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Dontaine P, Rouge C, Urbain C, Galer S, Raffoul R, Nonclercq A, Van Dyck D, Baijot S, Aeby A. How the Spreading and Intensity of Interictal Epileptic Activity Are Associated with Visuo-Spatial Skills in Children with Self-Limited Focal Epilepsy with Centro-Temporal Spikes. Brain Sci 2023; 13:1566. [PMID: 38002525 PMCID: PMC10669985 DOI: 10.3390/brainsci13111566] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/21/2023] [Revised: 10/20/2023] [Accepted: 11/03/2023] [Indexed: 11/26/2023] Open
Abstract
This paper investigates brain-behaviour associations between interictal epileptic discharges and cognitive performance in a population of children with self-limited focal epilepsy with centro-temporal spikes (SeLECTS). Sixteen patients with SeLECTS underwent an extensive neuropsychological assessment, including verbal short-term and episodic memory, non-verbal short-term memory, attentional abilities and executive function. Two quantitative EEG indices were analysed, i.e., the Spike Wave Index (SWI) and the Spike Wave Frequency (SWF), and one qualitative EEG index, i.e., the EEG score, was used to evaluate the spreading of focal SW to other parts of the brain. We investigated associations between EEG indices and neuropsychological performance with non-parametric Spearman correlation analyses, including correction for multiple comparisons. The results showed a significant negative correlation between (i) the awake EEG score and the Block Tapping Test, a visuo-spatial short-term memory task, and (ii) the sleep SWI and the Tower of London, a visuo-spatial planning task (pcorr < 0.05). These findings suggest that, in addition to the usual quantitative EEG indices, the EEG analysis should include the qualitative EEG score evaluating the spreading of focal SW to other parts of the brain and that neuropsychological assessment should include visuo-spatial skills.
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Affiliation(s)
- Pauline Dontaine
- Department of Pediatric Neurology, Hopital Universitaire de Bruxelles (H.U.B.), Queen Fabiola Children’s University Hospital (HUDERF), Université Libre de Bruxelles (ULB), 1020 Brussels, Belgium
| | - Coralie Rouge
- Department of Pediatric Neurology, Hopital Universitaire de Bruxelles (H.U.B.), Queen Fabiola Children’s University Hospital (HUDERF), Université Libre de Bruxelles (ULB), 1020 Brussels, Belgium
- Neuropsychology and Functional Neuroimaging Research Group (UR2NF), Center for Research in Cognition & Neurosciences (CRCN), ULB Neurosciences Institute, Université Libre de Bruxelles (ULB), 1050 Brussels, Belgium
- Laboratoire de Neuroanatomie et Neuroimagerie Translationnelles (LN2T), UNI-ULB Neurosciences Institute, Hôpital Erasme, Université Libre de Bruxelles (ULB), 1050 Brussels, Belgium
| | - Charline Urbain
- Neuropsychology and Functional Neuroimaging Research Group (UR2NF), Center for Research in Cognition & Neurosciences (CRCN), ULB Neurosciences Institute, Université Libre de Bruxelles (ULB), 1050 Brussels, Belgium
- Laboratoire de Neuroanatomie et Neuroimagerie Translationnelles (LN2T), UNI-ULB Neurosciences Institute, Hôpital Erasme, Université Libre de Bruxelles (ULB), 1050 Brussels, Belgium
| | - Sophie Galer
- Department of Pediatric Neurology, Hopital Universitaire de Bruxelles (H.U.B.), Queen Fabiola Children’s University Hospital (HUDERF), Université Libre de Bruxelles (ULB), 1020 Brussels, Belgium
- Neuropsychology and Functional Neuroimaging Research Group (UR2NF), Center for Research in Cognition & Neurosciences (CRCN), ULB Neurosciences Institute, Université Libre de Bruxelles (ULB), 1050 Brussels, Belgium
- Department of Neuropsychology and Speech Therapy, Queen Fabiola Children’s University Hospital (HUDERF)-Hôpital Universitaire de Bruxelles (H.U.B), Université libre de Bruxelles (ULB), 1020 Brussels, Belgium
| | - Romain Raffoul
- BEAMS (Bio-, Electro- And Mechanical Systems), Université Libre de Bruxelles (ULB), 1050 Brussels, Belgium
| | - Antoine Nonclercq
- BEAMS (Bio-, Electro- And Mechanical Systems), Université Libre de Bruxelles (ULB), 1050 Brussels, Belgium
| | - Dorine Van Dyck
- Department of Pediatric Neurology, Hopital Universitaire de Bruxelles (H.U.B.), Queen Fabiola Children’s University Hospital (HUDERF), Université Libre de Bruxelles (ULB), 1020 Brussels, Belgium
- Department of Neuropsychology and Speech Therapy, Queen Fabiola Children’s University Hospital (HUDERF)-Hôpital Universitaire de Bruxelles (H.U.B), Université libre de Bruxelles (ULB), 1020 Brussels, Belgium
| | - Simon Baijot
- Department of Pediatric Neurology, Hopital Universitaire de Bruxelles (H.U.B.), Queen Fabiola Children’s University Hospital (HUDERF), Université Libre de Bruxelles (ULB), 1020 Brussels, Belgium
- Neuropsychology and Functional Neuroimaging Research Group (UR2NF), Center for Research in Cognition & Neurosciences (CRCN), ULB Neurosciences Institute, Université Libre de Bruxelles (ULB), 1050 Brussels, Belgium
- Department of Neuropsychology and Speech Therapy, Queen Fabiola Children’s University Hospital (HUDERF)-Hôpital Universitaire de Bruxelles (H.U.B), Université libre de Bruxelles (ULB), 1020 Brussels, Belgium
| | - Alec Aeby
- Department of Pediatric Neurology, Hopital Universitaire de Bruxelles (H.U.B.), Queen Fabiola Children’s University Hospital (HUDERF), Université Libre de Bruxelles (ULB), 1020 Brussels, Belgium
- Neuropsychology and Functional Neuroimaging Research Group (UR2NF), Center for Research in Cognition & Neurosciences (CRCN), ULB Neurosciences Institute, Université Libre de Bruxelles (ULB), 1050 Brussels, Belgium
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Duma GM, Danieli A, Vettorel A, Antoniazzi L, Mento G, Bonanni P. Investigation of dynamic functional connectivity of the source reconstructed epileptiform discharges in focal epilepsy: A graph theory approach. Epilepsy Res 2021; 176:106745. [PMID: 34428725 DOI: 10.1016/j.eplepsyres.2021.106745] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/29/2021] [Revised: 07/26/2021] [Accepted: 08/17/2021] [Indexed: 11/18/2022]
Abstract
OBJECTIVE The aim of the present study is to investigate with noninvasive methods the modulation of dynamic functional connectivity during interictal epileptiform discharge (IED). METHOD We reconstructed the cortical source of the EEG recorded IED of 17 patients with focal epilepsy. We then computed dynamic connectivity using the time resolved phase locking value (PLV). We derived graph theory indices (i.e. degree, strength, local efficiency, clustering coefficient and global efficiency). Finally, we selected the atlas node with the maximum activation as the IED cortical source investigating the graph indices dynamics in theta, alpha, beta and gamma frequency bands. RESULTS We observed IED-locked modulations of the graph indexes depending on the frequency bands. We detected a modulation of the strength, clustering coefficient, local and global efficiency both in theta and in alpha bands, which also displayed modulations of the degree index. In the beta band only the global efficiency was modulated by the IED, while no effects were detected in the gamma band. Finally, we found a correlation between alpha and theta local efficiency, as well as alpha global efficiency, and the epilepsy duration. SIGNIFICANCE Our findings suggest that the neural synchronization is not limited to the IED cortical source, but implies a phase synchronization across multiple brain areas. We hypothesize that the aberrant electrical activity originating from the IED locus is spread amongst the other network nodes throughout the low frequency bands (i.e. theta and alpha). Moreover, IED-dependent increase in the global efficiency indicates that the IED interfere with the whole network functioning. We finally discussed possible application of this methodology for future investigation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Gian Marco Duma
- Department of General Psychology, University of Padova, Italy; Epilepsy and Clinical Neurophysiology Unit, Scientific Institute, IRCCS "E. Medea", Conegliano, TV, Italy.
| | - Alberto Danieli
- Epilepsy and Clinical Neurophysiology Unit, Scientific Institute, IRCCS "E. Medea", Conegliano, TV, Italy
| | - Airis Vettorel
- Epilepsy and Clinical Neurophysiology Unit, Scientific Institute, IRCCS "E. Medea", Conegliano, TV, Italy
| | - Lisa Antoniazzi
- Epilepsy and Clinical Neurophysiology Unit, Scientific Institute, IRCCS "E. Medea", Conegliano, TV, Italy
| | - Giovanni Mento
- Department of General Psychology, University of Padova, Italy; Padova Neuroscience Center (PNC), University of Padova, Italy
| | - Paolo Bonanni
- Epilepsy and Clinical Neurophysiology Unit, Scientific Institute, IRCCS "E. Medea", Conegliano, TV, Italy
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Klotz KA, Grob D, Schönberger J, Nakamura L, Metternich B, Schulze-Bonhage A, Jacobs J. Effect of Cannabidiol on Interictal Epileptiform Activity and Sleep Architecture in Children with Intractable Epilepsy: A Prospective Open-Label Study. CNS Drugs 2021; 35:1207-1215. [PMID: 34687005 PMCID: PMC8551105 DOI: 10.1007/s40263-021-00867-0] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 09/30/2021] [Indexed: 11/01/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Cannabidiol has been shown to be effective in seizure reduction in patients with Dravet syndrome, Lennox-Gastaut syndrome, and tuberous sclerosis. However, very little is known about its potential to reduce interictal epileptiform activity and improve sleep architecture. OBJECTIVE The objective of this prospective study was to evaluate the influence of cannabidiol therapy on the frequency of interictal epileptiform discharges (IEDs) and sleep microstructure in a cohort of children with drug-resistant epilepsy. METHODS Children with drug-resistant epilepsy were prospectively followed from November 2019 to January 2021 during an open-label trial of cannabidiol at a dose of 20 mg/kg/day (to a maximum of 50 mg/kg/day) and stable concomitant medication. Electroencephalograms were recorded at baseline (T0) and after 3 months (T1). Two independent raters, blinded to clinical outcome, evaluated 5-min segments of sleep stage 2 or low-noise awake state. IEDs were visually identified and rates per minute calculated. Sleep microstructure was considered improved if sleep structures were seen at T1 that were not present at T0. IED rates at T0 and T1 were compared and correlated with seizure outcome, cannabidiol dose, initial IED rate, and disease duration. RESULTS In total, 35 children (mean ± standard deviation age 10.1 ± 0.86) were included. The IED rate at T1 was significantly lower than at T0 (19.6 ± 19.5 vs. 36.8 ± 27.2, respectively; p < 0.0001). We found a moderate correlation between IED reduction and percentage of seizure reduction compared with baseline (Pearson's r = 0.39; p = 0.02), a moderate negative correlation between IED reduction and IED rate at T0 (r = - 0.34; p = 0.04), and a trend towards a moderate negative correlation between IED reduction and disease duration (r = - 0.32; p = 0.06). Sleep was recorded in 23 patients. Sleep microstructure was initially abnormal in 56.5% of sleep recordings and improved in 84.6% of those cases. CONCLUSION Our results strongly suggest the utility of cannabidiol in reducing IEDs and improving sleep microstructure in children with drug-resistant epilepsy. Larger controlled studies are needed to evaluate the clinical relevance of this effect in different epilepsy types. TRIAL REGISTRATION DRKS00013177; 25 June 2019.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kerstin A. Klotz
- grid.5963.9Faculty of Medicine, Freiburg Epilepsy Center, Medical Center-University of Freiburg, University of Freiburg, Freiburg, Germany ,grid.5963.9Berta-Ottenstein-Program, Faculty of Medicine, University of Freiburg, Freiburg, Germany ,grid.5963.9Department of Neuropediatrics and Muscle Disorders, Faculty of Medicine, Center for Pediatrics, Medical Center-University of Freiburg, University of Freiburg, Mathildenstr. 1, 79106 Freiburg, Germany
| | - Daniel Grob
- grid.5963.9Faculty of Medicine, Freiburg Epilepsy Center, Medical Center-University of Freiburg, University of Freiburg, Freiburg, Germany ,grid.5963.9Department of Neuropediatrics and Muscle Disorders, Faculty of Medicine, Center for Pediatrics, Medical Center-University of Freiburg, University of Freiburg, Mathildenstr. 1, 79106 Freiburg, Germany
| | - Jan Schönberger
- grid.5963.9Faculty of Medicine, Freiburg Epilepsy Center, Medical Center-University of Freiburg, University of Freiburg, Freiburg, Germany ,grid.5963.9Berta-Ottenstein-Program, Faculty of Medicine, University of Freiburg, Freiburg, Germany ,grid.5963.9Department of Neuropediatrics and Muscle Disorders, Faculty of Medicine, Center for Pediatrics, Medical Center-University of Freiburg, University of Freiburg, Mathildenstr. 1, 79106 Freiburg, Germany
| | - Lea Nakamura
- grid.5963.9Faculty of Medicine, Freiburg Epilepsy Center, Medical Center-University of Freiburg, University of Freiburg, Freiburg, Germany ,grid.5963.9Department of Neuropediatrics and Muscle Disorders, Faculty of Medicine, Center for Pediatrics, Medical Center-University of Freiburg, University of Freiburg, Mathildenstr. 1, 79106 Freiburg, Germany
| | - Birgitta Metternich
- grid.5963.9Faculty of Medicine, Freiburg Epilepsy Center, Medical Center-University of Freiburg, University of Freiburg, Freiburg, Germany
| | - Andreas Schulze-Bonhage
- grid.5963.9Faculty of Medicine, Freiburg Epilepsy Center, Medical Center-University of Freiburg, University of Freiburg, Freiburg, Germany
| | - Julia Jacobs
- grid.5963.9Department of Neuropediatrics and Muscle Disorders, Faculty of Medicine, Center for Pediatrics, Medical Center-University of Freiburg, University of Freiburg, Mathildenstr. 1, 79106 Freiburg, Germany ,grid.22072.350000 0004 1936 7697Section of Pediatric Neurology, Alberta Children’s Hospital, Alberta Children’s Research Institute, Hodgekiss Brain Institute, University of Calgary, Alberta, Canada
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Savaş M, Tunçer AM, Çokar AÖ, Demirbilek AV, Tüzün E. Impact of epilepsy on language and discourse: Two self-limited focal epileptic syndromes of childhood. Epilepsy Behav 2020; 102:106671. [PMID: 31805505 DOI: 10.1016/j.yebeh.2019.106671] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/27/2019] [Revised: 10/12/2019] [Accepted: 10/12/2019] [Indexed: 11/27/2022]
Abstract
Self-limited focal epilepsy with centro-temporal spikes, also known as Rolandic epilepsy (RE), is a well-established focal epilepsy of childhood, characterized with language impairment. To investigate the relationship between language deficits and clinical parameters of self-limited focal epilepsies of childhood (SFEC), 21 patients with RE, 10 patients with childhood occipital epilepsy of Gastaut type (COE-G) (another SFEC that is not typically associated with language impairment), and 31 healthy controls were recruited. A broad panel of language tests also including narration sample was administered, and clinical features were documented. The language was significantly impaired in both RE and COE-G. Patients with COE-G showed worse scores than patients with RE in subtests measuring semantic functions. Clinical parameters were not associated with impaired language domains. Language impairment is experienced in different types of SFEC, emphasizing the broad representation of the language network. In SFEC, recent activity of epilepsy does not affect the severity of language dysfunction.
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Affiliation(s)
- Merve Savaş
- Department of Speech and Language Therapy, Faculty of Health Science, Biruni Universty, Istanbul, Turkey.
| | - Aylin Müge Tunçer
- Department of Speech and Language Therapy, Faculty of Health Science, Anadolu Universty, Eskişehir, Turkey
| | - Ayşe Özlem Çokar
- Department of Neurology, Haseki Research and Training Hospital, Health Sciences University, Istanbul, Turkey
| | - Ahmet Veysi Demirbilek
- Department of Neurology, Cerrahpaşa Faculty of Medicine, İstanbul Universty, Istanbul, Turkey
| | - Erdem Tüzün
- Department of Neuroscience, Aziz Sancar Institute of Experimental Medicine, İstanbul Universty, Istanbul, Turkey
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Abstract
PURPOSE OF REVIEW Our purpose is to review evidence relating to the concept that interictal epileptiform discharges (IEDs) impair brain performance. RECENT FINDINGS Sophisticated measures of motor and cognitive performance have clarified older observations, confirming that in both animals and humans, IEDs affect aspects of performance, IED morphology, frequency, anatomical distribution, and duration matter. However, we now know that it is difficult to draw a line between IEDs and seizures, not only by electrical criteria but even by metabolic and molecular measures. IEDs impair performance acutely and probably chronically. Thus, there are good theoretical reasons for suppressing them, but no consensus has been reached on how much effort this deserves. Many antiepileptic medications effective for control of clinical seizures have little effect on IEDs. Better methods of measuring outcomes may allow selection of individual patients for whom treatment aimed at IEDs is worthwhile.
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Affiliation(s)
- Edward Faught
- Emory University, Brain Health Center 292, 12 Executive Park Drive NE, Atlanta, GA, 30306, USA.
| | - Ioannis Karakis
- Emory University, Brain Health Center 292, 12 Executive Park Drive NE, Atlanta, GA, 30306, USA
| | - Daniel L Drane
- Emory University, Brain Health Center 292, 12 Executive Park Drive NE, Atlanta, GA, 30306, USA.,University of Washington, Seattle, WA, USA
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Kanemura H, Sano F, Ohyama T, Aihara M. Efficacy of levetiracetam for reducing rolandic discharges in comparison with carbamazepine and valproate sodium in rolandic epilepsy. Seizure 2018; 62:79-83. [PMID: 30308427 DOI: 10.1016/j.seizure.2018.10.002] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/16/2018] [Revised: 10/01/2018] [Accepted: 10/02/2018] [Indexed: 10/28/2022] Open
Abstract
PURPOSE The main purpose of this study was to compare the efficacy of levetiracetam (LEV) with the older antiepileptic drugs (AEDs) for preventing atypical evolution in children with Rolandic epilepsy (RE). Accordingly, the present study compared the efficacy of older AEDs (carbamazepine (CBZ) and valproate sodium (VPA)) with LEV in reducing rolandic discharges (RDs) on interictal electroencephalogram (EEG) in children with RE. METHODS Patients in this heterogenous study were subdivided into CBZ, VPA and LEV groups in accordance with the initial monotherapy. The CBZ and VPA groups were studied retrospectively, but the LEV group was studied prospectively. Appearances of discharges were counted and these rates were computed. In comparison with the baseline RD frequency, EEG response to AED treatment was classified such as complete disappearance and response (≥50% reduction in RD frequency). The time taken to attain complete disappearance or response in EEG responders was assessed for each AED treatment group. RESULTS Responders comprised 10 (11.2%) of the 89 patients treated with CBZ, 41 (56.2%) of the 73 patients with VPA, and 25 (71.4%) of the 35 patients with LEV. Mean interval to achievement of EEG response in the CBZ, VPA, and LEV groups were 36.3, 23.1, and 14.7 months, respectively. EEG response was achieved significantly more rapidly with LEV than with CBZ (p < 0.001) or VPA (p < 0.005). Seizure control was not significantly different in all 3 investigated drugs. CONCLUSIONS LEV seems to be superior to CBZ and VPA in its ability to suppress RDs in children with RE.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hideaki Kanemura
- Department of Paediatrics, Faculty of Medicine, Graduate School, University of Yamanashi, 1110 Shimokato, Chuo, Yamanashi 409-3898, Japan.
| | - Fumikazu Sano
- Department of Paediatrics, Faculty of Medicine, Graduate School, University of Yamanashi, 1110 Shimokato, Chuo, Yamanashi 409-3898, Japan
| | - Tetsuo Ohyama
- Department of Paediatrics, Faculty of Medicine, Graduate School, University of Yamanashi, 1110 Shimokato, Chuo, Yamanashi 409-3898, Japan
| | - Masao Aihara
- Graduate Faculty of Interdisciplinary Research, Graduate School, University of Yamanashi, 1110 Shimokato, Chuo, Yamanashi 409-3898, Japan
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Asadi-Pooya AA. Yield of EEG monitoring in children with developmental disabilities is high. Epilepsy Behav 2018; 84:105-106. [PMID: 29758444 DOI: 10.1016/j.yebeh.2018.04.023] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/19/2018] [Revised: 04/03/2018] [Accepted: 04/28/2018] [Indexed: 10/16/2022]
Abstract
PURPOSE The purpose of this study was to investigate the yield of a 2-hour electroencephalography (EEG) monitoring (awake and sleep) in children with developmental disabilities and without any clinically apparent seizures. METHODS In this retrospective study, I investigated all children below 9 years of age who had developmental disabilities and were referred to Shiraz Comprehensive Epilepsy center for electroencephalographic investigation from June 2017 until January 2018. Exclusion criteria included any past history of neonatal seizures, febrile or afebrile seizures, and parental suspicion for seizures. We systematically obtained a brief clinical history and performed a 2-hour, awake and asleep EEG monitoring for all patients. RESULTS Thirty-two patients (23 males and 9 females) met all the inclusion and exclusion criteria; mean age (±standard deviation) was 4.1 (±2.1) years. Nineteen patients (59%) had an abnormal EEG: 15 patients (47%) had epileptiform discharges, and four children had abnormal background activity with no epileptiform discharges. CONCLUSION Considering the high diagnostic yield of an awake and asleep EEG monitoring, as it was observed in the current study, this test on a screening basis can be reasonably justified in all children with developmental disabilities.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ali A Asadi-Pooya
- Neurosciences Research Center, Shiraz Medical School, Shiraz University of Medical Sciences, Shiraz, Iran; Jefferson Comprehensive Epilepsy Center, Department of Neurology, Thomas Jefferson University, Philadelphia, USA.
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Sousa K, Decker N, Pires TR, Papke DKM, Coelho VR, Pflüger P, Pereira P, Picada JN. Neurobehavioral effects of vigabatrin and its ability to induce DNA damage in brain cells after acute treatment in rats. Psychopharmacology (Berl) 2017; 234:129-136. [PMID: 27678549 DOI: 10.1007/s00213-016-4446-z] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/22/2016] [Accepted: 09/19/2016] [Indexed: 12/29/2022]
Abstract
RATIONALE Vigabatrin (VGB) is a drug indicated mostly for the treatment of spasms in childhood and West's syndrome patients. This drug inhibits irreversibly the enzyme GABA-transaminase (GABA-T), increasing GABA concentrations and enhancing GABAergic neurotransmission in the brain, which is known to induce behavioral changes. OBJECTIVES The aims of this study were to evaluate the effects of VGB in the short-term memory (STM), long-term memory (LTM), motivation, locomotion, and exploratory behavior tests and to detect deleterious or protective effects on DNA in target tissues of the drug. METHODS Male Wistar rats were treated with a single dose of VGB (100, 250, or 500 mg/kg) or saline solution before the inhibitory avoidance and open-field tasks. DNA damage was evaluated using the alkaline comet assay in peripheral blood, cerebral cortex, and hippocampus after behavioral testing. RESULTS There was no significant difference in the inhibitory avoidance task between the treated groups and the saline group. In all tested doses, VGB reduced the number of rearings in the open-field task. Besides, VGB 500 mg/kg affected locomotion, though it was not able to induce any DNA damage. CONCLUSIONS VGB did not affect STM and LTM, but the drug impaired the exploration and locomotion likely associated with its sedative effect. In addition, no DNA damage in cortex and hippocampus was detected after behavioral testing, when brain GABA levels are already increased.
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Affiliation(s)
- Karen Sousa
- Laboratory of Toxicological Genetics, Lutheran University of Brazil (ULBRA), Farroupilha Avenue, 8001, Canoas, RS, 2425-900, Brazil
| | - Natalia Decker
- Laboratory of Toxicological Genetics, Lutheran University of Brazil (ULBRA), Farroupilha Avenue, 8001, Canoas, RS, 2425-900, Brazil
| | - Thienne Rocha Pires
- Laboratory of Toxicological Genetics, Lutheran University of Brazil (ULBRA), Farroupilha Avenue, 8001, Canoas, RS, 2425-900, Brazil
| | - Débora Kuck Mausolff Papke
- Laboratory of Toxicological Genetics, Lutheran University of Brazil (ULBRA), Farroupilha Avenue, 8001, Canoas, RS, 2425-900, Brazil
| | - Vanessa Rodrigues Coelho
- Laboratory of Neuropharmacology and Pre-Clinical Toxicology. Pharmacology Department, Institute for Basic Health Sciences, Federal University of Rio Grande do Sul (UFRGS), Sarmento Leite Street, 500/305, Porto Alegre, RS, 90050-170, Brazil
| | - Pricila Pflüger
- Laboratory of Neuropharmacology and Pre-Clinical Toxicology. Pharmacology Department, Institute for Basic Health Sciences, Federal University of Rio Grande do Sul (UFRGS), Sarmento Leite Street, 500/305, Porto Alegre, RS, 90050-170, Brazil
| | - Patrícia Pereira
- Laboratory of Neuropharmacology and Pre-Clinical Toxicology. Pharmacology Department, Institute for Basic Health Sciences, Federal University of Rio Grande do Sul (UFRGS), Sarmento Leite Street, 500/305, Porto Alegre, RS, 90050-170, Brazil
| | - Jaqueline Nascimento Picada
- Laboratory of Toxicological Genetics, Lutheran University of Brazil (ULBRA), Farroupilha Avenue, 8001, Canoas, RS, 2425-900, Brazil.
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Systad S, Bjørnvold M, Markhus R, Lyster SAH. Watch the language! Language and linguistic-cognitive abilities in children with nocturnal epileptiform activity. Epilepsy Behav 2017; 66:10-18. [PMID: 27984701 DOI: 10.1016/j.yebeh.2016.09.041] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/01/2016] [Revised: 09/23/2016] [Accepted: 09/23/2016] [Indexed: 11/25/2022]
Abstract
We studied the language and linguistic-cognitive abilities of a group of children with nocturnal epileptiform activity (NEA; N=33) who were hospitalized at a tertiary epilepsy hospital. The children were compared with two groups: one age- and gender-matched group (N=33) and one group matched on language ability (vocabulary) and gender (N=66). We also examined how NEA-related variables affected language abilities. Overall, the children with NEA showed delayed language abilities and a trend for specific difficulties with phonology and naming speed. We did not find firm evidence that the amount of NEA, the use of antiepileptic drugs (AEDs), and the lateralization and localization of NEA had an effect on language. However, we found that children with right-lateralized epileptiform activity seemed to have specific difficulties with naming speed. Additionally, our results indicated that NEA located in the centrotemporal areas particularly affected phonology and orthographic skills.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Marit Bjørnvold
- Department of Refractory Epilepsy- SSE, Oslo University Hospital, Norway
| | - Rune Markhus
- Department of Refractory Epilepsy- SSE, Oslo University Hospital, Norway
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Shamshiri EA, Tierney TM, Centeno M, St Pier K, Pressler RM, Sharp DJ, Perani S, Cross JH, Carmichael DW. Interictal activity is an important contributor to abnormal intrinsic network connectivity in paediatric focal epilepsy. Hum Brain Mapp 2016; 38:221-236. [PMID: 27543883 DOI: 10.1002/hbm.23356] [Citation(s) in RCA: 24] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/03/2016] [Revised: 07/26/2016] [Accepted: 08/11/2016] [Indexed: 01/01/2023] Open
Abstract
Patients with focal epilepsy have been shown to have reduced functional connectivity in intrinsic connectivity networks (ICNs), which has been related to neurocognitive development and outcome. However, the relationship between interictal epileptiform discharges (IEDs) and changes in ICNs remains unclear, with evidence both for and against their influence. EEG-fMRI data was obtained in 27 children with focal epilepsy (mixed localisation and aetiologies) and 17 controls. A natural stimulus task (cartoon blocks verses blocks where the subject was told "please wait") was used to enhance the connectivity within networks corresponding to ICNs while reducing potential confounds of vigilance and motion. Our primary hypothesis was that the functional connectivity within visual and attention networks would be reduced in patients with epilepsy. We further hypothesized that controlling for the effects of IEDs would increase the connectivity in the patient group. The key findings were: (1) Patients with mixed epileptic foci showed a common connectivity reduction in lateral visual and attentional networks compared with controls. (2) Having controlled for the effects of IEDs there were no connectivity differences between patients and controls. (3) A comparison within patients revealed reduced connectivity between the attentional network and basal ganglia associated with interictal epileptiform discharges. We also found that the task activations were reduced in epilepsy patients but that this was unrelated to IED occurrence. Unexpectedly, connectivity changes in ICNs were strongly associated with the transient effects of interictal epileptiform discharges. Interictal epileptiform discharges were shown to have a pervasive transient influence on the brain's functional organisation. Hum Brain Mapp 38:221-236, 2017. © 2016 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
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Affiliation(s)
- Elhum A Shamshiri
- Developmental Imaging and Biophysics Section, UCL Institute of Child Health, London, United Kingdom
| | - Tim M Tierney
- Developmental Imaging and Biophysics Section, UCL Institute of Child Health, London, United Kingdom
| | - Maria Centeno
- Developmental Imaging and Biophysics Section, UCL Institute of Child Health, London, United Kingdom
| | - Kelly St Pier
- Telemetry Unit, Department of Neurophysiology, Great Ormond Street Hospital, London, United Kingdom
| | - Ronit M Pressler
- Neuroscience Medicine, Great Ormond Street Hospital, London, United Kingdom.,Clinical Neurosciences, UCL Institute of Child Health, London, United Kingdom
| | - David J Sharp
- Computational, Cognitive and Clinical Neuroimaging Laboratory, Imperial College London, Hammersmith Hospital Campus, London, United Kingdom
| | - Suejen Perani
- Developmental Imaging and Biophysics Section, UCL Institute of Child Health, London, United Kingdom.,Department of Basic and Clinical Neurosciences, Institute of Psychiatry, Psychology, and Neuroscience, King's College London, United Kingdom
| | - J Helen Cross
- Neuroscience Medicine, Great Ormond Street Hospital, London, United Kingdom.,Clinical Neurosciences, UCL Institute of Child Health, London, United Kingdom
| | - David W Carmichael
- Developmental Imaging and Biophysics Section, UCL Institute of Child Health, London, United Kingdom
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11
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Vannest J, Tenney JR, Altaye M, Byars AW, Spencer C, Maloney TC, Szaflarski JP, Morita D, Glauser TA. Impact of frequency and lateralization of interictal discharges on neuropsychological and fine motor status in children with benign epilepsy with centrotemporal spikes. Epilepsia 2016; 57:e161-7. [PMID: 27350662 DOI: 10.1111/epi.13445] [Citation(s) in RCA: 23] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 05/25/2016] [Indexed: 11/28/2022]
Abstract
Despite a positive prognosis for seizure remission, children with benign epilepsy with centrotemporal spikes (BECTS) have been reported to exhibit subtle neuropsychological difficulties. We examined the relationship between patterns of centrotemporal spikes (the typical electroencephalography [EEG] finding in BECTS) and neuropsychological and motor outcomes in children with new-onset BECTS. Thirty-four patients with new-onset BECTS (not taking antiepileptic medication) and 48 typically developing children participated in the study. In BECTS patients, centrotemporal spikes (CTS) were evaluated in the first hour awake and first 2 h of sleep in a 24-h EEG recording and left or right-sided origin was noted. General intellectual function, language, visuospatial skill, processing speed, and fine motor skill were assessed in all participants. We found no significant difference between BECTS patients and controls on measures of general intellectual function, or visuospatial or language testing. There were significant differences in processing speed index and nondominant hand fine motor scores between groups. Significant negative relationships were observed between rates of left-sided CTS and right hand fine motor scores. This suggests that psychomotor and fine motor speed are affected in BECTS, but the extent of affected domains may be more limited than previously suggested, especially in untreated patients early in the course of their epilepsy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jennifer Vannest
- Cincinnati Children's Hospital Medical Center, Cincinnati, Ohio, U.S.A
| | - Jeffrey R Tenney
- Cincinnati Children's Hospital Medical Center, Cincinnati, Ohio, U.S.A
| | - Mekibib Altaye
- Cincinnati Children's Hospital Medical Center, Cincinnati, Ohio, U.S.A
| | - Anna W Byars
- Cincinnati Children's Hospital Medical Center, Cincinnati, Ohio, U.S.A
| | - Caroline Spencer
- Cincinnati Children's Hospital Medical Center, Cincinnati, Ohio, U.S.A
| | - Thomas C Maloney
- Cincinnati Children's Hospital Medical Center, Cincinnati, Ohio, U.S.A
| | | | - Diego Morita
- Cincinnati Children's Hospital Medical Center, Cincinnati, Ohio, U.S.A
| | - Tracy A Glauser
- Cincinnati Children's Hospital Medical Center, Cincinnati, Ohio, U.S.A
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12
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Tenney JR, Glauser T, Altaye M, Szaflarski JP, Spencer C, Morita D, Vannest J. Longitudinal stability of interictal spikes in benign epilepsy with centrotemporal spikes. Epilepsia 2016; 57:805-11. [PMID: 27012680 DOI: 10.1111/epi.13367] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 02/26/2016] [Indexed: 11/28/2022]
Abstract
OBJECTIVE To describe the natural history of electroencephalography (EEG) changes in patients with benign epilepsy with centrotemporal spikes (BECTS) over 1 year. METHODS Centrotemporal spikes were visually evaluated based on 24-h ambulatory EEG studies to determine the total, left, right, and bilateral centrotemporal spikes patients were awake and asleep. These spike rates were then used to compare the entire night of sleep to the first 2 h of sleep, the repeatability of spike frequency over two recordings (done within days to weeks), and longitudinal changes in spike rate over 6 and 12 months. RESULTS Nineteen children with newly diagnosed and untreated BECTS were included in this analysis. An excellent correlation was found between the centrotemporal spike rate during the entire duration of sleep and the first 2 h of sleep (intraclass correlation [ICC] 0.87, 95% confidence interval [CI] 0.67-0.95). In addition, an excellent correlation was found between two recordings completed an average of 23 days apart while patients were asleep (ICC 0.92, 95% CI 0.80-0.97) and good correlation while patients were awake (ICC 0.70, 95% CI 0.39-0.87). The average change in spike rate between recordings at baseline and at 6 months was a decrease of 64.7% (range -100% to +51.5%, p = 0.01) and the average change in rate between recordings at baseline and at 12 months was a decrease of 57.7% (range -100% to +29.1%, p = 0.01). In addition, within 6 months, most children had decreased centrotemporal rates, with 30% of children being spike-free. This absence of spikes did not continue in all children, since the majority (60%) had some spikes at 1 year following diagnosis. SIGNIFICANCE Centrotemporal spike rates during sleep are stable when compared over days to weeks; however, when comparing spike rates over months there is a larger degree of variability.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jeffrey R Tenney
- Division of Neurology, Cincinnati Children's Hospital Medical Center, Cincinnati, Ohio, U.S.A
| | - Tracy Glauser
- Division of Neurology, Cincinnati Children's Hospital Medical Center, Cincinnati, Ohio, U.S.A
| | - Mekibib Altaye
- Division of Biostatistics and Epidemiology, Cincinnati Children's Hospital Medical Center, Cincinnati, Ohio, U.S.A
| | - Jerzy P Szaflarski
- Department of Neurology, University of Alabama at Birmingham, Birmingham, Alabama, U.S.A
| | - Caroline Spencer
- Division of Neurology, Cincinnati Children's Hospital Medical Center, Cincinnati, Ohio, U.S.A
| | - Diego Morita
- Division of Neurology, Cincinnati Children's Hospital Medical Center, Cincinnati, Ohio, U.S.A
| | - Jennifer Vannest
- Division of Neurology, Cincinnati Children's Hospital Medical Center, Cincinnati, Ohio, U.S.A
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13
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Sánchez Fernández I, Loddenkemper T, Galanopoulou AS, Moshé SL. Should epileptiform discharges be treated? Epilepsia 2015; 56:1492-504. [PMID: 26293670 DOI: 10.1111/epi.13108] [Citation(s) in RCA: 45] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 07/06/2015] [Indexed: 01/09/2023]
Abstract
To evaluate the impact of epileptiform discharges (EDs) that do not occur within seizure patterns--such as spikes, sharp waves or spike waves--on cognitive function and to discuss the circumstances under which treatment of EDs might be considered. Methods used in this article is "Review of the literature". EDs may disrupt short-term cognition in humans. Frequent EDs for a prolonged period can potentially impair long-term cognitive function in humans. However, there is conflicting evidence on the impact of EDs on long-term cognitive outcome because this relationship may be confounded by multiple factors such as underlying etiology, seizures, and medication effects. Limitations of existing studies include the lack of standardized ED quantification methods and of widely accepted automated spike quantification methods. Although there is no solid evidence for or against treatment of EDs, a non-evidence-based practical approach is suggested. EDs in otherwise asymptomatic individuals should not be treated because the risks of treatment probably outweigh its dubious benefits. A treatment trial for EDs may be considered when there is cognitive dysfunction or regression or neurologic symptoms that are unexplained by the underlying etiology, comorbid conditions, or seizure severity. In patients with cognitive or neurologic dysfunction with epilepsy or EDs, treatment may be warranted to control the underlying epileptic syndrome. EDs may cause cognitive or neurologic dysfunction in humans in the short term. There is conflicting evidence on the impact of EDs on long-term cognitive outcome. There is no evidence for or against treatment of asymptomatic ED.
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Affiliation(s)
- Iván Sánchez Fernández
- Division of Epilepsy and Clinical Neurophysiology, Department of Neurology, Boston Children's Hospital and Harvard Medical School, Boston, Massachusetts, U.S.A.,Department of Child Neurology, Hospital Sant Joan de Déu, University of Barcelona, Spain
| | - Tobias Loddenkemper
- Department of Child Neurology, Hospital Sant Joan de Déu, University of Barcelona, Spain
| | - Aristea S Galanopoulou
- Saul R. Korey Department of Neurology, Dominick P. Purpura Department of Neuroscience, Laboratory of Developmental Medicine, Montefiore/Einstein Epilepsy Management Center, Montefiore Medical Center, Albert Einstein College of Medicine, Bronx, New York, U.S.A
| | - Solomon L Moshé
- Saul R. Korey Department of Neurology, Dominick P. Purpura Department of Neuroscience, Laboratory of Developmental Medicine, Montefiore/Einstein Epilepsy Management Center, Montefiore Medical Center, Albert Einstein College of Medicine, Bronx, New York, U.S.A.,Department of Pediatrics, Montefiore Medical Center, Albert Einstein College of Medicine, Bronx, New York, U.S.A
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