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Mastrangelo M, Manti F, Ricciardi G, Bove R, Greco C, Tolve M, Pisani F. The burden of epilepsy on long-term outcome of genetic developmental and epileptic encephalopathies: A single tertiary center longitudinal retrospective cohort study. Epilepsy Behav 2024; 152:109670. [PMID: 38335860 DOI: 10.1016/j.yebeh.2024.109670] [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: 11/28/2023] [Revised: 01/11/2024] [Accepted: 01/25/2024] [Indexed: 02/12/2024]
Abstract
BACKGROUND This retrospective cohort analysis highlighted neurodevelopmental outcome predictors of genetic developmental and epileptic encephalopathies (DEE). PATIENTS AND METHODS Patients' demographic, clinical and molecular genetics data were collected. All patients underwent clinical, developmental, and neuropsychological assessments. RESULTS We recruited 100 participants (53 males, 47 females) with a mean follow-up lasting 10.46 ± 8.37 years. Age at epilepsy-onset was predictive of poor adaptive and cognitive functions (VABS-II score, r = 0.350, p = 0.001; BRIEF control subscale, r = -0.253; p = 0.031). Duration of epilepsy correlated negatively with IQ (r = -0.234, p = 0.019) and VABS-II score (r = -0.367, p = 0.001). Correlations were found between delayed/lacking EEG maturation/organization and IQ (r = 0.587, p = 0.001), VABS-II score (r = 0.658, p = 0.001), BRIEF-MI and BRIEF-GEC scores (r = -0.375, p = 0.001; r = -0.236, p = 0.033), ASEBA anxiety (r = -0.220, p = 0.047) and ADHD (r = -0.233, p = 0.035) scores. The number of antiseizure medications (ASMs) correlated with IQ (r = -0.414, p = 0.001), VABS-II (r = -0.496, p = 0.001), and BRIEF-MI (r = 0.294, p = 0.012) scores; while age at the beginning of therapy with ASEBA anxiety score (r = 0.272, p = 0.013). The occurrence of status epilepticus was associated with worse adaptive performances. The linear regression analysis model showed that delayed/lacking EEG maturation/organization had a significant influence on the IQ (R2 = 0.252, p < 0.001) and the BRIEF-GEC variability (R2 = 0.042, p = 0.036). The delayed/lacking EEG maturation/organization and the duration of epilepsy also had a significant influence on the VABS-II score (R2 = 0.455, p = 0.005). CONCLUSIONS Age at seizure-onset, EEG maturation/organization, duration of epilepsy, occurrence of status epilepticus, age at the introduction and number of ASMs used are reliable predictors of long-term outcomes in patients with genetic DEE.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mario Mastrangelo
- Department of Women/Child Health and Urological Science, Sapienza University of Rome, Rome, Italy; Unit of Child Neurology and Psychiatry, Azienda Ospedaliero Universitaria Policlinico Umberto, Rome, Italy.
| | - Filippo Manti
- Unit of Child Neurology and Psychiatry, Azienda Ospedaliero Universitaria Policlinico Umberto, Rome, Italy; Unit of Child Neurology and Psychiatry, Department of Human Neuroscience, Sapienza University of Rome, Rome, Italy
| | - Giacomina Ricciardi
- Unit of Child Neurology and Psychiatry, Department of Human Neuroscience, Sapienza University of Rome, Rome, Italy
| | - Rossella Bove
- Unit of Child Neurology and Psychiatry, Department of Human Neuroscience, Sapienza University of Rome, Rome, Italy
| | - Carlo Greco
- Unit of Child Neurology and Psychiatry, Department of Human Neuroscience, Sapienza University of Rome, Rome, Italy
| | - Manuela Tolve
- Unit of Child Neurology and Psychiatry, Department of Human Neuroscience, Sapienza University of Rome, Rome, Italy; Department of Experimental Medicine, Sapienza University of Rome, Italy
| | - Francesco Pisani
- Unit of Child Neurology and Psychiatry, Azienda Ospedaliero Universitaria Policlinico Umberto, Rome, Italy; Unit of Child Neurology and Psychiatry, Department of Human Neuroscience, Sapienza University of Rome, Rome, Italy
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Strzelczyk A, Schubert-Bast S. Psychobehavioural and Cognitive Adverse Events of Anti-Seizure Medications for the Treatment of Developmental and Epileptic Encephalopathies. CNS Drugs 2022; 36:1079-1111. [PMID: 36194365 PMCID: PMC9531646 DOI: 10.1007/s40263-022-00955-9] [Citation(s) in RCA: 44] [Impact Index Per Article: 22.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 09/07/2022] [Indexed: 02/06/2023]
Abstract
The developmental and epileptic encephalopathies encompass a group of rare syndromes characterised by severe drug-resistant epilepsy with onset in childhood and significant neurodevelopmental comorbidities. The latter include intellectual disability, developmental delay, behavioural problems including attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder and autism spectrum disorder, psychiatric problems including anxiety and depression, speech impairment and sleep problems. Classical examples of developmental and epileptic encephalopathies include Dravet syndrome, Lennox-Gastaut syndrome and tuberous sclerosis complex. The mainstay of treatment is with multiple anti-seizure medications (ASMs); however, the ASMs themselves can be associated with psychobehavioural adverse events, and effects (negative or positive) on cognition and sleep. We have performed a targeted literature review of ASMs commonly used in the treatment of developmental and epileptic encephalopathies to discuss the latest evidence on their effects on behaviour, mood, cognition, sedation and sleep. The ASMs include valproate (VPA), clobazam, topiramate (TPM), cannabidiol (CBD), fenfluramine (FFA), levetiracetam (LEV), brivaracetam (BRV), zonisamide (ZNS), perampanel (PER), ethosuximide, stiripentol, lamotrigine (LTG), rufinamide, vigabatrin, lacosamide (LCM) and everolimus. Bromide, felbamate and other sodium channel ASMs are discussed briefly. Overall, the current evidence suggest that LEV, PER and to a lesser extent BRV are associated with psychobehavioural adverse events including aggressiveness and irritability; TPM and to a lesser extent ZNS are associated with language impairment and cognitive dulling/memory problems. Patients with a history of behavioural and psychiatric comorbidities may be more at risk of developing psychobehavioural adverse events. Topiramate and ZNS may be associated with negative effects in some aspects of cognition; CBD, FFA, LEV, BRV and LTG may have some positive effects, while the remaining ASMs do not appear to have a detrimental effect. All the ASMs are associated with sedation to a certain extent, which is pronounced during uptitration. Cannabidiol, PER and pregabalin may be associated with improvements in sleep, LTG is associated with insomnia, while VPA, TPM, LEV, ZNS and LCM do not appear to have detrimental effects. There was variability in the extent of evidence for each ASM: for many first-generation and some second-generation ASMs, there is scant documented evidence; however, their extensive use suggests favourable tolerability and safety (e.g. VPA); second-generation and some third-generation ASMs tend to have the most robust evidence documented over several years of use (TPM, LEV, PER, ZNS, BRV), while evidence is still being generated for newer ASMs such as CBD and FFA. Finally, we discuss how a variety of factors can affect mood, behaviour and cognition, and untangling the associations between the effects of the underlying syndrome and those of the ASMs can be challenging. In particular, there is enormous heterogeneity in cognitive, behavioural and developmental impairments that is complex and can change naturally over time; there is a lack of standardised instruments for evaluating these outcomes in developmental and epileptic encephalopathies, with a reliance on subjective evaluations by proxy (caregivers); and treatment regimes are complex involving multiple ASMs as well as other drugs.
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Affiliation(s)
- Adam Strzelczyk
- Epilepsy Center Frankfurt Rhine-Main, Center of Neurology and Neurosurgery, Goethe-University and University Hospital Frankfurt, Schleusenweg 2-16, 60528, Frankfurt am Main, Germany. .,LOEWE Center for Personalized and Translational Epilepsy Research (CePTER), Goethe-University Frankfurt, Frankfurt am Main, Germany.
| | - Susanne Schubert-Bast
- Epilepsy Center Frankfurt Rhine-Main, Center of Neurology and Neurosurgery, Goethe-University and University Hospital Frankfurt, Schleusenweg 2-16, 60528, Frankfurt am Main, Germany.,LOEWE Center for Personalized and Translational Epilepsy Research (CePTER), Goethe-University Frankfurt, Frankfurt am Main, Germany.,Department of Neuropediatrics, Goethe-University and University Hospital Frankfurt, Frankfurt am Main, Germany
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Wiegand G, Japaridze N, Gröning K, Stephani U, Kadish NE. EEG-Findings during long-term treatment with Everolimus in TSC-associated and therapy-resistant epilepsies in children. Seizure 2022; 103:101-107. [PMID: 36370680 DOI: 10.1016/j.seizure.2022.10.022] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/30/2022] [Revised: 10/27/2022] [Accepted: 10/29/2022] [Indexed: 11/06/2022] Open
Abstract
AIM This prospective observational study evaluated the long-term EEG changes in children treated with everolimus (EVO) for refractory TSC-associated epilepsy. Changes in EEG-abnormalities were related to developmental outcomes. METHODS Thirteen children treated with EVO were examined for EEG-recorded seizures and interictal epileptic discharges (IED) during a 72-hour-video-EEG-monitoring, which was performed at baseline and repeated at follow-up intervals of at least 9 months. Antiseizure medication was left unchanged for at least 27 months. Changes in cognitive developmental parameters were related to reduction of seizures and IED at the last monitoring. RESULTS We found a significant reduction of recorded seizures and IED during sleep at the first as well as the last follow-up recording. The reduction of IED was especially prominent during sleep. For patients who continued for more than one monitoring under EVO (n = 8), number of seizures further decreased. In patients with developmental examination (n = 9), we observed that only (nearly) full cessation of IED was related to acquisition of new skills. DISCUSSION In children with TSC, EVO was effective in reducing recorded seizures and IED; long-term EVO treatment led to a more pronounced reduction and an improvement of nocturnal IED even when the patient was initially not seizure-free. Cessation of IED in children with developmental improvement may point to the importance of healthy sleep for cognition.
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Foryś-Basiejko M, Kotulska K, Maryniak A, Siłuszyk A, Szkop M, Borkowska J, Sugalska M, Głowacka-Walas J, Jóźwiak S. Epilepsy and Language Development in 8–36-Month-Old Toddlers with Tuberous Sclerosis Complex. J Clin Med 2022; 11:jcm11154564. [PMID: 35956179 PMCID: PMC9369686 DOI: 10.3390/jcm11154564] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/14/2022] [Revised: 07/21/2022] [Accepted: 07/26/2022] [Indexed: 02/04/2023] Open
Abstract
This paper aimed to assess language development in infants and toddlers with tuberous sclerosis complex (TSC) and epilepsy, which increase the risk of autism spectrum disorder. We assessed language development in 61 patients with TSC at 8–36 months using a standardized Speech Development and Communication Inventory tool. The results showed differences in outcomes due to the duration of the seizures and the number of drugs (pFDR = 0.007 **—pFDR = 0.037 *). Children with TSC with longer epilepsy duration and receiving more antiepileptic drugs have a greater risk of language development delay.
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Affiliation(s)
- Małgorzata Foryś-Basiejko
- Department of Child Clinical Psychology and Family, Faculty of Psychology, University of Warsaw, 00-183 Warszawa, Poland
- Department of Neurology and Epileptology, The Children’s Memorial Health Institute, 04-736 Warszawa, Poland
- Department of Pediatric Neurology, Medical University of Warsaw, 02-091 Warszawa, Poland
- Correspondence:
| | - Katarzyna Kotulska
- Department of Neurology and Epileptology, The Children’s Memorial Health Institute, 04-736 Warszawa, Poland
| | - Agnieszka Maryniak
- Department of Child Clinical Psychology and Family, Faculty of Psychology, University of Warsaw, 00-183 Warszawa, Poland
| | - Agata Siłuszyk
- Department of Pediatric Neurology, Medical University of Warsaw, 02-091 Warszawa, Poland
| | - Monika Szkop
- Department of Neurology and Epileptology, The Children’s Memorial Health Institute, 04-736 Warszawa, Poland
| | - Julita Borkowska
- Department of Neurology and Epileptology, The Children’s Memorial Health Institute, 04-736 Warszawa, Poland
| | - Monika Sugalska
- Department of Pediatric Neurology, Medical University of Warsaw, 02-091 Warszawa, Poland
| | - Jagoda Głowacka-Walas
- Institute of Computer Science, Warsaw University of Technology, 00-665 Warszawa, Poland
- Transition Technologies Science, 01-030 Warsaw, Poland
| | - Sergiusz Jóźwiak
- Department of Pediatric Neurology, Medical University of Warsaw, 02-091 Warszawa, Poland
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Wiegand G, May TW, Lehmann I, Stephani U, Kadish NE. Long-term treatment with everolimus in TSC-associated therapy-resistant epilepsies. Seizure 2021; 93:111-119. [PMID: 34740140 DOI: 10.1016/j.seizure.2021.10.011] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/22/2021] [Revised: 10/01/2021] [Accepted: 10/12/2021] [Indexed: 12/30/2022] Open
Abstract
PURPOSE To investigate the efficacy and tolerability of long-term treatment with Everolimus (EVO) in patients with tuberous sclerosis complex (TSC) and therapy-resistant epilepsy in a compassionate use trial. METHODS After a 3-month baseline, patients were treated with EVO. Treatment was divided into treatment phases each lasting at least 9 months. Patients started with one of three target serum levels. In case of insufficient seizure control, subsequent treatment phases with other target serum levels followed. The accompanying antiseizure medication (ASM) remained stable during the baseline phase and for at least the initial three treatment phases. We evaluated changes in seizure frequency and seizure-free days compared to baseline for each patient (Cox-Stuart-test). RESULTS Fifteen patients were followed up for up to 10 years (minimum 0.6 years, median 5.8 years). Twelve patients (80%) experienced a significant reduction in seizure frequency or an increase in seizure-free days: Six (40%) patients became seizure-free and four patients (26.7%) remained seizure free for > 7 years, of which three required no additional ASM. All participants reported at least one adverse effect, the vast majority (92.5%) of which were mild or moderate. CONCLUSION Long-term treatment with EVO was highly efficacious, safe and well tolerated. While EVO can be a therapeutic option for therapy-resistant epilepsy in TSC, it can take a long time for seizure relief to manifest.
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Affiliation(s)
- Gert Wiegand
- Department of Pediatric and Adolescent Medicine II (Neuropediatrics, Social Pediatrics), University Medical Centre Schleswig-Holstein, Kiel, Germany; Neuropediatrics Section of the Department of Pediatrics, Asklepios Clinic Hamburg Nord-Heidberg, Hamburg, Germany.
| | - Theodor W May
- Ev. Klinikum Bethel, v. Bodelschwinghsche Stiftungen Bethel, Bielefeld, Germany
| | - Irene Lehmann
- Department of Pediatric and Adolescent Medicine II (Neuropediatrics, Social Pediatrics), University Medical Centre Schleswig-Holstein, Kiel, Germany
| | - Ulrich Stephani
- Department of Pediatric and Adolescent Medicine II (Neuropediatrics, Social Pediatrics), University Medical Centre Schleswig-Holstein, Kiel, Germany
| | - Navah E Kadish
- Department of Pediatric and Adolescent Medicine II (Neuropediatrics, Social Pediatrics), University Medical Centre Schleswig-Holstein, Kiel, Germany; Institute of Medical Psychology and Medical Sociology, University Medical Centre Schleswig- Holstein, Kiel, Germany
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Willems LM, Schubert-Bast S, Grau J, Hertzberg C, Kurlemann G, Wiemer-Kruel A, Bast T, Bertsche A, Bettendorf U, Fiedler B, Hahn A, Hartmann H, Hornemann F, Immisch I, Jacobs J, Kieslich M, Klein KM, Klotz KA, Kluger G, Knuf M, Mayer T, Marquard K, Meyer S, Muhle H, Müller-Schlüter K, Noda AH, Ruf S, Sauter M, Schlump JU, Syrbe S, Thiels C, Trollmann R, Wilken B, Zöllner JP, Rosenow F, Strzelczyk A. Health-related quality of life in children and adolescents with tuberous sclerosis complex and their caregivers: A multicentre cohort study from Germany. Eur J Paediatr Neurol 2021; 35:111-122. [PMID: 34673401 DOI: 10.1016/j.ejpn.2021.10.003] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/11/2021] [Revised: 06/17/2021] [Accepted: 10/03/2021] [Indexed: 12/18/2022]
Abstract
OBJECTIVE This study aimed to measure health-related quality of life (HRQOL) in children and adolescents with tuberous sclerosis complex (TSC) and quality of life (QOL) and depressive symptoms among caregivers. METHODS Adequate metrics were used to assess HRQOL in children and adolescents with TSC (4-18 years, KINDLR) as well as QOL (EQ-5D) and symptoms of depression (BDI-II) among caregivers. Predictors for reduced HRQOL and depressive symptoms were identified by variance analysis, ordinal regression, and bivariate correlation. RESULTS The mean HRQOL score was 67.9 ± 12.7, and significantly lower values were associated with increasing age, attending special needs education, TSC-associated psychiatric symptoms, and drug-related adverse events. The mean QOL of caregivers was 85.4 ± 15.7, and caregiver's sex, TSC mutation locus, familial TSC clustering, special needs education, degree of disability, care dependency, presence of TSC-associated psychiatric symptoms, and TSC severity were significant predictors of lower QOL. Depressive symptoms were identified in 45.7% of caregivers, associated with female sex of the caregiver, familial TSC clustering, special needs education, and presence of TSC-associated psychiatric symptoms of the child. Multivariate regression analysis revealed adolescence and drug-related adverse events as significant predictors for lower HRQOL in TSC children, and TSC2 variants predicted lower QOL and depressive symptoms in caregivers. CONCLUSION Compared with other chronic diseases, such as headache, diabetes or obesity, children with TSC have significantly lower HRQOL, which further decreases during adolescence. A decreased HRQOL of patients correlates with a lower QOL and increased symptoms of depression of their caregivers. These results may improve the comprehensive therapy and care of children and adolescents with TSC and their families and caregivers. TRIAL REGISTRATION DRKS, DRKS00016045. Registered 01 March 2019, http://www.drks.de/DRKS00016045.
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Affiliation(s)
- Laurent M Willems
- Epilepsy Center Frankfurt Rhine-Main and Department of Neurology, Goethe-University Frankfurt, Frankfurt am Main, Germany; Center for Personalized Translational Epilepsy Research (CePTER), Goethe-University Frankfurt, Frankfurt am Main, Germany
| | - Susanne Schubert-Bast
- Epilepsy Center Frankfurt Rhine-Main and Department of Neurology, Goethe-University Frankfurt, Frankfurt am Main, Germany; Center for Personalized Translational Epilepsy Research (CePTER), Goethe-University Frankfurt, Frankfurt am Main, Germany; Department of Neuropediatrics, Goethe-University Frankfurt, Frankfurt am Main, Germany
| | - Janina Grau
- Epilepsy Center Frankfurt Rhine-Main and Department of Neurology, Goethe-University Frankfurt, Frankfurt am Main, Germany; Center for Personalized Translational Epilepsy Research (CePTER), Goethe-University Frankfurt, Frankfurt am Main, Germany
| | | | | | | | - Thomas Bast
- Epilepsy Center Kork, Clinic for Children and Adolescents, Kehl-Kork, Germany
| | - Astrid Bertsche
- Department of Neuropediatrics, University Hospital for Children and Adolescents, Rostock, Germany
| | | | - Barbara Fiedler
- Department of General Pediatrics, Division of Neuropediatrics, University Hospital Münster, Germany
| | - Andreas Hahn
- Department of Neuropediatrics, Justus-Liebig-University Gießen, Gießen, Germany
| | - Hans Hartmann
- Clinic for Pediatric Kidney, Liver and Metabolic Diseases, Hannover Medical School, Hannover, Germany
| | - Frauke Hornemann
- Department of Neuropediatrics, Leipzig University Hospital for Children and Adolescents, Leipzig, Germany
| | - Ilka Immisch
- Epilepsy Center Hessen and Department of Neurology, Philipps-University Marburg, Marburg, Germany
| | - Julia Jacobs
- Department of Neuropediatrics and Muscle Disorders, Center for Pediatrics, Medical Center, University of Freiburg, Faculty of Medicine, University of Freiburg, Freiburg i.Br., Germany; Department of Pediatrics and Clinical Neurosciences, Cumming School of Medicine, University of Calgary, Calgary, Alberta, Canada
| | - Matthias Kieslich
- Epilepsy Center Frankfurt Rhine-Main and Department of Neurology, Goethe-University Frankfurt, Frankfurt am Main, Germany; Department of Neuropediatrics, Goethe-University Frankfurt, Frankfurt am Main, Germany
| | - Karl Martin Klein
- Epilepsy Center Frankfurt Rhine-Main and Department of Neurology, Goethe-University Frankfurt, Frankfurt am Main, Germany; Center for Personalized Translational Epilepsy Research (CePTER), Goethe-University Frankfurt, Frankfurt am Main, Germany; Departments of Clinical Neurosciences, Medical Genetics and Community Health Sciences, Hotchkiss Brain Institute & Alberta Children's Hospital Research Institute, Cumming School of Medicine, University of Calgary, Calgary, Alberta, Canada
| | - Kerstin A Klotz
- Department of Neuropediatrics and Muscle Disorders, Center for Pediatrics, Medical Center, University of Freiburg, Faculty of Medicine, University of Freiburg, Freiburg i.Br., Germany; Berta-Ottenstein-Programme, Faculty of Medicine, University of Freiburg, Freiburg i.Br., Germany
| | - Gerhard Kluger
- Clinic for Neuropediatrics and Neurorehabilitation, Epilepsy Center for Children and Adolescents, Schön Clinic Vogtareuth, Germany; Research Institute, Rehabilitation, Transition and Palliation, PMU Salzburg, Salzburg, Austria
| | - Markus Knuf
- Department of Pediatrics, Klinikum Worms, Worms, Germany; Department of Pediatrics, University Medicine Mainz, Mainz, Germany
| | - Thomas Mayer
- Epilepsy Center Kleinwachau, Dresden-Radeberg, Germany
| | - Klaus Marquard
- Department of Pediatric Neurology, Psychosomatics and Pain management, Klinikum Stuttgart, Stuttgart, Germany
| | - Sascha Meyer
- Department of Neuropediatrics, University Children's Hospital of Saarland, Homburg, Germany
| | - Hiltrud Muhle
- Department of Neuropediatrics, Christian-Albrechts-University Kiel & University Hospital Schleswig-Holstein, Campus Kiel, Germany
| | - Karen Müller-Schlüter
- Epilepsy Center for Children, University Hospital Neuruppin, Brandenburg Medical School, Neuruppin, Germany
| | - Anna H Noda
- Epilepsy Center Frankfurt Rhine-Main and Department of Neurology, Goethe-University Frankfurt, Frankfurt am Main, Germany; Center for Personalized Translational Epilepsy Research (CePTER), Goethe-University Frankfurt, Frankfurt am Main, Germany
| | - Susanne Ruf
- Department of Neuropediatrics, University Hospital Tübingen, Tübingen, Germany
| | - Matthias Sauter
- Klinikum Kempten, Klinikverbund Allgäu, Kempten/Allgäu, Germany
| | - Jan-Ulrich Schlump
- Department of Neuropediatrics, University of Witten/Herdecke, Herdecke, Germany
| | - Steffen Syrbe
- Division of Pediatric Epileptology, Centre for Paediatrics and Adolescent Medicine, University Hospital Heidelberg, Heidelberg, Germany
| | - Charlotte Thiels
- Department of Neuropediatrics and Social Pediatrics, Ruhr University Bochum, Bochum, Germany
| | - Regina Trollmann
- Department of Neuropediatrics, Friedrich-Alexander University of Erlangen-Nürnberg, Erlangen, Germany
| | - Bernd Wilken
- Department of Neuropediatrics, Klinikum Kassel, Kassel, Germany
| | - Johann Philipp Zöllner
- Epilepsy Center Frankfurt Rhine-Main and Department of Neurology, Goethe-University Frankfurt, Frankfurt am Main, Germany; Center for Personalized Translational Epilepsy Research (CePTER), Goethe-University Frankfurt, Frankfurt am Main, Germany
| | - Felix Rosenow
- Epilepsy Center Frankfurt Rhine-Main and Department of Neurology, Goethe-University Frankfurt, Frankfurt am Main, Germany; Center for Personalized Translational Epilepsy Research (CePTER), Goethe-University Frankfurt, Frankfurt am Main, Germany
| | - Adam Strzelczyk
- Epilepsy Center Frankfurt Rhine-Main and Department of Neurology, Goethe-University Frankfurt, Frankfurt am Main, Germany; Center for Personalized Translational Epilepsy Research (CePTER), Goethe-University Frankfurt, Frankfurt am Main, Germany; Epilepsy Center Hessen and Department of Neurology, Philipps-University Marburg, Marburg, Germany.
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Epilepsy associated with tuberous sclerosis complex in childhood: Long-term outcome in children after epilepsy surgery and children non-eligible for epilepsy surgery. Epilepsy Behav 2021; 122:108210. [PMID: 34311180 DOI: 10.1016/j.yebeh.2021.108210] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/23/2021] [Revised: 07/01/2021] [Accepted: 07/01/2021] [Indexed: 11/24/2022]
Abstract
OBJECTIVE Drug-resistant epilepsy is one of the major disease burdens in patients with tuberous sclerosis complex (TSC). Epilepsy surgery has been shown to be effective in TSC, but making a decision for surgery is often more complex than in other surgically amenable epilepsy syndromes and not all patients with TSC are eligible. We investigated long-term outcomes (after ≥one year; median, 6.4 years) with a special interest in general developmental level, health-related quality of life, parental concerns due to epilepsy, impact on family, and social adaptation in children who underwent epilepsy surgery and in children who were not eligible for surgery. METHODS Eighty-five children (median age at intervention: 3.3 years, interquartile range [IQR]: 1.8-6.3 years) with TSC-related epilepsy had a presurgical investigation, and 34 of this group underwent epilepsy surgery. At follow-up (median age: 11.5 years, IQR: 7.8-15.5 years), we assessed seizure outcome, health-related quality of life, social adaptation, parental concerns due to epilepsy, and general developmental level based on established questionnaires and a standardized interview. Generalized linear models were performed for statistical evaluation. RESULTS At follow-up, 53% (18/34) of the operated patients were seizure free for ≥12 months and 30% (15/50) of the patients non-eligible for epilepsy surgery (p = 0.037). In the surgical group, developmental level was significantly higher in seizure-free patients, in comparison to non-seizure-free patients (p = 0.004); this was also observed in the non-surgical group, but less marked (p = 0.089). Furthermore, developmental level was significantly (p ≤ 0.001) related to quality of life, social adaptation, impact on family, and parental concerns. In both cohorts, parental concerns were less pronounced if children became seizure free (p < 0.001 and p = 0.018, respectively). SIGNIFICANCE In children with TSC-related epilepsy, quality of life, social adaptation, and impact on family were related to general developmental level, which in turn was significantly related to seizure freedom. Consequent epilepsy management aiming at seizure freedom, including presurgical evaluation and, if indicated, epilepsy surgery in a center specifically experienced with TSC-related epilepsy, is a worthwhile effort to improve quality of life in patients with TSC and their families.
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Schubert-Bast S, Strzelczyk A. Review of the treatment options for epilepsy in tuberous sclerosis complex: towards precision medicine. Ther Adv Neurol Disord 2021; 14:17562864211031100. [PMID: 34349839 PMCID: PMC8290505 DOI: 10.1177/17562864211031100] [Citation(s) in RCA: 22] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/20/2021] [Accepted: 06/21/2021] [Indexed: 12/24/2022] Open
Abstract
Tuberous sclerosis complex (TSC) is a rare genetic disorder caused by mutations in the TSC1 or TSC2 genes, which encode proteins that antagonise the mammalian isoform of the target of rapamycin complex 1 (mTORC1) - a key mediator of cell growth and metabolism. TSC is characterised by the development of benign tumours in multiple organs, together with neurological manifestations including epilepsy and TSC-associated neuropsychiatric disorders (TAND). Epilepsy occurs frequently and is associated with significant morbidity and mortality; however, the management is challenging due to the intractable nature of the seizures. Preventative epilepsy treatment is a key aim, especially as patients with epilepsy may be at a higher risk of developing severe cognitive and behavioural impairment. Vigabatrin given preventatively reduces the risk and severity of epilepsy although the benefits for TAND are inconclusive. These promising results could pave the way for evaluating other treatments in a preventative capacity, especially those that may address the underlying pathophysiology of TSC, including everolimus, cannabidiol and the ketogenic diet (KD). Everolimus is an mTOR inhibitor approved for the adjunctive treatment of refractory TSC-associated seizures that has demonstrated significant reductions in seizure frequency compared with placebo, improvements that were sustained after 2 years of treatment. Highly purified cannabidiol, recently approved in the US as Epidiolex® for TSC-associated seizures in patients ⩾1 years of age, and the KD, may also participate in the regulation of the mTOR pathway. This review focusses on the pivotal clinical evidence surrounding these potential targeted therapies that may form the foundation of precision medicine for TSC-associated epilepsy, as well as other current treatments including anti-seizure drugs, vagus nerve stimulation and surgery. New future therapies are also discussed, together with the potential for preventative treatment with targeted therapies. Due to advances in understanding the molecular genetics and pathophysiology, TSC represents a prototypic clinical syndrome for studying epileptogenesis and the impact of precision medicine.
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Affiliation(s)
- Susanne Schubert-Bast
- Epilepsy Center Frankfurt Rhine-Main, Center of Neurology and Neurosurgery, Goethe-University Frankfurt, Frankfurt am Main, Germany
| | - Adam Strzelczyk
- Epilepsy Center Frankfurt Rhine-Main, Goethe-University Frankfurt, Schleusenweg 2-16, Frankfurt am Main, 60528, Germany
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9
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Neurocognitive Effects of Antiseizure Medications in Children and Adolescents with Epilepsy. Paediatr Drugs 2021; 23:253-286. [PMID: 33956338 DOI: 10.1007/s40272-021-00448-0] [Citation(s) in RCA: 30] [Impact Index Per Article: 10.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 04/12/2021] [Indexed: 11/08/2022]
Abstract
Impairments in cognition are common in epilepsy and may be caused or exacerbated by antiseizure medications (ASMs). Positive effects on cognition may also be seen with some ASMs. Cognitive outcomes are of particular concern in children who may be at an increased risk of cognitive adverse effects of treatment. A comprehensive literature search was conducted in PubMed in order to evaluate the evidence for cognitive changes associated with treatment with ASMs in paediatric epilepsy patients. The ASMs considered were those in the current edition of the British National Formulary (BNF). For most ASMs, remarkably few studies providing robust data on cognitive effects in paediatric patients were identified. The available evidence suggests cognitive impairments may be associated with treatment with phenobarbital. Topiramate and phenytoin are also associated with negative effects on cognition, in particular word-finding difficulties and other language deficits with topiramate, but there are few data available specifically on children. Lamotrigine, levetiracetam and fenfluramine are associated with improvements in some cognitive domains, although it is unclear whether these effects are directly attributable to the medications or are a result of improvements in seizures. Neutral effects on cognition (no substantial evidence of worsening) were suggested for carbamazepine, everolimus, lacosamide, oxcarbazepine, perampanel and valproate. There is limited data for cannabidiol, clobazam, eslicarbazepine acetate, ethosuximide, rufinamide, vigabatrin and zonisamide, although the available evidence suggests these drugs are not associated with severe cognitive impairment. There was too little information to reach conclusions about the effects of brivaracetam, felbamate, gabapentin, pregabalin, retigabine, stiripentol or tiagabine.
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Everolimus als krankheitsspezifische Therapieoption bei mit tuberöser Sklerose assoziierter, therapierefraktärer Epilepsie – ein systematischer Überblick. ZEITSCHRIFT FUR EPILEPTOLOGIE 2021. [DOI: 10.1007/s10309-020-00393-x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/08/2023]
Abstract
ZusammenfassungTuberöse Sklerose („tuberous sclerosis complex“ [TSC]) ist eine seltene genetische Erkrankung, die neben kutanen und viszeralen Organmanifestationen typischerweise bereits in einem sehr frühen Erkrankungsstadium mit einer schweren, meist therapierefraktären Epilepsie einhergeht. Aufgrund seiner direkten Wirkung am durch TSC dysregulierten mTOR-Signalweg sowie der synergistischen Effekte auf andere Organmanifestationen kommt das Rapamycin-Derivat Everolimus (EVE) zunehmend zur Anwendung. Ziel dieses systematischen Reviews ist, die Wirksamkeit, Sicherheit und Verträglichkeit von EVE bei Patienten mit TSC-assoziierter, therapierefraktärer Epilepsie aufzuarbeiten.
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11
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Efficacy, Retention and Tolerability of Everolimus in Patients with Tuberous Sclerosis Complex: A Survey-Based Study on Patients' Perspectives. CNS Drugs 2021; 35:1107-1122. [PMID: 34275102 PMCID: PMC8478774 DOI: 10.1007/s40263-021-00839-4] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 06/21/2021] [Indexed: 12/18/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND The approval of everolimus (EVE) for the treatment of angiomyolipoma (2013), subependymal giant cell astrocytoma (2013) and drug-refractory epilepsy (2017) in patients with tuberous sclerosis complex (TSC) represents the first disease-modifying treatment option available for this rare and complex genetic disorder. OBJECTIVE The objective of this study was to analyse the use, efficacy, tolerability and treatment retention of EVE in patients with TSC in Germany from the patient's perspective. METHODS A structured cross-age survey was conducted at 26 specialised TSC centres in Germany and by the German TSC patient advocacy group between February and July 2019, enrolling children, adolescents and adult patients with TSC. RESULTS Of 365 participants, 36.7% (n = 134) reported the current or past intake of EVE, including 31.5% (n = 115) who were taking EVE at study entry. The mean EVE dosage was 6.1 ± 2.9 mg/m2 (median: 5.6 mg/m2, range 2.0-15.1 mg/m2) in children and adolescents and 4 ± 2.1 mg/m2 (median: 3.7 mg/m2, range 0.8-10.1 mg/m2) in adult patients. An early diagnosis of TSC, the presence of angiomyolipoma, drug-refractory epilepsy, neuropsychiatric manifestations, subependymal giant cell astrocytoma, cardiac rhabdomyoma and overall multi-organ involvement were associated with the use of EVE as a disease-modifying treatment. The reported efficacy was 64.0% for angiomyolipoma (75% in adult patients), 66.2% for drug-refractory epilepsy, and 54.4% for subependymal giant cell astrocytoma. The overall retention rate for EVE was 85.8%. The retention rates after 12 months of EVE therapy were higher among adults (93.7%) than among children and adolescents (88.7%; 90.5% vs 77.4% after 24 months; 87.3% vs 77.4% after 36 months). Tolerability was acceptable, with 70.9% of patients overall reporting adverse events, including stomatitis (47.0%), acne-like rash (7.7%), increased susceptibility to common infections and lymphoedema (each 6.0%), which were the most frequently reported symptoms. With a total score of 41.7 compared with 36.8 among patients not taking EVE, patients currently being treated with EVE showed an increased Liverpool Adverse Event Profile. Noticeable deviations in the sub-items 'tiredness', 'skin problems' and 'mouth/gum problems', which are likely related to EVE-typical adverse effects, were more frequently reported among patients taking EVE. CONCLUSIONS From the patients' perspective, EVE is an effective and relatively well-tolerated disease-modifying treatment option for children, adolescents and adults with TSC, associated with a high long-term retention rate that can be individually considered for each patient. Everolimus therapy should ideally be supervised by a centre experienced in the use of mechanistic target of rapamycin inhibitors, and adverse effects should be monitored on a regular basis.
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