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Verma A, Kumar A, Sachan D. Clinical characteristics and risk factors for seizures to recur in calcified neurocysticercosis : Prospective cohort Study. Acta Neurol Taiwan 2024; 33(4):153-160. [PMID: 38030224] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/01/2023]
Abstract
AIM Calcification of degenerating neurocysticercosis (NCC) is common and likely to occur late in the degenerative process and is important for seizure foci. The present study was aimed at identifying the clinical and radiological variables associated with seizure recurrence in people with single or multiple calcified NCC lesions. MATERIAL AND METHODS We evaluated 85 adult patients with calcified NCC lesions for recurrence of seizures during the follow-up period of one year. RESULTS The mean age of the study population was 24.49 ± 9.17 years. Nocturnal seizures were present in 43.5% and serial seizures in 42.4%. A single calcified lesion was present in 61 (71.8%), and perifocal oedema surrounding the calcified lesions was present in 38 (44.7%). Recurrence of seizures was noted in 37 (43.5%) of the cases. On multivariate analysis, the factors that were significantly associated with the recurrence of seizures were: nocturnal seizures [OR: 0.054 (0.015-0.199)], serial seizures [OR: 0.141 (0.041-0.485)], and perifocal oedema [OR: 0.031 (0.008-0.129)]. CONCLUSION In our study, serial seizures, nocturnal seizures, and perifocal oedema were linked with the recurrence of seizures in calcified NCC lesions. Perilesional oedema should be treated aggressively with anti-inflammatory/immunosuppressive therapy as well as with anti-seizure medication.
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Affiliation(s)
- Archana Verma
- Professor and Head Department of Neurology, All India Institute of Medical Sciences Raebareli Munshiganj, Dalmau Road, Raebareli, India
| | - Alok Kumar
- Professor and Head, Forensic Medicine and Toxicology, UP university of Medical Sciences, Saifai, Etawah, India
| | - Divyata Sachan
- Assistant professor, Department of community medicine SMMH Medical Sciences, Saharanpur, India
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Wang Y, He C, Chen C, Wang Z, Ming W, Qiu J, Ying M, Chen W, Jin B, Li H, Ding M, Wang S. Focal cortical dysplasia links to sleep-related epilepsy in symptomatic focal epilepsy. Epilepsy Behav 2022; 127:108507. [PMID: 34968776 DOI: 10.1016/j.yebeh.2021.108507] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/01/2021] [Revised: 12/11/2021] [Accepted: 12/12/2021] [Indexed: 01/30/2023]
Abstract
OBJECTIVE In sleep-related epilepsy (SRE), epileptic seizures predominantly occur during sleep, but the clinical characteristics of SRE remain elusive. We aimed to identify the clinical features associated with the occurrence of SRE in a large cohort of symptomatic focal epilepsy. METHODS We retrospectively included patients with four etiologies, including focal cortical dysplasia (FCD), low-grade tumors (LGT), temporal lobe epilepsy with hippocampal sclerosis (TLE-HS), and encephalomalacia. SRE was defined as more than 70% of seizures occurring during sleep according to the seizure diary. The correlation between SRE and other clinical variables, such as etiology of epilepsy, pharmacoresistance, seizure frequency, history of bilateral tonic-clonic seizures, and seizure localization was analyzed. RESULTS A total of 376 patients were included. Among them 95 (25.3%) were classified as SRE and the other 281(74.7%) as non-SRE. The incidence of SRE was 53.5% in the FCD group, which was significantly higher than the other three groups (LGT: 19.0%; TLE-HS: 9.9%; encephalomalacia: 16.7%; P < 0.001). The etiology of FCD (p < 0.001) was significantly associated with SRE (OR: 9.71, 95% CI: 3.35-28.14) as an independent risk factor. In addition, small lesion size (p = 0.009) of FCD further increased the risk of SRE (OR: 3.18, 95% CI: 1.33-7.62) in the FCD group. SIGNIFICANCE Our data highlight that FCD markedly increased the risk of sleep-related epilepsy independently of seizure localization. A small lesion of FCD further increased the risk of sleep-related epilepsy by 2.18 times in the FCD group.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yunling Wang
- Department of Neurology, Epilepsy Center, Second Affiliated Hospital, School of Medicine, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou, China; Department of Neurology, Tongde Hospital of Zhejiang Province, Hangzhou, China
| | - Chenmin He
- Department of Neurology, Epilepsy Center, Second Affiliated Hospital, School of Medicine, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou, China
| | - Cong Chen
- Department of Neurology, Epilepsy Center, Second Affiliated Hospital, School of Medicine, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou, China
| | - Zhongjin Wang
- Department of Neurology, Epilepsy Center, Second Affiliated Hospital, School of Medicine, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou, China
| | - Wenjie Ming
- Department of Neurology, Epilepsy Center, Second Affiliated Hospital, School of Medicine, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou, China
| | - Jingjing Qiu
- Department of Neurology, Epilepsy Center, Second Affiliated Hospital, School of Medicine, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou, China
| | - Meiping Ying
- Department of Neurology, Epilepsy Center, Second Affiliated Hospital, School of Medicine, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou, China
| | - Wei Chen
- Department of Neurology, Linhai Second People's Hospital, Taizhou, China
| | - Bo Jin
- Department of Neurology, Zhejiang Provincial People's Hospital, People's Hospital of Hangzhou Medical College, Hangzhou, China
| | - Hong Li
- Department of Radiology, Second Affiliated Hospital, School of Medicine, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou, China
| | - Meiping Ding
- Department of Neurology, Epilepsy Center, Second Affiliated Hospital, School of Medicine, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou, China
| | - Shuang Wang
- Department of Neurology, Epilepsy Center, Second Affiliated Hospital, School of Medicine, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou, China.
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Gürsoy G, Tutkavul K, Çetinkaya Y, Tireli H. Clinical, neuroradiological, and electroencephalographic findings of reflex epilepsies. Turk J Med Sci 2018; 48:952-955. [PMID: 30384559 DOI: 10.3906/sag-1801-228] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/03/2022] Open
Abstract
Background/aim: Reflex seizures are defined as epilepsies with seizures induced by a specific afferent stimulus or patient activity alone or in combination with spontaneous seizures, and/or accompanied by photoparoxysmal response on electroencephalogram (EEG). The aim of this study is to review and analyze clinical, neuroradiological, and EEG findings in reflex epilepsies. Materials and methods: The records of 1598 follow-up patients out of 2237 patients who had been examined between July 1995 and August 2017 were analyzed retrospectively. Results: Eighty of 1598 patients had reflex epilepsy and 72 of those patients had seizures induced by visual stimuli. Considering the somatosensory stimuli, in one patient it was associated with eating while in 7 patients it was associated with hot water. The results of neurological examination were normal in 90% while cranial imaging was normal in 82.5% of the patients. Only 53 of 80 patients' EEGs revealed pathological EEG findings. Furthermore, in 43 patients, the most frequently prescribed drug was valproate. Conclusion: In this hospital-based study, reflex epilepsy frequency was 5% and cranial imaging was mostly found to be normal, as stated in the literature. However, patient histories revealed an unexpectedly high rate of head trauma before seizure onset and a family history of epilepsy.
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Rodrigues FL, Fais RS, Pereira MGAG, Garcia-Cairasco N, Tostes RC, Carneiro FS. Erectile Dysfunction in Wistar Audiogenic Rats Is Associated With Increased Cavernosal Contraction and Decreased Neuronal Nitric Oxide Synthase Protein Expression. Urology 2017; 106:237.e1-237.e8. [PMID: 28483592 DOI: 10.1016/j.urology.2017.04.048] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/04/2017] [Revised: 04/18/2017] [Accepted: 04/30/2017] [Indexed: 11/18/2022]
Abstract
OBJECTIVE To test the hypothesis that naive Wistar audiogenic rats (WARs) display erectile dysfunction (ED), which is associated with increased sympathetic-mediated contractile tone and decreased nitric oxide-mediated relaxation responses of the cavernous tissue. METHODS Changes in the ratio of the maximal intracavernosal pressure-mean arterial pressure after the electrical stimulation of the right major pelvic ganglion were determined in vivo. Cavernosal contractility was induced by electrical field stimulation and phenylephrine. In addition, nonadrenergic-noncholinergic (NANC)-induced relaxation was determined. Rho-kinase (ROCK) pathway proteins, neuronal nitric oxide synthase (nNOS) protein expression, and endothelial nitric oxide synthase (eNOS) and extracellular signal-regulated kinase 1/2 activities were determined by Western blot. RESULTS WARs display a significant decrease in maximal intracavernosal pressure-mean arterial pressure responses suggesting ED in this strain. Sympathetic-mediated contractile responses were increased in WARs and contractile responses to phenylephrine were not changed. The increased sympathetic-mediated contractile responses were not associated with changes in the ROCK pathway. On the other hand, NANC-mediated relaxation responses were significantly reduced in WARs. This functional response was accompanied by decreased nNOS and total eNOS protein expressions, augmented phosphorylated eNOS, and decreased extracellular signal-regulated kinase 1/2 phosphorylation levels. CONCLUSION Our data have demonstrated that naive WARs display ED in vivo that is associated with increased sympathetic-mediated contractile responses and decreased NANC-mediated relaxation responses. The increase in contractile responses is independent of the ROCK pathway, and the changes in relaxation responses are associated with a decrease in nNOS protein expression, which may activate compensatory mechanisms in the cavernous tissue.
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Affiliation(s)
- Fernanda Luciano Rodrigues
- Department of Pharmacology, Ribeirao Preto Medical School, University of Sao Paulo, Ribeirao Preto, São Paulo, Brazil
| | - Rafael S Fais
- Department of Pharmacology, Ribeirao Preto Medical School, University of Sao Paulo, Ribeirao Preto, São Paulo, Brazil
| | - Marília G A G Pereira
- Department of Biochemistry, Biomedical Sciences Institute, University of Alfenas, Alfenas, Minas Gerais, Brazil
| | - Norberto Garcia-Cairasco
- Department of Physiology, Ribeirao Preto Medical School, University of Sao Paulo, Ribeirao Preto, São Paulo, Brazil
| | - Rita C Tostes
- Department of Pharmacology, Ribeirao Preto Medical School, University of Sao Paulo, Ribeirao Preto, São Paulo, Brazil
| | - Fernando S Carneiro
- Department of Pharmacology, Ribeirao Preto Medical School, University of Sao Paulo, Ribeirao Preto, São Paulo, Brazil.
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Samseishvili NT, Bilanishvili IG, Surmava AG, Khizanishvili NA, Nanobashvili ZI. [The impact of pregnancy and postnatal period on the development of generalized convulsive activity in experiment]. Georgian Med News 2013:72-76. [PMID: 24214597] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/02/2023]
Abstract
Interrelation between pregnancy and epilepsy is one of the pressing problems of current neurology. Those mechanisms, which suppress or amplify the seizure reactions in pregnancy, have not been yet determined experimentally. The goal of present work was investigation of impact of gestation and the postpartum period on initiation and development of convulsive reactions in the experimental animal model. Epileptic reactions were significantly suppressed during gestation (2 and 3 weeks). The data showed changes in behavioral reactions and EEG seizure activity. In the period of gestation the development of audiogenic kindling in response to repetitive acoustic stimulation is markedly reduced. This indicates the strengthening of inhibitory processes in the brain. It is supposed that in the period of gestation in rats with genetically determined audiogenic seizures excess of sexual hormones and enhancement of GABA-ergic transmission causes marked reduction of development of audiogenic kindling.
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Faingold CL, Randall M. Effects of age, sex, and sertraline administration on seizure-induced respiratory arrest in the DBA/1 mouse model of sudden unexpected death in epilepsy (SUDEP). Epilepsy Behav 2013; 28:78-82. [PMID: 23666465 DOI: 10.1016/j.yebeh.2013.04.003] [Citation(s) in RCA: 37] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/28/2012] [Revised: 04/03/2013] [Accepted: 04/04/2013] [Indexed: 01/26/2023]
Abstract
DBA/1 mice are susceptible to audiogenic seizure-induced respiratory arrest (S-IRA), leading to death, which is a model of human sudden unexpected death in epilepsy (SUDEP). Female DBA/1 mice exhibited 71% susceptibility to S-IRA on the third daily test when seizure testing began at postnatal day (PND) 24-30, which was slightly (>10%) but not significantly lower than males. When initial seizure testing was delayed (to >7 weeks of age), DBA/1 mice of both sexes exhibited significantly reduced S-IRA susceptibility, as compared to mice tested initially at PND 24-30. These sex and age issues had not been previously evaluated and may be important for the future use of this SUDEP model. We also observed that 30 min after administering a selective serotonin reuptake inhibitor (SSRI), sertraline (40, 50, or 75 mg/kg i.p.), a significantly reduced S-IRA incidence in DBA/1 mice occurred without blocking seizures, which may be relevant to SUDEP prevention.
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Affiliation(s)
- Carl L Faingold
- Department of Pharmacology, Southern Illinois University School of Medicine, P.O. Box 19629, Springfield, IL 62794-9629, USA.
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Vataev SI, Oganesian GA. [The sleep organization in the Krushinskii-Molodkina strain rats after sleep deprivation and different intensity audiogenic seizures]. Ross Fiziol Zh Im I M Sechenova 2010; 96:301-314. [PMID: 20536000] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 05/29/2023]
Abstract
Organization of sleep after different intensity audiogenic paroxysmal seizures evoked in animals under normal diurnal wakefulness-sleep cycle and after 12-hour fast-wave sleep deprivations or 6-hour total sleep deprivation was studied in Krushinskii-Molodkina strain rats with an inherited predisposition to audiogenic convulsions. Under all specified conditions, intensive audiogenic clonic or clonic-tonic convulsions caused long-lasting and pronounced sleep disorders in rats associated with disorganization of the mechanisms of starting the fast-wave sleep phase in the first place. But after experimental deprivations of sleep the audiogenic paroxysmal seizures run only as initial motor excitement without obvious convulsions. Such sort of seizures promote a faster beginning of recovery process after deprivations and did not cause any disorganization of the function of the brain systems responsible for starting and shaping (maintenance) fast-wave sleep.
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Saadeldin IY. Fixation-off sensitivity with atypical presentation: clinical and video/EEG documentation. Epilepsy Behav 2010; 17:126-9. [PMID: 19913461 DOI: 10.1016/j.yebeh.2009.10.012] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/19/2009] [Revised: 10/09/2009] [Accepted: 10/11/2009] [Indexed: 11/19/2022]
Abstract
A 9-year 2-month-old Saudi boy of normal intelligence was brought to a pediatric neurology clinic because of episodes of abnormal behavior associated with disorientation and confusion and postictal amnesia. Video/EEG evaluation unexpectedly documented the presence of fixation-off sensitivity.
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Affiliation(s)
- Imad Yassin Saadeldin
- Pediatric Department, King Fahad Military Hospital, Southern Region, Khamis Mushayt, Saudi Arabia.
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Affiliation(s)
- A Verrotti
- Department of Pediatrics, University of Chieti, Chieti, Italy.
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Vataev SI. The effects of repeated audiogenic convulsions on the organization of sleep in rats. ACTA ACUST UNITED AC 2006; 36:729-35. [PMID: 16841153 DOI: 10.1007/s11055-006-0080-2] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/03/2005] [Revised: 03/16/2005] [Indexed: 11/26/2022]
Abstract
The organization of sleep in Krushinskii-Molodkina rats, with an inherited predisposition to audiogenic convulsions, was studied during and after repeated audiogenic convulsions consisting of two, three, or five relatively rare (separated by intervals of 90 min) or three, five, or nine relatively frequent (separated by intervals of 45 min) generalized clonic-tonic convulsions. In rats subjected to repeated seizures with rare convulsions, behavior in the periods between individual convulsions was dominated by passive waking (75.2 +/- 4.6% of the time), with a low level (24.8 +/- 4.3%) of slow-wave and a complete absence of fast-wave sleep, i.e., there was selective removal of the fast-wave sleep phase from the sleep-waking cycle of the rats. In rats subjected to frequent seizures with frequent convulsions, the period between convulsions showed only passive waking, with complete loss of slow-wave and fast-wave sleep, i.e., total sleep deprivation took place. The minimal latent period before the appearance of the first episodes of slow-wave sleep after repeated convulsions was 59.9 +/- 10.8 min; that for fast-wave sleep was 158.2 +/- 13.4 min. However, the first episodes of slow-wave and fast-wave sleep had an essentially normal structure, though episodes shorter than those in controls were seen, albeit more rarely. Despite the prolonged (up to 7 h) absence of slow-wave sleep during seizures and the prolonged (8.5 h) decrease in fast-wave sleep, there was no compensatory increase in the levels of these states in the sleep-waking cycle during the 12 h of recovery after seizures. Overall, the recovery period after repeated seizures was characterized by an increase (compared with controls) in the total proportion of waking in the behavior of the rats, with a decrease in the total duration of slow-wave and fast-wave sleep. It is concluded that the paroxysmal status significantly disorganizes the operation of the sleep-generating structures of the brain. The functioning of the systems responsible for slow-wave sleep is less affected, while impairments of the activity of the systems responsible for the formation of fast-wave sleep are more significant, affecting primarily the mechanisms triggering this sleep phase.
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Affiliation(s)
- S I Vataev
- I. M. Sechenov Institute of Evolutionary Physiology and Biochemistry, Russian Academy of Sciences, 44 M. Torez Prospekt, 194223, St. Petersburg, Russia
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Raisinghani M, Faingold CL. Pontine reticular formation neurons are implicated in the neuronal network for generalized clonic seizures which is intensified by audiogenic kindling. Brain Res 2005; 1064:90-7. [PMID: 16336948 DOI: 10.1016/j.brainres.2005.09.047] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/27/2005] [Revised: 09/15/2005] [Accepted: 09/24/2005] [Indexed: 11/30/2022]
Abstract
The caudal pontine reticular formation nucleus (cPRF) is implicated in seizure propagation to the spinal cord in several forms of generalized convulsive seizures, including audiogenic seizures (AGS). Focal microinjection studies implicate cPRF as a requisite neuronal network site subserving generalized AGS in the moderate severity substrain of genetically epilepsy-prone rats (GEPR-3s). AGS in GEPR-3s culminate in generalized clonus, but daily repetition of AGS (AGS kindling) results in an additional seizure behavior, facial and forelimb (F and F) clonus, not seen prior to kindling. This study examined cPRF neuronal firing changes and seizure behaviors during AGS in GEPR-3s. We examined extracellular cPRF neuronal responses to acoustic stimuli (12 kHz) and observed neuronal firing during AGS. cPRF neurons exhibited onset responses to acoustic stimuli before and after AGS kindling. After AGS kindling, increased neuronal firing occurred, and response latencies were prolonged. Tonic neuronal firing occurred during generalized clonus, which changed to burst firing after AGS kindling. Burst firing also occurred during F and F clonus. Increased neuronal firing and the change from tonic to burst firing suggest that AGS kindling involves increased cPRF excitability. These data support an important role for cPRF neurons in generation of generalized clonus in unkindled GEPR-3s, which is increased by AGS kindling. The increased cPRF response latency might reflect a greater role of rostral components of the AGS neuronal network in transmission of acoustic responses to cPRF. This study also suggests that cPRF neurons may be involved in F and F clonus, which was unexpected since F and F clonus is thought to originate primarily in forebrain structures.
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Affiliation(s)
- Manish Raisinghani
- Department of Pharmacology, Southern Illinois University School of Medicine, PO Box 19629, Springfield, IL 62794-9629, USA
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Abstract
Reflex anoxic seizures (pallid breath-holding attacks) can be managed with reassurance in the majority of individuals. In a minority of cases where frequent syncopal and seizure activity occurs, intervention needs to be considered. We report a case of a 19-month infant with a history of severe reflex anoxic seizures who underwent pacemaker insertion with a spectacular result, with complete termination of syncope and seizures, and improvement in quality of life for the patient and family. A literature review of the safety and effectiveness of pacemaker insertion is also presented to support its use as a treatment option for this condition.
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Affiliation(s)
- Dyanne Wilson
- Greenlane Paediatric and Congenital Cardiac Services, Starship Childrens Hospital, Auckland, New Zealand.
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Magdalan J, Antończyk A, Kochman K, Porebska B. Poisoning or primary nervous system disease?--difficulties of the differential diagnosis exemplified by four different clinical cases. Przegl Lek 2005; 62:486-8. [PMID: 16225102] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 05/04/2023]
Abstract
Acute or chronic injury of the nervous system caused by xenobiotics can resemble primary disorders of the nervous system. In this study, four different cases that are characterized by unclear clinical presentation have been discussed; they required a detailed differential diagnostics using modern radiologic and electrophysiologic studies. Case 1. A young alcohol abuser was referred to the Acute Poisonings Unit at Wrocław with a presumptive diagnosis of methanol poisoning. Neither methanol nor ethylene glycol were detected in patient's serum and urine. During hospitalization in our ward he lost vision completely, and neurologic examination was consistent with a transverse spinal cord injury. Traumatic spinal cord injury coexisting with methanol poisoning, or even Devic's syndrome were considered in differential diagnosis. The MRI did not reveal a spinal cord injury, and the EMG showed severe demyelinating-axonal polyneuropathy. Finally the patient was diagnosed with methanol poisoning complicated by both loss of vision and severe alcoholic polyneuropathy. Case 2. A 27-year-old man was found unconscious in a street. A head CT revealed numerous small intracerebral hemorrhages, and patient's urine contained high concentration of amphetamine. A presumptive diagnosis of amphetamine poisoning complicated by intracranial hemorrhage was proposed. The repeat head CT revealed traumatic injury of the skull in a form of depression. Based on this result, the patient was diagnosed with a posttraumatic intracranial hemorrhage. Case 3. A young man with history of schizophrenia was transferred to our ward from a psychiatric hospital with a presumptive diagnosis of neuroleptic malignant syndrome complicated by rhabdomyolysis. Infection of the nervous system and focal lesions in the brain were ruled out with help of lumbar puncture and a brain MRI. After having obtained additional details of patient's history, it appeared that the patient had not been taking neuroleptics, and therefore it was assumed that patient's condition be connected with a catatonic type of schizophrenia exacerbation. Case 4. A 17-year-old woman, who returned from a disco club, presented with a bizarre behavior, she spoke incoherently, and she saw everything in bright and intense colors. Then she experienced a severe seizure attack with loss of consciousness and apnea. Toxicologic tests were negative. The patient was referred to neurology where she was finally diagnosed with epilepsy, and the attack was induced by strobe lights in a disco club.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jan Magdalan
- Acute Poisonings Ward, T. Marciniak Hospital at Wrocław, Poland
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Camfield CS, Camfield PR, Sadler M, Rahey S, Farrell K, Chayasirisobbon S, Scheffer I. Paroxysmal eyelid movements: A confusing feature of generalized photosensitive epilepsy. Neurology 2004; 63:40-2. [PMID: 15249608 DOI: 10.1212/01.wnl.0000131909.74506.5f] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/15/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Persistent, frequent, nonepileptic paroxysmal eyelid movements were observed in 19 children and adults with well-controlled generalized epilepsy. METHODS Patients were identified from five epilepsy centers. RESULTS Seventeen patients were female and two male. All had generalized photosensitive epilepsy requiring antiepileptic drugs (AEDs). In two children, paroxysmal eyelid movements began 2 to 4 years before their epilepsy was noted; in the remainder, it was noted when epilepsy was first diagnosed. Age at last follow-up was 8 to 38 years (average 21 years) with average follow-up of 9 years. All patients showed photosensitive generalized spike-wave discharges on EEG. Paroxysmal eyelid movements were a source of diagnostic confusion, but direct examination and video during EEG recording distinguished the attacks from absence seizures. In all cases, the epilepsy is completely or nearly completely controlled with AEDs, but the paroxysmal eyelid movements have not resolved with age. In 12 cases, there was a family history of the eyelid disorder without epilepsy. Videos of patients and an affected parent are available on the Neurology Web site. CONCLUSION There is an association between paroxysmal eyelid movements and photosensitive generalized epilepsy, creating diagnostic confusion.
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Affiliation(s)
- C S Camfield
- Dalhousie University, Halifax, Nova Scotia, Canada.
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Abstract
The pathogenesis of human seizure disorders has largely been derived from rodent models. A number of rodent and chick strains exhibit a genetic predisposition for lethal audiogenic seizures (AGSs) in the first year of life. Consideration is warranted that this disorder may be linked to the sudden infant death syndrome (SIDS). Factors that carry a strong association with SIDS such as hyperthermia and the prone sleeping position would conceivably play a significant role in a human AGS syndrome. Importantly, there is data to support the likelihood that motor seizure activity may be absent in infants with an AGS syndrome. Rodent AGSs may hold important clues to unraveling the mystery of SIDS.
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Affiliation(s)
- Daniel D Rubens
- Department of Anesthesia and Critical Care, Children's Hospital and Regional Medical Center, University of Washington, School of Medicine, 4800 Sand Point Way NE, Seattle, WA 98105, USA.
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Abstract
To understand the evolution of photosensitivity and to evaluate if its disappearance is related to the response to anticonvulsant therapy, we performed a long-term study of 42 patients (17 males, 25 females; age at onset 6 years 9 months, SD 5 years 2 months, range 5 years to 12 years 1 month) who had electroencephalography (EEG) evidence of photosensitive epilepsy. Of the patients, 36 were treated with valproate (VPA) monotherapy and four received VPA in combination with other antiepileptic drugs (AEDs), which were carbamazepine and lamotrigine. Two patients were given no drugs, but treated with stimuli avoidance. All patients were investigated with EEG by using intermittent photic stimulation. The photoparoxysmal response indicated the presence of photosensitivity. At the end of follow-up, the photoparoxysmal response had disappeared in 25 patients. Thirty-three patients became seizure-free. Our study confirms that photosensitive epilepsy has a good prognosis for seizure control that is independent of the persistence or disappearance of photosensitivity.
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Affiliation(s)
- Alberto Verrotti
- Department of Medicine, Section of Pediatrics, University of Chieti--Ospedale Policlinico, Chieti, Italy.
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Abstract
Patients with photosensitive epilepsy are susceptible to seizures due to photoparoxysmal response (PPR). This response adversely precipitates factors that modify the functional status of the visual system. Such factors may or may not be evident superficially, but may lead to ocular defects due to trauma, hormonal imbalance, abnormal intraocular pressure (IOP), or any other reflex-inducing stimuli. The extent to which photosensitive epileptic patients suffer from PPR-related ocular defects has not been documented fully. In this investigation, ocular defects in patients with photosensitive epilepsy are studied using visual-evoked response (VER). A total of 212 photosensitive epileptic patients were studied to ascertain the magnitude and distribution of ocular defects using the changes in EEG and visual-evoked potential (VEP); 51% of the patients were female, the age range was 1-46 years. The major ocular defects and complications found were visual field defects, optic nerve abnormalities, nystagmus, cataracts, amblyopia, and migraine. These findings were analyzed according to age and sex. The relationship between the ocular abnormalities and the interpretations of the changes in the characteristics of the VEP indicated that optic-related atrophies, visual defects, optic neuritis, chiasmal compression, nystagmus, migraine headache, cataracts, and amblyopia were prevalent in photosensitive epileptic patients at varying degrees. The results showed that although ocular defects in photosensitive epilepsy may not be obvious differentially, VEP can be used in their diagnosis, contrary to earlier studies reporting that VEP is not of much value in epilepsy diagnosis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ebere C Anyanwu
- Cahers Neurosciences Research Inc., 8787 Shenandoah Park Drive, Suite 122, Conroe, TX, USA.
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20
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Ozer F, Mutlu A, Ozkayran T. Reflex epilepsy and non-ketotic hyperglycemia. Epileptic Disord 2003; 5:165-8. [PMID: 14684353] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 04/27/2023]
Abstract
Epileptic seizures are paroxysmal events, and it is likely that many, if not most, of them are precipitated by known or unknown factors acting on a central nervous system that is predisposed to the production of epileptic discharges by the presence of an organic lesion, a genetically determined neuronal hyperexcitability, or both. Known precipitating influences are quite varied. We report the case of a 58 years-old patient, followed for non-ketotic hyperglycemia, who presented with focal seizures exclusively induced by specific, active or passive, postures and movements of the right arm or hand. MRI was normal. Following regulation of glucose blood levels the position-induced seizures stopped and antiepileptics were not prescribed. The seizures are kept under control by regulating blood glucose.
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Affiliation(s)
- Feriha Ozer
- Haseki Education and Research Hospital, Neurology Clinic, Istanbul, Turkey.
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21
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Abstract
A previously healthy one-year-old boy, the youngest child of unrelated parents, presented with a four-week history of episodes of myoclonus triggered only by tactile stimulation to his head. There had been no loss of developmental skills. The electroencephalogram (EEG) revealed generalised polyspike wave activity both with and without clinical correlate. The infant was started on sodium valproate, which resulted in cessation of the myoclonic episodes one week after starting therapy. At subsequent follow-up (at 18 months) the infant was seizure free and a repeat EEG was normal. This case of non-progressive reflex myoclonic epilepsy of infancy triggered only by head tapping (and not by acoustic stimuli) is an extremely rare phenomenon. Reflex myoclonic epilepsy of infancy represents a distinct subtype of myoclonic epilepsy in infancy. It should be considered as an age-dependent idiopathic generalised epileptic syndrome with an apparently good prognosis.
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Affiliation(s)
- M A Kurian
- Department of Paediatric Neurology, The Children's Hospital, Dublin, Eire
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22
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Fiore LA, Valente K, Gronich G, Ono CR, Buchpiguel CA. Mesial temporal lobe epilepsy with focal photoparoxysmal response. Epileptic Disord 2003; 5:39-43. [PMID: 12773295] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 03/02/2023]
Abstract
UNLABELLED Intermittent photic stimulation (IPS) may produce epileptiform discharges and seizures, most of which are generalized. There are several cases of focal seizures of occipital origin induced by IPS and only five reported cases originating from the temporal lobe (TL). We report an unusual case of TL epilepsy, supported by electroclinical and neuroimaging data, with rhythmic focal TL discharges precipitated by photic stimulus. CASE REPORT A 37 year old male with refractory epilepsy due to a right mesial temporal sclerosis presented a focal right TL photoparoxysmal response during IPS. A routine, interictal SPECT study obtained with injection of HMPAO, carried out during continuous pulses of the photic stimulus at 16 Hz, disclosed hyperperfusion over the right TL. Presurgical ictal studies demonstrated seizures arising from the same region. A temporal lobectomy rendered the patient seizure-free and further EEGs with IPS were normal. CONCLUSION To our knowledge, this is the sixth case in medical literature showing evidence of photosensitivity associated with a TL lesion and it is the first in which photic stimulation induced a focal electrographic response of the involved TL. We hypothesize that in rare cases, photosensitivity may be related to a mesial TL lesion without occipital cortex involvement.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lia A Fiore
- Laboratory of Clinical Neurophysiology, Department and Institute of Psychiatry, University of São Paulo, Brazil.
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23
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Ovcharek K. [Psychogenic pseudo-epileptic seizures]. Zh Nevrol Psikhiatr Im S S Korsakova 2002; 102:76-8. [PMID: 11957356] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [MESH Headings] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/24/2023]
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24
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Gatzonis SD, Zournas C, Michalopoulos A, Prapas S, Argentos S, Geroulanos S. Area-selective stimulus-provoked seizures in post-anoxic coma. Seizure 2002; 11 Suppl A:294-7. [PMID: 12185763] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/26/2023] Open
Abstract
We describe the case of a 70-year-old patient in whom hemiconvulsive seizures occurred during metabolic derangement, multiple stroke and post-anoxic coma following cardiac arrest. We employed the methods of clinical and EEG evaluation and CT brain scan. We found that hemiconvulsive seizures were provoked following a light tactile stimulus in the left-trigeminal area and occasionally a strong tapping in the right-trigeminal area. We conclude that this type of stimulus-provoked seizure is extremely rare and could be explained by diffuse and severe brain damage.
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Affiliation(s)
- S D Gatzonis
- Department of Neurology, Athens Medical School, Eginition Hospital, Athens, Greece.
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25
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Pardal-áern ndez JM, Iniesta-López I, López-Agreda JM. [The association between post anoxic encephalopathy and startle epilepsy]. Rev Neurol 2002; 34:648-51. [PMID: 12080514] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/25/2023]
Abstract
INTRODUCTION The startle is a variant of primitive physiological reflex, present in developed animals. It could be defined as a sudden defensive reaction triggered by an adequate sensorial stimulus, most effective if auditory, consisting under a clinical basis on the sudden and sequential contraction of some muscular groups, in first place affecting the facial territory (orbicularis oculi bilaterally), followed by the rest of the cranial nerves, the axial musculature and finally the limbs, predominantly proximal and flexor regions of superior extremities. The pathological startle is that which is precipitated by inadequate stimulus and excessive in response to it (under a low level of intensity or duration). It appears on account of different causes and mechanisms, among them a peculiar form of reflex epilepsy, the startle epilepsy. This form of epilepsy commonly present on infant postanoxic encephalopathy, shares its clinical features with other causes of pathologic startle, even though it presents a very characteristic electroencephalographic semiology. CASE REPORT We present the case of a child with a startle epilepsy clinically presented as a form of subintrant status epilepticus under the context of a postanoxic encephalopathy secondary to drowsiness. With an adequate treatment it was possible to eliminate the epileptic phenomena, thus notoriously improving his quality of life (vigil and asleep). CONCLUSION We review the characteristics and classifications of a variant of reflex epilepsy, the startle epilepsy.
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Affiliation(s)
- J M Pardal-áern ndez
- Servicio de Neurofisiología Clínica, Hospital General Universitario Gregorio Marañon, Madrid, España.
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Yang L, Long C, Faingold CL. Audiogenic seizure susceptibility is induced by termination of continuous infusion of gamma-aminobutyric acid or an N-methyl-D-aspartic acid Antagonist into the inferior colliculus. Exp Neurol 2001; 171:147-52. [PMID: 11520129 DOI: 10.1006/exnr.2001.7733] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/22/2022]
Abstract
The inferior colliculus (IC) is strongly implicated in seizure initiation in a genetic form of audiogenic seizures (AGS) and in AGS observed during ethanol withdrawal (ETX). Ethanol is known to block the actions of excitatory amino acids (EAA) and enhance the actions of gamma-aminobutyric acid (GABA) in several brain areas, including the IC. The present study investigated the effects on susceptibility to AGS following withdrawal from continuous blockade of N-methyl-D-aspartic acid (NMDA) receptors or continuous activation of GABA receptors in the IC. This involved infusion of GABA (1 M) or a competitive NMDA antagonist, DL-2-amino-7-phosphonoheptanoic acid (AP7, 1 mM), at 0.25 microl/h for 7 days using an Alzet osmotic minipump. Following abrupt termination of the infusion, AGS susceptibility began at 30 min. The incidence of AGS was 38.9 and 56.3% following GABA and AP7 withdrawal, respectively. The AGS behaviors observed during withdrawal, which included wild running and bouncing clonus, were very similar to those evoked by acoustic stimuli during ETX. AGS susceptibility lasted for several hours and in 13% of animals persisted for up to 6 months. The current results support diminished GABAergic and elevated glutamatergic function in the IC as the critical mechanisms and sites for AGS initiation. The present study, coupled with previous evidence that chronic ethanol exposure reduced GABA-mediated inhibition and enhanced EAA-mediated excitation, suggests that these amino acid receptor-mediated alterations in the IC are key elements in initiating AGS during ethanol withdrawal.
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Affiliation(s)
- L Yang
- Department of Pharmacology, Southern Illinois University School of Medicine, Springfield, Illinois 62794-9629, USA
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Abstract
Panic disorder and epilepsy usually are distinct entities which require different and specific therapeutic strategies. While anticonvulsant medication is the treatment of choice for seizure disorders, behavioral methods have proven to be effective in panic disorder. We here report a case of comorbidity between panic disorder and photosensitive epilepsy. Special attention is given to the different symptomatic presentations of the disorders, because a thorough knowledge of both disorders may save unnecessary diagnostic procedures. Therefore, the necessity of taking a careful patient's history is underlined. Furthermore the different possible relationship between panic disorder and epilepsy are discussed.
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Affiliation(s)
- G Langs
- Medizinisch Psychosomatische Klinik Bad Bramstedt, Deutschland.
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28
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Abstract
Startle-induced seizures are reflex seizures precipitated by a sudden, surprising stimulus, usually auditory. Aetiologies, electroencephalographic correlates, and brain structural abnormalities are variable. Because of the frequent tonic component at onset, falling is a major clinical problem. There is no established drug of choice, and therapy is often unsatisfactory. Adjunctive lamotrigine therapy was used in four consecutive patients with this syndrome seen in a referral epilepsy practice. All four had been refractory to virtually every other drug, but responded dramatically to lamotrigine with elimination of falls from seizures. This observation may serve as pilot data for trials of lamotrigine for startle-induced or other varieties of reflex epilepsies, as adjunctive or monotherapy.
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Affiliation(s)
- E Faught
- University of Alabama at Birmingham Epilepsy Center, Civitan International Research Center, Room 312, University of Alabama School of Medicine, Birmingham, AL 35294-0021, USA
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29
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Hirata K. [The pathophysiological mechanism of paroxysmal kinesigenic choreoathetosis]. Rinsho Shinkeigaku 1999; 39:863; author reply 864. [PMID: 10586636] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [MESH Headings] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/14/2023]
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