1
|
Harowitz J, Crandall L, McGuone D, Devinsky O. Seizure-related deaths in children: The expanding spectrum. Epilepsia 2021; 62:570-582. [PMID: 33586153 PMCID: PMC7986159 DOI: 10.1111/epi.16833] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/26/2020] [Revised: 01/12/2021] [Accepted: 01/13/2021] [Indexed: 12/26/2022]
Abstract
Although seizures are common in children, they are often overlooked as a potential cause of death. Febrile and nonfebrile seizures can be fatal in children with or without an epilepsy diagnosis and may go unrecognized by parents or physicians. Sudden unexpected infant deaths, sudden unexplained death in childhood, and sudden unexpected death in epilepsy share clinical, neuropathological, and genetic features, including male predominance, unwitnessed deaths, death during sleep, discovery in the prone position, hippocampal abnormalities, and variants in genes regulating cardiac and neuronal excitability. Additionally, epidemiological studies reveal that miscarriages are more common among individuals with a personal or family history of epilepsy, suggesting that some fetal losses may result from epileptic factors. The spectrum of seizure-related deaths in pediatrics is wide and underappreciated; accurately estimating this mortality and understanding its mechanism in children is critical to developing effective education and interventions to prevent these tragedies.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Jenna Harowitz
- University of Pennsylvania Perelman School of Medicine, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, USA
| | - Laura Crandall
- Comprehensive Epilepsy Center, New York University Grossman School of Medicine, New York, New York, USA.,SUDC Foundation, Herndon, Virginia, USA
| | - Declan McGuone
- Department of Pathology, Yale School of Medicine, New Haven, Connecticut, USA
| | - Orrin Devinsky
- Comprehensive Epilepsy Center, New York University Grossman School of Medicine, New York, New York, USA
| |
Collapse
|
2
|
Nasef MS, Gaber AA, Abdelhamid YA, Bastawy I, Abdelhady ST, Wahid el din MM. Corrected QT interval and QT dispersion in temporal lobe epilepsy. THE EGYPTIAN JOURNAL OF NEUROLOGY, PSYCHIATRY AND NEUROSURGERY 2021. [DOI: 10.1186/s41983-020-00257-1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/17/2023] Open
Abstract
Abstract
Background
Cardiac arrhythmias are expected among patients with epilepsy due to the effect of anti-epileptic drugs. Temporal lobe epilepsy also causes autonomic seizures that may affect heart rhythm. Prolongation of the corrected QT interval and QT dispersion is a risk factor for cardiac arrhythmia.
Objectives
We aimed to assess corrected QT interval and QT dispersion in patients with epilepsy and if there is a difference between patients with temporal epilepsy versus non-temporal epilepsy.
Methods
This study was conducted on 100 patients (50 patients with temporal epilepsy and 50 patients with non-temporal epilepsy) and 50 age- and sex-matched healthy controls. They underwent a prolonged (6 to 24 h) 22 channel computerized electroencephalogram monitor with a 10–20 system. QT dispersion, QT interval, and corrected QT interval (using Bazett’s formula) were calculated.
Results
This study showed significantly higher QT dispersion and corrected QT interval in patients with epilepsy when compared to the age- and sex-matched control group (P < 0.001, P < 0.001). Also, the corrected QT interval and QT dispersion were significantly higher in temporal epilepsy patients when compared to the non-temporal group (P < 0.001, P < 0.001).
Conclusion
Corrected QT interval and QT dispersion are higher in epileptic patients and more among temporal epilepsy patients in comparison to non-temporal epilepsy patients.
Collapse
|
3
|
Dibué M, Spoor JKH, Dremmen M, von Saß CF, Hänggi D, Steiger HJ, Ryvlin P, Kamp MA. Sudden death in epilepsy: There is room for intracranial pressure. Brain Behav 2020; 10:e01838. [PMID: 32949224 PMCID: PMC7667321 DOI: 10.1002/brb3.1838] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/07/2020] [Revised: 08/18/2020] [Accepted: 08/26/2020] [Indexed: 01/25/2023] Open
Abstract
INTRODUCTION Sudden unexpected death in patients with epilepsy (SUDEP) remains a poorly understood entity, and it is unclear whether the same pathomechanisms underlie all sudden deaths occurring in patients with epilepsy. One aspect not included in current models of SUDEP is the role of increased intracranial pressure (ICP) which can be observed immediately upon seizure activity in neurosurgical practice. METHODS We conducted a systematic review of the occurrence of edema in patients with epilepsy reported to have died of sudden death who underwent brain autopsy or postmortem brain imaging and discuss how increased ICP may contribute to clinical features of SUDEP. RESULTS 19 eligible studies comprising a total of 623 patients were identified. Edema-mostly mild or moderate-was reported in 17% of cases and 74% of studies. 1% (n = 6) of the overall cases were clearly identified as having Dravet syndrome or an SCN1A mutation. In these patients, edema was found in 4 (67%) of cases. CONCLUSION Edema is regularly found in patients with epilepsy classified to have died from SUDEP. We argue that seizures preceding SUDEP may in certain cases elicit acute edema which may represent an additional contributing factor in the cascade of events leading to sudden death of patients with epilepsy. Furthermore, we hypothesize that mild edema may especially progress to severe edema in patients with sodium channel mutations which may represent an important mechanism to investigate in the context of understanding the significantly elevated risk of SUDEP in patients with SCN1A mutations.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Maxine Dibué
- Department of Neurosurgery, Medical Faculty, Heinrich-Heine-University, Düsseldorf, Germany
| | - Jochem K H Spoor
- Department of Neurosurgery, Erasmus MC University Medical Center Rotterdam, Rotterdam, The Netherlands
| | - Marjolein Dremmen
- Department of Radiology, Erasmus MC University Medical Center Rotterdam, Rotterdam, The Netherlands
| | | | - Daniel Hänggi
- Department of Neurosurgery, Medical Faculty, Heinrich-Heine-University, Düsseldorf, Germany
| | - Hans-Jakob Steiger
- Department of Neurosurgery, Medical Faculty, Heinrich-Heine-University, Düsseldorf, Germany
| | - Philippe Ryvlin
- Department of Clinical Neurosciences, Centre Hospitalo-Universitaire Vaudois and University of Lausanne, Lausanne, Switzerland
| | - Marcel A Kamp
- Department of Neurosurgery, Medical Faculty, Heinrich-Heine-University, Düsseldorf, Germany
| |
Collapse
|
4
|
Kon FC, Vázquez RZ, Lang A, Cohen MC. Hippocampal abnormalities and seizures: a 16-year single center review of sudden unexpected death in childhood, sudden unexpected death in epilepsy and SIDS. Forensic Sci Med Pathol 2020; 16:423-434. [PMID: 32712908 DOI: 10.1007/s12024-020-00268-7] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 05/19/2020] [Indexed: 12/27/2022]
Abstract
Sudden Unexpected Death in Childhood (SUDC) is the unexplained death of children aged between 1 and 18 years old. Hippocampal abnormalities have previously been described in Sudden Unexpected Death in Epilepsy (SUDEP) and it is possible that SUDC shares similar pathogenic mechanisms with SUDEP. Our aim was to determine the prevalence of hippocampal abnormalities, history of seizures and demographic features in our caseload of SUDC, SUDEP and SIDS cases. A review of post-mortem reports from 2003 to 2018 was carried out to identify cases of SUDC, SUDEP and SIDS. Histological evidence of hippocampal abnormalities, patient demographics (age, gender), sleeping position, and past medical history (history of seizures and illness 72 hours prior to death) were recorded. Statistical analysis was performed to compare the three groups. 48 SUDC, 18 SUDEP and 358 SIDS cases were identified. Hippocampal abnormalities associated with temporal lobe epilepsy were found in 44.4% of SUDC cases. 5/15 SUDC cases with a history of seizures demonstrated hippocampal abnormalities. SUDC cases were also more likely to be found prone compared to SIDS cases. In comparison with SIDS, both SUDC and SUDEP cases were more likely to demonstrate hippocampal abnormalities (SUDC: (OR = 9.4, 95% CI: 3.1-29.1, p < 0.001; SUDEP: OR = 35.4, 95% CI: 8.3-151.5, p < 0.001). We found a potential link between hippocampal abnormalities and epileptic seizures in SUDC. A concerted effort should be directed towards consistent sampling and standardized description of the hippocampus and clinical correlation with a history of seizures/epilepsy in postmortem reports.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Fu Chuen Kon
- Histopathology Department, Sheffield Children's Hospital NHS FT, Sheffield, UK.,Medical School, University of Sheffield, Sheffield, UK
| | | | - Andrew Lang
- Histopathology Department, Sheffield Children's Hospital NHS FT, Sheffield, UK
| | - Marta C Cohen
- Histopathology Department, Sheffield Children's Hospital NHS FT, Sheffield, UK. .,Department of Oncology & Metabolism, University of Sheffield, Sheffield, UK.
| |
Collapse
|
5
|
Barranco R, Caputo F, Molinelli A, Ventura F. Review on post-mortem diagnosis in suspected SUDEP: Currently still a difficult task for Forensic Pathologists. J Forensic Leg Med 2020; 70:101920. [PMID: 32090969 DOI: 10.1016/j.jflm.2020.101920] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/23/2019] [Revised: 01/21/2020] [Accepted: 02/01/2020] [Indexed: 12/31/2022]
Abstract
Sudden and unexpected death in epilepsy (SUDEP) represents the predominant cause of premature deaths in young adults with epilepsy and is more common with patients with poorly controlled and generalized convulsive seizures. It is reported that there are 1,16 cases for every 1000 subjects affected with epilepsy. This review takes stock of the current problems and issues in the autopsy of cases of sudden death with epileptic people. For this purpose, all the possible findings of post-mortem examinations reported in the literature were analyzed and summarized, which can currently be considered useful for autopsy diagnoses as well as in the comprehension of the physiopathology of SUDEP. The enormous limitation of forensic pathology studies is the complete lack of a specific SUDEP diagnostic marker. Only in a few cases was it possible to find pathological signs of the brain that would clarify epilepsy-related deaths. Genetic research has tracked down variants of neurocardiac genes of ion channels in a restricted percentage of suspected SUDEP cases. The actual pathogenicity test requires an in-depth statistical analysis in order to prove there is a real excess of variants and evidence that the mutation alters the function. Despite scientific efforts, it is often difficult to distinguish SUDEP from other causes of sudden death. For these reasons, it will be necessary to create an international standard SUDEP death scene investigation and postmortem examination protocols. Further future studies of immunohistochemistry or genetics may help and may facilitate post-mortem diagnosis in cases of presumed SUDEP.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Rosario Barranco
- Department of Legal and Forensic Medicine, University of Genova, Via De' Toni 12, 16132, Genova, Italy
| | - Fiorella Caputo
- Department of Legal and Forensic Medicine, University of Genova, Via De' Toni 12, 16132, Genova, Italy
| | - Andrea Molinelli
- Department of Legal and Forensic Medicine, University of Genova, Via De' Toni 12, 16132, Genova, Italy
| | - Francesco Ventura
- Department of Legal and Forensic Medicine, University of Genova, Via De' Toni 12, 16132, Genova, Italy.
| |
Collapse
|
6
|
Antiepileptic Effects of Protein-Rich Extract from Bombyx batryticatus on Mice and Its Protective Effects against H 2O 2-Induced Oxidative Damage in PC12 Cells via Regulating PI3K/Akt Signaling Pathways. OXIDATIVE MEDICINE AND CELLULAR LONGEVITY 2019; 2019:7897584. [PMID: 31198493 PMCID: PMC6526569 DOI: 10.1155/2019/7897584] [Citation(s) in RCA: 24] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/15/2019] [Accepted: 04/15/2019] [Indexed: 02/08/2023]
Abstract
Bombyx batryticatus is a known traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) utilized to treat convulsions, epilepsy, cough, asthma, headaches, and purpura in China for thousands of years. This study is aimed at investigating the antiepileptic effects of protein-rich extracts from Bombyx batryticatus (BBPs) on seizure in mice and exploring the protective effects of BBPs against H2O2-induced oxidative stress in PC12 cells and their underlying mechanisms. Maximal electroshock-induced seizure (MES) and pentylenetetrazole- (PTZ-) induced seizure in mice and the histological analysis were carried out to evaluate the antiepileptic effects of BBPs. The cell viability of PC12 cells stimulated by H2O2 was determined by MTT assay. The apoptosis and ROS levels of H2O2-stimulated PC12 cells were determined by flow cytometry analysis. Furthermore, the levels of malondialdehyde (MDA), superoxide dismutase (SOD), lactate dehydrogenase (LDH), and glutathione (GSH) in PC12 cells were assayed by ELISA and expressions of caspase-3, caspase-9, Bax, Bcl-2, PI3K, Akt, and p-Akt were evaluated by Western blotting and quantitative real-time polymerase chain reaction (RT-qPCR) assays. The results revealed that BBPs exerted significant antiepileptic effects on mice. In addition, BBPs increased the cell viability of H2O2-stimulated PC12 cells and reduced apoptotic cells and ROS levels in H2O2-stimulated PC12 cells. By BBPs treatments, the levels of MDA and LDH were reduced and the levels of SOD and GSH-Px were increased in H2O2-stimulated PC12 cells. Moreover, BBPs upregulated the expressions of PI3K, Akt, p-Akt, and Bcl-2, whereas they downregulated the expressions of caspase-9, caspase-3, and Bax in H2O2-stimulated PC12 cells. These findings suggested that BBPs possessed potential antiepileptic effects on MES and PTZ-induced seizure in mice and protective effects on H2O2-induced oxidative stress in PC12 cells by exerting antioxidative and antiapoptotic effects via PI3K/Akt signaling pathways.
Collapse
|