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Thomas JA, Ditchman NM, Guidotti Breting L, Narayanan J. Quality of life in people with epilepsy: The associations of anti-seizure medications and biopsychosocial variables. Epilepsy Behav 2024; 152:109664. [PMID: 38320411 DOI: 10.1016/j.yebeh.2024.109664] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/03/2023] [Revised: 01/22/2024] [Accepted: 01/23/2024] [Indexed: 02/08/2024]
Abstract
People with epilepsy, on average, experience lower quality of life (QOL) than healthy controls. This study examined the associations between specific anti-seizure medications, biopsychosocial factors, and QOL in people with epilepsy. Analysis of covariance revealed that individuals taking three or more anti-seizure medications had significantly lower QOL than those taking levetiracetam. Findings also demonstrated that when examining biopsychosocial factors as predictors of QOL in hierarchical regression, anxiety, depression, and daytime sleepiness were significant predictors of QOL. Once these factors were entered into the model, number of medications was no longer significant. The final model predicted 59.6% of the variance in QOL. In clinical settings, providers should take a patient-centered approach that includes regular assessment of QOL and an emphasis on good psychological care for those coping with anxiety, depression, and sleep difficulty. These findings underscore the importance of addressing psychological health and sleep factors within the epilepsy population.
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Affiliation(s)
- Julia A Thomas
- Illinois Institute of Technology, 3424 S. State St, Chicago, IL 60616, United States; Barrow Neurological Institute, 222 W. Thomas Road, Ste. 315, Phoenix, AZ 85013, United States.
| | - Nicole M Ditchman
- Illinois Institute of Technology, 3424 S. State St, Chicago, IL 60616, United States.
| | - Leslie Guidotti Breting
- NorthShore University Health System, 909 Davis St, Ste. 160, Evanston, IL 60201, United States.
| | - Jaishree Narayanan
- NorthShore University Health System, 909 Davis St, Ste. 160, Evanston, IL 60201, United States; Tulane University School of Medicine, New Orleans, LA, United States.
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van der Westhuizen C, Botha TL, Finger-Baier K, Brouwer GD, Wolmarans DW. Contingency learning in zebrafish exposed to apomorphine- and levetiracetam. Behav Pharmacol 2023; 34:424-436. [PMID: 37578419 DOI: 10.1097/fbp.0000000000000750] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 08/15/2023]
Abstract
Cognitive rigidity (CR) refers to inadequate executive adaptation in the face of changing circumstances. Increased CR is associated with a number of psychiatric disorders, for example, obsessive-compulsive disorder, and improving cognitive functioning by targeting CR in these conditions, may be fruitful. Levetiracetam (LEV), clinically used to treat epilepsy, may have pro-cognitive effects by restoring balance to neuronal signalling. To explore this possibility, we applied apomorphine (APO) exposure in an attempt to induce rigid cue-directed responses following a cue (visual pattern)-reward (social conspecifics) contingency learning phase and to assess the effects of LEV on such behaviours. Briefly, zebrafish were divided into four different 39-day-long exposure groups ( n = 9-10) as follows: control (CTRL), APO (100 µg/L), LEV (750 µg/L) and APO + LEV (100 µg/L + 750 µg/L). The main findings of this experiment were that 1) all four exposure groups performed similarly with respect to reward- and cue-directed learning over the first two study phases, 2) compared to the CTRL group, all drug interventions, but notably the APO + LEV combination, lowered the degree of reward-directed behaviour during a dissociated presentation of the cue and reward, and 3) temporal and spatial factors influenced the manner in which zebrafish responded to the presentation of the reward. Future studies are needed to explore the relevance of these findings for our understanding of the potential cognitive effects of LEV.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Tarryn L Botha
- Water Research Group, Unit for Environmental Sciences and Management, North-West University, Potchefstroom
- Department of Zoology, University of Johannesburg, Johannesburg, South Africa
| | - Karin Finger-Baier
- Max Planck Institute of Neurobiology, now: Max Planck Institute for Biological Intelligence, Martinsried, Germany
| | - Geoffrey de Brouwer
- Centre of Excellence for Pharmaceutical Sciences, Faculty of Health, North-West University
| | - De Wet Wolmarans
- Centre of Excellence for Pharmaceutical Sciences, Faculty of Health, North-West University
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Behdani F, Hassanzadeh B, Eslamzadeh M, Moradi M, Hebrani P, Dadgarmoghaddam M, Shamsaki N. Can levetiracetam improve clinical symptoms in schizophrenic patients? A randomized placebo-controlled clinical trial. Int Clin Psychopharmacol 2022; 37:159-165. [PMID: 35661659 DOI: 10.1097/yic.0000000000000405] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/26/2022]
Abstract
INTRODUCTION Schizophrenia is associated with persistent cognitive deficits, which worsen treatment outcomes despite increasing antipsychotic doses. This study aimed to assess the effect of levetiracetam on the severity of schizophrenia symptoms and cognitive deficits in these patients. MATERIALS AND METHODS In this randomized, controlled, three-blind randomized clinical trial approved by Mashhad University of Medical Sciences, Iran (IRCT20101130005280N31), forty chronic schizophrenic patients aged 18-60 years were randomly divided into two groups of levetiracetam and placebo. The levetiracetam group received levetiracetam for 8 weeks. The symptoms were evaluated by Positive and Negative Symptoms Scale (PANSS), Stroop test, Digit Span test and Wisconsin Test at baseline, 4th week, and 8th week. Data were analyzed through SPSS V. 23 software, descriptive tests and inferential statistics. RESULTS At the end of the study, all subscales of the PANSS questionnaire reduced significantly (P < 0.05). Also, all subscales of the cognitive tests had significant changes. The trends of digit span tests, correct number of consonants and inconsonant were increasing. While the trends related to consonant errors, inconsistent errors, consistent reaction time and nonconsistent reaction time were decreasing. The changes in the number of classes were increased while changes in preservation error were decreased. CONCLUSION The results showed that levetiracetam has significant effects on clinical symptoms, especially negative symptoms. Also, it impacts significantly on cognitive functions. It is recommended that it be added to the pharmacological regimen of these patients to improve their clinical symptoms, quality of life and treatment outcomes.
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Affiliation(s)
- Fatemeh Behdani
- Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences Research Center, Mashhad University of Medical Sciences
| | - Behnaz Hassanzadeh
- Department of Community Medicine, School of Medicine, Mashhad University of Medical Sciences, Mashhad, Iran
| | - Mahboubeh Eslamzadeh
- Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences Research Center, Mashhad University of Medical Sciences
| | - Marjan Moradi
- Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences Research Center, Mashhad University of Medical Sciences
| | - Paria Hebrani
- Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences Research Center, Mashhad University of Medical Sciences
| | | | - Negar Shamsaki
- Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences Research Center, Mashhad University of Medical Sciences
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Spontaneous alternation and stereotypical behaviour in deer mice: response to escitalopram and levetiracetam. Behav Pharmacol 2022; 33:282-290. [PMID: 35621170 DOI: 10.1097/fbp.0000000000000678] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/27/2022]
Abstract
Obsessive-compulsive disorder is varyingly associated with cognitive impairment, that is, deficits in spatial working memory, although it seems unlikely that this is generalised across all domains of functioning. Further, it is unclear whether symptoms will respond to potentially novel, non-serotonergic drugs that have shown promise as so-called cognitive enhancers. Here, we studied low (Norm-N; n = 31) and compulsive-like high (Comp-H; n = 34) stereotypical deer mice (Peromyscus maniculatus bairdii) to establish (1) whether there is a relationship between stereotypical intensity and working memory ability as measured by spontaneous T-maze arm alternation and (2) if and how stereotypy and its association with changes in working memory, would respond to the known anti-compulsive agent, escitalopram, and the proposed cognitive enhancer, levetiracetam. After assessing the stereotypical and alternation behaviour of all animals at baseline, they were divided into three socially housed drug exposure groups, that is, water control (n = 11 per phenotype), escitalopram 50 mg/kg/d (n = 11 per phenotype) and levetiracetam 75 mg/kg/d (Norm-N: n = 9; Comp-H: n = 12). Drugs were administered for 28 days before stereotypy and alternation assessment were repeated. The present data indicate a weak negative relationship between stereotypical intensity and spontaneous alternation. While levetiracetam increased the time spent engaging in normal rodent activity by Comp-H, but not Norm-N animals, neither of the interventions affected the expression of Comp-H behaviour or the alternation behaviour of deer mice. In conclusion, this work points to some degree of cognitive involvement in Comp-H expression, which should be explored to further our understanding of compulsive-like stereotypy.
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Wang B, Han X, Zhao Z, Wang N, Zhao P, Li M, Zhang Y, Zhao T, Chen Y, Ren Z, Hong Y. EEG-Driven Prediction Model of Oxcarbazepine Treatment Outcomes in Patients With Newly-Diagnosed Focal Epilepsy. Front Med (Lausanne) 2022; 8:781937. [PMID: 35047529 PMCID: PMC8761908 DOI: 10.3389/fmed.2021.781937] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/23/2021] [Accepted: 12/06/2021] [Indexed: 11/27/2022] Open
Abstract
Objective: Antiseizure medicine (ASM) is the first choice for patients with epilepsy. The choice of ASM is determined by the type of epilepsy or epileptic syndrome, which may not be suitable for certain patients. This initial choice of a particular drug affects the long-term prognosis of patients, so it is critical to select the appropriate ASMs based on the individual characteristics of a patient at the early stage of the disease. The purpose of this study is to develop a personalized prediction model to predict the probability of achieving seizure control in patients with focal epilepsy, which will help in providing a more precise initial medication to patients. Methods: Based on response to oxcarbazepine (OXC), enrolled patients were divided into two groups: seizure-free (52 patients), not seizure-free (NSF) (22 patients). We created models to predict patients' response to OXC monotherapy by combining Electroencephalogram (EEG) complexities and 15 clinical features. The prediction models were gradient boosting decision tree-Kolmogorov complexity (GBDT-KC) and gradient boosting decision tree-Lempel-Ziv complexity (GBDT-LZC). We also constructed two additional prediction models, support vector machine-Kolmogorov complexity (SVM-KC) and SVM-LZC, and these two models were compared with the GBDT models. The performance of the models was evaluated by calculating the accuracy, precision, recall, F1-score, sensitivity, specificity, and area under the curve (AUC) of these models. Results: The mean accuracy, precision, recall, F1-score, sensitivity, specificity, AUC of GBDT-LZC model after five-fold cross-validation were 81%, 84%, 91%, 87%, 91%, 64%, 81%, respectively. The average accuracy, precision, recall, F1-score, sensitivity, specificity, AUC of GBDT-KC model with five-fold cross-validation were 82%, 84%, 92%, 88%, 83%, 92%, 83%, respectively. We used the rank of absolute weights to separately calculate the features that have the most significant impact on the classification of the two models. Conclusion: (1) The GBDT-KC model has the potential to be used in the clinic to predict seizure-free with OXC monotherapy. (2). Electroencephalogram complexity, especially Kolmogorov complexity (KC) may be a potential biomarker in predicting the treatment efficacy of OXC in newly diagnosed patients with focal epilepsy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Bin Wang
- Department of Neurology, Zhengzhou University People's Hospital, Zhengzhou, China.,Department of Neurology, Henan Provincial People's Hospital, Zhengzhou, China
| | - Xiong Han
- Department of Neurology, Zhengzhou University People's Hospital, Zhengzhou, China.,Department of Neurology, Henan Provincial People's Hospital, Zhengzhou, China
| | - Zongya Zhao
- School of Medical Engineering, Xinxiang Medical University, Xinxiang, China
| | - Na Wang
- Department of Neurology, Zhengzhou University People's Hospital, Zhengzhou, China
| | - Pan Zhao
- Department of Neurology, Zhengzhou University People's Hospital, Zhengzhou, China
| | - Mingmin Li
- Department of Neurology, Zhengzhou University People's Hospital, Zhengzhou, China
| | - Yue Zhang
- Department of Neurology, Henan Provincial People's Hospital, Zhengzhou, China
| | - Ting Zhao
- Department of Neurology, Zhengzhou University People's Hospital, Zhengzhou, China
| | - Yanan Chen
- Department of Neurology, Zhengzhou University People's Hospital, Zhengzhou, China
| | - Zhe Ren
- Department of Neurology, Henan Provincial People's Hospital, Zhengzhou, China
| | - Yang Hong
- Department of Neurology, Henan University People's Hospital, Zhengzhou, China
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Ogunjimi L, Yaria J, Makanjuola A, Alabi A, Osalusi B, Oboh D, Olusola-Bello M, Aderinola A, Ogunniyi A. Cognitive dysfunction in Nigerian women with epilepsy on carbamazepine and levetiracetam monotherapy. Brain Behav 2021; 11:e02038. [PMID: 33666367 PMCID: PMC8035450 DOI: 10.1002/brb3.2038] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/04/2020] [Revised: 12/15/2020] [Accepted: 01/04/2021] [Indexed: 12/15/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND This study aims to identify the determinants of cognitive dysfunction and compare the effect of CPZ and LTC on cognition in WWE. METHODS An observational study involving 87 consenting adult WWE aged between 16 and 40 years on LTC or CZP monotherapy. At enrollment, an interviewer-based questionnaire was used to obtain demographic and clinical information from participants. The diagnosis of epilepsy was mainly clinical and supported by electroencephalographic (EEG) features and classified based on recommendation by the 2017 International League Against Epilepsy (ILAE). Zung Self-Reporting Depression Scale (ZSRDS) was used to assess the mood of participants. The Community Screening Interview for Dementia (CSID) was used to assess various cognition domains. The National Hospital Seizure Severity Scale (NHS-3) was used to assess disease severity. RESULTS There were statistical differences between the CZP and LTC groups in all domains of cognition assessed except for orientation. The total CSID scores of the LTC group were 59.2 (4.9) as opposed to CZP group, 57.2 (5.0); p: .005. Those with focal onset seizures had lower median total CSID score (58; IQR: 54-62) when compared to those with generalized onset seizures (62; IQR: 58-62), p: .012. There was a significant correlation between ZSRD score and NHS-3 score; rho: 0.30, p: .007. Bivariate analysis shows statistically significant correlation between total CSID score and ZSRDS (rho: -0.65), BMI (rho: 0.22), and NHSS-3 score (rho: -0.36), respectively. However, the effect of AED on CSID scores was lost after multivariate quantile regression with only ZSRDS retaining significance. CONCLUSION Depression, seizure severity, type and structural etiology were associated with cognitive impairment among WWE. However, on regression model, only depression was statistically significant. The presence of more risks for cognitive impairment in the CZP group limits possible conclusion of LTC superiority.
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Affiliation(s)
- Luqman Ogunjimi
- Department of Pharmacology and Therapeutics, Obafemi Awolowo College of Health Sciences, Olabisi Onabanjo University, Sagamu, Nigeria
| | - Joseph Yaria
- Department of Medicine, University College Hospital, Ibadan, Nigeria
| | | | - Akinyinka Alabi
- Department of Pharmacology and Therapeutics, Obafemi Awolowo College of Health Sciences, Olabisi Onabanjo University, Sagamu, Nigeria
| | - Bamidele Osalusi
- Department of Medicine, Obafemi Awolowo College of Health Sciences, Olabisi Onabanjo University, Sagamu, Nigeria
| | - David Oboh
- Department of Radiology, University College Hospital, Ibadan, Nigeria
| | - Mojisola Olusola-Bello
- Radiology Department, Obafemi Awolowo College of Health Sciences, Olabisi Onabanjo University, Sagamu, Nigeria
| | - Adeyinka Aderinola
- Department of Pharmacology and Therapeutics, Obafemi Awolowo College of Health Sciences, Olabisi Onabanjo University, Sagamu, Nigeria
| | - Adesola Ogunniyi
- Department of Medicine, University College Hospital, Ibadan, Nigeria
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Morshed RA, Young JS, Kroliczek AA, Berger MS, Brang D, Hervey-Jumper SL. A Neurosurgeon's Guide to Cognitive Dysfunction in Adult Glioma. Neurosurgery 2020; 89:1-10. [PMID: 33289504 DOI: 10.1093/neuros/nyaa400] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/10/2020] [Accepted: 07/02/2020] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Cognitive decline is common among patients with low- and high-grade glioma and can significantly impact quality of life. Although cognitive outcomes have been studied after therapeutic interventions such as surgery and radiation, it is important to understand the impact of the disease process itself prior to any interventions. Neurocognitive domains of interest in this disease context include intellectual function and premorbid ability, executive function, learning and memory, attention, language function, processing speed, visuospatial function, motor function, and emotional function. Here, we review oncologic factors associated with more neurocognitive impairment, key neurocognitive tasks relevant to glioma patient assessment, as well as the relevance of the human neural connectome in understanding cognitive dysfunction in glioma patients. A contextual understanding of glioma-functional network disruption and its impact on cognition is critical in the surgical management of eloquent area tumors.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ramin A Morshed
- Department of Neurological Surgery, University of California San Francisco, San Francisco, California
| | - Jacob S Young
- Department of Neurological Surgery, University of California San Francisco, San Francisco, California
| | - Arlena A Kroliczek
- Department of Neurological Surgery, University of California San Francisco, San Francisco, California
| | - Mitchel S Berger
- Department of Neurological Surgery, University of California San Francisco, San Francisco, California
| | - David Brang
- Department of Psychology, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, Michigan
| | - Shawn L Hervey-Jumper
- Department of Neurological Surgery, University of California San Francisco, San Francisco, California
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Stout KA, Dunn AR, Hoffman C, Miller GW. The Synaptic Vesicle Glycoprotein 2: Structure, Function, and Disease Relevance. ACS Chem Neurosci 2019; 10:3927-3938. [PMID: 31394034 DOI: 10.1021/acschemneuro.9b00351] [Citation(s) in RCA: 50] [Impact Index Per Article: 10.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/15/2022] Open
Abstract
The synaptic vesicle glycoprotein 2 (SV2) family is comprised of three paralogues: SV2A, SV2B, and SV2C. In vertebrates, SV2s are 12-transmembrane proteins present on every secretory vesicle, including synaptic vesicles, and are critical to neurotransmission. Structural and functional studies suggest that SV2 proteins may play several roles to promote proper vesicular function. Among these roles are their potential to stabilize the transmitter content of vesicles, to maintain and orient the releasable pool of vesicles, and to regulate vesicular calcium sensitivity to ensure efficient, coordinated release of the transmitter. The SV2 family is highly relevant to human health in a number of ways. First, SV2A plays a role in neuronal excitability and as such is the specific target for the antiepileptic drug levetiracetam. SV2 proteins also act as the target by which potent neurotoxins, particularly botulinum, gain access to neurons and exert their toxicity. Both SV2B and SV2C are increasingly implicated in diseases such as Alzheimer's disease and Parkinson's disease. Interestingly, despite decades of intensive research, their exact function remains elusive. Thus, SV2 proteins are intriguing in their potentially diverse roles within the presynaptic terminal, and several recent developments have enhanced our understanding and appreciation of the protein family. Here, we review the structure and function of SV2 proteins as well as their relevance to disease and therapeutic development.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kristen A Stout
- Department of Physiology , Northwestern University, Feinberg School of Medicine , Chicago , Illinois , United States
| | - Amy R Dunn
- The Jackson Laboratory , Bar Harbor , Maine , United States
| | - Carlie Hoffman
- Department of Environmental Health, Rollins School of Public Health , Emory University , Atlanta , Georgia , United States
| | - Gary W Miller
- Department of Environmental Health Sciences, Mailman School of Public Health , Columbia University , New York , New York , United States
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Cognitive profile in BECTS treated with levetiracetam: A 2-year follow-up. Epilepsy Behav 2019; 97:187-191. [PMID: 31252277 DOI: 10.1016/j.yebeh.2019.05.046] [Citation(s) in RCA: 26] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/23/2019] [Revised: 05/24/2019] [Accepted: 05/31/2019] [Indexed: 11/22/2022]
Abstract
INTRODUCTION Benign epilepsy with centrotemporal spikes (BECTS) is a common epileptic syndrome in childhood, characterized by brief and infrequent partial motor seizures, with or without generalization and mostly recurring during sleep. Because of its favorable efficacy, tolerability, and safety profile, levetiracetam (LEV) monotherapy is often administered in these patients. Long-term effects of LEV therapy and its influence on cognitive functions remain controversial. PURPOSE This evaluated the changes in the cognitive profile of children with BECTS treated with LEV monotherapy for 2 years, compared with a control group of children with specific learning disabilities. METHOD Our patient cohort included 20 children aged 8-14 years diagnosed as having BECTS and administered LEV monotherapy and 10 age/sex-matched controls with specific learning disabilities. All participants underwent a standardized test for assessing cognitive profile (Wechsler Intelligence Scale for Children - Fourth Edition [WISC-IV]) before drug therapy and after 2 years of treatment. Average LEV blood level and electroencephalographic (EEG) recordings were periodically monitored. Several factors such as age, sex, response to therapy, and EEG pattern changes were considered. Statistical analysis was performed using Student's t-test for paired and independent samples. p < 0.05 was considered statistically significant. RESULTS Children administered LEV for 24 months showed a mild but statistically significant improvement in overall cognitive abilities. Verbal skills, visual-perceptual reasoning, working memory, and processing speed showed slight but significant improvement. In the control group, cognitive profile remained substantially unchanged at 2-year follow-up. CONCLUSIONS Not only do our data suggest a nonworsening of the cognitive profile in BECTS with LEV but, on the contrary, cognitive scores also improved over time, unlike the control group.
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Iannaccone S, Spina A, Alemanno F, Della Rosa PA, Houdayer E, Raggi A, Riccio L, Brugliera L, Mortini P. Uncertain Effectiveness of Prophylactic Anticonvulsive Medication in Predicting Cognitive Outcome of Neurosurgical Patients. World Neurosurg 2019; 127:e692-e696. [PMID: 30947008 DOI: 10.1016/j.wneu.2019.03.243] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/24/2018] [Revised: 03/22/2019] [Accepted: 03/23/2019] [Indexed: 12/30/2022]
Abstract
OBJECTIVES To evaluate the influence of prophylactic anticonvulsive medication, above all levetiracetam monotherapy, in predicting the cognitive outcome of neurosurgical patients with post-traumatic brain injury, intracerebral hemorrhage, and encephalic tumors. METHODS We examined data concerning 232 of 327 adult patients admitted to the Neurorehabilitation Department of the San Raffaele Hospital (Milan, Italy) after discharge from the Neurosurgery Department. Cognitive status was evaluated by means of the "Mini-Mental State" examination and the Functional Independence Measure at baseline and at the end of a rehabilitation care with an average duration of about four weeks. RESULTS The vast majority of the patients were treated with levetiracetam. Our data showed a negative role of antiepileptic drugs on cognitive recovery in a cohort of neurosurgical patients. CONCLUSIONS Knowing thoroughly the effects of antiepileptic drugs in rehabilitation outcome is of fundamental importance. This study represents the only large series analyzing these aspects in the rehabilitation of neurosurgical patients. Antiepileptic drugs should be managed to ensure patients the best possible cognitive outcome. Further evidence from good-quality trials is required to assess the clinical effectiveness of prophylactic anticonvulsive medication in predicting the cognitive outcome of neurosurgical patients who are treated with rehabilitation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sandro Iannaccone
- Department of Rehabilitation and Functional Recovery, I.R.C.C.S San Raffaele Scientific Institute, Vita-Salute University, Milan, Italy
| | - Alfio Spina
- Department of Neurosurgery and Gamma Knife Radiosurgery, I.R.C.C.S San Raffaele Scientific Institute, Vita-Salute University, Milan, Italy.
| | - Federica Alemanno
- Department of Rehabilitation and Functional Recovery, I.R.C.C.S San Raffaele Scientific Institute, Vita-Salute University, Milan, Italy
| | - Pasquale Anthony Della Rosa
- Department of Rehabilitation and Functional Recovery, I.R.C.C.S San Raffaele Scientific Institute, Vita-Salute University, Milan, Italy
| | - Elise Houdayer
- Department of Rehabilitation and Functional Recovery, I.R.C.C.S San Raffaele Scientific Institute, Vita-Salute University, Milan, Italy
| | - Alberto Raggi
- Unit of Neurology, G.B. Morgagni - L. Pierantoni Hospital, Forlì, Italy
| | - Lucia Riccio
- Department of Neurosurgery and Gamma Knife Radiosurgery, I.R.C.C.S San Raffaele Scientific Institute, Vita-Salute University, Milan, Italy
| | - Luigia Brugliera
- Department of Rehabilitation and Functional Recovery, I.R.C.C.S San Raffaele Scientific Institute, Vita-Salute University, Milan, Italy
| | - Pietro Mortini
- Department of Neurosurgery and Gamma Knife Radiosurgery, I.R.C.C.S San Raffaele Scientific Institute, Vita-Salute University, Milan, Italy
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Chakravarty K, Shukla G, Poornima S, Agarwal P, Gupta A, Mohammed A, Ray S, Pandey RM, Goyal V, Srivastava A, Behari M. Effect of sleep quality on memory, executive function, and language performance in patients with refractory focal epilepsy and controlled epilepsy versus healthy controls - A prospective study. Epilepsy Behav 2019; 92:176-183. [PMID: 30665125 DOI: 10.1016/j.yebeh.2018.12.028] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/08/2018] [Revised: 12/30/2018] [Accepted: 12/30/2018] [Indexed: 01/16/2023]
Abstract
We aimed to evaluate the effect of sleep quality on memory, executive function, and language performance in patients with refractory focal epilepsy and controlled epilepsy and compare these with healthy individuals. We prospectively enrolled 37 adolescent and adult patients with refractory focal epilepsy (Group 1) and controlled epilepsy (Group 2) in each group. History pertaining to epilepsy and sleep were recorded, and all patients underwent overnight polysomnography. Language, memory, and executive function assessments were done using Western Aphasia Battery, Post Graduate Institute (PGI) memory scale, and battery of four executive function tests (Trail Making Test A & B, Digit symbol test, Stroop Task, and Verbal Fluency Test), respectively. Forty age- and sex-matched controls were also included in the study. Significant differences were noted in both objective and subjective sleep parameters among all the groups. On polysomnography, parameters like total sleep time, sleep efficiency, sleep latency, and rapid eye movement (REM) latency were found to be significantly worse in Group 1 as compared with Group 2. Cognitive and executive parameters were significantly impaired in Group 1. Shorter total sleep time, poorer sleep efficiency, and prolonged sleep latencies were observed to be associated with poor memory and executive function in patients with refractory epilepsy. Our study strongly suggests that sleep disturbances, mainly shorter total sleep time, poor sleep efficiency, and prolonged sleep latencies, are associated with impaired memory and executive function in patients with refractory focal epilepsy and to a lesser extent, among those with medically controlled epilepsy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kamalesh Chakravarty
- Department of Neurology, All India Institute of Medical Sciences, New Delhi, India
| | - Garima Shukla
- Department of Neurology, All India Institute of Medical Sciences, New Delhi, India.
| | - Shivani Poornima
- Department of Neurology, All India Institute of Medical Sciences, New Delhi, India
| | - Priya Agarwal
- Department of Neurology, All India Institute of Medical Sciences, New Delhi, India
| | - Anupama Gupta
- Department of Neurology, All India Institute of Medical Sciences, New Delhi, India
| | - Afsar Mohammed
- Department of Neurology, All India Institute of Medical Sciences, New Delhi, India
| | - Sucharita Ray
- Department of Neurology, All India Institute of Medical Sciences, New Delhi, India
| | - Ravindra M Pandey
- Department of Biostatistics, All India Institute of Medical Sciences, New Delhi, India
| | - Vinay Goyal
- Department of Neurology, All India Institute of Medical Sciences, New Delhi, India
| | - Achal Srivastava
- Department of Neurology, All India Institute of Medical Sciences, New Delhi, India
| | - Madhuri Behari
- Department of Neurology, All India Institute of Medical Sciences, New Delhi, India
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A randomized, double-blind, double-dummy, multicenter trial comparing the efficacy and safety of extended- and immediate-release levetiracetam in people with partial epilepsy. Seizure 2018; 62:84-90. [PMID: 30308428 DOI: 10.1016/j.seizure.2018.09.008] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/23/2017] [Revised: 09/10/2018] [Accepted: 09/12/2018] [Indexed: 11/21/2022] Open
Abstract
PURPOSE The aim of this trial was to compare the efficacy and safety of two formulations of levetiracetam in people with partial epilepsy over a 12-week treatment period. METHODS We performed a randomized, paralleled, and multicenter trial that consisted of a 4-week single-blind placebo run-in, followed by a 12-week double-blind, double-dummy treatment phase to compare the efficacy and safety of levetiracetam extended-release (LEV-ER) and immediate-release (LEV-IR) tablets as an adjunctive treatment in adult patients with uncontrolled epilepsy. RESULTS The median partial-onset seizure (POS) frequency per week (min-max) was 0.3 (0.0, 17.4; 95% confidence interval [95% CI] 1.3, 4.8) in the LEV-ER group and 0.3 (0.0, 31.4; 95% CI - 0.1, 4.3) in the LEV-IR group. No serious adverse events occurred during the trial period. Both groups had the same responder rate (58.6%), while a higher rate of seizure freedom over the treatment period was noted in the LEV-ER group compared with the LEV-IR group (27.6% vs. 13.8%, respectively). The European Quality of Life-5 Dimensions scores significantly increased in the LEV-ER-treated group, in contrast to the scores in the LEV-IR group, which decreased (7.2 vs. - 1.5, p = 0.03). CONCLUSION These results suggest that LEV-ER is equivalent to LEV-IR in reducing the frequency of POS and has a similar tolerability as LEV-IR as an add-on therapy. In addition, LEV-ER treatment improved the health-related quality of life of people with uncontrolled partial epilepsy.
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Zhang JH, Han X, Zhao HW, Zhao D, Wang N, Zhao T, He GN, Zhu XR, Zhang Y, Han JY, Huang DL. Personalized prediction model for seizure-free epilepsy with levetiracetam therapy: a retrospective data analysis using support vector machine. Br J Clin Pharmacol 2018; 84:2615-2624. [PMID: 30043454 DOI: 10.1111/bcp.13720] [Citation(s) in RCA: 30] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/01/2017] [Revised: 07/08/2018] [Accepted: 07/12/2018] [Indexed: 12/13/2022] Open
Abstract
AIMS To predict the probability of a seizure-free (SF) state in patients with epilepsy (PWEs) after treatment with levetiracetam and to identify the clinical and electroencephalographic (EEG) factors that affect outcomes. METHODS Retrospective analysis of PWEs treated with levetiracetam for 3 years identified 22 patients who were SF and 24 who were not. Before starting levetiracetam, 11 clinical factors and four EEG features (sample entropy of α, β, θ, δ) were identified. Overall, 80% of each the two groups were chosen to establish a support vector machine (SVM) model with 5-fold cross-validation, hold-out validation and jack-knife validation. The other 20% were used to predict the efficacy of levetiracetam. The mean impact value (MIV) algorithm was used to rank the relativity between factors and outcomes. RESULTS Compared with SF patients, not SF patients displayed a specific decrease in EEG sample entropy in α band from the F4 channel, β band from Fp2 and F8 channels, θ band from C3 channel (P < 0.05). The SVM model based on the clinical and EEG features yielded 72.2% accuracy of 5-fold cross-validation, 75.0% accuracy of jack-knife validation, 67.7% accuracy of hold-out validation in the training set and had a high prediction accuracy of 90% in test set (sensitivity was 100%, area under the receiver operating characteristic curve was 0.96). The feature of β band from Fp2 weighs heavily in the prediction model according to the mean impact value algorithm. CONCLUSIONS The efficacy of levetiracetam on newly diagnosed PWEs could be predicted using an SVM model, which could guide antiepileptic drug selection.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jia-Hui Zhang
- Department of Neurology, Zhengzhou University People's Hospital, Henan Provincial People's Hospital, Henan Province, China
| | - Xiong Han
- Department of Neurology, Zhengzhou University People's Hospital, Henan Provincial People's Hospital, Henan Province, China
| | - Hong-Wei Zhao
- Department of Pharmacy, Zhengzhou University People's Hospital, Henan Provincial People's Hospital, Henan Province, China
| | - Di Zhao
- Department of Computer Network Information Center, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, China
| | - Na Wang
- Department of Neurology, Zhengzhou University People's Hospital, Henan Provincial People's Hospital, Henan Province, China
| | - Ting Zhao
- Department of Neurology, Zhengzhou University People's Hospital, Henan Provincial People's Hospital, Henan Province, China
| | - Gui-Nv He
- Department of Neurology, Zhengzhou University People's Hospital, Henan Provincial People's Hospital, Henan Province, China
| | - Xue-Rui Zhu
- Department of Neurology, Zhengzhou University People's Hospital, Henan Provincial People's Hospital, Henan Province, China
| | - Ying Zhang
- Department of Neurology, Zhengzhou University People's Hospital, Henan Provincial People's Hospital, Henan Province, China
| | - Jiu-Yan Han
- Department of Clinical Medicine, Zhengzhou University, Henan Province, China
| | - Dian-Ling Huang
- Department of Computer Network Information Center, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, China
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Bakr A, Belli A. A systematic review of levetiracetam versus phenytoin in the prevention of late post-traumatic seizures and survey of UK neurosurgical prescribing practice of antiepileptic medication in acute traumatic brain injury. Br J Neurosurg 2018; 32:237-244. [PMID: 29688078 DOI: 10.1080/02688697.2018.1464118] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/17/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Guidelines recommend 1 week of prophylactic phenytoin for post-traumatic seizures (PTS). Levetiracetam is gaining popularity as an alternative with a superior side-effect profile and may be suitable for extended use. We performed a systematic review comparing the efficacy of levetiracetam and phenytoin in reducing the incidence of late PTS. The secondary objectives were to compare their effects on the Extended Glasgow Outcome Scale (GOS-E) and length of stay. We also aimed to survey current prophylaxis prescribing practices. METHODS A systematic review was performed using Medline, Pubmed, Embase and Cochrane. Trials and observational studies comparing the efficacy of phenytoin and levetiracetam in the prevention of late PTS were included. A survey assessing prescribing practices was e-mailed to all consultant members of the Society of British Neurological Surgeons (n = 249) in March 2013. RESULTS One randomised controlled trial (RCT) (52 patients) and a cohort study (19 patients) met our criteria. Neither found a significant difference in the incidence of late PTS or length of hospital stay, although the RCT showed an improvement in the GOS-E with levetiracetam. Of the 249 consultants included in the survey, 55 responded (22.1%). Prophylaxis was prescribed by 32 consultants (58%), of whom 21 (65.6%) chose phenytoin, 7 (21.9%) chose levetiracetam, 3 (9.4%) chose valproate and 1 (3%) chose 'other'. Half indicated they would prescribe prophylaxis for 1 week, the remainder opting for extended use. CONCLUSION While our review found no evidence of a difference in late seizure incidence, there is evidence of improved long-term outcomes with levetiracetam. Neither study used an extended course of levetiracetam or continuous electroencephalography. Further research which accounts for these factors is required for the development of guidelines which take levetiracetam into account. Our survey showed a lack of awareness of the potential harms of extended phenytoin use and a move towards levetiracetam.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ahmed Bakr
- a College of Medical and Dental Sciences , University of Birmingham , Birmingham , UK
| | - Antonio Belli
- a College of Medical and Dental Sciences , University of Birmingham , Birmingham , UK.,b Department of Neurosurgery , Queen Elizabeth Hospital Birmingham , Birmingham , UK
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Measurement of side effects of anti-epileptic drugs (AEDs) in adults with intellectual disability: A systematic review. Seizure 2017; 51:61-73. [DOI: 10.1016/j.seizure.2017.07.013] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/16/2017] [Revised: 07/13/2017] [Accepted: 07/19/2017] [Indexed: 12/28/2022] Open
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Chen HF, Tsai YF, Hsi MS, Chen JC. Factors affecting quality of life in adults with epilepsy in Taiwan: A cross-sectional, correlational study. Epilepsy Behav 2016; 58:26-32. [PMID: 27002941 DOI: 10.1016/j.yebeh.2016.02.019] [Citation(s) in RCA: 34] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/25/2015] [Revised: 02/12/2016] [Accepted: 02/12/2016] [Indexed: 10/22/2022]
Abstract
PURPOSE The purpose of this study was to assess eight factors considered important for quality of life in persons with epilepsy in order to determine which of these components affect quality of life in adults with epilepsy in Taiwan. METHODS A cross-sectional, correlational study using structured questionnaires assessed 260 patients with epilepsy purposively sampled from a medical center in Northern Taiwan. Health-related quality of life (HRQoL) was evaluated with the Quality of Life in Epilepsy-31 (QOLIE-31) questionnaire. Data also included personal and health-related characteristics, knowledge of epilepsy, efficacy in the self-management of epilepsy, and social support. RESULTS Scores for the QOLIE-31 were correlated with the following factors: (1) demographic characteristics of age, gender, and income; (2) sleep quality; (3) symptoms of anxiety and depression; (4) epilepsy-specific variables: seizure frequency; types, number, and frequency of antiepileptic drugs (AEDs); and adverse events of AEDs; and (5) social support. Stepwise regression analysis showed that seven factors were predictive for quality of life: anxiety, depression, adverse events of AEDs, social support, seizure frequency of at least once in three months, household income of NT$ 40,001-100,000, and male gender. These factors accounted for 58.2% of the variance of quality of life. SIGNIFICANCE Our study assessed multiple factors in an examination of relationships and predictive factors for quality of life in adults with epilepsy in Taiwan. Knowledge of these contributing factors can assist health-care providers when evaluating patients with epilepsy to help target interventions for improving quality of life.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hsiu-Fang Chen
- Department of Nursing, Chang Gung University of Science and Technology, Tao-Yuan, Taiwan
| | - Yun-Fang Tsai
- School of Nursing, College of Medicine, Chang Gung University, Tao-Yuan, Taiwan.
| | - Mo-Song Hsi
- Department of Neurology, Chang Gung Memorial Hospital at Taipei, Taiwan; Taiwan Epilepsy Association, Taiwan
| | - Jui-Chen Chen
- Department of Nursing, Chang Gung Memorial Hospital at Taipei, Taiwan; Taiwan Epilepsy Association, Taiwan
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Abstract
Epilepsy develops in more than 70-90% of oligodendroglial tumors and represents a favorable indicator for long-term survival if present as the first clinical sign. Presence of IDH1 mutation is frequently associated with seizures in oligodendrogliomas, next to alterations of glutamate and GABA metabolism in the origin of glioma-associated epilepsy. Treatment by surgery or radiotherapy results in seizure freedom in about two-thirds of patients, and chemotherapy to a seizure reduction in about 50%. Symptomatic anticonvulsive therapy with levetiracetam and valproic acid as monotherapy are both evidence-based drugs for the partial epilepsies, and their effective use in brain tumors is supported by a large amount of additional data. Pharmacoresistance against anticonvulsants is more prevalent among oligodendrogliomas, occurring in about 40% despite polytherapy with two anticonvulsants or more. Toxic signs of anticonvulsants in brain tumors involve cognition, bone marrow and skin. Previous neurosurgery, radiation therapy or chemotherapy add to the risks of cognitive dysfunction.
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Affiliation(s)
- Melissa Kerkhof
- Department of Neurology, Medical Center The Hague, The Netherlands
| | - Christa Benit
- Department of Neurology, Medical Center The Hague, The Netherlands
| | | | - Charles J Vecht
- Service Neurologie Mazarin, GH Pitié-Salpêtrière, Paris, France
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Retention rates of levetiraceram in Chinese children and adolescents with epilepsy. Eur J Paediatr Neurol 2015; 19:143-8. [PMID: 25497592 DOI: 10.1016/j.ejpn.2014.11.001] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/03/2014] [Revised: 10/31/2014] [Accepted: 11/09/2014] [Indexed: 11/24/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Levetiracetam (Lev) is a new antiepileptic drugs, proved to be effective and tolerance in regulatory trials, but these controlled trials do not always predict how useful a drug will be in day to day clinical practice, Retention rates can provide a better indication of efficacy and tolerability in everyday use. METHODS Totally 124 patients with more than 3 months disease course were enrolled in the study from June 2007 to December 2007. The LEV dose ranged from 10 to 60 mg/kg per day. Follow up visit were performed at 6 months, 12 months, 24 months and 36 months, and treatment effects, adverse effects were recorded. RESULTS The LEV retention rates at 6, 12, 24, and 36 months were 93.5% (116/124), 84.7% (105/124), 65.3% (81/124), and 58.9% (73/124), respectively. The predominant causes of withdrawal were lack of efficacy (62.7%) and serious adverse effects (17.6%). In addition, 48.6% (51/105), 60.5% (49/81) and 72.6% (53/73) patients were seizure-free for 12 months, 24 months and 36 months, respectively. In this study, 75 (60.5%) patients experienced at least one side effect. The most common side effects observed were irritability 38.7% (29/75), somnolence 17.3% (13/75), learning disability 16.0% (12/75), anorexia 17.3% (13/75), somnipathy 13.3% (10/75), and abnormal behavior 13.3% (10/75). CONCLUSIONS Our study revealed the high retention rate of LEV in Chinese children and adolescents with epilepsy.
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Huang J, Yan R, Shi H, Wang P, He J. The characteristic and kinetic studies on the enantioselective hydrolysis of (R,S)-α-ethyl-2-oxo-1-pyrrolidine acetic acid ethyl ester catalyzed byTsukamurella tyrosinosolvensE105-derived hydrolase. ASIA-PAC J CHEM ENG 2014. [DOI: 10.1002/apj.1848] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/07/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Jin Huang
- College of Pharmaceutical Science; Zhejiang University of Technology; Hangzhou 310014 China
| | - Ren Yan
- College of Pharmaceutical Science; Zhejiang University of Technology; Hangzhou 310014 China
| | - Haifang Shi
- College of Pharmaceutical Science; Zhejiang University of Technology; Hangzhou 310014 China
| | - Pu Wang
- College of Pharmaceutical Science; Zhejiang University of Technology; Hangzhou 310014 China
| | - Junyao He
- Zhejiang Pharmaceutical College; Ningbo 315100 China
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Fang Y, Wu X, Xu L, Tang X, Wang J, Zhu G, Hong Z. Randomized-controlled trials of levetiracetam as an adjunctive therapy in epilepsy of multiple seizure types. J Clin Neurosci 2014; 21:55-62. [DOI: 10.1016/j.jocn.2013.01.032] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/23/2012] [Revised: 01/10/2013] [Accepted: 01/21/2013] [Indexed: 10/26/2022]
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Ijff DM, Aldenkamp AP. Cognitive side-effects of antiepileptic drugs in children. HANDBOOK OF CLINICAL NEUROLOGY 2013; 111:707-18. [PMID: 23622218 DOI: 10.1016/b978-0-444-52891-9.00073-7] [Citation(s) in RCA: 88] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/21/2022]
Abstract
Although the causes of cognitive impairment in patients with epilepsy have not been completely elucidated, three factors are clearly involved: the underlying etiology of epilepsy, the effects of seizures or the epileptiform EEG discharges themselves, and the central nervous system effects of antiepileptic drugs (AEDs). All commonly used AEDs have some effect on cognitive function, and the effect may be substantial when crucial functions are involved, such as learning in children. With phenobarbital, there is a high risk for serious cognitive effects impacting attention and memory. Phenytoin may affect mental speed, mainly in higher dosing and polytherapy. Moderate monotherapy doses do not seem to induce much effect. Valproate does not seem to impair cognition if sufficiently controlled for hyperammonemia. For carbamazepine, there are conflicting reports, which may be due to selection bias or dosing. For oxcarbazepine, there is no evidence for any detrimental change compared to valproate but mild improvements on attentional tests. For topiramate, there is clear evidence for topiramate-induced cognitive impairment (attention, memory, and language function) in adults and children. Although data is sketchy, levetiracetam does not seem to have a negative impact on cognition. For lamotrigine, there is evidence of a cognitive-enhancing effect on attention. No evidence for cognitive side-effects has been found for vigabatrin. Ethosuximide is not associated with cognitive impairment although the evidence is sketchy. For gabapentin, tiagabine, zonisamide, and rufinamide no studies in children are available.
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Affiliation(s)
- Dominique M Ijff
- Department of Behavioural Research and Clinical Neuropsychology, Epilepsy Centre Kempenhaeghe, Heeze, The Netherlands; Research School of Mental Health & Neuroscience, Maastricht University Medical Centre, The Netherlands
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de Groot M, Douw L, Sizoo EM, Bosma I, Froklage FE, Heimans JJ, Postma TJ, Klein M, Reijneveld JC. Levetiracetam improves verbal memory in high-grade glioma patients. Neuro Oncol 2012; 15:216-23. [PMID: 23233537 DOI: 10.1093/neuonc/nos288] [Citation(s) in RCA: 51] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/18/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Treatment of high-grade glioma (HGG) patients with anti-epileptic drugs (AEDs) has met with various side effects, such as cognitive deterioration. The cognitive effects of both older and newer AEDs in HGG patients are largely unknown. The aim of this study was to determine the effect of older and newer AEDs on cognitive performance in postoperative HGG patients. METHODS We selected HGG patients from 3 separate cohorts for use of older, newer, or no AEDs, as they represented distinct treatment eras and provided the opportunity to compare older and newer AEDs. In all 3 cohorts, patients were included within 6 weeks following neurosurgery before the start of postoperative treatment. Cognitive functioning was evaluated by an extensive neuropsychological assessment, executed in 6 cognitive domains (attention, executive functioning, verbal memory, working memory, psychomotor functioning, and information processing speed). RESULTS One hundred seventeen patients met the inclusion criteria; 44 patients used no AED, 35 were on monotherapy with a newer AED (all levetiracetam), and 38 were on monotherapy with an older AED (valproic acid or phenytoin). Patients on older and newer AEDs performed equally well as patients not on an AED, and patients on levetiracetam performed even better on verbal memory tests than patients not on an AED. Post-hoc analyses revealed that within the group using older AEDs, patients on valproic acid performed better than patients on phenytoin. CONCLUSIONS Neither levetiracetam nor valproic acid was associated with additional cognitive deficits in HGG patients. Both AEDs even appeared to have a beneficial effect on verbal memory in these patients.
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Affiliation(s)
- Marjolein de Groot
- Department of Neurology, VU University Medical Center, P.O. Box 7057 1007 MB Amsterdam, The Netherlands.
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Padovani L, André N, Constine LS, Muracciole X. Neurocognitive function after radiotherapy for paediatric brain tumours. Nat Rev Neurol 2012; 8:578-88. [DOI: 10.1038/nrneurol.2012.182] [Citation(s) in RCA: 81] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/24/2022]
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Quintas R, Raggi A, Giovannetti AM, Pagani M, Sabariego C, Cieza A, Leonardi M. Psychosocial difficulties in people with epilepsy: a systematic review of literature from 2005 until 2010. Epilepsy Behav 2012; 25:60-7. [PMID: 22749606 DOI: 10.1016/j.yebeh.2012.05.016] [Citation(s) in RCA: 80] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/09/2012] [Revised: 05/22/2012] [Accepted: 05/23/2012] [Indexed: 11/16/2022]
Abstract
The aims of this paper are to identify factors that influence the psychosocial difficulties (PSDs) that persons with epilepsy experience in their everyday life, to describe their onset and the way they evolve over time, and to analyze the determinants of changes over time and other related variables. Electronic databases were searched for studies published in English between January 2005 and May 2010, and information from thirteen studies was extracted. The most frequent PSDs found in people with epilepsy were depressive symptoms, memory functions, quality of life, anxiety, stigma, locus of control, cognitive functions in general, and emotional functions in general. It can be stated that patients' life areas are affected by cognitive, emotional, and psychological problems. However, the majority of studies focus on isolated PSDs or on the effects of a specific determinant in the course of epilepsy, leaving some gaps that could encourage further research.
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Affiliation(s)
- Rui Quintas
- Neurology, Public Health and Disability Unit, Scientific Directorate, Neurological Institute Carlo Besta IRCCS Foundation, Milan, Italy.
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Abstract
Effective treatment of epilepsy depends on medication compliance across a lifetime, and studies indicate that drug tolerability is a significant limiting factor in medication maintenance. Available antiepileptic drugs (AEDs) have the potential to exert detrimental effects on cognitive function and therefore compromise patient wellbeing. On the other hand, some agents may serve to enhance cognitive function. In this review paper, we highlight the range of effects on cognition linked to a variety of newer and older AEDs, encompassing key alterations in both specific executive abilities and broader neuropsychological functions. Importantly, the data reviewed suggest that the effects exerted by an AED could vary depending on both patient characteristics and drug-related variables. However, there are considerable difficulties in evaluating the available evidence. Many studies have failed to investigate the influence of patient and treatment variables on cognitive functioning. Other difficulties include variation across studies in relation to design, treatment group and assessment tools, poor reporting of methodology and poor specification of the cognitive abilities assessed. Focused and rigorous experimental designs including a range of cognitive measures assessing more precisely defined abilities are needed to fill the gaps in our knowledge and follow up reported patterns in the literature. Longitudinal studies are needed to improve our understanding of the influence of factors such as age, tolerance and the stability of cognitive effects. Future trials comparing the effects of commonly prescribed agents across patient subgroups will offer critical insight into the role of patient characteristics in determining the cognitive impact of particular AEDs.
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Tsukamurella sp. E105 as a new biocatalyst for highly enantioselective hydrolysis of ethyl 2-(2-oxopyrrolidin-1-yl) butyrate. J Ind Microbiol Biotechnol 2012; 39:1261-8. [PMID: 22555937 DOI: 10.1007/s10295-012-1132-y] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/17/2012] [Accepted: 04/12/2012] [Indexed: 10/28/2022]
Abstract
A new bacterial strain, E105, has been introduced as a biocatalyst for the enantioselective hydrolysis of ethyl (R,S)-2-(2-oxopyrrolidin-1-yl) butyrate, (R,S)-1, to (S)-2-(2-oxopyrrolidin-1-yl) butyric acid, (S)-2. This strain was isolated from 60 soil samples using (R,S)-1 as the sole carbon source. The isolate was identified as Tsukamurella tyrosinosolvens E105, based on its morphological characteristics, physiological tests, and 16S rDNA sequence analysis. The process of cell growth and hydrolase production for this strain was then investigated. The hydrolase activity reached its maximum after cultivation at 200 rpm and 30 °C for 36 h. Furthermore, the performance of the enantioselective hydrolysis of (R,S)-1 was studied. The optimal reaction temperature, initial pH, substrate concentration, and concentration of suspended cells were 30 °C, 6.8, 10 and 30 g/l (DCW), respectively. Under these conditions, a high conversion (>45 %) of the product (S)-2 with an excellent enantiomeric excess (ee) (>99 %), and a satisfied enantiomeric ratio (E) (>600) as well were obtained. This study showed that the bacterial isolate T. tyrosinosolvens E105 displayed a high enantioselectivity towards the hydrolysis of racemic ethyl 2-(2-oxopyrrolidin-1-yl) butyrate.
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Factors affecting the cerebral network in brain tumor patients. J Neurooncol 2012; 108:231-7. [PMID: 22331519 PMCID: PMC3351596 DOI: 10.1007/s11060-012-0814-7] [Citation(s) in RCA: 31] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/07/2011] [Accepted: 01/27/2012] [Indexed: 10/28/2022]
Abstract
Brain functions, including cognitive functions, are frequently disturbed in brain tumor patients. These disturbances may result from the tumor itself, but also from the treatment directed against the tumor. Surgery, radiotherapy and chemotherapy all may affect cerebral functioning, both in a positive as well as in a negative way. Apart from the anti-tumor treatment, glioma patients often receive glucocorticoids and anti-epileptic drugs, which both also have influence on brain functioning. The effect of a brain tumor on cerebral functioning is often more global than should be expected on the basis of the local character of the disease, and this is thought to be a consequence of disturbance of the cerebral network as a whole. Any network, whether it be a neural, a social or an electronic network, can be described in parameters assessing the topological characteristics of that particular network. Repeated assessment of neural network characteristics in brain tumor patients during their disease course enables study of the dynamics of neural networks and provides more insight into the plasticity of the diseased brain. Functional MRI, electroencephalography and especially magnetoencephalography are used to measure brain function and the signals that are being registered with these techniques can be analyzed with respect to network characteristics such as "synchronization" and "clustering". Evidence accumulates that loss of optimal neural network architecture negatively impacts complex cerebral functioning and also decreases the threshold to develop epileptic seizures. Future research should be focused on both plasticity of neural networks and the factors that have impact on that plasticity as well as the possible role of assessment of neural network characteristics in the determination of cerebral function during the disease course.
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Lee JJ, Song HS, Hwang YH, Lee HW, Suh CK, Park SP. Psychiatric symptoms and quality of life in patients with drug-refractory epilepsy receiving adjunctive levetiracetam therapy. J Clin Neurol 2011; 7:128-36. [PMID: 22087206 PMCID: PMC3212598 DOI: 10.3988/jcn.2011.7.3.128] [Citation(s) in RCA: 26] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/16/2011] [Revised: 03/09/2011] [Accepted: 03/09/2011] [Indexed: 01/31/2023] Open
Abstract
Background and Purpose Levetiracetam (LEV) is a new antiepileptic drug that has been found to be effective as an adjunctive therapy for uncontrolled partial seizures. However, the results of several studies suggested that LEV has negative psychotropic effects, including irritability, aggressiveness, suicidality, and mood disorders. We investigated the impact of adjunctive LEV on psychiatric symptoms and quality of life (QOL) in patients with drug-refractory epilepsy (DRE) and determined the risk factors provoking psychiatric adverse events. Methods A 24-week, prospective, open-label study was conducted. At enrollment, we interviewed patients and reviewed their medical charts to collect demographic and clinical information. They were asked to complete self-report health questionnaires designed to measure various psychiatric symptoms and QOL at enrollment and 24 weeks later. Results Seventy-one patients were included in the study, 12 patients (16.9%) of whom discontinued LEV therapy due to serious adverse events including suicidality. The risk factor for premature withdrawal was a previous history of psychiatric diseases (odds ratio 4.59; 95% confidence interval, 1.22-17.32). LEV intake resulted in significant improvements in Beck Anxiety Inventory score (p<0.01) and some domains of the Symptom Checklist-90-Revised, such as somatization (p<0.05), obsessive-compulsiveness (p<0.05), depression (p<0.05), and anxiety (p<0.05). These improvements were not related to the occurrence of seizure freedom. The Quality of Life in Epilepsy Inventory-31 overall score and subscale scores, such as seizure worry (p<0.01), overall QOL (p<0.05), emotional well-being (p<0.05), energy-fatigue (p<0.05), and social function (p<0.05), also improved. Conclusions Adjunctive LEV in patients with DRE is likely to improve psychiatric symptoms and QOL. Clinicians should be well aware of the psychiatric histories of patients to prevent them from developing serious adverse events related to LEV.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jang-Joon Lee
- Department of Neurology, Daegu Fatima Hospital, Daegu, Korea
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Walterfang M, Choi Y, O'Brien TJ, Cordy N, Yerra R, Adams S, Velakoulis D. Utility and validity of a brief cognitive assessment tool in patients with epileptic and nonepileptic seizures. Epilepsy Behav 2011; 21:177-83. [PMID: 21514241 DOI: 10.1016/j.yebeh.2011.02.025] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/18/2010] [Revised: 02/08/2011] [Accepted: 02/25/2011] [Indexed: 11/27/2022]
Abstract
OBJECTIVE Cognitive impairment is not uncommon in patients with epilepsy, and may relate to the underlying pathophysiology of epilepsy, the effects of seizures, or epilepsy treatment. Formal neuropsychological testing is not available in many centers, and few cognitive screening tools have been validated in an epilepsy population. We aimed to ascertain the reliability and validity of a multidimensional cognitive screening instrument, the Neuropsychiatry Unit Cognitive Assessment Tool (NUCOG), in a mixed epilepsy population. METHODS One hundred sixty-one of 177 consecutive patients admitted to a video telemetry unit were assessed with the NUCOG and classified with respect to seizure semiology, and a subset (n=33) were formally neuropsychologically assessed. RESULTS Scores did not differ between patients with epileptiform, those with nonepileptiform, and those with mixed EEGs on the NUCOG, nor between patients with focal and those with generalized epilepsies. Patients with a temporal lobe focus performed more poorly in general, and in memory specifically, than patients with an extratemporal focus. Scores on the NUCOG subscales Memory, Attention, and Executive Functioning correlated significantly with neuropsychological testing of these same domains, although patients were not impaired on measures of language or spatial function. CONCLUSION The NUCOG appears to correlate strongly with neuropsychological functioning in a number of key cognitive areas affected in patients with epilepsy, and appears to robustly detect memory impairment in patients with temporal lobe epilepsy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mark Walterfang
- Neuropsychiatry Unit, Royal Melbourne Hospital, Melbourne, Australia.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lior Givon
- Harvard Medical School, Departments of Psychiatry, Cambridge, MA, USA.
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