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Talevi A, Bellera C. An update on the novel methods for the discovery of antiseizure and antiepileptogenic medications: where are we in 2024? Expert Opin Drug Discov 2024:1-16. [PMID: 38963148 DOI: 10.1080/17460441.2024.2373165] [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: 05/12/2024] [Accepted: 06/23/2024] [Indexed: 07/05/2024]
Abstract
INTRODUCTION Despite the availability of around 30 antiseizure medications, 1/3 of patients with epilepsy fail to become seizure-free upon pharmacological treatment. Available medications provide adequate symptomatic control in two-thirds of patients, but disease-modifying drugs are still scarce. Recently, though, new paradigms have been explored. AREAS COVERED Three areas are reviewed in which a high degree of innovation in the search for novel antiseizure and antiepileptogenic medications has been implemented: development of novel screening approaches, search for novel therapeutic targets, and adoption of new drug discovery paradigms aligned with a systems pharmacology perspective. EXPERT OPINION In the past, worldwide leaders in epilepsy have reiteratively stated that the lack of progress in the field may be explained by the recurrent use of the same molecular targets and screening procedures to identify novel medications. This landscape has changed recently, as reflected by the new Epilepsy Therapy Screening Program and the introduction of many in vitro and in vivo models that could possibly improve our chances of identifying first-in-class medications that may control drug-resistant epilepsy or modify the course of disease. Other milestones include the study of new molecular targets for disease-modifying drugs and exploration of a systems pharmacology perspective to design new drugs.
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Affiliation(s)
- Alan Talevi
- Laboratory of Bioactive Compound Research and Development (LIDeB), Faculty of Exact Sciences, University of La Plata (UNLP), La Plata, Argentina
- Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas (CONICET), CCT La Plata, La Plata, Argentina
| | - Carolina Bellera
- Laboratory of Bioactive Compound Research and Development (LIDeB), Faculty of Exact Sciences, University of La Plata (UNLP), La Plata, Argentina
- Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas (CONICET), CCT La Plata, La Plata, Argentina
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Elschot EP, Joore MA, Rouhl RPW, Lamberts RJ, Backes WH, Jansen JFA. The added value of risk assessment and subsequent targeted treatment for epileptic seizures after stroke: An early-HTA analysis. Epilepsy Behav 2024; 151:109594. [PMID: 38159505 DOI: 10.1016/j.yebeh.2023.109594] [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: 10/02/2023] [Revised: 12/01/2023] [Accepted: 12/19/2023] [Indexed: 01/03/2024]
Abstract
INTRODUCTION The development of post-stroke epilepsy (PSE) is related to a worse clinical outcome in stroke patients. Adding a biomarker to the clinical diagnostic process for the prediction of PSE may help to establish targeted and personalized treatment for high-risk patients, which could lead to improved patient outcomes. We assessed the added value of a risk assessment and subsequent targeted treatment by conducting an early Health Technology Assessment. METHODS Interviews were conducted with four relevant stakeholders in the field of PSE to obtain a realistic view of the current healthcare and their opinions on the potential value of a PSE risk assessment and subsequent targeted treatment. The consequences on quality of life and costs of current care of a hypothetical care pathway with perfect risk assessment were modeled based on information from a literature review and the input from the stakeholders. Subsequently, the maximum added value (the headroom) was calculated. Sensitivity analyses were performed to test the robustness of this result to variation in assumed input parameters, i.e. the accuracy of the risk assessment, the efficacy of anti-seizure medication (ASM), and the probability of patients expected to develop PSE. RESULTS All stakeholders considered the addition of a predictive biomarker for the risk assessment of PSE to be of value. The headroom amounted to €12,983. The sensitivity analyses demonstrated that the headroom remained beneficial when varying the accuracy of the risk assessment, the ASM efficacy, and the number of patients expected to develop PSE. DISCUSSION We showed that a risk assessment for PSE development is potentially valuable. This work demonstrates that it is worthwhile to undertake clinical studies to evaluate biomarkers for the prediction of patients at high risk for PSE and to assess the value of targeted prophylactic treatment.
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Affiliation(s)
- Elles P Elschot
- Department of Radiology and Nuclear Medicine, Maastricht University Medical Center+, P. Debyelaan 25, Maastricht, the Netherlands; MHeNs School for Mental Health and Neuroscience, Maastricht University, Minderbroedersberg 4-6, Maastricht, the Netherlands
| | - Manuela A Joore
- CAPHRI Care and Public Health Research Institute, Maastricht University, Minderbroedersberg 4-6, Maastricht, the Netherlands; Department of Clinical Epidemiology and Medical Technology Assessment, Maastricht University Medical Center+, P. Debyelaan 25, Maastricht, the Netherlands
| | - Rob P W Rouhl
- MHeNs School for Mental Health and Neuroscience, Maastricht University, Minderbroedersberg 4-6, Maastricht, the Netherlands; Department of Neurology, Maastricht University Medical Center+, P. Debyelaan 25, Maastricht, the Netherlands; Academic Center for Epileptology Kempenhaeghe/Maastricht University Medical Center+, P. Debyelaan 25, Maastricht, the Netherlands
| | - Rob J Lamberts
- MHeNs School for Mental Health and Neuroscience, Maastricht University, Minderbroedersberg 4-6, Maastricht, the Netherlands; Department of Neurology, Maastricht University Medical Center+, P. Debyelaan 25, Maastricht, the Netherlands
| | - Walter H Backes
- Department of Radiology and Nuclear Medicine, Maastricht University Medical Center+, P. Debyelaan 25, Maastricht, the Netherlands; MHeNs School for Mental Health and Neuroscience, Maastricht University, Minderbroedersberg 4-6, Maastricht, the Netherlands; CARIM School for Cardiovascular Diseases, Maastricht University, Minderbroedersberg 4-6, Maastricht, the Netherlands
| | - Jacobus F A Jansen
- Department of Radiology and Nuclear Medicine, Maastricht University Medical Center+, P. Debyelaan 25, Maastricht, the Netherlands; MHeNs School for Mental Health and Neuroscience, Maastricht University, Minderbroedersberg 4-6, Maastricht, the Netherlands; Department of Electrical Engineering, Eindhoven University of Technology, De Rondom 70, Eindhoven, the Netherlands.
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Lekoubou A, Nguyen C, Kwon M, Nyalundja AD, Agrawal A. Post-stroke Everything. Curr Neurol Neurosci Rep 2023; 23:785-800. [PMID: 37837566 DOI: 10.1007/s11910-023-01308-9] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 09/22/2023] [Indexed: 10/16/2023]
Abstract
PURPOSE OF REVIEW This review aims at providing updates on selected post-stroke complications. We examined recent advances in diagnosing and treating the following post-stroke complications: cognitive impairment, epilepsy, depression, fatigue, tremors, dysphagia, and pain. RECENT FINDINGS Advances in understanding the mechanisms of post-stroke complications, in general, are needed despite advances made in understanding, treating, and preventing these complications. There are growing progresses in integrating new tools to diagnose post-stroke cognitive impairment. The potential role of acute stroke reperfusion treatment in post-stroke epilepsy and its impact on other stroke complications is getting more transparent. Post-stroke depression remains underestimated and new tools to diagnose depression after stroke are being developed. New promising pharmacological approaches to treating post-stroke pain are emerging. Tremors related to stroke are poorly understood and under-evaluated, while treatment towards post-stroke dysphagia has benefited from new non-pharmacological to pharmacological approaches. CONCLUSIONS An integrative approach to stroke complications and collaborations between providers across specialties are more likely to improve stroke outcomes.
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Affiliation(s)
- Alain Lekoubou
- Department of Neurology, Penn State University, Hershey Medical Center, Hershey, PA, USA.
| | - Clever Nguyen
- Department of Neurology, Penn State University, Hershey Medical Center, Hershey, PA, USA
| | - Michelle Kwon
- Department of Neurology, Penn State University, Hershey Medical Center, Hershey, PA, USA
| | - Arsene Daniel Nyalundja
- Faculty of Medicine, Center for Tropical Diseases and Global Health (CTDGH), Université Catholique de Bukavu (UCB), Bukavu, Democratic Republic of Congo
| | - Ankita Agrawal
- College of Medicine, Nepalese Army Institute of Health Sciences, Kathmandu, Nepal
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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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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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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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