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Cerulli Irelli E, Morano A, Orlando B, Salamone EM, Fanella M, Fattouch J, Manfredi M, Giallonardo AT, Di Bonaventura C. Seizure outcome trajectories in a well-defined cohort of newly diagnosed juvenile myoclonic epilepsy patients. Acta Neurol Scand 2022; 145:314-321. [PMID: 34791656 DOI: 10.1111/ane.13556] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/08/2021] [Revised: 10/26/2021] [Accepted: 11/08/2021] [Indexed: 01/27/2023]
Abstract
OBJECTIVE To investigate the temporal course of medication response and associated prognostic factors in a cohort of juvenile myoclonic epilepsy (JME) patients over a long-term follow-up. MATERIALS AND METHODS Data from 113 JME patients diagnosed according to recently proposed class II criteria were retrospectively reviewed. Early sustained remission was defined as 4-year seizure remission starting within 2 years from the first antiseizure medication (ASM) intake, as opposed to delayed sustained remission. Spontaneous relapse rate (ie, not related to ASM withdrawal) was also investigated, along with factors associated with seizure relapse. RESULTS Four-year seizure remission was obtained by 76/113 (67.3%) subjects. Early sustained remission was achieved by 45/76 (59.2%) patients. Absence seizures were significantly associated with no-remission at multivariable multinomial logistic regression analysis. Catamenial seizures and earlier age at epilepsy onset significantly predicted delayed sustained remission. Spontaneous seizure relapse after 4-year remission occurred in 15.7% of patients with early sustained remission and in 35.5% of those with delayed sustained remission (p = 0.045). The most common concomitant factors for a spontaneous relapse were irregular lifestyle habits and pregnancy-related switch from valproate to another ASM. Patients with a history of catamenial seizures were more likely to experience a spontaneous generalized tonic-clonic seizure relapse after 4-year remission at univariable analysis. SIGNIFICANCE Our data support the prognostic relevance of early medication response in JME patients. Furthermore, the prognostic significance of catamenial seizures and the impact of valproate switch on seizure relapse after a prolonged remission account for the challenging therapeutic management of women with childbearing potential.
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Affiliation(s)
- Emanuele Cerulli Irelli
- Epilepsy Unit Department of Human Neurosciences Policlinico “Umberto I”, “Sapienza” University Rome Italy
| | - Alessandra Morano
- Epilepsy Unit Department of Human Neurosciences Policlinico “Umberto I”, “Sapienza” University Rome Italy
| | - Biagio Orlando
- Epilepsy Unit Department of Human Neurosciences Policlinico “Umberto I”, “Sapienza” University Rome Italy
| | - Enrico M. Salamone
- Epilepsy Unit Department of Human Neurosciences Policlinico “Umberto I”, “Sapienza” University Rome Italy
| | - Martina Fanella
- Epilepsy Unit Department of Human Neurosciences Policlinico “Umberto I”, “Sapienza” University Rome Italy
| | - Jinane Fattouch
- Epilepsy Unit Department of Human Neurosciences Policlinico “Umberto I”, “Sapienza” University Rome Italy
| | - Mario Manfredi
- Epilepsy Unit Department of Human Neurosciences Policlinico “Umberto I”, “Sapienza” University Rome Italy
| | - Anna T. Giallonardo
- Epilepsy Unit Department of Human Neurosciences Policlinico “Umberto I”, “Sapienza” University Rome Italy
| | - Carlo Di Bonaventura
- Epilepsy Unit Department of Human Neurosciences Policlinico “Umberto I”, “Sapienza” University Rome Italy
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Boßelmann CM. Seizures, semiology, and syndromes: A narrative review. Seizure 2021; 92:230-233. [PMID: 34607271 DOI: 10.1016/j.seizure.2021.09.019] [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: 09/21/2021] [Accepted: 09/23/2021] [Indexed: 11/16/2022] Open
Abstract
Clinical seizure signs continue to be of central importance to guide diagnosis, classification, treatment and prognosis. Some basic principles guide history-taking and observation in clinical epileptology. The information contained within subjective seizure descriptions can be framed within standardized vocabulary and a classification of ictal signs, seizure types, and the integrated framework of epilepsy syndromes. As illustrative examples, we discuss the historical origins and current research context of Dravet syndrome and Janz syndrome, two genetic epilepsy syndromes. In candidates for epilepsy surgery, ictal signs aid us in identifying the symptomatogenic zone and hence delineating the ictal onset zone. Here, historical reports from Victor Horsley and Hughlings Jackson provide valuable perspective on clinical reasoning. Lastly, the information contained within clinical signs and syndromes presents an indispensable data source in future efforts of large-scale genotype-phenotype correlations and machine learning methods.
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Affiliation(s)
- Christian Malte Boßelmann
- Department of Neurology and Epileptology, Hertie Institute for Clinical Brain Research, University of Tuebingen, Tuebingen, Germany; Methods in Medical Informatics, Department of Computer Science, University of Tuebingen, Tuebingen, Germany.
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Ascoli M, Mastroianni G, Gasparini S, Striano P, Cianci V, Neri S, Bova V, Mammì A, Gambardella A, Labate A, Aguglia U, Ferlazzo E. Diagnostic and therapeutic approach to drug-resistant juvenile myoclonic epilepsy. Expert Rev Neurother 2021; 21:1265-1273. [PMID: 33993822 DOI: 10.1080/14737175.2021.1931126] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/07/2023]
Abstract
INTRODUCTION Juvenile myoclonic epilepsy (JME), also known as Janz syndrome, is a common form of generalized epilepsy of presumed genetic origin representing up to 10% of all epilepsy cases. Despite adequate anti-seizure medication (ASM) treatment, seizures persist in one-third of JME patients. AREAS COVERED A literature search was conducted using Pubmed search on the topics of drug-resistant JME. EXPERT OPINION About 30% of JME patients are drug-resistant. Valproate (VPA) is considered the first-choice drug. In women of childbearing potential, levetiracetam (LEV) should represent the first-choice treatment. Alternative monotherapy or add-on therapy should be considered in subjects with resistant seizures after the exclusion of pseudo-drug resistance. The choice of the add-on ASM depends on the predominant seizure type. In subjects with persistent bilateral tonic-clonic seizures, LEV or lamotrigine should be firstly considered. In patients with difficult-to-treat myoclonic seizures, clonazepam or LEV are recommended. In case of persistent absences, ethosuximide should be considered. With appropriate selection and safeguards in place, VPA should remain available as an option in women of childbearing potential whose seizures are resistant to other treatments.
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Affiliation(s)
- Michele Ascoli
- Department of Medical and Surgical Sciences, Magna Graecia University, Catanzaro, Italy.,Regional Epilepsy Centre, Great Metropolitan Hospital, Via Melacrino, Reggio, Calabria, Italy
| | - Giovanni Mastroianni
- Regional Epilepsy Centre, Great Metropolitan Hospital, Via Melacrino, Reggio, Calabria, Italy
| | - Sara Gasparini
- Department of Medical and Surgical Sciences, Magna Graecia University, Catanzaro, Italy.,Regional Epilepsy Centre, Great Metropolitan Hospital, Via Melacrino, Reggio, Calabria, Italy
| | - Pasquale Striano
- Paediatric Neurology and Muscular Disease Unit, IRCCS Institute "Giannina Gaslini", Genova, Italy.,Department of Neurosciences, Rehabilitation, Ophthalmology, Genetics, Maternal and Child Health, University of Genova, Genova, Italy
| | - Vittoria Cianci
- Regional Epilepsy Centre, Great Metropolitan Hospital, Via Melacrino, Reggio, Calabria, Italy
| | - Sabrina Neri
- Department of Medical and Surgical Sciences, Magna Graecia University, Catanzaro, Italy
| | - Valentina Bova
- Regional Epilepsy Centre, Great Metropolitan Hospital, Via Melacrino, Reggio, Calabria, Italy
| | - Anna Mammì
- Department of Medical and Surgical Sciences, Magna Graecia University, Catanzaro, Italy
| | - Antonio Gambardella
- Department of Medical and Surgical Sciences, Magna Graecia University, Catanzaro, Italy
| | - Angelo Labate
- Department of Medical and Surgical Sciences, Magna Graecia University, Catanzaro, Italy
| | - Umberto Aguglia
- Department of Medical and Surgical Sciences, Magna Graecia University, Catanzaro, Italy.,Regional Epilepsy Centre, Great Metropolitan Hospital, Via Melacrino, Reggio, Calabria, Italy.,Institute of Molecular Bioimaging and Physiology, National Research Council, Viale Europa, Catanzaro, Italy
| | - Edoardo Ferlazzo
- Department of Medical and Surgical Sciences, Magna Graecia University, Catanzaro, Italy.,Regional Epilepsy Centre, Great Metropolitan Hospital, Via Melacrino, Reggio, Calabria, Italy.,Institute of Molecular Bioimaging and Physiology, National Research Council, Viale Europa, Catanzaro, Italy
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Thakran S, Guin D, Singh P, Singh P, Kukal S, Rawat C, Yadav S, Kushwaha SS, Srivastava AK, Hasija Y, Saso L, Ramachandran S, Kukreti R. Genetic Landscape of Common Epilepsies: Advancing towards Precision in Treatment. Int J Mol Sci 2020; 21:E7784. [PMID: 33096746 PMCID: PMC7589654 DOI: 10.3390/ijms21207784] [Citation(s) in RCA: 42] [Impact Index Per Article: 10.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/10/2020] [Revised: 10/09/2020] [Accepted: 10/14/2020] [Indexed: 12/15/2022] Open
Abstract
Epilepsy, a neurological disease characterized by recurrent seizures, is highly heterogeneous in nature. Based on the prevalence, epilepsy is classified into two types: common and rare epilepsies. Common epilepsies affecting nearly 95% people with epilepsy, comprise generalized epilepsy which encompass idiopathic generalized epilepsy like childhood absence epilepsy, juvenile myoclonic epilepsy, juvenile absence epilepsy and epilepsy with generalized tonic-clonic seizure on awakening and focal epilepsy like temporal lobe epilepsy and cryptogenic focal epilepsy. In 70% of the epilepsy cases, genetic factors are responsible either as single genetic variant in rare epilepsies or multiple genetic variants acting along with different environmental factors as in common epilepsies. Genetic testing and precision treatment have been developed for a few rare epilepsies and is lacking for common epilepsies due to their complex nature of inheritance. Precision medicine for common epilepsies require a panoramic approach that incorporates polygenic background and other non-genetic factors like microbiome, diet, age at disease onset, optimal time for treatment and other lifestyle factors which influence seizure threshold. This review aims to comprehensively present a state-of-art review of all the genes and their genetic variants that are associated with all common epilepsy subtypes. It also encompasses the basis of these genes in the epileptogenesis. Here, we discussed the current status of the common epilepsy genetics and address the clinical application so far on evidence-based markers in prognosis, diagnosis, and treatment management. In addition, we assessed the diagnostic predictability of a few genetic markers used for disease risk prediction in individuals. A combination of deeper endo-phenotyping including pharmaco-response data, electro-clinical imaging, and other clinical measurements along with genetics may be used to diagnose common epilepsies and this marks a step ahead in precision medicine in common epilepsies management.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sarita Thakran
- Genomics and Molecular Medicine Unit, Institute of Genomics and Integrative Biology (IGIB), Council of Scientific and Industrial Research (CSIR), Delhi 110007, India; (S.T.); (D.G.); (P.S.); (P.S.); (S.K.); (C.R.); (S.Y.)
- Academy of Scientific and Innovative Research (AcSIR), Ghaziabad 201002, India;
| | - Debleena Guin
- Genomics and Molecular Medicine Unit, Institute of Genomics and Integrative Biology (IGIB), Council of Scientific and Industrial Research (CSIR), Delhi 110007, India; (S.T.); (D.G.); (P.S.); (P.S.); (S.K.); (C.R.); (S.Y.)
- Department of Bioinformatics, Delhi Technological University, Shahbad Daulatpur, Main Bawana Road, Delhi 110042, India;
| | - Pooja Singh
- Genomics and Molecular Medicine Unit, Institute of Genomics and Integrative Biology (IGIB), Council of Scientific and Industrial Research (CSIR), Delhi 110007, India; (S.T.); (D.G.); (P.S.); (P.S.); (S.K.); (C.R.); (S.Y.)
- Academy of Scientific and Innovative Research (AcSIR), Ghaziabad 201002, India;
| | - Priyanka Singh
- Genomics and Molecular Medicine Unit, Institute of Genomics and Integrative Biology (IGIB), Council of Scientific and Industrial Research (CSIR), Delhi 110007, India; (S.T.); (D.G.); (P.S.); (P.S.); (S.K.); (C.R.); (S.Y.)
- Academy of Scientific and Innovative Research (AcSIR), Ghaziabad 201002, India;
| | - Samiksha Kukal
- Genomics and Molecular Medicine Unit, Institute of Genomics and Integrative Biology (IGIB), Council of Scientific and Industrial Research (CSIR), Delhi 110007, India; (S.T.); (D.G.); (P.S.); (P.S.); (S.K.); (C.R.); (S.Y.)
- Academy of Scientific and Innovative Research (AcSIR), Ghaziabad 201002, India;
| | - Chitra Rawat
- Genomics and Molecular Medicine Unit, Institute of Genomics and Integrative Biology (IGIB), Council of Scientific and Industrial Research (CSIR), Delhi 110007, India; (S.T.); (D.G.); (P.S.); (P.S.); (S.K.); (C.R.); (S.Y.)
- Academy of Scientific and Innovative Research (AcSIR), Ghaziabad 201002, India;
| | - Saroj Yadav
- Genomics and Molecular Medicine Unit, Institute of Genomics and Integrative Biology (IGIB), Council of Scientific and Industrial Research (CSIR), Delhi 110007, India; (S.T.); (D.G.); (P.S.); (P.S.); (S.K.); (C.R.); (S.Y.)
- Academy of Scientific and Innovative Research (AcSIR), Ghaziabad 201002, India;
| | - Suman S. Kushwaha
- Department of Neurology, Institute of Human Behaviour and Allied Sciences, Dilshad Garden, Delhi 110095, India;
| | - Achal K. Srivastava
- Department of Neurology, All India Institute of Medical Sciences, Ansari Nagar, New Delhi 110029, India;
| | - Yasha Hasija
- Department of Bioinformatics, Delhi Technological University, Shahbad Daulatpur, Main Bawana Road, Delhi 110042, India;
| | - Luciano Saso
- Department of Physiology and Pharmacology “Vittorio Erspamer”, Sapienza University of Rome, P. le Aldo Moro 5, 00185 Rome, Italy;
| | - Srinivasan Ramachandran
- Academy of Scientific and Innovative Research (AcSIR), Ghaziabad 201002, India;
- G N Ramachandran Knowledge Centre, Council of Scientific and Industrial Research (CSIR)—Institute of Genomics and Integrative Biology (IGIB), New Delhi 110007, India
| | - Ritushree Kukreti
- Genomics and Molecular Medicine Unit, Institute of Genomics and Integrative Biology (IGIB), Council of Scientific and Industrial Research (CSIR), Delhi 110007, India; (S.T.); (D.G.); (P.S.); (P.S.); (S.K.); (C.R.); (S.Y.)
- Academy of Scientific and Innovative Research (AcSIR), Ghaziabad 201002, India;
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Abstract
Common genetic generalised epilepsy syndromes encountered by clinicians include childhood and juvenile absence epilepsies, juvenile myoclonic epilepsy and generalised tonic-clonic seizures on awakening. Treatment of these syndromes involves largely the use of broad-spectrum antiseizure drugs. Those effective for the generalised epilepsies include sodium valproate, phenobarbital, ethosuximide, clobazam, clonazepam, lamotrigine, levetiracetam, topiramate, zonisamide and, more recently, perampanel and brivaracetam. Results from the few rigorous studies comparing outcomes with drugs for genetic generalised epilepsies show valproate to be the most effective. The majority of patients with genetic generalised epilepsy syndromes will become seizure free on antiseizure monotherapy; those for whom control proves elusive may benefit from combination regimens. Early counselling regarding management may assist the patient to come to terms with their diagnosis and improve long-term outcomes. Treatment can be lifelong in some individuals, although others may remain seizure free without medication. Choice of antiseizure medication depends on the efficacy for specific seizure types, as well as tolerability. For patients prescribed comedication, drug interactions should be considered. In particular, for young women taking oral hormonal contraceptives, ≥ 200 mg/day of topiramate can decrease the circulating concentration of ethinylestradiol and ≥ 12 mg/day of perampanel can induce levonorgestrel metabolism. The use of valproate in women of childbearing potential is limited by associated teratogenic and neurodevelopmental effects in offspring. Given that valproate is often the antiseizure drug of choice for genetic generalised epilepsies, this creates a dilemma for patients and clinicians. Decision making can be aided by comprehensive assessment and discussion of treatment options. Psychiatric comorbidities are common in adolescents and adults with genetic generalised epilepsies. These worsen the prognosis, both in terms of seizure control and quality of life. Attendant lifestyle issues can impact significantly on the individual and society. Frontal lobe dysfunction, which can present in patients with juvenile myoclonic epilepsy, can adversely affect the long-term outlook, regardless of the nature of seizure control. Ongoing management requires consideration of psychosocial and behavioural factors that can complicate diagnosis and treatment. An assured supportive attitude by the neurologist can be an important contributor to a positive outcome. The mechanisms underlying genetic generalised epilepsies, including genetic abnormalities, are unclear at present. As the pathophysiology is unravelled, this may lead to the development of novel therapies and improved outcomes for patients with these syndromes.
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Affiliation(s)
- Linda J Stephen
- West Glasgow Ambulatory Care Hospital, Dalnair St, Glasgow, G3 8SJ, UK.
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