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Kerr WT, McFarlane KN, Figueiredo Pucci G. The present and future of seizure detection, prediction, and forecasting with machine learning, including the future impact on clinical trials. Front Neurol 2024; 15:1425490. [PMID: 39055320 PMCID: PMC11269262 DOI: 10.3389/fneur.2024.1425490] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/29/2024] [Accepted: 06/03/2024] [Indexed: 07/27/2024] Open
Abstract
Seizures have a profound impact on quality of life and mortality, in part because they can be challenging both to detect and forecast. Seizure detection relies upon accurately differentiating transient neurological symptoms caused by abnormal epileptiform activity from similar symptoms with different causes. Seizure forecasting aims to identify when a person has a high or low likelihood of seizure, which is related to seizure prediction. Machine learning and artificial intelligence are data-driven techniques integrated with neurodiagnostic monitoring technologies that attempt to accomplish both of those tasks. In this narrative review, we describe both the existing software and hardware approaches for seizure detection and forecasting, as well as the concepts for how to evaluate the performance of new technologies for future application in clinical practice. These technologies include long-term monitoring both with and without electroencephalography (EEG) that report very high sensitivity as well as reduced false positive detections. In addition, we describe the implications of seizure detection and forecasting upon the evaluation of novel treatments for seizures within clinical trials. Based on these existing data, long-term seizure detection and forecasting with machine learning and artificial intelligence could fundamentally change the clinical care of people with seizures, but there are multiple validation steps necessary to rigorously demonstrate their benefits and costs, relative to the current standard.
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Affiliation(s)
- Wesley T. Kerr
- Department of Neurology, University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, PA, United States
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McLoughlin C, McGhie-Fraser B, Carson A, Olde Hartman T, Stone J. How stigma unfolds for patients with Functional Neurological Disorder. J Psychosom Res 2024; 181:111667. [PMID: 38658293 DOI: 10.1016/j.jpsychores.2024.111667] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/14/2024] [Revised: 03/30/2024] [Accepted: 04/12/2024] [Indexed: 04/26/2024]
Abstract
OBJECTIVE The aim of this study was to explore experiences of stigma in Functional Neurological Disorder (FND) from the perspective of the patient as it manifests from the onset of symptoms, up to diagnosis and subsequently. BACKGROUND The existing literature clearly shows that stigma exists for many patients with FND, and is associated with poorer quality of life. However, it is less clear how stigma unfolds, and how it can be alleviated. METHODS We performed a qualitative interview study with patients who were diagnosed with FND, using data based on semi-structured interviews. Participants were recruited purposively via outpatient clinics. We analysed the data using a reflexive thematic analytic approach, through the lens of recognised stigma frameworks. RESULTS 15 participants were included in the study, aged between 19 and 68 years, with varying presentations of FND. We identified six themes and 16 subthemes relevant to their stigma trajectory. We found that stigma unfolds through four main domains: 1) through their symptom experience; 2) through "othering" by the healthcare system; 3) through everyday interactions; and 4) from within the self. Across these four domains was a central theme of 5) stages of knowledge, which both fuelled and countered stigma. Lastly, 6) validation of the patient experience emerged as a theme that alleviated stigma. CONCLUSIONS Stigma did not unfold as a linear process, rather it came from multiple interacting sources. Interventions to target stigma could take the form of improved clinician training, communication, especially around point of diagnosis, and public interventions, co-produced with patients with FND.
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Affiliation(s)
- Caoimhe McLoughlin
- Centre for Clinical Brain Sciences, University of Edinburgh, United Kingdom.
| | - Brodie McGhie-Fraser
- Department of Primary and Community Care, Radboud University Medical Center, Research Institute for Medical Innovation, Nijmegen, Netherlands.
| | - Alan Carson
- Centre for Clinical Brain Sciences, University of Edinburgh, United Kingdom.
| | - Tim Olde Hartman
- Department of Primary and Community Care, Radboud University Medical Center, Research Institute for Medical Innovation, Nijmegen, Netherlands.
| | - Jon Stone
- Centre for Clinical Brain Sciences, University of Edinburgh, United Kingdom.
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Fong MWK, Stephens E, Brockington A, Jayabal J, Scott S, Zhang T, Litchfield R, Beilharz E, Dalziel SR, Jones P, Yates K, Thornton V, Bergin PS. Status epilepticus in Auckland, New Zealand: Treatment patterns and determinants of outcome in a prospective population-based cohort. Epilepsia 2024; 65:1605-1619. [PMID: 38634858 DOI: 10.1111/epi.17975] [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: 12/19/2023] [Revised: 03/01/2024] [Accepted: 03/25/2024] [Indexed: 04/19/2024]
Abstract
OBJECTIVE Determination of the real-world performance of a health care system in the treatment of status epilepticus (SE). METHODS Prospective, multicenter population-based study of SE in Auckland, New Zealand (NZ) over 1 year, with data recorded in the EpiNet database. Focus on treatment patterns and determinants of SE duration and 30-day mortality. The incidence, etiology, ethnic discrepancies, and seizure characteristics of this cohort have been published previously. RESULTS A total of 365 patients were included in this treatment cohort; 326 patients (89.3%) were brought to hospital because of SE, whereas 39 patients (10.7%) developed SE during a hospital admission for another reason. Overall, 190 (52.1%) had a known history of epilepsy and 254 (70.0%) presented with SE with prominent motor activity. The mean Status Epilepticus Severity Score (STESS) was 2.15 and the mean SE duration of all patients was 44 min. SE self-terminated without any treatment in 84 patients (22.7%). Earlier administration of appropriately dosed benzodiazepine in the pre-hospital setting was a major determinant of SE duration. Univariate analysis demonstrated that mortality was significantly higher in older patients, patients with longer durations of SE, higher STESS, and patients who developed SE in hospital, but these did not maintain significance with multivariate analysis. There was no difference in the performance of the health care system in the treatment of SE across ethnic groups. SIGNIFICANCE When SE was defined as 10 continuous minutes of seizure, overall mortality was lower than expected and many patients had self-limited presentations for which no treatment was required. Although there were disparities in the incidence of SE across ethnic groups there was no difference in treatment or outcome. The finding highlights the benefit of a health care system designed to deliver universal health care.
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Affiliation(s)
- Michael W K Fong
- Westmead Comprehensive Epilepsy Centre, Westmead Hospital, University of Sydney, Sydney, New South Wales, Australia
- Comprehensive Epilepsy Center, Department of Neurology, Yale University School of Medicine, New Haven, Connecticut, USA
| | - Eleanor Stephens
- Westmead Comprehensive Epilepsy Centre, Westmead Hospital, University of Sydney, Sydney, New South Wales, Australia
| | - Alice Brockington
- Auckland District Health Board, Grafton, Auckland, New Zealand
- Sheffield Teaching Hospitals, NHS Foundation Trust, Sheffield, UK
| | - Jayaganth Jayabal
- Auckland District Health Board, Grafton, Auckland, New Zealand
- Pantai-Gleneagles Hospital, Penang and Sungai Petani, Malaysia
| | - Shona Scott
- Auckland District Health Board, Grafton, Auckland, New Zealand
- Western General Hospital, Edinburgh, UK
| | - Tony Zhang
- Auckland District Health Board, Grafton, Auckland, New Zealand
| | | | - Erica Beilharz
- Auckland District Health Board, Grafton, Auckland, New Zealand
| | - Stuart R Dalziel
- Auckland District Health Board, Grafton, Auckland, New Zealand
- Department of Surgery and Paediatrics: Child and Youth Health, University of Auckland, Auckland, New Zealand
| | - Peter Jones
- Auckland District Health Board, Grafton, Auckland, New Zealand
| | - Kim Yates
- Waitematā District Health Board, Auckland, New Zealand
| | | | - Peter S Bergin
- Auckland District Health Board, Grafton, Auckland, New Zealand
- Centre for Brain Research, University of Auckland, Auckland, New Zealand
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Bode CM, Kristensen SB, Olsen HT, Cornwall CD, Roberg L, Monsson O, Krøigård T, Toft P, Beier CP. Postictal Encephalopathy After Status Epilepticus: Outcome and Risk Factors. Neurocrit Care 2024; 40:1025-1035. [PMID: 37940836 PMCID: PMC11147838 DOI: 10.1007/s12028-023-01868-1] [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: 06/21/2023] [Accepted: 09/22/2023] [Indexed: 11/10/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Postictal encephalopathy is well known after status epilepticus (SE), but its prognostic impact and triggers are unknown. Here, we aimed to establish risk factors for the development of postictal encephalopathy and to study its impact on survival after discharge. METHODS This retrospective cohort study comprised adult patients diagnosed with first nonanoxic SE at Odense University Hospital between January 2008 and December 2017. Patients with ongoing SE at discharge or unknown treatment success were excluded. Postictal symptoms of encephalopathy were estimated retrospectively using the West Haven Criteria (WHC). WHC grade was determined for postictal day 1 to 14 or until the patient died or was discharged from the hospital. Cumulative postictal WHC during 14 days after SE-cessation was used to quantify postictal encephalopathy. Clinical characteristics, patient demographics, electroencephalographic and imaging features, and details on intensive care treatment were assessed from medical records. RESULTS Of all eligible patients (n = 232), 198 (85.3%) had at least WHC grade 2 postictal encephalopathy that lasted for > 14 days in 24.5% of the surviving patients. WHC grade at discharge was strongly associated with poor long-term survival (p < 0.001). Postictal encephalopathy was not associated with nonconvulsive SE, postictal changes on magnetic resonance imaging, or distinct ictal patterns on electroencephalography. Although duration of SE and treatment in the intensive care unit showed an association with cumulative postictal WHC grade, they were not independently associated with the degree of encephalopathy when controlling for confounders. In a linear regression model, etiology, duration of sedation, age, and premorbid modified Rankin Scale were significant and consistent predictors for higher cumulative postictal WHC grade. Exploratory analyses showed an association of a cumulative midazolam dosage (mg/kg/h) with higher cumulative postictal WHC grade. DISCUSSION In this cohort, postictal encephalopathy after SE was common and associated with poor long-term survival. Seizure characteristics were not independently associated with postictal encephalopathy; the underlying etiology, long (high-dose midazolam) sedation, high age, and poor premorbid condition were the major risk factors for its development.
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Affiliation(s)
- Clara Marie Bode
- Department of Neurology, Odense University Hospital, Sdr. Boulevard 29, 5000, Odense, Denmark
| | - Simon Bruun Kristensen
- Department of Neurology, Odense University Hospital, Sdr. Boulevard 29, 5000, Odense, Denmark
| | | | - Camilla Dyremose Cornwall
- Department of Neurology, Odense University Hospital, Sdr. Boulevard 29, 5000, Odense, Denmark
- Department of Clinical Research, University of Southern Denmark, Odense, Denmark
| | - Lars Roberg
- Department of Neurology, Odense University Hospital, Sdr. Boulevard 29, 5000, Odense, Denmark
| | - Olav Monsson
- Department of Neurology, Odense University Hospital, Sdr. Boulevard 29, 5000, Odense, Denmark
| | - Thomas Krøigård
- Department of Neurology, Odense University Hospital, Sdr. Boulevard 29, 5000, Odense, Denmark
- Department of Clinical Research, University of Southern Denmark, Odense, Denmark
- Department of Neurophysiology, Odense University Hospital, Odense, Denmark
| | - Palle Toft
- Department of Anesthesiology, Odense University Hospital, Odense, Denmark
- Department of Clinical Research, University of Southern Denmark, Odense, Denmark
| | - Christoph P Beier
- Department of Neurology, Odense University Hospital, Sdr. Boulevard 29, 5000, Odense, Denmark.
- Department of Clinical Research, University of Southern Denmark, Odense, Denmark.
- OPEN, Odense Patient Data Explorative Network, Odense University Hospital, Odense, Denmark.
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Elshetihy A, Nergiz L, Cloppenborg T, Woermann FG, Müffelmann B, Bien CG. A complex case with generalized epilepsy, probable focal seizures, and functional seizures. Epilepsy Behav Rep 2024; 27:100684. [PMID: 38953098 PMCID: PMC11215947 DOI: 10.1016/j.ebr.2024.100684] [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: 01/22/2024] [Revised: 05/30/2024] [Accepted: 05/30/2024] [Indexed: 07/03/2024] Open
Abstract
In this patient, now 42 years old, genetic generalized epilepsy (juvenile myoclonic epilepsy) manifested itself at the age of 13. At the age of 39, she experienced a status episode with prolonged ICU treatment. She was left with a left-sided hippocampal sclerosis and probably focal seizures. In addition, since the age of 24, the patient also experiences functional seizures on the background of a borderline personality disorder. While generalized epileptic seizures could be controlled with antiseizure medication (ASM), the patient was multiple times admitted to Emergency Departments for her functional seizures with subsequent intensive care treatments, including intubation. As a complication, the patient developed critical illness polyneuropathy and myopathy, resulting in wheelchair dependence. Additionally, she acquired a complex regional pain syndrome after extravasation of ASM. The report demonstrates the uncommon development of hippocampal sclerosis after a generalized tonic-clonic status epilepticus and the poor treatability of functional seizures as compared to generalized and focal seizures.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ahmed Elshetihy
- Dept. of Epileptology, Krankenhaus Mara, Bethel Epilepsy Center, Medical School OWL, Bielefeld University, Maraweg 21, 33617 Bielefeld, Germany
| | - Lema Nergiz
- Dept. of Epileptology, Krankenhaus Mara, Bethel Epilepsy Center, Medical School OWL, Bielefeld University, Maraweg 21, 33617 Bielefeld, Germany
| | - Thomas Cloppenborg
- Dept. of Epileptology, Krankenhaus Mara, Bethel Epilepsy Center, Medical School OWL, Bielefeld University, Maraweg 21, 33617 Bielefeld, Germany
| | - Friedrich G. Woermann
- Dept. of Epileptology, Krankenhaus Mara, Bethel Epilepsy Center, Medical School OWL, Bielefeld University, Maraweg 21, 33617 Bielefeld, Germany
- Society for Epilepsy Research, Maraweg 21, 33617 Bielefeld, Germany
| | - Birgitt Müffelmann
- Dept. of Epileptology, Krankenhaus Mara, Bethel Epilepsy Center, Medical School OWL, Bielefeld University, Maraweg 21, 33617 Bielefeld, Germany
| | - Christian G. Bien
- Dept. of Epileptology, Krankenhaus Mara, Bethel Epilepsy Center, Medical School OWL, Bielefeld University, Maraweg 21, 33617 Bielefeld, Germany
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Kozlowska K, Scher S. Recent advances in understanding the neurobiology of pediatric functional neurological disorder. Expert Rev Neurother 2024; 24:497-516. [PMID: 38591353 DOI: 10.1080/14737175.2024.2333390] [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: 05/26/2023] [Accepted: 03/18/2024] [Indexed: 04/10/2024]
Abstract
INTRODUCTION Functional neurological disorder (FND) is a neuropsychiatric disorder that manifests in a broad array of functional motor, sensory, or cognitive symptoms, which arise from complex interactions between brain, mind, body, and context. Children with FND make up 10%-20% of presentations to neurology services in children's hospitals and up to 20% of adolescents admitted to hospital for the management of intractable seizures. AREAS COVERED The current review focuses on the neurobiology of pediatric FND. The authors present an overview of the small but growing body of research pertaining to the biological, emotion-processing, cognitive, mental health, physical health, and social system levels. EXPERT OPINION Emerging research suggests that pediatric FND is underpinned by aberrant changes within and between neuron-glial (brain) networks, with a variety of factors - on multiple system levels - contributing to brain network changes. In pediatric practice, adverse childhood experiences (ACEs) are commonly reported, and activation or dysregulation of stress-system components is a frequent finding. Our growing understanding of the neurobiology of pediatric FND has yielded important flow-on effects for assessing and diagnosing FND, for developing targeted treatment interventions, and for improving the treatment outcomes of children and adolescents with FND.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kasia Kozlowska
- The Children's Hospital at Westmead, Westmead, NSW, Australia
- Brain Dynamics Centre, Westmead Institute of Medical Research, Westmead, NSW, Australia
- University of Sydney Medical School, Camperdown, NSW, Australia
| | - Stephen Scher
- University of Sydney Medical School, Camperdown, NSW, Australia
- Department of Psychiatry, Harvard Medical School, Belmont, MA, USA
- McLean Hospital, Belmont, MA, USA
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Bacchi S, Verghese S, Slee M. Minimising harm: avoiding intubation for psychogenic non-epileptic seizures. Med J Aust 2024; 220:364-365. [PMID: 38438121 DOI: 10.5694/mja2.52249] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/06/2023] [Accepted: 10/09/2023] [Indexed: 03/06/2024]
Affiliation(s)
- Stephen Bacchi
- Flinders Medical Centre, SA Health, Adelaide, SA
- College of Medicine and Public Health, Flinders University, Adelaide, SA
| | | | - Mark Slee
- Flinders Medical Centre, SA Health, Adelaide, SA
- College of Medicine and Public Health, Flinders University, Adelaide, SA
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Vijay M, Reuber M. An update on psychogenic nonepileptic seizures. Curr Opin Neurol 2024; 37:121-126. [PMID: 38235768 DOI: 10.1097/wco.0000000000001245] [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: 01/19/2024]
Abstract
PURPOSE OF REVIEW The understanding of psychogenic nonepileptic seizures (PNES) has advanced steadily over recent decades. This update summarizes new insights from the last three years. RECENT FINDINGS The process of diagnosing PNES has shifted from the exclusion of epilepsy to one based on the recognition of typical clinical features. While the diagnosis cannot rely on any single feature in isolation, a range of semiological features characterising PNES are now recognised and a number of studies hint at the potential for machine learning and AI to improve the diagnostic process. Advances in data processing and analysis may also help to make sense of the heterogeneity of PNES populations demonstrated by recent studies focussing on aetiology and patient subgroups. It is now clear that PNES are associated with high rates of mental and physical comorbidities and premature death, highlighting that they are only one manifestation of a complex disorder extending beyond the nervous system and the seizures themselves. SUMMARY PNES are now understood as a manifestation of dysfunction in interacting brain networks. This understanding provides an explanation for the psychopathological and semiological heterogeneity of PNES patient populations. New insights into medical comorbidities and increased rates of premature death call for more research into associated pathological processes outside the nervous system.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Markus Reuber
- Department of Neurology
- Academic Neurology Unit, University of Sheffield, Royal Hallamshire Hospital, Sheffield, United Kingdom
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Kerr WT, Patterson EH, O'Sullivan IM, Horbatch FJ, Darpel KA, Patel PS, Robinson-Mayer N, Winder GS, Beimer NJ. Elevated Mortality Rate in Patients With Functional Seizures After Diagnosis and Referral. Neurol Clin Pract 2024; 14:e200227. [PMID: 38223352 PMCID: PMC10783975 DOI: 10.1212/cpj.0000000000200227] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/16/2023] [Accepted: 10/03/2023] [Indexed: 01/16/2024]
Abstract
Background and Objectives To evaluate the standardized mortality ratio (SMR) of patients in the United States referred to a multidisciplinary clinic for treatment of functional seizures. Methods We identified patients who had or had not died based on automated retrospective review of electronic health records from a registry of patients referred to a single-center multidisciplinary functional seizures treatment clinic. We calculated an SMR by comparing the number of observed deaths with the expected number of deaths in an age-matched, sex-matched, and race-matched population within the same state, and year records were available. Results A total of 700 patients with functional seizures (mean age 37 years, 78% female) were followed up for 1,329 patient-years for a median of 15 months per patient (interquartile range 6-37 months). We observed 11 deaths, corresponding to a mortality rate of 8.2 per 1,000 patient-years and an SMR of 2.4 (95% confidence interval: 1.17-4.22). Five of 9 patients with identified circumstances around their death were in hospice care when they passed. None of the identified causes of death were related to seizures directly. Discussion These data provide further evidence of elevated mortality in functional seizures soon after diagnosis and referral to treatment. These data from the decentralized health care system of the United States build on the findings from other countries with large-scale health registries.
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Affiliation(s)
- Wesley T Kerr
- Departments of Neurology and Biomedical Informatics (WTK), University of Pittsburgh, PA; Department of Neurology (WTK, EHP, IMO, FJH, KAD, PSP, NR-M, GSW, NJB); Department of Psychiatry (EHP, GSW, NJB), University of Michigan, Ann Arbor; Department of Neurology (KAD), St. Elizabeth Medical Center, Fort Thomas; Department of Neurology (KAD), Hazard Appalachian Regional Health, Hazard, KY; Department of Neurology (PSP), John F. Kennedy University Medical Center, Edison; Departments of Neurology and Psychiatry (PSP), Hackensack Meridian School of Medicine, Nutley, NJ; Department of Social Work (NR-M); and Department of Surgery (GSW), University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI
| | - Elissa H Patterson
- Departments of Neurology and Biomedical Informatics (WTK), University of Pittsburgh, PA; Department of Neurology (WTK, EHP, IMO, FJH, KAD, PSP, NR-M, GSW, NJB); Department of Psychiatry (EHP, GSW, NJB), University of Michigan, Ann Arbor; Department of Neurology (KAD), St. Elizabeth Medical Center, Fort Thomas; Department of Neurology (KAD), Hazard Appalachian Regional Health, Hazard, KY; Department of Neurology (PSP), John F. Kennedy University Medical Center, Edison; Departments of Neurology and Psychiatry (PSP), Hackensack Meridian School of Medicine, Nutley, NJ; Department of Social Work (NR-M); and Department of Surgery (GSW), University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI
| | - Isabel M O'Sullivan
- Departments of Neurology and Biomedical Informatics (WTK), University of Pittsburgh, PA; Department of Neurology (WTK, EHP, IMO, FJH, KAD, PSP, NR-M, GSW, NJB); Department of Psychiatry (EHP, GSW, NJB), University of Michigan, Ann Arbor; Department of Neurology (KAD), St. Elizabeth Medical Center, Fort Thomas; Department of Neurology (KAD), Hazard Appalachian Regional Health, Hazard, KY; Department of Neurology (PSP), John F. Kennedy University Medical Center, Edison; Departments of Neurology and Psychiatry (PSP), Hackensack Meridian School of Medicine, Nutley, NJ; Department of Social Work (NR-M); and Department of Surgery (GSW), University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI
| | - Faith J Horbatch
- Departments of Neurology and Biomedical Informatics (WTK), University of Pittsburgh, PA; Department of Neurology (WTK, EHP, IMO, FJH, KAD, PSP, NR-M, GSW, NJB); Department of Psychiatry (EHP, GSW, NJB), University of Michigan, Ann Arbor; Department of Neurology (KAD), St. Elizabeth Medical Center, Fort Thomas; Department of Neurology (KAD), Hazard Appalachian Regional Health, Hazard, KY; Department of Neurology (PSP), John F. Kennedy University Medical Center, Edison; Departments of Neurology and Psychiatry (PSP), Hackensack Meridian School of Medicine, Nutley, NJ; Department of Social Work (NR-M); and Department of Surgery (GSW), University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI
| | - Kyle A Darpel
- Departments of Neurology and Biomedical Informatics (WTK), University of Pittsburgh, PA; Department of Neurology (WTK, EHP, IMO, FJH, KAD, PSP, NR-M, GSW, NJB); Department of Psychiatry (EHP, GSW, NJB), University of Michigan, Ann Arbor; Department of Neurology (KAD), St. Elizabeth Medical Center, Fort Thomas; Department of Neurology (KAD), Hazard Appalachian Regional Health, Hazard, KY; Department of Neurology (PSP), John F. Kennedy University Medical Center, Edison; Departments of Neurology and Psychiatry (PSP), Hackensack Meridian School of Medicine, Nutley, NJ; Department of Social Work (NR-M); and Department of Surgery (GSW), University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI
| | - Palak S Patel
- Departments of Neurology and Biomedical Informatics (WTK), University of Pittsburgh, PA; Department of Neurology (WTK, EHP, IMO, FJH, KAD, PSP, NR-M, GSW, NJB); Department of Psychiatry (EHP, GSW, NJB), University of Michigan, Ann Arbor; Department of Neurology (KAD), St. Elizabeth Medical Center, Fort Thomas; Department of Neurology (KAD), Hazard Appalachian Regional Health, Hazard, KY; Department of Neurology (PSP), John F. Kennedy University Medical Center, Edison; Departments of Neurology and Psychiatry (PSP), Hackensack Meridian School of Medicine, Nutley, NJ; Department of Social Work (NR-M); and Department of Surgery (GSW), University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI
| | - Najda Robinson-Mayer
- Departments of Neurology and Biomedical Informatics (WTK), University of Pittsburgh, PA; Department of Neurology (WTK, EHP, IMO, FJH, KAD, PSP, NR-M, GSW, NJB); Department of Psychiatry (EHP, GSW, NJB), University of Michigan, Ann Arbor; Department of Neurology (KAD), St. Elizabeth Medical Center, Fort Thomas; Department of Neurology (KAD), Hazard Appalachian Regional Health, Hazard, KY; Department of Neurology (PSP), John F. Kennedy University Medical Center, Edison; Departments of Neurology and Psychiatry (PSP), Hackensack Meridian School of Medicine, Nutley, NJ; Department of Social Work (NR-M); and Department of Surgery (GSW), University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI
| | - Gerald S Winder
- Departments of Neurology and Biomedical Informatics (WTK), University of Pittsburgh, PA; Department of Neurology (WTK, EHP, IMO, FJH, KAD, PSP, NR-M, GSW, NJB); Department of Psychiatry (EHP, GSW, NJB), University of Michigan, Ann Arbor; Department of Neurology (KAD), St. Elizabeth Medical Center, Fort Thomas; Department of Neurology (KAD), Hazard Appalachian Regional Health, Hazard, KY; Department of Neurology (PSP), John F. Kennedy University Medical Center, Edison; Departments of Neurology and Psychiatry (PSP), Hackensack Meridian School of Medicine, Nutley, NJ; Department of Social Work (NR-M); and Department of Surgery (GSW), University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI
| | - Nicholas J Beimer
- Departments of Neurology and Biomedical Informatics (WTK), University of Pittsburgh, PA; Department of Neurology (WTK, EHP, IMO, FJH, KAD, PSP, NR-M, GSW, NJB); Department of Psychiatry (EHP, GSW, NJB), University of Michigan, Ann Arbor; Department of Neurology (KAD), St. Elizabeth Medical Center, Fort Thomas; Department of Neurology (KAD), Hazard Appalachian Regional Health, Hazard, KY; Department of Neurology (PSP), John F. Kennedy University Medical Center, Edison; Departments of Neurology and Psychiatry (PSP), Hackensack Meridian School of Medicine, Nutley, NJ; Department of Social Work (NR-M); and Department of Surgery (GSW), University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI
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Yogarajah M. Dissociative seizures in the emergency department: how to solve the problem of diagnostic confusion leading to iatrogenic harm? J Neurol Neurosurg Psychiatry 2024; 95:293. [PMID: 38050088 DOI: 10.1136/jnnp-2023-332617] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/21/2023] [Accepted: 10/26/2023] [Indexed: 12/06/2023]
Affiliation(s)
- Mahinda Yogarajah
- NIHR University College London Hospitals Biomedical Research Centre, London, UK
- Chalfont Centre for Epilepsy, Bucks, UK
- Department of Clinical & Experimental Epilepsy, UCL Queen Square Institute of Neurology, London, UK
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11
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Cengiz O, Jungilligens J, Michaelis R, Wellmer J, Popkirov S. Dissociative seizures in the emergency room: room for improvement. J Neurol Neurosurg Psychiatry 2024; 95:294-299. [PMID: 37758452 PMCID: PMC10958294 DOI: 10.1136/jnnp-2023-332063] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/20/2023] [Accepted: 09/07/2023] [Indexed: 10/03/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Dissociative seizures, also known as functional or psychogenic non-epileptic seizures, account for 11%-27% of all emergency seizure presentations. Misdiagnosis as epileptic seizures is common and leads to ineffective and potentially harmful treatment escalations. We assess the potential for diagnostic improvement at different stages of emergency workup and estimate the utility of benzodiazepines. METHODS A retrospective study of all emergency presentations with a discharge diagnosis of acute dissociative seizures seen at a university hospital 2010-2022 was performed to assess clinical characteristics and emergency decision-making. RESULTS Among 156 patients (73% female, median 29 years), 15% presented more than once for a total of 203 presentations. Half of seizures were ongoing at first medical contact; prolonged seizures and clusters were common (23% and 24%). Diagnostic accuracy differed between on-site emergency physicians and emergency department neurologists (12% vs 52%). Typical features such as eye closure, discontinuous course and asynchronous movements were common. Benzodiazepines were given in two-thirds of ongoing seizures, often in high doses and preferentially for major hyperkinetic semiology. Clinical response to benzodiazepines was mixed, with a minority of patients remaining either unaffected (16%) or becoming critically sedated (13%). A quarter of patients given benzodiazepines by emergency medical services were admitted to a monitoring unit, 9% were intubated. CONCLUSIONS Improved semiological assessment could reduce early misdiagnosis of dissociative seizures. Although some seizures seem to respond to benzodiazepines, critical sedation is common, and further studies are needed to assess the therapeutic ratio.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ozan Cengiz
- Department of Neurology, University Hospital Knappschaftskrankenhaus Bochum, Bochum, Germany
| | - Johannes Jungilligens
- Department of Neurology, University Hospital Knappschaftskrankenhaus Bochum, Bochum, Germany
| | - Rosa Michaelis
- Department of Neurology, University Hospital Knappschaftskrankenhaus Bochum, Bochum, Germany
| | - Jörg Wellmer
- Ruhr-Epileptology, Department of Neurology, University Hospital Knappschaftskrankenhaus Bochum, Bochum, Germany
| | - Stoyan Popkirov
- Department of Neurology, University Hospital Knappschaftskrankenhaus Bochum, Bochum, Germany
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12
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Green A, Wegman ME, Ney JP. Economic review of point-of-care EEG. J Med Econ 2024; 27:51-61. [PMID: 38014443 DOI: 10.1080/13696998.2023.2288422] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/16/2023] [Accepted: 11/23/2023] [Indexed: 11/29/2023]
Abstract
Aims: Point-of-care electroencephalogram (POC-EEG) is an acute care bedside screening tool for the identification of nonconvulsive seizures (NCS) and nonconvulsive status epilepticus (NCSE). The objective of this narrative review is to describe the economic themes related to POC-EEG in the United States (US).Materials and methods: We examined peer-reviewed, published manuscripts on the economic findings of POC-EEG for bedside use in US hospitals, which included those found through targeted searches on PubMed and Google Scholar. Conference abstracts, gray literature offerings, frank advertisements, white papers, and studies conducted outside the US were excluded.Results: Twelve manuscripts were identified and reviewed; results were then grouped into four categories of economic evidence. First, POC-EEG usage was associated with clinical management amendments and antiseizure medication reductions. Second, POC-EEG was correlated with fewer unnecessary transfers to other facilities for monitoring and reduced hospital length of stay (LOS). Third, when identifying NCS or NCSE onsite, POC-EEG was associated with greater reimbursement in Medical Severity-Diagnosis Related Group coding. Fourth, POC-EEG may lower labor costs via decreasing after-hours requests to EEG technologists for conventional EEG (convEEG).Limitations: We conducted a narrative review, not a systematic review. The studies were observational and utilized one rapid circumferential headband system, which limited generalizability of the findings and indicated publication bias. Some sample sizes were small and hospital characteristics may not represent all US hospitals. POC-EEG studies in pediatric populations were also lacking. Ultimately, further research is justified.Conclusions: POC-EEG is a rapid screening tool for NCS and NCSE in critical care and emergency medicine with potential financial benefits through refining clinical management, reducing unnecessary patient transfers and hospital LOS, improving reimbursement, and mitigating burdens on healthcare staff and hospitals. Since POC-EEG has limitations (i.e. no video component and reduced montage), the studies asserted that it did not replace convEEG.
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Affiliation(s)
- Adam Green
- Critical Care Medicine, Cooper University Health Care and Cooper Medical School of Rowan University, Camden, NJ, USA
| | - M Elizabeth Wegman
- Medical Communications, Costello Medical Consulting, Inc, Boston, MA, USA
| | - John P Ney
- Department of Neurology, Boston University Aram V. Chobanian & Edward Avedisian School of Medicine, Boston, MA, USA
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13
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Rossetti AO, Claassen J, Gaspard N. Status epilepticus in the ICU. Intensive Care Med 2024; 50:1-16. [PMID: 38117319 DOI: 10.1007/s00134-023-07263-w] [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: 07/14/2023] [Accepted: 10/26/2023] [Indexed: 12/21/2023]
Abstract
Status epilepticus (SE) is a common medical emergency associated with significant morbidity and mortality. Management that follows published guidelines is best suited to improve outcomes, with the most severe cases frequently being managed in the intensive care unit (ICU). Diagnosis of convulsive SE can be made without electroencephalography (EEG), but EEG is required to reliably diagnose nonconvulsive SE. Rapidly narrowing down underlying causes for SE is crucial, as this may guide additional management steps. Causes may range from underlying epilepsy to acute brain injuries such as trauma, cardiac arrest, stroke, and infections. Initial management consists of rapid administration of benzodiazepines and one of the following non-sedating intravenous antiseizure medications (ASM): (fos-)phenytoin, levetiracetam, or valproate; other ASM are increasingly used, such as lacosamide or brivaracetam. SE that continues despite these medications is called refractory, and most commonly treated with continuous infusions of midazolam or propofol. Alternatives include further non-sedating ASM and non-pharmacologic approaches. SE that reemerges after weaning or continues despite management with propofol or midazolam is labeled super-refractory SE. At this step, management may include non-sedating or sedating compounds including ketamine and barbiturates. Continuous video EEG is necessary for the management of refractory and super-refractory SE, as these are almost always nonconvulsive. If possible, management of the underlying cause of seizures is crucial particularly for patients with autoimmune encephalitis. Short-term mortality ranges from 10 to 15% after SE and is primarily related to increasing age, underlying etiology, and medical comorbidities. Refractoriness of treatment is clearly related to outcome with mortality rising from 10% in responsive cases, to 25% in refractory, and nearly 40% in super-refractory SE.
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Affiliation(s)
- Andrea O Rossetti
- Department of Neurology, Lausanne University Hospital (CHUV) and University of Lausanne, Lausanne, Switzerland
| | - Jan Claassen
- Department of Neurology, Columbia University Irving Medical Center, New York Presbyterian Hospital, New York, NY, USA
| | - Nicolas Gaspard
- Service de Neurologie, Hôpital Universitaire de Bruxelles, Hôpital Erasme, Université Libre de Bruxelles, Route de Lennik 808, 1070, Brussels, Belgium.
- Department of Neurology, Yale University School of Medicine, New Haven, CT, USA.
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14
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León-Ruiz M, Benito-León J, Castañeda-Cabrero C. More about nonconvulsive status epilepticus in children. Seizure 2024; 114:96-97. [PMID: 38113665 DOI: 10.1016/j.seizure.2023.12.006] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/07/2023] [Revised: 12/09/2023] [Accepted: 12/12/2023] [Indexed: 12/21/2023] Open
Affiliation(s)
- Moisés León-Ruiz
- Section of Clinical Neurophysiology, Department of Neurology, La Paz University Hospital, Paseo de la Castellana, 261, Madrid 28046, Spain.
| | - Julián Benito-León
- Department of Neurology, 12 de Octubre University Hospital, Madrid, Spain; Research Institute (i+12), 12 de Octubre University Hospital, Madrid, Spain; Department of Medicine, Faculty of Medicine, Complutense University of Madrid, Madrid, Spain; Centro de Investigación Biomédica en Red Sobre Enfermedades Neurodegenerativas (CIBERNED), Madrid, Spain
| | - Carlos Castañeda-Cabrero
- Section of Clinical Neurophysiology, Department of Neurology, La Paz University Hospital, Paseo de la Castellana, 261, Madrid 28046, Spain
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15
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Reilly C, Jette N, Johnson EC, Kariuki SM, Meredith F, Wirrell E, Mula M, Smith ML, Walsh S, Fong CY, Wilmshurst JM, Kerr M, Valente K, Auvin S. Scoping review and expert-based consensus recommendations for assessment and management of psychogenic non-epileptic (functional) seizures (PNES) in children: A report from the Pediatric Psychiatric Issues Task Force of the International League Against Epilepsy. Epilepsia 2023; 64:3160-3195. [PMID: 37804168 DOI: 10.1111/epi.17768] [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: 03/01/2023] [Revised: 08/28/2023] [Accepted: 08/28/2023] [Indexed: 10/09/2023]
Abstract
Limited guidance exists regarding the assessment and management of psychogenic non-epileptic seizures (PNES) in children. Our aim was to develop consensus-based recommendations to fill this gap. The members of the International League Against Epilepsy (ILAE) Task Force on Pediatric Psychiatric Issues conducted a scoping review adhering to the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses extension for Scoping Reviews (PRISMA-SR) standards. This was supplemented with a Delphi process sent to pediatric PNES experts. Consensus was defined as ≥80% agreement. The systematic search identified 77 studies, the majority (55%) of which were retrospective (only one randomized clinical trial). The primary means of PNES identification was video electroencephalography (vEEG) in 84% of studies. Better outcome was associated with access to counseling/psychological intervention. Children with PNES have more frequent psychiatric disorders than controls. The Delphi resulted in 22 recommendations: Assessment-There was consensus on the importance of (1) taking a comprehensive developmental history; (2) obtaining a description of the events; (3) asking about potential stressors; (4) the need to use vEEG if available parent, self, and school reports and video recordings can contribute to a "probable" diagnosis; and (5) that invasive provocation techniques or deceit should not be employed. Management-There was consensus about the (1) need for a professional with expertise in epilepsy to remain involved for a period after PNES diagnosis; (2) provision of appropriate educational materials to the child and caregivers; and (3) that the decision on treatment modality for PNES in children should consider the child's age, cognitive ability, and family factors. Comorbidities-There was consensus that all children with PNES should be screened for mental health and neurodevelopmental difficulties. Recommendations to facilitate the assessment and management of PNES in children were developed. Future directions to fill knowledge gaps were proposed.
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Affiliation(s)
- Colin Reilly
- Research Department, Young Epilepsy, Lingfield, UK
- Department of Pediatrics, Institute of Clinical Sciences, Sahlgrenska Academy, University of Gothenburg, Gothenburg, Sweden
- Queen Silvia Children's Hospital, Sahlgrenska University Hospital, Gothenburg, Sweden
| | - Nathalie Jette
- Department of Neurology, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinia, New York City, New York, USA
| | | | - Symon M Kariuki
- KEMRI-Wellcome Trust Research Trust Research Programme, Kilifi, Kenya
- Department of Psychiatry, University of Oxford, Oxford, UK
- Department of Public Health, Pwani University, Kilifi, Kenya
| | | | - Elaine Wirrell
- Divisions of Child and Adolescent Neurology and Epilepsy, Department of Neurology, Mayo Clinic, Rochester, Minnesota, USA
| | - Marco Mula
- IMBE, St George's University and the Atkinson Morley Regional Neuroscience Centre, St George's University Hospital, London, UK
| | - Mary Lou Smith
- Department of Psychology, University of Toronto Mississauga and Neurosciences and Mental Health Program, The Hospital for Sick Children, Toronto, Ontario, Canada
| | - Samantha Walsh
- Levy Library, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York City, New York, USA
| | - Choong Yi Fong
- Division of Paediatric Neurology, Department of Paediatrics, Faculty of Medicine, University of Malaya, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia
| | - Jo M Wilmshurst
- Department of Paediatric Neurology, Red Cross War Memorial Children's Hospital, Neuroscience Institute, University of Cape Town, Cape Town, South Africa
| | - Mike Kerr
- Institute of Psychological Medicine and Clinical Neurosciences Cardiff University, Cardiff, UK
| | - Kette Valente
- Clinical Neurophysiology Sector, University of São Paulo, Clinic Hospital (HCFMUSP), São Paulo, Brazil
| | - Stephane Auvin
- Université Paris Cité, INSERM NeuroDiderot, Paris, France
- Pediatric Neurology Department, APHP, Robert Debré University Hospital, CRMR epilepsies rares, EpiCare member, Paris, France
- Institut Universitaire de France (IUF), Paris, France
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16
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Tan TH, Sanfilippo P, Colman B, Perucca P, Kwan P, O'Brien TJ, Monif M. Development and validation of a peripheral cell ratio and lactate score for differentiating status epilepticus from prolonged psychogenic nonepileptic seizures. Epilepsia Open 2023; 8:1460-1473. [PMID: 37641168 PMCID: PMC10690667 DOI: 10.1002/epi4.12822] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/07/2023] [Accepted: 08/25/2023] [Indexed: 08/31/2023] Open
Abstract
OBJECTIVE Differentiating status epilepticus (SE) from prolonged psychogenic nonepileptic seizures (pPNES) can be difficult clinically. We aimed to define the utility of peripheral cell counts, cell ratios, and lactate levels in distinguishing SE from pPNES. METHODS Retrospective two-center study investigating the sensitivity and specificity of acute (≤12 h of event offset) peripheral cell counts, cell ratios (neutrophil-lymphocyte ratio, neutrophil-monocyte ratio, monocyte-lymphocyte ratio, platelet-lymphocyte ratio, systemic immune-inflammatory index [SII], systemic inflammatory response index [SIRI]), and lactate levels in differentiating SE from pPNES. Patients were identified from two tertiary hospitals, with one forming the development cohort and the other the validation cohort. Using generalized additive models to generate biomarker vs time curves, optimal blood collection times were defined for set parameters. Three diagnostic scores combining neutrophil count, SII, or SIRI with lactate levels were developed and validated in separate cohorts. RESULTS For the development cohort, 1262 seizure-like events were reviewed and 79 SE and 44 pPNES events were included. For the validation cohort, 241 events were reviewed and 20 SE and 11 pPNES events were included. Individually, the biomarkers generally had low sensitivity and reasonable specificity for differentiating SE from pPNES, with the neutrophil count, SIRI, and SII performing best with sensitivities of 0.65-0.84, specificities of 0.64-0.89, and ROC AUCs of 0.78-0.79. Lactate levels peaked at 60 min, while cell counts and ratios peaked after 240 min. Combining early peaking lactate levels and later peaking neutrophil count, SIRI or SII resulted in three scores that improved predictive potential with sensitivities of between 0.75 and 0.79, specificities between 0.93 and 1.00, and ROC AUCs of 0.89-0.91. SIGNIFICANCE Lactate levels peak early post-SE, whereas cell counts and ratios do so later. The differing post-event time profiles of lactate levels vs neutrophil count, SIRI, and SII allow incorporation into three separate scores which can assist in differentiating SE from pPNES.
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Affiliation(s)
- Tracie H.L. Tan
- Department of Neuroscience, Central Clinical School, Faculty of Medicine, Nursing and Health ScienceMonash UniversityMelbourneVictoriaAustralia
- Department of NeurologyAlfred HospitalMelbourneVictoriaAustralia
- Department of NeurologyRoyal Melbourne HospitalMelbourneVictoriaAustralia
| | - Paul Sanfilippo
- Department of Neuroscience, Central Clinical School, Faculty of Medicine, Nursing and Health ScienceMonash UniversityMelbourneVictoriaAustralia
- Department of NeurologyAlfred HospitalMelbourneVictoriaAustralia
| | - Blake Colman
- Department of Neuroscience, Central Clinical School, Faculty of Medicine, Nursing and Health ScienceMonash UniversityMelbourneVictoriaAustralia
- Department of NeurologyAlfred HospitalMelbourneVictoriaAustralia
- Department of NeurologyRoyal Melbourne HospitalMelbourneVictoriaAustralia
| | - Piero Perucca
- Department of Neuroscience, Central Clinical School, Faculty of Medicine, Nursing and Health ScienceMonash UniversityMelbourneVictoriaAustralia
- Department of NeurologyAlfred HospitalMelbourneVictoriaAustralia
- Department of NeurologyRoyal Melbourne HospitalMelbourneVictoriaAustralia
- Department of Neurology, Bladin‐Berkovic Comprehensive Epilepsy ProgramAustin HealthMelbourneVictoriaAustralia
- Epilepsy Research Centre, Department of Medicine (Austin Health)The University of MelbourneMelbourneVictoriaAustralia
| | - Patrick Kwan
- Department of Neuroscience, Central Clinical School, Faculty of Medicine, Nursing and Health ScienceMonash UniversityMelbourneVictoriaAustralia
- Department of NeurologyAlfred HospitalMelbourneVictoriaAustralia
| | - Terence J. O'Brien
- Department of Neuroscience, Central Clinical School, Faculty of Medicine, Nursing and Health ScienceMonash UniversityMelbourneVictoriaAustralia
- Department of NeurologyAlfred HospitalMelbourneVictoriaAustralia
- Department of NeurologyRoyal Melbourne HospitalMelbourneVictoriaAustralia
| | - Mastura Monif
- Department of Neuroscience, Central Clinical School, Faculty of Medicine, Nursing and Health ScienceMonash UniversityMelbourneVictoriaAustralia
- Department of NeurologyAlfred HospitalMelbourneVictoriaAustralia
- Department of NeurologyRoyal Melbourne HospitalMelbourneVictoriaAustralia
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17
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Finkelstein SA, Popkirov S. Functional Neurological Disorder: Diagnostic Pitfalls and Differential Diagnostic Considerations. Neurol Clin 2023; 41:665-679. [PMID: 37775197 DOI: 10.1016/j.ncl.2023.04.001] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/01/2023]
Abstract
Functional neurologic disorder (FND) is a "rule-in" diagnosis, characterized by positive examination signs or semiological features. Similar to other clinical diagnoses, providers should ideally see robustly present features, including if possible the identification of multiple features consistent with FND for the diagnosis to be made with a high degree of certainty. Diagnostic pitfalls need to be guarded against and vary depending on FND symptom subtype and the specific patient presentation. This perspective article aims to review pitfalls based on an FND symptom subtype, as well as discuss differential diagnostic considerations with respect to both neurologic and psychiatric entities.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sara A Finkelstein
- Department of Neurology, Functional Neurological Disorder Unit, Massachusetts General Hospital, Harvard Medical School, 55 Fruit Street, Boston, MA 20114, USA.
| | - Stoyan Popkirov
- Department of Neurology, University Hospital Knappschaftskrankenhaus Bochum, In der Schornau 23-25, Bochum 44892, Germany.
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18
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Fawcett J, Davis S, Manford M. Further advances in epilepsy. J Neurol 2023; 270:5655-5670. [PMID: 37458794 DOI: 10.1007/s00415-023-11860-6] [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: 05/31/2023] [Revised: 06/29/2023] [Accepted: 06/29/2023] [Indexed: 10/15/2023]
Abstract
In 2017, one of us reviewed advances in epilepsy (Manford in J Neurol 264:1811-1824, 2017). The current paper brings that review up to date and gives a slight change in emphasis. Once again, the story is of evolution rather than revolution. In recognition that most of our current medications act on neurotransmitters or ion channels, and not on the underlying changes in connectivity and pathways, they have been renamed as antiseizure (ASM) medications rather than antiepileptic drugs. Cenobamate is the one newly licensed medication for broader use in focal epilepsy but there have been a number of developments for specific disorders. We review new players and look forward to new developments in the light of evolving underlying science. We look at teratogenicity; old villains and new concerns in which clinicians play a vital role in explaining and balancing the risks. Medical treatment of status epilepticus, long without evidence, has benefitted from high-quality trials to inform practice; like buses, several arriving at once. Surgical treatment continues to be refined with improvements in the pre-surgical evaluation of patients, especially with new imaging techniques. Alternatives including stereotactic radiotherapy have received further focus and targets for palliative stimulation techniques have grown in number. Individuals' autonomy and quality of life continue to be the subject of research with refinement of what clinicians can do to help persons with epilepsy (PWE) achieve control. This includes seizure management but extends to broader considerations of human empowerment, needs and desires, which may be aided by emerging technologies such as seizure detection devices. The role of specialist nurses in improving that quality has been reinforced by specific endorsement from the International League against Epilepsy (ILAE).
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Affiliation(s)
- Joanna Fawcett
- Department of Neurology, Royal United Hospital, Bath, UK
| | - Sarah Davis
- Department of Neurology, Royal United Hospital, Bath, UK
| | - Mark Manford
- Department of Neurology, Royal United Hospital, Bath, UK.
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Hausteiner-Wiehle C, Michaelis R, Senf-Beckenbach AP, Bauer PR, Kleinstäuber M, van Tilburg MAL. Learning from functional disorders - From a feminist perspective and beyond. J Psychosom Res 2023; 174:111428. [PMID: 37684118 DOI: 10.1016/j.jpsychores.2023.111428] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/23/2023] [Accepted: 06/23/2023] [Indexed: 09/10/2023]
Affiliation(s)
- Constanze Hausteiner-Wiehle
- Department of Psychosomatic Medicine and Psychotherapy, Klinikum rechts der Isar, Technical University of Munich, Munich, Germany; Department of Neurology, BG Trauma Center Murnau, Murnau, Germany.
| | - Rosa Michaelis
- Department of Neurology, University Hospital Knappschaftskrankenhaus Bochum, Ruhr University Bochum, Bochum, Germany
| | | | - Prisca R Bauer
- Department of Psychosomatic Medicine and Psychotherapy, University of Freiburg, Freiburg, Germany
| | | | - Miranda A L van Tilburg
- University of North Carolina, School of Medicine, Chapel Hill, NC, USA; University of Washington, School of Social Work, Seattle, WA, USA; Marshall University, Joan C Edwards School of Medicine, Huntington, WV, USA; Cape Fear Valley Medical Center, Fayetteville, NC, USA
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Kozlowska K, Schollar-Root O, Savage B, Hawkes C, Chudleigh C, Raghunandan J, Scher S, Helgeland H. Illness-Promoting Psychological Processes in Children and Adolescents with Functional Neurological Disorder. CHILDREN (BASEL, SWITZERLAND) 2023; 10:1724. [PMID: 38002815 PMCID: PMC10670544 DOI: 10.3390/children10111724] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/04/2023] [Revised: 10/03/2023] [Accepted: 10/06/2023] [Indexed: 11/26/2023]
Abstract
Previous studies suggest that subjective distress in children with functional neurological disorder (FND) is associated with stress-system dysregulation and modulates aberrant changes in neural networks. The current study documents illness-promoting psychological processes in 76 children with FND (60 girls and 16 boys, aged 10.00-17.08 years) admitted to the Mind-Body Program. The children completed a comprehensive family assessment and self-report measures, and they worked with the clinical team to identify psychological processes during their inpatient admission. A total of 47 healthy controls (35 girls and 12 boys, aged 8.58-17.92 years) also completed self-report measures, but were not assessed for illness-promoting psychological processes. Children with FND (vs. controls) reported higher levels of subjective distress (total DASS score, t(104.24) = 12.18; p ˂ 0.001) and more adverse childhood experiences across their lifespans (total ELSQ score, t(88.57) = 9.38; p ˂ 0.001). Illness-promoting psychological processes were identified in all children with FND. Most common were the following: chronic worries about schoolwork, friendships, or parental wellbeing (n = 64; 84.2%); attention to symptoms (n = 61; 80.3%); feeling sad (n = 58; 76.3%); experiencing a low sense of control (helplessness) in relation to symptoms (n = 44; 57.9%); pushing difficult thoughts out of mind (n = 44; 57.9%); self-critical rumination (n = 42; 55.3%); negative/catastrophic-symptom expectations (n = 40; 52.6%); avoidance of activities (n = 38; 50%); intrusive thoughts/feelings/memories associated with adverse events (n = 38, 50%); and pushing difficult feelings out of mind (n = 37; 48.7%). In children with FND-disabled enough to be admitted for inpatient treatment-illness-promoting psychological processes are part of the clinical presentation. They contribute to the child's ongoing sense of subjective distress, and if not addressed can maintain the illness process. A range of clinical interventions used to address illness-promoting psychological processes are discussed, along with illustrative vignettes.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kasia Kozlowska
- Department of Psychological Medicine, The Children’s Hospital at Westmead, Westmead, NSW 2145, Australia; (O.S.-R.); (B.S.); (C.H.); (J.R.)
- Child and Adolescent Heath and Specialty of Psychiatry, Faculty of Medicine and Health, University of Sydney, Camperdown, NSW 2050, Australia
- Brain Dynamics Centre, Westmead Institute of Medical Research, Faculty of Medicine and Health, University of Sydney, Westmead, NSW 2145, Australia
| | - Olivia Schollar-Root
- Department of Psychological Medicine, The Children’s Hospital at Westmead, Westmead, NSW 2145, Australia; (O.S.-R.); (B.S.); (C.H.); (J.R.)
| | - Blanche Savage
- Department of Psychological Medicine, The Children’s Hospital at Westmead, Westmead, NSW 2145, Australia; (O.S.-R.); (B.S.); (C.H.); (J.R.)
- Golden Wattle Clinical Psychology, 20 Jarrett St, Leichhardt, NSW 2040, Australia
| | - Clare Hawkes
- Department of Psychological Medicine, The Children’s Hospital at Westmead, Westmead, NSW 2145, Australia; (O.S.-R.); (B.S.); (C.H.); (J.R.)
| | - Catherine Chudleigh
- Department of Psychological Medicine, The Children’s Hospital at Westmead, Westmead, NSW 2145, Australia; (O.S.-R.); (B.S.); (C.H.); (J.R.)
- Golden Wattle Clinical Psychology, 20 Jarrett St, Leichhardt, NSW 2040, Australia
| | - Jyoti Raghunandan
- Department of Psychological Medicine, The Children’s Hospital at Westmead, Westmead, NSW 2145, Australia; (O.S.-R.); (B.S.); (C.H.); (J.R.)
| | - Stephen Scher
- Department of Psychiatry, McLean Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA 02115, USA;
- Specialty of Psychiatry, Faculty of Medicine and Health, University of Sydney, Camperdown, NSW 2050, Australia
| | - Helene Helgeland
- Department of Child and Adolescent Mental Health in Hospitals, Oslo University Hospital, 0424 Oslo, Norway;
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21
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McLoughlin C, Hoeritzauer I, Cabreira V, Aybek S, Adams C, Alty J, Ball HA, Baker J, Bullock K, Burness C, Dworetzky BA, Finkelstein S, Garcin B, Gelauff J, Goldstein LH, Jordbru A, Huys ACM, Laffan A, Lidstone SC, Linden SC, Ludwig L, Maggio J, Morgante F, Mallam E, Nicholson C, O'Neal M, O'Sullivan S, Pareés I, Petrochilos P, Pick S, Phillips W, Roelofs K, Newby R, Stanton B, Gray C, Joyce EM, Tijssen MA, Chalder T, McCormick M, Gardiner P, Bègue I, Tuttle MC, Williams I, McRae S, Voon V, McWhirter L. Functional neurological disorder is a feminist issue. J Neurol Neurosurg Psychiatry 2023; 94:855-862. [PMID: 36977553 PMCID: PMC10511956 DOI: 10.1136/jnnp-2022-330192] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/18/2022] [Accepted: 02/26/2023] [Indexed: 03/30/2023]
Abstract
Functional neurological disorder (FND) is a common and disabling disorder, often misunderstood by clinicians. Although viewed sceptically by some, FND is a diagnosis that can be made accurately, based on positive clinical signs, with clinical features that have remained stable for over 100 years. Despite some progress in the last decade, people with FND continue to suffer subtle and overt forms of discrimination by clinicians, researchers and the public. There is abundant evidence that disorders perceived as primarily affecting women are neglected in healthcare and medical research, and the course of FND mirrors this neglect. We outline the reasons why FND is a feminist issue, incorporating historical and contemporary clinical, research and social perspectives. We call for parity for FND in medical education, research and clinical service development so that people affected by FND can receive the care they need.
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Affiliation(s)
- Caoimhe McLoughlin
- Centre for Clinical Brain Sciences, University of Edinburgh, Edinburgh, UK
| | - Ingrid Hoeritzauer
- Centre for Clinical Brain Sciences, University of Edinburgh, Edinburgh, UK
| | - Verónica Cabreira
- Centre for Clinical Brain Sciences, University of Edinburgh, Edinburgh, UK
- Neurology Department, Centro Hospitalar Universitário de São João, Porto, Portugal
| | - Selma Aybek
- Department of Clinical Neuroscience, Hopitaux Universitaires de Geneve, Geneva, Switzerland
- Department of Clinical Neuroscience, Inselspital Universitatsspital Bern Universitatsklinik fur Neurologie, Bern, Switzerland
| | - Caitlin Adams
- Department of Psychiatry, Massachusetts General Hospital, Boston, Massachusetts, USA
- Massachusetts General Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Boston, Massachusetts, USA
| | - Jane Alty
- College of Health and Medicine, University of Tasmania, Hobart, Tasmania, Australia
- Neurology, Royal Hobart Hospital, Hobart, Tasmania, Australia
| | - Harriet A Ball
- Bristol Medical School, University of Bristol Faculty of Health Sciences, Bristol, UK
- Neurology, North Bristol NHS Trust, Westbury on Trym, UK
| | - Janet Baker
- Randwick Specialist Centre, Private Practice, Randwick, New South Wales, Australia
- College of Nursing and Health Sciences, Flinders University, Adelaide, South Australia, Australia
| | - Kim Bullock
- Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, Stanford School of Medicine, Stanford, California, USA
| | | | - Barbara A Dworetzky
- Department of Neurology, Brigham and Women's Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Boston, Massachusetts, USA
| | - Sara Finkelstein
- Massachusetts General Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Boston, Massachusetts, USA
- Department of Neurology, Massachusetts General Hospital, Boston, Massachusetts, USA
| | | | - Jeannette Gelauff
- Department of Neurology, Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam, Amsterdam, The Netherlands
| | - Laura H Goldstein
- Department of Psychology, Institute of Psychiatry, Psychology and Neuroscience, King's College London, London, UK
| | - Anika Jordbru
- Faculty of Humanities, Sport and Educational Science, University of South-Eastern Norway, Kongsberg, Norway
| | - Anne-Catherine Ml Huys
- Department of Neurology, Cambridge University Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust, Cambridge, UK
| | - Aoife Laffan
- Neurology, St. James's Hospital, Dublin, Ireland
| | - Sarah C Lidstone
- University Health Network and the University of Toronto, Toronto, Ontario, Canada
| | - Stefanie Caroline Linden
- Department of Health, Ethics and Society, Faculty of Health, Medicine and Life Sciences, Maastricht University, Maastricht, The Netherlands
| | - Lea Ludwig
- Department of Clinical Psychology and Psychotherapy, University of Hamburg, Hamburg, Germany
| | - Julie Maggio
- Department of Neurology, Massachusetts General Hospital, Boston, Massachusetts, USA
- Department of Physical Therapy and Functional Neurological Disorder Unit and Research Program, Massachusetts General Hospital, Boston, Massachusetts, USA
| | - Francesca Morgante
- Neurosciences Research Centre, Molecular and Clinical Sciences Research Institute, St George's University Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust, London, UK
- Department of Experimental and Clinical Medicine, University of Messina, Messina, Italy
| | - Elizabeth Mallam
- The Rosa Burden Centre, Southmead Hospital, North Bristol NHS Trust, Bristol, UK
| | - Clare Nicholson
- Therapy Services, National Hospital for Neurology & Neurosurgery, University College London Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust, London, UK
| | - Mary O'Neal
- Department of Neurology, Brigham and Women's Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Boston, Massachusetts, USA
| | | | - Isabel Pareés
- Movement Disorders Program, Neurology Deparment Hospital Ruber Internacional, Madrid, Spain
- Movement Disorders Unit, Neurology Department, Hospital Ramón y Cajal, Madrid, Spain
| | | | - Susannah Pick
- Section of Cognitive Neuropsychiatry, King's College London, Institute of Psychiatry, Psychology and Neuroscience, London, UK
| | - Wendy Phillips
- Department of Neurology, Cambridge University Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust, Cambridge, UK
| | - Karin Roelofs
- Donders Institute for Brain Cognition and Behaviour: Donders Centre for Cognitive Neuroimaging, Radboud University Nijmegen, Nijmegen, The Netherlands
- Behavioural Science Institute, Radboud University Nijmegen, Nijmegen, Netherlands
| | - Rachel Newby
- Neurology, Teaching Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust, Sheffield, UK
| | | | - Cordelia Gray
- Neurology Psychotherapy Service, Sheffield Teaching Hospital, Academic Neurology Unit, The University of Sheffield, Sheffield, UK
| | - Eileen M Joyce
- Neuropsychiatry, UCL Queen Square Institute of Neurology, London, UK
| | - Marina Aj Tijssen
- Expertise Center Movement Disorders Groningen, University Medical Centre Groningen, Groningen, The Netherlands
| | - Trudie Chalder
- Department of Psychological Medicine, Institute of Psychiatry, Psychology and Neuroscience, Kings College London, London, UK
| | - Maxanne McCormick
- Physician assistant/patient with FND, FNDRecovery.com, -, Monument CO, USA
| | - Paula Gardiner
- Psychological Therapy in Primary Care, University of Dundee, Dundee, UK
- enhance-cbt.com therapist, NeuroSpecialist Physiotherapist, Stirling, UK
| | - Indrit Bègue
- Department of Psychiatry, Geneva University Hospitals, Geneve, Switzerland
| | - Margaret C Tuttle
- Massachusetts General Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Boston, Massachusetts, USA
- Department of Psychiatry, Functional Neurological Disorder Unit, Massachusetts General Hospital, Boston, Massachusetts, USA
| | - Isobel Williams
- Neuropsychology, Department of Clinical Neurosciences, NHS Lothian, Edinburgh, UK
| | - Sarah McRae
- Department of Clinical Neurosciences, NHS Lothian, Edinburgh, UK
| | - Valerie Voon
- Psychiatry, University of Cambridge, Cambridge, UK
- Institute of Science and Technology for Brain-Inspired Intelligence, Fudan University, Shanghai, China
| | - Laura McWhirter
- Centre for Clinical Brain Sciences, University of Edinburgh, Edinburgh, UK
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22
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Ryan JM, Wagner KT, Yerram S, Concannon C, Lin JX, Rooney P, Hanrahan B, Titoff V, Connolly NL, Cranmer R, DeMaria N, Xia X, Mykins B, Erickson S, Couderc JP, Schifitto G, Hughes I, Wang D, Erba G, Auerbach DS. Heart rate and autonomic biomarkers distinguish convulsive epileptic vs. functional or dissociative seizures. Seizure 2023; 111:178-186. [PMID: 37660533 DOI: 10.1016/j.seizure.2023.08.015] [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: 06/09/2023] [Revised: 08/19/2023] [Accepted: 08/22/2023] [Indexed: 09/05/2023] Open
Abstract
OBJECTIVE 20-40% of individuals whose seizures are not controlled by anti-seizure medications exhibit manifestations comparable to epileptic seizures (ES), but there are no EEG correlates. These events are called functional or dissociative seizures (FDS). Due to limited access to EEG-monitoring and inconclusive results, we aimed to develop an alternative diagnostic tool that distinguishes ES vs. FDS. We evaluated the temporal evolution of ECG-based measures of autonomic function (heart rate variability, HRV) to determine whether they distinguish ES vs. FDS. METHODS The prospective study includes patients admitted to the University of Rochester Epilepsy Monitoring Unit. Participants are 18-65 years old, without therapies or co-morbidities associated with altered autonomics. A habitual ES or FDS is recorded during admission. HRV analysis is performed to evaluate the temporal changes in autonomic function during the peri‑ictal period (150-minutes each pre-/post-ictal). We determined if autonomic measures distinguish ES vs. FDS. RESULTS The study includes 53 ES and 46 FDS. Temporal evolution of HR and autonomics significantly differ surrounding ES vs. FDS. The pre-to-post-ictal change (delta) in HR differs surrounding ES vs. FDS, stratified for convulsive and non-convulsive events. Post-ictal HR, total autonomic (SDNN & Total Power), vagal (RMSSD & HF), and baroreflex (LF) function differ for convulsive ES vs. convulsive FDS. HR distinguishes non-convulsive ES vs. non-convulsive FDS with ROC>0.7, sensitivity>70%, but specificity<50%. HR-delta and post-ictal HR, SDNN, RMSSD, LF, HF, and Total Power each distinguish convulsive ES vs. convulsive FDS (ROC, 0.83-0.98). Models with HR-delta and post-ictal HR provide the highest diagnostic accuracy for convulsive ES vs. convulsive FDS: 92% sensitivity, 94% specificity, ROC 0.99). SIGNIFICANCE HR and HRV measures accurately distinguish convulsive, but not non-convulsive, events (ES vs. FDS). Results establish the framework for future studies to apply this diagnostic tool to more heterogeneous populations, and on out-of-hospital recordings, particularly for populations without access to epilepsy monitoring units.
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Affiliation(s)
- Justin M Ryan
- Department of Pharmacology, SUNY Upstate Medical University, Syracuse, NY 13210, United States
| | - Kyle T Wagner
- Department of Pharmacology, SUNY Upstate Medical University, Syracuse, NY 13210, United States
| | - Sushma Yerram
- Department of Neurology, University of Rochester Medical Center, Rochester, NY 14642, United States
| | - Cathleen Concannon
- Department of Neurology, University of Rochester Medical Center, Rochester, NY 14642, United States
| | - Jennifer X Lin
- School of Medicine, University of Rochester Medical Center, Rochester, NY 14642, United States
| | - Patrick Rooney
- Department of Neurology, University of Rochester Medical Center, Rochester, NY 14642, United States
| | - Brian Hanrahan
- Department of Neurology, University of Rochester Medical Center, Rochester, NY 14642, United States
| | - Victoria Titoff
- Department of Neurology-Epilepsy, SUNY Upstate Medical University, Syracuse, NY 13210, United States; Department of Neurology, University of Rochester Medical Center, Rochester, NY 14642, United States
| | - Noreen L Connolly
- Department of Neurology, University of Rochester Medical Center, Rochester, NY 14642, United States
| | - Ramona Cranmer
- Department of Neurology, University of Rochester Medical Center, Rochester, NY 14642, United States
| | - Natalia DeMaria
- Department of Pharmacology, SUNY Upstate Medical University, Syracuse, NY 13210, United States
| | - Xiaojuan Xia
- Clinical Cardiology Research Center Medicine-Cardiology, University of Rochester Medical Center, Rochester, NY 14642, United States
| | - Betty Mykins
- Clinical Cardiology Research Center Medicine-Cardiology, University of Rochester Medical Center, Rochester, NY 14642, United States
| | - Steven Erickson
- Department of Neurology, University of Rochester Medical Center, Rochester, NY 14642, United States
| | - Jean-Philippe Couderc
- Clinical Cardiology Research Center Medicine-Cardiology, University of Rochester Medical Center, Rochester, NY 14642, United States
| | - Giovanni Schifitto
- Department of Neurology, University of Rochester Medical Center, Rochester, NY 14642, United States
| | - Inna Hughes
- Department of Neurology, University of Rochester Medical Center, Rochester, NY 14642, United States
| | - Dongliang Wang
- Department of Public Health, SUNY Upstate Medical University, Syracuse, NY 13210, United States
| | - Giuseppe Erba
- Department of Neurology, University of Rochester Medical Center, Rochester, NY 14642, United States
| | - David S Auerbach
- Department of Pharmacology, SUNY Upstate Medical University, Syracuse, NY 13210, United States.
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23
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Elkommos S, Martin-Lopez D, Koreki A, Jolliffe C, Kandasamy R, Mula M, Critchley HD, Edwards MJ, Garfinkel S, Richardson MP, Yogarajah M. Changes in the heartbeat-evoked potential are associated with functional seizures. J Neurol Neurosurg Psychiatry 2023; 94:769-775. [PMID: 37230745 DOI: 10.1136/jnnp-2022-330167] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/17/2022] [Accepted: 04/05/2023] [Indexed: 05/27/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Patients with functional seizures (FS) can experience dissociation (depersonalisation) before their seizures. Depersonalisation reflects disembodiment, which may be related to changes in interoceptive processing. The heartbeat-evoked potential (HEP) is an electroencephalogram (EEG) marker of interoceptive processing. AIM To assess whether alterations in interoceptive processing indexed by HEP occur prior to FS and compare this with epileptic seizures (ES). METHODS HEP amplitudes were calculated from EEG during video-EEG monitoring in 25 patients with FS and 19 patients with ES, and were compared between interictal and preictal states. HEP amplitude difference was calculated as preictal HEP amplitude minus interictal HEP amplitude. A receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve analysis was used to evaluate the diagnostic performance of HEP amplitude difference in discriminating FS from ES. RESULTS The FS group demonstrated a significant reduction in HEP amplitude between interictal and preictal states at F8 (effect size rB=0.612, false discovery rate (FDR)-corrected q=0.030) and C4 (rB=0.600, FDR-corrected q=0.035). No differences in HEP amplitude were found between states in the ES group. Between diagnostic groups, HEP amplitude difference differed between the FS and ES groups at F8 (rB=0.423, FDR-corrected q=0.085) and C4 (rB=0.457, FDR-corrected q=0.085). Using HEP amplitude difference at frontal and central electrodes plus sex, we found that the ROC curve demonstrated an area under the curve of 0.893, with sensitivity=0.840 and specificity=0.842. CONCLUSION Our data support the notion that aberrant interoception occurs prior to FS. Changes in HEP amplitude may reflect a neurophysiological biomarker of FS and may have diagnostic utility in differentiating FS and ES.
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Affiliation(s)
- Samia Elkommos
- School of Neuroscience, King's College London Institute of Psychiatry Psychology and Neuroscience, London, UK
- Epilepsy Group, St George's Hospital Atkinson Morley Regional Neuroscience Centre, London, UK
| | - David Martin-Lopez
- Clinical Neurophysiology, St George's Hospital Atkinson Morley Regional Neuroscience Centre, London, UK
| | - Akihiro Koreki
- Psychiatry, National Hospital Organisation Shimofusa Psychiatric Medical Center, Chiba, Japan
- Neuroscience Research Centre, St George's University of London, London, UK
| | - Claire Jolliffe
- Clinical Neurophysiology, St George's Hospital Atkinson Morley Regional Neuroscience Centre, London, UK
| | - Rohan Kandasamy
- Clinical Neurophysiology, National Hospital for Neurology and Neurosurgery, London, UK
- Department of Clinical and Experimental Epilepsy, University College London, London, UK
| | - Marco Mula
- Epilepsy Group, St George's Hospital Atkinson Morley Regional Neuroscience Centre, London, UK
- Institute of Medical and Biomedical Education, St George's University of London, London, UK
| | - Hugo D Critchley
- Neuroscience, Brighton and Sussex Medical School, Brighton, UK
- Research and Development, Sussex Partnership NHS Foundation Trust, Worthing, UK
| | - Mark J Edwards
- Centre for Clinical Neuroscience, St George's University of London, London, UK
- Atkinson Morley Regional Neuroscience Centre, St George's Hospital, London, UK
| | - Sarah Garfinkel
- Institute of Cognitive Neuroscience, University College London Institute of Cognitive Neuroscience, London, UK
| | - Mark P Richardson
- School of Neuroscience, King's College London Institute of Psychiatry Psychology and Neuroscience, London, UK
- Centre for Epilepsy, King's College Hospital NHS Foundation Trust, London, UK
| | - Mahinda Yogarajah
- Department of Clinical and Experimental Epilepsy, University College London, London, UK
- Neurology, National Hospital for Neurology and Neurosurgery, London, UK
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24
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Sobregrau P, Baillès E, Carreño M, Donaire A, Boget T, Setoain X, Bargalló N, Rumià J, V Sánchez Vives M, Pintor L. Psychiatric and psychological assessment of patients with drug-resistant epilepsy and psychogenic nonepileptic seizures (PNES) with no response to previous treatments. Epilepsy Behav 2023; 145:109329. [PMID: 37453292 DOI: 10.1016/j.yebeh.2023.109329] [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: 04/03/2023] [Revised: 06/12/2023] [Accepted: 06/15/2023] [Indexed: 07/18/2023]
Abstract
OBJECTIVE Psychogenic nonepileptic seizures (PNES) are common imitators of epileptic seizures. Refractoriness to antiseizure medication hinders the differential diagnosis between ES and PNES, carrying deleterious consequences in patients with PNES. Psychiatric and psychological characteristics may assist in the differential diagnosis between drug-resistant epilepsy (DRE) and PNES. Nevertheless, current comprehensive psychiatric and psychological descriptive studies on both patient groups are scarce and with several study limitations. This study provides a comprehensive psychiatric and psychological characterization of Spanish patients with DRE and PNES. METHOD A cross-sectional and comparative study was completed with 104 patients with DRE and 21 with PNES. Psychiatric and psychological characteristics were assessed with the HADS, SCL-90-R, NEO-FFI-R, PDQ-4+, COPE, and QOLIE-31 tests. Parametric and non-parametric tests were used, and regression models were fit to further explore factors affecting patients' life quality. RESULTS Patients with PNES had greater levels of somatization and extraversion and were associated with benzodiazepine intake. Patients with DRE showed greater narcissistic personality disorder symptoms than those with PNES. In patients with DRE, difficulty in performing basic needs-related tasks and greater psychological distress severity and seizure frequency were associated with poorer life quality. In contrast, being a woman, having a psychiatric disorder history, and greater psychiatric symptoms' intensity were associated with poorer life quality in patients with PNES. CONCLUSION Patients with DRE and PNES share similar psychiatric and psychological characteristics, with only very few being significantly different.
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Affiliation(s)
- Pau Sobregrau
- Faculty of Psychology, University of Barcelona (UB), Barcelona 08007, Spain; Department of Psychiatry, University Hospital Clinic of Barcelona (HCP), Barcelona 08036, Spain.
| | - Eva Baillès
- Health Psychology Unit, Psychiatry Department, Vall d'Hebron, Barcelona 08035, Spain
| | - Mar Carreño
- Clinical Institute of Neurosciences, University Hospital Clinic of Barcelona (HCP), Barcelona 08036, Spain; Epilepsy Unit, Neurology Department, University Hospital Clinic of Barcelona (HCP), Barcelona 08036, Spain; Biomedical Research Institute August Pi i Sunyer (IDIBAPS), University Hospital Clinic of Barcelona, Barcelona 08036, Spain
| | - Antonio Donaire
- Clinical Institute of Neurosciences, University Hospital Clinic of Barcelona (HCP), Barcelona 08036, Spain; Epilepsy Unit, Neurology Department, University Hospital Clinic of Barcelona (HCP), Barcelona 08036, Spain; Biomedical Research Institute August Pi i Sunyer (IDIBAPS), University Hospital Clinic of Barcelona, Barcelona 08036, Spain
| | - Teresa Boget
- Clinical Institute of Neurosciences, University Hospital Clinic of Barcelona (HCP), Barcelona 08036, Spain; Epilepsy Unit, Neurology Department, University Hospital Clinic of Barcelona (HCP), Barcelona 08036, Spain
| | - Xavier Setoain
- Clinical Institute of Neurosciences, University Hospital Clinic of Barcelona (HCP), Barcelona 08036, Spain; Epilepsy Unit, Neurology Department, University Hospital Clinic of Barcelona (HCP), Barcelona 08036, Spain; Biomedical Research Institute August Pi i Sunyer (IDIBAPS), University Hospital Clinic of Barcelona, Barcelona 08036, Spain
| | - Núria Bargalló
- Clinical Institute of Neurosciences, University Hospital Clinic of Barcelona (HCP), Barcelona 08036, Spain; Epilepsy Unit, Neurology Department, University Hospital Clinic of Barcelona (HCP), Barcelona 08036, Spain; Biomedical Research Institute August Pi i Sunyer (IDIBAPS), University Hospital Clinic of Barcelona, Barcelona 08036, Spain
| | - Jordi Rumià
- Clinical Institute of Neurosciences, University Hospital Clinic of Barcelona (HCP), Barcelona 08036, Spain; Epilepsy Unit, Neurology Department, University Hospital Clinic of Barcelona (HCP), Barcelona 08036, Spain
| | - María V Sánchez Vives
- Biomedical Research Institute August Pi i Sunyer (IDIBAPS), University Hospital Clinic of Barcelona, Barcelona 08036, Spain; Department of Cognition, Development and Educational Psychology, Faculty of Psychology, University of Barcelona (UB), Barcelona 08007, Spain
| | - Luís Pintor
- Department of Psychiatry, University Hospital Clinic of Barcelona (HCP), Barcelona 08036, Spain; Clinical Institute of Neurosciences, University Hospital Clinic of Barcelona (HCP), Barcelona 08036, Spain; Epilepsy Unit, Neurology Department, University Hospital Clinic of Barcelona (HCP), Barcelona 08036, Spain; Biomedical Research Institute August Pi i Sunyer (IDIBAPS), University Hospital Clinic of Barcelona, Barcelona 08036, Spain
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25
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Nasrullah N, Kerr WT, Stern JM, Wang Y, Tatekawa H, Lee JK, Karimi AH, Sreenivasan SS, Engel J, Eliashiv DE, Feusner JD, Salamon N, Savic I. Amygdala subfield and prefrontal cortex abnormalities in patients with functional seizures. Epilepsy Behav 2023; 145:109278. [PMID: 37356226 DOI: 10.1016/j.yebeh.2023.109278] [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: 02/22/2023] [Revised: 05/16/2023] [Accepted: 05/20/2023] [Indexed: 06/27/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Functional seizures (FS) are paroxysmal episodes, resembling epileptic seizures, but without underlying epileptic abnormality. The aetiology and neuroanatomic associations are incompletely understood. Recent brain imaging data indicate cerebral changes, however, without clarifying possible pathophysiology. In the present study, we specifically investigated the neuroanatomic changes in subregions of the amygdala and hippocampus in FS. METHODS T1 MRI scans of 37 female patients with FS and 37 age-matched female seizure naïve controls (SNC) were analyzed retrospectively in FreeSurfer version 7.1. Seizure naïve controls included patients with depression and anxiety disorders. The analysis included whole-brain cortical thickness, subcortical volumes, and subfields of the amygdala and hippocampus. Group comparisons were carried out using multivariable linear models. RESULTS The FS and SNC groups did not differ in the whole hippocampus and amygdala volumes. However, patients had a significant reduction of the right lateral amygdala volume (p = 0.00041), an increase of the right central amygdala, (p = 0.037), and thinning of the left superior frontal gyrus (p = 0.024). Additional findings in patients were increased volumes of the right medial amygdala (p = 0.031), left anterior amygdala (p = 0.017), and left dentate gyrus of the hippocampus (p = 0.035). CONCLUSIONS The observations from the amygdala and hippocampus segmentation affirm that there are neuroanatomic associations of FS. The pattern of these changes aligned with some of the cerebral changes described in chronic stress conditions and depression. The pattern of detected changes further study, and may, after validation, provide biomarkers for diagnosis and treatment.
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Affiliation(s)
- Nilab Nasrullah
- Department of Women's and Children's Health, Karolinska Institute, Stockholm, Sweden; Neurology Clinic, Karolinska University Hospital, Stockholm, Sweden
| | - Wesley T Kerr
- Department of Neurology, Michigan Medicine, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI, USA; Department of Neurology, David Geffen School of Medicine at the University of California Los Angeles, Los Angeles, CA, USA
| | - John M Stern
- Department of Neurology, David Geffen School of Medicine at the University of California Los Angeles, Los Angeles, CA, USA
| | - Yanlu Wang
- Medical Radiation Physics and Nuclear Medicine, Karolinska University Hospital, Stockholm, Sweden
| | - Hiroyuki Tatekawa
- Department of Radiology, David Geffen School of Medicine at the University of California Los Angeles, Los Angeles, CA, USA
| | - John K Lee
- Department of Neurology, David Geffen School of Medicine at the University of California Los Angeles, Los Angeles, CA, USA
| | - Amir H Karimi
- Department of Neurology, David Geffen School of Medicine at the University of California Los Angeles, Los Angeles, CA, USA
| | - Siddhika S Sreenivasan
- Department of Neurology, David Geffen School of Medicine at the University of California Los Angeles, Los Angeles, CA, USA
| | - Jerome Engel
- Department of Neurology, David Geffen School of Medicine at the University of California Los Angeles, Los Angeles, CA, USA; Department of Psychiatry and Biobehavioral Sciences, University of California Los Angeles, Los Angeles, CA, USA; Brain Research Institute, University of California Los Angeles, Los Angeles, CA, USA; Department of Neurobiology, David Geffen School of Medicine at UCLA, Los Angeles, CA, USA
| | - Dawn E Eliashiv
- Department of Neurology, David Geffen School of Medicine at the University of California Los Angeles, Los Angeles, CA, USA
| | - Jamie D Feusner
- Department of Women's and Children's Health, Karolinska Institute, Stockholm, Sweden; Department of Psychiatry and Biobehavioral Sciences, University of California Los Angeles, Los Angeles, CA, USA; Centre for Addiction and Mental Health, Toronto, Canada; Department of Psychiatry, University of Toronto, Toronto, Canada
| | - Noriko Salamon
- Department of Radiology, David Geffen School of Medicine at the University of California Los Angeles, Los Angeles, CA, USA
| | - Ivanka Savic
- Department of Women's and Children's Health, Karolinska Institute, Stockholm, Sweden; Neurology Clinic, Karolinska University Hospital, Stockholm, Sweden; Department of Neurology, David Geffen School of Medicine at the University of California Los Angeles, Los Angeles, CA, USA.
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26
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Yavuz P, Gunbey C, Karahan S, Topcu M, Turanli G, Yalnizoglu D. Non-epileptic paroxysmal events at pediatric video-electroencephalography monitoring unit over a 15-year period. Seizure 2023; 108:89-95. [PMID: 37119582 DOI: 10.1016/j.seizure.2023.04.016] [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: 12/05/2022] [Revised: 04/07/2023] [Accepted: 04/20/2023] [Indexed: 05/01/2023] Open
Abstract
OBJECTIVE Non-epileptic paroxysmal events (NEPEs) are common in pediatric patients and may be misdiagnosed as epileptic seizures. We aimed to study the distribution of NEPEs across age groups and with different comorbidities, and to correlate the patients' presenting symptoms with their final diagnosis after video-EEG. METHODS We retrospectively analyzed video-EEG recordings of children aged one month to 18 years who were admitted between March 2005 and March 2020. Patients who experienced any NEPE while under video-EEG monitorization were evaluated in this study. Subjects with concomitant epilepsy were also included. The patients were first divided into 14 groups according to the basic characteristics of symptoms they reported at admission. The events captured on video-EEG were then classified into six NEPE categories based on the nature of the events. These groups were compared according to video-EEG results. RESULTS We retrospectively evaluated 1338 records of 1173 patients. The final diagnosis was non-epileptic paroxysmal event in 226 (19.3%) of 1173 patients. The mean age of the patients was 105.4 ± 64.4 months at the time of the monitoring. The presenting symptoms were motor in 149/226 (65.9%) patients, with jerking being the most common (n = 40, 17.7%). Based on video-EEG, the most common NEPE was psychogenic non-epileptic seizures (PNES) (n = 66, 29.2%), and the most common PNES subtype was major motor movements (n = 19/66, 28.8%). Movement disorders (n = 46, 20.4%) were the second most common NEPE and the most common NEPE (n = 21/60, 35%) in children with developmental delay (n = 60). Other common NEPEs were physiological motor movements during sleep (n = 33, 14.6%), normal behavioral events (n = 31, 13.7%), and sleep disorders (n = 15, 6.6%). Almost half of the patients had a prior diagnosis of epilepsy (n = 105, 46.5%). Following the diagnosis of NEPE, antiseizure medication (ASM) was discontinued in 56 (24.8%) patients. CONCLUSION Non-epileptiform paroxysmal events can be difficult to distinguish from epileptic seizures in children, especially in patients with developmental delay, epilepsy, abnormal interictal EEG, or abnormal MRI findings. Correct diagnosis of NEPEs by video-EEG prevents unnecessary ASM exposure in children and guides appropriate management of NEPEs.
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Affiliation(s)
- Pinar Yavuz
- Hacettepe University Faculty of Medicine, Department of Pediatrics, Division of Pediatric Neurology, Ankara, Turkey
| | - Ceren Gunbey
- Hacettepe University Faculty of Medicine, Department of Pediatrics, Division of Pediatric Neurology, Ankara, Turkey
| | - Sevilay Karahan
- Hacettepe University Faculty of Medicine, Department of Biostatistics, Ankara, Turkey
| | - Meral Topcu
- Hacettepe University Faculty of Medicine, Department of Pediatrics, Division of Pediatric Neurology, Ankara, Turkey; Retired from Hacettepe University, Ankara, Turkey
| | - Guzide Turanli
- Hacettepe University Faculty of Medicine, Department of Pediatrics, Division of Pediatric Neurology, Ankara, Turkey; Retired from Hacettepe University, Ankara, Turkey
| | - Dilek Yalnizoglu
- Hacettepe University Faculty of Medicine, Department of Pediatrics, Division of Pediatric Neurology, Ankara, Turkey
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Horn MA, Hov MR, Heuser K, Taubøll E. Time To Control-A goal in seizure management. Seizure 2023; 106:76. [PMID: 36774777 DOI: 10.1016/j.seizure.2023.02.008] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/06/2023] [Accepted: 02/08/2023] [Indexed: 02/11/2023] Open
Affiliation(s)
- Morten Andreas Horn
- Department of Neurology, Oslo University Hospital, PO Box 4956 Nydalen, N-0424 Oslo, Norway.
| | - Maren Ranhoff Hov
- Department of Neurology, Oslo University Hospital, PO Box 4956 Nydalen, N-0424 Oslo, Norway; Faculty of Health Science, Oslo Metropolitan University, PO Box 4 St Olavs Plass, N-0130 Oslo, Norway.
| | - Kjell Heuser
- Department of Neurology, Oslo University Hospital, PO Box 4956 Nydalen, N-0424 Oslo, Norway.
| | - Erik Taubøll
- Department of Neurology, Oslo University Hospital, PO Box 4956 Nydalen, N-0424 Oslo, Norway; Department of Neurology, Faculty of Medicine, University of Oslo, PO Box 1078 Blindern, N-0316 Oslo, Norway.
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Popkirov S. Double vision. Brain 2023; 146:2-3. [PMID: 36611223 DOI: 10.1093/brain/awac409] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/03/2022] [Accepted: 11/03/2022] [Indexed: 01/09/2023] Open
Abstract
The legitimacy of an illness is often determined by our understanding of the underlying disorder. In this essay, Stoyan Popkirov considers what this means for our approach to functional neurological disorders such as dissociative seizures.
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Affiliation(s)
- Stoyan Popkirov
- University Hospital Knappschaftskrankenhaus Bochum, Bochum, 44892, Germany
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29
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Feyissa AM, Cascino GD. The Argument for a More Patient Attitude Toward a Single Unprovoked Seizure: Wait for It? Mayo Clin Proc 2023; 98:23-30. [PMID: 36464538 DOI: 10.1016/j.mayocp.2022.10.009] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/29/2022] [Revised: 10/02/2022] [Accepted: 10/10/2022] [Indexed: 12/05/2022]
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30
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Silbergleit R. What have we learned from the RAMPART and ESETT randomized controlled trials? Epilepsy Behav 2022; 141:109051. [PMID: 36577548 DOI: 10.1016/j.yebeh.2022.109051] [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: 11/01/2022] [Revised: 12/04/2022] [Accepted: 12/04/2022] [Indexed: 12/27/2022]
Abstract
Lessons learned from the Rapid Anticonvulsant Medication Prior to Arrival Trial (RAMPART) and Established Status Epilepticus Treatment Trial (ESETT) trials are considered in three ways. First, by asking about the questions the trials were primarily designed to answer, then about the context of the intervention and characteristics of the patients described in secondary analyses, and finally, about what was learned about how to conduct trials in this space. The talk concludes with suggestions and a vision for how to best conduct future trials investigating status epilepticus. This paper was presented at the 8th London-Innsbruck Colloquium on Status Epilepticus and Acute Seizures held in September 2022.
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Olie SE, van Zeggeren IE, ter Horst L, Citroen J, van Geel BM, Heckenberg SGB, Jellema K, Kester MI, Killestein J, Mook BB, Titulaer MJ, van Veen KEB, Verschuur CVM, van de Beek D, Brouwer MC. Seizures in adults with suspected central nervous system infection. BMC Neurol 2022; 22:426. [PMID: 36376810 PMCID: PMC9661800 DOI: 10.1186/s12883-022-02927-4] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/10/2022] [Accepted: 10/21/2022] [Indexed: 11/16/2022] Open
Abstract
Background Seizures can be part of the clinical presentation of central nervous system (CNS) infections. We describe patients suspected of a neurological infection who present with a seizure and study diagnostic accuracy of clinical and laboratory features predictive of CNS infection in this population. Methods We analyzed all consecutive patients presenting with a seizure from two prospective Dutch cohort studies, in which patients were included who underwent cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) examination because of the suspicion of a CNS infection. Results Of 900 episodes of suspected CNS infection, 124 (14%) presented with a seizure. The median age in these 124 episodes was 60 years (IQR 45–71) and 53% of patients was female. CSF examination showed a leukocyte count ≥ 5/mm3 in 41% of episodes. A CNS infection was diagnosed in 27 of 124 episodes (22%), a CNS inflammatory disorder in 8 (6%) episodes, a systemic infection in 10 (8%), other neurological disease in 77 (62%) and in 2 (2%) episodes another systemic disease was diagnosed. Diagnostic accuracy of clinical and laboratory characteristics for the diagnosis of CNS infection in this population was low. CSF leukocyte count was the best predictor for CNS infection in patients with suspected CNS infection presenting with a seizure (area under the curve 0.94, [95% CI 0.88 – 1.00]). Conclusions Clinical and laboratory features fail to distinguish CNS infections from other causes of seizures in patients with a suspected CNS infection. CSF leukocyte count is the best predictor for the diagnosis of CNS infection in this population.
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Grönheit W, Behrens V, Liakina T, Kellinghaus C, Noachtar S, Popkirov S, Wehner T, Brammen E, Wellmer J. Teaching distinguishing semiological features improves diagnostic accuracy of seizure-like events by emergency physicians. Neurol Res Pract 2022; 4:56. [DOI: 10.1186/s42466-022-00220-w] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/19/2022] [Accepted: 10/13/2022] [Indexed: 11/15/2022] Open
Abstract
Abstract
Background
Misdiagnosis of seizure-like events (SLE) in emergency situations is common. Here, we evaluate whether a single, video-based lesson highlighting distinguishing semiological features can improve the diagnostic accuracy of emergency physicians for epileptic seizures (ES), psychogenic non-epileptic seizures (PNES) and syncopes (SY).
Methods
40 emergency physicians (24 anesthetists, nine surgeons and seven internal medicine specialists by primary specialty) participated in a prospective trial on the diagnostic accuracy of SLE. They assessed video-displayed SLE at two time points: before and after a lecture on distinguishing semiological features. In the lecture, semiological features were demonstrated using patient videos, some were acted by the instructor in addition. The increase in correct diagnoses and recognition of distinguishing semiological features were analyzed.
Results
Before the lesson, 45% of 200 SLE-ratings were correct: 15% of SY (n = 40), 30% of PNES (n = 40), 59% of ES (n = 120, focal to bilateral tonic–clonic seizures (FBTCS) 87.5% (n = 40), focal impaired aware seizures (FIAS) 45% (n = 80)). Semiology teaching increased both the rate of correct diagnoses of SLE to overall 79% (p < 0.001) (ES 91% (p < 0.001), FBCTS 98% (n.s.), FIAS 88% (p < 0.001), PNES 88% (p < 0.001), SY 35% (p < 0.001)), and the number of recognized distinguishing semiological features. We identified several semiological features with high entity specific positive predictive values (> 0.8).
Conclusions
A single 45-min video-based lesson highlighting distinguishing semiological features improves the diagnostic accuracy of ES, PNES and SY by emergency physicians. We expect that including this aspect into the curriculum of emergency physicians will lead to better individual patient treatment in pre-hospital medicine and more appropriate subsequent use of clinical resources.
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The A to F of functional status in the acute setting: A scoping review. Seizure 2022; 102:61-73. [PMID: 36208570 DOI: 10.1016/j.seizure.2022.09.015] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/22/2022] [Revised: 09/06/2022] [Accepted: 09/23/2022] [Indexed: 11/24/2022] Open
Abstract
Functional status (FSt) describes the phenomenon of prolonged non-epileptic attacks that may be misidentified as Status Epilepticus (SE). The early differentiation between epileptic and functional status is crucial in order to avoid unnecessarily invasive and costly medical escalation in the latter group, including the hazards of overmedication, intubation and intensive care admission. The authors conducted a literature review of available studies describing cases of functional status to extract the common aspects of FSt seizure semiology, investigations used to differentiate from SE, and guidance for managing FSt. A search was carried out using Medline, Embase and PsychInfo databases and 3909 papers were extracted for review. 30 papers were found relevant for inclusion, describing 260 cases of FSt. FSt was found to occur more commonly in younger, female patients with a family history of epilepsy, co-morbid psychiatric diagnosis and following a recent traumatic event. Common clinical features of FSt during and after, the events were identified. While video-EEG remains the gold standard investigation for differentiating FSt from SE, many of the included studies considered the utility of other investigation modalities including serum markers and neuroimaging. One key shortcoming identified within the literature reviewed was a lack of well-defined guidance on the acute management of FSt. We offer an A-F step management plan for the immediate and longer term assessment and treatment of FSt.
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Viarasilpa T. Implementation of neurocritical care in Thailand. Front Neurol 2022; 13:990294. [PMID: 36330426 PMCID: PMC9622761 DOI: 10.3389/fneur.2022.990294] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/09/2022] [Accepted: 09/29/2022] [Indexed: 11/23/2022] Open
Abstract
Dedicated neurointensive care units and neurointensivists are rarely available in Thailand, a developing country, despite the high burden of life-threatening neurologic illness, including strokes, post-cardiac arrest brain injury, status epilepticus, and cerebral edema from various etiologies. Therefore, the implementation of neurocritical care is essential to improve patient outcomes. With the resource-limited circumstances, the integration of neurocritical care service by collaboration between intensivists, neurologists, neurosurgeons, and other multidisciplinary care teams into the current institutional practice to take care of critically-ill neurologic patients is more suitable than building a new neurointensive care unit since this approach can promptly be made without reorganization of the hospital system. Providing neurocritical care knowledge to internal medicine and neurology residents and critical care fellows and developing a research system will lead to sustainable quality improvement in patient care. This review article will describe our current situation and strategies to implement neurocritical care in Thailand.
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Koreki A, Eccles J, Garfinkel S, Critchley H, Cope S, Agrawal N, Edwards M, Yogarajah M. Hypermobility in patients with functional seizures: Toward a pathobiological understanding of complex conditions. Epilepsy Behav 2022; 132:108710. [PMID: 35580524 DOI: 10.1016/j.yebeh.2022.108710] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/26/2022] [Revised: 04/13/2022] [Accepted: 04/16/2022] [Indexed: 11/25/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Functional seizures (FS), otherwise known as psychogenic nonepileptic seizures (PNES), are a common symptom presenting to neurology and epilepsy clinics. There is a pressing need for further research to understand the neurobiology of FS to develop mechanistically targeted treatments. Joint hypermobility is an expression of variation in connective tissue structure along a spectrum, and it has received increasing attention in functional neurological disorders, but there is lack of evidence of its relevance in FS. METHODS In the present study, forty-two patients with FS and a non-clinical comparison group of 34 age/sex-matched controls were recruited. Joint hypermobility of all participants was quantified using the Beighton scale. RESULTS In our sample, 24 (57%) patients with FS, and 7 (21%) of the comparison group met criteria for joint hypermobility (p = 0.002). Our statistical model revealed that patients with FS showed a significant degree of hypermobility compared to the comparison group (odds ratio = 11.1; Confidence interval: 2.1-78.0, p = 0.008), even after controlling age, sex, anxiety, and depression. CONCLUSION We found a significant association between FS and joint hypermobility, which was independent of anxiety and depression.
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Affiliation(s)
- Akihiro Koreki
- Neurosciences Research Centre, St George's University of London, London, UK; Department of Psychiatry, National Hospital Organization Shimofusa Psychiatric Medical Center, Chiba, Japan
| | - Jessica Eccles
- Brighton and Sussex Medical School, Sussex University, UK
| | | | - Hugo Critchley
- Brighton and Sussex Medical School, Sussex University, UK
| | - Sarah Cope
- Atkinson Morley Regional Neuroscience Centre, St George's Hospital, London, UK
| | - Niruj Agrawal
- Atkinson Morley Regional Neuroscience Centre, St George's Hospital, London, UK
| | - Mark Edwards
- Neurosciences Research Centre, St George's University of London, London, UK; Atkinson Morley Regional Neuroscience Centre, St George's Hospital, London, UK
| | - Mahinda Yogarajah
- Neurosciences Research Centre, St George's University of London, London, UK; Atkinson Morley Regional Neuroscience Centre, St George's Hospital, London, UK; Department of Clinical and Experimental Epilepsy, Institute of Neurology, UCL, National Hospital for Neurology and Neurosurgery, UCLH, Epilepsy Society, UK.
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Ruggiero RN, Peixoto-Santos JE, Bueno-Junior LS, Valente KD, Leite JP. Editorial: Psychiatric Comorbidities in the Epilepsies: Extensive Mechanisms and Broad Questions. Front Integr Neurosci 2022; 16:951170. [PMID: 35784497 PMCID: PMC9249385 DOI: 10.3389/fnint.2022.951170] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/23/2022] [Accepted: 05/31/2022] [Indexed: 11/20/2022] Open
Affiliation(s)
- Rafael Naime Ruggiero
- Department of Neurosciences and Behavioral Sciences, Ribeirao Preto Medical School, University of São Paulo (USP), Ribeirao Preto, Brazil
- *Correspondence: Rafael Naime Ruggiero
| | - Jose Eduardo Peixoto-Santos
- Neuroscience Sector, Department of Neurology and Neurosurgery, Universidade Federal de São Paulo (UNIFESP), São Paulo, Brazil
| | | | - Kette D. Valente
- Institute and Department of Psychiatry, Faculty of Medicine of the University of São Paulo (HCFMUSP), São Paulo, Brazil
| | - Joao Pereira Leite
- Department of Neurosciences and Behavioral Sciences, Ribeirao Preto Medical School, University of São Paulo (USP), Ribeirao Preto, Brazil
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Trinka E, Leitinger M. Management of Status Epilepticus, Refractory Status Epilepticus, and Super-refractory Status Epilepticus. Continuum (Minneap Minn) 2022; 28:559-602. [PMID: 35393970 DOI: 10.1212/con.0000000000001103] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/11/2023]
Abstract
PURPOSE OF REVIEW Status epilepticus is a serious condition caused by disorders and diseases that affect the central nervous system. In status epilepticus, hypersynchronous epileptic activity lasts longer than the usual duration of isolated self-limited seizures (time t1), which causes neuronal damage or alteration of neuronal networks at a certain time point (time t2), depending on the type of and duration of status epilepticus. The successful management of status epilepticus includes both the early termination of seizure activity and the earliest possible identification of a causative etiology, which may require independent acute treatment. In nonconvulsive status epilepticus, patients present only with subtle clinical signs or even without any visible clinical manifestations. In these cases, EEG allows for the assessment of cerebral function and identification of patterns in need of urgent treatment. RECENT FINDINGS In 2015, the International League Against Epilepsy proposed a new definition and classification of status epilepticus, encompassing four axes: symptomatology, etiology, EEG, and age. Various validation studies determined the practical usefulness of EEG criteria to identify nonconvulsive status epilepticus. The American Clinical Neurophysiology Society has incorporated these criteria into their most recent critical care EEG terminology in 2021. Etiology, age, symptomatology, and the metabolic demand associated with an increasing duration of status epilepticus are the most important determinants of prognosis. The consequences of status epilepticus can be visualized in vivo by MRI studies. SUMMARY The current knowledge about status epilepticus allows for a more reliable diagnosis, earlier treatment, and improved cerebral imaging of its consequences. Outcome prediction is a soft tool for estimating the need for intensive care resources.
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Karakis I. All That Shakes Is Not Status Epilepticus. Epilepsy Curr 2021; 22:97-99. [PMID: 35444501 PMCID: PMC8988722 DOI: 10.1177/15357597211067377] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/04/2022] Open
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