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Peña-Ceballos J, Moloney PB, Kilbride RD, Naggar HE, Widdess-Walsh P, Delanty N. Oligoepilepsy and lifelong seizure susceptibility in epilepsy with generalized tonic-clonic seizures alone: Experience at an adult tertiary center. Epilepsy Res 2024; 202:107362. [PMID: 38652996 DOI: 10.1016/j.eplepsyres.2024.107362] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/23/2024] [Revised: 04/09/2024] [Accepted: 04/15/2024] [Indexed: 04/25/2024]
Abstract
OBJECTIVE Epilepsy with generalized tonic-clonic seizures alone (GTCA) is the least studied syndrome within the idiopathic generalized epilepsy (IGE) spectrum. We characterize a large cohort of adult patients with GTCA to understand natural history and drug responsiveness. METHODS In this retrospective single-center study using our epilepsy electronic record, we evaluated clinical characteristics, seizure outcomes, anti-seizure medication (ASM) response including seizure recurrence after ASM withdrawal, and sex differences in a cohort of GTCA patients aged ≥17 years. RESULTS Within a cohort of 434 IGE patients, 87 patients (20 %) with GTCA were included. The mean age was 34.9 years (range 17-73 years). Forty-six patients (52.8 %) were females. Seventy-two patients (82.8 %) were seizure-free and 15 (17.2 %) had active epilepsy over the previous 12 months. Thirty-four patients (39.1 %) had ≤5 lifetime seizures, aligning with a prior definition of 'oligoepilepsy'. Sixty-five patients (74.7 %) were treated with monotherapy, 19 (21.8 %) were treated with polytherapy, and three were not taking any ASM. Levetiracetam (37.9 %) was the most commonly prescribed ASM, followed by lamotrigine (32.1 %) and valproate (31 %). Seventeen patients (19.5 %) attempted to withdraw their ASM. The rate of seizure recurrence after ASM withdrawal was 88.2 % (15/17), including two patients who relapsed more than 20 years after ASM discontinuation. Females had more seizures in their lifetime and had trialed more ASM compared to males. SIGNIFICANCE GTCA has a relatively good prognosis, with most patients becoming seizure-free on monotherapy. The high rate of seizure recurrence after ASM withdrawal supports lifetime seizure susceptibility. We found potential sex differences in seizure outcomes and ASM response, although further research is needed to validate this finding.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Patrick B Moloney
- Department of Neurology, Beaumont Hospital, Dublin, Ireland; School of Pharmacy and Biomolecular Sciences, Royal College of Surgeons in Ireland, Dublin, Ireland; FutureNeuro, the Science Foundation Ireland Research Centre for Chronic and Rare Neurological Diseases, Dublin, Ireland
| | | | - Hany El Naggar
- Department of Neurology, Beaumont Hospital, Dublin, Ireland; School of Pharmacy and Biomolecular Sciences, Royal College of Surgeons in Ireland, Dublin, Ireland; FutureNeuro, the Science Foundation Ireland Research Centre for Chronic and Rare Neurological Diseases, Dublin, Ireland
| | | | - Norman Delanty
- Department of Neurology, Beaumont Hospital, Dublin, Ireland; School of Pharmacy and Biomolecular Sciences, Royal College of Surgeons in Ireland, Dublin, Ireland; FutureNeuro, the Science Foundation Ireland Research Centre for Chronic and Rare Neurological Diseases, Dublin, Ireland.
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Nica A. Drug-resistant juvenile myoclonic epilepsy: A literature review. Rev Neurol (Paris) 2024; 180:271-289. [PMID: 38461125 DOI: 10.1016/j.neurol.2024.02.385] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/18/2023] [Revised: 02/13/2024] [Accepted: 02/14/2024] [Indexed: 03/11/2024]
Abstract
The ILAE's Task Force on Nosology and Definitions revised in 2022 its definition of juvenile myoclonic epilepsy (JME), the most common idiopathic generalized epilepsy disorder, but this definition may well change again in the future. Although good drug response could almost be a diagnostic criterion for JME, drug resistance (DR) is observed in up to a third of patients. It is important to distinguish this from pseudoresistance, which is often linked to psychosocial problems or psychiatric comorbidities. After summarizing these aspects and the various definitions applied to JME, the present review lists the risk factors for DR-JME that have been identified in numerous studies and meta-analyses. The factors most often cited are absence seizures, young age at onset, and catamenial seizures. By contrast, photosensitivity seems to favor good treatment response, at least in female patients. Current hypotheses on DR mechanisms in JME are based on studies of either simple (e.g., cortical excitability) or more complex (e.g., anatomical and functional connectivity) neurophysiological markers, bearing in mind that JME is regarded as a neural network disease. This research has revealed correlations between the intensity of some markers and DR, and above all shed light on the role of these markers in associated neurocognitive and neuropsychiatric disorders in both patients and their siblings. Studies of neurotransmission have mainly pointed to impaired GABAergic inhibition. Genetic studies have generally been inconclusive. Increasing restrictions have been placed on the use of valproate, the standard antiseizure medication for this syndrome, owing to its teratogenic and developmental risks. Levetiracetam and lamotrigine are prescribed as alternatives, as is vagal nerve stimulation, and there are several other promising antiseizure drugs and neuromodulation methods. The development of better alternative treatments is continuing to take place alongside advances in our knowledge of JME, as we still have much to learn and understand.
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Affiliation(s)
- A Nica
- Epilepsy Unit, Reference Center for Rare Epilepsies, Neurology Department, Clinical Investigation Center 1414, Rennes University Hospital, Rennes, France; Signal and Image Processing Laboratory (LTSI), INSERM, Rennes University, Rennes, France.
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Kajin F, Meyerhoff N, Charalambous M, Volk HA. "Resistance Is Futile": A Pilot Study into Pseudoresistance in Canine Epilepsy. Animals (Basel) 2023; 13:3125. [PMID: 37835731 PMCID: PMC10571656 DOI: 10.3390/ani13193125] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/19/2023] [Revised: 09/30/2023] [Accepted: 10/03/2023] [Indexed: 10/15/2023] Open
Abstract
Epilepsy is a common neurological disorder in veterinary practice, complicated by frequent occurrence of medication-resistant epilepsy. In human medicine, it has been noted that some patients with medication-resistant epilepsy have in fact other reasons for their apparent medication-resistance. The aim of this retrospective study was to describe the issue of pseudoresistance using as an example a population of dogs presented with presumed medication-resistant epilepsy and provide an in-depth review of what is known in human medicine about pseudoresistant epilepsy. One-hundred fifty-two cases were identified with medication-resistant epilepsy, of which 73% had true medication-resistant epilepsy and 27% patients had pseudoresistance. Low serum anti-seizure medication levels were the most common cause of pseudoresistance, present in almost half of the cases (42%), followed by inadequate choice of drugs or dosages (22%), misclassification (22%) or misdiagnosis (9%) of epilepsy and poor compliance (9%). All cases of pseudoresistance, except for one, responded to a modification of the initial therapy protocol. Pseudoresistance can bias clinical trials, misinform the clinical decision-making process, delay diagnosis and treatment, and misinform owners about their pets' prognosis. A substantial proportion of these cases can have improvement of their seizure frequency or achieve seizure freedom upon modification of their therapeutic protocol.
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Affiliation(s)
- Filip Kajin
- Department of Small Animal Medicine and Surgery, University of Veterinary Medicine, 30559 Hannover, Germany; (F.K.); (N.M.); (M.C.)
- Clinic for Internal Diseases, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, University of Zagreb, 10000 Zagreb, Croatia
| | - Nina Meyerhoff
- Department of Small Animal Medicine and Surgery, University of Veterinary Medicine, 30559 Hannover, Germany; (F.K.); (N.M.); (M.C.)
| | - Marios Charalambous
- Department of Small Animal Medicine and Surgery, University of Veterinary Medicine, 30559 Hannover, Germany; (F.K.); (N.M.); (M.C.)
| | - Holger Andreas Volk
- Department of Small Animal Medicine and Surgery, University of Veterinary Medicine, 30559 Hannover, Germany; (F.K.); (N.M.); (M.C.)
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Mesraoua B, Brigo F, Lattanzi S, Abou-Khalil B, Al Hail H, Asadi-Pooya AA. Drug-resistant epilepsy: Definition, pathophysiology, and management. J Neurol Sci 2023; 452:120766. [PMID: 37597343 DOI: 10.1016/j.jns.2023.120766] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/04/2023] [Revised: 07/24/2023] [Accepted: 08/13/2023] [Indexed: 08/21/2023]
Abstract
There are currently >51 million people with epilepsy (PWE) in the world and every year >4.9 million people develop new-onset epilepsy. The cornerstone of treatment in PWE is drug therapy with antiseizure medications (ASMs). However, about one-third of PWE do not achieve seizure control and do not respond well to drug therapy despite the use of appropriate ASMs [drug-resistant epilepsy (DRE)]. The aims of the current narrative review are to discuss the definition of DRE, explain the biological underpinnings and clinical biomarkers of this condition, and finally to suggest practical management strategies to tackle this issue appropriately, in a concise manner.
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Affiliation(s)
- Boulenouar Mesraoua
- Neurosciences Department, Hamad Medical Corporation and Weill Cornell Medical College, Doha, Qatar.
| | - Francesco Brigo
- Department of Neurology, Hospital of Merano (SABES-ASDAA), Merano-Meran, Italy
| | - Simona Lattanzi
- Neurological Clinic, Department of Experimental and Clinical Medicine, Marche Polytechnic University, Ancona, Italy
| | | | - Hassan Al Hail
- Neurosciences Department, Hamad Medical Corporation and Weill Cornell Medical College, Doha, Qatar.
| | - Ali A Asadi-Pooya
- Epilepsy Research Center, Shiraz University of Medical Sciences, Shiraz, Iran; Jefferson Comprehensive Epilepsy Center, Department of Neurology, Thomas Jefferson University, Philadelphia, PA, USA
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Rehim E, Li SP, Vendrame M. Seizure control with treatment of delayed sleep-wake phase disorder in juvenile myoclonic epilepsy: A case report. Epilepsy Behav Rep 2023; 23:100614. [PMID: 37501890 PMCID: PMC10368759 DOI: 10.1016/j.ebr.2023.100614] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/02/2023] [Revised: 07/01/2023] [Accepted: 07/10/2023] [Indexed: 07/29/2023] Open
Abstract
Juvenile Myoclonic Epilepsy (JME) is an idiopathic generalized epilepsy associated with a characteristic sleep/wake rhythm, with the tendency to go to bed later at night, to get up later in the morning. In the pediatric population, we have previously observed specific circadian and sleep/wake patterns of generalized seizures (6 am-12 pm) and myoclonic seizures (in wakefulness, 6 am to noon). Delayed Sleep-Wake Phase Disorder (DSWPD) is characterized by sleep initiation insomnia when attempting sleep at conventional times and difficulty waking at the required time. Here we present the case of a 20-year-old man with JME, diagnosed DSWPD (sleep schedule 3 am to 11 am), presenting with nocturnal seizures out of sleep, always between 5 and 6am. Improvements in seizure control (seizure frequency from 8 per month to 0 per month) were achieved with timed evening melatonin, combined with behavioral sleep-wake scheduling (sleep schedule 10 pm to 6 am) and morning light therapy. Recognition and characterization of DSWPD in JME, together with assessment of circadian and diurnal seizure patterns, may offer therapeutic consideration for better control of seizures.
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Affiliation(s)
- Erafat Rehim
- Lehigh Valley Fleming Neuroscience Institute, Lehigh Valley Health Network, 1250 South Cedar Crest Blvd, Allentown, PA 18103, United States
| | - Snow Pinxue Li
- University of South Florida Morsani College of Medicine, 1200 South Cedar Crest Blvd, Allentown, PA 18103-6202, United States
| | - Martina Vendrame
- Lehigh Valley Fleming Neuroscience Institute, Lehigh Valley Health Network, 1250 South Cedar Crest Blvd, Allentown, PA 18103, United States
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Mangaard S, Gesche J, Krøigård T, Beier CP. Association of symptoms of psychiatric disease and electroencephalographic patterns in idiopathic generalized epilepsy. Epilepsy Behav 2023; 145:109293. [PMID: 37315408 DOI: 10.1016/j.yebeh.2023.109293] [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: 03/16/2023] [Revised: 05/26/2023] [Accepted: 05/27/2023] [Indexed: 06/16/2023]
Abstract
OBJECTIVE Idiopathic generalized epilepsies (IGE) are genetic epilepsies with alterations of thalamo-frontocortical circuits that play a major role in seizure generation and propagation. Psychiatric diseases and drug resistance are strongly associated, but it remains unknown if they are symptoms of the same pathophysiological process. Hypothesizing that the same network alterations are associated with the frequency of epileptic discharges (ED) and psychiatric symptoms, we here tested the association of self-reported psychiatric symptoms and IGE severity estimated by electroencephalographic (EEG) biomarkers. METHODS Idiopathic generalized epilepsies patients were asked to fill out four validated psychiatric screening tools assessing symptoms of personality disorders (Standard Assessment of Personality- Abbreviated Scale), depression (Major Depression Inventory), impulsiveness (Barratt Impulsiveness Scale), and anxiety (brief Epilepsy Anxiety Survey Instrument). Blinded to results and clinical data on the patients, we analyzed the patients' EEGs, assessed, and quantified ED. The number and duration of ED divided by the duration of the EEG served as a proxy for the severity of IGE that was correlated with the results of the psychiatric screening. RESULTS Paired data from 64 patients were available for analysis. The duration of EDs per minute EEG was inversely associated with the time since the last seizure. The number of patients with generalized polyspike trains (n = 2), generalized paroxysmal fast activity (n = 3), and prolonged epileptiform discharges (n = 10) were too low for statistically meaningful analyses. Self-reported symptoms of depression, personality disorder, and impulsivity were not associated with EDs. In contrast, the duration of EDs per minute EEG was associated with self-reported symptoms of anxiety in univariate analyses, not significant, however, following adjustment for time since the last seizure in regression models. SIGNIFICANCE Self-reported symptoms of psychiatric diseases were not strongly associated with EDs as the best available quantifiable biomarker of IGE severity. As expected, the duration of EDs per minute and anxiety was inversely associated with time since the last seizure. Our data argue against a direct link between the frequency of EDs - as an objective proxy of IGE severity - and psychiatric symptoms.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sofie Mangaard
- Department of Neurology, Odense University Hospital, Denmark
| | - Joanna Gesche
- Department of Neurology, Odense University Hospital, Denmark; Department of Clinical Research, University of Southern Denmark, Denmark
| | - Thomas Krøigård
- Department of Neurophysiology, Odense University Hospital, Denmark; Department of Clinical Research, University of Southern Denmark, Denmark
| | - Christoph P Beier
- Department of Neurology, Odense University Hospital, Denmark; Department of Clinical Research, University of Southern Denmark, Denmark; OPEN, University of Southern Denmark, Denmark.
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Rubboli G, Beier CP, Selmer KK, Syvertsen M, Shakeshaft A, Collingwood A, Hall A, Andrade DM, Fong CY, Gesche J, Greenberg DA, Hamandi K, Lim KS, Ng CC, Orsini A, Striano P, Thomas RH, Zarubova J, Richardson MP, Strug LJ, Pal DK. Variation in prognosis and treatment outcome in juvenile myoclonic epilepsy: a Biology of Juvenile Myoclonic Epilepsy Consortium proposal for a practical definition and stratified medicine classifications. Brain Commun 2023; 5:fcad182. [PMID: 37361715 PMCID: PMC10288558 DOI: 10.1093/braincomms/fcad182] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/01/2022] [Revised: 03/21/2023] [Accepted: 06/08/2023] [Indexed: 06/28/2023] Open
Abstract
Reliable definitions, classifications and prognostic models are the cornerstones of stratified medicine, but none of the current classifications systems in epilepsy address prognostic or outcome issues. Although heterogeneity is widely acknowledged within epilepsy syndromes, the significance of variation in electroclinical features, comorbidities and treatment response, as they relate to diagnostic and prognostic purposes, has not been explored. In this paper, we aim to provide an evidence-based definition of juvenile myoclonic epilepsy showing that with a predefined and limited set of mandatory features, variation in juvenile myoclonic epilepsy phenotype can be exploited for prognostic purposes. Our study is based on clinical data collected by the Biology of Juvenile Myoclonic Epilepsy Consortium augmented by literature data. We review prognosis research on mortality and seizure remission, predictors of antiseizure medication resistance and selected adverse drug events to valproate, levetiracetam and lamotrigine. Based on our analysis, a simplified set of diagnostic criteria for juvenile myoclonic epilepsy includes the following: (i) myoclonic jerks as mandatory seizure type; (ii) a circadian timing for myoclonia not mandatory for the diagnosis of juvenile myoclonic epilepsy; (iii) age of onset ranging from 6 to 40 years; (iv) generalized EEG abnormalities; and (v) intelligence conforming to population distribution. We find sufficient evidence to propose a predictive model of antiseizure medication resistance that emphasises (i) absence seizures as the strongest stratifying factor with regard to antiseizure medication resistance or seizure freedom for both sexes and (ii) sex as a major stratifying factor, revealing elevated odds of antiseizure medication resistance that correlates to self-report of catamenial and stress-related factors including sleep deprivation. In women, there are reduced odds of antiseizure medication resistance associated with EEG-measured or self-reported photosensitivity. In conclusion, by applying a simplified set of criteria to define phenotypic variations of juvenile myoclonic epilepsy, our paper proposes an evidence-based definition and prognostic stratification of juvenile myoclonic epilepsy. Further studies in existing data sets of individual patient data would be helpful to replicate our findings, and prospective studies in inception cohorts will contribute to validate them in real-world practice for juvenile myoclonic epilepsy management.
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Affiliation(s)
- Guido Rubboli
- Danish Epilepsy Centre, Filadelfia, Dianalund 4293, Denmark
- Institute of Clinical Medicine, University of Copenhagen, Copenhagen 2200, Denmark
| | - Christoph P Beier
- Department of Neurology, Odense University Hospital, Odense 5000, Denmark
| | - Kaja K Selmer
- Department of Research and Innovation, Division of Clinical Neuroscience, Oslo University Hospital, Oslo 0372, Norway
- National Centre for Epilepsy, Oslo University Hospital, Oslo 1337, Norway
| | - Marte Syvertsen
- Department of Neurology, Drammen Hospital, Vestre Viken Health Trust, Oslo 3004, Norway
| | - Amy Shakeshaft
- Department of Basic and Clinical Neurosciences, Institute of Psychiatry, Psychology and Neuroscience, King’s College London, London SE5 8AF, UK
- MRC Centre for Neurodevelopmental Disorders, King’s College London, London SW1H 9NA, UK
| | - Amber Collingwood
- Department of Basic and Clinical Neurosciences, Institute of Psychiatry, Psychology and Neuroscience, King’s College London, London SE5 8AF, UK
| | - Anna Hall
- Department of Basic and Clinical Neurosciences, Institute of Psychiatry, Psychology and Neuroscience, King’s College London, London SE5 8AF, UK
| | - Danielle M Andrade
- Adult Epilepsy Genetics Program, Krembil Research Institute, University of Toronto, Toronto M5T 0S8, Canada
| | - Choong Yi Fong
- Division of Paediatric Neurology, Department of Pediatrics, Faculty of Medicine, University of Malaya, Kuala Lumpur 50603, Malaysia
| | - Joanna Gesche
- Department of Neurology, Odense University Hospital, Odense 5000, Denmark
| | - David A Greenberg
- Abigail Wexner Research Institute, Nationwide Children’s Hospital, Columbus 43215, USA
| | - Khalid Hamandi
- Department of Neurology, Cardiff & Vale University Health Board, Cardiff CF14 4XW, UK
| | - Kheng Seang Lim
- Division of Neurology, Department of Medicine, Faculty of Medicine, University of Malaya, Kuala Lumpur 50603, Malaysia
| | - Ching Ching Ng
- Institute of Biological Sciences, Faculty of Science, University of Malaya, Kuala Lumpur 50603, Malaysia
| | - Alessandro Orsini
- Department of Clinical and Experimental Medicine, Pisa University Hospital, Pisa 56126, Italy
| | - Pasquale Striano
- Pediatric Neurology and Muscular Disease Unit, IRCCS Istituto ‘G. Gaslini’, Genova 16147, Italy
- Department of Neurosciences, Rehabilitation, Ophthalmology, Genetics, Maternal and Child Health, University of Genova, Genova 16132, Italy
| | - Rhys H Thomas
- Newcastle upon Tyne NHS Foundation Trust, Newcastle upon Tyne NE7 7DN, UK
- Translational and Clinical Research Institute, Faculty of Medical Sciences, Newcastle University, Newcastle upon Tyne NE1 7RU, UK
| | - Jana Zarubova
- Department of Neurology, Second Faculty of Medicine, Charles University, Prague 150 06, Czech Republic
- Motol University Hospital, Prague 150 06, Czech Republic
| | - Mark P Richardson
- Department of Basic and Clinical Neurosciences, Institute of Psychiatry, Psychology and Neuroscience, King’s College London, London SE5 8AF, UK
- MRC Centre for Neurodevelopmental Disorders, King’s College London, London SW1H 9NA, UK
- School of Neuroscience, Institute of Psychiatry, Psychology and Neuroscience, King’s College, London SE5 8AF, UK
| | - Lisa J Strug
- Program in Genetics and Genome Biology, The Hospital for Sick Children, Toronto M5G 1X8, Canada
- Departments of Statistical Sciences and Computer Science and Division of Biostatistics, The University of Toronto, Toronto M5G 1Z5, Canada
| | - Deb K Pal
- Department of Basic and Clinical Neurosciences, Institute of Psychiatry, Psychology and Neuroscience, King’s College London, London SE5 8AF, UK
- MRC Centre for Neurodevelopmental Disorders, King’s College London, London SW1H 9NA, UK
- School of Neuroscience, Institute of Psychiatry, Psychology and Neuroscience, King’s College, London SE5 8AF, UK
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Seizure control in mono- and combination therapy in a cohort of patients with Idiopathic Generalized Epilepsy. Sci Rep 2022; 12:12350. [PMID: 35854146 PMCID: PMC9296520 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-022-16718-x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/04/2022] [Accepted: 07/14/2022] [Indexed: 11/09/2022] Open
Abstract
Idiopathic Generalized Epilepsy (IGE) patients may not achieve optimal seizure control with monotherapy. Our goal was to evaluate the efficacy of combination therapy in a retrospective series of IGE patients receiving different antiseizure medication (ASM) regimens. We retrospectively identified all patients with adolescence onset IGE with typical clinical and EEG features from a single epilepsy specialist clinic from 2009 to 2020. We evaluated long-term seizure control, for VPA, LEV, LTG mono and combination therapy. We studied 59 patients. VPA was more commonly used in men (84%) than in women (44%) (p < 0.05). VPA was the initial drug of choice in 39% of patients, followed by LEV (22%) and LTG (14.9%). Thirty-nine patients (66.1%) achieved complete seizure control for at least one year. Fifty patients (84.7)% had partial control, without GTC occurrence, for at least one year. VPA was superior to LTG for complete seizure control (p = 0.03), but not for minor seizure control or pseudoresistance (p > 0.05). Combination therapy was superior to LEV and LTG monotherapy for complete control (p = 0.03), without differences for minor seizures and pseudoresistance outcomes (p > 0.05). Combination therapy not including VPA was also non-inferior to VPA monotherapy in all settings. Combination therapy was superior to LTG and LEV monotherapy in IGE, and may be equally effective including or not VPA. Combination therapy including LTG, LEV, and/or VPA is an effective treatment option after monotherapy failure with one of these ASM in IGE. Dual therapy with LEV-LTG should be considered in monotheraphy failure, to avoid fetal effects of in utero VPA exposure.
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