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Takahashi YK, Baba S, Kawashima T, Tachimori H, Iijima K, Kimura Y, Saito T, Nakagawa E, Komaki H, Iwasaki M. Treatment odyssey to epilepsy surgery in children with focal cortical dysplasia: Risk factors for delayed surgical intervention. Seizure 2024; 120:5-11. [PMID: 38880019 DOI: 10.1016/j.seizure.2024.06.007] [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: 04/06/2024] [Revised: 06/02/2024] [Accepted: 06/10/2024] [Indexed: 06/18/2024] Open
Abstract
OBJECTIVE To elucidate the patient's journey to epilepsy surgery and identify the risk factors contributing to surgical delay in pediatric patients with drug-resistant epilepsy (DRE) due to focal cortical dysplasia (FCD). METHODS A retrospective review was conducted of 93 pediatric patients who underwent curative epilepsy surgery for FCD between January 2012 and March 2023 at a tertiary epilepsy center. The Odyssey plot demonstrated the treatment process before epilepsy surgery, including key milestones of epilepsy onset, first hospital visit, epilepsy diagnosis, MRI diagnosis, DRE diagnosis, and surgery. The primary outcome was surgical delay; the duration from DRE to surgery. Multivariate linear regression models were used to examine the association between surgical delay and clinical, investigative, and treatment characteristics. RESULTS The median age at seizure onset was 1.3 years (interquartile range [IQR] 0.14-3.1), and at the time of surgery, it was 6 years (range 1-11). Notably, 46% experienced surgical delays exceeding two years. The Odyssey plot visually highlighted that surgical delay comprised a significant portion of the patient journey. Although most patients underwent MRI before referral, MRI abnormalities were identified before referral only in 39% of the prolonged group, compared to 70% of the non-prolonged group. Multivariate analyses showed that delayed notification of MRI abnormalities, longer duration from epilepsy onset to DRE, older age at onset, number of antiseizure medications tried, and moderate to severe intellectual disability were significantly associated with prolonged surgical delay. CONCLUSION Pediatric DRE patients with FCD experienced a long journey until surgery. Early and accurate identification of MRI abnormalities is important to minimize surgical delays.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yoko Kobayashi Takahashi
- Department of Child Neurology, National Center Hospital, National Center of Neurology and Psychiatry, Kodaira, Japan
| | - Shimpei Baba
- Department of Child Neurology, National Center Hospital, National Center of Neurology and Psychiatry, Kodaira, Japan
| | - Takahiro Kawashima
- Department of Information Medicine, National Center of Neurology and Psychiatry, National Institute of Neuroscience, Kodaira, Japan
| | - Hisateru Tachimori
- Department of Information Medicine, National Center of Neurology and Psychiatry, National Institute of Neuroscience, Kodaira, Japan
| | - Keiya Iijima
- Department of Neurosurgery, National Center Hospital, National Center of Neurology and Psychiatry, Kodaira, Japan
| | - Yuiko Kimura
- Department of Neurosurgery, National Center Hospital, National Center of Neurology and Psychiatry, Kodaira, Japan
| | - Takashi Saito
- Department of Child Neurology, National Center Hospital, National Center of Neurology and Psychiatry, Kodaira, Japan
| | - Eiji Nakagawa
- Department of Child Neurology, National Center Hospital, National Center of Neurology and Psychiatry, Kodaira, Japan
| | - Hirofumi Komaki
- Department of Child Neurology, National Center Hospital, National Center of Neurology and Psychiatry, Kodaira, Japan
| | - Masaki Iwasaki
- Department of Neurosurgery, National Center Hospital, National Center of Neurology and Psychiatry, Kodaira, Japan.
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Zhang K, Yao H, Yang J, Jia T, Shan Q, Li D, Li M, Gan L, Wang X, Dong Y. Analysis of clinical characteristics and histopathological transcription in 40 patients afflicted by epilepsy stemming from focal cortical dysplasia. Epilepsia Open 2024; 9:981-995. [PMID: 38491953 PMCID: PMC11145614 DOI: 10.1002/epi4.12928] [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: 11/05/2023] [Revised: 02/26/2024] [Accepted: 03/06/2024] [Indexed: 03/18/2024] Open
Abstract
OBJECTIVE This study aims to comprehensively analyze the clinical characteristics and identify the differentially expressed genes associated with drug-resistant epilepsy (DRE) in patients with focal cortical dysplasia (FCD). METHODS A retrospective investigation was conducted from July 2019 to June 2022, involving 40 pediatric cases of DRE linked to FCD. Subsequent follow-ups were done to assess post-surgical outcomes. Transcriptomic sequencing and quantitative reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction (qRT-PCR) were used to examine differential gene expression between the FCD and control groups. RESULTS Among the 40 patients included in the study, focal to bilateral tonic-clonic seizures (13/40, 32.50%) and epileptic spasms (9/40, 22.50%) were the predominant seizure types. Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) showed frequent involvement of the frontal (22/40, 55%) and temporal lobes (12/40, 30%). In cases with negative MRI results (13/13, 100%), positron emission tomography/computed tomography (PET-CT) scans revealed hypometabolic lesions. Fused MRI/PET-CT images demonstrated lesion reduction in 40.74% (11/27) of cases compared with PET-CT alone, while 59.26% (16/27) yielded results consistent with PET-CT findings. FCD type II was identified in 26 cases, and FCD type I in 13 cases. At the last follow-up, 38 patients were prescribed an average of 1.27 ± 1.05 anti-seizure medications (ASMs), with two patients discontinuing treatment. After a postoperative follow-up period of 23.50 months, 75% (30/40) of patients achieved Engel class I outcome. Transcriptomic sequencing and qRT-PCR analysis identified several genes primarily associated with cilia, including CFAP47, CFAP126, JHY, RSPH4A, and SPAG1. SIGNIFICANCE This study highlights focal to bilateral tonic-clonic seizures as the most common seizure type in patients with DRE due to FCD. Surgical intervention primarily targeted lesions in the frontal and temporal lobes. Patients with FCD-related DRE showed a promising prognosis for seizure control post-surgery. The identified genes, including CFAP47, CFAP126, JHY, RSPH4A, and SPAG1, could serve as potential biomarkers for FCD. PLAIN LANGUAGE SUMMARY This study aimed to comprehensively evaluate the clinical data of individuals affected by focal cortical dysplasia and analyze transcriptomic data from brain tissues. We found that focal to bilateral tonic-clonic seizures were the most prevalent seizure type in patients with drug-resistant epilepsy. In cases treated surgically, the frontal and temporal lobes were the primary sites of the lesions. Moreover, patients with focal cortical dysplasia-induced drug-resistant epilepsy exhibited a favorable prognosis for seizure control after surgery. CFAP47, CFAP126, JHY, RSPH4A, and SPAG1 have emerged as potential pathogenic genes for the development of focal cortical dysplasia.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ke Zhang
- Department of PediatricsThe Third Affiliated Hospital of Zhengzhou UniversityZhengzhouChina
- Academy of Medical SciencesZhengzhou UniversityZhengzhouChina
| | - He Yao
- Department of PediatricsThe Third Affiliated Hospital of Zhengzhou UniversityZhengzhouChina
- Academy of Medical SciencesZhengzhou UniversityZhengzhouChina
| | - Jixue Yang
- Department of Pediatric NeurosurgeryThe Third Affiliated Hospital of Zhengzhou UniversityZhengzhouChina
| | - Tianming Jia
- Department of PediatricsThe Third Affiliated Hospital of Zhengzhou UniversityZhengzhouChina
| | - Qiao Shan
- Department of Pediatric NeurosurgeryThe Third Affiliated Hospital of Zhengzhou UniversityZhengzhouChina
| | - Dongming Li
- Department of Pediatric NeurosurgeryThe Third Affiliated Hospital of Zhengzhou UniversityZhengzhouChina
| | - Mengchun Li
- Department of PediatricsThe Third Affiliated Hospital of Zhengzhou UniversityZhengzhouChina
| | - Ling Gan
- Department of PediatricsThe Third Affiliated Hospital of Zhengzhou UniversityZhengzhouChina
| | - Xinjun Wang
- Department of Pediatric NeurosurgeryThe Third Affiliated Hospital of Zhengzhou UniversityZhengzhouChina
| | - Yan Dong
- Department of PediatricsThe Third Affiliated Hospital of Zhengzhou UniversityZhengzhouChina
- Henan Key Laboratory of Child Brain Injury and Henan Pediatric Clinical Research CenterThe Third Affiliated Hospital and Institute of NeuroscienceZhengzhouChina
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Zuo RR, Jin M, Sun SZ. Etiological analysis of 167 cases of drug-resistant epilepsy in children. Ital J Pediatr 2024; 50:50. [PMID: 38481309 PMCID: PMC10938754 DOI: 10.1186/s13052-024-01619-8] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/09/2023] [Accepted: 02/24/2024] [Indexed: 03/17/2024] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND To analyze the etiological distribution characteristics of drug-resistant epilepsy (DRE) in children, with the aim of providing valuable perspectives to enhance clinical practice. METHODS In this retrospective study, clinical data were collected on 167 children with DRE who were hospitalized between January 2020 and December 2022, including gender, age of onset, seizure types, video electroencephalogram(VEEG) recordings, neuroimaging, and genetic testing results. Based on the etiology of epilepsy, the enrolled children were categorized into different groups. The rank-sum test was conducted to compare the age of onset for different etiologies. RESULTS Of the 167 cases, 89 (53.3%) had a clear etiology. Among them, structural factors account for 23.4%, genetic factors for 19.2%, multiple factors for 7.2%, and immunological factors for 3.6%. The age of onset was significantly earlier in children with genetic causes than those with structural (P < 0.001) or immunological (P = 0.001) causes. CONCLUSIONS More than half of children with DRE have a distinct underlying cause, predominantly attributed to structural factors, followed by genetic factors. Genetic etiology primarily manifests at an early age, especially among children aged less than one year. This underscores the need for proactive enhancements in genetic testing to unveil the underlying causes and subsequently guide treatment protocols.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ran-Ran Zuo
- Department of Neurology, Hebei Childrens Hospital, 133, Jianhua South Street, 050000, Shijiazhuang, Hebei Province, China
| | - Mei Jin
- Department of Neurology, Hebei Childrens Hospital, 133, Jianhua South Street, 050000, Shijiazhuang, Hebei Province, China
- The Key Laboratory of Pediatric Epilepsy and Neurological Disorders of Hebei Province, 050000, Shijiazhuang, Hebei, China
| | - Su-Zhen Sun
- Department of Neurology, Hebei Childrens Hospital, 133, Jianhua South Street, 050000, Shijiazhuang, Hebei Province, China.
- The Key Laboratory of Pediatric Epilepsy and Neurological Disorders of Hebei Province, 050000, Shijiazhuang, Hebei, China.
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Salim O, Chari A, Ben Zvi I, Batchelor R, Jones M, Baldeweg T, Cross JH, Tisdall M. Patient, parent and carer perspectives surrounding expedited paediatric epilepsy surgery. Epilepsy Res 2024; 200:107309. [PMID: 38286106 DOI: 10.1016/j.eplepsyres.2024.107309] [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: 11/09/2023] [Revised: 01/04/2024] [Accepted: 01/22/2024] [Indexed: 01/31/2024]
Abstract
OBJECTIVE Most paediatric epilepsies with MRI visible lesions do not respond to antiseizure pharmacotherapy. Such medication resistance, which often takes years to become formally defined, is commonly required for surgical candidacy. Expedited surgical referral at lesional epilepsy diagnosis may result in better seizure, cognitive and developmental prognoses. This study explored the views of patients, parents and carers regarding epilepsy surgery, treatment priorities, and participation in a proposed expedited surgery trial. METHODS 205 patients, parents and carers (61% UK-based, 26% North American) responded to electronic surveys from February to May 2022. Participants were recruited through social media sites, epilepsy charities and societies. Categorical choice and free-text questions were used to investigate participant perspectives, and Pearson's chi-squared test was utilised to detect meaningful differences amongst respondent subgroups. RESULTS Almost 90% of respondents who had experienced epilepsy surgery (either themselves or their child) reported seizure cessation or reduction. Postoperative outcome measures prioritised most frequently were seizure freedom (66%), quality of life (47%), seizure severity (30%), seizure frequency (28%) and independence (27%). Most participants support expedited surgery in suitable patients (65%), with just over half (51%) willing to participate in the proposed trial. Many participants (37%) were undecided, often due to fears surrounding neurosurgery. Subgroup perspectives were broadly similar, with more parents and caregivers favouring expedited surgery compared to patients (p = .016) and more UK-based participants willing to take part in an expedited surgery trial compared to those from North America (p = .01). CONCLUSIONS Patients, parents and carers are open to considering expedited surgery for lesional epilepsies and would support a trial exploring this approach. Priorities from treatment were largely similar between participant subgroups, with seizure, quality of life and neuropsychological outcomes ranked highly. Accounting for these preferences will facilitate the delivery of a trial that is patient- and caregiver-focused, enhancing feasibility, satisfaction and benefit for prospective participants.
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Affiliation(s)
- Omar Salim
- School of Medicine, Dentistry and Nursing, University of Glasgow, Glasgow, UK
| | - Aswin Chari
- Department of Neurosurgery, Great Ormond Street Hospital, London, UK; Developmental Neurosciences, Great Ormond Street Institute of Child Health, University College London, London, UK.
| | - Ido Ben Zvi
- Department of Neurosurgery, Great Ormond Street Hospital, London, UK
| | - Rachel Batchelor
- Department of Psychology, Royal Holloway, University of London, London, UK
| | - Monika Jones
- Pediatric Epilepsy Surgery Alliance (formerly The Brain Recovery Project), Los Angeles, CA, USA
| | - Torsten Baldeweg
- Developmental Neurosciences, Great Ormond Street Institute of Child Health, University College London, London, UK
| | - J Helen Cross
- Developmental Neurosciences, Great Ormond Street Institute of Child Health, University College London, London, UK; Department of Neurology, Great Ormond Street Hospital, London, UK
| | - Martin Tisdall
- Department of Neurosurgery, Great Ormond Street Hospital, London, UK; Developmental Neurosciences, Great Ormond Street Institute of Child Health, University College London, London, UK
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Shin HJ, Kim SH, Kang HC, Lee JS, Kim HD. Surgical Treatment of Epilepsy with Bilateral MRI Abnormalities. World Neurosurg 2023; 180:e37-e45. [PMID: 37495100 DOI: 10.1016/j.wneu.2023.07.062] [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: 03/18/2023] [Revised: 07/12/2023] [Accepted: 07/13/2023] [Indexed: 07/28/2023]
Abstract
OBJECTIVE To investigate the surgical outcomes of patients with drug-resistant epilepsy and bilateral brain magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) abnormalities who had undergone various epilepsy surgeries. METHODS Patients with drug-resistant epilepsy and bilateral brain abnormalities on MRI who underwent epilepsy surgery at the Severance Children's Hospital between October 2003 and December 2021 were included. The age of seizure onset was 18 years or younger. Engel's classification was used to assess seizure outcomes at 1, 2, and 5 years after surgery. RESULTS A total of 40 patients met the inclusion criteria. The median age at surgery was 10.9 years (interquartile range [IQR] 6.9-15.1); the median interval to surgery was 7.1 years (IQR 2.7-11.5). One year after surgery, a favorable outcome of Engel class I-II was observed in 53% (21/40) of patients. At the 2- and 5-year follow-ups, 56% (20/36) and 63% (17/27) of patients showed good postoperative outcomes, respectively. CONCLUSIONS Approximately, half of the patients with bilateral brain MRI abnormalities achieved seizure freedom after epilepsy surgery. The existence of bilateral brain MRI abnormalities should not hinder resective epilepsy surgery.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hui Jin Shin
- Division of Pediatric Neurology, Department of Pediatrics, Epilepsy Research Institute, Severance Children's Hospital, Yonsei University College of Medicine, Seoul, Korea
| | - Se Hee Kim
- Division of Pediatric Neurology, Department of Pediatrics, Epilepsy Research Institute, Severance Children's Hospital, Yonsei University College of Medicine, Seoul, Korea
| | - Hoon-Chul Kang
- Division of Pediatric Neurology, Department of Pediatrics, Epilepsy Research Institute, Severance Children's Hospital, Yonsei University College of Medicine, Seoul, Korea
| | - Joon Soo Lee
- Division of Pediatric Neurology, Department of Pediatrics, Epilepsy Research Institute, Severance Children's Hospital, Yonsei University College of Medicine, Seoul, Korea
| | - Heung Dong Kim
- Division of Pediatric Neurology, Department of Pediatrics, Epilepsy Research Institute, Severance Children's Hospital, Yonsei University College of Medicine, Seoul, Korea; Department of Pediatrics, Kangbuk Samsung Hospital, Sungkyunkwan University School of Medicine, Seoul, Korea.
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Eriksson MH, Whitaker KJ, Booth J, Piper RJ, Chari A, Sanfilippo PM, Caballero AP, Menzies L, McTague A, Adler S, Wagstyl K, Tisdall MM, Cross JH, Baldeweg T. Pediatric epilepsy surgery from 2000 to 2018: Changes in referral and surgical volumes, patient characteristics, genetic testing, and postsurgical outcomes. Epilepsia 2023; 64:2260-2273. [PMID: 37264783 PMCID: PMC7615891 DOI: 10.1111/epi.17670] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 9.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/23/2022] [Revised: 05/25/2023] [Accepted: 05/31/2023] [Indexed: 06/03/2023]
Abstract
OBJECTIVE Neurosurgery is a safe and effective form of treatment for select children with drug-resistant epilepsy. Still, there is concern that it remains underutilized, and that seizure freedom rates have not improved over time. We investigated referral and surgical practices, patient characteristics, and postoperative outcomes over the past two decades. METHODS We performed a retrospective cohort study of children referred for epilepsy surgery at a tertiary center between 2000 and 2018. We extracted information from medical records and analyzed temporal trends using regression analyses. RESULTS A total of 1443 children were evaluated for surgery. Of these, 859 (402 females) underwent surgical resection or disconnection at a median age of 8.5 years (interquartile range [IQR] = 4.6-13.4). Excluding palliative procedures, 67% of patients were seizure-free and 15% were on no antiseizure medication (ASM) at 1-year follow-up. There was an annual increase in the number of referrals (7%, 95% confidence interval [CI] = 5.3-8.6; p < .001) and surgeries (4% [95% CI = 2.9-5.6], p < .001) over time. Duration of epilepsy and total number of different ASMs trialed from epilepsy onset to surgery were, however, unchanged, and continued to exceed guidelines. Seizure freedom rates were also unchanged overall but showed improvement (odds ratio [OR] 1.09, 95% CI = 1.01-1.18; p = .027) after adjustment for an observed increase in complex cases. Children who underwent surgery more recently were more likely to be off ASMs postoperatively (OR 1.04, 95% CI = 1.01-1.08; p = .013). There was a 17% annual increase (95% CI = 8.4-28.4, p < .001) in children identified to have a genetic cause of epilepsy, which was associated with poor outcome. SIGNIFICANCE Children with drug-resistant epilepsy continue to be put forward for surgery late, despite national and international guidelines urging prompt referral. Seizure freedom rates have improved over the past decades, but only after adjustment for a concurrent increase in complex cases. Finally, genetic testing in epilepsy surgery patients has expanded considerably over time and shows promise in identifying patients in whom surgery is less likely to be successful.
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Affiliation(s)
- Maria H Eriksson
- Developmental Neurosciences Research and Teaching Department, UCL Great Ormond Street Institute of Child Health, London, UK
- Department of Neuropsychology, Great Ormond Street Hospital NHS Trust, London, UK
- The Alan Turing Institute, London, UK
- Department of Neurology, Great Ormond Street Hospital NHS Trust, London, UK
| | | | - John Booth
- Digital Research Environment, Great Ormond Street Hospital NHS Trust, London, UK
| | - Rory J Piper
- Developmental Neurosciences Research and Teaching Department, UCL Great Ormond Street Institute of Child Health, London, UK
- Department of Neurosurgery, Great Ormond Street Hospital NHS Trust, London, UK
| | - Aswin Chari
- Developmental Neurosciences Research and Teaching Department, UCL Great Ormond Street Institute of Child Health, London, UK
- Department of Neurosurgery, Great Ormond Street Hospital NHS Trust, London, UK
| | - Patricia Martin Sanfilippo
- Developmental Neurosciences Research and Teaching Department, UCL Great Ormond Street Institute of Child Health, London, UK
- Department of Neuropsychology, Great Ormond Street Hospital NHS Trust, London, UK
| | - Ana Perez Caballero
- North Thames Genomic Laboratory Hub, Great Ormond Street Hospital NHS Trust, London, UK
| | - Lara Menzies
- Department of Clinical Genetics, Great Ormond Street Hospital NHS Trust, London, UK
| | - Amy McTague
- Developmental Neurosciences Research and Teaching Department, UCL Great Ormond Street Institute of Child Health, London, UK
- Department of Neurology, Great Ormond Street Hospital NHS Trust, London, UK
| | - Sophie Adler
- Developmental Neurosciences Research and Teaching Department, UCL Great Ormond Street Institute of Child Health, London, UK
| | - Konrad Wagstyl
- Imaging Neuroscience, UCL Queen Square Institute of Neurology, London, UK
| | - Martin M Tisdall
- Developmental Neurosciences Research and Teaching Department, UCL Great Ormond Street Institute of Child Health, London, UK
- Department of Neurosurgery, Great Ormond Street Hospital NHS Trust, London, UK
| | - J Helen Cross
- Developmental Neurosciences Research and Teaching Department, UCL Great Ormond Street Institute of Child Health, London, UK
- Department of Neurology, Great Ormond Street Hospital NHS Trust, London, UK
- Young Epilepsy, Lingfield, UK
| | - Torsten Baldeweg
- Developmental Neurosciences Research and Teaching Department, UCL Great Ormond Street Institute of Child Health, London, UK
- Department of Neuropsychology, Great Ormond Street Hospital NHS Trust, London, UK
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Chang P, Xie H, Illapani VSP, You X, Anwar T, Pasupuleti A, Vu TA, Vezina LG, Gholipour T, Oluigbo CO, Zhang A, Gaillard WD, Cohen NT. Focal to bilateral tonic-clonic seizures predict pharmacoresistance in focal cortical dysplasia-related epilepsy. Epilepsia 2023; 64:2434-2442. [PMID: 37349955 PMCID: PMC10529443 DOI: 10.1111/epi.17700] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/10/2023] [Revised: 06/14/2023] [Accepted: 06/20/2023] [Indexed: 06/24/2023]
Abstract
OBJECTIVE Focal cortical dysplasia (FCD) is the most common etiology of surgically-remediable epilepsy in children. Eighty-seven percent of patients with FCD develop epilepsy (75% is pharmacoresistant epilepsy [PRE]). Focal to bilateral tonic-clonic (FTBTC) seizures are associated with worse surgical outcomes. We hypothesized that children with FCD-related epilepsy with FTBTC seizures are more likely to develop PRE due to lesion interaction with restricted cortical neural networks. METHODS Patients were selected retrospectively from radiology and surgical databases from Children's National Hospital. INCLUSION CRITERIA 3T magnetic resonance imaging (MRI)-confirmed FCD from January 2011 to January 2020; ages 0 days to 22 years at MRI; and 18 months of documented follow-up. FCD dominant network (Yeo 7-network parcellation) was determined. Association of FTBTC seizures with epilepsy severity, surgical outcome, and dominant network was tested. Binomial regression was used to evaluate predictors (FTBTC seizures, age at seizure onset, pathology, hemisphere, lobe) of pharmacoresistance and Engel outcome. Regression was used to evaluate predictors (age at seizure onset, pathology, lobe, percentage default mode network [DMN] overlap) of FTBTC seizures. RESULTS One hundred seventeen patients had a median age at seizure onset of 3.00 years (interquartile range [IQR] .42-5.59 years). Eighty-three patients had PRE (71%); 34 had pharmacosensitive epilepsy (PSE) (29%). Twenty patients (17%) had FTBTC seizures. Seventy-three patients underwent epilepsy surgery. Multivariate regression showed that FTBTC seizures are associated with an increased risk of PRE (odds ratio [OR] 6.41, 95% confidence interval [CI] 1.21-33.98, p = .02). FCD hemisphere/lobe was not associated with PRE. Percentage DMN overlap predicts FTBTC seizures. Seventy-two percent (n = 52) overall and 53% (n = 9) of patients with FTBTC seizures achieved Engel class I outcome. SIGNIFICANCE In a heterogeneous population of surgical and non-operated patients with FCD-related epilepsy, the presence of FTBTC seizures is associated with a tremendous risk of PRE. This finding is a recognizable marker to help neurologists identify those children with FCD-related epilepsy at high risk of PRE and can flag patients for earlier consideration of potentially curative surgery. The FCD-dominant network also contributes to FTBTC seizure clinical expression.
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Affiliation(s)
- Phat Chang
- Center for Neuroscience Research, Children’s National Hospital, The George Washington University School of Medicine, Washington, DC, USA
| | - Hua Xie
- Center for Neuroscience Research, Children’s National Hospital, The George Washington University School of Medicine, Washington, DC, USA
| | - Venkata Sita Priyanka Illapani
- Center for Neuroscience Research, Children’s National Hospital, The George Washington University School of Medicine, Washington, DC, USA
| | - Xiaozhen You
- Center for Neuroscience Research, Children’s National Hospital, The George Washington University School of Medicine, Washington, DC, USA
| | - Tayyba Anwar
- Center for Neuroscience Research, Children’s National Hospital, The George Washington University School of Medicine, Washington, DC, USA
| | - Archana Pasupuleti
- Center for Neuroscience Research, Children’s National Hospital, The George Washington University School of Medicine, Washington, DC, USA
| | - Thuy-Anh Vu
- Center for Neuroscience Research, Children’s National Hospital, The George Washington University School of Medicine, Washington, DC, USA
| | - L. Gilbert Vezina
- Center for Neuroscience Research, Children’s National Hospital, The George Washington University School of Medicine, Washington, DC, USA
| | - Taha Gholipour
- Center for Neuroscience Research, Children’s National Hospital, The George Washington University School of Medicine, Washington, DC, USA
| | - Chima O. Oluigbo
- Center for Neuroscience Research, Children’s National Hospital, The George Washington University School of Medicine, Washington, DC, USA
| | - Anqing Zhang
- Division of Biostatistics and Study Methodology, Children’s National Research Institute, Washington, DC
| | - William Davis Gaillard
- Center for Neuroscience Research, Children’s National Hospital, The George Washington University School of Medicine, Washington, DC, USA
| | - Nathan T. Cohen
- Center for Neuroscience Research, Children’s National Hospital, The George Washington University School of Medicine, Washington, DC, USA
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Perucca E, Perucca P, White HS, Wirrell EC. Drug resistance in epilepsy. Lancet Neurol 2023:S1474-4422(23)00151-5. [PMID: 37352888 DOI: 10.1016/s1474-4422(23)00151-5] [Citation(s) in RCA: 31] [Impact Index Per Article: 31.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/09/2023] [Revised: 03/23/2023] [Accepted: 04/06/2023] [Indexed: 06/25/2023]
Abstract
Drug resistance is estimated to affect about a third of individuals with epilepsy, but its prevalence differs in relation to the epilepsy syndrome, the cause of epilepsy, and other factors such as age of seizure onset and presence of associated neurological deficits. Although drug-resistant epilepsy is not synonymous with unresponsiveness to any drug treatment, the probability of achieving seizure freedom on a newly tried medication decreases with increasing number of previously failed treatments. After two appropriately used antiseizure medications have failed to control seizures, individuals should be referred whenever possible to a comprehensive epilepsy centre for diagnostic re-evaluation and targeted management. The feasibility of epilepsy surgery and other treatments, including those targeting the cause of epilepsy, should be considered early after diagnosis. Substantial evidence indicates that a delay in identifying an effective treatment can adversely affect ultimate outcome and carry an increased risk of cognitive disability, other comorbidities, and premature mortality. Research on mechanisms of drug resistance and novel therapeutics is progressing rapidly, and potentially improved treatments, including those targeting disease modification, are on the horizon.
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Affiliation(s)
- Emilio Perucca
- Department of Medicine, Austin Health, University of Melbourne, Melbourne, VIC, Australia; Department of Neuroscience, Central Clinical School, Monash University, Melbourne, VIC, Australia.
| | - Piero Perucca
- Department of Medicine, Austin Health, University of Melbourne, Melbourne, VIC, Australia; Department of Neuroscience, Central Clinical School, Monash University, Melbourne, VIC, Australia; Bladin-Berkovic Comprehensive Epilepsy Program, Department of Neurology, Austin Health, Melbourne, VIC, Australia; Department of Neurology, Royal Melbourne Hospital, Melbourne, VIC, Australia; Department of Neurology, Alfred Health, Melbourne, VIC, Australia
| | - H Steve White
- Department of Pharmacy, School of Pharmacy, University of Washington, Seattle, WA, USA
| | - Elaine C Wirrell
- Divisions of Child and Adolescent Neurology and Epilepsy, Department of Neurology, Mayo Clinic, Rochester, MN, USA
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Medina-Pizarro M, Spencer DD, Damisah EC. Recent advances in epilepsy surgery. Curr Opin Neurol 2023; 36:95-101. [PMID: 36762633 DOI: 10.1097/wco.0000000000001134] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/11/2023]
Abstract
PURPOSE OF REVIEW Technological innovations in the preoperative evaluation, surgical techniques and outcome prediction in epilepsy surgery have grown exponentially over the last decade. This review highlights and emphasizes relevant updates in techniques and diagnostic tools, discussing their context within standard practice at comprehensive epilepsy centres. RECENT FINDINGS High-resolution structural imaging has set an unprecedented opportunity to detect previously unrecognized subtle abnormalities. Machine learning and computer science are impacting the methodologies to analyse presurgical and surgical outcome data, building more accurate prediction models to tailor treatment strategies. Robotic-assisted placement of depth electrodes has increased the safety and ability to sample epileptogenic nodes within deep structures, improving our understanding of the seizure networks in drug-resistant epilepsy. The current available minimally invasive techniques are reasonable surgical alternatives to ablate or disrupt epileptogenic regions, although their sustained efficacy is still an active area of research. SUMMARY Epilepsy surgery is still underutilized worldwide. Every patient who continues with seizures despite adequate trials of two well selected and tolerated antiseizure medications should be evaluated for surgical candidacy. Collaboration between academic epilepsy centres is of paramount importance to answer long-standing questions in epilepsy surgery regarding the understanding of spatio-temporal dynamics in epileptogenic networks and its impact on surgical outcomes.
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Balestrini S, Barba C, Thom M, Guerrini R. Focal cortical dysplasia: a practical guide for neurologists. Pract Neurol 2023:pn-2022-003404. [PMID: 36823117 DOI: 10.1136/pn-2022-003404] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 02/04/2023] [Indexed: 02/25/2023]
Abstract
Focal cortical dysplasia (FCD) is a malformation of cortical development characterised by disruption of cortical cytoarchitecture. Classification of FCDs subtypes has initially been based on correlation of the histopathology with relevant clinical, electroencephalographic and neuroimaging features. A recently proposed classification update recommends a multilayered, genotype-phenotype approach, integrating findings from histopathology, genetic analysis of resected tissue and presurgical MRI. FCDs are caused either by single somatic activating mutations in MTOR pathway genes or by double-hit inactivating mutations with a constitutional and a somatic loss-of-function mutation in repressors of the signalling pathway. Mild malformation with oligodendroglial hyperplasia in epilepsy is caused by somatic pathogenic SLC35A2 mutations. FCDs most often present with drug-resistant focal epilepsy or epileptic encephalopathy. Most patients respond to surgical treatment. The use of mechanistic target of rapamycin inhibitors may complement the surgical approach. Treatment approaches and outcomes have improved with advances in neuroimaging, neurophysiology and genetics, although predictors of treatment response have only been determined in part.
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Affiliation(s)
- Simona Balestrini
- Pediatric Neurology Unit and Laboratories, Meyer Children's Hospital IRCCS, Florence, Italy .,University of Florence, Florence, Italy.,Department of Clinical and Experimental Epilepsy, UCL Queen Square Institute of Neurology, London, UK
| | - Carmen Barba
- Pediatric Neurology Unit and Laboratories, Meyer Children's Hospital IRCCS, Florence, Italy.,University of Florence, Florence, Italy
| | - Maria Thom
- Department of Clinical and Experimental Epilepsy, UCL Queen Square Institute of Neurology, London, UK
| | - Renzo Guerrini
- Pediatric Neurology Unit and Laboratories, Meyer Children's Hospital IRCCS, Florence, Italy.,University of Florence, Florence, Italy
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Hardy D, Buhler E, Suchkov D, Vinck A, Fortoul A, Watrin F, Represa A, Minlebaev M, Manent JB. Early suppression of excitability in subcortical band heterotopia modifies epileptogenesis in rats. Neurobiol Dis 2023; 177:106002. [PMID: 36649744 DOI: 10.1016/j.nbd.2023.106002] [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: 10/10/2022] [Revised: 01/04/2023] [Accepted: 01/13/2023] [Indexed: 01/15/2023] Open
Abstract
Malformations of cortical development represent a major cause of epilepsy in childhood. However, the pathological substrate and dynamic changes leading to the development and progression of epilepsy remain unclear. Here, we characterized an etiology-relevant rat model of subcortical band heterotopia (SBH), a diffuse type of cortical malformation associated with drug-resistant seizures in humans. We used longitudinal electrographic recordings to monitor the age-dependent evolution of epileptiform discharges during the course of epileptogenesis in this model. We found both quantitative and qualitative age-related changes in seizures properties and patterns, accompanying a gradual progression towards a fully developed seizure pattern seen in adulthood. We also dissected the relative contribution of the band heterotopia and the overlying cortex to the development and age-dependent progression of epilepsy using timed and spatially targeted manipulation of neuronal excitability. We found that an early suppression of neuronal excitability in SBH slows down epileptogenesis in juvenile rats, whereas epileptogenesis is paradoxically exacerbated when excitability is suppressed in the overlying cortex. However, in rats with active epilepsy, similar manipulations of excitability have no effect on chronic spontaneous seizures. Together, our data support the notion that complex developmental alterations occurring in both the SBH and the overlying cortex concur to creating pathogenic circuits prone to generate seizures. Our study also suggests that early and targeted interventions could potentially influence the course of these altered developmental trajectories, and favorably modify epileptogenesis in malformations of cortical development.
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Affiliation(s)
- Delphine Hardy
- INMED, INSERM, Aix-Marseille University, Turing Centre for Living Systems, Marseille, France
| | - Emmanuelle Buhler
- INMED, INSERM, Aix-Marseille University, Turing Centre for Living Systems, Marseille, France
| | - Dmitrii Suchkov
- INMED, INSERM, Aix-Marseille University, Turing Centre for Living Systems, Marseille, France
| | - Antonin Vinck
- INMED, INSERM, Aix-Marseille University, Turing Centre for Living Systems, Marseille, France
| | - Aurélien Fortoul
- INMED, INSERM, Aix-Marseille University, Turing Centre for Living Systems, Marseille, France
| | - Françoise Watrin
- INMED, INSERM, Aix-Marseille University, Turing Centre for Living Systems, Marseille, France
| | - Alfonso Represa
- INMED, INSERM, Aix-Marseille University, Turing Centre for Living Systems, Marseille, France
| | - Marat Minlebaev
- INMED, INSERM, Aix-Marseille University, Turing Centre for Living Systems, Marseille, France
| | - Jean-Bernard Manent
- INMED, INSERM, Aix-Marseille University, Turing Centre for Living Systems, Marseille, France.
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