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Matricardi S, Scorrano G, Prezioso G, Burchiani B, Di Cara G, Striano P, Chiarelli F, Verrotti A. The latest advances in the pharmacological management of focal epilepsies in children: a narrative review. Expert Rev Neurother 2024; 24:371-381. [PMID: 38433525 DOI: 10.1080/14737175.2024.2326606] [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: 01/22/2024] [Accepted: 02/29/2024] [Indexed: 03/05/2024]
Abstract
INTRODUCTION Focal epilepsy constitutes the most common epilepsy in children, and medical treatment represents the first-line therapy in this condition. The main goal of medical treatment for children and adolescents with epilepsy is the achievement of seizure freedom or, in drug-resistant epilepsies, a significant seizure reduction, both minimizing antiseizure medications (ASM)-related adverse events, thus improving the patient's quality of life. However, up to 20-40% of pediatric epilepsies are refractory to drug treatments. New ASMs came to light in the pediatric landscape, improving the drug profile compared to that of the preexisting ones. Clinicians should consider several factors during the drug choice process, including patient and medication-specific characteristics. AREAS COVERED This narrative review aims to summarize the latest evidence on the effectiveness and tolerability of the newest ASMs administered as monotherapy or adjunctive therapy in pediatric epilepsies with focal onset seizures, providing a practical appraisal based on the existing evidence. EXPERT OPINION The latest ASMs have the potential to be effective in the pharmacological management of focal onset seizures in children, and treatment choice should consider several drug- and epilepsy-related factors. Future treatments should be increasingly personalized and targeted on patient-specific pathways. Future research should focus on discovering new chemical compounds and repurposing medications used for other indications.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sara Matricardi
- Department of Paediatrics, University of Chieti, Chieti, Italy
| | | | | | | | - Giuseppe Di Cara
- Department of Paediatrics, University of Perugia, Perugia, Italy
| | - Pasquale Striano
- Paediatric Neurology and Muscular Disease Unit, IRCCS Istituto Giannina Gaslini, Genoa, Italy
- Department of Neurosciences, Rehabilitation, Ophthalmology, Genetics, Maternal and Child Health, University of Genoa, Genoa, Italy
| | | | - Alberto Verrotti
- Department of Paediatrics, University of Perugia, Perugia, Italy
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Abstract
INTRODUCTION Focal cortical dysplasias (FCDs) represent the most common etiology in pediatric drug-resistant focal epilepsies undergoing surgical treatment. The localization, extent and histopathological features of FCDs are considerably variable. Somatic mosaic mutations of genes that encode proteins in the PI3K-AKTmTOR pathway, which also includes the tuberous sclerosis associated genes TSC1 and TSC2, have been implicated in FCD type II in a substantial subset of patients. Surgery is the principal therapeutic option for FCD-related epilepsy. Advanced neurophysiological and neuroimaging techniques have improved surgical outcome and reduced the risk of postsurgical deficits. Pharmacological MTOR inhibitors are being tested in clinical trials and might represent an example of personalized treatment of epilepsy based on the known mechanisms of disease, used alone or in combination with surgery. AREAS COVERED This review will critically analyze the advances in the diagnosis and treatment of FCDs, with a special focus on the novel therapeutic options prompted by a better understanding of their pathophysiology. EXPERT OPINION Focal cortical dysplasia is a main cause of drug-resistant epilepsy, especially in children. Novel, personalized approaches are needed to more effectively treat FCD-related epilepsy and its cognitive consequences.
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Affiliation(s)
- Renzo Guerrini
- Neuroscience Department, Children's Hospital Meyer-University of Florence, Florence, Italy
| | - Carmen Barba
- Neuroscience Department, Children's Hospital Meyer-University of Florence, Florence, Italy
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Shim HK, Lee HJ, Kim SE, Lee BI, Park S, Park KM. Alterations in the metabolic networks of temporal lobe epilepsy patients: A graph theoretical analysis using FDG-PET. Neuroimage Clin 2020; 27:102349. [PMID: 32702626 PMCID: PMC7374556 DOI: 10.1016/j.nicl.2020.102349] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/25/2020] [Revised: 07/10/2020] [Accepted: 07/12/2020] [Indexed: 12/22/2022]
Abstract
OBJECTIVE The aim of this study is to investigate changes in metabolic networks based on fluorodeoxyglucose positron emission tomography (FDG-PET) in patients with drug-resistant temporal lobe epilepsy (TLE) (with and without hippocampal sclerosis [HS]) when compared with healthy controls. METHODS We retrospectively enrolled 30 patients with drug-resistant temporal lobe epilepsy (17 patients with HS and 13 patients without HS) and 39 healthy controls. All subjects underwent interictal FDG-PET scans, which were analyzed to obtain metabolic connectivity using graph theoretical analysis. We investigated the differences in metabolic connectivity between patients with drug-resistant TLE (with and without HS) and healthy controls. RESULTS When compared with healthy controls, TLE patients with HS showed alterations of global and local metabolic connectivity. When considering global connectivity, TLE patients with HS had a decreased average degree with increased modularity. When considering local connectivity, TLE patients with HS displayed alterations of betweeness centrality in widespread regions. However, there were no alterations of global metabolic connectivity in TLE patients without HS when compared with healthy controls. In addition, when compared to TLE patients without HS, TLE patients with HS had increased modularity. SIGNIFICANCE Our study demonstrates more severe alterations in metabolic networks based on FDG-PET in TLE patients with HS than in those without HS and healthy controls. This may represent distinct epileptic networks in TLE patients with HS versus those without HS, although both are drug-resistant focal epilepsy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hye-Kyung Shim
- Department of Nuclear Medicine, Haeundae Paik Hospital, Inje University College of Medicine, Busan, Republic of Korea
| | - Ho-Joon Lee
- Department of Radiology, Haeundae Paik Hospital, Inje University College of Medicine, Busan, Republic of Korea
| | - Sung Eun Kim
- Department of Neurology, Haeundae Paik Hospital, Inje University College of Medicine, Busan, Republic of Korea
| | - Byung In Lee
- Department of Neurology, Haeundae Paik Hospital, Inje University College of Medicine, Busan, Republic of Korea
| | - Seongho Park
- Department of Neurology, Haeundae Paik Hospital, Inje University College of Medicine, Busan, Republic of Korea
| | - Kang Min Park
- Department of Neurology, Haeundae Paik Hospital, Inje University College of Medicine, Busan, Republic of Korea.
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Matricardi S, Operto FF, Farello G, Coppola G, Verrotti A. Withdrawal seizures: possible risk factors. Expert Rev Neurother 2020; 20:667-672. [DOI: 10.1080/14737175.2020.1780917] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/24/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Sara Matricardi
- Department of Child Neuropsychiatry, Children’s Hospital “G. Salesi”, Ospedali Riuniti Ancona, Ancona, Italy
| | - Francesca Felicia Operto
- Child and Adolescent Neuropsychiatry, Department of Medicine, Surgery, and Odontoiatry, University of Salerno, Salerno, Italy
| | - Giovanni Farello
- Pediatric Clinic, Department of Life, Health and Environmental Sciences, University of L’Aquila, L’Aquila, Italy
| | - Giangennaro Coppola
- Pediatric Clinic, Department of Life, Health and Environmental Sciences, University of L’Aquila, L’Aquila, Italy
| | - Alberto Verrotti
- Department of Pediatrics, University of L’Aquila, L’Aquila, Italy
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Abstract
BACKGROUND Febrile seizures can be classified as simple or complex. Complex febrile seizures are associated with fever that lasts longer than 15 minutes, occur more than once within 24 hours, and are confined to one side of the child's body. It is common in some countries for doctors to recommend an electroencephalograph (EEG) for children with complex febrile seizures. A limited evidence base is available to support the use of EEG and its timing after complex febrile seizures among children. OBJECTIVES To assess the use of EEG and its timing after complex febrile seizures in children younger than five years of age. SEARCH METHODS For the latest update of this review, we searched the following databases on 12 March 2019: Cochrane Register of Studies (CRS Web), which includes the Cochrane Epilepsy Group Specialized Register and the Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials (CENTRAL); MEDLINE (Ovid, 1946 to 11 March 2019); and ClinicalTrials.gov. We applied no language restrictions. SELECTION CRITERIA All randomised controlled trials (RCTs) that examined the utility of an EEG and its timing after complex febrile seizures in children. DATA COLLECTION AND ANALYSIS The review authors selected and retrieved the articles and independently assessed which articles should be included. Any disagreements were resolved by discussion and by consultation with the Cochrane Epilepsy Group. We applied standard methodological procedures expected by Cochrane. MAIN RESULTS Of 48 potentially eligible studies, no RCTs met the inclusion criteria. AUTHORS' CONCLUSIONS We found no RCTs as evidence to support or refute the use of EEG and its timing after complex febrile seizures among children under the age of five. An RCT can be planned in such a way that participants are randomly assigned to the EEG group and to the non-EEG group with sufficient sample size. Since the last version of this review, we have found no new studies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Pankaj B Shah
- Sri Ramachandra Institute of Higher Education & Research (SRIHER)Department of Community MedicineRamachandra NagarPorurChennaiTamil NaduIndia600116
| | - Saji James
- Sri Ramachandra Institute of Higher Education & Research (SRIHER)Department of Paediatric MedicineRamachandra NagarPorurChennaiTamil NaduIndia60116
| | - Sivaprakasam Elayaraja
- Sri Ramachandra Institute of Higher Education & Research (SRIHER)Department of Paediatric MedicineRamachandra NagarPorurChennaiTamil NaduIndia60116
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Lompo DL, Diallo O, Dao BA, Bassole R, Napon C, Kabore J. Etiologies of non-genetic epilepsies of child and adolescent, newly diagnosed in Ouagadougou, Burkina Faso. Pan Afr Med J 2018; 31:175. [PMID: 31086627 PMCID: PMC6488263 DOI: 10.11604/pamj.2018.31.175.17074] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/10/2018] [Accepted: 10/16/2018] [Indexed: 11/11/2022] Open
Abstract
Introduction in sub-Saharan Africa, epilepsy is common and mainly concerns children before the age of 15 years. The data on childhood epilepsy is parcel, but a high prevalence of non-genetic epilepsy is frequently reported. EEG, TDM and MRI devices are rare. The aim of this work was to study the etiological aspects of non - genetic epilepsy of the child and adolescent, newly diagnosed in Ouagadougou, Burkina Faso. Methods This was a cross-sectional, descriptive, multicentric study, from 01/01/2016 to 31/12/2016, involving patients aged 0 to 18 years old, epileptic, newly diagnosed, in the city of Ouagadougou. Each patient included in the study was to have had an EEG and brain CT scan and/or brain MRI and to gather the anamnestic and electro clinical arguments for non-genetic epilepsy. Sociodemographic, clinical, EEG and neuroradiological data were analyzed. An univariate analysis was used to determine the electro-clinical and neuro-radiological characteristics associated with epilepsies of structural causes. Results In all 115 patients were collected, with an average age of onset of epilepsy of 8.2 years, a male predominance with a sex ratio to 1.67. Risk factors of epilepsy was present in 74.8%; They were dominated by perinatal events in 79.1%. Focal seizures, daily frequency of these seizures and focal epilepsy, were predominant, respectively in 53%, 58% and 60.9% of cases. Brain scan and Brain MRI where performed in 90.4% and 9.6% of patients, respectively. The brain sequelaes of perinatal adverse events, the sequelae of central nervous system infections, and the sequelae of cranial and brain trauma, with 34.8%, 14.8%, and 5.2% respectively, were the main causes of non- genetic epilepsies of the child and adolescent. No cause was identified in 37.4% of cases. Conclusion The improvement of policies in the field of maternal and child health and the generalization of the control of infectious and parasitic diseases, including malaria, may contribute to the reduction of non-genetic epilepsy in sub-Saharan Africa.
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Affiliation(s)
- Djingri Labodi Lompo
- University Hospital of Tingandogo, Unit of Formation and Research of the Sciences of the Health, University Ouaga I-Pr Joseph Ki-Zerbo, Ouagadougou, Burkina Faso
| | - Ousséini Diallo
- University Hospital of Yalgado Ouedraogo of Ouagadougou, Unit of Formation and Research of the Sciences of the Health, University Ouaga I-Pr Joseph Ki-Zerbo Ouagadougou, Burkina Faso
| | - Ben Aziz Dao
- University Hospital of Yalgado Ouedraogo of Ouagadougou, Unit of Formation and Research of the Sciences of the Health, University Ouaga I-Pr Joseph Ki-Zerbo Ouagadougou, Burkina Faso
| | - Romaric Bassole
- University Hospital of Tingandogo, Unit of Formation and Research of the Sciences of the Health, University Ouaga I-Pr Joseph Ki-Zerbo, Ouagadougou, Burkina Faso
| | - Christian Napon
- University Hospital of Yalgado Ouedraogo of Ouagadougou, Unit of Formation and Research of the Sciences of the Health, University Ouaga I-Pr Joseph Ki-Zerbo Ouagadougou, Burkina Faso
| | - Jean Kabore
- University Hospital of Yalgado Ouedraogo of Ouagadougou, Unit of Formation and Research of the Sciences of the Health, University Ouaga I-Pr Joseph Ki-Zerbo Ouagadougou, Burkina Faso
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Allen SE, Limdi N, Westrick AC, Ver Hoef LW, Szaflarski JP, Knowlton RC. Racial disparities in temporal lobe epilepsy. Epilepsy Res 2017; 140:56-60. [PMID: 29272743 DOI: 10.1016/j.eplepsyres.2017.12.012] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/03/2017] [Revised: 12/10/2017] [Accepted: 12/14/2017] [Indexed: 11/16/2022]
Abstract
OBJECTIVE This study reports on epilepsy type period prevalence and black-white racial differences in a large patient population in the Southeastern United States. METHODS For all patients visiting the University of Alabama at Birmingham's seizure monitoring unit between 2000 and 2011 (n = 3240), video EEG diagnosis was recorded along with basic demographic information. Descriptive statistics and multivariate logistic regression were used to identify factors associated with temporal lobe epilepsy (TLE) diagnosis. RESULTS The racial distribution was 77.3% white, and 20.0% black (other races were only 2.3% of the population). Most patients had either TLE (n = 630) or PNES (n = 1150) compared to other focal (n = 424) or generalized epilepsies (n = 224). The diagnosis of TLE was significantly greater for blacks than whites (odds ratio [OR] = 1.87, 95% confidence interval [CI] 1.47-2.37). The period prevalence measures for the other conclusively diagnosed epilepsies were not significantly different. Women were disproportionately represented in the study population, and black women carried the most statistical weight for the TLE prevalence difference. INTERPRETATION The nearly two-fold larger period prevalence of TLE among black patients is a striking finding that merits explanation. Although some selection bias exists due to a moderately lower than expected representation of blacks, socioeconomic status or access to care should not be assumed to be the only factors that might be responsible for the prevalence difference. Rather, all clues for distinct pathophysiological racial differences should be explored.
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Affiliation(s)
- Samantha E Allen
- Oregon Health Sciences University, Department of Neurology, United States.
| | - Nita Limdi
- University of Alabama Birmingham, Department of Neurology, United States
| | - Ashly C Westrick
- University of Miami, Department of Public Health Sciences, United States.
| | | | - Jerzy P Szaflarski
- University of Alabama Birmingham, Department of Neurology, United States.
| | - Robert C Knowlton
- University of California San Francisco, Department of Neurology, United States.
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Abstract
BACKGROUND Febrile seizures can be classified as simple or complex. Complex febrile seizures are associated with fever that lasts longer than 15 minutes, occur more than once within 24 hours, and are confined to one side of the child's body. It is common in some countries for doctors to recommend an electroencephalograph (EEG) for children with complex febrile seizures. A limited evidence base is available to support the use of EEG and its timing after complex febrile seizures among children. OBJECTIVES To assess the use of EEG and its timing after complex febrile seizures in children younger than five years of age. SEARCH METHODS For the latest update of this review, we searched the Cochrane Epilepsy Group Specialized Register (23 January 2017), the Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials (CENTRAL) via the Cochrane Register of Studies Online (CRSO, 23 January 2017), MEDLINE (Ovid, 23 January 2017), and ClinicalTrials.gov (23 January 2017). We applied no language restrictions. SELECTION CRITERIA All randomised controlled trials (RCTs) that examined the utility of an EEG and its timing after complex febrile seizures in children. DATA COLLECTION AND ANALYSIS The review authors selected and retrieved the articles and independently assessed which articles should be included. Any disagreements were resolved by discussion and by consultation with the Cochrane Epilepsy Group. We applied standard methodological procedures expected by Cochrane. MAIN RESULTS Of 41 potentially eligible studies, no RCTs met the inclusion criteria. AUTHORS' CONCLUSIONS We found no RCTs as evidence to support or refute the use of EEG and its timing after complex febrile seizures among children. An RCT can be planned in such a way that participants are randomly assigned to the EEG group and to the non-EEG group with sufficient sample size. Since the last version of this review, we have found no new studies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Pankaj B Shah
- Sri Ramachandra Medical College and Research Institute, Sri. Ramachandra UniversityDepartment of Community MedicineRamachandra NagarPorurChennaiTamil NaduIndia600116
| | - Saji James
- Sri Ramachandra Medical College and Research Institute, Sri. Ramachandra UniversityDepartment of Paediatric MedicineRamachandra NagarPorurChennaiTamil NaduIndia60116
| | - S Elayaraja
- Sri Ramachandra Medical College and Research Institute, Sri. Ramachandra UniversityDepartment of Paediatric MedicineRamachandra NagarPorurChennaiTamil NaduIndia60116
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