Treatment of interictal epileptiform discharges (IEDs) in patients with cerebral palsy for an improved prognostic outcome and quality of life: emerging evidence

The dual effect of vagus nerve stimulation in pediatric patients with drug-resistant epilepsy: Is there more than seizure control?

This is a retrospective and comparative pilot study to investigate the role of vagus nerve stimulation (VNS) in improving cognitive functions in the pediatric age group with drug resistant epilepsy (DRE). It was conducted from January 2018 to February 2023. Children between the ages of 4 and 18 years were divided into two groups, the "VNS group" and the "best medical treatment (BMT) group". Follow up period was 12 months. Demographic, clinical, etiological and investigational data were recorded. Cognitive assessment using the Modified Mini-Mental State Examination for children (MMSE) was recorded at baseline and 12 months later for each group. 76.4 % of patients were classified as epilepsy secondary to cerebral palsy. 75 % of patients showed ≥ 50 % seizure frequency reduction among the VNS group as compared to 12.5 % in the BMT group. None of both groups achieved seizure freedom. At 12 months, both BMT and VNS groups showed statistically significantly improved overall cognitive score from baseline records (p = 0.027) and (p = 0.012), respectively, with a significantly higher improvement in VNS group. Also, statistical sub-analysis of cognitive subscales in cerebral palsy patients in both groups was conducted and revealed a significant improvement (p = 0.02) in the VNS group. We concluded that there is a potential role of VNS in improving cognitive functions which was shown by using a cost-effective screening tool. A significant effect was observed specially in cerebral palsy patients. This is very beneficial in limited-resources countries since VNS has good safety profile, high seizure control, and added value to cognitive functions.

Management of Spasticity in Cerebral Palsy: An Electroencephalogram-Oriented Novel Approach

Cerebral palsy (CP) is commonly associated with spasticity though the exact pathophysiology is still unknown. Management of spasticity is an important aspect of care because it can adversely affect quality of life. Patients with CP also commonly exhibit interictal epileptiform discharges (IEDs) on their electroencephalograms (EEGs) even without clinical epilepsy. This brief article studies the relationship between spasticity and IEDs. Based on the intrinsic relationship between the two and available pathophysiological evidence of spasticity, the author suggests a mandatory EEG in all patients with CP and spasticity and consideration for initiation of IEDs when detected.