diseñados, que incluyan a un mayor número de pacientes, para poder recomendar con un mayor nivel de evidencia y de forma generalizada, la utilización adecuada de la EMTr en los enfermos afectados por un ictus

INTRODUCTION: Repetitive transcranial magnetic stimulation (rTMS) is a therapeutic reality in post-stroke rehabilitation. It has a neuroprotective effect on the modulation of neuroplasticity, improving the brain's capacity to retrain neural circuits and promoting restoration and acquisition of new compensatory skills. DEVELOPMENT: We conducted a literature search on PubMed and also gathered the latest books, clinical practice guidelines, and recommendations published by the most prominent scientific societies concerning the therapeutic use of rTMS in the rehabilitation of stroke patients. The criteria of the International Federation of Clinical Neurophysiology (2014) were followed regarding the inclusion of all evidence and recommendations. CONCLUSIONS: Identifying stroke patients who are eligible for rTMS is essential to accelerate their recovery. rTMS has proven to be safe and effective for treating stroke complications. Functional brain activity can be optimised by applying excitatory or inhibitory electromagnetic pulses to the hemisphere ipsilateral or contralateral to the lesion, respectively, as well as at the level of the transcallosal pathway to regulate interhemispheric communication. Different studies of rTMS in these patients have resulted in improvements in motor disorders, aphasia, dysarthria, oropharyngeal dysphagia, depression, and perceptual-cognitive deficits. However, further well-designed randomized controlled clinical trials with larger sample size are needed to recommend with a higher level of evidence, proper implementation of rTMS use in stroke subjects on a widespread basis

Current evidence on the potential therapeutic applications of transcranial magnetic stimulation in multiple sclerosis: A systematic review of the literature. / Evidencias actuales sobre las potenciales aplicaciones terapéuticas de la estimulación magnética transcraneal en la esclerosis múltiple: revisión sistemática de la literatura.

INTRODUCTION: A growing number of studies have evaluated the effects of transcranial magnetic stimulation (TMS) for the symptomatic treatment of multiple sclerosis (MS). METHODS: We performed a PubMed search for articles, recent books, and recommendations from the most relevant clinical practice guidelines and scientific societies regarding the use of TMS as symptomatic treatment in MS. CONCLUSIONS: Excitatory electromagnetic pulses applied to the affected cerebral hemisphere allow us to optimise functional brain activity, including the transmission of nerve impulses through the demyelinated corticospinal pathway. Various studies into TMS have shown statistically significant improvements in spasticity, fatigue, lower urinary tract dysfunction, manual dexterity, gait, and cognitive deficits related to working memory in patients with MS; however, the exact level of evidence has not been defined as the results have not been replicated in a sufficient number of controlled studies. Further well-designed, randomised, controlled clinical trials involving a greater number of patients are warranted to attain a higher level of evidence in order to recommend the appropriate use of TMS in MS patients across the board. TMS acts as an adjuvant with other symptomatic and immunomodulatory treatments. Additional studies should specifically investigate the effect of conventional repetitive TMS on fatigue in these patients, something that has yet to see the light of day.

Current evidence on transcranial magnetic stimulation and its potential usefulness in post-stroke neurorehabilitation: Opening new doors to the treatment of cerebrovascular disease. / Evidencias actuales sobre la estimulación magnética transcraneal y su utilidad potencial en la neurorrehabilitación postictus: Ampliando horizontes en el tratamiento de la enfermedad cerebrovascular.

INTRODUCTION: Repetitive transcranial magnetic stimulation (rTMS) is a therapeutic reality in post-stroke rehabilitation. It has a neuroprotective effect on the modulation of neuroplasticity, improving the brain's capacity to retrain neural circuits and promoting restoration and acquisition of new compensatory skills. DEVELOPMENT: We conducted a literature search on PubMed and also gathered the latest books, clinical practice guidelines, and recommendations published by the most prominent scientific societies concerning the therapeutic use of rTMS in the rehabilitation of stroke patients. The criteria of the International Federation of Clinical Neurophysiology (2014) were followed regarding the inclusion of all evidence and recommendations. CONCLUSIONS: Identifying stroke patients who are eligible for rTMS is essential to accelerate their recovery. rTMS has proven to be safe and effective for treating stroke complications. Functional brain activity can be optimised by applying excitatory or inhibitory electromagnetic pulses to the hemisphere ipsilateral or contralateral to the lesion, respectively, as well as at the level of the transcallosal pathway to regulate interhemispheric communication. Different studies of rTMS in these patients have resulted in improvements in motor disorders, aphasia, dysarthria, oropharyngeal dysphagia, depression, and perceptual-cognitive deficits. However, further well-designed randomized controlled clinical trials with larger sample size are needed to recommend with a higher level of evidence, proper implementation of rTMS use in stroke subjects on a widespread basis.

[Mismatch negativity and conscience level in severe traumatic brain injury]. / Mismatch negativity y nivel de conciencia en el traumatismo craneoencefálico grave.

INTRODUCTION: The mismatch negativity (MMN) is a component of the long-latency auditory evoked potentials, that are used to check the functionality of automatic attentional processes of attentive information processing. Vegetative state diagnosis is frequent following severe traumatic brain injury (TBI). Eventually, some patients improve their condition to another one called minimal conscientious state. AIM: To evaluate the diagnostic usefulness of MMN in severe TBI patients during the subacute phase after leaving the neurological intensive care unit. PATIENTS AND METHODS: We gathered MMN results from 19 patients (12 males and 7 females; 8 vegetative state and 11 minimal conscientious state) with ages between 17 and 59 years (mean: 27.3 years). The delay between TBI onset and MMN recordings were greater than 2 months (mean: 181 days). During the recording session, patients were evaluated by means of the Multisociety Task Force on Persistent Vegetative State scale. RESULTS: All the minimal conscientious state patients (100%) showed MMN potential. In seven of the vegetative state patients (87.5%) the MMN was not found. The remaining MMN potential positive vegetative state patient improved to MCS 16 days after testing. CONCLUSIONS: MMN is a valid tool for differentiating vegetative state from MCS during the subacute phase of severe TBI. Hence it is a useful aid to the clinical evaluation. This would diminish the impact of a possible diagnostic error and its prognosis on therapeutical management, family and health costs. It can also be used for evaluating other brain disorders with altered consciousness.

Mismatch negativity y nivel de conciencia en el traumatismo craneoencefálico grave / Mismatch negativity and conscience level in severe traumatic brain injury

Introducción. El componente mismatch negativity (MMN) es un potencial evocado de larga latencia que refleja el funcionamiento de un mecanismo automático y preatencional del procesamiento de estímulos. El estado vegetativo es un diagnóstico muy frecuente tras un traumatismo craneoencefálico (TCE) grave que, en ocasiones, evoluciona hacia un nivel de conciencia superior denominado estado de respuesta mínima. Objetivo. Evaluar la utilidad diagnóstica de la MMN en pacientes que han sufrido un TCE grave en fase subaguda tras la salida de la Unidad de Cuidados Intensivos. Pacientes y métodos. Se ha realizado MMN auditiva a 19 pacientes (12 hombres y 7 mujeres), con edades comprendidas entre 17 y 59 años (media: 27,3 años), que sufrieron TCE grave hacía más de dos meses (media: 181 días). En el momento de la prueba, ocho se encontraban en estado vegetativo, y 11, en estado de respuesta mínima. Resultados. El 100% (11/11) de los pacientes en estado de respuesta mínima presentaron potencial MMN. En siete de los pacientes en estado vegetativo no se recogió el potencial (87,5%). El paciente vegetativo en el que se obtuvo MMN pasó a estado de respuesta mínima a los 16 días. Conclusiones. La MMN es una herramienta de gran utilidad en la fase subaguda de un TCE grave para el diagnóstico diferencial entre estado vegetativo y estado de respuesta mínima, refrendando el juicio clínico y minimizando las consecuencias familiares, sanitarias, sociales y económicas derivadas de un posible error, y abriendo la posibilidad de ser aplicada a otras patologías cerebrales adquiridas

Introduction. The mismatch negativity (MMN) is a component of the long-latency auditory evoked potentials, that are used to check the functionality of automatic attentional processes of attentive information processing. Vegetative state diagnosis is frequent following severe traumatic brain injury (TBI). Eventually, some patients improve their condition to another one called minimal conscientious state. Aim. To evaluate the diagnostic usefulness of MMN in severe TBI patients during the subacute phase after leaving the neurological intensive care unit. Patients and methods. We gathered MMN results from 19 patients (12 males and 7 females; 8 vegetative state and 11 minimal conscientious state) with ages between 17 and 59 years (mean: 27.3 years). The delay between TBI onset and MMN recordings were greater than 2 months (mean: 181 days). During the recording session, patients were evaluated by means of the Multisociety Task Force on Persistent Vegetative State scale. Results. All the minimal conscientious state patients (100%) showed MMN potential. In seven of the vegetative state patients (87.5%) the MMN was not found. The remaining MMN potential positive vegetative state patient improved to MCS 16 days after testing. Conclusions. MMN is a valid tool for differentiating vegetative state from MCS during the subacute phase of severe TBI. Hence it is a useful aid to the clinical evaluation. This would diminish the impact of a possible diagnostic error and its prognosis on therapeutical management, family and health costs. It can also be used for evaluating other brain disorders with altered consciousness

Epilepsia y sexualidad / Epilepsy and sexuality

Este trabajo analiza la sexualidad en el paciente epiléptico, en especial, en la crisis parcial compleja en el lóbuIo temporal. La sexualidad es una función muy importante en la persona, y los cambios que pueden acompañar a la disfunción del lóbulo temporal tiende a ser en la dirección de la hiposexualidad, aunque lo contrario puede ser cierto (AU)