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Pascarella A, Manzo L, Gasparini S, Marsico O, Abelardo D, Torino C, Cianci V, Iudice A, Bisulli F, Bonanni P, Caggia E, D'Aniello A, Di Bonaventura C, DiFrancesco JC, Domina E, Dono F, Gambardella A, Fortunato F, Marini C, Marrelli A, Matricardi S, Morano A, Paladin F, Renna R, Piccioli M, Striano P, Ascoli M, La Neve A, Le Piane E, Orsini A, Di Gennaro G, Aguglia U, Ferlazzo E. Perampanel in post-stroke epilepsy: Clinical practice data from the PERampanel as Only Concomitant antiseizure medication (PEROC) study. J Neurol Sci 2024; 462:123106. [PMID: 38925069 DOI: 10.1016/j.jns.2024.123106] [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: 05/27/2024] [Revised: 06/13/2024] [Accepted: 06/19/2024] [Indexed: 06/28/2024]
Abstract
INTRODUCTION Post-stroke epilepsy (PSE) is one of the most common causes of acquired epilepsy. Nevertheless, there is limited evidence regarding the clinical profile of antiseizure medications (ASMs) in PSE. This study aims to evaluate the 12-month effectiveness and tolerability of perampanel (PER) used as only add-on treatment in patients with PSE in a real-world setting. METHODS We performed a subgroup analysis of PSE patients included in a previous retrospective, longitudinal, multicentre observational study on adults. Treatment discontinuation, seizure frequency and adverse events were collected at 3, 6 and 12 months. Sub-analyses by early (≤1 previous ASM) or late PER add-on were also conducted. RESULTS Our analysis included 56 individuals with PSE, characterized by varying initial treatment modalities and timeframes relative to disease onset. We found notable retention rates (92.8%, 83.7%, and 69% at 3, 6, and 12 months), with treatment withdrawal mainly due to poor tolerability. One year after PER introduction, seizure frequency significantly reduced, with a responder rate (≥50% reduction) of 83.9% and a seizure-free rate of 51.6%. Adverse events occurred in 25 (46.3%) patients, mainly dizziness, irritability, and behavioural disorders. No major statistical differences were found between early (30 patients, 53.6%) and late add-on groups, except for a higher 6-month responder rate in the early add-on group. CONCLUSION Adjunctive PER was effective and well-tolerated in patients with PSE in a real-world setting. Perampanel demonstrated good efficacy and safety as both early and late add-on treatment, making it a compelling option for this unique patient population.
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Affiliation(s)
- Angelo Pascarella
- Department of Medical and Surgical Sciences, Magna Græcia University of Catanzaro, Italy; Regional Epilepsy Centre, Great Metropolitan "Bianchi-Melacrino-Morelli" Hospital, Reggio Calabria, Italy
| | - Lucia Manzo
- Department of Medical and Surgical Sciences, Magna Græcia University of Catanzaro, Italy; Regional Epilepsy Centre, Great Metropolitan "Bianchi-Melacrino-Morelli" Hospital, Reggio Calabria, Italy
| | - Sara Gasparini
- Department of Medical and Surgical Sciences, Magna Græcia University of Catanzaro, Italy; Regional Epilepsy Centre, Great Metropolitan "Bianchi-Melacrino-Morelli" Hospital, Reggio Calabria, Italy
| | - Oreste Marsico
- Department of Medical and Surgical Sciences, Magna Græcia University of Catanzaro, Italy; Regional Epilepsy Centre, Great Metropolitan "Bianchi-Melacrino-Morelli" Hospital, Reggio Calabria, Italy
| | - Domenico Abelardo
- Department of Medical and Surgical Sciences, Magna Græcia University of Catanzaro, Italy; Regional Epilepsy Centre, Great Metropolitan "Bianchi-Melacrino-Morelli" Hospital, Reggio Calabria, Italy
| | - Claudia Torino
- Clinical Epidemiology and Physiopathology of Renal Diseases and Hypertension of Reggio Calabria, National Research Council, Institute of Clinical Physiology, Reggio Calabria, Italy
| | - Vittoria Cianci
- Regional Epilepsy Centre, Great Metropolitan "Bianchi-Melacrino-Morelli" Hospital, Reggio Calabria, Italy
| | - Alfonso Iudice
- Department of Neurosciences, Section of Neurology, University of Pisa, Pisa, Italy
| | - Francesca Bisulli
- Department of Biomedical and Neuromotor Sciences, University of Bologna, Italy; IRCCS Istituto delle Scienze Neurologiche di Bologna, Full Member of the European Reference Network for Rare and Complex Epilepsies (EpiCARE), Bologna, Italy
| | - Paolo Bonanni
- Epilepsy and Clinical Neurophysiology Unit, Scientific Institute, IRCCS Eugenio Medea, Treviso, Italy
| | | | | | - Carlo Di Bonaventura
- Epilepsy Unit, Department of Human Neurosciences, "Sapienza" University of Rome, Rome, Italy
| | | | | | - Fedele Dono
- Department of Neuroscience, Imaging and Clinical Science, "G. D'Annunzio" University of Chieti-Pescara, Chieti, Italy
| | - Antonio Gambardella
- Department of Medical and Surgical Sciences, Magna Græcia University of Catanzaro, Italy; Neurologic Clinic, Magna Græcia University of Catanzaro, Catanzaro, Italy
| | - Francesco Fortunato
- Department of Medical and Surgical Sciences, Magna Græcia University of Catanzaro, Italy; Neurologic Clinic, Magna Græcia University of Catanzaro, Catanzaro, Italy
| | - Carla Marini
- Child Neurology and Psychiatric Unit, G. Salesi Pediatric Hospital, Azienda Ospedaliera-Universitaria delle Marche, Ancona, Italy
| | - Alfonso Marrelli
- Neurophysiopathology Unit, Epilepsy Center, San Salvatore Hospital, L'Aquila, Italy
| | | | - Alessandra Morano
- Epilepsy Unit, Department of Human Neurosciences, "Sapienza" University of Rome, Rome, Italy
| | | | - Rosaria Renna
- Neurological Clinic and Stroke Unit, "Cardarelli" Hospital, Naples, Italy
| | - Marta Piccioli
- UOC Neurology, PO San Filippo Neri, ASL Roma 1, Rome, Italy
| | - Pasquale Striano
- IRCCS Istituto Giannina Gaslini, Genova, Italy; Department of Neurosciences, Rehabilitation, Ophthalmology, Genetics, Maternal and Child Health, University of Genova, Genoa, Italy
| | | | - Angela La Neve
- Dipartimento di Scienze Mediche di Base, Neuroscienze e Organi di Senso, Università di Bari
| | - Emilio Le Piane
- Dipartimento di Neurologia, Ospedale Pugliese-Ciaccio, Catanzaro, Italy
| | - Alessandro Orsini
- Pediatric Neurology, Pediatric Department, AOUP Santa Chiara Univeristy Hospital, Pisa, Italy
| | - Gianfranco Di Gennaro
- Dipartimento di Scienze della Salute, Scuola di Medicina, Università Magna Graecia di Catanzaro, Italy
| | - Umberto Aguglia
- Department of Medical and Surgical Sciences, Magna Græcia University of Catanzaro, Italy; Regional Epilepsy Centre, Great Metropolitan "Bianchi-Melacrino-Morelli" Hospital, Reggio Calabria, Italy
| | - Edoardo Ferlazzo
- Department of Medical and Surgical Sciences, Magna Græcia University of Catanzaro, Italy; Regional Epilepsy Centre, Great Metropolitan "Bianchi-Melacrino-Morelli" Hospital, Reggio Calabria, Italy.
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Polychronidis K, Håkansson S, Hosseini Ashtiani S, Idegård A, Larsson D, Zelano J. Second antiseizure medication monotherapy in patients with adult-onset epilepsy: A register-based analysis. Epilepsy Behav 2024; 155:109792. [PMID: 38669974 DOI: 10.1016/j.yebeh.2024.109792] [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: 01/10/2024] [Revised: 04/12/2024] [Accepted: 04/13/2024] [Indexed: 04/28/2024]
Abstract
OBJECTIVE Revision of therapy is fundamental in epilepsy care, since only half of patients achieve seizure freedom and tolerate the first antiseizure medication (ASM). We studied the selection and retention of second antiseizure medication monotherapy in adults who discontinued treatment with one of the three most frequently prescribed first ASMs, and the impact of age or brain comorbidities. METHODS Using Swedish national registers, we conducted a population-based, retrospective cohort study from 2007 to 2019 on patients age ≥ 30 at the epilepsy diagnosis that had switched to a second monotherapy after the three most common initial monotherapies (n = 7369). Retention rates (RR) were estimated via Kaplan-Meier. Discontinuation of the second monotherapy was defined as 12-month prescription gap or initiation of a third ASM. Analyses were stratified by sex, age, and presence of stroke or dementia. RESULTS The three most commonly prescribed second ASMs were carbamazepine, levetiracetam, and lamotrigine. The 1-year retention rate was 63-76% in all patients. For groups with stroke or dementia, the maximal 1-year RRs were 77% and 87%, respectively. After five years, retention rates ranged from 12% to 39%. There were no major differences between ASMs, apart from in patients discontinuing carbamazepine, where lamotrigine had a superior retention compared to levetiracetam as second monotherapy. SIGNIFICANCE The three most often prescribed second ASMs seem to be suitable treatment options according to present guidelines. The second ASMs' retention rates were initially high in all studied patient groups but dropped to approximately the expected proportion of second monotherapy responders over the next five years. This suggests that therapy revision could be expedited.
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Affiliation(s)
- Konstantinos Polychronidis
- Department of Neurology, North Älvsborg County Hospital, Trollhättan, Sweden; Department of Neurology, Sahlgrenska University Hospital, Gothenburg, Sweden
| | - Samuel Håkansson
- Department of Neurology, Sahlgrenska University Hospital, Gothenburg, Sweden; Institute of Neuroscience and Physiology, Department of Clinical Neuroscience, Sahlgrenska Academy, Gothenburg University, Gothenburg, Sweden; Wallenberg Center of Molecular and Translational Medicine, Gothenburg University, Gothenburg, Sweden
| | - Saman Hosseini Ashtiani
- Institute of Neuroscience and Physiology, Department of Clinical Neuroscience, Sahlgrenska Academy, Gothenburg University, Gothenburg, Sweden; Wallenberg Center of Molecular and Translational Medicine, Gothenburg University, Gothenburg, Sweden
| | - André Idegård
- Institute of Neuroscience and Physiology, Department of Clinical Neuroscience, Sahlgrenska Academy, Gothenburg University, Gothenburg, Sweden; Wallenberg Center of Molecular and Translational Medicine, Gothenburg University, Gothenburg, Sweden
| | - David Larsson
- Department of Neurology, Sahlgrenska University Hospital, Gothenburg, Sweden; Institute of Neuroscience and Physiology, Department of Clinical Neuroscience, Sahlgrenska Academy, Gothenburg University, Gothenburg, Sweden; Wallenberg Center of Molecular and Translational Medicine, Gothenburg University, Gothenburg, Sweden
| | - Johan Zelano
- Department of Neurology, Sahlgrenska University Hospital, Gothenburg, Sweden; Institute of Neuroscience and Physiology, Department of Clinical Neuroscience, Sahlgrenska Academy, Gothenburg University, Gothenburg, Sweden; Wallenberg Center of Molecular and Translational Medicine, Gothenburg University, Gothenburg, Sweden.
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Ryu HU, Kim HJ, Shin BS, Kang HG. Clinical approaches for poststroke seizure: a review. Front Neurol 2024; 15:1337960. [PMID: 38660095 PMCID: PMC11039895 DOI: 10.3389/fneur.2024.1337960] [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: 11/13/2023] [Accepted: 03/26/2024] [Indexed: 04/26/2024] Open
Abstract
Poststroke seizure is a potential complication of stroke, which is the most frequent acute symptomatic seizure in adults. Patients with stroke may present with an abnormal or aggressive behavior accompanied by altered mental status and symptoms, such as hemiparesis, dysarthria, and sensory deficits. Although stroke manifestations that mimic seizures are rare, diagnosing poststroke seizures can be challenging when accompanied with negative postictal symptoms. Differential diagnoses of poststroke seizures include movement disorders, syncope, and functional (nonepileptic) seizures, which may present with symptoms similar to seizures. Furthermore, it is important to determine whether poststroke seizures occur early or late. Seizures occurring within and after 7 d of stroke onset were classified as early and late seizures, respectively. Early seizures have the same clinical course as acute symptomatic seizures; they rarely recur or require long-term antiseizure medication. Conversely, late seizures are associated with a risk of recurrence similar to that of unprovoked seizures in a patient with a focal lesion, thereby requiring long-term administration of antiseizure medication. After diagnosis, concerns regarding treatment strategies, treatment duration, and administration of primary and secondary prophylaxis often arise. Antiseizure medication decisions for the initiation of short-term primary and long-term secondary seizure prophylaxis should be considered for patients with stroke. Antiseizure drugs such as lamotrigine, carbamazepine, lacosamide, levetiracetam, phenytoin, and valproate may be administered. Poststroke seizures should be diagnosed systematically through history with differential diagnosis; in addition, classifying them as early or late seizures can help to determine treatment strategies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Han Uk Ryu
- Department of Neurology, Jeonbuk National University Medical School and Hospital, Jeonju, Republic of Korea
- Research Institute of Clinical Medicine of Jeonbuk National University – Biomedical Research Institute of Jeonbuk National University Hospital, Jeonju, Republic of Korea
| | - Hong Jin Kim
- Department of Neurology, Jeonbuk National University Medical School and Hospital, Jeonju, Republic of Korea
- Research Institute of Clinical Medicine of Jeonbuk National University – Biomedical Research Institute of Jeonbuk National University Hospital, Jeonju, Republic of Korea
| | - Byoung-Soo Shin
- Department of Neurology, Jeonbuk National University Medical School and Hospital, Jeonju, Republic of Korea
- Research Institute of Clinical Medicine of Jeonbuk National University – Biomedical Research Institute of Jeonbuk National University Hospital, Jeonju, Republic of Korea
| | - Hyun Goo Kang
- Department of Neurology, Jeonbuk National University Medical School and Hospital, Jeonju, Republic of Korea
- Research Institute of Clinical Medicine of Jeonbuk National University – Biomedical Research Institute of Jeonbuk National University Hospital, Jeonju, Republic of Korea
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Viguier T, Agier MS, Jonville-Béra AP, Giraudeau B, Largeau B. Drug clustering to anticipate new aspects of drug safety profile: Application to gabapentinoids and other voltage-gated calcium channel ligand drugs. Br J Clin Pharmacol 2024; 90:475-482. [PMID: 37872105 DOI: 10.1111/bcp.15931] [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: 06/28/2023] [Revised: 09/25/2023] [Accepted: 10/08/2023] [Indexed: 10/25/2023] Open
Abstract
AIMS Gabapentin and pregabalin bind to α2-δ subunit of voltage-gated calcium channels (Cav ). Other drugs targeting Cav include cardiovascular calcium channel blockers (CCBs) and anticonvulsants (levetiracetam, ethosuximide and zonisamide). In addition to pharmacodynamics, the safety profile of gabapentinoids seems to overlap with the one of cardiovascular CCBs (oedema) and Cav -blocking anticonvulsants (suicide and ataxia). The objective of this study was to cluster the safety profile of different Cav -ligand drugs by focusing on whether gabapentinoids present a distinct adverse drug reaction (ADR) signature from cardiovascular CCBs and anticonvulsants. METHODS We extracted all ADRs with at least one significant disproportionate reporting (reporting odds ratio) related to gabapentinoids, CCBs or anticonvulsants in VigiBase. After principal component analysis preprocessing, a hierarchical ascendent classification was performed to cluster gabapentinoids and other Cav -ligand drugs that share a similar ADR signature. The robustness of the results was determined through four sensitivity analyses, varying on the dataset or the clustering method. RESULTS A total of 16 drugs and 65 ADRs were included. Gabapentinoids were in Cluster #1, which included eight other drugs (isradipine, nicardipine, lacidipine, lercanidipine, ethosuximide, levetiracetam, zonisamide and nimodipine). Cluster #2 contained two drugs (diltiazem and verapamil) and Cluster #3 contained four drugs (amlodipine, felodipine, nifedipine and nitrendipine). The clustering results were consistent in all sensitivity analyses. CONCLUSIONS The safety profile of gabapentinoids overlaps with those of some dihydropyridine CCBs and Cav -blocking anticonvulsants. These results could be used to anticipate some unidentified ADRs of gabapentinoids from information accumulated with older drugs and sharing a common molecular target and ADR signature.
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Affiliation(s)
- Thibault Viguier
- Centre Hospitalier Universitaire (CHU) de Tours, Service de Pharmacosurveillance, Centre Régional de Pharmacovigilance Centre-Val de Loire, Tours, France
| | - Marie-Sara Agier
- Centre Hospitalier Universitaire (CHU) de Tours, Service de Pharmacosurveillance, Centre Régional de Pharmacovigilance Centre-Val de Loire, Tours, France
- Université de Tours, Université de Nantes, INSERM, methodS in Patients-centered outcomes and HEalth ResEarch (SPHERE)-UMR 1246, Tours, France
| | - Annie-Pierre Jonville-Béra
- Centre Hospitalier Universitaire (CHU) de Tours, Service de Pharmacosurveillance, Centre Régional de Pharmacovigilance Centre-Val de Loire, Tours, France
- Université de Tours, Université de Nantes, INSERM, methodS in Patients-centered outcomes and HEalth ResEarch (SPHERE)-UMR 1246, Tours, France
| | - Bruno Giraudeau
- Université de Tours, Université de Nantes, INSERM, methodS in Patients-centered outcomes and HEalth ResEarch (SPHERE)-UMR 1246, Tours, France
- Centre Hospitalier Universitaire (CHU) de Tours, Centre d'investigation clinique-CIC INSERM 1415, Tours, France
| | - Bérenger Largeau
- Centre Hospitalier Universitaire (CHU) de Tours, Service de Pharmacosurveillance, Centre Régional de Pharmacovigilance Centre-Val de Loire, Tours, France
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Brigo F, Zelano J, Abraira L, Bentes C, Ekdahl CT, Lattanzi S, Ingvar Lossius M, Redfors P, Rouhl RPW, Russo E, Sander JW, Vogrig A, Wickström R. Proceedings of the "International Congress on Structural Epilepsy & Symptomatic Seizures" (STESS, Gothenburg, Sweden, 29-31 March 2023). Epilepsy Behav 2024; 150:109538. [PMID: 38039602 DOI: 10.1016/j.yebeh.2023.109538] [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: 11/07/2023] [Revised: 11/09/2023] [Accepted: 11/09/2023] [Indexed: 12/03/2023]
Affiliation(s)
- Francesco Brigo
- Innovation, Research and Teaching Service (SABES-ASDAA), Teaching Hospital of the Paracelsus Medical Private University (PMU), Bolzano, Italy.
| | - Johan Zelano
- Department of Neurology, Sahlgrenska University Hospital, Gothenburg, Sweden; Institute of Neuroscience and Physiology, Department of Clinical Neuroscience, Sahlgrenska Academy, Gothenburg University, Sweden; Wallenberg Center of Molecular and Translational Medicine, Gothenburg University, Sweden
| | - Laura Abraira
- Neurology Department, Epilepsy Unit, Hospital Universitari Vall d'Hebron, Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona, Barcelona, Spain; Epilepsy Unit, Neurology Department, Vall d'Hebron University Hospital, Barcelona, Spain; Epilepsy Research Group, Vall d'Hebron Institut de Recerca (VHIR), Barcelona, Spain
| | - Carla Bentes
- Neurophysiological Monitoring Unit - EEG/Sleep Laboratory, Refractory Epilepsy Reference Centre (member of EpiCARE), Centro Hospitalar Universitário Lisboa Norte, Lisbon, Portugal; Centro de Estudos Egas Moniz, Faculty of Medicine, Lisbon University, Lisbon, Portugal
| | - Christine T Ekdahl
- Division of Clinical Neurophysiology and Department of Clinical Sciences, Lund University, Sweden; Lund Epilepsy Center, Department of Clinical Sciences, Lund University, Sweden
| | - Simona Lattanzi
- Neurological Clinic, Department of Experimental and Clinical Medicine, Marche Polytechnic University, Ancona, Italy
| | - Morten Ingvar Lossius
- National Centre for Epilepsy, Division of Clinical Neuroscience, Oslo University Hospital, Member of the ERN EpiCARE, Oslo, Norway; Institute of Clinical Medicine, University of Oslo, Oslo, Norway
| | - Petra Redfors
- Department of Neurology, Member of the ERN EpiCARE, Sahlgrenska University Hospital, Gothenburg, Sweden; Department of Clinical Neuroscience, Institute of Neuroscience and Physiology, Sahlgrenska Academy, University of Gothenburg, Gothenburg, Sweden
| | - Rob P W Rouhl
- Department of Neurology, Maastricht University Medical Centre+, Maastricht, The Netherlands; Academic Centre for Epileptology Kempenhaeghe/MUMC+ Heeze and Maastricht, The Netherlands; School for Mental Health and Neuroscience, Maastricht University, Maastricht, The Netherlands
| | - Emilio Russo
- Science of Health Department, University Magna Grecia of Catanzaro, Italy
| | - Josemir W Sander
- Department of Clinical & Experimental Epilepsy, UCL Queen Square Institute of Neurology, Queen Square, London, UK; Centre for Epilepsy, Chalfont St Peter, Bucks., SL9 0RJ, United Kingdom; Stichting Epilepsie Instellingen Nederland (SEIN), Heemstede 2103 SW, The Netherlands; Neurology Department, West of China Hospital, Sichuan University, Chengdu 610041, China
| | - Alberto Vogrig
- Department of Medicine (DAME), University of Udine, Udine, Italy; Clinical Neurology, Department of Head-Neck and Neuroscience, Azienda Sanitaria Universitaria Friuli Centrale (ASU FC), Udine, Italy
| | - Ronny Wickström
- Neuropediatric Unit, Karolinska University Hospital and Karolinska Institutet, Stockholm, Sweden
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Tomson T, Zelano J, Dang YL, Perucca P. The pharmacological treatment of epilepsy in adults. Epileptic Disord 2023; 25:649-669. [PMID: 37386690 DOI: 10.1002/epd2.20093] [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: 05/03/2023] [Revised: 06/18/2023] [Accepted: 06/24/2023] [Indexed: 07/01/2023]
Abstract
The pharmacological treatment of epilepsy entails several critical decisions that need to be based on an individual careful risk-benefit analysis. These include when to initiate treatment and with which antiseizure medication (ASM). With more than 25 ASMs on the market, physicians have opportunities to tailor the treatment to individual patients´ needs. ASM selection is primarily based on the patient's type of epilepsy and spectrum of ASM efficacy, but several other factors must be considered. These include age, sex, comorbidities, and concomitant medications to mention the most important. Individual susceptibility to adverse drug effects, ease of use, costs, and personal preferences should also be taken into account. Once an ASM has been selected, the next step is to decide on an individual target maintenance dose and a titration scheme to reach this dose. When the clinical circumstances permit, a slow titration is generally preferred since it is associated with improved tolerability. The maintenance dose is adjusted based on the clinical response aiming at the lowest effective dose. Therapeutic drug monitoring can be of value in efforts to establish the optimal dose. If the first monotherapy fails to control seizures without significant adverse effects, the next step will be to gradually switch to an alternative monotherapy, or sometimes to add another ASM. If an add-on is considered, combining ASMs with different modes of action is usually recommended. Misdiagnosis of epilepsy, non-adherence and suboptimal dosing are frequent causes of treatment failure and should be excluded before a patient is regarded as drug-resistant. Other treatment modalities, including epilepsy surgery, neuromodulation, and dietary therapies, should be considered for truly drug-resistant patients. After some years of seizure freedom, the question of ASM withdrawal often arises. Although successful in many, withdrawal is also associated with risks and the decision needs to be based on careful risk-benefit analysis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Torbjörn Tomson
- Department of Clinical Neuroscience, Karolinska Institutet, Stockholm, Sweden
| | - Johan Zelano
- Department of Clinical Neuroscience, Institute of Neuroscience and Physiology, Sahlgrenska Academy, Gothenburg University, Gothenburg, Sweden
- Department of Neurology, Sahlgrenska University Hospital, Gothenburg, Sweden
- Wallenberg Center of Molecular and Translational Medicine, Gothenburg University, Gothenburg, Sweden
| | - Yew Li Dang
- Bladin-Berkovic Comprehensive Epilepsy Program, Austin Health, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia
- Epilepsy Research Centre, Department of Medicine (Austin Health), The University of Melbourne, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia
| | - Piero Perucca
- Bladin-Berkovic Comprehensive Epilepsy Program, Austin Health, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia
- Epilepsy Research Centre, Department of Medicine (Austin Health), The University of Melbourne, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia
- Department of Neuroscience, Central Clinical School, Monash University, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia
- Department of Neurology, The Royal Melbourne Hospital, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia
- Department of Neurology, Alfred Health, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia
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Koepp MJ, Trinka E, Mah Y, Bentes C, Knake S, Gigli GL, Serratosa JM, Zelano J, Magalhães LM, Pereira A, Moreira J, Soares‐da‐Silva P. Antiepileptogenesis after stroke-trials and tribulations: Methodological challenges and recruitment results of a Phase II study with eslicarbazepine acetate. Epilepsia Open 2023; 8:1190-1201. [PMID: 36944588 PMCID: PMC10472381 DOI: 10.1002/epi4.12735] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/04/2023] [Accepted: 03/07/2023] [Indexed: 03/23/2023] Open
Abstract
There is currently no evidence to support the use of antiseizure medications to prevent unprovoked seizures following stroke. Experimental animal models suggested a potential antiepileptogenic effect for eslicarbazepine acetate (ESL), and a Phase II, multicenter, randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled study was designed to test this hypothesis and assess whether ESL treatment for 1 month can prevent unprovoked seizures following stroke. We outline the design and status of this antiepileptogenesis study, and discuss the challenges encountered in its execution to date. Patients at high risk of developing unprovoked seizures after acute intracerebral hemorrhage or acute ischemic stroke were randomized to receive ESL 800 mg/d or placebo, initiated within 120 hours after primary stroke occurrence. Treatment continued until Day 30, then tapered off. Patients could receive all necessary therapies for stroke treatment according to clinical practice guidelines and standard of care, and are being followed up for 18 months. The primary efficacy endpoint is the occurrence of a first unprovoked seizure within 6 months after randomization ("failure rate"). Secondary efficacy assessments include the occurrence of a first unprovoked seizure during 12 months after randomization and during the entire study; functional outcomes (Barthel Index original 10-item version; National Institutes of Health Stroke Scale); post-stroke depression (Patient Health Questionnaire-9; PHQ-9); and overall survival. Safety assessments include the evaluation of treatment-emergent adverse events; laboratory parameters; vital signs; electrocardiogram; suicidal ideation and behavior (PHQ-9 question 9). The protocol aimed to randomize approximately 200 patients (1:1), recruited from 21 sites in seven European countries and Israel. Despite the challenges encountered, particularly during the COVID-19 pandemic, the study progressed and included a remarkable number of patients, with 129 screened and 125 randomized. Recruitment was stopped after 30 months, the first patient entered in May 2019, and the study is ongoing and following up on patients according to the Clinical Trial Protocol.
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Affiliation(s)
- Matthias J. Koepp
- UCL Queen Square Institute of NeurologyLondonUK
- National Hospital for Neurology and NeurosurgeryLondonUK
| | - Eugen Trinka
- Department of NeurologyChristian‐Doppler University Hospital, Paracelsus Medical University, Centre for Cognitive Neuroscience, Member of EpiCARESalzburgAustria
- Neuroscience Institute, Christian‐Doppler University HospitalParacelsus Medical University, Centre for Cognitive NeuroscienceSalzburgAustria
- Institute of Public Health, Medical Decision‐Making and HTAUMIT – Private University for Health SciencesMedical Informatics and TechnologyHall in TyrolAustria
| | - Yee‐Haur Mah
- King's College Hospital NHS Foundation TrustLondonUK
- School of Biomedical Engineering and Imaging SciencesKing's College LondonLondonUK
| | - Carla Bentes
- Reference Centre for Refractory Epilepsies (Member of EpiCARE)Hospital de Santa Maria‐CHULNLisbonPortugal
- Department of Neuroscience and Mental Health (Neurology)Hospital de Santa Maria‐CHULNLisbonPortugal
- Centro de Estudos Egas MonizFaculdade de Medicina da Universidade de LisboaLisbonPortugal
| | - Susanne Knake
- Department of Neurology, Epilepsy Centre HessenPhilipps‐University MarburgMarburgGermany
| | - Gian Luigi Gigli
- Clinical Neurology Unit, Department of Medicine (DAME)University of UdineUdineItaly
| | - José M. Serratosa
- Department of Neurology and Laboratory of Neurology, Fundación Instituto de Investigación Sanitaria‐Fundación Jiménez DíazAutónoma UniversityMadridSpain
- Centro de Investigacion Biomedica en Red de Enfermedades Raras (CIBERER)MadridSpain
| | - Johan Zelano
- Institute of Neuroscience and Physiology, Sahlgrenska AcademyUniversity of GothenburgGothenburgSweden
- Wallenberg Centre for Molecular and Translational MedicineUniversity of GothenburgGothenburgSweden
- Department of NeurologySahlgrenska University HospitalGothenburgSweden
| | | | | | | | - Patrício Soares‐da‐Silva
- Bial—Portela & Cª, S.A.CoronadoPortugal
- Department of BiomedicinePharmacology and Therapeutics Unit, Faculty of MedicineUniversity PortoPortoPortugal
- MedInUP—Center for Drug Discovery and Innovative MedicinesUniversity PortoPortoPortugal
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Neri S, Gasparini S, Pascarella A, Santangelo D, Cianci V, Mammì A, Lo Giudice M, Ferlazzo E, Aguglia U. Epilepsy in Cerebrovascular Diseases: A Narrative Review. Curr Neuropharmacol 2023; 21:1634-1645. [PMID: 35794769 PMCID: PMC10514540 DOI: 10.2174/1570159x20666220706113925] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/14/2022] [Revised: 03/31/2022] [Accepted: 05/31/2022] [Indexed: 11/22/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Epilepsy is a common comorbidity of cerebrovascular disease and an increasing socioeconomic burden. OBJECTIVE We aimed to provide an updated comprehensive review on the state of the art about seizures and epilepsy in stroke, cerebral haemorrhage, and leukoaraiosis. METHODS We selected English-written articles on epilepsy, stroke, and small vessel disease up until December 2021. We reported the most recent data about epidemiology, pathophysiology, prognosis, and management for each disease. RESULTS The main predictors for both ES and PSE are the severity and extent of stroke, the presence of cortical involvement and hemorrhagic transformation, while PSE is also predicted by younger age at stroke onset. Few data exist on physiopathology and seizure semiology, and no randomized controlled trial has been performed to standardize the therapeutic approach to post-stroke epilepsy. CONCLUSION Some aspects of ES and PSE have been well explored, particularly epidemiology and risk factors. On the contrary, few data exist on physiopathology, and existing evidence is mainly based on studies on animal models. Little is also known about seizure semiology, which may also be difficult to interpret by non-epileptologists. Moreover, the therapeutic approach needs standardization as regards indications and the choice of specific ASMs. Future research may help to better elucidate these aspects.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sabrina Neri
- Department of Medical and Surgical Sciences, Magna Graecia University, Catanzaro, Italy
- Regional Epilepsy Centre, Great Metropolitan Hospital, Reggio Calabria, Italy
| | - Sara Gasparini
- Department of Medical and Surgical Sciences, Magna Graecia University, Catanzaro, Italy
- Regional Epilepsy Centre, Great Metropolitan Hospital, Reggio Calabria, Italy
| | - Angelo Pascarella
- Department of Medical and Surgical Sciences, Magna Graecia University, Catanzaro, Italy
- Regional Epilepsy Centre, Great Metropolitan Hospital, Reggio Calabria, Italy
| | - Domenico Santangelo
- Department of Medical and Surgical Sciences, Magna Graecia University, Catanzaro, Italy
- Regional Epilepsy Centre, Great Metropolitan Hospital, Reggio Calabria, Italy
| | - Vittoria Cianci
- Regional Epilepsy Centre, Great Metropolitan Hospital, Reggio Calabria, Italy
| | - Anna Mammì
- Department of Medical and Surgical Sciences, Magna Graecia University, Catanzaro, Italy
| | - Michele Lo Giudice
- Department of Medical and Surgical Sciences, Magna Graecia University, Catanzaro, Italy
| | - Edoardo Ferlazzo
- Department of Medical and Surgical Sciences, Magna Graecia University, Catanzaro, Italy
- Regional Epilepsy Centre, Great Metropolitan Hospital, Reggio Calabria, Italy
| | - Umberto Aguglia
- Department of Medical and Surgical Sciences, Magna Graecia University, Catanzaro, Italy
- Regional Epilepsy Centre, Great Metropolitan Hospital, Reggio Calabria, Italy
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Diagnosis and Treatment of Poststroke Epilepsy: Where Do We Stand? Curr Treat Options Neurol 2022. [DOI: 10.1007/s11940-022-00744-1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/05/2022]
Abstract
Abstract
Purpose of Review
Stroke is the most common cause of seizures and epilepsy in older adults. This educational paper aims to give an update on current clinical aspects of diagnosis and treatment of poststroke epilepsy.
Recent Findings
Regarding epileptic seizures related to stroke, it is important to distinguish between acute symptomatic seizures and unprovoked seizures as they differ in their risk for seizure recurrence. In fact, after a single unprovoked poststroke seizure, a diagnosis of epilepsy can be made because there is a greater than 60% risk for further seizures. Clinical models that can predict the development of epilepsy after a stroke have been successfully established. However, treatment with anti-seizure medications is advised only after a first unprovoked poststroke seizure, as current treatments are not known to be effective for primary prevention. The management of poststroke epilepsy requires consideration of aspects such as age, drug-drug interactions and secondary vascular prophylaxis, yet evidence for the use of anti-seizure medications specifically in poststroke epilepsy is limited.
Summary
This text reviews the epidemiology and risk factors for poststroke epilepsy, explains the role of EEG and neuroimaging in patients with stroke and seizures and provides an overview on the clinical management of stroke-related acute symptomatic seizures and poststroke epilepsy.
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10
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Holtkamp M, Krämer G. Antiepileptic pharmacotherapy in old age: evidence-based approach versus clinical routine – English Version. ZEITSCHRIFT FÜR EPILEPTOLOGIE 2022. [DOI: 10.1007/s10309-022-00492-x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/06/2022]
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11
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Olaciregui‐Dague K, Weinhold L, Hoppe C, Schmid M, Surges R. Anti-seizure efficacy and retention rate of carbamazepine is highly variable in randomized controlled trials: A meta-analysis. Epilepsia Open 2022; 7:556-569. [PMID: 35980668 PMCID: PMC9712487 DOI: 10.1002/epi4.12644] [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: 04/01/2022] [Accepted: 08/15/2022] [Indexed: 12/30/2022] Open
Abstract
We sought to assess the anti-seizure efficacy of carbamazepine (CBZ) and retention rate (RR) in randomized, controlled trials (RCTs) in epilepsy. Our analysis was carried out according to the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses (PRISMA) statement. Inclusion criteria were monotherapy of CBZ in adequate dosage for epilepsy treatment and RCT duration of ≥3 months. Outcome measures were seizure freedom rate (SFR) and RR. Random-effects meta-analyses were performed to allow for comparison with other anti-seizure medications (ASMs). Thirty RCTs of 734 were included. SFR at last follow-up ranged from 11% at 36 months to 85% at 3 months. The aggregated SFR at 6 months was 58% (CI 49-66%) and 48% (CI 40-57%) at 12 months. The 6-month SFR among blinded studies was 55% (CI 43-66%), compared with 61% (CI 50-71%) in unblinded studies. The 12-month SFR was not significantly linked to the age of study participants. RR varied from 36% at 24 months to 81% at 6 months. When adjusting for blinding, the aggregated 6-month RR in blinded studies was 59% (CI 52-66%) vs 76% (CI 71-81%) in unblinded studies. The point estimates of SFR of all RCTs showed an upward time trend, with an increase of approximately 15% between the years 1981 and 2018. In conclusion, the SFR and RR of CBZ were highly variable in RCTs and especially affected by study duration and blinding. These results underscore the impact of the design of RCTs investigating ASM and may challenge the wide use of CBZ as a comparator.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Leonie Weinhold
- Institute for Medical Biometrics, Informatics and Epidemiology, Friedrich‐Wilhelm UniversityBonnGermany
| | - Christian Hoppe
- Department of EpileptologyUniversity Hospital BonnBonnGermany
| | - Matthias Schmid
- Institute for Medical Biometrics, Informatics and Epidemiology, Friedrich‐Wilhelm UniversityBonnGermany
| | - Rainer Surges
- Department of EpileptologyUniversity Hospital BonnBonnGermany
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12
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Efficacy and safety of antiseizure medication in post-stroke epilepsy. Seizure 2022; 100:109-114. [PMID: 35834881 DOI: 10.1016/j.seizure.2022.07.003] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/29/2022] [Revised: 07/03/2022] [Accepted: 07/05/2022] [Indexed: 01/01/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Specific antiseizure medications (ASM) would improve the outcome in post-stroke epilepsy (PSE). The aim of this multicenter observational study was to compare different antiseizure monotherapies in PSE. METHODS We collected the data from 207 patients with PSE who did not change their initial antiseizure monotherapy during the period of 12 months. Efficacy was assessed by a standardized three month seizure frequency and seizure freedom. Safety was estimated by the reported side effects. RESULTS The mean three month seizure frequency was 1.9 ± 3.1 on eslicarbazepine, 2.1 ± 3.2 on lacosamide, 3.4 ± 4.4 on levetiracetam, 4.3 ± 6.8 on lamotrigine, and 5.1 ± 7.3 on valproate (p < 0.05 for eslicarbazepine or lacosamide in comparison with levetiracetam, lamotrigine and valproate, respectively). The lowest seizure frequency and the highest seizure freedom was observed on ASMs acting via the slow inactivation of sodium channels in comparison to other mechanisms of action (0.7 ± 0.9 vs 2.2 ± 2.4, p < 0.01). Among side effects, the most frequently reported were vertigo (25%) and tiredness (15.9%). They were similar in all investigated groups of ASM. The independent factors increasing seizure frequency that were identified in multiple regression analyses were increased size of infarction, cortical involvement, hemorrhagic transformation, neurological deficits at admission and functional impairment. Administration of ASM with the mechanism of action via the slow inactivation of sodium channels was an independent factor decreasing the seizure frequency. CONCLUSION Our data show that antiseizure medications acting via the slow inactivation of sodium channels, such as lacosamide and eslicarbazepine, are well tolerated and might be associated with better seizure control in PSE.
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Salaka RJ, Nair KP, Sasibhushana RB, Udayakumar D, Kutty BM, Srikumar BN, Shankaranarayana Rao BS. Differential effects of levetiracetam on hippocampal CA1 synaptic plasticity and molecular changes in the dentate gyrus in epileptic rats. Neurochem Int 2022; 158:105378. [PMID: 35753511 DOI: 10.1016/j.neuint.2022.105378] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/06/2022] [Revised: 05/27/2022] [Accepted: 06/12/2022] [Indexed: 11/25/2022]
Abstract
Temporal lobe epilepsy (TLE) is the most common form of focal epilepsies. Pharmacological treatment with anti-seizure drugs (ASDs) remains the mainstay in epilepsy management. Levetiracetam (LEV) is a second-generation ASD with a novel SV2A protein target and is indicated for treating focal epilepsies. While there is considerable literature in acute models, its effect in chronic epilepsy is less clear. Particularly, its effects on neuronal excitability, synaptic plasticity, adult hippocampal neurogenesis, and histological changes in chronic epilepsy have not been evaluated thus far, which formed the basis of the present study. Six weeks post-lithium-pilocarpine-induced status epilepticus (SE), epileptic rats were injected with levetiracetam (54mg/kg b.w. i.p.) once daily for two weeks. Following LEV treatment, Schaffer collateral - CA1 (CA3-CA1) synaptic plasticity and structural changes in hippocampal subregions CA3 and CA1 were evaluated. The number of doublecortin (DCX+) and reelin (RLN+) positive neurons was estimated. Further, mossy fiber sprouting was evaluated in DG by Timm staining, and splash test was performed to assess the anxiety-like behavior. Chronic epilepsy resulted in decreased basal synaptic transmission and increased paired-pulse facilitation without affecting post-tetanic potentiation and long-term potentiation. Moreover, chronic epilepsy decreased hippocampal subfields volume, adult hippocampal neurogenesis, and increased reelin expression and mossy fiber sprouting with increased anxiety-like behavior. LEV treatment restored basal synaptic transmission and paired-pulse facilitation ratio in CA3-CA1 synapses. LEV also restored the CA1 subfield volume in chronic epilepsy. LEV did not affect epilepsy-induced abnormal adult hippocampal neurogenesis, ectopic migration of newborn granule cells, mossy fiber sprouting in DG, and anxiety-like behavior. Our results indicate that in addition to reducing seizures, LEV has favorable effects on synaptic transmission and structural plasticity in chronic epilepsy. These findings add new dimensions to the use of LEV in chronic epilepsy and paves way for further research into its effects on cognition and affective behavior.
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Affiliation(s)
- Raghava Jagadeesh Salaka
- Department of Neurophysiology, National Institute of Mental Health and Neuro Sciences, Bengaluru, India
| | - Kala P Nair
- Department of Neurophysiology, National Institute of Mental Health and Neuro Sciences, Bengaluru, India
| | | | - Deepashree Udayakumar
- Department of Neurophysiology, National Institute of Mental Health and Neuro Sciences, Bengaluru, India
| | - Bindu M Kutty
- Department of Neurophysiology, National Institute of Mental Health and Neuro Sciences, Bengaluru, India
| | - Bettadapura N Srikumar
- Department of Neurophysiology, National Institute of Mental Health and Neuro Sciences, Bengaluru, India
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14
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Zhou DJ, Pavuluri S, Snehal I, Schmidt CM, Situ-Kcomt M, Taraschenko O. Movement disorders associated with antiseizure medications: A systematic review. Epilepsy Behav 2022; 131:108693. [PMID: 35483204 PMCID: PMC9596228 DOI: 10.1016/j.yebeh.2022.108693] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/14/2021] [Revised: 03/14/2022] [Accepted: 03/31/2022] [Indexed: 11/19/2022]
Abstract
New-onset movement disorders have been frequently reported in association with the use of antiseizure medications (ASMs). The frequency of specific motor manifestations and the spectrum of their semiology for various ASMs have not been well characterized. We carried out a systematic review of literature and conducted a search on CINAHL, Cochrane Library, EMBASE, MEDLINE, PsycINFO, and Scopus from inception to April 2021. We compiled the data for all currently available ASMs using the conventional terminology of movement disorders. Among 5123 manuscripts identified by the search, 437 met the inclusion criteria. The largest number of reports of abnormal movements were in association with phenobarbital, valproic acid, lacosamide, and perampanel, and predominantly included tremor and ataxia. The majority of attempted interventions for all agents were discontinuation of the offending drug or dose reduction which led to the resolution of symptoms in most patients. Familiarity with the movement disorder phenomenology previously encountered in relation with specific ASMs facilitates early recognition of adverse effects and timely institution of targeted interventions.
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Affiliation(s)
- Daniel J Zhou
- Department of Neurological Sciences, University of Nebraska Medical Center, Omaha, NE, United States
| | - Spriha Pavuluri
- Department of Neurological Sciences, University of Nebraska Medical Center, Omaha, NE, United States
| | - Isha Snehal
- Department of Neurological Sciences, University of Nebraska Medical Center, Omaha, NE, United States
| | - Cynthia M Schmidt
- Leon S. McGoogan Health Sciences Library, University of Nebraska Medical Center, Omaha, NE, United States
| | - Miguel Situ-Kcomt
- Department of Neurological Sciences, University of Nebraska Medical Center, Omaha, NE, United States
| | - Olga Taraschenko
- Department of Neurological Sciences, University of Nebraska Medical Center, Omaha, NE, United States.
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15
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Yoshimura H, Tanaka T, Fukuma K, Matsubara S, Motoyama R, Mizobuchi M, Matsuki T, Manabe Y, Suzuki J, Kobayashi K, Shimotake A, Nishimura K, Onozuka D, Kawamoto M, Koga M, Toyoda K, Murayama S, Matsumoto R, Takahashi R, Ikeda A, Ihara M. Impact of Seizure Recurrence on 1-Year Functional Outcome and Mortality in Patients With Poststroke Epilepsy. Neurology 2022; 99:e376-e384. [PMID: 35508394 DOI: 10.1212/wnl.0000000000200609] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/23/2021] [Accepted: 03/11/2022] [Indexed: 11/15/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES The functional outcome and mortality of post-stroke epilepsy (PSE) patients have not been assessed in a prospective study. Previous reports have suggested that PSE patients may suffer from prolonged functional deterioration following a seizure. In the current study, we prospectively investigated the functional outcome and mortality of PSE patients and analyzed the impact of seizure recurrence on the outcomes. METHODS This is part of the Prognosis of Post-Stroke Epilepsy (PROPOSE) study, a multicenter, prospective observational cohort study, where 392 PSE patients (at least one unprovoked seizure more than 7 days after the onset of the last symptomatic stroke) were followed for at least 1 year at eight hospitals in Japan. The current study included only PSE patients with a first-ever seizure and assessed their functional decline and mortality at 1 year. Functional decline was defined as an increase in modified Rankin Scale (mRS) score at 1 year compared to baseline, excluding death. The associations between seizure recurrence and the outcomes were analyzed statistically. RESULTS A total of 211 patients (median age of 75 years; median mRS score of 3) were identified. At 1 year, 50 patients (23.7%) experienced seizure recurrence. Regarding outcomes, 25 patients (11.8%) demonstrated functional decline, and 20 (9.5%) had died. Most patients died of pneumonia or cardiac disease (seven patients each), and no known causes of death were directly related to recurrent seizures. Seizure recurrence was significantly associated with functional decline (odds ratio 2.96 [95% CI 1.25-7.03], P=0.01), even after adjusting for potential confounders (adjusted odds ratio 3.26 [95% CI 1.27-8.36], P=0.01), but not with mortality (odds ratio 0.79 [95% CI 0.18-2.61], P=0.79). Moreover, there was a significant trend where patients with more recurrent seizures were more likely to have functional decline (8.7%, 20.6%, and 28.6% in none, 1, and 2 or more recurrent seizures, respectively; P=0.006). DISCUSSION One-year functional outcome and mortality of PSE patients were poor. Seizure recurrence was significantly associated with functional outcome, but not with mortality. Further studies are needed to ascertain whether early and adequate anti-seizure treatment can prevent the functional deterioration of PSE patients.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hajime Yoshimura
- Department of Neurology, Kobe City Medical Center General Hospital, Kobe, Japan
| | - Tomotaka Tanaka
- Department of Neurology, National Cerebral and Cardiovascular Center, Suita, Japan
| | - Kazuki Fukuma
- Department of Neurology, National Cerebral and Cardiovascular Center, Suita, Japan
| | - Soichiro Matsubara
- Department of Neurology, Graduate School of Medical Sciences, Kumamoto University, Kumamoto, Japan
| | - Rie Motoyama
- Department of Neurology and Brain Bank for Aging Research, Tokyo Metropolitan Geriatric Hospital and Institute of Gerontology, Tokyo, Japan
| | - Masahiro Mizobuchi
- Department of Neurology, Nakamura Memorial Hospital, Sapporo, Japan.,Minami-ichijyo Neurology Clinic, Sapporo, Japan
| | | | - Yasuhiro Manabe
- Department of Neurology, National Hospital Organization Okayama Medical Center, Okayama, Japan
| | - Junichiro Suzuki
- Department of Neurology, Toyota Memorial Hospital, Toyota, Japan
| | - Katsuya Kobayashi
- Department of Neurology, Kyoto University Graduate School of Medicine, Kyoto, Japan
| | - Akihiro Shimotake
- Department of Neurology, Kyoto University Graduate School of Medicine, Kyoto, Japan
| | - Kunihiro Nishimura
- Department of Preventive Medicine and Epidemiology, National Cerebral and Cardiovascular Center, Suita, Japan
| | - Daisuke Onozuka
- Department of Medical Informatics and Clinical Epidemiology, Graduate School of Medical Science, Kyoto Prefectural University of Medicine, Kyoto, Japan
| | - Michi Kawamoto
- Department of Neurology, Kobe City Medical Center General Hospital, Kobe, Japan
| | - Masatoshi Koga
- Department of Cerebrovascular Medicine, National Cerebral and Cardiovascular Center, Suita, Japan
| | - Kazunori Toyoda
- Department of Cerebrovascular Medicine, National Cerebral and Cardiovascular Center, Suita, Japan
| | - Shigeo Murayama
- Department of Neurology and Brain Bank for Aging Research, Tokyo Metropolitan Geriatric Hospital and Institute of Gerontology, Tokyo, Japan.,Brain Bank for Neurodevelopmental, Neurological and Psychiatric Disorders, Molecular Research Center for Children's Mental Development, United Graduate School of Child Development, Osaka University, Suita, Japan
| | - Riki Matsumoto
- Division of Neurology, Kobe University Graduate School of Medicine, Kobe, Japan
| | - Ryosuke Takahashi
- Department of Neurology, Kyoto University Graduate School of Medicine, Kyoto, Japan
| | - Akio Ikeda
- Department of Epilepsy, Movement Disorders and Physiology, Kyoto University Graduate School of Medicine, Kyoto, Japan
| | - Masafumi Ihara
- Department of Neurology, National Cerebral and Cardiovascular Center, Suita, Japan
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16
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Lapalme-Remis S, Nguyen DK. Neuroimaging of Epilepsy. Continuum (Minneap Minn) 2022; 28:306-338. [PMID: 35393961 DOI: 10.1212/con.0000000000001080] [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: 11/15/2022]
Abstract
PURPOSE OF REVIEW This article provides an overview of imaging modalities, important imaging pathologies, and the role each imaging modality can play in the diagnosis, evaluation, and treatment of epilepsy, including epilepsy surgery. RECENT FINDINGS The Harmonized Neuroimaging of Epilepsy Structural Sequences (HARNESS-MRI) protocol was proposed to standardize MRI imaging for all patients with seizures. The role of 7-Tesla MRI in finding previously occult epileptogenic lesions is under investigation, and the technique is increasingly used. Developing MRI postprocessing techniques can increase the sensitivity of MRI. Improvements in functional imaging techniques such as EEG-functional MRI (fMRI) and magnetic source imaging provide complementary methods of identifying seizure foci. New epileptogenic pathologies such as multinodular and vacuolating neuronal tumors (MVNT) are being discovered, and the importance of others, such as encephaloceles, is better appreciated. SUMMARY Brain imaging is a critical component of the diagnosis and evaluation of patients with epilepsy. Structural imaging modalities such as MRI and CT allow for the identification of a wide variety of potentially epileptogenic lesions. For patients with drug-resistant epilepsy under consideration for resective surgery, both structural and functional neuroimaging may be needed for focus identification and surgical planning for preservation of neurologic function.
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17
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Nevitt SJ, Sudell M, Cividini S, Marson AG, Tudur Smith C. Antiepileptic drug monotherapy for epilepsy: a network meta-analysis of individual participant data. Cochrane Database Syst Rev 2022; 4:CD011412. [PMID: 35363878 PMCID: PMC8974892 DOI: 10.1002/14651858.cd011412.pub4] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/27/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND This is an updated version of the original Cochrane Review published in 2017. Epilepsy is a common neurological condition with a worldwide prevalence of around 1%. Approximately 60% to 70% of people with epilepsy will achieve a longer-term remission from seizures, and most achieve that remission shortly after starting antiepileptic drug treatment. Most people with epilepsy are treated with a single antiepileptic drug (monotherapy) and current guidelines from the National Institute for Health and Care Excellence (NICE) in the United Kingdom for adults and children recommend carbamazepine or lamotrigine as first-line treatment for focal onset seizures and sodium valproate for generalised onset seizures; however, a range of other antiepileptic drug (AED) treatments are available, and evidence is needed regarding their comparative effectiveness in order to inform treatment choices. OBJECTIVES To compare the time to treatment failure, remission and first seizure of 12 AEDs (carbamazepine, phenytoin, sodium valproate, phenobarbitone, oxcarbazepine, lamotrigine, gabapentin, topiramate, levetiracetam, zonisamide, eslicarbazepine acetate, lacosamide) currently used as monotherapy in children and adults with focal onset seizures (simple focal, complex focal or secondary generalised) or generalised tonic-clonic seizures with or without other generalised seizure types (absence, myoclonus). SEARCH METHODS For the latest update, we searched the following databases on 12 April 2021: the Cochrane Register of Studies (CRS Web), which includes PubMed, Embase, ClinicalTrials.gov, the World Health Organization International Clinical Trials Registry Platform (ICTRP), the Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials (CENTRAL), the Cochrane Epilepsy Group Specialised Register and MEDLINE (Ovid, 1946 to April 09, 2021). We handsearched relevant journals and contacted pharmaceutical companies, original trial investigators and experts in the field. SELECTION CRITERIA We included randomised controlled trials of a monotherapy design in adults or children with focal onset seizures or generalised onset tonic-clonic seizures (with or without other generalised seizure types). DATA COLLECTION AND ANALYSIS This was an individual participant data (IPD) and network meta-analysis (NMA) review. Our primary outcome was 'time to treatment failure', and our secondary outcomes were 'time to achieve 12-month remission', 'time to achieve six-month remission', and 'time to first seizure post-randomisation'. We performed frequentist NMA to combine direct evidence with indirect evidence across the treatment network of 12 drugs. We investigated inconsistency between direct 'pairwise' estimates and NMA results via node splitting. Results are presented as hazard ratios (HRs) with 95% confidence intervals (CIs) and we assessed the certainty of the evidence using the CiNeMA approach, based on the GRADE framework. We have also provided a narrative summary of the most commonly reported adverse events. MAIN RESULTS IPD were provided for at least one outcome of this review for 14,789 out of a total of 22,049 eligible participants (67% of total data) from 39 out of the 89 eligible trials (43% of total trials). We could not include IPD from the remaining 50 trials in analysis for a variety of reasons, such as being unable to contact an author or sponsor to request data, data being lost or no longer available, cost and resources required to prepare data being prohibitive, or local authority or country-specific restrictions. No IPD were available from a single trial of eslicarbazepine acetate, so this AED could not be included in the NMA. Network meta-analysis showed high-certainty evidence that for our primary outcome, 'time to treatment failure', for individuals with focal seizures; lamotrigine performs better than most other treatments in terms of treatment failure for any reason and due to adverse events, including the other first-line treatment carbamazepine; HRs (95% CIs) for treatment failure for any reason for lamotrigine versus: levetiracetam 1.01 (0.88 to 1.20), zonisamide 1.18 (0.96 to 1.44), lacosamide 1.19 (0.90 to 1.58), carbamazepine 1.26 (1.10 to 1.44), oxcarbazepine 1.30 (1.02 to 1.66), sodium valproate 1.35 (1.09 to 1.69), phenytoin 1.44 (1.11 to 1.85), topiramate 1.50 (1.23 to 1.81), gabapentin 1.53 (1.26 to 1.85), phenobarbitone 1.97 (1.45 to 2.67). No significant difference between lamotrigine and levetiracetam was shown for any treatment failure outcome, and both AEDs seemed to perform better than all other AEDs. For people with generalised onset seizures, evidence was more limited and of moderate certainty; no other treatment performed better than first-line treatment sodium valproate, but there were no differences between sodium valproate, lamotrigine or levetiracetam in terms of treatment failure; HRs (95% CIs) for treatment failure for any reason for sodium valproate versus: lamotrigine 1.06 (0.81 to 1.37), levetiracetam 1.13 (0.89 to 1.42), gabapentin 1.13 (0.61 to 2.11), phenytoin 1.17 (0.80 to 1.73), oxcarbazepine 1.24 (0.72 to 2.14), topiramate 1.37 (1.06 to 1.77), carbamazepine 1.52 (1.18 to 1.96), phenobarbitone 2.13 (1.20 to 3.79), lacosamide 2.64 (1.14 to 6.09). Network meta-analysis also showed high-certainty evidence that for secondary remission outcomes, few notable differences were shown for either seizure type; for individuals with focal seizures, carbamazepine performed better than gabapentin (12-month remission) and sodium valproate (six-month remission). No differences between lamotrigine and any AED were shown for individuals with focal seizures, or between sodium valproate and other AEDs for individuals with generalised onset seizures. Network meta-analysis also showed high- to moderate-certainty evidence that, for 'time to first seizure,' in general, the earliest licensed treatments (phenytoin and phenobarbitone) performed better than the other treatments for individuals with focal seizures; phenobarbitone performed better than both first-line treatments carbamazepine and lamotrigine. There were no notable differences between the newer drugs (oxcarbazepine, topiramate, gabapentin, levetiracetam, zonisamide and lacosamide) for either seizure type. Generally, direct evidence (where available) and network meta-analysis estimates were numerically similar and consistent with confidence intervals of effect sizes overlapping. There was no important indication of inconsistency between direct and network meta-analysis results. The most commonly reported adverse events across all drugs were drowsiness/fatigue, headache or migraine, gastrointestinal disturbances, dizziness/faintness and rash or skin disorders; however, reporting of adverse events was highly variable across AEDs and across studies. AUTHORS' CONCLUSIONS High-certainty evidence demonstrates that for people with focal onset seizures, current first-line treatment options carbamazepine and lamotrigine, as well as newer drug levetiracetam, show the best profile in terms of treatment failure and seizure control as first-line treatments. For people with generalised tonic-clonic seizures (with or without other seizure types), current first-line treatment sodium valproate has the best profile compared to all other treatments, but lamotrigine and levetiracetam would be the most suitable alternative first-line treatments, particularly for those for whom sodium valproate may not be an appropriate treatment option. Further evidence from randomised controlled trials recruiting individuals with generalised tonic-clonic seizures (with or without other seizure types) is needed.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sarah J Nevitt
- Department of Health Data Science, University of Liverpool, Liverpool, UK
| | - Maria Sudell
- Department of Health Data Science, University of Liverpool, Liverpool, UK
| | - Sofia Cividini
- Department of Health Data Science, University of Liverpool, Liverpool, UK
| | - Anthony G Marson
- Department of Pharmacology and Therapeutics, Institute of Systems, Molecular and Integrative Biology, University of Liverpool, Liverpool, UK
| | - Catrin Tudur Smith
- Department of Health Data Science, University of Liverpool, Liverpool, UK
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Håkansson S, Zelano J. Big data analysis of ASM retention rates and expert ASM algorithm: a comparative study. Epilepsia 2022; 63:1553-1562. [PMID: 35325474 PMCID: PMC9321965 DOI: 10.1111/epi.17235] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/10/2022] [Revised: 03/23/2022] [Accepted: 03/23/2022] [Indexed: 11/29/2022]
Abstract
Objective Only 50% of patients with new‐onset epilepsy achieve seizure freedom with their first antiseizure medication (ASM). A growing body of data illustrates the complexity of predicting ASM response and tolerability, which is influenced by age, sex, and comorbidities. Randomized data with sufficient resolution for personalized medicine are unlikely to emerge. Two potential facilitators of ASM selection are big data using real‐world retention rates or algorithms based on expert opinion. We asked how these methods compare in adult‐onset focal epilepsy. Methods ASM retention rates were determined by cross‐referencing data from comprehensive Swedish registers for 37 643 individuals, with identified comorbidities. Eight fictive cases were created and expert advice was collected from the algorithm Epipick. We compared Epipick suggestions in representative patient subgroups, and determined whether ranking based on retention rate reflected expert advice. Results The Epipick algorithm suggested six ASM alternatives for younger patients and three ASM alternatives for older patients. In the real‐world data, retention rates for the ASMs ranked as best options by Epipick were high; 65%–72% for young patients and 71%–84% for older patients. The lowest retention rate for Epipick suggestions was 42%–56% in younger cases, and 70%–80% in older cases. The ASM with the best retention rate was generally recommended by Epipick. Significance We found a large overlap between expert advice and real‐world retention rates. Notably, Epipick did suggest some ASMs with more modest retention rates. Conversely, clearly inappropriate ASMs (not recommended by Epipick) had high retention rates in some cases, showing that decision systems should not rely indiscriminately on retention rates alone. In future clinical decision support systems, expert opinion and real‐world retention rates could work synergistically.
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Affiliation(s)
- Samuel Håkansson
- Department of Neurology, Sahlgrenska University Hospital, Gothenburg, Sweden.,Institute of Neuroscience and Physiology, Department of Clinical Neuroscience, Sahlgrenska Academy, Gothenburg University, Gothenburg, Sweden.,Wallenberg Center for Molecular and Translational Medicine, Gothenburg University, Gothenburg, Sweden
| | - Johan Zelano
- Department of Neurology, Sahlgrenska University Hospital, Gothenburg, Sweden.,Institute of Neuroscience and Physiology, Department of Clinical Neuroscience, Sahlgrenska Academy, Gothenburg University, Gothenburg, Sweden.,Wallenberg Center for Molecular and Translational Medicine, Gothenburg University, Gothenburg, Sweden
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Lattanzi S, Canafoglia L, Canevini MP, Casciato S, Irelli EC, Chiesa V, Dainese F, De Maria G, Didato G, Di Gennaro G, Falcicchio G, Fanella M, Ferlazzo E, Gangitano M, La Neve A, Mecarelli O, Montalenti E, Morano A, Piazza F, Pizzanelli C, Pulitano P, Ranzato F, Rosati E, Tassi L, Di Bonaventura C, Alicino A, Ascoli M, Assenza G, Avorio F, Badioni V, Banfi P, Bartolini E, Basili LM, Belcastro V, Beretta S, Berto I, Biggi M, Billo G, Boero G, Bonanni P, Bongorno J, Brigo F, Caggia E, Cagnetti C, Calvello C, Cesnik E, Chianale G, Ciampanelli D, Ciuffini R, Cocito D, Colella D, Contento M, Costa C, Cumbo E, D'Aniello A, Deleo F, DiFrancesco JC, Di Giacomo R, Di Liberto A, Domina E, Dono F, Durante V, Elia M, Estraneo A, Evangelista G, Faedda MT, Failli Y, Fallica E, Fattouch J, Ferrari A, Ferreri F, Fisco G, Fonti D, Fortunato F, Foschi N, Francavilla T, Galli R, Gazzina S, Giallonardo AT, Giorgi FS, Giuliano L, Habetswallner F, Izzi F, Kassabian B, Labate A, Luisi C, Magliani M, Maira G, Mari L, Marino D, Mascia A, Mazzeo A, Milano C, Meletti S, Nilo A, Orlando B, Paladin F, Pascarella MG, Pastori C, Pauletto G, Peretti A, Perri G, Pezzella M, Piccioli M, Pignatta P, Pilolli N, Pisani F, Pisani LR, Placidi F, Pollicino P, Porcella V, Pradella S, Puligheddu M, Quadri S, Quarato PP, Quintas R, Renna R, Rizzo GR, Rum A, Salamone EM, Savastano E, Sessa M, Stokelj D, Tartara E, Tombini M, Tumminelli G, Vaudano AE, Ventura M, Viganò I, Viglietta E, Vignoli A, Villani F, Zambrelli E, Zummo L. Brivaracetam as add-on treatment in patients with post-stroke epilepsy: real-world data from the BRIVAracetam add-on First Italian netwoRk Study (BRIVAFIRST). Seizure 2022; 97:37-42. [DOI: 10.1016/j.seizure.2022.03.007] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/13/2022] [Revised: 03/06/2022] [Accepted: 03/09/2022] [Indexed: 12/12/2022] Open
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Chang RS, Leung WC, Vassallo M, Sykes L, Battersby Wood E, Kwan J. Antiepileptic drugs for the primary and secondary prevention of seizures after stroke. Cochrane Database Syst Rev 2022; 2:CD005398. [PMID: 35129214 PMCID: PMC8819727 DOI: 10.1002/14651858.cd005398.pub4] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/06/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Seizures after stroke are an important clinical problem and may result in poor outcomes. The indications of antiepileptic drugs (AEDs) for seizure prophylaxis after stroke remain unclear. This is an updated version of the Cochrane Review previously published in 2014. OBJECTIVES To assess the effects of AEDs for the primary and secondary prevention of seizures after stroke. For primary prevention, we aimed to assess whether AEDs reduce the likelihood of seizures in people who have a stroke but do not have a seizure. For secondary prevention, we aimed to assess whether AEDs reduce the likelihood of further seizures in people who have a stroke and at least one post-stroke seizure. SEARCH METHODS We searched the following databases on 9 March 2021: Cochrane Register of Studies (CRS Web), MEDLINE (Ovid, 1946 to March 08, 2021). CRS Web includes randomised or quasi-randomised controlled trials from PubMed, Embase, ClinicalTrials.gov, the World Health Organisation International Clinical Trials Registry Platform (ICTRP), the Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials (CENTRAL), and the Specialised Registers of Cochrane Review Groups including Epilepsy and Stroke. We also checked the reference lists of articles retrieved from these searches. SELECTION CRITERIA We selected randomised and quasi-randomised controlled studies that recruited participants with a clinical diagnosis of stroke, either ischaemic or haemorrhagic. We excluded studies that only recruited participants with subarachnoid haemorrhage, subdural haemorrhage, extradural haemorrhage, or other non-stroke diagnoses such as tumour- or infection-related infarction or haemorrhage. We also excluded studies that recruited only participants who had undergone neurosurgery. We included participants of all ages suffering any seizure type who were assigned to AEDs or placebo groups. DATA COLLECTION AND ANALYSIS In accordance with standard methodological procedures expected by The Cochrane Collaboration, two review authors independently assessed trials for inclusion before evaluating trial risk of bias and extracting relevant data. The primary outcome assessed was the proportion of participants who experienced seizures in the follow-up period. We presented results as summary risk ratios (RRs) with 95% confidence intervals (CIs) for dichotomous outcomes and mean differences (MDs) with 95% CIs for continuous outcomes. Where we had sufficient data, we calculated random-effects (Mantel-Haenszel) meta-analyses for dichotomous outcomes; otherwise, we reported results narratively. We used the I2 statistic to analyse statistical heterogeneity. We planned to use funnel plots to assess publication bias in meta-analyses with at least 10 included studies. We used the GRADE approach to assess the certainty of the evidence. MAIN RESULTS Two studies with a total of 856 subjects were included. AEDs were not shown to be effective in primary prophylaxis of post-stroke seizure (RR 0.65, 95% CI 0.34 to 1.26; 2 studies, 856 participants; moderate-certainty evidence). The first study was a randomised double-blind study comparing valproic acid with placebo for primary seizure prevention up to one year after stroke. The study included 72 adults with intracerebral haemorrhage. There was no difference in the risk of post-stroke seizures (RR 0.88, 95% CI 0.35 to 2.16) or of death (RR 1.20, 95% CI 0.40 to 3.58). The second study was a substudy on the use of diazepam in acute stroke. It was a randomised double-blind study, comparing a three-day diazepam treatment versus placebo for primary seizure prevention up to three months after stroke in 784 adults with acute stroke. There was no evidence of a difference in the risk of post-stroke seizures for all stroke or subgroups of haemorrhagic or ischaemic stroke (RR for all stroke 0.47, 95% CI 0.18 to 1.22). In a subgroup analysis of anterior circulation cortical infarcts, primary prophylaxis with diazepam was associated with a reduced risk of post-stroke seizures (RR 0.21, 95% CI 0.05 to 0.95). Risks of mortality did not differ between the diazepam and the placebo group at two weeks (RR 0.84, 95% CI 0.56 to 1.26) and three months follow-up (RR 0.95, 95% CI 0.72 to 1.26). We assessed both studies to be at a low overall risk of bias. Using the GRADE approach, we assessed the overall certainty of the evidence as low to moderate. AUTHORS' CONCLUSIONS There is insufficient evidence to support the routine use of AEDs on the primary and secondary prevention of seizures after stroke. Further well-conducted studies are warranted for this important clinical problem.
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Affiliation(s)
- Richard S Chang
- Division of Neurology, Department of Medicine, Queen Mary Hospital, Hong Kong, China
| | - William Cy Leung
- Division of Neurology, Department of Medicine, Queen Mary Hospital, Hong Kong, China
| | | | - Lucy Sykes
- Hampshire Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust, Hampshire, UK
| | | | - Joseph Kwan
- Department of Brain Sciences, Imperial College London, London, UK
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Costa C, Nardi Cesarini E, Eusebi P, Franchini D, Casucci P, De Giorgi M, Calvello C, Romoli M, Parnetti L, Calabresi P. Incidence and Antiseizure Medications of Post-stroke Epilepsy in Umbria: A Population-Based Study Using Healthcare Administrative Databases. Front Neurol 2022; 12:800524. [PMID: 35095743 PMCID: PMC8790124 DOI: 10.3389/fneur.2021.800524] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/23/2021] [Accepted: 11/29/2021] [Indexed: 11/25/2022] Open
Abstract
Introduction: Post-stroke epilepsy (PSE) requires long-term treatment with antiseizure medications (ASMs). However, epidemiology of PSE and long-term compliance with ASM in this population are still unclear. Here we report, through population-level healthcare administrative data, incidence, risk factors, ASM choice, and ASM switch over long-term follow-up. Materials and Methods: This is a population-based retrospective study using Umbria healthcare administrative database. Population consisted of all patients with acute stroke, either ischaemic or hemorrhagic, between 2013 and 2018. ICD-9-CM codes were implemented to identify people with stroke, while PSE was adjudicated according to previously validated algorithm, such as EEG and ≥1 ASM 7 days after stroke. Results: Overall, among 11,093 incident cases of acute stroke (75.9% ischemic), 275 subjects presented PSE, for a cumulative incidence of 2.5%. Patients with PSE were younger (64 vs. 76 years), more frequently presented with hemorrhagic stroke, and had longer hospital stay (15.5 vs. 11.2 days) compared with patients without PSE. Multivariable Cox proportional hazards models confirmed that PSE associated with hemorrhagic stroke, younger age, and longer duration of hospital stay. Levetiracetam was the most prescribed ASM (55.3%), followed by valproate and oxcarbazepine. Almost 30% of patients prescribed with these ASMs switched treatment during follow-up, mostly toward non-enzyme-inducing ASMs. About 12% of patients was prescribed ASM polytherapy over follow-up. Conclusions: Post-stroke epilepsy is associated with hemorrhagic stroke, younger age, and longer hospital stay. First ASM is switched every one in three patients, suggesting the need for treatment tailoring in line with secondary prevention.
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Affiliation(s)
- Cinzia Costa
- Neurology Clinic, Department of Medicine and Surgery, Santa Maria della (S.M.) Misericordia Hospital, University of Perugia, Perugia, Italy
| | - Elena Nardi Cesarini
- Neurology Clinic, Department of Medicine and Surgery, Santa Maria della (S.M.) Misericordia Hospital, University of Perugia, Perugia, Italy
- UOC Neurologia, Ospedale di Senigallia, Senigallia, Italy
| | - Paolo Eusebi
- Health ICT Service, Regional Health Authority of Umbria, Perugia, Italy
| | - David Franchini
- Health ICT Service, Regional Health Authority of Umbria, Perugia, Italy
| | - Paola Casucci
- Health ICT Service, Regional Health Authority of Umbria, Perugia, Italy
| | | | - Carmen Calvello
- Neurology Clinic, Department of Medicine and Surgery, Santa Maria della (S.M.) Misericordia Hospital, University of Perugia, Perugia, Italy
| | - Michele Romoli
- Neurology Clinic, Department of Medicine and Surgery, Santa Maria della (S.M.) Misericordia Hospital, University of Perugia, Perugia, Italy
- Neurology and Stroke Unit, “Maurizio Bufalini” Hospital, Cesena, Italy
| | - Lucilla Parnetti
- Neurology Clinic, Department of Medicine and Surgery, Santa Maria della (S.M.) Misericordia Hospital, University of Perugia, Perugia, Italy
| | - Paolo Calabresi
- Neurologia, Dipartimento Neuroscienze, Università Cattolica del Sacro Cuore, Rome, Italy
- Neurologia, Fondazione Policlinico Universitario “A. Gemelli” IRCCS, Rome, Italy
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Liang CY, Chiang KL, Hsieh LP, Chien LN. Prescription patterns and dosages of antiepileptic drugs in prevalent patients with epilepsy in Taiwan: A nationwide retrospective cross-sectional study. Epilepsy Behav 2022; 126:108450. [PMID: 34864625 DOI: 10.1016/j.yebeh.2021.108450] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/19/2021] [Revised: 11/10/2021] [Accepted: 11/16/2021] [Indexed: 01/03/2023]
Abstract
OBJECTIVE To evaluate the prescription patterns and prescribed daily dose (PDD)/defined daily dose (DDD) ratios of antiepileptic drugs (AEDs) in prevalent patients with epilepsy in Taiwan. MATERIALS AND METHODS A nationwide retrospective cross-sectional study was conducted for prevalent patients with epilepsy in 2016 using the Taiwanese National Health Insurance Research Database. The prescription records of AEDs of all prevalent patients with epilepsy were retrieved. The mean PDDs and PDD/DDD ratios of AEDs in adult patients were obtained to evaluate dosing adequacy. A chi-square test and two-sample t test were used to analyze the differences in AED prescription patterns and dosages, respectively, among patients with different ages, sexes, comorbidities, and therapeutic approaches. RESULTS A total of 118,937 prevalent patients with epilepsy were enrolled. The predominant therapeutic approach was monotherapy, especially in the elder adults, accounting for 82.9% of elder adult patients with epilepsy. The proportion of AED monotherapy was higher in patients with dementia (78.9%) and stroke (80.6%). The top three antiepileptic monotherapies were valproic acid (28.7%), levetiracetam (19.1%), and phenytoin (16.9%); however, oxcarbazepine (22.8%) was substituted for carbamazepine (3.9%) as monotherapy for patients aged 0-17 years. Among adult patients with epilepsy, the PDD/DDD ratio of each AED in monotherapy was less than 1.00. The mean PDD of each AED was higher in polytherapy than in monotherapy (p < 0.01), except for lacosamide. The mean PDDs of all evaluated AEDs in monotherapy were lower in elder adult patients than in younger adult patients, most of which reached statistical significance (p < 0.001). CONCLUSIONS In Taiwan, valproic acid was the most prescribed AED for prevalent patients with epilepsy. The mean PDDs of most AEDs were lower than the DDDs developed by the World Health Organization.
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Affiliation(s)
- Chun-Yu Liang
- Department of Neurology, Yumin Medical Corporation Yumin Hospital, No. 200, Sec. 1, Taiping Rd., Caotun Township, Nantou County 542007, Taiwan; Department of Neurology, Changhua Christian Hospital, No. 135, Nanxiao St., Changhua City, Changhua County 500209, Taiwan.
| | - Kuo-Liang Chiang
- Department of Pediatric Neurology, Kuang-Tien General Hospital, No. 117, Shatian Rd., Shalu Dist., Taichung City 433401, Taiwan
| | - Liang-Po Hsieh
- Department of Neurology, Cheng-Ching Hospital, No. 966, Sec. 4, Taiwan Blvd., Xitun Dist., Taichung City 407211, Taiwan.
| | - Li-Nien Chien
- School of Health Care Administration, College of Management, Taipei Medical University, No. 250, Wuxing St., Xinyi Dist., Taipei 110301, Taiwan.
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Zöllner JP, Schmitt FC, Rosenow F, Kohlhase K, Seiler A, Strzelczyk A, Stefan H. Seizures and epilepsy in patients with ischaemic stroke. Neurol Res Pract 2021; 3:63. [PMID: 34865660 PMCID: PMC8647498 DOI: 10.1186/s42466-021-00161-w] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/16/2021] [Accepted: 10/11/2021] [Indexed: 02/06/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND With the increased efficacy of stroke treatments, diagnosis and specific treatment needs of patients with post-stroke seizures (PSS) and post-stroke epilepsy have become increasingly important. PSS can complicate the diagnosis of a stroke and the treatment of stroke patients, and can worsen post-stroke morbidity. This narrative review considers current treatment guidelines, the specifics of antiseizure treatment in stroke patients as well as the state-of-the-art in clinical and imaging research of post-stroke epilepsy. Treatment of PSS needs to consider indications for antiseizure medication treatment as well as individual clinical and social factors. Furthermore, potential interactions between stroke and antiseizure treatments must be carefully considered. The relationship between acute recanalizing stroke therapy (intravenous thrombolysis and mechanical thrombectomy) and the emergence of PSS is currently the subject of an intensive discussion. In the subacute and chronic post-stroke phases, important specific interactions between necessary antiseizure and stroke treatments (anticoagulation, cardiac medication) need to be considered. Among all forms of prevention, primary prevention is currently the most intensively researched. This includes specifically the repurposing of drugs that were not originally developed for antiseizure properties, such as statins. PSS are presently the subject of extensive basic clinical research. Of specific interest are the role of post-stroke excitotoxicity and blood-brain barrier disruption for the emergence of PSS in the acute symptomatic as well as late (> 1 week after the stroke) periods. Current magnetic resonance imaging research focussing on glutamate excitotoxicity as well as diffusion-based estimation of blood-brain barrier integrity aim to elucidate the pathophysiology of seizures after stroke and the principles of epileptogenesis in structural epilepsy in general. These approaches may also reveal new imaging-based biomarkers for prediction of PSS and post-stroke epilepsy. CONCLUSION PSS require the performance of individual risk assessments, accounting for the potential effectiveness and side effects of antiseizure therapy. The use of intravenous thrombolysis and mechanical thrombectomy is not associated with an increased risk of PSS. Advances in stroke imaging may reveal biomarkers for PSS.
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Affiliation(s)
- Johann Philipp Zöllner
- Department of Neurology and Epilepsy Center Frankfurt Rhine-Main, Center of Neurology and Neurosurgery, Goethe-University Frankfurt, Schleusenweg 2-16, 60528, Frankfurt am Main, Germany.
- LOEWE Center for Personalized Translational Epilepsy Research (CePTER), Goethe-University Frankfurt, Frankfurt am Main, Germany.
| | | | - Felix Rosenow
- Department of Neurology and Epilepsy Center Frankfurt Rhine-Main, Center of Neurology and Neurosurgery, Goethe-University Frankfurt, Schleusenweg 2-16, 60528, Frankfurt am Main, Germany
- LOEWE Center for Personalized Translational Epilepsy Research (CePTER), Goethe-University Frankfurt, Frankfurt am Main, Germany
| | - Konstantin Kohlhase
- Department of Neurology and Epilepsy Center Frankfurt Rhine-Main, Center of Neurology and Neurosurgery, Goethe-University Frankfurt, Schleusenweg 2-16, 60528, Frankfurt am Main, Germany
- LOEWE Center for Personalized Translational Epilepsy Research (CePTER), Goethe-University Frankfurt, Frankfurt am Main, Germany
| | - Alexander Seiler
- Department of Neurology and Epilepsy Center Frankfurt Rhine-Main, Center of Neurology and Neurosurgery, Goethe-University Frankfurt, Schleusenweg 2-16, 60528, Frankfurt am Main, Germany
| | - Adam Strzelczyk
- Department of Neurology and Epilepsy Center Frankfurt Rhine-Main, Center of Neurology and Neurosurgery, Goethe-University Frankfurt, Schleusenweg 2-16, 60528, Frankfurt am Main, Germany
- LOEWE Center for Personalized Translational Epilepsy Research (CePTER), Goethe-University Frankfurt, Frankfurt am Main, Germany
| | - Hermann Stefan
- Department of Neurology - Biomagnetism, University Hospital Erlangen, Erlangen, Germany
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Zhao L, Li J, Kälviäinen R, Jolkkonen J, Zhao C. Impact of drug treatment and drug interactions in post-stroke epilepsy. Pharmacol Ther 2021; 233:108030. [PMID: 34742778 DOI: 10.1016/j.pharmthera.2021.108030] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/17/2021] [Revised: 11/01/2021] [Accepted: 11/01/2021] [Indexed: 12/21/2022]
Abstract
Stroke is a huge burden on our society and this is expected to grow in the future due to the aging population and the associated co-morbidities. The improvement of acute stroke care has increased the survival rate of stroke patients, and many patients are left with permanent disability, which makes stroke the main cause of adult disability. Unfortunately, many patients face other severe complications such as post-stroke seizures and epilepsy. Acute seizures (ASS) occur within 1 week after the stroke while later occurring unprovoked seizures are diagnosed as post-stroke epilepsy (PSE). Both are associated with a poor prognosis of a functional recovery. The underlying neurobiological mechanisms are complex and poorly understood. There are no universal guidelines on the management of PSE. There is increasing evidence for several risk factors for ASS/PSE, however, the impacts of recanalization, drugs used for secondary prevention of stroke, treatment of stroke co-morbidities and antiseizure medication are currently poorly understood. This review focuses on the common medications that stroke patients are prescribed and potential drug interactions possibly complicating the management of ASS/PSE.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lanqing Zhao
- Department of Sleep Medicine Center, The Shengjing Affiliated Hospital, China Medical University, Shenyang, Liaoning, PR China
| | - Jinwei Li
- Department of Stroke Center, The First Affiliated Hospital, China Medical University, Shenyang, Liaoning, PR China
| | - Reetta Kälviäinen
- Kuopio Epilepsy Center, Neurocenter, Kuopio University Hospital, Full Member of ERN EpiCARE, Kuopio, Finland; Institute of Clinical Medicine, School of Medicine, Faculty of Health Sciences, University of Eastern Finland, Kuopio, Finland
| | - Jukka Jolkkonen
- A.I. Virtanen Institute for Molecular Sciences, University of Eastern Finland, Kuopio, Finland.
| | - Chuansheng Zhao
- Department of Neurology, The First Affiliated Hospital, China Medical University, Shenyang, Liaoning, PR China.
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Jones FJS, Sanches PR, Smith JR, Zafar SF, Blacker D, Hsu J, Schwamm LH, Newhouse JP, Westover MB, Moura LMVR. Seizure Prophylaxis After Spontaneous Intracerebral Hemorrhage. JAMA Neurol 2021; 78:1128-1136. [PMID: 34309642 PMCID: PMC8314179 DOI: 10.1001/jamaneurol.2021.2249] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/03/2021] [Accepted: 05/10/2021] [Indexed: 12/24/2022]
Abstract
Importance Limited evidence is available concerning optimal seizure prophylaxis after spontaneous intracerebral hemorrhage (sICH). Objective To evaluate which of 4 seizure prophylaxis strategies provides the greatest net benefit for patients with sICH. Design, Setting, and Participants This decision analysis used models to simulate the following 4 common scenarios: (1) a 60-year-old man with low risk of early (≤7 days after stroke) (10%) and late (3.6% or 9.8%) seizures and average risk of short- (9%) and long-term (30%) adverse drug reaction (ADR); (2) an 80-year-old woman with low risk of early (10%) and late (3.6% or 9.8%) seizures and high short- (24%) and long-term (80%) ADR risks; (3) a 55-year-old man with high risk of early (19%) and late (34.8% or 46.2%) seizures and low short- (9%) and long-term (30%) ADR risks; and (4) a 45-year-old woman with high risk of early (19%) and late (34.8% or 46.2%) seizures and high short- (18%) and long-term (60%) ADR risks. Interventions The following 4 antiseizure drug strategies were included: (1) conservative, consisting of short-term (7-day) secondary early-seizure prophylaxis with long-term therapy after late seizure; (2) moderate, consisting of long-term secondary early-seizure prophylaxis or late-seizure therapy; (3) aggressive, consisting of long-term primary prophylaxis; and (4) risk guided, consisting of short-term secondary early-seizure prophylaxis among low-risk patients (2HELPS2B score, 0), short-term primary prophylaxis among patients at higher risk (2HELPS2B score, ≥1), and long-term secondary therapy for late seizure. Main Outcomes and Measures Quality-adjusted life-years (QALYs). Results For scenario 1, the risk-guided strategy (8.13 QALYs) was preferred over the conservative (8.08 QALYs), moderate (8.07 QALYs), and aggressive (7.88 QALYs) strategies. For scenario 2, the conservative strategy (2.18 QALYs) was preferred over the risk-guided (2.17 QALYs), moderate (2.09 QALYs), and aggressive (1.15 QALYs) strategies. For scenario 3, the aggressive strategy (9.21 QALYs) was preferred over the risk-guided (8.98 QALYs), moderate (8.93 QALYs), and conservative (8.77 QALYs) strategies. For scenario 4, the risk-guided strategy (11.53 QALYs) was preferred over the conservative (11.23 QALYs), moderate (10.93 QALYs), and aggressive (8.08 QALYs) strategies. Sensitivity analyses suggested that short-term strategies (conservative and risk guided) are preferred under most scenarios, and the risk-guided strategy performs comparably to or better than alternative strategies in most settings. Conclusions and Relevance This decision analytical model suggests that short-term (7-day) prophylaxis dominates longer-term therapy after sICH. Use of the 2HELPS2B score to guide clinical decisions for initiation of short-term primary vs secondary early-seizure prophylaxis should be considered for all patients after sICH.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Paula R. Sanches
- Department of Neurology, Massachusetts General Hospital, Boston
- Department of Critical Care Medicine, Hospital Israelita Albert Einstein, São Paulo, Brazil
| | - Jason R. Smith
- Department of Neurology, Massachusetts General Hospital, Boston
- Department of Epidemiology, Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health, Baltimore, Maryland
| | - Sahar F. Zafar
- Department of Neurology, Massachusetts General Hospital, Boston
- Department of Neurology, Harvard Medical School, Boston, Massachusetts
| | - Deborah Blacker
- Department of Epidemiology, Harvard T. H. Chan School of Public Health, Boston, Massachusetts
- Department of Psychiatry, Massachusetts General Hospital, Boston
- Department of Psychiatry, Harvard Medical School, Boston, Massachusetts
| | - John Hsu
- Department of Health Care Policy, Harvard Medical School, Boston, Massachusetts
- Mongan Institute for Health Policy, Department of Medicine, Massachusetts General Hospital, Boston
- Department of Medicine, Harvard Medical School, Boston, Massachusetts
| | - Lee H. Schwamm
- Department of Neurology, Massachusetts General Hospital, Boston
- Department of Neurology, Harvard Medical School, Boston, Massachusetts
| | - Joseph P. Newhouse
- Department of Health Care Policy, Harvard Medical School, Boston, Massachusetts
- Department of Health Policy and Management, Harvard T. H. Chan School of Public Health, Boston, Massachusetts
- Harvard Kennedy School, Cambridge, Massachusetts
- National Bureau of Economic Research, Cambridge, Massachusetts
| | - Michael B. Westover
- Department of Neurology, Massachusetts General Hospital, Boston
- Department of Neurology, Harvard Medical School, Boston, Massachusetts
| | - Lidia M. V. R. Moura
- Department of Neurology, Massachusetts General Hospital, Boston
- Department of Neurology, Harvard Medical School, Boston, Massachusetts
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Tanaka T, Fukuma K, Abe S, Matsubara S, Motoyama R, Mizobuchi M, Yoshimura H, Matsuki T, Manabe Y, Suzuki J, Ikeda S, Kamogawa N, Ishiyama H, Kobayashi K, Shimotake A, Nishimura K, Onozuka D, Koga M, Toyoda K, Murayama S, Matsumoto R, Takahashi R, Ikeda A, Ihara M. Antiseizure medications for post-stroke epilepsy: A real-world prospective cohort study. Brain Behav 2021; 11:e2330. [PMID: 34423590 PMCID: PMC8442594 DOI: 10.1002/brb3.2330] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/26/2021] [Revised: 07/31/2021] [Accepted: 08/02/2021] [Indexed: 12/12/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE The management of post-stroke epilepsy (PSE) should ideally include prevention of both seizure and adverse effects; however, an optimal antiseizure medications (ASM) regimen has yet been established. The purpose of this study is to assess seizure recurrence, retention, and tolerability of older-generation and newer-generation ASM for PSE. METHODS This prospective multicenter cohort study (PROgnosis of Post-Stroke Epilepsy [PROPOSE] study) was conducted from November 2014 to September 2019 at eight hospitals. A total of 372 patients admitted and treated with ASM at discharge were recruited. Due to the non-interventional nature of the study, ASM regimen was not adjusted and followed standard hospital practices. The primary outcome was seizure recurrence in patients receiving older-generation and newer-generation ASM. The secondary outcomes were the retention and tolerability of ASM regimens. RESULTS Of the 372 PSE patients with ASM at discharge (median [IQR] age, 73 [64-81] years; 139 women [37.4%]), 36 were treated with older-generation, 286 with newer-generation, and 50 with mixed-generation ASM. In older- and newer-generation ASM groups (n = 322), 98 patients (30.4%) had recurrent seizures and 91 patients (28.3%) switched ASM regimen during the follow-up (371 [347-420] days). Seizure recurrence was lower in newer-generation, compared with the older-generation, ASM (hazard ratio [HR], 0.42, 95%CI 0.27-0.70; p = .0013). ASM regimen withdrawal and change of dosages were lower in newer-generation ASM (HR, 0.34, 95% CI 0.21-0.56, p < .0001). CONCLUSIONS Newer-generation ASM possess advantages over older-generation ASM for secondary prophylaxis of post-stroke seizures in clinical practice.
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Affiliation(s)
- Tomotaka Tanaka
- Department of Neurology, National Cerebral and Cardiovascular Center, Osaka, Japan
| | - Kazuki Fukuma
- Department of Neurology, National Cerebral and Cardiovascular Center, Osaka, Japan
| | - Soichiro Abe
- Department of Neurology, National Cerebral and Cardiovascular Center, Osaka, Japan
| | - Soichiro Matsubara
- Department of Neurology, Graduate School of Medical Sciences, Kumamoto University, Kumamoto, Japan
| | - Rie Motoyama
- Department of Neurology, Tokyo Metropolitan Geriatric Hospital and Institute of Gerontology, Tokyo, Japan
| | - Masahiro Mizobuchi
- Department of Neurology, Nakamura Memorial Hospital, Sapporo, Japan.,Clinic of Minami-ichijyo Neurology, Sappro, Japan
| | - Hajime Yoshimura
- Department of Neurology, Kobe City Medical Center General Hospital, Kobe, Japan
| | | | - Yasuhiro Manabe
- Department of Neurology, National Hospital Organization Okayama Medical Center, Okayama, Japan
| | - Junichiro Suzuki
- Department of Neurology, Toyota Memorial Hospital, Toyota, Japan
| | - Shuhei Ikeda
- Department of Neurology, National Cerebral and Cardiovascular Center, Osaka, Japan
| | - Naruhiko Kamogawa
- Department of Neurology, National Cerebral and Cardiovascular Center, Osaka, Japan
| | - Hiroyuki Ishiyama
- Department of Neurology, National Cerebral and Cardiovascular Center, Osaka, Japan
| | - Katsuya Kobayashi
- Department of Neurology, Kyoto University Graduate School of Medicine, Kyoto, Japan
| | - Akihiro Shimotake
- Department of Neurology, Kyoto University Graduate School of Medicine, Kyoto, Japan
| | - Kunihiro Nishimura
- Departments of Preventive Medicine and Epidemiology, National Cerebral and Cardiovascular Center, Osaka, Japan
| | - Daisuke Onozuka
- Departments of Preventive Medicine and Epidemiology, National Cerebral and Cardiovascular Center, Osaka, Japan
| | - Masatoshi Koga
- Department of Cerebrovascular Medicine, National Cerebral and Cardiovascular Center, Osaka, Japan
| | - Kazunori Toyoda
- Department of Cerebrovascular Medicine, National Cerebral and Cardiovascular Center, Osaka, Japan
| | - Shigeo Murayama
- Department of Neurology, Tokyo Metropolitan Geriatric Hospital and Institute of Gerontology, Tokyo, Japan
| | - Riki Matsumoto
- Division of Neurology, Kobe University Graduate School of Medicine, Kobe, Japan
| | - Ryosuke Takahashi
- Department of Neurology, Kyoto University Graduate School of Medicine, Kyoto, Japan
| | - Akio Ikeda
- Department of Epilepsy, Movement Disorders and Physiology, Kyoto University Graduate School of Medicine, Kyoto, Japan
| | - Masafumi Ihara
- Department of Neurology, National Cerebral and Cardiovascular Center, Osaka, Japan
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Zhang Y, Zhao M, Zhang B, Zhang K, Zhou Z. Acupuncture as an Adjunctive Treatment for Post-stroke Epilepsy: Protocol for a Randomized Controlled Trial. Front Neurol 2021; 12:711390. [PMID: 34512522 PMCID: PMC8427139 DOI: 10.3389/fneur.2021.711390] [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: 05/22/2021] [Accepted: 08/02/2021] [Indexed: 11/15/2022] Open
Abstract
Background: Acupuncture has been clinically used to treat epilepsy after stroke. However, most of the current clinical studies are observational studies, and there are few well-designed randomized controlled trials (RCTs). Hence, we designed a multicentre RCT to assess the advantages and efficacy of acupuncture for post-stroke epilepsy (PSE). Methods/Design: This is a two-arm, parallel, participants-blinded and assessor-blinded and multicentre RCT. A total of 120 patients with PSE aged from 18 to 75 years will be randomly assigned to two groups (routine treatment plus acupuncture group and routine treatment plus sham acupuncture group) at a 1:1 ratio. The participants will perform acupuncture or sham acupuncture treatment three times a week and be ongoing 8-week treatment. The primary endpoint is the proportion of seizure-free patients. A safety profile will be established. We will record adverse events for the safety evaluation. Discussion: The study will provide high-quality clinical evidence on the effectiveness and safety of acupuncture for treating patients with epilepsy after stroke. Clinical Trial Registration: Chinese Clinical Trial Registry, identifier: ChiCTR2100046114.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yang Zhang
- Rehabilitation Department, Tianjin Nankai Hospital, Tianjin, China
| | - Meidan Zhao
- Department of Acu-moxibustion and Tuina, Tianjin University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Tianjin, China
| | - Baozhen Zhang
- Department of Health Management, Tianjin Rehabilitation and Convalescence Center of PLA, Tianjin, China
| | - Kai Zhang
- Department of Acupuncture and Moxibustion, Tianjin Gong An Hospital, Tianjin, China
| | - Zhen Zhou
- Department of Acupuncture and Moxibustion for Encephalopathy, The Second Hospital Affiliated to Tianjin University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Tianjin, China
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28
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Jones FJ, Sanches PR, Smith JR, Zafar SF, Hernandez-Diaz S, Blacker D, Hsu J, Schwamm LH, Westover MB, Moura LM. Anticonvulsant Primary and Secondary Prophylaxis for Acute Ischemic Stroke Patients: A Decision Analysis. Stroke 2021; 52:2782-2791. [PMID: 34126758 PMCID: PMC8384723 DOI: 10.1161/strokeaha.120.033299] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/16/2022]
Abstract
Background and Purpose We examined the impact of 3 anticonvulsant prophylaxis strategies on quality-adjusted life-years (QALYs) among patients with an incident acute ischemic stroke. Methods We created a decision tree to evaluate 3 strategies: (1) long-term primary prophylaxis; (2) short-term secondary prophylaxis after an early seizure with lifetime prophylaxis if persistent or late seizures (LSs) developed; and (3) long-term secondary prophylaxis if either early, late, or persistent seizures developed. The outcome was quality-adjusted life expectancy (QALY). We created 4 base cases to simulate common clinical scenarios: (1) female patient aged 40 years with a 2% or 11% lifetime risk of an LS and a 33% lifetime risk of an adverse drug reaction (ADR); (2) male patient aged 65 years with a 6% or 29% LS risk and 60% ADR risk; (3) male patient aged 50 years with an 18% or 65% LS risk and 33% ADR risk; and (4) female patient aged 80 years with a 29% or 83% LS risk and 80% ADR risk. In sensitivity analyses, we altered the parameters and assumptions. Results Across all 4 base cases, primary prophylaxis yielded the fewest QALYs when compared with secondary prophylaxis. For example, under scenario 1, strategies 2 and 3 resulted in 7.17 QALYs each, but strategy 1 yielded only 6.91 QALYs. Under scenario 4, strategies 2 and 3 yielded 2.85 QALYs compared with 1.40 QALYs for strategy 1. Under scenarios in which patients had higher ADR risks, strategy 2 led to the most QALYs. Conclusions Short-term therapy with continued anticonvulsant prophylaxis only after postischemic stroke seizures arise dominates lifetime primary prophylaxis in all scenarios examined. Our findings reinforce the necessity of close follow-up and discontinuation of anticonvulsant seizure prophylaxis started during acute ischemic stroke hospitalization.
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Affiliation(s)
- Felipe J.S. Jones
- Department of Neurology, Massachusetts General Hospital, Boston, Massachusetts
| | - Paula R. Sanches
- Department of Neurology, Massachusetts General Hospital, Boston, Massachusetts
- Department of Critical Care Medicine, Hospital Israelita Albert Einstein, Sao Paulo, Brazil
| | - Jason R. Smith
- Department of Neurology, Massachusetts General Hospital, Boston, Massachusetts
| | - Sahar F. Zafar
- Department of Neurology, Massachusetts General Hospital, Boston, Massachusetts
- Department of Neurology, Harvard Medical School, Boston, Massachusetts
| | - Sonia Hernandez-Diaz
- Department of Epidemiology, Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health, Boston, Massachusetts
| | - Deborah Blacker
- Department of Epidemiology, Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health, Boston, Massachusetts
- Department of Psychiatry, Massachusetts General Hospital, Boston, Massachusetts
- Department of Psychiatry, Harvard Medical School, Boston, Massachusetts
| | - John Hsu
- Department of Health Care Policy, Harvard Medical School, Boston, Massachusetts. Department of Medicine, Harvard Medical School, Boston, Massachusetts
- Mongan Institute for Health Policy, Massachusetts General Hospital, Boston, Massachusetts
| | - Lee H. Schwamm
- Department of Neurology, Massachusetts General Hospital, Boston, Massachusetts
- Department of Neurology, Harvard Medical School, Boston, Massachusetts
| | - Michael B. Westover
- Department of Neurology, Massachusetts General Hospital, Boston, Massachusetts
- Department of Neurology, Harvard Medical School, Boston, Massachusetts
| | - Lidia M.V.R. Moura
- Department of Neurology, Massachusetts General Hospital, Boston, Massachusetts
- Department of Neurology, Harvard Medical School, Boston, Massachusetts
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29
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Håkansson S, Karlander M, Larsson D, Mahamud Z, Garcia-Ptacek S, Zelezniak A, Zelano J. Potential for improved retention rate by personalized antiseizure medication selection: A register-based analysis. Epilepsia 2021; 62:2123-2132. [PMID: 34245010 DOI: 10.1111/epi.16987] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/30/2021] [Revised: 06/16/2021] [Accepted: 06/16/2021] [Indexed: 01/16/2023]
Abstract
OBJECTIVE The first antiseizure medication (ASM) is ineffective or intolerable in 50% of epilepsy cases. Selection between more than 25 available ASMs is guided by epilepsy factors, but also age and comorbidities. Randomized evidence for particular patient subgroups is seldom available. We asked whether register data could be used for retention rate calculations based on demographics, comorbidities, and ASM history, and quantified the potential improvement in retention rates of the first ASM in several large epilepsy cohorts. We also describe retention rates in patients with epilepsy after traumatic brain injury and dementia, patient groups with little available evidence. METHODS We used medical, demographic, and drug prescription data from epilepsy cohorts from comprehensive Swedish registers, containing 6380 observations. By analyzing 381 840 prescriptions, we studied retention rates of first- and second-line ASMs for patients with epilepsy in multiple sclerosis (MS), brain infection, dementia, traumatic brain injury, or stroke. The rank of retention rates of ASMs was validated by comparison to published randomized control trials. We identified the optimal stratification for each brain disease, and quantified the potential improvement if all patients had received the optimal ASM. RESULTS Using optimal stratification for each brain disease, the potential improvement in retention rate (percentage points) was MS, 20%; brain infection, 21%; dementia, 14%; trauma, 21%; and stroke, 14%. In epilepsy after trauma, levetiracetam had the highest retention rate at 80% (95% confidence interval [CI] = 65-89), exceeding that of the most commonly prescribed ASM, carbamazepine (p = .04). In epilepsy after dementia, lamotrigine (77%, 95% CI = 68-84) and levetiracetam (74%, 95% CI = 68-79) had higher retention rates than carbamazepine (p = .006 and p = .01, respectively). SIGNIFICANCE We conclude that personalized ASM selection could improve retention rates and that national registers have potential as big data sources for personalized medicine in epilepsy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Samuel Håkansson
- Department of Neurology, Sahlgrenska University Hospital, Gothenburg, Sweden.,Institute of Neuroscience and Physiology, Department of Clinical Neuroscience, Sahlgrenska Academy, Gothenburg University, Gothenburg, Sweden.,Wallenberg Center of Molecular and Translational Medicine, Gothenburg University, Gothenburg, Sweden
| | - Markus Karlander
- Institute of Neuroscience and Physiology, Department of Clinical Neuroscience, Sahlgrenska Academy, Gothenburg University, Gothenburg, Sweden.,Department of Neurology, Södra Älvsborg Hospital, Borås, Sweden.,Department of Research, Education and Innovation, Region Västra Götaland, Södra Älvsborg Hospital, Borås, Sweden
| | - David Larsson
- Department of Neurology, Sahlgrenska University Hospital, Gothenburg, Sweden.,Institute of Neuroscience and Physiology, Department of Clinical Neuroscience, Sahlgrenska Academy, Gothenburg University, Gothenburg, Sweden.,Wallenberg Center of Molecular and Translational Medicine, Gothenburg University, Gothenburg, Sweden
| | - Zamzam Mahamud
- Department of Neurology, Sahlgrenska University Hospital, Gothenburg, Sweden.,Institute of Neuroscience and Physiology, Department of Clinical Neuroscience, Sahlgrenska Academy, Gothenburg University, Gothenburg, Sweden.,Wallenberg Center of Molecular and Translational Medicine, Gothenburg University, Gothenburg, Sweden
| | - Sara Garcia-Ptacek
- Division of Clinical Geriatrics, Department of Neurobiology, Care Sciences and Society, Karolinska Institutet, Stockholm, Sweden.,Inflammation and Aging Theme, Cognitive clinic, Karolinska University Hospital, Stockholm, Sweden
| | - Aleksej Zelezniak
- Department of Biology and Biological Engineering, Division of Systems and Synthetic Biology, Chalmers University of Technology, Gothenburg, Sweden.,Science for Life Laboratory, Stockholm, Sweden
| | - Johan Zelano
- Department of Neurology, Sahlgrenska University Hospital, Gothenburg, Sweden.,Institute of Neuroscience and Physiology, Department of Clinical Neuroscience, Sahlgrenska Academy, Gothenburg University, Gothenburg, Sweden.,Wallenberg Center of Molecular and Translational Medicine, Gothenburg University, Gothenburg, Sweden
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30
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Hsu CY, Cheng CY, Lee JD, Lee M, Ovbiagele B. Effects of long-term anti-seizure medication monotherapy on all-cause death in patients with post-stroke epilepsy: a nationwide population-based study in Taiwan. BMC Neurol 2021; 21:226. [PMID: 34154568 PMCID: PMC8215791 DOI: 10.1186/s12883-021-02241-5] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/11/2020] [Accepted: 05/10/2021] [Indexed: 11/15/2022] Open
Abstract
OBJECTIVE We aim to compare the effect of long-term anti-seizure medication (ASM) monotherapy on the risk of death and new ischemic stroke in patients with post-stroke epilepsy (PSE). PATIENTS AND METHODS We identified all hospitalized patients (≥ 20 years) with a primary diagnosis of ischemic or hemorrhagic stroke from 2001 to 2012 using the National Health Insurance Research Database in Taiwan. The PSE cohort were defined as the stroke patients (1) who had no epilepsy and no ASMs use before the index stroke, and (2) who had epilepsy and ASMs use after 14 days from the stroke onset. The patients with PSE receiving ASM monotherapy were enrolled and were categorized into phenytoin, valproic acid, carbamazepine, and new ASM groups. We employed the Cox regression model to estimate the unadjusted and adjusted hazard ratios (HRs) with 95 % confidence intervals (CIs) of death and new ischemic stroke within 5 years across all groups, using the new ASM group as the reference. RESULTS Of 6962 patients with PSE using ASM monotherapy, 3917 (56 %) were on phenytoin, 1623 (23 %) on valproic acid, 457 (7 %) on carbamazepine, and 965 (14 %) on new ASMs. After adjusting for confounders, compared with new ASM users, phenytoin users had a higher risk of death in 5 years (HR: 1.64; 95 % CI: 1.06-2.55). On the other hand, all ASM groups showed a similar risk of new ischemic stroke in 5 years. CONCLUSIONS Among patients with PSE on first-line monotherapy, compared to new ASMs, use of phenytoin was associated with a higher risk of death in 5 years.
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Affiliation(s)
- Chia-Yu Hsu
- Departments of Neurology, Chang Gung University College of Medicine, Chang Gung Memorial Hospital, Chiayi, Taiwan
| | - Chun-Yu Cheng
- Departments of Neurosurgery, Chang Gung University College of Medicine, Chang Gung Memorial Hospital, Chiayi, Taiwan
| | - Jiann-Der Lee
- Departments of Neurology, Chang Gung University College of Medicine, Chang Gung Memorial Hospital, Chiayi, Taiwan
| | - Meng Lee
- Departments of Neurology, Chang Gung University College of Medicine, Chang Gung Memorial Hospital, Chiayi, Taiwan.
| | - Bruce Ovbiagele
- Department of Neurology, University of California, California, San Francisco, USA
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Abstract
BACKGROUND Cerebral venous sinus thrombosis (CVST) often presents with acute seizures, and recurrent seizures may also be seen in the long term in some patients. The purpose of this retrospective study was to investigate the frequency and type of acute seizures and to define the risk factors. METHODS Sixty-two patients diagnosed with CVST between September 2007 and October 2018 were retrospectively evaluated for the occurrence of acute seizures. Seizures which developed as a presenting symptom or occurred within 2 weeks of diagnosis were defined as acute seizures. Demographic, clinical, and radiologic characteristics were compared between patients with or without acute seizures. RESULTS Twenty (32.3%) of the 62 CVST patients had acute seizures. Univariate analysis revealed a significant association between acute seizures and aphasia (P=0.03), motor deficit (P<0.001), sensory deficit (P=0.018), severe (≥3) modified Rankin Scale scores on admission (P=0.017), sagittal sinus thrombosis (P=0.037), cortical vein thrombosis (P<0.001), supratentorial lesions (P<0.001), and hemorrhagic lesions (P<0.001). Multivariate regression analysis identified supratentorial lesions (P=0.015, odds ratio: 9.131, 95% confidence interval: 1.525-54.687) and cortical vein thrombosis (P=0.034, odds ratio: 5.802, 95% confidence interval: 1.146-29.371) as independent factors for acute seizures. Although 25% of patients with acute seizures had recurrent seizures during hospitalization, only 2.6% of the 38 patients with long-term follow-up had recurrent seizures. CONCLUSIONS Approximately one third of patients with CVST had acute seizures. Cortical vein thrombosis, supratentorial, and especially hemorrhagic lesions were the most significant risk factors associated with acute seizures. Although seizure recurrence may occur early in the course, long-term recurrence is rare in CVST.
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32
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Loikas D, Linnér L, Sundström A, Wettermark B, von Euler M. Post-stroke epilepsy and antiepileptic drug use in men and women. Basic Clin Pharmacol Toxicol 2021; 129:148-157. [PMID: 34021701 DOI: 10.1111/bcpt.13617] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/04/2021] [Revised: 05/17/2021] [Accepted: 05/18/2021] [Indexed: 12/14/2022]
Abstract
Evidence-based recommendations for choice of antiepileptic drug (AED) in post-stroke epilepsy (PSE) are lacking. The aim of this study was to describe the use and persistence of AEDs when initiating treatment in men and women with PSE. An observational study based on individual-level patient data from a regional healthcare register in Stockholm, Sweden, was conducted. Adults (≥18 years) with a stroke diagnosis 2012-2016, a dispensed prescription of any AED within two years after the stroke, and with an epilepsy-related diagnosis were identified. Multinomial logistic regression and logistic regression were used to identify factors associated with choice of AED and discontinuation within 90 days, respectively. Of 9652 men and 9844 women with a stroke diagnosis, 287 men and 273 women had PSE and were dispensed AED. More than 60% of both men and women with PSE were treated with levetiracetam. Carbamazepine was the second most common drug followed by lamotrigine and valproic acid. There were significant differences in AED choice depending on for instance sex, age and renal impairment. Levetiracetam had the highest persistence in both men and women. Choice of AED, oral anticoagulant use and percutaneous endoscopic gastrostomy (PEG) showed an association with the persistence to therapy. We conclude that in both men and women with PSE, levetiracetam was the most used AED for initiation of treatment and also had the highest persistence.
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Affiliation(s)
- Desirée Loikas
- Department of Medicine Solna, Centre for Pharmacoepidemiology, Karolinska Institutet, Stockholm, Sweden.,Region Stockholm, Health and Medical Care Administration, Stockholm, Sweden
| | - Love Linnér
- Region Stockholm, Health and Medical Care Administration, Stockholm, Sweden
| | - Anders Sundström
- Department of Pharmacy, Faculty of Pharmacy, Disciplinary Domain of Medicine and Pharmacy, Uppsala university, Uppsala, Sweden
| | - Björn Wettermark
- Department of Medicine Solna, Centre for Pharmacoepidemiology, Karolinska Institutet, Stockholm, Sweden.,Department of Pharmacy, Faculty of Pharmacy, Disciplinary Domain of Medicine and Pharmacy, Uppsala university, Uppsala, Sweden
| | - Mia von Euler
- School of Medicine, Örebro University, Örebro, Sweden.,Department of Clinical Science and Education, Karolinska Institutet, Stockholm, Sweden
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33
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Galovic M, Ferreira-Atuesta C, Abraira L, Döhler N, Sinka L, Brigo F, Bentes C, Zelano J, Koepp MJ. Seizures and Epilepsy After Stroke: Epidemiology, Biomarkers and Management. Drugs Aging 2021; 38:285-299. [PMID: 33619704 PMCID: PMC8007525 DOI: 10.1007/s40266-021-00837-7] [Citation(s) in RCA: 53] [Impact Index Per Article: 17.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 01/23/2021] [Indexed: 12/14/2022]
Abstract
Stroke is the leading cause of seizures and epilepsy in older adults. Patients who have larger and more severe strokes involving the cortex, are younger, and have acute symptomatic seizures and intracerebral haemorrhage are at highest risk of developing post-stroke epilepsy. Prognostic models, including the SeLECT and CAVE scores, help gauge the risk of epileptogenesis. Early electroencephalogram and blood-based biomarkers can provide information additional to the clinical risk factors of post-stroke epilepsy. The management of acute versus remote symptomatic seizures after stroke is markedly different. The choice of an ideal antiseizure medication should not only rely on efficacy but also consider adverse effects, altered pharmacodynamics in older adults, and the influence on the underlying vascular co-morbidity. Drug-drug interactions, particularly those between antiseizure medications and anticoagulants or antiplatelets, also influence treatment decisions. In this review, we describe the epidemiology, risk factors, biomarkers, and management of seizures after an ischaemic or haemorrhagic stroke. We discuss the special considerations required for the treatment of post-stroke epilepsy due to the age, co-morbidities, co-medication, and vulnerability of stroke survivors.
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Affiliation(s)
- Marian Galovic
- Department of Neurology, Clinical Neuroscience Center, University Hospital and University of Zurich, Frauenklinikstrasse 26, 8091, Zurich, Switzerland.
- Department of Clinical and Experimental Epilepsy, UCL Queen Square Institute of Neurology, London, UK.
- Chalfont Centre for Epilepsy, Chalfont St Peter, UK.
| | - Carolina Ferreira-Atuesta
- Department of Clinical and Experimental Epilepsy, UCL Queen Square Institute of Neurology, London, UK
- Chalfont Centre for Epilepsy, Chalfont St Peter, UK
- Department of Neurology, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, USA
| | - Laura Abraira
- Epilepsy Unit, Department of Neurology, Vall d'Hebron Hospital Universitari, Barcelona, Spain
- Universitat Autonoma de Barcelona, Bellaterra, Spain
| | - Nico Döhler
- Specialist Clinic for Neurorehabilitation, Kliniken Beelitz, Beelitz-Heilstätten, Germany
| | - Lucia Sinka
- Department of Neurology, Clinical Neuroscience Center, University Hospital and University of Zurich, Frauenklinikstrasse 26, 8091, Zurich, Switzerland
| | - Francesco Brigo
- Division of Neurology, "Franz Tappeiner" Hospital, Merano, Italy
| | - Carla Bentes
- Department of Neurosciences and Mental Health (Neurology), Hospital de Santa Maria-CHLN, Lisboa, Portugal
| | - Johan Zelano
- Department of Clinical Neuroscience, Institute of Neuroscience and Physiology, Sahlgrenska Academy at University of Gothenburg, Gothenburg, Sweden
- Department of Neurology, Sahlgrenska University Hospital, Gothenburg, Sweden
| | - Matthias J Koepp
- Department of Clinical and Experimental Epilepsy, UCL Queen Square Institute of Neurology, London, UK
- Chalfont Centre for Epilepsy, Chalfont St Peter, UK
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34
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Derex L, Rheims S, Peter-Derex L. Seizures and epilepsy after intracerebral hemorrhage: an update. J Neurol 2021; 268:2605-2615. [PMID: 33569652 DOI: 10.1007/s00415-021-10439-3] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/24/2021] [Accepted: 01/30/2021] [Indexed: 02/05/2023]
Abstract
Seizures are common after intracerebral hemorrhage, occurring in 6-15% of the patients, mostly in the first 72 h. Their incidence reaches 30% when subclinical or non-convulsive seizures are diagnosed by continuous electroencephalogram. Several risk factors for seizures have been described including cortical location of intracerebral hemorrhage, presence of intraventricular hemorrhage, total hemorrhage volume, and history of alcohol abuse. Seizures after intracerebral hemorrhage may theoretically be harmful as they can lead to sudden blood pressure fluctuations, increased intracranial pressure, and neuronal injury due to increased metabolic demand. Some recent studies suggest that acute symptomatic seizures (occurring within 7 days of stroke) are associated with worse functional outcome and increased risk of death despite accounting for other known prognostic factors such as age and baseline hemorrhage volume. However, the impact of seizures on prognosis is still debated and it remains unclear if treating or preventing seizures might lead to improved clinical outcome. Thus, the currently available scientific evidence does not support the routine use of antiseizure medication as primary prevention among patients with intracerebral hemorrhage. Only prospective adequately powered randomized-controlled trials will be able to answer whether seizure prophylaxis in the acute or longer term settings is beneficial or not in patients with intracerebral hemorrhage.
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Affiliation(s)
- Laurent Derex
- Stroke Center, Department of Neurology, Neurological Hospital, Hospices Civils de Lyon, University of Lyon, 59 boulevard Pinel, 69677, Bron cedex, France.
- Research On Healthcare Performance (RESHAPE), INSERM U1290, University Claude Bernard Lyon 1, Lyon, France.
| | - Sylvain Rheims
- Department of Functional Neurology and Epileptology, Hospices Civils de Lyon, University of Lyon, Lyon, France
- Lyon 1 University, Lyon, France
- INSERM U1028-CNRS UMR 5292, Lyon Neuroscience Research Center, Lyon, France
| | - Laure Peter-Derex
- Lyon 1 University, Lyon, France.
- INSERM U1028-CNRS UMR 5292, Lyon Neuroscience Research Center, Lyon, France.
- Center for Sleep Medicine and Respiratory Diseases, Croix-Rousse Hospital, Hospices Civils de Lyon, University of Lyon, 103 Grande rue de la Croix-Rousse, 69004, Lyon, France.
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35
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van Tuijl JH, van Raak EPM, van Oostenbrugge RJ, Aldenkamp AP, Rouhl RPW. Treatment with Diazepam in Acute Stroke Prevents Poststroke Seizures: A Substudy of the EGASIS Trial. Cerebrovasc Dis 2021; 50:216-221. [PMID: 33465768 DOI: 10.1159/000512799] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/25/2020] [Accepted: 09/29/2020] [Indexed: 11/19/2022] Open
Abstract
OBJECTIVE The frequency of seizures after stroke is high, with a severe impact on the quality of life. However, little is known about their prevention. Therefore, we investigated whether early administration of diazepam prevents the development of seizures in acute stroke patients. METHODS We performed a substudy of the EGASIS trial, a multicenter double-blind, randomized trial in which acute stroke patients were treated with diazepam or placebo for 3 days. Follow-up was after 2 weeks and 3 months. The occurrence of seizures was registered prospectively as one of the prespecified secondary outcomes. RESULTS 784 EGASIS patients were eligible for this substudy (389 treated with diazepam [49.6%] and 395 treated with placebo [50.4%]). Seizures were reported in 19 patients (2.4% of the total patient group). Seizures occurred less frequently in patients treated with diazepam (1.5 vs. 3.3% in the placebo group); however, this difference was only statistically significant in patients with a cortical anterior circulation infarction (0.9% in the diazepam group vs. 4.6% in the placebo group, incidence rate ratio 0.20, 95% CI: 0.05-0.78, p = 0.02, NNT = 27). CONCLUSION We found that a 3-day treatment with diazepam after acute cortical anterior circulation stroke prevents the occurrence of seizures in the first 3 months following stroke.
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Affiliation(s)
- Julia H van Tuijl
- Department of Neurology, Maastricht University Medical Center, Maastricht, The Netherlands.,Department of Neurology, Elisabeth TweeSteden Hospital, Tilburg, The Netherlands
| | - Elisabeth P M van Raak
- Department of Neurology, Maastricht University Medical Center, Maastricht, The Netherlands
| | - Robert J van Oostenbrugge
- Department of Neurology, Maastricht University Medical Center, Maastricht, The Netherlands.,School for Mental Health & Neuroscience, Maastricht University, Maastricht, The Netherlands
| | - Albert P Aldenkamp
- Department of Neurology, Maastricht University Medical Center, Maastricht, The Netherlands.,School for Mental Health & Neuroscience, Maastricht University, Maastricht, The Netherlands.,Academic Center for Epileptology Kempenhaeghe and Maastricht University Medical Center, Maastricht, The Netherlands
| | - Rob P W Rouhl
- Department of Neurology, Maastricht University Medical Center, Maastricht, The Netherlands, .,School for Mental Health & Neuroscience, Maastricht University, Maastricht, The Netherlands, .,Academic Center for Epileptology Kempenhaeghe and Maastricht University Medical Center, Maastricht, The Netherlands,
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Sales F, Chaves J, McMurray R, Loureiro R, Fernandes H, Villanueva V. Eslicarbazepine acetate in post-stroke epilepsy: Clinical practice evidence from Euro-Esli. Acta Neurol Scand 2020; 142:563-573. [PMID: 32691850 PMCID: PMC7754143 DOI: 10.1111/ane.13323] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/11/2020] [Revised: 07/13/2020] [Accepted: 07/16/2020] [Indexed: 12/21/2022]
Abstract
Objectives To assess the effectiveness and safety/tolerability of eslicarbazepine acetate (ESL) in patients included in the Euro‐Esli study who had focal seizures associated with post‐stroke epilepsy (PSE). Materials and Methods Euro‐Esli was a pooled analysis of 14 European clinical practice studies. Effectiveness assessments (evaluated after 3, 6 and 12 months of ESL treatment and at final follow‐up [“last visit”]) included rates of response (≥50% seizure frequency reduction), seizure freedom (no seizures since at least the prior visit) and retention. Safety/tolerability was assessed throughout ESL treatment by evaluating adverse events (AEs) and discontinuation due to AEs. A post hoc analysis was conducted of patients with PSE versus patients without PSE (“non‐PSE”). Results Of 1656 patients included in the analysis, 76 (4.6%) had PSE and 1580 (95.4%) had non‐PSE. Compared with non‐PSE patients, PSE patients were significantly older, had significantly shorter epilepsy duration, significantly lower total baseline seizure frequency, and were treated with significantly fewer prior and concomitant antiepileptic drugs (P < .001 for all). At the last visit, the responder rate was significantly higher in PSE versus non‐PSE patients (72.9% vs 60.6%; P = .040), as was the seizure freedom rate (48.6% vs 31.7%; P = .003). After 12 months, retention was significantly higher in PSE versus non‐PSE patients (87.8% vs 77.4%; P = .035). The incidence of AEs was similar for PSE versus non‐PSE patients (36.0% vs 35.8%; P = .966). Conclusions These findings suggest that ESL may be an effective and well‐tolerated treatment option for patients with focal seizures due to PSE.
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Affiliation(s)
- Francisco Sales
- Centro Hospitalar e Universitário de Coimbra Coimbra Portugal
| | - João Chaves
- Department of Neurology Hospital Santo AntónioCentro Hospitalar Porto Porto Portugal
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Levetiracetam effect on behavioral and electrophysiological parameters in rat model of global brain ischemia. Epilepsy Res 2020; 167:106466. [PMID: 32971500 DOI: 10.1016/j.eplepsyres.2020.106466] [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: 05/09/2020] [Revised: 07/17/2020] [Accepted: 09/05/2020] [Indexed: 11/22/2022]
Abstract
Post-stroke paroxysmal activity is a neurophysiological indicator of epileptogenesis and increase of seizure susceptibility, so treatments with neuroprotective activity and anti-paroxysmal activity can be more beneficial during post-ischemic period. The goal of this study was evaluation of levetiracetam (100 mg/kg, 7 days of administration) effect on behavior and brain bioelectric activity changes in the post-ischemic period. Global ischemia model was carried out with bilateral ligation of carotid arteries in rats. Neurological deficit and electrophysiological changes of brain structures (striatum, cortex, hypothalamus, hippocampus) were analyzed during 28 days. Paroxysmal activity was not observed on the 1st day after ischemia and had early (2nd day) and late (28th day) onsets. Spectral analysis showed that rats, that died by the 10th day, had delta wave increase and theta decrease on the 1st day and delta activity reduction on the 2-7th days. LEV did not affect survival rate, however, it contributed to neurological disorder regression towards lighter forms on the 1st day after ischemia. It suppressed paroxysmal activity with an early onset and affected delta and theta waves on the 1st day in all structures except hippocampus. On the 7th and 28th days LEV increased delta activity due to 1-3 Hz frequency. Thus, LEV eliminates early onset post-ischemic paroxysmal activity and contributes to normalization of delta waves activity on the 1st day after ischemia, that positively affects neurological status of animals in post-ischemic period. It allows one to make a conclusion about possible LEV application in the post-ischemic period.
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Abstract
INTRODUCTION Stroke is among the most common causes of disability worldwide. Nonmotor symptoms of stroke are common and disabling. Many are treatable, and intervention improves the quality of life for stroke survivors. AREAS COVERED Here the author summarizes the evidence-based treatment of depression and other mood disorders, aphasia, hemispatial neglect, impairments of emotional communication and empathy, deficits in memory and other cognitive functions, sleep disorders, pain, fatigue, and seizures resulting from stroke. The author focuses on treatments supported by randomized controlled trials (RCTs), from the literature cited in Google Scholar, Embase, and Pubmed. EXPERT OPINION While behavioral rehabilitation is the most common intervention for many of the sequelae of stroke, relatively small RCTs support the use of noninvasive brain stimulation (transcranial direct current stimulation and transcranial direct current stimulation) and medications that facilitate neural plasticity and recovery. These noninvasive brain stimulation methods remain investigational for post-stroke symptoms. The strongest evidence for pharmacological intervention is in the domains of post-stroke mood disorders and epilepsy, but additional RCTs are needed to confirm the efficacy of selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors and other medications for improving recovery of cognition, language, and energy after stroke.
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Affiliation(s)
- Argye E Hillis
- Department of Neurology, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine , Baltimore, MD, USA.,Department of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine , Baltimore, MD, USA.,Department of Cognitive Science, Krieger School of Arts and Sciences, Johns Hopkins University , Baltimore, MD, USA
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Abstract
This narrative review describes the literature on the impact of poststroke epilepsy (PSE) on stroke rehabilitation, quality of life (QoL), and mortality. Since severe stroke is a risk factor for PSE, it is not surprising that many studies report associations between PSE and poor functional outcome after stroke. However, some studies also report associations between PSE and outcome with multivariate analysis with adjustment for stroke severity, indicating that PSE may hamper rehabilitation. The mechanisms of such an effect remain unknown, and more studies are needed. Although the literature is heterogeneous, evidence is accumulating that PSE increases the risk of death. The majority of deaths are attributed to vascular disease, highlighting the importance of treating vascular risk in patients with PSE. Patients with PSE report poor QoL, especially if seizure freedom is not achieved. It is, therefore, worrying that although PSE is often considered easy to treat, many patients fail to achieve seizure freedom. Neurologists treating PSE should pursue seizure freedom in the same manner as all patients. With improved survival after stroke and raised ambitions in rehabilitation after stroke, the impact of PSE on life after stroke is a matter of growing importance. Future studies are needed on interventions that reduce the risk of vascular events in PSE. Qualitative studies describing obstacles experienced by patients with PSE are also currently lacking in the literature. This article is part of the Special Issue "Seizures & Stroke".
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Leo A, De Caro C, Nesci V, Tallarico M, De Sarro G, Russo E, Citraro R. Modeling poststroke epilepsy and preclinical development of drugs for poststroke epilepsy. Epilepsy Behav 2020; 104:106472. [PMID: 31427267 DOI: 10.1016/j.yebeh.2019.106472] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/05/2019] [Revised: 07/23/2019] [Accepted: 07/26/2019] [Indexed: 12/21/2022]
Abstract
Stroke is a severe clinical issue for global public health, representing the third leading cause of death and a major cause of disability in developed countries. Progresses in the pharmacological treatment of the acute stroke have given rise to a significant decrease in its mortality rate. However, as a result, there has been an increasing number of stroke survivors living with disability worldwide. Poststroke epilepsy (PSE) is a common clinical complication following stroke. Seizures can arise in close temporal association with stroke damage and/or after a variably longer interval. Overall, PSE have a good prognosis; in fact, its responding rate to antiepileptic drugs (AEDs) is higher than other types of epilepsy. However, regarding pharmacological treatment, some issues are still unresolved. To this aim, a deeper understanding of mechanisms underlying the transformation of infarcted tissue into an epileptic focus or better from a nonepileptic brain to an epileptic brain is also mandatory for PSE. However, studying epileptogenesis in patients with PSE clearly has several limitations and difficulties; therefore, modeling PSE is crucial. Until now, different experimental models have been used to study the etiopathology of cerebrovascular stroke with or without infarction, but few studies focused on poststroke epileptogenesis and PSE. In this review, we show a brief overview on the features emerging from preclinical research into experimental PSE, which could affect the discovery of biomarkers and therapy strategies for poststroke epileptogenesis. This article is part of the Special Issue "Seizures & Stroke".
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Affiliation(s)
- Antonio Leo
- Science of Health Department, School of Medicine, University "Magna Graecia" of Catanzaro, Viale Europa e Germaneto, 88100 Catanzaro, Italy
| | - Carmen De Caro
- Science of Health Department, School of Medicine, University "Magna Graecia" of Catanzaro, Viale Europa e Germaneto, 88100 Catanzaro, Italy
| | - Valentina Nesci
- Science of Health Department, School of Medicine, University "Magna Graecia" of Catanzaro, Viale Europa e Germaneto, 88100 Catanzaro, Italy
| | - Martina Tallarico
- Science of Health Department, School of Medicine, University "Magna Graecia" of Catanzaro, Viale Europa e Germaneto, 88100 Catanzaro, Italy
| | - Giovambattista De Sarro
- Science of Health Department, School of Medicine, University "Magna Graecia" of Catanzaro, Viale Europa e Germaneto, 88100 Catanzaro, Italy
| | - Emilio Russo
- Science of Health Department, School of Medicine, University "Magna Graecia" of Catanzaro, Viale Europa e Germaneto, 88100 Catanzaro, Italy.
| | - Rita Citraro
- Science of Health Department, School of Medicine, University "Magna Graecia" of Catanzaro, Viale Europa e Germaneto, 88100 Catanzaro, Italy
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Nicolo JP, O'Brien TJ, Kwan P. Role of cerebral glutamate in post-stroke epileptogenesis. NEUROIMAGE-CLINICAL 2019; 24:102069. [PMID: 31795040 PMCID: PMC6883323 DOI: 10.1016/j.nicl.2019.102069] [Citation(s) in RCA: 20] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/07/2019] [Revised: 10/13/2019] [Accepted: 11/03/2019] [Indexed: 01/17/2023]
Abstract
Stroke is one of the most important causes of acquired epilepsy in the adult population. While factors such as cortical involvement and haemorrhage have been associated with increased seizure risk, the mechanisms underlying the development of epilepsy after stroke remain unclear. One hypothesised mechanism is an excitotoxic effect of abnormal glutamate release following a stroke. Cerebral extracellular glutamate levels are known to rise in the setting of acute stroke, and numerous studies have implicated glutamate in the pathogenesis of seizures and epilepsy, both through direct measurement of glutamate from the epileptic brain and by analysis of receptors and transporters central to glutamate homeostasis. While experimental evidence suggests the cellular injury induced by glutamate exposure may lead to development of an epileptic phenotype, there is little direct data linking the rise in glutamate during stroke with the later development of epilepsy. Clinical research in this field has been hampered by the lack of non-invasive methods to measure cerebral glutamate. However, with the increasing availability of 7T MRI technology, Magnetic Resonance Spectroscopy is able to better resolve glutamate from other chemical species at this field strength, and Glutamate Chemical Exchange Saturation Transfer (GluCEST) imaging has been applied to localise epileptic foci in non-lesional focal epilepsy. This review outlines the evidence implicating a pivotal role for cerebral glutamate in the development of post-stroke epilepsy, and exploring the role of MRI in studying glutamate as a biomarker and therefore its suitability as a molecular target for anti-epileptogenic therapies. We hypothesise that the rise in glutamate levels in the setting of acute stroke is a clinically relevant biomarker for the development of post-stroke epilepsy.
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Affiliation(s)
- John-Paul Nicolo
- Department of Neurology, Royal Melbourne Hospital, 300 Grattan Street Parkville Victoria Australia; Department of Neurology, Alfred Hospital, 55 Commercial Road, Melbourne Victoria Australia.
| | - Terence J O'Brien
- Department of Neuroscience, Monash University, Alfred Hospital, 55 Commercial Road, Melbourne Victoria Australia; Department of Medicine (The Royal Melbourne Hospital), The University of Melbourne, Royal Parade, Parkville Victoria Australia.
| | - Patrick Kwan
- Department of Neurology, Royal Melbourne Hospital, 300 Grattan Street Parkville Victoria Australia; Department of Neuroscience, Monash University, Alfred Hospital, 55 Commercial Road, Melbourne Victoria Australia.
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Lezaic N, Gore G, Josephson CB, Wiebe S, Jetté N, Keezer MR. The medical treatment of epilepsy in the elderly: A systematic review and meta-analysis. Epilepsia 2019; 60:1325-1340. [PMID: 31185130 DOI: 10.1111/epi.16068] [Citation(s) in RCA: 44] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/27/2019] [Revised: 05/15/2019] [Accepted: 05/16/2019] [Indexed: 12/24/2022]
Abstract
OBJECTIVE To evaluate the efficacy and tolerability of antiepileptic drugs (AEDs) in elderly individuals with epilepsy. METHODS We searched four electronic databases as well as bibliographies and conference abstracts. Published and unpublished, randomized, or quasirandomized trials reporting the use of AEDs in people aged at least 60 years with epilepsy were eligible for inclusion. Two authors independently carried out each stage of the review. Meta-analyses were performed using random-effects models. RESULTS Three thousand four hundred seventeen titles and abstracts were reviewed. Eighteen studies evaluating 12 AEDs met all eligibility criteria. Ten studies, comprising 1999 subjects, were suitable for meta-analysis. Among the elderly with epilepsy, lamotrigine (LTG) is better tolerated relative to carbamazepine (pooled weighted risk ratio [RR] of experiencing withdrawal due to adverse events = 1.83, 95% confidence interval [CI] = 1.23-2.43). There is a higher probability, although with a 95% CI of borderline importance, of seizure freedom when comparing levetiracetam to LTG (RR = 0.83, 95% CI = 0.68-0.97). Single studies provide evidence for the efficacy and/or tolerability of other AEDs in the elderly, including brivaracetam, gabapentin, lacosamide, perampanel, and topiramate. The risk of bias of the included studies was frequently low or unclear, although there was on occasion a high risk of bias (especially with regard to selective reporting). SIGNIFICANCE There is some evidence for AED use in the elderly with epilepsy. More evidence is required, comparing newer AEDs to prior generations as well as examining the effects of determinants such as frailty, to guide clinicians when treating this rapidly growing patient population.
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Affiliation(s)
- Nastasija Lezaic
- Research Centre of the University of Montreal Hospital Centre, Montreal, Quebec, Canada.,Department of Neurosciences, University of Montreal, Montreal, Quebec, Canada
| | - Geneviève Gore
- Schulich Library of Physical Sciences, Life Sciences, and Engineering, McGill University, Montreal, Quebec, Canada
| | - Colin B Josephson
- Department of Clinical Neurosciences and Hotchkiss Brain Institute, University of Calgary, Calgary, Alberta, Canada
| | - Samuel Wiebe
- Department of Clinical Neurosciences and Hotchkiss Brain Institute, University of Calgary, Calgary, Alberta, Canada
| | - Nathalie Jetté
- Department of Clinical Neurosciences and Hotchkiss Brain Institute, University of Calgary, Calgary, Alberta, Canada.,Department of Neurology, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, New York
| | - Mark R Keezer
- Research Centre of the University of Montreal Hospital Centre, Montreal, Quebec, Canada.,Department of Neurosciences, University of Montreal, Montreal, Quebec, Canada.,Department of Social and Preventative Medicine, University of Montreal, Montreal, Quebec, Canada
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Watkins L, O'Dwyer M, Shankar R. New anti-seizure medication for elderly epileptic patients. Expert Opin Pharmacother 2019; 20:1601-1608. [PMID: 31112437 DOI: 10.1080/14656566.2019.1618272] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/26/2022]
Abstract
Introduction: Epilepsy treatment in older people requires specific consideration owing to more physical co-morbidities, the risk of drug-to-drug interactions through polypharmacy, and differences in pharmacodynamics and pharmacokinetics. There are many 'newer' antiepileptic drugs (AEDs) widely used for various seizure types and seizure disorders. However, there is limited specific evidence for the efficacy, safety, and tolerability of these treatments in the elderly population. Areas covered: This review summarises the current most robust evidence available for the use of the newer AEDs belonging to generation two and three in elderly people with epilepsy. The article provides practical evidenced based clinical information to help prescribers choose the most appropriate AED from the drugs discussed. Expert opinion: Diagnosing new onset epilepsy in the elderly population requires specialist assessment. Treatment plans need to be tailored to accommodate an individual's co-morbidities, concurrent medications, and general health status. To date, few clinical investigations consider the elderly population specifically despite the increased risk factors. There is a need for large quality trial data to assess the impact of the newest AEDs on seizure control and quality of life in this population with complex needs.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lance Watkins
- Neath Port Talbot CLDT, Mental Health & Learning Disability Delivery Unit, Abertawe Bro Morgannwg University Health Board, LLwyneryr Unit , Morriston , UK
| | - Máire O'Dwyer
- School of Pharmacy and Pharmaceutical Sciences, Trinity College Dublin , Dublin , Ireland
| | - Rohit Shankar
- Developmental Neuropsychiatry Department, Cornwall Partnership NHS Foundation Trust , Truro , UK.,Exeter Medical School, Knowledge Spa, Royal Cornwall Hospital , Truro , UK
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Benninger F, Holtkamp M. [Epileptic seizures and epilepsy after a stroke : Incidence, prevention and treatment]. DER NERVENARZT 2019; 88:1197-1207. [PMID: 28616696 DOI: 10.1007/s00115-017-0358-3] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/25/2022]
Abstract
Following stroke, 3-6% of patients develop acute symptomatic seizures within the first 7 days. The rate is higher after cerebral haemorrhage compared to ischaemia. In 10-12% of patients, after more than 7 days unprovoked seizures occur. Due to these low incidence rates, primary prophylaxis with antiepileptic drugs is generally not necessary. Following one acute symptomatic seizure, recurrence risk within the first 7 days post-stroke is 10-20%, generally arguing against secondary prophylaxis with an antiepileptic drug. In clinical practice however, antiepileptic drug treatment in this constellation is often initiated. If this is done, the antiepileptic drug should be withdrawn soon after the acute phase, as the long-term risk for manifestation of an unprovoked seizure is approximately 30%. Following one post-stroke unprovoked seizure, recurrence risk within the next 10 years is more than 70%, this defines epilepsy. In this case, antiepileptic drug treatment is regularly recommended.
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Affiliation(s)
- F Benninger
- Klinik für Neurologie, Rabin Medical Center, Beilinson Hospital, Petach Tikva, Sackler Medizinische Fakultät, Tel Aviv University, Tel Aviv, Israel
| | - M Holtkamp
- Epilepsie-Zentrum Berlin-Brandenburg, Klinik für Neurologie, Charité - Universitätsmedizin Berlin, Charitéplatz 1, 10117, Berlin, Deutschland.
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Larsson D, Åsberg S, Kumlien E, Zelano J. Retention rate of first antiepileptic drug in poststroke epilepsy: A nationwide study. Seizure 2019; 64:29-33. [DOI: 10.1016/j.seizure.2018.11.013] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/12/2018] [Revised: 11/20/2018] [Accepted: 11/22/2018] [Indexed: 12/23/2022] Open
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Alzahrani H, Almalag HM, AlRuthia Y, Al-Hussain F, Balkhi B, Almutairi L, Algasem R, De Vol EB, Almarzouqi MR, Alsemari A. The Risk Of Seizure-Related Hospitalization Among Older Adults On Levetiracetam Monotherapy: A Retrospective Comparative Cohort Study. Neuropsychiatr Dis Treat 2019; 15:2781-2788. [PMID: 31576133 PMCID: PMC6765395 DOI: 10.2147/ndt.s221403] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/30/2019] [Accepted: 09/09/2019] [Indexed: 12/04/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Antiepileptic drug monotherapy is the mainstay of treatment for epilepsy; however, the efficacy of different antiepileptic drugs in reducing the incidence of seizure-related hospitalization among older adults, who are at higher risk of developing epilepsy compared to their younger counterparts, has not been examined. PURPOSE The objective of the present study was to compare the rate of seizure-related hospitalization among older adults on levetiracetam compared to different antiepileptic drugs (AEDs). PATIENTS AND METHODS This was a retrospective cohort study of older adults (≥60 years) in two tertiary care hospitals. Patients who are 60 years of age and older, have a confirmed diagnosis of epilepsy, and are taking a single and the same antiepileptic drug for at least 36 months were included. The patients were followed up for 24 months after 12 months of treatment with no incidence of seizure-related hospitalization via their health records. Multiple Poisson regression with robust error variance was used to estimate the relative risk of hospitalization for patients on levetiracetam compared to different antiepileptic drugs controlling for age, gender, number of prescription medications, dosage strengths, and Charlson Comorbidity Index (CCI) score. RESULTS One hundred and thirty-six patients met the inclusion criteria and were included in the study. The recruited patients were on one of the following four antiepileptic drugs: carbamazepine (n=44), levetiracetam (n=39), phenytoin (n=31), and valproic acid (n=22). Patients on levetiracetam were more than twice as likely to be hospitalized due to seizures within the 24 months of follow-up compared to their counterparts on other AEDs (RR=2.76, 95% CI=1.16-6.53, P=0.021). CONCLUSION This study suggests that older adults on old generation AEDs such as phenytoin, carbamazepine, and valproic acid appear to have a lower risk of seizure-related hospitalization compared to their counterparts on levetiracetam.
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Affiliation(s)
- Huda Alzahrani
- Department of Pharmacy, King Saud University Medical City, Riyadh, Saudi Arabia
| | - Haya Mohammad Almalag
- Department of Clinical Pharmacy, College of Pharmacy, King Saud University, Riyadh, Saudi Arabia
| | - Yazed AlRuthia
- Department of Clinical Pharmacy, College of Pharmacy, King Saud University, Riyadh, Saudi Arabia.,Pharmacoeconomics Research Unit, College of Pharmacy, King Saud University, Riyadh, Saudi Arabia
| | - Fawaz Al-Hussain
- Department of Medicine, Neurology Division, College of Medicine, King Saud University, Riyadh, Saudi Arabia
| | - Bander Balkhi
- Department of Clinical Pharmacy, College of Pharmacy, King Saud University, Riyadh, Saudi Arabia.,Pharmacoeconomics Research Unit, College of Pharmacy, King Saud University, Riyadh, Saudi Arabia
| | - Lama Almutairi
- Department of Pharmacy, King Saud University Medical City, Riyadh, Saudi Arabia
| | - Reem Algasem
- Department of Pharmaceutical Care, King Faisal Specialist Hospital and Research Center, Riyadh, Saudi Arabia
| | - Edward B De Vol
- Department of Epidemiology and Scientific Computing, King Faisal Specialist Hospital and Research Centre, Riyadh, Saudi Arabia
| | - Manal Rashed Almarzouqi
- Department of Epidemiology and Scientific Computing, King Faisal Specialist Hospital and Research Centre, Riyadh, Saudi Arabia
| | - Abdulaziz Alsemari
- Department of Neurosciences, King Faisal Specialist Hospital and Research Centre, Riyadh, Kingdom of Saudi Arabia
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Abstract
Seizures and epilepsy are quite a common outcome of arterial ischemic stroke (AIS) both in pediatric and adult patients, with distinctly higher occurrence in children. These poststroke consequences affect patients' lives, often causing disability. Poststroke seizure (PSS) may also increase mortality in patients with AIS. Early PSS (EPSS) occurring up to 7 days after AIS, late PSS (LPSS) occurring up to 2 years after the onset of AIS, as well as poststroke epilepsy (PSE) can be distinguished. However, the exact definition and cutoff point for PSE should be determined. A wide range of risk factors for seizures and epilepsy after AIS are still being detected and analyzed. More accurate knowledge on risk factors for PSS and PSE as well as possible prediction of epileptic seizures after the onset of AIS may have an impact on improving the prevention and treatment of PSE. The aim of the present review was to discuss current perspectives on diagnosis and treatment of PSS and PSE, both in adult and paediatric patients.
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Affiliation(s)
- Beata Sarecka-Hujar
- Department of Pharmaceutical Technology, School of Pharmacy with the Division of Laboratory Medicine in Sosnowiec, Medical University of Silesia in Katowice, Sosnowiec, Poland,
| | - Ilona Kopyta
- Department of Paediatric Neurology, School of Medicine in Katowice, Medical University of Silesia in Katowice, Katowice, Poland
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Yi ZM, -, Wen C, Cai T, Xu L, Zhong XL, Zhan SY, Zhai SD. Levetiracetam for epilepsy: an evidence map of efficacy, safety and economic profiles. Neuropsychiatr Dis Treat 2018; 15:1-19. [PMID: 30587993 PMCID: PMC6301299 DOI: 10.2147/ndt.s181886] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/27/2022] Open
Abstract
OBJECTIVE To evaluate the efficacy, safety and economics of levetiracetam (LEV) for epilepsy. MATERIALS AND METHODS PubMed, Scopus, the Cochrane Library, OpenGrey.eu and ClinicalTrials.gov were searched for systematic reviews (SRs), meta-analyses, randomized controlled trials (RCTs), observational studies, case reports and economic studies published from January 2007 to April 2018. We used a bubble plot to graphically display information of included studies and conducted meta-analyses to quantitatively synthesize the evidence. RESULTS A total of 14,803 records were obtained. We included 30 SRs/meta-analyses, 34 RCTs, 18 observational studies, 58 case reports and 2 economic studies after the screening process. The included SRs enrolled patients with pediatric epilepsy, epilepsy in pregnancy, focal epilepsy, generalized epilepsy and refractory focal epilepsy. Meta-analysis of the included RCTs indicated that LEV was as effective as carbamazepine (CBZ; treatment for 6 months: 58.9% vs 64.8%, OR=0.76, 95% CI: 0.50-1.16; 12 months: 54.9% vs 55.5%, OR=1.24, 95% CI: 0.79-1.93), oxcarbazepine (57.7% vs 59.8%, OR=1.34, 95% CI: 0.34-5.23), phenobarbital (50.0% vs 50.9%, OR=1.20, 95% CI: 0.51-2.82) and lamotrigine (LTG; 61.5% vs 57.7%, OR=1.22, 95% CI: 0.90-1.66). SRs and observational studies indicated a low malformation rate and intrauterine death rate for pregnant women, as well as low risk of cognitive side effects. But psychiatric and behavioral side effects could not be ruled out. LEV decreased discontinuation due to adverse events compared with CBZ (OR=0.52, 95% CI: 0.41-0.65), while no difference was found when LEV was compared with placebo and LTG. Two cost-effectiveness evaluations for refractory epilepsy with decision-tree model showed US$ 76.18 per seizure-free day gained in Canada and US$ 44 per seizure-free day gained in Korea. CONCLUSION LEV is as effective as CBZ, oxcarbazepine, phenobarbital and LTG and has an advantage for pregnant women and in cognitive functions. Limited evidence supports its cost-effectiveness. REGISTERED NUMBER PROSPERO (No CRD 42017069367).
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Affiliation(s)
- Zhan-Miao Yi
- Department of Pharmacy, Peking University Third Hospital, Beijing, China,
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- Department of Pharmacy, Peking University Third Hospital, Beijing, China,
| | - Cheng Wen
- Department of Pharmacy, Peking University Third Hospital, Beijing, China,
- Department of Pharmacy Administration and Clinical Pharmacy, School of Pharmaceutical Science, Peking University Health Science Center, Beijing, China
| | - Ting Cai
- Department of Epidemiology and Bio-statistics, School of Public Health, Peking University Health Science Center, Beijing, China
| | - Lu Xu
- Department of Epidemiology and Bio-statistics, School of Public Health, Peking University Health Science Center, Beijing, China
| | - Xu-Li Zhong
- Department of Pharmacy, Children's Hospital Affiliated to Capital Institute of Pediatrics, Beijing, China
| | - Si-Yan Zhan
- Department of Epidemiology and Bio-statistics, School of Public Health, Peking University Health Science Center, Beijing, China
- Center for Clinical Epidemiology, Peking University Third Hospital, Beijing, China
| | - Suo-Di Zhai
- Department of Pharmacy, Peking University Third Hospital, Beijing, China,
- Institute for Drug Evaluation, Peking University Health Science Center, Beijing, China,
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Xu MY. Poststroke seizure: optimising its management. Stroke Vasc Neurol 2018; 4:48-56. [PMID: 31105979 PMCID: PMC6475084 DOI: 10.1136/svn-2018-000175] [Citation(s) in RCA: 34] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/23/2018] [Revised: 09/12/2018] [Accepted: 10/11/2018] [Indexed: 01/01/2023] Open
Abstract
Seizure after stroke or poststroke seizure (PSS) is a common and very important complication of stroke. It can be divided into early seizure and late seizure, depending on seizure onset time after the stroke. It has been reported that ischaemic and haemorrhagic stroke accounts for about 11% of all adult epilepsy cases and 45% of epilepsy cases over 60 years of age. However, there are no reliable guidelines in clinical practice regarding most of the fundamental issues of PSS management. In recent years there has been an increased interest in the study of PSS which may give clinical practitioners a better picture of how to optimise PSS management. Studies have indicated two peaks in PSS occurrence—the first day and 6–12 months after a stroke. Haemorrhagic stroke, cortical involvement, severity of initial neurological deficit, younger patients (<65 years of age), family history of seizures and certain genetic factors carry a higher risk of PSS. The use of continuous electroencephalogram has demonstrated significant benefits in capturing interictal or ictal abnormalities, especially in cases of non-convulsive seizures and non-convulsive status epilepticus. Current available data indicated that there was no significant difference in antiepileptic efficacy among most of the antiepileptic drugs (AEDs) in PSS. Levetiracetam and lamotrigine are the most studied newer generation AEDs and have the best drug tolerance. The purpose of this review is to summarise the recent advances in PSS research and focus on the most important practice issues of PSS management.
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Affiliation(s)
- Michael Y Xu
- Department of Neurology, OSF Illinois Neurological Institute, University of Illinois College of Medicine, Peoria, Illinois, USA
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50
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Banach M, Miziak B, Borowicz-Reutt KK, Czuczwar SJ. Advances with extended and controlled release formulations of antiepileptics in the elderly. Expert Opin Pharmacother 2018; 20:333-341. [DOI: 10.1080/14656566.2018.1549543] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/16/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Monika Banach
- Independent Unit of Experimental Neuropathophysiology, Department of Pathophysiology, Medical University of Lublin, Lublin, Poland
| | - Barbara Miziak
- Department of Pathophysiology, Medical University of Lublin, Lublin, Poland
| | - Kinga K. Borowicz-Reutt
- Independent Unit of Experimental Neuropathophysiology, Department of Pathophysiology, Medical University of Lublin, Lublin, Poland
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