1
|
Rider F, Turchinets A, Druzhkova T, Kustov G, Guekht A, Gulyaeva N. Dissimilar Changes in Serum Cortisol after Epileptic and Psychogenic Non-Epileptic Seizures: A Promising Biomarker in the Differential Diagnosis of Paroxysmal Events? Int J Mol Sci 2024; 25:7387. [PMID: 39000494 PMCID: PMC11242564 DOI: 10.3390/ijms25137387] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/18/2024] [Revised: 06/09/2024] [Accepted: 06/17/2024] [Indexed: 07/16/2024] Open
Abstract
The hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal axis is known to be involved in the pathogenesis of epilepsy and psychiatric disorders. Epileptic seizures (ESs) and psychogenic non-epileptic seizures (PNESs) are frequently differentially misdiagnosed. This study aimed to evaluate changes in serum cortisol and prolactin levels after ESs and PNESs as possible differential diagnostic biomarkers. Patients over 18 years with ESs (n = 29) and PNESs with motor manifestations (n = 45), captured on video-EEG monitoring, were included. Serum cortisol and prolactin levels as well as hemograms were assessed in blood samples taken at admission, during the first hour after the seizure, and after 6, 12, and 24 h. Cortisol and prolactine response were evident in the ES group (but not the PNES group) as an acute significant increase within the first hour after seizure. The occurrence of seizures in patients with ESs and PNESs demonstrated different circadian patterns. ROC analysis confirmed the accuracy of discrimination between paroxysmal events based on cortisol response: the AUC equals 0.865, with a prediction accuracy at the cutoff point of 376.5 nmol/L 0.811 (sensitivity 86.7%, specificity 72.4%). Thus, assessments of acute serum cortisol response to a paroxysmal event may be regarded as a simple, fast, and minimally invasive laboratory test contributing to differential diagnosis of ESs and PNESs.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Flora Rider
- Research and Clinical Center for Neuropsychiatry of Moscow Healthcare Department, Moscow 107076, Russia
| | - Alexander Turchinets
- Research and Clinical Center for Neuropsychiatry of Moscow Healthcare Department, Moscow 107076, Russia
| | - Tatyana Druzhkova
- Research and Clinical Center for Neuropsychiatry of Moscow Healthcare Department, Moscow 107076, Russia
| | - Georgii Kustov
- Research and Clinical Center for Neuropsychiatry of Moscow Healthcare Department, Moscow 107076, Russia
| | - Alla Guekht
- Research and Clinical Center for Neuropsychiatry of Moscow Healthcare Department, Moscow 107076, Russia
- Department of Neurology, Neurosurgery and Medical Genetics, Pirogov Russian National Research Medical University, Moscow 117997, Russia
| | - Natalia Gulyaeva
- Research and Clinical Center for Neuropsychiatry of Moscow Healthcare Department, Moscow 107076, Russia
- Laboratory of Functional Biochemistry of Nervous System, Institute of Higher Nervous Activity and Neurophysiology, Russian Academy of Sciences, Moscow 117485, Russia
| |
Collapse
|
2
|
Bettegazzi B, Cattaneo S, Simonato M, Zucchini S, Soukupova M. Viral Vector-Based Gene Therapy for Epilepsy: What Does the Future Hold? Mol Diagn Ther 2024; 28:5-13. [PMID: 38103141 PMCID: PMC10786988 DOI: 10.1007/s40291-023-00687-6] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 11/12/2023] [Indexed: 12/17/2023]
Abstract
In recent years, many pre-clinical studies have tested gene therapy approaches as possible treatments for epilepsy, following the idea that they may provide an alternative to conventional pharmacological and surgical options. Multiple gene therapy approaches have been developed, including those based on anti-sense oligonucleotides, RNA interference, and viral vectors. In this opinion article, we focus on translational issues related to viral vector-mediated gene therapy for epilepsy. Research has advanced dramatically in addressing issues like viral vector optimization, target identification, strategies of gene expression, editing or regulation, and safety. Some of these pre-clinically validated potential gene therapies are now being tested in clinical trials, in patients with genetic or focal forms of drug-resistant epilepsy. Here, we discuss the ongoing translational research and the advancements that are needed and expected in the near future. We then describe the clinical trials in the pipeline and the further challenges that will need to be addressed at the clinical and economic levels. Our optimistic view is that all these issues and challenges can be overcome, and that gene therapy approaches for epilepsy will soon become a clinical reality.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
| | - Stefano Cattaneo
- Division of Neuroscience, IRCCS San Raffaele Scientific Institute, Milan, Italy
- Department of Neuroscience and Rehabilitation, University of Ferrara, via Fossato di Mortara 70, 44121, Ferrara, Italy
| | - Michele Simonato
- Division of Neuroscience, IRCCS San Raffaele Scientific Institute, Milan, Italy
- Department of Neuroscience and Rehabilitation, University of Ferrara, via Fossato di Mortara 70, 44121, Ferrara, Italy
| | - Silvia Zucchini
- Department of Neuroscience and Rehabilitation, University of Ferrara, via Fossato di Mortara 70, 44121, Ferrara, Italy.
- Laboratory of Technologies for Advanced Therapy (LTTA), Technopole of Ferrara, Ferrara, Italy.
| | - Marie Soukupova
- Department of Neuroscience and Rehabilitation, University of Ferrara, via Fossato di Mortara 70, 44121, Ferrara, Italy
| |
Collapse
|
3
|
Brigo F, Zelano J, Abraira L, Bentes C, Ekdahl CT, Lattanzi S, Ingvar Lossius M, Redfors P, Rouhl RPW, Russo E, Sander JW, Vogrig A, Wickström R. Proceedings of the "International Congress on Structural Epilepsy & Symptomatic Seizures" (STESS, Gothenburg, Sweden, 29-31 March 2023). Epilepsy Behav 2024; 150:109538. [PMID: 38039602 DOI: 10.1016/j.yebeh.2023.109538] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/07/2023] [Revised: 11/09/2023] [Accepted: 11/09/2023] [Indexed: 12/03/2023]
Affiliation(s)
- Francesco Brigo
- Innovation, Research and Teaching Service (SABES-ASDAA), Teaching Hospital of the Paracelsus Medical Private University (PMU), Bolzano, Italy.
| | - Johan Zelano
- Department of Neurology, Sahlgrenska University Hospital, Gothenburg, Sweden; Institute of Neuroscience and Physiology, Department of Clinical Neuroscience, Sahlgrenska Academy, Gothenburg University, Sweden; Wallenberg Center of Molecular and Translational Medicine, Gothenburg University, Sweden
| | - Laura Abraira
- Neurology Department, Epilepsy Unit, Hospital Universitari Vall d'Hebron, Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona, Barcelona, Spain; Epilepsy Unit, Neurology Department, Vall d'Hebron University Hospital, Barcelona, Spain; Epilepsy Research Group, Vall d'Hebron Institut de Recerca (VHIR), Barcelona, Spain
| | - Carla Bentes
- Neurophysiological Monitoring Unit - EEG/Sleep Laboratory, Refractory Epilepsy Reference Centre (member of EpiCARE), Centro Hospitalar Universitário Lisboa Norte, Lisbon, Portugal; Centro de Estudos Egas Moniz, Faculty of Medicine, Lisbon University, Lisbon, Portugal
| | - Christine T Ekdahl
- Division of Clinical Neurophysiology and Department of Clinical Sciences, Lund University, Sweden; Lund Epilepsy Center, Department of Clinical Sciences, Lund University, Sweden
| | - Simona Lattanzi
- Neurological Clinic, Department of Experimental and Clinical Medicine, Marche Polytechnic University, Ancona, Italy
| | - Morten Ingvar Lossius
- National Centre for Epilepsy, Division of Clinical Neuroscience, Oslo University Hospital, Member of the ERN EpiCARE, Oslo, Norway; Institute of Clinical Medicine, University of Oslo, Oslo, Norway
| | - Petra Redfors
- Department of Neurology, Member of the ERN EpiCARE, Sahlgrenska University Hospital, Gothenburg, Sweden; Department of Clinical Neuroscience, Institute of Neuroscience and Physiology, Sahlgrenska Academy, University of Gothenburg, Gothenburg, Sweden
| | - Rob P W Rouhl
- Department of Neurology, Maastricht University Medical Centre+, Maastricht, The Netherlands; Academic Centre for Epileptology Kempenhaeghe/MUMC+ Heeze and Maastricht, The Netherlands; School for Mental Health and Neuroscience, Maastricht University, Maastricht, The Netherlands
| | - Emilio Russo
- Science of Health Department, University Magna Grecia of Catanzaro, Italy
| | - Josemir W Sander
- Department of Clinical & Experimental Epilepsy, UCL Queen Square Institute of Neurology, Queen Square, London, UK; Centre for Epilepsy, Chalfont St Peter, Bucks., SL9 0RJ, United Kingdom; Stichting Epilepsie Instellingen Nederland (SEIN), Heemstede 2103 SW, The Netherlands; Neurology Department, West of China Hospital, Sichuan University, Chengdu 610041, China
| | - Alberto Vogrig
- Department of Medicine (DAME), University of Udine, Udine, Italy; Clinical Neurology, Department of Head-Neck and Neuroscience, Azienda Sanitaria Universitaria Friuli Centrale (ASU FC), Udine, Italy
| | - Ronny Wickström
- Neuropediatric Unit, Karolinska University Hospital and Karolinska Institutet, Stockholm, Sweden
| |
Collapse
|
4
|
Ryan JM, Wagner KT, Yerram S, Concannon C, Lin JX, Rooney P, Hanrahan B, Titoff V, Connolly NL, Cranmer R, DeMaria N, Xia X, Mykins B, Erickson S, Couderc JP, Schifitto G, Hughes I, Wang D, Erba G, Auerbach DS. Heart rate and autonomic biomarkers distinguish convulsive epileptic vs. functional or dissociative seizures. Seizure 2023; 111:178-186. [PMID: 37660533 DOI: 10.1016/j.seizure.2023.08.015] [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: 06/09/2023] [Revised: 08/19/2023] [Accepted: 08/22/2023] [Indexed: 09/05/2023] Open
Abstract
OBJECTIVE 20-40% of individuals whose seizures are not controlled by anti-seizure medications exhibit manifestations comparable to epileptic seizures (ES), but there are no EEG correlates. These events are called functional or dissociative seizures (FDS). Due to limited access to EEG-monitoring and inconclusive results, we aimed to develop an alternative diagnostic tool that distinguishes ES vs. FDS. We evaluated the temporal evolution of ECG-based measures of autonomic function (heart rate variability, HRV) to determine whether they distinguish ES vs. FDS. METHODS The prospective study includes patients admitted to the University of Rochester Epilepsy Monitoring Unit. Participants are 18-65 years old, without therapies or co-morbidities associated with altered autonomics. A habitual ES or FDS is recorded during admission. HRV analysis is performed to evaluate the temporal changes in autonomic function during the peri‑ictal period (150-minutes each pre-/post-ictal). We determined if autonomic measures distinguish ES vs. FDS. RESULTS The study includes 53 ES and 46 FDS. Temporal evolution of HR and autonomics significantly differ surrounding ES vs. FDS. The pre-to-post-ictal change (delta) in HR differs surrounding ES vs. FDS, stratified for convulsive and non-convulsive events. Post-ictal HR, total autonomic (SDNN & Total Power), vagal (RMSSD & HF), and baroreflex (LF) function differ for convulsive ES vs. convulsive FDS. HR distinguishes non-convulsive ES vs. non-convulsive FDS with ROC>0.7, sensitivity>70%, but specificity<50%. HR-delta and post-ictal HR, SDNN, RMSSD, LF, HF, and Total Power each distinguish convulsive ES vs. convulsive FDS (ROC, 0.83-0.98). Models with HR-delta and post-ictal HR provide the highest diagnostic accuracy for convulsive ES vs. convulsive FDS: 92% sensitivity, 94% specificity, ROC 0.99). SIGNIFICANCE HR and HRV measures accurately distinguish convulsive, but not non-convulsive, events (ES vs. FDS). Results establish the framework for future studies to apply this diagnostic tool to more heterogeneous populations, and on out-of-hospital recordings, particularly for populations without access to epilepsy monitoring units.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Justin M Ryan
- Department of Pharmacology, SUNY Upstate Medical University, Syracuse, NY 13210, United States
| | - Kyle T Wagner
- Department of Pharmacology, SUNY Upstate Medical University, Syracuse, NY 13210, United States
| | - Sushma Yerram
- Department of Neurology, University of Rochester Medical Center, Rochester, NY 14642, United States
| | - Cathleen Concannon
- Department of Neurology, University of Rochester Medical Center, Rochester, NY 14642, United States
| | - Jennifer X Lin
- School of Medicine, University of Rochester Medical Center, Rochester, NY 14642, United States
| | - Patrick Rooney
- Department of Neurology, University of Rochester Medical Center, Rochester, NY 14642, United States
| | - Brian Hanrahan
- Department of Neurology, University of Rochester Medical Center, Rochester, NY 14642, United States
| | - Victoria Titoff
- Department of Neurology-Epilepsy, SUNY Upstate Medical University, Syracuse, NY 13210, United States; Department of Neurology, University of Rochester Medical Center, Rochester, NY 14642, United States
| | - Noreen L Connolly
- Department of Neurology, University of Rochester Medical Center, Rochester, NY 14642, United States
| | - Ramona Cranmer
- Department of Neurology, University of Rochester Medical Center, Rochester, NY 14642, United States
| | - Natalia DeMaria
- Department of Pharmacology, SUNY Upstate Medical University, Syracuse, NY 13210, United States
| | - Xiaojuan Xia
- Clinical Cardiology Research Center Medicine-Cardiology, University of Rochester Medical Center, Rochester, NY 14642, United States
| | - Betty Mykins
- Clinical Cardiology Research Center Medicine-Cardiology, University of Rochester Medical Center, Rochester, NY 14642, United States
| | - Steven Erickson
- Department of Neurology, University of Rochester Medical Center, Rochester, NY 14642, United States
| | - Jean-Philippe Couderc
- Clinical Cardiology Research Center Medicine-Cardiology, University of Rochester Medical Center, Rochester, NY 14642, United States
| | - Giovanni Schifitto
- Department of Neurology, University of Rochester Medical Center, Rochester, NY 14642, United States
| | - Inna Hughes
- Department of Neurology, University of Rochester Medical Center, Rochester, NY 14642, United States
| | - Dongliang Wang
- Department of Public Health, SUNY Upstate Medical University, Syracuse, NY 13210, United States
| | - Giuseppe Erba
- Department of Neurology, University of Rochester Medical Center, Rochester, NY 14642, United States
| | - David S Auerbach
- Department of Pharmacology, SUNY Upstate Medical University, Syracuse, NY 13210, United States.
| |
Collapse
|