Risk of epilepsy in type 1 diabetes mellitus: a population-based cohort study

Type 1 diabetes and the risk of epilepsy: A meta-analysis

AIMS/INTRODUCTION

An overrepresentation of epilepsy has been suggested in patients with type 1 diabetes (T1D). This meta-analysis was conducted to evaluate if type 1 diabetes is associated with a higher incidence of epilepsy.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

Longitudinal observational studies which are relevant to the purpose of the meta-analysis were screened and obtained by searching PubMed, Embase, and Web of Science databases. Random-effects models were used when significant heterogeneity was observed; otherwise, fixed-effects models were used.

RESULTS

Six observational studies involving 10 datasets of 8,001,899 participants were included, with six datasets including children and only one dataset including older people. Among them, 100,414 (1.25%) had type 1 diabetes. During the follow-up duration of 5.4-15.2 years (mean: 9.5 years), 98,644 cases (1.23%) of epilepsy were observed. Compared with participants with normoglycemia, those with type 1 diabetes were shown to have a higher incidence of epilepsy (risk ratio [RR]: 2.41, 95% confidence interval 1.69-3.44, P < 0.001; I2  = 95%) after adjustment of potential confounding variables including age and sex. Subgroup analysis showed consistent results in nested case-control and retrospective cohort studies, and in studies of children, non-elderly adult, and older participants (P for subgroup difference = 0.42 and 0.07). In addition, a stronger association of type 1 diabetes and epilepsy was suggested in studies with follow-up duration <10 years compared with those ≥10 years (RR: 3.34 vs 1.61, P for subgroup difference < 0.001).

CONCLUSION

Patients with type 1 diabetes may have a higher risk of epilepsy, which was mainly driven by datasets including children.

Electroencephalographic abnormalities in children with type 1 diabetes mellitus: a prospective study

Background/aim

The aim herein was to investigate epileptiform discharges on electroencephalogram (EEG), their correlation with glutamic acid decarboxylase 65 autoantibody (GAD-ab) in newly diagnosed pediatric type 1 diabetes mellitus (T1DM) patients and interpret their medium-term utility in predicting epilepsy.

Materials and methods

Children presenting with T1DM between July 2018 and December 2019 were included in this prospective longitudinal study. Patients with a history of head injury, chronic illness, neurological disorder, seizure, autism, or encephalopathy were excluded. EEGs were obtained within the first 7 days of diagnosis and later reviewed by a pediatric neurologist. All of the children were clinically followed-up in pediatric endocrinology and neurology clinics for 2 years after their diagnosis.

Results

A total of 105 children (46 male, 43.8%) were included. The mean age at the time of diagnosis was 9.6 ± 4.1 years (range: 11 months-17.5 years). At the time of admission, 24 (22.9%), 29 (27.6%), and 52 (49.5%) patients had hyperglycemia, ketosis, and diabetic ketoacidosis, respectively. GAD-ab was positive in 55 children (52.4%). No background or sleep architecture abnormalities or focal slowing were present on the EEGs. Of the patients, 3 (2.9%) had focal epileptiform discharges. The mean GAD-ab levels of the remaining 102 patients were 7.48 ± 11.97 U/mL (range: 0.01-50.54) (p = 0.2). All 3 children with EEG abnormality had higher levels of GAD-ab (3.59 U/mL, 31.3 U/mL, and 7.09 U/mL, respectively). None of the patients developed epilepsy during the follow-up, although 1 patient experienced Guillain-Barré syndrome (GBS).

Conclusion

The prevalence of epileptiform discharges in the patients was similar to those of previous studies, in which healthy children were also included. No relationship was found between the epileptiform discharges and GAD-ab, and none of the patients manifested seizures during the first 2 years of follow-up of T1DM. These data support the findings of previous studies reporting that T1DM patients with confirmed electroencephalographic abnormalities do not have an increased risk of epilepsy. On the other hand, GBS might be considered as another autoimmune disease that may be associated with T1DM in children.

Anti-GAD65 autoantibody levels measured by ELISA and alternative types of immunoassays in relation to neuropsychiatric diseases versus diabetes mellitus type 1

Background

Anti-GAD65 autoantibodies (GAD65-Abs) may occur in patients with epilepsy and other neurological disorders, but the clinical significance is not clear-cut. Whereas high levels of GAD65-Abs are considered pathogenic in neuropsychiatric disorders, low or moderate levels are only considered as mere bystanders in, e.g., diabetes mellitus type 1 (DM1). The value of cell-based assays (CBA) and immunohistochemistry (IHC) for GAD65-Abs detection has not been clearly evaluated in this context.

Objective

To re-evaluate the assumption that high levels of GAD65-Abs are related to neuropsychiatric disorders and lower levels only to DM1 and to compare ELISA results with CBA and IHC to determine the additional value of these tests.

Methods

111 sera previously assessed for GAD65-Abs by ELISA in routine clinical practice were studied. Clinical indications for testing were, e.g., suspected autoimmune encephalitis or epilepsy (neuropsychiatric cohort; n = 71, 7 cases were initially tested positive for GAD65-Abs by ELISA), and DM1 or latent autoimmune diabetes in adults (DM1/LADA cohort (n = 40, all were initially tested positive)). Sera were re-tested for GAD65-Abs by ELISA, CBA, and IHC. Also, we examined the possible presence of GAD67-Abs by CBA and of other neuronal autoantibodies by IHC. Samples that showed IHC patterns different from GAD65 were further tested by selected CBAs.

Results

ELISA retested GAD65-Abs level in patients with neuropsychiatric diseases was higher than in patients with DM1/LADA (only retested positive samples were compared; 6 vs. 38; median 47,092 U/mL vs. 581 U/mL; p = 0.02). GAD-Abs showed positive both by CBA and IHC only if antibody levels were above 10,000 U/mL, without a difference in prevalence between the studied cohorts. We found other neuronal antibodies in one patient with epilepsy (mGluR1-Abs, GAD-Abs negative), and in a patient with encephalitis, and two patients with LADA.

Conclusion

GAD65-Abs levels are significantly higher in patients with neuropsychiatric disease than in patients with DM1/LADA, however, positivity in CBA and IHC only correlates with high levels of GAD65-Abs, and not with the underlying diseases.

Glycaemic Imbalances in Seizures and Epilepsy of Paediatric Age: A Literature Review

Cerebral excitability and systemic metabolic balance are closely interconnected. Energy supply to neurons depends critically on glucose, whose fluctuations can promote immediate hyperexcitability resulting in acute symptomatic seizures. On the other hand, chronic disorders of sugar metabolism (e.g., diabetes mellitus) are often associated with long-term epilepsy. In this paper, we aim to review the existing knowledge on the association between acute and chronic glycaemic imbalances (hyper- and hypoglycaemia) with seizures and epilepsy, especially in the developing brain, focusing on clinical and instrumental features in order to optimize the care of children and adolescents and prevent the development of chronic neurological conditions in young patients.

The effect of age at onset of type 1 diabetes mellitus on epilepsy vulnerability

AIMS

To examine whether type 1 diabetes age onset correlates with epilepsy incidence.

METHODS

We used type 1 diabetes longitudinal data with onset age ≤ 40 years enrolled in Taiwan National Health Insurance program to examine type 1 diabetes onset age effect on epilepsy occurrence.

RESULTS

In 6,165 type 1 diabetes patients, onset age groups included 3,571 patients (58%) ≤ 18 years (childhood-onset) and 2,594 patients (42%) > 18 years (adulthood-onset). After 8.6 years median follow-up following type 1 diabetes onset, epilepsy incidence rate in adulthood-onset group was 2.26-fold higher than that in childhood-onset group. Epilepsy incidence rate ratio was lowest in those with onset age 6-12 years in comparison to that in patients with onset age ≤ 6 years, but was highest in onset age of 30-40 years. Longer follow-up duration correlates with higher epilepsy risk in adulthood-onset group. Multiple logistic regression analysis showed that onset age 30-40 years, male, more than one diabetic ketoacidosis episode, and unprovoked seizure events were independent risk factors for epilepsy following type 1 diabetes onset.

CONCLUSIONS

There is age-related vulnerability to epilepsy following type 1 diabetes onset. Adulthood-onset type 1 diabetes is an independent risk factor for epilepsy susceptibility after type 1 diabetes.

The Advanced Diabetes Technologies for Reduction of the Frequency of Hypoglycemia and Minimizing the Occurrence of Severe Hypoglycemia in Children and Adolescents with Type 1 Diabetes

Hypoglycemia is an often-observed acute complication in the management of children and adolescents with type 1 diabetes. It causes inappropriate glycemic outcomes and may impair the quality of life in the patients. Severe hypoglycemia with cognitive impairment, such as a convulsion and coma, is a lethal condition and is associated with later-onset cognitive impairment and brain-structural abnormalities, especially in young children. Therefore, reducing the frequency of hypoglycemia and minimizing the occurrence of severe hypoglycemia are critical issues in the management of children and adolescents with type 1 diabetes. Advanced diabetes technologies, including continuous glucose monitoring and sensor-augmented insulin pumps with low-glucose suspension systems, can reduce the frequency of hypoglycemia and the occurrence of severe hypoglycemia without aggravating glycemic control. The hybrid closed-loop system, an automated insulin delivery system, must be the most promising means to achieve appropriate glycemic control with preventing severe hypoglycemia. The use of these advanced diabetes technologies could improve glycemic outcomes and the quality of life in children and adolescents with type 1 diabetes.

Epilepsy, Immunity and Neuropsychiatric Disorders

Several studies have focused on the emerging role of immunity and inflammation in a wide range of neurological disorders. Autoimmune diseases involving central nervous system share well defined clinical features including epileptic seizures and additional neuropsychiatric symptoms, like cognitive and psychiatric disturbances. The growing evidence about the role of immunity in the pathophysiologic mechanisms underlying these conditions lead to the concept of autoimmune epilepsy. This relatively-new term has been introduced to highlight the etiological and prognostic implications of immunity in epileptogenesis. In this review, we aim to discuss the role of autoimmunity in epileptogenesis and its clinical, neurophysiological, neuroimaging and therapeutic implications. Moreover, we wish to address the close relationship between immunity and additional symptoms, particularly cognitive and psychiatric features, which deeply impact clinical outcomes in these patients. To assess these aspects, we first analyzed Rasmussen's encephalitis. Subsequently, we have covered autoimmune encephalitis, particularly those associated with autoantibodies against surface neuronal antigens, as these autoantibodies express a direct immune-mediated mechanism, different from those against intracellular antigens. Then, we discussed the connection between systemic immune disorders and neurological manifestations. This review aims to highlight the need to expand knowledge about the role of inflammation and autoimmunity in the pathophysiology of neurological disorders and the importance to early recognize these clinical entities. Indeed, early identification may result in faster recovery and a better prognosis.

The JAK-STAT Signaling Pathway in Epilepsy

Epilepsy is defined as spontaneous recurrent seizures in the brain. There is increasing evidence that inflammatory mediators and immune cells are involved in epileptic seizures. As more research is done on inflammatory factors and immune cells in epilepsy, new targets for the treatment of epilepsy will be revealed. The Janus kinase-signal transducer and transcriptional activator (JAKSTAT) signaling pathway is strongly associated with many immune and inflammatory diseases, At present, more and more studies have found that the JAK-STAT pathway is involved in the development and development of epilepsy, indicating the JAK-STAT pathway's potential promise as a target in epilepsy treatment. In this review, we discuss the composition, activation, and regulation of the JAK-STAT pathway and the relationship between the JAK-STAT pathway and epilepsy. In addition, we summarize the common clinical inhibitors of JAK and STAT that we would expect to be used in epilepsy treatment in the future.

Morbidity and rehospitalization postpartum among women with epilepsy and their infants: A population-based study

OBJECTIVE

We compared the relative occurrence of selected pregnancy outcomes and postpartum rehospitalizations among women with and without epilepsy and their infants. Using linked vital-hospital discharge records of women with deliveries in Washington State 1987-2014, comparisons were made overall, by epilepsy type, and by time periods related to antiepileptic drug (AED) marketing changes.

METHODS

This population-based retrospective cohort study identified women with, and without epilepsy per diagnosis codes in the hospital discharge record from among all deliveries during 1987-2014 to examine maternal and infant outcomes, rehospitalization and mortality <2 years postpartum. Relative risks (RRs) and 95 % confidence intervals (CI) overall, and by epilepsy type were calculated using Poisson regression. We assessed the validity of epilepsy identification based on diagnosis codes by conducting a medical chart review for a sample of women.

RESULTS

Women with epilepsy had increased risks of preeclampsia (RR 1.23; 95 % CI 1.08-1.41) and gestational diabetes (RR 1.18; 95 % CI 1.02-1.36). Their infants had increased malformation (RR 1.23; 95 % C: 1.08-1.42) and small for gestational age (SGA, RR 1.39; 95 % CI 1.25-1.54) risks, and were nearly three times as likely to not be breastfed. Affected mothers (RR 5.25; 95 % CI 2.46-11.23) and their infants (RR 1.64, 95 % CI 1.41-1.89) required more ICU admissions during the delivery hospitalizations, and more postpartum rehospitalization, with greatest risk in the first six months. Maternal mortality < 2 years after delivery was increased (RR 7.11; 95 % CI 2.47-20.49). Increased risks were observed for all epilepsy subtypes for nearly all outcomes examined. Risks of preterm delivery and low birthweight increased over time (p <.05). Suggestive, but not statistically significant temporal decreases in risks of gestational diabetes and malformations and increased risk of preterm labor were noted. We observed high sensitivity of diagnosis codes for identifying pregnant women with epilepsy.

CONCLUSION

These population-based results emphasize the need for frequent postpartum monitoring of women with epilepsy. Increases in risks of low birthweight and preterm delivery over time are of concern. Possible temporal changes in other outcomes warrant further investigation.

Intractable Seizures and Limbic Encephalitis, Unaccounted Complications of Type 1 Diabetes Autoimmunity

Glutamic acid decarboxylase 65kD autoantibody (GAD65Ab) is frequently detected in patients with refractory epilepsy and stiff person syndrome. In contrast to T1D, the pathological role of GAD65Ab in neurological disorders is still debatable. As a result, the implementation of possible immunotherapy is usually delayed. This report presents 2 cases of GAD65Ab-associated brain autoimmunity and their different management. We present clinical data and discuss management based on available evidence in the reviewed literature. Both cases presented with acute on chronic neurological symptoms and were GAD65Ab positive. Case 1, a 30-year-old man with a history of early-onset type 1 diabetes mellitus at 14 months, followed by cryptogenic temporal epilepsy at 11 years of age, presented with intractable seizures. Case 2, a 48-year-old woman, presented with a history of recurrent severe headaches, cognitive impairment, decreased memory, and behavioral symptoms. GAD65Ab was detected in both patients’ sera. Cerebrospinal fluid GAD65Ab was only checked and positive in case 1. Case 2 was diagnosed with limbic encephalitis, treated with immunotherapy, and showed a remarkable clinical improvement. Case 1 with refractory epilepsy failed multiple antiepileptic drugs and responsive-stimulator system treatments. He was finally diagnosed with autoimmune epilepsy. The delay in diagnosis resulted in a lost opportunity for early immunotherapy. In conclusion, autoantibody screening and early initiation of immunotherapy should be considered to manage GAD65Ab-associated neurological disorders.

Association between the Serum Coenzyme Q10 Level and Seizure Control in Patients with Drug-Resistant Epilepsy

Drug-resistant epilepsy (DRE) is a chronic neurological disorder with somatic impacts and increased risk of metabolic comorbidities. Oxidative stress might play an important role in metabolic effects and as a regulator of seizure control, while coenzyme Q10 (CoQ10) could improve insulin sensitivity through antioxidant effects. We aimed to investigate the association between CoQ10 level and clinical outcome, represented by the seizure frequency and quality of life, in DRE patients. DRE patients (N = 33) had significantly higher serum insulin levels and lower scores on the physical domain of the World Health Organization Quality of Life questionnaire (WHOQoL) than gender-age matched controls. The serum CoQ10 level (2910.4 ± 1163.7 ng/mL) was much higher in DRE patients than the normal range. Moreover, the serum CoQ10 level was significantly correlated with the seizure frequency (r = −0.412, p = 0.037) and insulin level (r = 0.409, p = 0.038). Based on stratification by insulin resistance (HOMA-IR > 2.4), the subgroup analysis showed that patients with a greater HOMA-IR had higher CoQ10 levels and lower seizure frequency, and had a significantly worse quality of life. In summary, CoQ10 could be a mediator involved in the mechanism of epilepsy and serve as a biomarker of the clinical outcome in DER patients.

The association between systemic autoimmune disorders and epilepsy and its clinical implications

Systemic autoimmune disorders occur more frequently in patients with epilepsy than in the general population, suggesting shared disease mechanisms. The risk of epilepsy is elevated across the spectrum of systemic autoimmune disorders but is highest in systemic lupus erythematosus and type 1 diabetes mellitus. Vascular and metabolic factors are the most important mediators between systemic autoimmune disorders and epilepsy. Systemic immune dysfunction can also affect neuronal excitability, not only through innate immune activation and blood-brain barrier dysfunction in most epilepsies but also adaptive immunity in autoimmune encephalitis. The presence of systemic autoimmune disorders in subjects with acute seizures warrants evaluation for infectious, vascular, toxic and metabolic causes of acute symptomatic seizures, but clinical signs of autoimmune encephalitis should not be missed. Immunosuppressive medications may have antiseizure properties and trigger certain drug interactions with antiseizure treatments. A better understanding of mechanisms underlying the co-existence of epilepsy and systemic autoimmune disorders is needed to guide new antiseizure and anti-epileptogenic treatments. This review aims to summarize the epidemiological evidence for systemic autoimmune disorders as comorbidities of epilepsy, explore potential immune and non-immune mechanisms, and provide practical implications on diagnostic and therapeutic approach to epilepsy in those with comorbid systemic autoimmune disorders.

Role of Modulation of Hippocampal Glucose Following Pilocarpine-Induced Status Epilepticus

Status epilepticus (SE) is defined as continuous and self-sustaining seizures, which trigger hippocampal neurodegeneration, mitochondrial dysfunction, oxidative stress, and energy failure. During SE, the neurons become overexcited, increasing energy consumption. Glucose uptake is increased via the sodium glucose cotransporter 1 (SGLT1) in the hippocampus under epileptic conditions. In addition, modulation of glucose can prevent neuronal damage caused by SE. Here, we evaluated the effect of increased glucose availability in behavior of limbic seizures, memory dysfunction, neurodegeneration process, neuronal activity, and SGLT1 expression. Vehicle (VEH, saline 0.9%, 1 μL) or glucose (GLU; 1, 2 or 3 mM, 1 μL) were administered into hippocampus of male Wistar rats (Rattus norvegicus) before or after pilocarpine to induce SE. Behavioral analysis of seizures was performed for 90 min during SE. The memory and learning processes were analyzed by the inhibitory avoidance test. After 24 h of SE, neurodegeneration process, neuronal activity, and SGLT1 expression were evaluated in hippocampal and extrahippocampal regions. Modulation of hippocampal glucose did not protect memory dysfunction followed by SE. Our results showed that the administration of glucose after pilocarpine reduced the severity of seizures, as well as the number of limbic seizures. Similarly, glucose after SE reduced cell death and neuronal activity in hippocampus, subiculum, thalamus, amygdala, and cortical areas. Finally, glucose infusion elevated the SGLT1 expression in hippocampus. Taken together our data suggest that possibly the administration of intrahippocampal glucose protects brain in the earlier stage of epileptogenic processes via an important support of SGLT1.

Modulation of Glucose Availability and Effects of Hypo- and Hyperglycemia on Status Epilepticus: What We Do Not Know Yet?

Status epilepticus (SE) can lead to serious neuronal damage and act as an initial trigger for epileptogenic processes that may lead to temporal lobe epilepsy (TLE). Besides promoting neurodegeneration, neuroinflammation, and abnormal neurogenesis, SE can generate an extensive hypometabolism in several brain areas and, consequently, reduce intracellular energy supply, such as adenosine triphosphate (ATP) molecules. Although some antiepileptic drugs show efficiency to terminate or reduce epileptic seizures, approximately 30% of TLE patients are refractory to regular antiepileptic drugs (AEDs). Modulation of glucose availability may provide a novel and robust alternative for treating seizures and neuronal damage that occurs during epileptogenesis; however, more detailed information remains unknown, especially under hypo- and hyperglycemic conditions. Here, we review several pathways of glucose metabolism activated during and after SE, as well as the effects of hypo- and hyperglycemia in the generation of self-sustained limbic seizures. Furthermore, this study suggests the control of glucose availability as a potential therapeutic tool for SE.

Data extraction for epidemiological research (DExtER): a novel tool for automated clinical epidemiology studies

The use of primary care electronic health records for research is abundant. The benefits gained from utilising such records lies in their size, longitudinal data collection and data quality. However, the use of such data to undertake high quality epidemiological studies, can lead to significant challenges particularly in dealing with misclassification, variation in coding and the significant effort required to pre-process the data in a meaningful format for statistical analysis. In this paper, we describe a methodology to aid with the extraction and processing of such databases, delivered by a novel software programme; the "Data extraction for epidemiological research" (DExtER). The basis of DExtER relies on principles of extract, transform and load processes. The tool initially provides the ability for the healthcare dataset to be extracted, then transformed in a format whereby data is normalised, converted and reformatted. DExtER has a user interface designed to obtain data extracts specific to each research question and observational study design. There are facilities to input the requirements for; eligible study period, definition of exposed and unexposed groups, outcome measures and important baseline covariates. To date the tool has been utilised and validated in a multitude of settings. There have been over 35 peer-reviewed publications using the tool, and DExtER has been implemented as a validated public health surveillance tool for obtaining accurate statistics on epidemiology of key morbidities. Future direction of this work will be the application of the framework to linked as well as international datasets and the development of standardised methods for conducting electronic pre-processing and extraction from datasets for research purposes.

Metabolic Alterations Predispose to Seizure Development in High-Fat Diet-Treated Mice: the Role of Metformin

The link between epilepsy and type 2 diabetes (T2DM) and/or metabolic syndrome (MetS) has been poorly investigated. Therefore, we tested whether a high-fat diet (HFD), inducing insulin-resistant diabetes and obesity in mice, would increase susceptibility to develop generalized seizures induced by pentylentetrazole (PTZ) kindling. Furthermore, molecular mechanisms linked to glucose brain transport and the effects of the T2DM antidiabetic drug metformin were also studied along with neuropsychiatric comorbidities. To this aim, two sets of experiments were performed in CD1 mice, in which we firstly evaluated the HFD effects on some metabolic and behavioral parameters in order to have a baseline reference for kindling experiments assessed in the second section of our protocol. We detected that HFD predisposes towards seizure development in the PTZ-kindling model and this was linked to a reduction in glucose transporter-1 (GLUT-1) expression as observed in GLUT-1 deficiency syndrome in humans but accompanied by a compensatory increase in expression of GLUT-3. While we confirmed that HFD induced neuropsychiatric alterations in the treated mice, it did not change the development of kindling comorbidities. Furthermore, we propose that the beneficial effects of metformin we observed towards seizure development are related to a normalization of both GLUT-1 and GLUT-3 expression levels. Overall, our results support the hypothesis that an altered glycometabolic profile could play a pro-epileptic role in human patients. We therefore recommend that MetS or T2DM should be constantly monitored and possibly avoided in patients with epilepsy, since they could further aggravate this latter condition.

Type 1 diabetes and epilepsy in childhood and adolescence: Do glutamic acid decarboxylase autoantibodies play a role? Data from the German/Austrian/Swiss/Luxembourgian DPV Registry

AIMS

We aimed to analyze the relationship between epilepsy and glutamic acid decarboxylase autoantibodies (GADA) in patients with type 1 diabetes mellitus (T1DM) and the impact of GADA on demographic, clinical, and metabolic data in T1DM patients with epilepsy.

METHODS

We searched for patients with T1DM ≤20 years and GADA measurements, and within this group for patients with epilepsy. We formed groups: T1DM + Epilepsy + GADA positive; T1DM + Epilepsy + GADA negative; T1DM + GADA positive; T1DM + GADA negative. We used logistic regression to analyze the relationship between epilepsy and GADA with odds ratio adjusted for sex, duration of diabetes (DOD), and age at diabetes onset (ADO). We used logistic regression with odds ratio adjusted for DOD and ADO onset using epilepsy as a dependent variable and GADA, HbA1c, ketoacidosis, severe hypoglycemia (SH), sex, celiac disease, and autoimmune thyroiditis as independent variables. We conducted regression analyses adjusted for sex, DOD, and ADO to analyze differences in clinical/metabolic parameters between the groups.

RESULTS

Epilepsy was not more frequent in GADA-positive patients (GPP). Logistic regression including all patients with GADA measurements showed that hypoglycemia with coma (HC) correlated with epilepsy when compared to no SH. We found no differences in clinical and metabolic data between GPP and GADA-negative patients (GNP) with epilepsy. SH occurred more often in GPP with epilepsy in comparison to GPP without epilepsy. GNP with epilepsy had a higher rate of HC than GPP without epilepsy.

CONCLUSION

We found no relationship between epilepsy and GADA. A relationship between T1DM and epilepsy might be explainable by SH.

Drivers for the comorbidity of type 2 diabetes mellitus and epilepsy: A scoping review

Epilepsy, a common neurologic condition, is associated with a greater prevalence of type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM). We examined potential drivers for the comorbidity of epilepsy and T2DM in an attempt to elucidate possible biological mechanisms underlying the development of processes in individuals. We searched PubMed and Medline up to December 2019. Our search yielded 3361 articles, of which 82 were included in the scoping review. We reviewed articles focusing on the association of epilepsy and T2DM, drivers, and biological mechanisms. We found that epilepsy is associated with obesity and obesity is associated with T2DM. Treatment with valproate (either sodium or acid) is associated with weight increase and hyperinsulinemia, while topiramate causes weight loss. People with epilepsy are less likely to exercise, which is protective against obesity. Mitochondrial dysfunction and adiponectin deficiency are common to epilepsy and T2DM. One possible mechanism for the comorbidity is mitochondrial dysfunction and adiponectin deficiency, which promotes epilepsy, obesity, and T2DM. Another possible mechanism is that people with epilepsy are more likely to be obese because of the lack of exercise and the effects of some antiseizure medications (ASMs), which makes them susceptible to T2DM because of the development of mitochondrial dysfunction and adiponectin deficiency. A third mechanism is that people with epilepsy have greater mitochondrial dysfunction and lower adiponectin levels than people without epilepsy at baseline, which may exacerbate after treatment with ASMs. Future research involving a combined genetic and molecular pathway approach will likely yield valuable insight regarding the comorbidity of epilepsy and T2DM.

Diabetes, Diabetic Complications, and Phosphate Toxicity: A Scoping Review

This article presents a scoping review and synthesis of research findings investigating the toxic cellular accumulation of dysregulated inorganic phosphate-phosphate toxicity-as a pathophysiological determinant of diabetes and diabetic complications. Phosphorus, an essential micronutrient, is closely linked to the cellular metabolism of glucose for energy production, and serum inorganic phosphate is often transported into cells along with glucose during insulin therapy. Mitochondrial dysfunction and apoptosis, endoplasmic reticulum stress, neuronal degeneration, and pancreatic cancer are associated with dysregulated levels of phosphate in diabetes. Ectopic calcification involving deposition of calcium-phosphate crystals is prevalent throughout diabetic complications, including vascular calcification, nephropathy, retinopathy, and bone disorders. A low-glycemic, low-phosphate dietary intervention is proposed for further investigations in the treatment and prevention of diabetes and related diabetic pathologies.

Severe Hypoglycemia: Is It Still a Threat for Children and Adolescents With Type 1 Diabetes?

Severe hypoglycemia is defined as a condition with serious cognitive dysfunction, such as a convulsion and coma, requiring external help from other persons. This condition is still lethal and is reported to be the cause of death in 4-10% in children and adolescents with type 1 diabetes. The incidence of severe hypoglycemia in the pediatric population was previously reported as high as more than 50-100 patient-years; however, there was a decline in the frequency of severe hypoglycemia during the past decades, and relationship with glycemic control became weaker than previously reported. A lot of studies have shown the neurological sequelae with severe hypoglycemia as cognitive dysfunction and abnormalities in brain structure. This serious condition also provides negative psychosocial outcomes and undesirable compensatory behaviors. Various possible factors, such as younger age, recurrent hypoglycemia, nocturnal hypoglycemia, and impaired awareness of hypoglycemia, are possible risk factors for developing severe hypoglycemia. A low HbA_1c level is not a predictable value for severe hypoglycemia. Prevention of severe hypoglycemia remains one of the most critical issues in the management of pediatric patients with type 1 diabetes. Advanced technologies, such as continuous glucose monitoring (CGM), intermittently scanned CGM, and sensor-augmented pump therapy with low-glucose suspend system, potentially minimize the occurrence of severe hypoglycemia without worsening overall glycemic control. Hybrid closed-loop system must be the most promising tool for achieving optimal glycemic control with preventing the occurrence of severe hypoglycemia in pediatric patients with type 1 diabetes.

Epilepsy and autoimmune diseases: Comorbidity in a national patient cohort

PURPOSE

To examine if autoimmune disorders occur with an increased frequency in patients with epilepsy. An autoimmune etiology of epilepsies has been suggested. By using data from The Norwegian Prescription Database (NorPD) we have surveyed a national cohort of patients with active epilepsy treated with antiepileptic drugs.

METHODS

NorPD contains all prescriptions of drugs dispensed at pharmacies in Norway since 2004. We received data of all drugs prescribed January 2004 - June 2014 for patients receiving an antiepileptic drug.79 751 patients receiving at least two prescriptions of antiepileptic drugs with the reimbursement code for epilepsy were included. To examine autoimmune comorbidity, medications specific for autoimmune diseases were retrieved. Standardized Incidence Ratios (SIR) with 95 % confidence interval (CI) were used to determine whether the occurrence of the prescribed autoimmune drugs in the epilepsy group deviated from the general population. Subgroups stratified for sex and age were examined.

RESULTS

The epilepsy patients were more often treated with insulin and insulin analogs, SIR 1.8 (95 % CI 1.7-1.9); thyroid substitution, SIR 1.7 (95 % CI 1.7-1.8); pyridostigmine, SIR 1.5 (95 % CI 1.1-2.1); multiple sclerosis (MS) medications, SIR 4.9 (95 % CI 4.6-5.3); and immunosuppressive drugs SIR 1.2 (95 % CI 1.1-1.2). All epilepsy subgroups were more often than expected treated with thyroid substitution.

CONCLUSIONS

Based on a large, unselected patient cohort we find that epilepsy patients more often are prescribed medications used to treat type 1 diabetes mellitus, hypothyroidism, myasthenia gravis and MS. This was true for both men and women, and in most age-groups.

Overrepresentation of epilepsy in children with type 1 diabetes is declining in a longitudinal population study in Finland

AIM

The aim was to determine temporal changes in increased risk of epilepsy among children with type 1 diabetes.

METHODS

The incidence of epilepsy up to age 15 in children with prior type 1 diabetes was analysed regarding the general Finnish child population using data from the Finnish nationwide hospital register. Type 1 diabetes and epilepsy were identified by the International Classification of Diseases 9th and 10th revision codes. Epilepsy was defined according to ILAE guidelines. The analyses were done using negative binomial regression models.

RESULTS

Preceding type 1 diabetes was diagnosed in 6162 (0.91%) of the 679 375 general children population. Incidence rate of new-onset epilepsy among children with type 1 diabetes was higher than in controls (140 vs 82 per 100 000 person-years at risk, respectively). The excess incidence diminished with time (P = 0.033 for diabetes to birth cohort interaction), from over twofold in birth cohort 1990-1993 [incidence rate ratio 2.2 (95% CI 1.7-2.9)] to 40% in birth cohort 1998-2000 [1.4 (95% CI 1.001-1.9)].

CONCLUSION

In a population study setting, children with type 1 diabetes had an increased, but slowly declining risk of developing epilepsy. Future research may elucidate the underlying mechanisms.

Dealing with the storm: An overview of seizure precipitants and spontaneous seizure worsening in drug-resistant epilepsy

In drug-resistant epilepsy, periods of seizure stability may alternate with abrupt worsening, with frequent seizures limiting the individual's independence and physical, social, and psychological well-being. Here, we review the literature focusing on different clinical scenarios related to seizure aggravation in people with drug-resistant epilepsy. The role of antiseizure medication (ASM) changes is examined, especially focusing on paradoxical seizure aggravation after increased treatment. The external provocative factors that unbalance the brittle equilibrium of seizure control are reviewed, distinguishing between unspecific triggering factors, specific precipitants, and 'reflex' mechanisms. The chance of intervening surgical or medical conditions, including somatic comorbidities and epilepsy surgery failure, causing increased seizures is discussed. Spontaneous exacerbation is also explored, emphasizing recent findings on subject-specific circadian and ultradian rhythms. Awareness of external precipitants and understanding the subject-specific spontaneous epilepsy course may allow individuals to modify their lifestyles. It also allows clinicians to counsel appropriately and to institute suitable medical treatment to avoid sudden loss of seizure control.

Envisioning the neuroprotective effect of Metformin in experimental epilepsy: A portrait of molecular crosstalk

Epilepsy is a neurological disorder characterized by an enduring predisposition to generate and aggravate epileptic seizures affecting around 1% of global population making it a serious health concern. Despite the recent advances in epilepsy research, no disease-modifying treatment able to terminate epileptogenesis have been reported yet reflecting the complexity in understanding the disease pathogenesis. To overcome the current treatment gap against epilepsy, one effective approach is to explore anti-epileptic effects from a drug that are approved to treat non-epileptic diseases. In this regard, Metformin emerged as an ideal candidate which is a first line treatment option for type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM), has conferred neuroprotection in several in vivo neurological disorders such as Alzheimer's diseases (AD), Parkinson's disease (PD), Stroke, Huntington's diseases (HD) including epilepsy. In addition, Metformin has ameliorated cognitive alteration, learning and memory induced by epilepsy as well as in animal model of AD. Herein, we review the promising findings demonstrated upon Metformin treatment against animal model of epilepsy however, the precise underlying mechanism of anti-epileptic potential of Metformin is not well understood. However, there is a growing understanding that Metformin demonstrates its anti-epileptic effect mainly via ameliorating brain oxidative damage, activation of AMPK, inhibition of mTOR pathway, downregulation of α-synuclein, reducing apoptosis, downregulation of BDNF and TrkB level. These reflects that Metformin being non-anti-epileptic drug (AED) has a potential to ameliorate the cellular pathways that were impaired in epilepsy reflecting its therapeutical potential against epileptic seizure that might plausibly overcome the limitations of today epilepsy treatment.

Association between type 1 diabetes mellitus and risk of epilepsy: A meta-analysis of observational studies

A potential association between type 1 diabetes mellitus and subsequent epilepsy emerged in recent studies. This study aimed to evaluate the possible relationship between type 1 diabetes mellitus and epilepsy using meta-analysis. Pubmed, ISI Web of Knowledge, Embase and Cochrane Library were searched for potential studies of the association between type 1 diabetes mellitus and epilepsy from inception to February 1, 2017. Two investigators independently screened studies for inclusion and extracted related data; discrepancies were solved by consensus. Random effects model of Hazard Ratio (HR) was used to estimate the strength of association. We identified 13 papers from potentially relevant articles of which 3 cohort studies met the inclusion criteria. Random effects meta-analysis showed that type 1 diabetes mellitus was associated with an increased risk of epilepsy with HR = 3.29 (95% CI: 2.61-4.14; I² = 0, p = 0.689). Similar results were observed in type 1 diabetes mellitus patents younger than 18-years-old with HR = 2.96 (95% CI: 2.28-3.84; I² = 0, p = 0.571). Meta-analysis of 2 studies that adjusted for potential confounders yielded an increased risk of epilepsy with HR = 2.89 (95% CI: 2.26-3.70; I² = 0, p = 0.831). The meta-analysis indicates that type 1 diabetes mellitus is associated with a statistically significant increased risk for epilepsy compared to those without type 1 diabetes mellitus.

Epilepsy in children with type 1 diabetes mellitus: Pathophysiological basis and clinical hallmarks

We provide an overview on the current knowledge about the association between epilepsy and type 1 diabetes mellitus (T1DM). People with T1DM have a 2-6-fold higher risk of epilepsy than the general population. The onset of T1DM anticipates the onset of epilepsy by a mean period between 1,5 and 2,8 years. These two disorders share four potential distinct pathogenic factors: a) genetic predisposition; b) factors involved in autoimmune responses (i.e. anti-glutamic acid decarboxylase antibodies-GADAbs); c) effects of hypo/hyperglycaemia; d) cerebrovascular damages resulting in ischaemic processes. Seizures semiology prominently includes focal (up to patterns of epilepsia partialis continua) or secondarily generalized seizures but also reflex seizures and various forms of generalized seizures. EEG abnormalities are more common in people with an inappropriate metabolic control with a prominent involvement of fronto-temporal regions. Epilepsy management does not differ between patients with and without diabetes and insulin, nutritional recommendations and physical activity may also produce significant benefits on seizures control. Possible therapeutic alternatives in selected cases include immunosuppressive drugs (in patients with GADAbs) and ketogenic diet.

Association of attention deficit hyperactivity disorder with recurrent hypoglycemia in type 1 diabetes mellitus

OBJECTIVE

Data regarding the association between hypoglycemia and attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) in children and adolescents with type 1 diabetes mellitus (T1DM) are limited. This study investigated whether hypoglycemia was associated with the risk of ADHD in young people with T1DM.

METHODS

Children and adolescents with a diagnosis of T1DM were identified from the Longitudinal National Health Insurance Database in Taiwan from 1998 to 2011. Among them who were newly diagnosed with hypoglycemia during 2000 to 2007 were selected for the hypoglycemia cohort. The hypoglycemia diagnosis date was defined as the index date. Those who were diagnosed with ADHD before the index date were excluded. The main outcome was the development of ADHD. In total, 726 participants with hypoglycemia and 2852 participants without hypoglycemia were included in this study.

RESULTS

The overall incidence density of ADHD was markedly increased among cohort with hypoglycemia compared with cohort without hypoglycemia (4.74 vs 1.65 per 1000 person-years), with an adjusted hazard ratio (aHR) of 2.73 (95% confidence interval [CI] = 1.50-4.98). Cohort with hypoglycemia who had experienced a hypoglycemic coma had a significantly higher risk of ADHD (aHR = 6.54, 95% CI = 1.89-22.7) compared with cohort without hypoglycemia.

CONCLUSIONS

Hypoglycemia, especially hypoglycemic coma, is significantly associated with a subsequent risk of ADHD in young people with T1DM.

The Effect of Metformin in Experimentally Induced Animal Models of Epileptic Seizure

Background

Epilepsy is one of the common neurological illnesses which affects millions of individuals globally. Although the majority of epileptic patients have a good response for the currently available antiepileptic drugs (AEDs), about 30-40% of epileptic patients are developing resistance. In addition to low safety profiles of most of existing AEDs, there is no AED available for curative or disease-modifying actions for epilepsy so far.

Objectives

This systematic review is intended to evaluate the effect of metformin in acute and chronic animal models of an epileptic seizure.

Methods

We searched PubMed, SCOPUS, Sciences Direct, and grey literature in order to explore articles published in English from January 2010 to November 2018, using key terms “epilepsy,” “seizure,” “metformin,” “oral hypoglycemic agents,” and “oral antidiabetic drugs”. The qualities of all the included articles were assessed according to the Collaborative Approach to Meta-Analysis and Review of Animal Data from Experimental Studies (CAMARADES).

Results

Out of six hundred fifty original articles retrieved, eleven of them fulfilled the inclusion criteria and were included for final qualitative analysis. In these studies, metformin showed to control seizure attacks by attenuating seizure generation, delaying the onset of epilepsy, reducing hippocampal neuronal loss, and averting cognitive impairments in both acute and chronic models of an epileptic seizure. The possible mechanisms for its antiseizure or antiepileptic action might be due to activation of AMPK, antiapoptotic, antineuroinflammatory, and antioxidant properties, which possibly modify disease progression through affecting epileptogenesis.

Conclusion

This review revealed the benefits of metformin in alleviating symptoms of epileptic seizure and modifying different cellular and molecular changes that affect the natural history of the disease in addition to its good safety profile.

The association between Type 1 diabetes mellitus and periodontal diseases

BACKGROUND/PURPOSE

Type 1 diabetes mellitus (T1DM) is a chronic autoimmune disease affecting oral health. Evidence shows possible association between T1DM and periodontal diseases (PDs). We conducted a nationwide population-based study in Taiwan, with a 14-year follow-up to investigate the risk of PDs in T1DM patients.

METHODS

We used data from the National Health Insurance Research Database in Taiwan. The T1DM cohort was identified with newly diagnosed T1DM from 1998 to 2011. The non-T1DM cohort was frequency matched with the T1DM cohort. Participants comprised 4248 patients in the T1DM cohort and 16992 persons in the non-T1DM cohort.

RESULTS

The T1DM patients showed an increased risk of PDs compared to non-T1DM individuals [adjusted hazard ratio (aHR) = 1.45]. T1DM patients who visited the emergency room more than twice per year had a higher aHR of 13.0 for developing PDs. The aHR for PDs was 13.2 in the T1DM patients who had been hospitalized more than twice per year.

CONCLUSION

T1DM patients are at higher risk of developing PDs than non-T1DM individuals. Our results further showed that the number of T1DM interventions; that is, annual emergency visits and hospitalizations were associated with increased the risk of developing PDs.

High Risk of Deep Neck Infection in Patients with Type 1 Diabetes Mellitus: A Nationwide Population-Based Cohort Study

Objective: To investigate the risk of deep neck infection (DNI) in patients with type 1 diabetes mellitus (T1DM). Methods: The database of the Registry for Catastrophic Illness Patients, affiliated to the Taiwan National Health Insurance Research Database, was used to conduct a retrospective cohort study. In total, 5741 patients with T1DM and 22,964 matched patients without diabetes mellitus (DM) were enrolled between 2000 and 2010. The patients were followed up until death or the end of the study period (31 December 2013). The primary outcome was the occurrence of DNI. Results: Patients with T1DM exhibited a significantly higher cumulative incidence of DNI than did those without DM (p < 0.001). The Cox proportional hazards model showed that T1DM was significantly associated with a higher incidence of DNI (adjusted hazard ratio, 10.71; 95% confidence interval, 6.02–19.05; p < 0.001). The sensitivity test and subgroup analysis revealed a stable effect of T1DM on DNI risk. The therapeutic methods (surgical or nonsurgical) did not differ significantly between the T1DM and non-DM cohorts. Patients with T1DM required significantly longer hospitalization for DNI than did those without DM (9.0 ± 6.2 vs. 4.1 ± 2.0 days, p < 0.001). Furthermore, the patients with T1DM were predisposed to DNI at a younger age than were those without DM. Conclusions: T1DM is an independent risk factor for DNI and is associated with a 10-fold increase in DNI risk. The patients with T1DM require longer hospitalizations for DNI and are younger than those without DM.

Familial aggregation and heritability of type 1 diabetes mellitus and coaggregation of chronic diseases in affected families

Purpose

To estimate the extent of familial aggregation of type 1 diabetes (T1D) and coaggregation of related chronic diseases and assess the relative contribution of environmental and genetic factors on the risks.

Patients and methods

This population-based study used the Taiwan National Health Insurance database to reconstruct family structure and identify people with T1D and other chronic diseases between 1999 and 2015. Relative risks (RRs) for T1D and other chronic diseases and heritability of T1D were estimated. Heritability was estimated using the polygenic liability model.

Results

Validation of family structure found the positive predictive value to be 98.7% for maternal links and 98.6% for paternal links. Having an affected twin, first-degree relative, or spouse was associated with an adjusted RR (95% CI) of 553.66 (427.59–716.89), 32.49 (28.66–36.84), and 2.17 (0.31–15.40) for T1D, respectively. Based on the polygenic liability model, heritability, shared and non-shared contributions to T1D, and variances were 66.50%, 10.86%, and 22.64%, respectively. A family history of T1D was associated with an RR (95% CI) of 1.51 (1.20–1.89) for rheumatoid arthritis, 1.66 (1.21–2.26) for Sjögren’s syndrome, 1.48 (1.09–2.01) for systemic lupus erythematosus, 1.24 (1.14–1.35) for simple goiter, 1.16 (1.04–1.31) for non-toxic nodular goiter, 1.61 (1.49–1.74) for thyrotoxicosis, 1.78 (1.57–2.01) for acquired hypothyroidism, 1.66 (1.40–1.98) for thyroiditis, and 1.15 (0.97–1.37) for epilepsy.

Conclusion

These data highlight the importance of the genetic contribution to T1D and confirm the coaggregation of autoimmune and metabolic diseases with T1D.

Hearing loss in type 1 diabetes: Are we facing another microvascular disease? A meta-analysis

OBJECTIVE

Evidence shows type 1 diabetes(T1D) leads to vascular damage and neuropathy. The purpose of this study was to perform a systematic review and a meta-analysis to assess the evidence of the effects of T1D on hearing function.

METHODS

Three electronic databases were used. The articles were independently reviewed by two authors using predefined inclusion criteria to identify eligible studies. They were then classified as high or low methodological quality. Meta-analysis was performed on pooled data of hearing loss(HL) prevalence, pure tone audiometry(PTA), otoacoustic emissions(OAE) and auditory brainstem response(ABR).

RESULTS

Twenty-one articles fulfilled the inclusion criteria. In all studies, HL was defined as pure tone greater than 20 dB in at least one frequency. The prevalence of HL ranged between 5.17% and 48% for diabetics, which was higher than in controls which ranged between 0% à 40% (OR = 7.7, 95% CI 3.32-17.98, p < 0.05 and I² = 40%). The tendency of mean thresholds of PTA was higher in diabetics than in controls, with results being statistically significant at 250, 500 and 1000 Hz. OAE were significantly lower in diabetic patients. ABR latencies were longer in T1D group compared to controls and were statistical significant.

CONCLUSIONS

Patients with T1D have a significantly greater prevalence of HL compared to the control group. These damages could be compared to other microvascular diseases. Further studies are needed to assess whether hearing testing should be considered as a part of the screening process in T1D patients and therefore, secondary preventive treatment may be warranted as well.

Type 1 diabetes impairs female fertility even before it is diagnosed

AIMS

The aim of this study was to assess the fertility rate in Taiwanese women before and after a diagnosis of type 1 diabetes. The potential risk factors which may have influenced fertility were also investigated.

METHODS

We conducted this retrospective, nationwide, population-based, matched cohort study using data from the Taiwan National Health Insurance Research Database. The diabetic group (n = 1191) included women with type 1 diabetes aged between 16 and 30 years in 2000. The non-diabetic group (n = 4764) was matched by sex, gender, income, and urbanization. The endpoints, including live births, abortions, and fertility, were tracked until the end of 2013. Poisson regression was used to assess incidence rate ratios (IRRs). We also analyzed the influence of autoimmune thyroid disease, diabetic ketoacidosis, diabetic complications, and daily insulin dose on the endpoints.

RESULTS

The diabetic group had a lower rate of live births (IRR 0.67 [95% CI 0.62-0.73]) than the non-diabetic group, and it was even lower when combined with hyperthyroidism (IRR 0.54 [0.39-0.74]). There were also fewer live births before a diagnosis of diabetes than after a diagnosis of diabetes (IRR 0.58 [0.52-0.65] vs. 0.80 [0.71-0.90]). Diabetic ketoacidosis and a higher daily insulin dose were strongly associated with abortion. Diabetic complications significantly reduced the number of live births.

CONCLUSIONS

Type 1 diabetes compromises female fertility, even before it is diagnosed. Associated hyperthyroidism further reduces fertility. Blood glucose and thyroid function surveillance in infertile females may allow for an early diagnosis of type 1 diabetes and associated thyroid disease.

A population-based study of epilepsy incidence in association with type 2 diabetes and severe hypoglycaemia

AIMS

This study was conducted to investigate potential link between type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) and epilepsy, and the role of severe hypoglycaemia (SH) might play in the relationship.

METHODS

This was a cohort study based on Taiwan's National Health insurance claims. Totally 751,792 people with T2DM and 824,253 matched controls were identified in 2002-2003 and followed to incidence of epilepsy or end of 2011. We used Cox proportional hazard model to relate epilepsy incidence to separate and joint effects of T2DM and SH. A possible mediation effect of SH on the association between T2DM and epilepsy was analyzed.

RESULTS

Over a 10-year follow-up, patients with T2DM had a higher incidence rate of epilepsy than controls (35.0 vs 21.9 per 10,000 person-years). After controlling for potential confounders including SH, T2DM increased the hazard of epilepsy by some 50%. The stratified analysis further indicated that T2DM (hazard ratio (HR)=1.44, 95% confidence interval (CI) = 1.40-1.47), and SH (HR = 2.22, 95% CI = 1.76-2.81) were both independent risk factors for epilepsy. SH did not modify but mediated 12% of the association between T2DM and epilepsy.

CONCLUSION

Our findings supported that SH may increase the risk of epilepsy, and that T2DM may increase risk of epilepsy independent of SH.

The role of inflammation in the development of epilepsy

Epilepsy, a neurological disease characterized by recurrent seizures, is often associated with a history of previous lesions in the nervous system. Impaired regulation of the activation and resolution of inflammatory cells and molecules in the injured neuronal tissue is a critical factor to the development of epilepsy. However, it is still unclear as to how that unbalanced regulation of inflammation contributes to epilepsy. Therefore, one of the goals in epilepsy research is to identify and elucidate the interconnected inflammatory pathways in systemic and neurological disorders that may further develop epilepsy progression. In this paper, inflammatory molecules, in neurological and systemic disorders (rheumatoid arthritis, Crohn’s, Type I Diabetes, etc.) that could contribute to epilepsy development, are reviewed.

Understanding the neurobiology of inflammation in epileptogenesis will contribute to the development of new biomarkers for better screening of patients at risk for epilepsy and new therapeutic targets for both prophylaxis and treatment of epilepsy.

Carbamazepine, a beta-cell protecting drug, reduces type 1 diabetes incidence in NOD mice

Pancreatic beta-cells are selectively destroyed by the host immune system in type 1 diabetes. Thus, drugs that preserve beta-cell mass and/or function have the potential to prevent or slow the progression of this disease. We recently reported that the use-dependent sodium channel blocker, carbamazepine, protects beta-cells from inflammatory cytokines in vitro. Here, we tested the effects of carbamazepine treatment in female non-obese diabetic (NOD) mice by supplementing LabDiet 5053 with 0.5% w/w carbamazepine to achieve serum carbamazepine levels of 14.98 ± 3.19 µM. Remarkably, diabetes incidence over 25 weeks, as determined by fasting blood glucose, was ~50% lower in carbamazepine treated animals. Partial protection from diabetes in carbamazepine-fed NOD mice was also associated with improved glucose tolerance at 6 weeks of age, prior to the onset of diabetes in our colony. Less insulitis was detected in carbamazepine treated NOD mice at 6 weeks of age, but we did not observe differences in CD4⁺ and CD8⁺ T cell composition in the pancreatic lymph node, as well as circulating markers of inflammation. Taken together, our results demonstrate that carbamazepine reduces the development of type 1 diabetes in NOD mice by maintaining functional beta-cell mass.

Validity of health insurance data to identify people with epilepsy

BACKGROUND

Large administrative databases may prove useful to assess epilepsy-related comorbidity and mortality. Despite their increased use, their validity as data source in epilepsy is yet under-ascertained.

METHODS

Achmea is a large Dutch health insurance company covering about 25% of the population. We performed a retrospective cohort study using data from the Achmea Health Insurance Database (AHID) over the period 2006-2009. To assess the validity of epilepsy codes in the AHID, we randomly invited 1000 individuals (age 18-75 years insured by Achmea), attending an epilepsy centre or a district hospital during 2006-2009, to participate. Informed consent was provided and 293 were eligible for inclusion. We compared the diagnostic codes for epilepsy in AHID with the diagnosis in their case-notes (reference standard). As additional measure of validity, we compared prevalence of epilepsy codes in AHID (based on anonymized data of all 26.297 subjects with this code in AHID) with epilepsy prevalence rates in the general Dutch population to estimate an age-specific standardized prevalence ratio.

RESULTS

We identified 293 participants with an epilepsy code in AHID. The majority (278) of them had a definite or possible diagnosis of epilepsy in the case-notes; i.e. a positive predictive value of 0.95 (95% CI 0.92-0.97). The overall prevalence of epilepsy codes in the AHID was slightly higher than the putative prevalence in the general Dutch population (7.4/1.000 vs. 6.8/1.000) with a Standardized Prevalence Ratio of 1.08 (95% CI: 1.08-1.09).

CONCLUSIONS

Our findings demonstrate the validity of AHID data for a diagnosis of epilepsy and confirm previous work on using administrative data for epilepsy research.

Diabetes mellitus: a risk factor for seizures in the elderly-a population-based study

AIMS

To evaluate the association between diabetes mellitus (DM) and risk of seizures in a well-defined elderly population.

METHODS

The administrative databases of the Lombardy region (a 10 million population area in Northern Italy) were used to identify persons aged 65 years or older with DM (defined by prescription of antidiabetic drugs and/or through ICD-9 CM code and/or exemption code for diabetes) during the year 2002. Seizure-free DM subjects were followed until 2012 in search of individuals with incident seizures (identified through ICD-9 CM codes for epilepsy/seizures or ATC codes for antiepileptic drugs associated with the prescription of an electroencephalogram). To adjust for confounding, comorbidities having epileptogenic potential were also identified through the ICD-9 CM codes.

RESULTS

The population at risk included 1,494,071 persons. Of these, 136,941 seizure-free patients had DM. At the end of follow-up, the cumulative time-dependent incidence of seizures was 3.0% in DM patients and 1.9% in No-diabetic individuals (hazard ratio, HR 1.47; 95% confidence interval, 1.41-1.53, adjusted for age classes, sex, comorbidities and number of hospital admission). The HR was unchanged in patients with no history of stroke. The cumulative incidence of seizures after DM increased with the number of hospital admissions.

CONCLUSIONS

DM is an independent risk factor for seizures in elderly individuals. In diabetic patients, the risk of seizures increases with the number of comorbidities, supporting the role of vascular disease as a cause of seizures.

Risk of mood disorders in patients with colorectal cancer

BACKGROUND

To assess the risk of mood disorders among patients with colorectal cancer (CRC), a population-based cohort study was performed using the Taiwanese National Health Insurance Research Database.

METHODS

The study cohort included 27242 patients diagnosed with CRC between January 1, 2000 and December 31, 2010. Four insurants from the general population without CRC were frequency matched to each case by age, sex, and index year/month to create the control group. Cox's proportional hazard regression model with hazard ratios (HRs) and 95% confidence intervals (CIs) was conducted to estimate the impact of CRC on the risk of mood disorders.

RESULTS

Patients with CRC exhibited a significantly higher risk of developing mood disorders (adjusted HR=3.05, 95% CI=2.89-3.20) compared with the control group. This phenomenon was also observed for each type of mood disorder (depression, bipolar disease and anxiety), as well as across different subgroups by patient characteristics. However, a follow-up time longer than 1 year was more likely to have significantly increased risks, and we unexpectedly found that some treatments in CRC patients tended to have a decreased risk of anxiety compared to their counterparts.

CONCLUSION

The findings of this population-based cohort study suggest that patients with CRC are at a higher risk of mood disorders, especially when follow-up time is longer than 1 year, but various treatments may inversely affect this association.

Neurological outcomes of antidiabetic therapy: What the neurologist should know

Considering the causative or contributory effects of diabetes mellitus on common neurological diseases such as polyneuropathy, stroke and dementia, modern antidiabetic drugs may be expected to reduce incidence or progression of these conditions. Nevertheless, most observed benefits have been small, except in the context of therapy for diabetes mellitus type I and new-onset polyneuropathy. Recently, semaglutide, a GLP-1 analog, has been shown to significantly reduce stroke incidence in a randomized controlled trial. Beneficial effects of antidiabetic drugs on stroke severity or outcome have been controversial, though. The level of risk conferred by diabetes mellitus, the complex pathophysiology of neurological diseases, issues of trial design, side-effects of antidiabetic drugs as well as co-medication might be interacting factors that determine the performance of antidiabetic therapy with respect to neurological outcomes. It might be speculated that early treatment of prediabetes might prevent cerebral arteriosclerosis, cognitive decline or polyneuropathy more effectively, but this remains to be demonstrated.

The vicious circle of hypometabolism in neurodegenerative diseases: Ways and mechanisms of metabolic correction

Hypometabolism, characterized by decreased brain glucose consumption, is a common feature of many neurodegenerative diseases. Initial hypometabolic brain state, created by characteristic risk factors, may predispose the brain to acquired epilepsy and sporadic Alzheimer's and Parkinson's diseases, which are the focus of this review. Analysis of available data suggests that deficient glucose metabolism is likely a primary initiating factor for these diseases, and that resulting neuronal dysfunction further promotes the metabolic imbalance, establishing an effective positive feedback loop and a downward spiral of disease progression. Therefore, metabolic correction leading to the normalization of abnormalities in glucose metabolism may be an efficient tool to treat the neurological disorders by counteracting their primary pathological mechanisms. Published and preliminary experimental results on this approach for treating Alzheimer's disease and epilepsy models support the efficacy of metabolic correction, confirming the highly promising nature of the strategy. © 2017 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.

Type 1 diabetes mellitus and risk of incident epilepsy: a population-based, open-cohort study

AIMS/HYPOTHESIS

The aim of this research was to explore the relationship between incident epilepsy and type 1 diabetes in British participants.

METHODS

Using The Health Improvement Network database, we conducted a retrospective, open-cohort study. Patients who were newly diagnosed with type 1 diabetes mellitus at the age of ≤40 years were identified and followed-up from 1 January 1990 to 15 September 2015. These patients, identified as not suffering from epilepsy at the time of diagnosis, were randomly matched with up to four individuals without type 1 diabetes mellitus, based on age, sex and participating general practice. A Cox regression analysis was subsequently performed using Townsend deprivation index, cerebral palsy, head injury and learning disabilities as model covariates.

RESULTS

The study population consisted of a total of 24,610 individuals (4922 with type 1 diabetes and 19,688 controls). These individuals were followed up for a mean of 5.4 years (approximately 132,000 person-years of follow up). Patients with type 1 diabetes were significantly more likely to be diagnosed with epilepsy during the observation period compared with controls (crude HR [95% CI]: 3.02 [1.95, 4.69]). The incidence rate was estimated to be 132 and 44 per 100,000 person-years in patients and controls, respectively. This finding persisted after adjusting for model covariates (adjusted HR [95% CI]: 3.01 [1.93, 4.68]) and was also robust to sensitivity analysis, excluding adult-onset type 1 diabetes mellitus.

CONCLUSIONS/INTERPRETATION

Patients with type 1 diabetes are at approximately three-times greater risk of developing epilepsy compared with matched controls without type 1 diabetes. This should be considered when investigating seizure-related disorders in patients with type 1 diabetes mellitus.