Seizures with paroxysmal arousals in sleep-related hypermotor epilepsy (SHE): Dissecting epilepsy from NREM parasomnias.

OBJECTIVE: Sleep-related hypermotor epilepsy (SHE) is a focal epilepsy characterized by seizures occurring mostly during sleep, ranging from brief seizures with paroxysmal arousals (SPAs) to hyperkinetic seizures and ambulatory behaviors. SPAs are brief and stereotypic seizures representing the beginning of a major seizure. Distinguishing SPAs from disorders of arousal (DOAs) and their briefest episodes called simple arousal movements (SAMs) is difficult. We performed a characterization of SPAs and SAMs to identify video-polysomnographic (VPSG) features that can contribute to the diagnosis of SHE or DOA. METHODS: Fifteen SHE, 30 DOA adult patients, and 15 healthy subjects underwent full-night VPSG. Two neurologist experts in sleep disorders and epilepsy classified all the sleep-related movements and episodes recorded. For each SPAs and SAMs, sleep stage at onset, duration, limb involvement, progression, and semiology have been identified. RESULTS: A total of 121 SPAs were recorded, emerging mostly during stage 1-2 non-rapid eye movement (NREM) sleep (median duration: 5 seconds). At the beginning, the SPAs motor pattern was hyperkinetic in 78 cases (64%), involving more than three non-contiguous or all body parts. The standard was a constant progression of movements during SPAs without any motor arrests. In DOA patients a total of 140 SAMs were recorded (median duration: 12 seconds) mostly emerging during stage 3 NREM sleep. In SAMs, we did not observe any tonic/dystonic or hypermotor patterns or stereotypy; motor arrest was present over the course of about half of the episodes. In comparison with both DOA and healthy subjects, SHE patients showed a higher number of sleep-related movements per night and a reduction of sleep efficiency. SIGNIFICANCE: SPAs and SAMs present different semiological and clinical features. Their recognition could be useful to drive the diagnosis when major episodes are not recorded during VPSG in patients with a clear clinical history of SHE or DOA.

Investigation of networks underlying hyperkinetic seizures utilizing ictal SPECT.

OBJECTIVE: To study neural networks involved in hyperkinetic seizures (HKS) using ictal SPECT. METHODS: We retrospectively identified 18 patients with HKS evaluated at the Cleveland Clinic between 2005 and 2015 with video-EEG monitoring and ictal SPECT. Semiology was confirmed by the consensus of 2 epileptologists' independent reviews and classified as type 1, 2, or 3 HKS. SPECT data were analyzed by 2 independent physicians using a z score of 1.5. Ictal hyperperfusion patterns for each group were analyzed visually and with SPM. Spatial normalization to Montreal Neurological Institute space for each patient's data was performed, followed by flipping of data from patients with left-sided ictal onset to the right side. Finally, an average z score map for each group was calculated. RESULTS: Visual analysis and SPM identified different patterns of ictal hyperperfusion in the 3 subtypes of HKS. Type 1 seizures showed hyperperfusion in a more anteriorly located network involving the anterior insula, orbitofrontal cortex, cingulate, and anterior perisylvian region and rostral midbrain. Type 2 seizures were associated with hyperperfusion in a more caudally located network involving the orbitofrontal cortex, cingulate (middle and posterior), basal ganglia, thalami, and cerebellum. Type 3 seizures showed a mixed pattern of SPECT hyperperfusion involving the temporal pole and anterior perisylvian region. CONCLUSIONS: Each of the 3 different semiologic subtypes of HKS is associated with distinct patterns of hyperperfusion, providing further insight into the neural networks involved. This knowledge may inform placement of invasive EEG electrodes in patients with HKS semiology undergoing presurgical evaluation.

Clinical features of sleep-related hypermotor epilepsy in relation to the seizure-onset zone: A review of 135 surgically treated cases.

OBJECTIVES: Sleep-related hypermotor epilepsy (SHE), formerly nocturnal frontal lobe epilepsy, is characterized by abrupt and typically sleep-related seizures with motor patterns of variable complexity and duration. They seizures arise more frequently in the frontal lobe than in the extrafrontal regions but identifying the seizure onset-zone (SOZ) may be challenging. In this study, we aimed to describe the clinical features of both frontal and extrafrontal SHE, focusing on ictal semiologic patterns in order to increase diagnostic accuracy. METHODS: We retrospectively analyzed the clinical features of patients with drug-resistant SHE seen in our center for epilepsy surgery. Patients were divided into frontal and extrafrontal SHE (temporal, operculoinsular, and posterior SHE). We classified seizure semiology according to four semiology patterns (SPs): elementary motor signs (SP1), unnatural hypermotor movements (SP2), integrated hypermotor movements (SP3), and gestural behaviors with high emotional content (SP4). Early nonmotor manifestations were also assessed. RESULTS: Our case series consisted of 91 frontal SHE and 44 extrafrontal SHE cases. Frontal and extrafrontal SHE shared many features such as young age at onset, high seizure-frequency rate, high rate of scalp electroencephalography (EEG) and magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) abnormalities, similar histopathologic substrates, and good postsurgical outcome. Within the frontal lobe, SPs were organized in a posteroanterior gradient (SP1-4) with respect to the SOZ. In temporal SHE, SP1 was rare and SP3-4 frequent, whereas in operculoinsular and posterior SHE, SP4 was absent. Nonmotor manifestations were frequent (70%) and some could provide valuable localizing information. SIGNIFICANCE: Our study shows that the presence of certain SP and nonmotor manifestations may provide helpful information to localize seizure onset in patients with SHE.

Movement disorders phenomenology in focal motor seizures.

INTRODUCTION: Although focal motor seizures may resemble one or more movement disorders their phenomenology and prevalence remain uncertain. METHODS: To examine the extent to which focal motor seizures can present with a phenomenology fulfilling diagnostic criteria for movement disorders, 100 consecutive patients with focal motor seizures were rated by movement disorders experts, epileptologists, and general neurologists. RESULTS: A focal motor seizure phenomenologically manifested as a defined movement disorder in 29% of the patients from a consecutive video-EEG documented cohort as per consensus among experts: myoclonus and dystonia (10 and 9 cases, respectively) were the most common movement disorders, followed by chorea (4), stereotypies (3) myoclonus-dystonia (2), and tremor (1). CONCLUSIONS: Movement disorders and focal motor epilepsy share overlapping movement phenomenology.

Hyperkinetic motor seizures: a common semiology generated by two different cortical seizure origins.

We report a 37-year-old, right-handed patient with drug-resistant focal epilepsy whose seizures were characterized by explosive hyperkinetic behaviour. Video-SEEG revealed bifocal organization of epilepsy with two distinct cortical origins of seizures: the right temporal pole and left temporal lateral and perisylvian cortex. Irrespective of the cortical pattern of seizure onset, the hyperkinetic semiology was extremely similar. This supports a major role for "final common pathway" subcortical circuits in the genesis of the hyperkinetic semiology in this patient.

Prolonged Blood-Brain Barrier Disruption Following Laser Interstitial Ablation in Epilepsy: A Case Series with a Case Report of Postablation Optic Neuritis.

OBJECTIVE: Laser interstitial thermal therapy has become increasingly popular for targeting epileptic foci in a minimally invasive fashion. Despite its use in >1000 patients, the long-term effects of photothermal injury on brain physiology remain poorly understood. METHODS: We prospectively followed clinical and radiographic courses of 13 patients undergoing laser ablation for focal epilepsy by the senior author (N.T.). Only patients with nonenhancing lesions and patients who had a delayed postoperative magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) scan with gadolinium administration approximately 6 months after ablation were considered. Volumetric estimates of the amount of enhancement immediately after ablation and on the delayed MRI scan were made. RESULTS: Median interval between surgery and delayed postoperative MRI scan was 6 months (range, 5-8 months). In 12 of 13 cases, persistent enhancement was seen, consistent with prolonged blood-brain barrier dysfunction. Enhancement, when present, was 9%-67% (mean 30%). There was no correlation between the time from surgery and the relative percentage of postoperative enhancement on MRI. The blood-brain barrier remained compromised to gadolinium contrast for up to 8 months after thermal therapy. There were no adverse events from surgical intervention; however, 1 patient developed delayed optic neuritis. CONCLUSIONS: Prolonged incompetence of the blood-brain barrier produced by thermal ablation may provide a path for delivery of macromolecules into perilesional tissue, which could be exploited for therapeutic benefit, but rarely it may result in autoimmune central nervous system inflammatory conditions.

Brain-responsive neurostimulation in patients with medically intractable seizures arising from eloquent and other neocortical areas.

OBJECTIVE: Evaluate the seizure-reduction response and safety of brain-responsive stimulation in adults with medically intractable partial-onset seizures of neocortical origin. METHODS: Patients with partial seizures of neocortical origin were identified from prospective clinical trials of a brain-responsive neurostimulator (RNS System, NeuroPace). The seizure reduction over years 2-6 postimplantation was calculated by assessing the seizure frequency compared to a preimplantation baseline. Safety was assessed based on reported adverse events. Additional analyses considered safety and seizure reduction according to lobe and functional area (e.g., eloquent cortex) of seizure onset. RESULTS: There were 126 patients with seizures of neocortical onset. The average follow-up was 6.1 implant years. The median percent seizure reduction was 70% in patients with frontal and parietal seizure onsets, 58% in those with temporal neocortical onsets, and 51% in those with multilobar onsets (last observation carried forward [LOCF] analysis). Twenty-six percent of patients experienced at least one seizure-free period of 6 months or longer and 14% experienced at least one seizure-free period of 1 year or longer. Patients with lesions on magnetic resonance imaging (MRI; 77% reduction, LOCF) and those with normal MRI findings (45% reduction, LOCF) benefitted, although the treatment response was more robust in patients with an MRI lesion (p = 0.02, generalized estimating equation [GEE]). There were no differences in the seizure reduction in patients with and without prior epilepsy surgery or vagus nerve stimulation. Stimulation parameters used for treatment did not cause acute or chronic neurologic deficits, even in eloquent cortical areas. The rates of infection (0.017 per patient implant year) and perioperative hemorrhage (0.8%) were not greater than with other neurostimulation devices. SIGNIFICANCE: Brain-responsive stimulation represents a safe and effective treatment option for patients with medically intractable epilepsy, including adults with seizures of neocortical onset, and those with onsets from eloquent cortex.

Seizures with tonic posturing: Semiologic difference between supplementary sensorimotor area (SSMA) origin and extra-SSMA origin.

In seizures with tonic posturing, differentiation of seizures originating in SSMA from seizures originating in cortices other than SSMA and spreading to SSMA has not been previously attempted. Twenty-two patients were studied with intractable focal epilepsy with tonic limb posturing as the most prominent semiology, who underwent resective surgery and obtained favorable postoperative seizure outcomes. These 22 patients were divided into an SSMA group (N = 12) and an extra-SSMA group (N = 10), according to the location of resection. Resection area in the extra-SSMA group was located in the dorsolateral frontal or prefrontal area in four patients, the frontal operculum (insula) in two, the parietal cortex in three, and the temporoparietal cortex in one patient. Video-recorded seizures were carefully reviewed. Tonic posturing characteristics and the presence or absence of accompanying symptoms were compared between groups. Incidence of preservation of consciousness was significantly higher in the SSMA group (p < 0.001). Patients in the SSMA group demonstrated a propensity for having unilateral or bilateral asymmetrical tonic limb posturing. In contrast, patients in the extra-SSMA group had a statistically significantly higher incidence of bilateral symmetrical tonic limb posturing (p < 0.05). These findings may be helpful in identifying seizure origin.

[FOCAL MOTOR SEIZURES AND STATUS EPILEPTICUS PROVOKED BY MIRTAZAPINE]. / MIRTAZAPIN ÁLTAL PROVOKÁLT FOKÁLIS MOTOROS ROHAMOK ÉS STATUS EPILEPTICUS.

The seizure-provoking effect of the tetracyclic antidepressant mirtazapine is not a well-known adverse effect of the drug. The authors report on a 39-year-old non-epileptic patient who had been treated for depression with the usual daily dose of mirtazapine. Having increased the daily dose of the drug from 30 to 45 milligrams he experienced a few clonic seizures of the right lower limb. This symptom and insomnia erroneously intended the patient to further increase the daily dose of mirtazapine, which immediately resulted in the evolution of focal clonic status epilepticus in the same limb. After admission, this condition was recorded by video-EEG and abolished by intravenous administration of levetiracetam after the intravenous clonazepam had been ineffective. Discontinuation of mirtazapine and administration of carbamazepine resulted in completely seizure-free state that persisted even after carbamazepine treatment was terminated. The clinical and laboratory data indicate the seizure-provoking effect of mirtazapine in the reported case.

Monitoring neonatal seizures.

Neonatal seizures are a neurological emergency and prompt treatment is required. Seizure burden in neonates can be very high, status epilepticus a frequent occurrence, and the majority of seizures do not have any clinical correlate. Detection of neonatal seizures is only possible with continuous electroencephalogram (EEG) monitoring. EEG interpretation requires special expertise that is not available in most neonatal intensive care units (NICUs). As a result, a simplified method of EEG recording incorporating an easy-to-interpret compressed trend of the EEG output (amplitude integrated EEG) from one of the EEG output from one or two channels has emerged as a popular way to monitor neurological function in the NICU. This is not without limitations; short duration and low amplitude seizures can be missed, artefacts are problematic and may mimic seizure-like activity and only a restricted area of the brain is monitored. Continuous multichannel EEG is the gold standard for detecting seizures and monitoring response to therapy but expert interpretation of the EEG output is generally not available. Some centres have set up remote access for neurophysiologists to the cot-side EEG, but reliable interpretation is wholly dependent on the 24 h availability of experts, an expensive solution. A more practical solution for the NICU without such expertise is an automated seizure detection system. This review outlines the current state of the art regarding cot-side monitoring of neonatal seizures in the NICU.

Applicability of nTMS in locating the motor cortical representation areas in patients with epilepsy.

BACKGROUND: Transcranial magnetic stimulation (TMS) is increasingly used for non-invasive functional mapping in preoperative evaluation for brain surgery, and the reliability of navigated TMS (nTMS) motor representation maps has been studied in the healthy population and in brain tumor patients. The lesions behind intractable epilepsy differ from typical brain tumors, ranging from developmental cortical malformations to injuries early in development, and may influence the functional organization of the cortical areas. Moreover, the interictal cortical epileptic activity and antiepileptic medication may affect the nTMS motor threshold. The reliability of the nTMS motor representation localization in epilepsy patients has not been addressed. METHODS: We compared the nTMS motor cortical representation maps of hand and arm muscles with the results of invasive electrical cortical stimulation (ECS) in 13 patients with focal epilepsy. The nTMS maps were projected to the cortical surface segmented from preoperative magnetic resonance images (MRI), and the positions of the subdural electrodes were extracted from the postoperative low-dose computed tomography (CT) images registered with preoperative MRI. RESULTS: The 3D distance between the average nTMS site and average ECS electrode location was 11 ± 4 mm for the hand and 16 ± 7 mm for arm muscle representation areas. In all patients the representation areas defined with nTMS and ECS were located on the same gyrus, also in patients with abundant interictal epileptic activity on the motor gyrus. CONCLUSIONS: nTMS can reliably locate the hand motor cortical representation area with the accuracy needed for pre-surgical evaluation in patients with epilepsy.

Etiology-specific differences in motor function after hemispherectomy.

Prediction of functional motor outcome after hemispherectomy is difficult due to the heterogeneity of motor outcomes observed. We hypothesize that this might be related to differences in plasticity during the onset of the underlying epileptogenic disorder or lesion and try to identify predictors of motor outcome after hemispherectomy. Thirty-five children with different etiologies (developmental, stable acquired or progressive) underwent functional hemispherectomy and motor function assessment before hemispherectomy and 24 months after hemispherectomy. Preoperatively, children with developmental etiologies performed better in terms of distal arm strength and hand function, but not on gross motor function tests. Postoperatively, the three etiology groups performed equally poor in muscle strength and hand function, but gross motor function improved in those with acquired and progressive etiologies. Loss of voluntary hand function and distal arm strength after surgery was associated with etiology, intact insular cortex and intact structural integrity of the ipsilesional corticospinal tract on presurgical MRI scans. In conclusion, postoperative motor function can be predicted more precisely based on etiology and on preoperative MRI. Children with developmental etiology more often lose distal arm strength and hand function and show less improvement in gross motor function, compared to those with acquired pathology.

Outcome of children with hyperventilation-induced high-amplitude rhythmic slow activity with altered awareness.

Hyperventilation-induced high-amplitude rhythmic slow activity with altered awareness (HIHARS) is increasingly being identified in children and is thought to be an age-related non-epileptic electrographic phenomenon. We retrospectively investigated the clinical outcome in 15 children (six males, nine females) with HIHARS (mean age 7y, SD 1y 11mo; range 4y 6mo-11y). The presenting feature in 11 cases was blank spells - two of these children also had generalized tonic-clonic seizures (GTCS) - and in one individual the main concern was deteriorating school performance. Three children had symptoms suggestive of focal motor seizures. Of the nine children presenting solely with blank spells, further follow-up (mean duration 18mo, SD 21mo) revealed full resolution of symptoms in six, but three had persistent symptoms. In our study, the symptoms of children with HIHARS presenting with blank spells in isolation appeared to resolve spontaneously and did not evolve into convulsive seizures or other paroxysmal events considered to be clearly epileptic. Children (with HIHARS) who presented with clinical features suggestive of GTCS or focal motor seizures (with or without blank spells) and/or had epileptiform discharges on interictal electroencephalography were subsequently diagnosed with epilepsy.

The subcortical hidden side of focal motor seizures: evidence from micro-recordings and local field potentials.

Focal motor seizures are characterized by transient motor behaviour that occurs simultaneously with paroxystic activity in the controlateral motor cortex. The implication of the basal ganglia has already been shown for generalized seizure but the propagation pathways from the motor cortex towards the basal ganglia during focal motor seizures are largely unknown. With a better knowledge of those pathways, a therapeutic modulation for reducing drug resistant motor epilepsy could be considered. Here, we recorded single-unit activities and local field potentials in the basal ganglia of two Macaca fascicularis in which acute focal motor seizures were induced by the injection of penicillin over the arm motor cortex territory. Each neuron was characterized using its mean firing rate and its type of firing pattern during interictal periods and seizures. Time-frequency analyses of local field potentials and electroencephalographic signals were used to assess dynamic changes occurring during seizure at a larger spatial level. The firing rate of neurons of input stages of basal ganglia (subthalamic nucleus and putamen) and those from the external part of the globus pallidus were significantly higher during seizures as compared to interictal periods. During seizures, the proportion of oscillatory neurons in subthalamic nucleus (71%), external globus pallidus (45%) and putamen (53%) significantly increased in comparison to interictal periods. Rhythmic activity was synchronized with ictal cortical spikes in external globus pallidus and subthalamic nucleus, but not in the putamen which oscillated faster than motor cortex. In contrast, no significant modification of the firing rate of the output stages of basal ganglia (internal part of the globus pallidus, substantia nigra pars reticulata) could be found during seizures. The local field potentials of subthalamic nucleus and external globus pallidus changed abruptly at the onset of the seizure, showing synchronization with the cortical activity throughout the seizure. In putamen, the synchronization appeared only by the end of seizures and for the two output structures, despite some increase of the oscillatory activity, the synchronization with the cortex was not significant. Our results suggest that the subthalamo-(external)-pallidal pathway is the main subcortical route involved during ictal motor seizures. Surprisingly, ictal activity did not propagate to the output structure of basal ganglia in that model. This finding may be important for clinical decisions of targeting when considering anti-epileptic neuromodulation in human beings suffering from disabling, drug resistant motor epilepsy.

Surgical treatment of focal inhibitory motor seizures.

The authors describe a rare case of a pediatric patient with focal inhibitory motor seizures (ictal paralysis) with the seizure focus in the primary motor cortex. Seizures were characterized by ictal paralysis of the contralateral limbs without loss of consciousness. The seizure focus and progression were examined using long-term video electroencephalography (EEG) monitoring and MR imaging. Invasive recordings of the ictal EEG revealed spike rhythms arising from the primary motor cortex, suggesting that seizures associated with paralysis can arise from hyperactivity in either positive or negative motor areas. Resection of the cortical area related to ictal onset resulted in a seizure-free status for the last 3 years.

Versive seizures in occipital lobe epilepsy: lateralizing value and pathophysiology.

To clarify the value of versive seizures in lateralizing and localizing the epileptogenic zone in patients with occipital lobe epilepsy, we studied 13 occipital lobe epilepsy patients with at least one versive seizure recorded during preoperative noninvasive video-EEG monitoring, who underwent occipital lobe resection, and were followed postoperatively for more than 2 years with Engel's class I outcome. The videotaped versive seizures were analyzed to compare the direction of version and the side of surgical resection in each patient. Moreover, we examined other motor symptoms (partial somatomotor manifestations such as tonic and/or clonic movements of face and/or limbs, automatisms, and eyelid blinking) associated with version. Forty-nine versive seizures were analyzed. The direction of version was always contralateral to the side of resection except in one patient. Among accompanying motor symptoms, partial somatomotor manifestations were observed in only five patients. In conclusion, versive seizure is a reliable lateralizing sign indicating contralateral epileptogenic zone in occipital lobe epilepsy. Since versive seizures were accompanied by partial somatomotor manifestations in less than half of the patients, it is suggested that the mechanism of version in occipital lobe epilepsy is different from that in frontal lobe epilepsy.

Cortical stimulation of the epileptogenic zone for the treatment of focal motor seizures: an experimental study in the nonhuman primate.

BACKGROUND: Cortical stimulation is under investigation in clinical trials of drug-resistant epilepsy. Results are heterogeneous; therefore, more evidence from animal studies is required. OBJECTIVE: To investigate the therapeutic effects of parameters of direct stimulation of the cortical focus in a Macaca fascicularis presenting focal motor epilepsy. METHODS: We developed a model of motor seizures after intracortical injection of penicillin G in the primary motor cortex of a Macaca fascicularis. We performed electric epidural cortical stimulation at low, medium, and high frequency using continuous or short-term stimulation. Short-term stimulation was triggered on seizure onset, either visually or automatically with a seizure detection algorithm connected to a programmable stimulator. RESULTS: Automated detection could detect 100% of the seizures, but ensuing cortical electric stimulation failed to abort seizures. CONCLUSION: This study demonstrates the inefficacy of the stimulation of the cortical focus to prevent seizures induced by local injection of penicillin G. Because this model may be too severe to allow comparison to human epilepsies, further work is required in other monkey models of focal epilepsy.

Modelos experimentales en epilepsia / Experimental models in epilepsy

Introducción: La epilepsia es una de las enfermedades neurológicas más frecuentes, y además conlleva una tasa de consecuencias negativas muy importante, tanto para el paciente como para los familiares. Su manifestación clínica principal es la aparición de crisis epilépticas recurrentes, que en el 70-80% de los casos se controlan con la medicación. Sin embargo, a pesar de que van apareciendo nuevos fármacos para el control de las crisis, no disponemos todavía de fármacos que consigan evitar la epileptogénesis. Método: Revisamos las publicaciones más relevantes de modelos animales experimentales en epilepsia utilizando para ello la base de datos de PubMed. Resultados: Se han encontrado un amplio número de publicaciones sobre tipos de modelos experimentales tanto genéticos (transgénicos, genéticamente determinados) como lesionales (químicos o eléctricos), que intentan imitar los diferentes tipos de epilepsia en humanos. Conclusiones: A pesar de que en las últimas décadas se han hecho importantes avances en el campo de la epilepsia, aún quedan muchos aspectos por dilucidar. En este sentido, los modelos experimentales pueden suponer una herramienta muy útil para el avance en el conocimiento de los mecanismos fisiopatológicos y en la búsqueda de tratamientos eficaces (AU)

Introduction: Epilepsy is one of the neurological pathologies with the highest rate of incidence and with a significant number of negatives consequences. Current pharmacological treatments have an antiepileptic effect, allowing control over 70% of the patients, but they are not able to prevent the development of epileptogenesis from occurring. Method: Ee have reviewed the most relevant publications of experimental animal models with epilepsy by using the PubMed data base. Results: We found a large number of publications related to different kinds of experimental models, both genetic (transgenic, genetically determined) and lesional which appeared to resemble the different types of human epilepsy. Conclusions: Even though many important improvements have been accomplished in the area of epilepsy in the last decades, there are still many aspects to be clarified. In this regard, experimental models might become a very useful means for a better understanding of pathophysiological mechanisms and in the search for more efficient treatments (AU)

Neuromodulation of epileptic foci in patients with non-lesional refractory motor epilepsy.

We report two cases of chronic therapeutic stimulation of epileptic foci localized in motor areas. Case 1 is an adolescent with supplementary motor area seizures whose intracranial recordings showed a right SMA focus. Case 2 is a female teenager with primary motor seizures originating in the right motor cortex in the hand area as shown by her intracranial recordings and cortical mapping. Both had apparently normal MRI. Chronic stimulation of the epileptic focus decreased the number of seizures more than 90% the seizure number while preserving motor function. None of the patients had side effects. Neuromodulation is proposed as a safe, efficient surgical alternative for motor seizure control.

Epileptic negative drop attacks in atypical benign partial epilepsy: a neurophysiological study.

PURPOSE: We conducted a computer-assisted polygraphic analysis of drop attacks in a child with atypical benign partial epilepsy (ABPE) to investigate neurophysiological characteristics. SUBJECT AND METHODS: The patient was a six-year two-month-old girl, who had started to have focal motor seizures, later combined with daily epileptic negative myoclonus (ENM) and drop attacks, causing multiple injuries. We studied episodes of ENM and drop attacks using video-polygraphic and computer-assisted back-averaging analysis. RESULTS: A total of 12 ENM episodes, seven involving the left arm (ENMlt) and five involving both arms (ENMbil), and five drop attacks were captured for analysis. All episodes were time-locked to spike-and-wave complexes (SWC) arising from both centro-temporo-parietal (CTP) areas. The latency between the onset of SWC and ENMlt, ENMbil, and drop attacks reached 68 ms, 42 ms, and 8 ms, respectively. The height of the spike as well as the slow-wave component of SWC for drop attacks were significantly larger than that for both ENMlt and ENMbil (p < 0.05). CONCLUSION: Drop attacks were considered to be epileptic negative myoclonus involving not only upper proximal but also axial muscles, causing the body to fall. Thus, drop attacks in ABPE are considered to be epileptic negative drop attacks arising from bilateral CTP foci and differ from drop attacks of a generalized origin seen in Lennox-Gastaut syndrome and myoclonic-astatic epilepsy.