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Gueta I, Yonath H, Fluss R, Oberman B, Oppenheim A, Ozeri D, Kreiss Y, Loebstein R. Fluoroquinolones and the risk for incidental seizures: a comparative retrospective study. J Antimicrob Chemother 2024; 79:2554-2560. [PMID: 39090969 DOI: 10.1093/jac/dkae255] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/05/2024] [Accepted: 07/06/2024] [Indexed: 08/04/2024] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Over the years, reports have associated fluoroquinolones (FQ) with seizures. The incidence and whether FQ compared to non-epileptogenic antibiotic are associated with increased risk of seizures has yet to be examined. METHODS A retrospective observational study of hospitalized patients treated with FQ (ofloxacin, ciprofloxacin, levofloxacin, moxifloxacin) or macrolides (MA: azithromycin or roxithromycin) between January 2009 and January 2021 in a large tertiary academic medical centre. The outcome was the occurrence of a seizure during treatment. The Naranjo scale was used to assess causality between FQ treatment and seizures. Comparative analysis was conducted using propensity score matching to correct for possible bias due to non-random selection, followed by inverse probability weighting (IPW) to estimate the difference in seizure risk between FQ and MA. RESULTS Overall, 52 722 patients were treated with FQ during a total of 178 982 days. Mean age was 65 (±19) years and 47% were females. Thirty-three patients (0.06%) experienced a seizure, yielding an incidence of 1:5422 treatment days. Causality was deemed probable and possible among 9/33 and 24/33, respectively. The MA group composed of 8522 patients treated during 17 954 treatment days. Mean age was 65 (±21) years, 49% were females. Six (0.07%) patients experienced each a single seizure. IPW estimated OR for seizures among the FQ versus MA group was 1.44 (95%CI 0.59-3.5, P = 0.42). DISCUSSION The incidence of FQ associated seizures among hospitalized patients is low and the risk did not significantly exceed that under macrolides. Our results provide evidence for clinicians and decision-makers when balancing fluoroquinolones risks and benefits.
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Affiliation(s)
- Itai Gueta
- Institute of Clinical Pharmacology and Toxicology, Sheba Medical Center, Tel Hashomer, Israel
- Internal Medicine A, Sheba Medical Center, Tel Hashomer, Israel
- Sackler School of Medicine, Tel Aviv University, Tel Aviv, Israel
| | - Hagith Yonath
- Internal Medicine A, Sheba Medical Center, Tel Hashomer, Israel
- Sackler School of Medicine, Tel Aviv University, Tel Aviv, Israel
- Danek Gertner Institute of Human Genetics, Sheba Medical Center, Tel Hashomer, Israel
- Biostatistics Unit, Gertner Institute for Epidemiology and Health Policy Research, Sheba Medical Center, Tel Hashomer, Israel
| | - Ronen Fluss
- Biostatistics Unit, Gertner Institute for Epidemiology and Health Policy Research, Sheba Medical Center, Tel Hashomer, Israel
| | - Bernice Oberman
- Biostatistics Unit, Gertner Institute for Epidemiology and Health Policy Research, Sheba Medical Center, Tel Hashomer, Israel
| | - Amit Oppenheim
- Internal Medicine A, Sheba Medical Center, Tel Hashomer, Israel
- Sackler School of Medicine, Tel Aviv University, Tel Aviv, Israel
| | - David Ozeri
- Internal Medicine A, Sheba Medical Center, Tel Hashomer, Israel
- Sackler School of Medicine, Tel Aviv University, Tel Aviv, Israel
| | - Yitshak Kreiss
- Sackler School of Medicine, Tel Aviv University, Tel Aviv, Israel
- Biostatistics Unit, Gertner Institute for Epidemiology and Health Policy Research, Sheba Medical Center, Tel Hashomer, Israel
| | - Ronen Loebstein
- Institute of Clinical Pharmacology and Toxicology, Sheba Medical Center, Tel Hashomer, Israel
- Sackler School of Medicine, Tel Aviv University, Tel Aviv, Israel
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Kamondi A, Grigg-Damberger M, Löscher W, Tanila H, Horvath AA. Epilepsy and epileptiform activity in late-onset Alzheimer disease: clinical and pathophysiological advances, gaps and conundrums. Nat Rev Neurol 2024; 20:162-182. [PMID: 38356056 DOI: 10.1038/s41582-024-00932-4] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 01/17/2024] [Indexed: 02/16/2024]
Abstract
A growing body of evidence has demonstrated a link between Alzheimer disease (AD) and epilepsy. Late-onset epilepsy and epileptiform activity can precede cognitive deterioration in AD by years, and its presence has been shown to predict a faster disease course. In animal models of AD, amyloid and tau pathology are linked to cortical network hyperexcitability that precedes the first signs of memory decline. Thus, detection of epileptiform activity in AD has substantial clinical importance as a potential novel modifiable risk factor for dementia. In this Review, we summarize the epidemiological evidence for the complex bidirectional relationship between AD and epilepsy, examine the effect of epileptiform activity and seizures on cognition in people with AD, and discuss the precision medicine treatment strategies based on the latest research in human and animal models. Finally, we outline some of the unresolved questions of the field that should be addressed by rigorous research, including whether particular clinicopathological subtypes of AD have a stronger association with epilepsy, and the sequence of events between epileptiform activity and amyloid and tau pathology.
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Affiliation(s)
- Anita Kamondi
- National Institute of Mental Health, Neurology and Neurosurgery, Budapest, Hungary.
- Department of Neurology, Semmelweis University, Budapest, Hungary.
| | | | - Wolfgang Löscher
- Department of Experimental Otology of the ENT Clinics, Hannover Medical School, Hannover, Germany
| | - Heikki Tanila
- A. I. Virtanen Institute, University of Eastern Finland, Kuopio, Finland
| | - Andras Attila Horvath
- National Institute of Mental Health, Neurology and Neurosurgery, Budapest, Hungary
- Department of Anatomy, Histology and Embryology, Semmelweis University, Budapest, Hungary
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Vicente M, Addo-Osafo K, Vossel K. Latest advances in mechanisms of epileptic activity in Alzheimer's disease and dementia with Lewy Bodies. Front Neurol 2024; 15:1277613. [PMID: 38390593 PMCID: PMC10882721 DOI: 10.3389/fneur.2024.1277613] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/14/2023] [Accepted: 01/12/2024] [Indexed: 02/24/2024] Open
Abstract
Alzheimer's disease (AD) and dementia with Lewy bodies (DLB) stand as the prevailing sources of neurodegenerative dementia, impacting over 55 million individuals across the globe. Patients with AD and DLB exhibit a higher prevalence of epileptic activity compared to those with other forms of dementia. Seizures can accompany AD and DLB in early stages, and the associated epileptic activity can contribute to cognitive symptoms and exacerbate cognitive decline. Aberrant neuronal activity in AD and DLB may be caused by several mechanisms that are not yet understood. Hyperexcitability could be a biomarker for early detection of AD or DLB before the onset of dementia. In this review, we compare and contrast mechanisms of network hyperexcitability in AD and DLB. We examine the contributions of genetic risk factors, Ca2+ dysregulation, glutamate, AMPA and NMDA receptors, mTOR, pathological amyloid beta, tau and α-synuclein, altered microglial and astrocytic activity, and impaired inhibitory interneuron function. By gaining a deeper understanding of the molecular mechanisms that cause neuronal hyperexcitability, we might uncover therapeutic approaches to effectively ease symptoms and slow down the advancement of AD and DLB.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mariane Vicente
- Mary S. Easton Center for Alzheimer's Research and Care, Department of Neurology, David Geffen School of Medicine at University of California, Los Angeles, CA, United States
| | - Kwaku Addo-Osafo
- Mary S. Easton Center for Alzheimer's Research and Care, Department of Neurology, David Geffen School of Medicine at University of California, Los Angeles, CA, United States
| | - Keith Vossel
- Mary S. Easton Center for Alzheimer's Research and Care, Department of Neurology, David Geffen School of Medicine at University of California, Los Angeles, CA, United States
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Lu O, Kouser T, Skylar-Scott IA. Alzheimer's disease and epilepsy: shared neuropathology guides current and future treatment strategies. Front Neurol 2023; 14:1241339. [PMID: 37936917 PMCID: PMC10626492 DOI: 10.3389/fneur.2023.1241339] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/16/2023] [Accepted: 09/12/2023] [Indexed: 11/09/2023] Open
Abstract
Epilepsy is a cause of profound disability in patients with Alzheimer's disease (AD). The risk of being diagnosed with AD increases the risk for epilepsy, and in parallel, a history of epilepsy increases the likelihood of the development of AD. This bi-directional relationship may be due to underlying shared pathophysiologic hallmarks, including decreased cerebrospinal fluid amyloid beta 42 (Aβ42), increased hyperphosphorylated tau protein, and hippocampal hyperexcitability. Additionally, there are practical treatment considerations in patients with co-morbid AD and epilepsy-namely, there is a higher risk of seizures associated with medications commonly prescribed for Alzheimer's disease patients, including antidepressants and antipsychotics such as trazodone, serotonin norepinephrine reuptake inhibitors (SNRIs), and first-generation neuroleptics. Anti-amyloid antibodies like aducanumab and lecanemab present new and unique considerations in patients with co-morbid AD and epilepsy given the risk of seizures associated with amyloid-related imaging abnormalities (ARIA) seen with this drug class. Finally, we identify and detail five active studies, including two clinical trials of levetiracetam in the respective treatment of cognition and neuropsychiatric features of AD, a study characterizing the prevalence of epilepsy in AD via prolonged EEG monitoring, a study characterizing AD biomarkers in late-onset epilepsy, and a study evaluating hyperexcitability in AD. These ongoing trials may guide future clinical decision-making and the development of novel therapeutics.
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Affiliation(s)
- Olivia Lu
- Stanford Neuroscience Clinical Research Group, Department of Neurology and Neurological Sciences, Stanford University School of Medicine, Palo Alto, CA, United States
| | - Taimur Kouser
- Stanford University School of Medicine, Palo Alto, CA, United States
| | - Irina A. Skylar-Scott
- Memory Disorders Division, Department of Neurology and Neurological Sciences, Stanford University School of Medicine, Palo Alto, CA, United States
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Disserol CCD, Kowacs DP, Nabhan SK, Teive HAG, Kowacs PA. Case report: Successful autologous hematopoietic stem cell transplantation in a patient with GAD antibody-spectrum disorder with rapidly progressive dementia. Front Neurol 2023; 14:1254981. [PMID: 37928135 PMCID: PMC10622657 DOI: 10.3389/fneur.2023.1254981] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/11/2023] [Accepted: 09/20/2023] [Indexed: 11/07/2023] Open
Abstract
The prevalence of neurological syndromes associated with antibodies to glutamic acid decarboxylase is increasing. While cognitive impairment is a common feature of this condition, it seldom emerges as the primary symptom. In this study, we discuss a case of refractory dementia associated with the glutamic acid decarboxylase spectrum disorder. Interestingly, this case showed a favorable outcome following autologous hematopoietic stem cell transplantation. We also provide an in-depth review of the current literature on the use of this therapeutic approach for the treatment of this disease.
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Affiliation(s)
- Caio César Diniz Disserol
- Department of Neurology, Instituto de Neurologia de Curitiba, Curitiba, Brazil
- Department of Neurology, Complexo do Hospital de Clínicas da Universidade Federal do Paraná, Curitiba, Brazil
| | - Dora Pedroso Kowacs
- Department of Neurology, Instituto de Neurologia de Curitiba, Curitiba, Brazil
| | - Samir Kanaan Nabhan
- Blood and Marrow Transplantation Program, Hospital de Clínicas, Federal University of Paraná, Curitiba, Brazil
| | - Hélio Afonso Ghizoni Teive
- Department of Neurology, Complexo do Hospital de Clínicas da Universidade Federal do Paraná, Curitiba, Brazil
| | - Pedro André Kowacs
- Department of Neurology, Instituto de Neurologia de Curitiba, Curitiba, Brazil
- Department of Neurology, Complexo do Hospital de Clínicas da Universidade Federal do Paraná, Curitiba, Brazil
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Tombini M, Boscarino M, Di Lazzaro V. Tackling seizures in patients with Alzheimer's disease. Expert Rev Neurother 2023; 23:1131-1145. [PMID: 37946507 DOI: 10.1080/14737175.2023.2278487] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/19/2023] [Accepted: 10/30/2023] [Indexed: 11/12/2023]
Abstract
INTRODUCTION In past years, a possible bidirectional link between epilepsy and Alzheimer's disease (AD) has been proposed: if AD patients are more likely to develop epilepsy, people with late-onset epilepsy evidence an increased risk of dementia. Furthermore, current research suggested that subclinical epileptiform discharges may be more frequent in patients with AD and network hyperexcitability may hasten cognitive impairment. AREAS COVERED In this narrative review, the authors discuss the recent evidence linking AD and epilepsy as well as seizures semeiology and epileptiform activity observed in patients with AD. Finally, anti-seizure medications (ASMs) and therapeutic trials to tackle seizures and network hyperexcitability in this clinical scenario have been summarized. EXPERT OPINION There is growing experimental evidence demonstrating a strong connection between seizures, neuronal hyperexcitability, and AD. Epilepsy in AD has shown a good response to ASMs both at the late and prodromal stages. The new generation ASMs with fewer cognitive adverse effects seem to be a preferable option. Data on the possible effects of network hyperexcitability and ASMs on AD progression are still inconclusive. Further clinical trials are mandatory to identify clear guidelines about treatment of subclinical epileptiform discharges in patients with AD without seizures.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mario Tombini
- Unit of Neurology, Neurophysiology, Neurobiology, Department of Medicine, University Campus Bio-Medico, Rome, Italy
| | - Marilisa Boscarino
- Unit of Neurology, Neurophysiology, Neurobiology, Department of Medicine, University Campus Bio-Medico, Rome, Italy
- Istituti Clinici Scientifici Maugeri IRCCS, Neurorehabilitation Department, Milan, Italy
| | - Vincenzo Di Lazzaro
- Unit of Neurology, Neurophysiology, Neurobiology, Department of Medicine, University Campus Bio-Medico, Rome, Italy
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Zawar I, Kapur J. Does Alzheimer's disease with mesial temporal lobe epilepsy represent a distinct disease subtype? Alzheimers Dement 2023; 19:2697-2706. [PMID: 36648207 PMCID: PMC10272023 DOI: 10.1002/alz.12943] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/27/2022] [Revised: 12/19/2022] [Accepted: 12/21/2022] [Indexed: 01/18/2023]
Abstract
Alzheimer's disease (AD) patients have a high risk of developing mesial temporal lobe epilepsy (MTLE) and subclinical epileptiform activity. MTLE in AD worsens outcomes. Therefore, we need to understand the overlap between these disease processes. We hypothesize that AD with MTLE represents a distinct subtype of AD, with the interplay between tau and epileptiform activity at its core. We discuss shared pathological features including histopathology, an initial mesial temporal lobe (MTL) hyperexcitability followed by MTL dysfunction and involvement of same networks in memory (AD) and seizures (MTLE). We provide evidence that tau accumulation linearly increases neuronal hyperexcitability, neuronal hyper-excitability increases tau secretion, tau can provoke seizures, and tau reduction protects against seizures. We speculate that AD genetic mutations increase tau, which causes proportionate neuronal loss and/or hyperexcitability, leading to seizures. We discuss that tau burden in MTLE predicts cognitive deficits among (1) AD and (2) MTLE without AD. Finally, we explore the possibility that anti-seizure medications improve cognition by reducing neuronal hyper-excitability, which reduces seizures and tau accumulation and spread. HIGHLIGHTS: We hypothesize that patients with Alzheimer's disease (AD) and mesial temporal lobe epilepsy (MTLE) represents a distinct subtype of AD. AD and MTLE share histopathological features and involve overlapping neuronal and cortical networks. Hyper-phosphorylated tau (pTau) increases neuronal excitability and provoke seizures, neuronal excitability increases pTau, and pTau reduction reduces neuronal excitability and protects against seizures. The pTau burden in MTL predicts cognitive deficits among (1) AD and (2) MTLE without AD. We speculate that anti-seizure medications improve cognition by reducing neuronal excitability, which reduces seizures and pTau.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ifrah Zawar
- Department of Neurology, University of Virginia School of Medicine, Charlottesville, VA 22908
| | - Jaideep Kapur
- Department of Neurology, University of Virginia School of Medicine, Charlottesville, VA 22908
- Department of Neuroscience, University of Virginia, Charlottesville, VA 22908
- Department of UVA brain institute, University of Virginia, Charlottesville, VA 22908
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Yeh WC, Hsu CY, Li KY, Chien CF, Huang LC, Yang YH. Association between Subclinical Epileptiform Discharge and the Severity of Cognitive Decline in Alzheimer’s Disease: A Longitudinal Cohort Study. J Alzheimers Dis 2022; 90:305-312. [DOI: 10.3233/jad-220567] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/15/2022]
Abstract
Background: Alzheimer’s disease (AD) is the most common type of dementia. Aging is a risk factor for both AD and seizures. Subclinical epileptiform discharge (SED) has no evident clinical manifestation in patients with AD. Therefore, SED is liable to be overlooked in these patients since electroencephalography is not routinely performed in clinical settings. Previous studies about the association between SED and AD have yielded inconsistent results. Objective: The current study aimed to evaluate the prevalence of SED and its effect on AD severity and clinical outcomes. Methods: Patients with AD from Kaohsiung Municipal Ta-tung Hospital were included in this study. International 10–20 system scalp electroencephalography for 13 minutes was performed to detect SED. Clinical outcomes of patients with and without SED were assessed by neuropsychological tests [Cognitive Abilities Screening Instrument (CASI), Mini-Mental State Examination (MMSE), and Clinical Dementia Rating Scale Sum of Boxes (CDR-SOB)]. Results: 288 patients (mean age 80.5 years, 60.4% female) were enrolled in this study. Fifty-seven (19.8%) out of 288 patients with AD had SED. The prevalence of SED increased with the severity of cognitive impairment. Compared with patients without SED, those with SED showed significantly greater decline in CASI (–9.32 versus –3.52 points, p = 0.0001) and MMSE (–2.52 versus –1.12 points, p = 0.0042) scores in one year. Conclusion: SED may play a significant role in AD progression and is a potential therapeutic target.
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Affiliation(s)
- Wei-Chih Yeh
- Department of Neurology, Kaohsiung Municipal Ta-Tung Hospital, Kaohsiung Medical University Hospital, Kaohsiung City, Taiwan
- Graduate Institute of Medicine, College of Medicine, Kaohsiung Medical University, Kaohsiung City, Taiwan
| | - Chung-Yao Hsu
- Department of Neurology, Kaohsiung Medical University Hospital, Kaohsiung City, Taiwan
- Department of Neurology, College of Medicine, Kaohsiung Medical University, Kaohsiung City, Taiwan
- Neuroscience Research Center, Kaohsiung Medical University, Kaohsiung, Taiwan
| | - Kuan-Ying Li
- Department of Neurology, Kaohsiung Municipal Ta-Tung Hospital, Kaohsiung Medical University Hospital, Kaohsiung City, Taiwan
- Graduate Institute of Medicine, College of Medicine, Kaohsiung Medical University, Kaohsiung City, Taiwan
| | - Ching-Fang Chien
- Department of Neurology, Kaohsiung Municipal Ta-Tung Hospital, Kaohsiung Medical University Hospital, Kaohsiung City, Taiwan
- Graduate Institute of Medicine, College of Medicine, Kaohsiung Medical University, Kaohsiung City, Taiwan
| | - Ling-Chun Huang
- Department of Neurology, Kaohsiung Municipal Ta-Tung Hospital, Kaohsiung Medical University Hospital, Kaohsiung City, Taiwan
| | - Yuan-Han Yang
- Department of Neurology, Kaohsiung Municipal Ta-Tung Hospital, Kaohsiung Medical University Hospital, Kaohsiung City, Taiwan
- Department of Neurology, College of Medicine, Kaohsiung Medical University, Kaohsiung City, Taiwan
- Neuroscience Research Center, Kaohsiung Medical University, Kaohsiung, Taiwan
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Csernus EA, Werber T, Kamondi A, Horvath AA. The Significance of Subclinical Epileptiform Activity in Alzheimer's Disease: A Review. Front Neurol 2022; 13:856500. [PMID: 35444602 PMCID: PMC9013745 DOI: 10.3389/fneur.2022.856500] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/17/2022] [Accepted: 02/21/2022] [Indexed: 01/20/2023] Open
Abstract
Hyperexcitability is a recently recognized contributor to the pathophysiology of Alzheimer's disease (AD). Subclinical epileptiform activity (SEA) is a neurophysiological sign of cortical hyperexcitability; however, the results of the studies in this field vary due to differences in the applied methodology. The aim of this review is to summarize the results of the related studies aiming to describe the characteristic features and significance of subclinical epileptiform discharges in the pathophysiologic process of AD from three different directions: (1) what SEA is; (2) why we should diagnose SEA, and (3) how we should diagnose SEA. We scrutinized both the completed and ongoing antiepileptic drug trials in AD where SEA served as a grouping variable or an outcome measure. SEA seems to appear predominantly in slow-wave sleep and in the left temporal region and to compromise cognitive functions. We clarify using supportive literature the high sensitivity of overnight electroencephalography (EEG) in the detection of epileptiform discharges. Finally, we present the most important research questions around SEA and provide an overview of the possible solutions.
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Affiliation(s)
- Emoke Anna Csernus
- School of PhD Studies, Semmelweis University, Budapest, Hungary
- Neurocognitive Research Center, National Institute of Mental Health, Neurology and Neurosurgery, Budapest, Hungary
| | - Tom Werber
- Faculty of Medicine, Semmelweis University, Budapest, Hungary
| | - Anita Kamondi
- Neurocognitive Research Center, National Institute of Mental Health, Neurology and Neurosurgery, Budapest, Hungary
- Department of Neurology, Semmelweis University, Budapest, Hungary
| | - Andras Attila Horvath
- Neurocognitive Research Center, National Institute of Mental Health, Neurology and Neurosurgery, Budapest, Hungary
- Department of Anatomy, Histology and Embryology, Semmelweis University, Budapest, Hungary
- *Correspondence: Andras Attila Horvath
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