Prosthodontic treatment of an edentulous epileptic patient with an implant-retained overdenture. A case report

This report describes the treatment of a completely edentulous, mentally retarded patient with epilepsy with an implant-retained overdenture, anchored by a locator system. The intractable epileptic condition of the patient with frequent grand mal seizures and complex partial seizures required a stable, well retained prosthesis, however the maxilla and the mandible were severely atrophied. The bone volume of the maxilla allowed the placement of only two implants it the region of the canines, compared with the generally required four. On long time recall, after one year, patient's chewing ability was satisfactory.

A retrospective diagnosis of epilepsy in three historical figures: St Paul, Joan of Arc and Socrates

It has been suggested that undiagnosed epilepsy profoundly influenced the lives of several key figures in history. Historical sources recounting strange voices and visions may in fact have been describing manifestations of epileptic seizures rather than more supernatural phenomena. Well-documented accounts of such experiences exist for three individuals in particular: Socrates, St Paul and Joan of Arc. The great philosopher Socrates described a 'daimonion' that would visit him throughout his life. This daimonion may have represented recurrent simple partial seizures, while the peculiar periods of motionlessness for which Socrates was well known may have been the result of co-existing complex partial seizures. St Paul's religious conversion on the Road to Damascus may have followed a temporal lobe seizure which would account for the lights, voices, blindness and even the religious ecstasy he described. Finally, Joan of Arc gave a detailed narrative on the voices she heard from childhood during her Trial of Condemnation. Her auditory hallucinations appear to follow sudden acoustic stimuli in a way reminiscent of idiopathic partial epilepsy with auditory features. By analysing passages from historical texts, it is possible to argue that Socrates, St Paul and Joan of Arc each had epilepsy.

Temporal resolution deficits in patients with refractory complex partial seizures and mesial temporal sclerosis (MTS)

We studied the temporal resolution ability in patients with refractory complex partial seizures and mesial temporal sclerosis (MTS) using Gaps-In-Noise (GIN) test in a prospective cross-sectional study. Thirteen patients with right MTS (age: 31±7.67 years; M:F=8:5) and 13 patients with left MTS (age: 25.76±8.26 years; M:F=9:4) having normal hearing and mini-mental state examination (MMSE) score of >23/30 were recruited. Fifty healthy volunteers (26.3±5.17 years; M:F=28:22) formed the control group. Gaps-In-Noise test demonstrated impaired temporal resolution: 69.2% of patients with right MTS (RMTS) and 76.9% of patients with left MTS (LMTS) had abnormal scores in the right ear for gap detection threshold (GDT) measure. Similarly, 53.8% of patients in the RMTS group and 76.9% of patients in the LMTS group had abnormal scores in the left ear. In percentage of correct identification (PCI), 46.1% of patients with RMTS and 69.2% of patients with LMTS had poorer scores in the right ear, whereas 46.1% of patients with RMTS and 61.5% of patients with LMTS had poorer scores in the left ear. Both patient groups, viz., RMTS and LMTS, demonstrated bilateral temporal resolution deficits.

[A case of asymptomatic takotsubo cardiomyopathy with intraventricular thrombus associated with epileptic seizure]

A 69-year-old woman was admitted to our department for consciousness disturbance with generalized clonic seizure. She had a history of complex partial seizure with automatism 3 years previously, but had not received any antiepileptic drug therapy. On admission, she was unconscious with a Japan Coma Scale of 200. Physical examination demonstrated a blood pressure of 162/90 mm Hg and pulse of 126 beats/min. Neurological examination did not detect any focal findings. Four hours later, she was conscious and antiepileptic drug therapy was initiated. Twenty-six hours post admission, ECG monitoring showed giant T-wave inversion, but cardiac symptoms were absent. Echocardiography showed apical ballooning of the left ventricle. Echocardiography on day 6 demonstrated a thrombus at the apex of the left ventricle. Anticoagulant therapy was started immediately. Echocardiography on day 14 showed that the left ventricular apical asynergy had completely resolved, and the thrombus had disappeared. Takotsubo cardiomyopathy could be a complication of epilepsy. It occurs most often soon after epileptic seizure, rarely occurs with a time lag and is asymptomatic as in the present case. ECG monitoring after epileptic seizure is useful for prompt detection and treatment of takotsubo cardiomyopathy.

Prosthodontic treatment in a partially edentulous patient with a complex medical history of epilepsy and deep vein thrombosis: a case report

This report describes the prosthodontic rehabilitation of a partially edentulous patient by means of a maxillary implant-supported removable dental prosthesis and mandibular telescopic crown prosthesis. Due to the patient's contributory medical history for epilepsy and deep vein thrombosis, clinical management considerations are outlined along with an evidence-based, medically oriented treatment sequence concerning the surgical and prosthodontic stages of the case.

Mean daily plasma concentrations of beta-endorphin, leu-enkephalin, ACTH, cortisol, and DHEAS in epileptic patients with complex partial seizures evolving to generalized tonic-clonic seizures

INTRODUCTION

A multitude of mechanisms have been implicated in the pathophysiology of epilepsy.

OBJECTIVE

To assess mean daily plasma concentrations of ACTH, cortisol, DHEAS, leu-enkephalin, and beta-endorphin in epileptic patients with complex partial seizures evolving to tonic-clonic in relation to frequency of seizure occurrence (groups with seizure occurrences - several per week and several per year) and duration of the disease (groups less than and more than 10 years). We decided to analyse mean daily values of beta-endorphin and leu-enkephalin because of significant differences in concentrations of these substances in blood during the day.

MATERIAL AND METHODS

The study was performed on 17 patients (14 males + 3 females; mean age 31.8 yrs) treated with carbamazepine (300-1800 mg/day). The control group consisted of six age-matched healthy volunteers. Blood was collected at 8 a.m., 2 p.m., 8 p.m., and 2 a.m. Intergroup analysis was performed with the use of ANOVA Kruskal-Wallis test.

RESULTS

Mean daily concentrations of ACTH and cortisol in the blood of the patients with epilepsy were higher in comparison with those of the healthy volunteers, independently of the frequency of seizures and duration of the disease. Mean daily concentrations of beta-endorphin in the blood of the patients with epilepsy were higher in the groups of patients with more severe clinical course of disease (with more frequently occurring epilepsy seizures and longer duration of the disease) in comparison with healthy subjects. Mean daily concentrations of leu-enkephalin in the blood of the patients with epilepsy were higher in the group of patients with short duration of the disease in comparison with the group with long duration of the disease.

CONCLUSIONS

1. Pituitary-adrenal axis hyperactivity is observed in patients with clinically active epilepsy, independently of the frequency of seizures and duration of the disease. 2. Changes in endogenous opioid system activity are related to the clinical activity of epilepsy - beta-endorphin concentrations are connected with frequency of seizures and duration of the disease and leu-enkephalin concentrations with duration of the disease. 3. Endogenous opioid peptides might take part in the neurochemical mechanism of human epilepsy. (Pol J Endocrinol 2010; 61 (1): 103-110).

Gene associated with seizures, autism, and hepatomegaly in an Amish girl

A genetic defect causing autism and epilepsy involving the contactin associated protein-like 2 gene (CNTNAP2) has been discovered in a selected cohort of Amish children. These children were found to have focal seizures and autistic regression. Surgical biopsy of the anterior temporal lobe of two such children revealed cortical dysplasia and a single nucleotide polymorphism mutation of this gene. The present case is that of a related but geographically distant proband with a similar phenotype but a single-base-pair deletion in the CNTNAP2 gene. This patient exhibited the additional features of periventricular leukomalacia and hepatomegaly.

Theories of impaired consciousness in epilepsy

Although the precise mechanisms for control of consciousness are not fully understood, emerging data show that conscious information processing depends on the activation of certain networks in the brain and that the impairment of consciousness is related to abnormal activity in these systems. Epilepsy can lead to transient impairment of consciousness, providing a window into the mechanisms necessary for normal consciousness. Thus, despite differences in behavioral manifestations, cause, and electrophysiology, generalized tonic-clonic, absence, and partial seizures engage similar anatomical structures and pathways. We review prior concepts of impaired consciousness in epilepsy, focusing especially on temporal lobe complex partial seizures, which are a common and debilitating form of epileptic unconsciousness. We discuss a "network inhibition hypothesis" in which focal temporal lobe seizure activity disrupts normal cortical-subcortical interactions, leading to depressed neocortical function and impaired consciousness. This review of the major prior theories of impaired consciousness in epilepsy allows us to put more recent data into context and to reach a better understanding of the mechanisms important for normal consciousness.

Dissociation, epileptic-like activity and lateralized electrodermal dysfunction in patients with schizophrenia and depression

OBJECTIVES

Recent evidence indicates frequent EEG abnormalities in dissociated patients. This evidence is in agreement with findings that in certain psychiatric patients, psychosensory symptoms of epileptogenic nature, the so-called complex partial seizure-like symptoms occur. With respect to these findings, a hypothesis examined in this study states that increased level of experienced traumatic stress and dissociation in pathological conditions such as schizophrenia or depression relates to increased score of complex partial seizure-like symptoms. Also is suggested that the complex partial seizure-like symptoms might be related to unilateral hemispheric electrophysiological dysfunction, stress and dissociation.

PARTICIPANTS AND METHODS

Psychometric assessment of dissociation, stress and measurement of right-left asymmetry of bilateral EDA in patients with schizophrenia (N=34) and depression (N=41) in comparison to healthy controls (N=36).

RESULTS

Results indicate that increased traumatic stress and dissociation in both groups of patients significantly relate to increased level of complex partial seizure-like symptoms, and may cause the right-left EDA asymmetry.

CONCLUSIONS

The data suggest relationship between left-hemispheric asymmetry and sympathetic over-activation in schizophrenia, and between right-hemispheric asymmetry with sympathetic under-activation in depression.

[Postictal paranoid-hallucinatory psychosis in cryptogenic epilepsy]

BACKGROUND

Postictal psychosis is an important complication inpatients with epilepsy.

METHOD

We report a male patient with pre-existing epilepsy who developed acute psychosis with delusions and acoustic hallucinations, two days after a prolonged complex-partial seizure. Upon treatment with diazepam and haloperidol, the psychosis subsided within three days.

RESULT

The optimation of antiepileptic drugs is the main point to prevent seizures and postictal psychotic episodes in epilepsy.

CONCLUSION

This case shows that close collaboration between neurologists and psychiatrists on epilepsy associated psychoses is decisive for an optimal success of therapy.

Subacute postictal aggression in patients with epilepsy

Three men with epilepsy (age range, 38-62) who exhibited brief episodes of violent behavior during the postictal period are described. Disease duration ranged from 27 to 44 years. Patients had both complex partial seizures and secondarily generalized tonic-clonic seizures, which were refractory to antiepileptic drugs. Postictal aggression occurred shortly after a seizure and lasted 5-30 minutes. The patients displayed physically and verbally aggressive behavior toward others, but regained consciousness promptly and showed regret afterward. Interictal EEGs revealed temporal spikes, SPECT showed hypoperfusion in the temporal and frontal areas in two patients, and neuropsychological examination revealed poor frontal lobe function in two patients. Characteristics of our cases are consistent with subacute postictal aggression (SPA) reported previously. Epilepsy of prolonged duration and brain dysfunction involving a broad area including the temporal and frontal lobes may be associated with the occurrence of subacute postictal aggression.

Effects of polydipsia-hyponatremia on seizures in patients with epilepsy

Aggravation of seizures due to hyponatremia was investigated in five patients with epilepsy and polydipsia-hyponatremia. They experienced marked increases in the frequency of their complex partial seizures with a decrease in the serum sodium level to 118-127 mEq/L. In all cases, the serum sodium level returned to normal through restriction of fluids, and the clinical seizures improved. All patients had shown intellectual impairment and/or psychotic episodes, and all had been given antipsychotics. Hyponatremia caused by polydipsia appears to be a risk factor for aggravation of habitual seizures in patients with epilepsy.

Fluctuating Kluver-Bucy syndrome in a child with epilepsy due to bilateral anterior temporal congenital malformations

An 11-year-old boy with epilepsy due to congenital bilateral anterior temporal lobe malformations presented with fluctuating Kluver-Bucy syndrome (KBS). Since the age of 2, he had experienced clusters of three or four daily complex partial seizures over 2-3 days in a month, followed by a seizure-free interval of 3-4 weeks. During the seizure-free period, the patient exhibited hyperorality, sniffing, irritability alternating with placidity, anxiety, unsolicited sexual gestures, and unusual calmness after eating. KBS features escalated up to the onset of the seizure cluster, and remitted after the seizures. Brain MRI revealed bilateral anterior temporal cortical dysplasia with enlarged and dysmorphic amygdalar-hippocampal complex. Brain [(18)F]fluorodeoxyglucose positron emission tomography PET showed bilateral anterior and mesial temporal hypometabolism. Video/EEG monitoring revealed independent right and left temporal lobe seizures. This is the first reported case of KBS due to congenital bitemporal malformations. Also, KBS behavior phenotype in this patient fluctuated, with escalation during the seizure-free period and remission induced by the monthly seizure cluster. This fluctuating pattern could represent forced normalization.

Probable causal link between epilepsy and sleep apnea: case report

Patients with epilepsy were reported to have concomitant sleep apnea, but it has been rarely linked to the epilepsy itself. We present a case of a 28-year-old, obese man with secondary medically resistant partial complex epilepsy due to a brain trauma, with progressive snoring, and sleep agitation, apneas, and important daytime somnolence. It was noticed in the polysomnographic study that he had several sleep respiratory events, probably due both to the epileptic seizures and the sleep apnea syndrome as a co-morbidity. Apnea and epilepsy will be discussed. A careful video-EEG-polysomnography study is important in evaluating refractory epileptic patients and/or epileptic patients with snoring.

Asystole induced by electrical stimulation of the left cingulate gyrus

The cortical control of the autonomic system may account for the clinical phenomenon of ictal asystole which, in turn, has been speculated to be a potential mechanism for sudden unexpected death in epilepsy (SUDEP). We report an 18-year-old patient with frontal lobe epilepsy who had intracranial electrode placement showing bifrontal seizure-onset. This patient received electrical stimulation to the left cingulate gyrus and developed cardiac asystole within 3 seconds of electrical stimulation. Intracranial monitoring showed epileptiform discharges in the left frontal polar, frontal lateral and interhemispheric electrodes. We suggest that the left cingulate gyrus, as part of the central autonomic network, may mediate bradyarrhythmia through the vagal pathway. There remains the possibility that other brain regions were also involved due to the time lag between asystole and epileptiform discharges, and the lack of intracranial exploration in the mesial temporal and insular regions. [Published with video sequences].

Effect of vagal nerve stimulation in a case of Tourette's syndrome and complex partial epilepsy

We report on a 30-year-old man with Tourette's syndrome (TS) and medication-refractory epilepsy whose tics improved after implantation of a vagal nerve stimulator (VNS). To verify the patient's observation, we performed a blinded video assessment using the modified Rush video-based tic rating scale. The patient underwent two separate video recordings (VNS on and VNS off). A rater, blinded to patient's VNS status, evaluated the videos with the modified Rush video-based tic rating scale. There were improvements in total tic score and motor and phonic tic frequency. If verified by controlled clinical trials, this observation may provide insights into the pathophysiology of tics and may lead to a novel therapy for patients with severe TS.

[Induction of pseudoseizures by placing inactive electrodes in the malar regions]

INTRODUCTION

Pseudoseizures are paroxysmal disorders of a psychogenic origin with manifestations that are similar to epileptic seizures. They constitute a pathology that is found relatively often in the clinical practice of neurology. In many cases the diagnostic suspicion of their existence is difficult to confirm. The complementary examination that proves to be most useful in diagnosing them is video electroencephalogram (video-EEG).

CASE REPORTS

We report the cases of seven patients who were referred to our service with a clinical suspicion of pseudoseizures. Placing electrodes with an inactive surface-coating over the two malar regions during a video-EEG study enabled us to trigger in all patients (by means of suggestion) the appearance of a clinical picture that was similar to those that initially gave rise to the request for an examination. Suggestion was also employed to limit the time they lasted by getting the patient to resolve the episode. In all the cases the trace of the simultaneous electroencephalogram showed no pathological findings.

CONCLUSIONS

Placing inactive electrodes on malar regions is a method for inducing pseudoseizures that is harmless, easily applicable, readily available and economical, and which has not been reported in the literature. Video-EEG monitoring time is reduced using this approach. It provides evidence that a specific seizure phenomenon can be induced and resolved by suggestion techniques, which is a fact that is very useful in the diagnosis of pseudoseizures.

A case of auditory auras: application of general principles to define and localize the epileptogenic zone

An illustrative case of auditory aura and complex partial seizures is presented to highlight challenges in the accurate localization of the epileptogenic zone. Application and interpretation of various diagnostic tools is discussed in this case using the North American approach to the localization of the epileptogenic zone. Whenever possible, the differences and similarities between the North American and the French/Italian approach for the localization of the epileptogenic zone are discussed.

Thought disorder: A developmental disability in pediatric epilepsy

This study compared thought disorder (i.e., impaired use of language to formulate and organize thoughts) in 93 children with complex partial seizures (CPSs) and 56 children with primary generalized epilepsy with absence (PGE) and its relationship to age, seizure, cognitive, and linguistic variables. By the use of psychopathology, social competence, academic achievement, and school problem measures, the functional implications of thought disorder in these two groups were compared. When demographic variables were controlled for, there were no significant differences in thought disorder scores between the CPS and PGE groups. However, the profile of age, gender, seizure, and cognitive variables related to thought disorder differed in the CPS and PGE groups. Within each group, different aspects of thought disorder were associated with different seizure variables. Thought disorder was related to psychopathology, school problems, decreased academic achievement, and poor peer interaction in the CPS group, but with school problems in the PGE group. These findings suggest that CPS and PGE affect the normal maturation of children's discourse skills, albeit through different mechanisms. The relationship of thought disorder to behavioral, academic, and social problems implies that these discourse deficits are one component of the developmental disabilities or comorbidities associated with pediatric CPS and PGE.

Linear scleroderma en coup de sabre with associated neurologic abnormalities

Linear scleroderma represents a unique form of localized scleroderma that primarily affects the pediatric population, with 67% of patients diagnosed before 18 years of age. When linear scleroderma occurs on the head, it is referred to as linear scleroderma en coup de sabre, given the resemblance of the skin lesions to the stroke of a sabre. Here we describe 3 pediatric patients with linear scleroderma en coup de sabre who presented with neurologic abnormalities before or concurrent with the diagnosis of their skin disease. Our patients' cases highlight the underrecognized relationship between neurologic complications and linear scleroderma en coup de sabre and illustrate the importance of a thorough skin examination in patients with unexplained neurologic disease.

Unidirectional whole body turning: a new lateralising sign in complex partial seizures

BACKGROUND

The lateralising significance of unidirectional whole body turning in patients with complex partial seizures (CPS) arising from the temporal lobe was evaluated.

METHODS

A total of 330 patients undergoing long term video-EEG study were included. "Unidirectional whole body turning" was defined as rotation of the trunk, head, and limbs by >90 degrees and lasting >10 s. EEG correlates, MRI, and SPECT findings were compared and outcome after surgery was noted for patients with follow up data for >1 year.

RESULTS

Unidirectional whole body turning was observed in 13 patients with a mean age of 18+/-8 years. Concordance of the side of whole body turning with the EEG focus and MRI findings was observed in 11 of the 13 patients (84.7%) and in 26 of 28 seizures (92.8%). The six patients who underwent temporal lobectomy or resection of lesion, opposite to the direction of body turning, had good seizure outcome.

CONCLUSION

Unidirectional whole body turning is a new lateralising sign in temporal lobe CPS with good predictive value for epileptogenic focus contralateral to the direction of turning.

Type 1 diabetes mellitus and drug-resistant epilepsy: presence of high titer of anti-glutamic acid decarboxylase autoantibodies in serum and cerebrospinal fluid

A 55-year-old man who was diagnosed as having type 1 diabetes mellitus (DM) at the age of 50 years was started on insulin therapy. At 54 years old of age, he suddenly developed complex partial seizures, which frequently occurred despite intensive anti-epileptic drug therapy. Neurological examination on admission revealed hyporeflexia in bilateral upper and lower extremities without any muscle rigidity, painful spasm or cerebellar ataxia. Laboratory examination showed poor glycemic control with increased glycated hemoglobin levels. Positive anti-thyroglobulin antibodies and anti-thyroid peroxidase (TPO) antibodies and slight elevation of TSH levels are consistent with subclinical hypothyroidism due to Hashimoto's thyroiditis. A high titer of anti-glutamic acid decarboxylase (GAD) antibodies was detected in the patient's serum and cerebrospinal fluid (CSF). Electroencephalography showed temporal spikes, consistent with complex partial seizure. This is a very rare case presenting with concomitant type 1 diabetes and drug-resistant epilepsy associated with high titers of circulating and CSF anti-GAD antibodies.

Prolonged postictal stupor: nonconvulsive status epilepticus, medication effect, or postictal state?

We describe a patient who entered a stuporous state after receiving benzodiazepine treatment for generalized tonic-clonic status epilepticus. A diagnosis of generalized NCSE with tonic seizures was made on the basis of the clinical picture and response to barbiturate anaesthetic, although the EEG pattern was not typical of the changes previously described in tonic seizures-tonic status epilepticus. This report discusses the differential diagnosis of postictal stupor, nonconvulsive status epilepticus with tonic seizures and sedation caused by the emergency treatment of status epilepticus, and summarizes the literature on tonic seizures and tonic status epilepticus.

Recurrent postictal depression with Cotard delusion

Depression is a common occurrence among epileptic patients and constitutes, along with anxiety disorders, the most frequent psychiatric condition in these patients. However, little work is done in the area of post-ictal depression especially in children with epilepsy. Here, the authors report an adolescent boy who developed recurrent depression associated with Cotard's delusion following complex partial seizure at the age of 7 years. Trial of antidepressant drug and lithium worsened the clinical picture but ultimately he responded well to carbamazepine. This case is unique in its presentation due to recurrent depression itself is rare at this age and secondly rarity of onset of Cotard delusion in prepubertal phase. This case also showed that post-ictal depression is biological process rather than psychological and social reaction. Prompt identification and management of underlying cause would definitely prevent further complication and would also prevent the child from exposing unnecessary with various pharmacological treatments.

[Postoperative complete atrioventricular block induced by carbamazepine in a patient with congenital heart disease]

We report here a boy with epilepsy and congenital heart defect, complicated postoperatively by complete atrioventricular (A-V) block caused by an adverse effect of carbamazepine (CBZ). He had been taking CBZ for 7 years to treat complex partial seizures. He also had endocardial cushion defect and first-degree A-V block, and underwent cardiac surgery at the age of 17 years. The postoperative course was unremarkable except transient complete left bundle branch block occuring one day after the surgery. Oral CBZ (400 mg per day) was continued. Five days after the surgery, bradycardia (20 beats per minute) suddenly developed, and electrocardiography (ECG) showed complete A-V block. Pervenous pacing was begun, and the heart rate gradually recovered. CBZ was discontinued on the suspicion that it caused the arrhythmia, although its serum level was estimated to be within the therapeutic range (4 to 5 microg/ml). He underwent pervenous pacing for 12 days. He was discharged 27 days after the surgery, when ECG returned to first-degree A-V block. In this case, the cardiac conduction system was affected by an adverse effect of CBZ, in combination with the preoperative first-degree A-V block and the effects of cardiac surgery, resulting in complete A-V block. Although reports of similar cases are scarce, caution should be made in prescribing CBZ to patients who either have cardiac conduction abnormalities or undergo cardiac surgery.

[Transient lesion in the splenium of the corpus callosum in epileptic child with cerebral low grade glioma]

We report on a seven years-old boy with complex partial seizures and the presence of low grade glioma in left fronto-parietal region. The magnetic resonance imaging showed focal non-hemorrhagic lesion in the splenium of the corpus callosum. The description of the transient lesion in the splenium of the corpus callosum was related in three previous studies, in patients with epilepsy. Thus, the observed transient focal lesion in the splenium of the corpus callosum of this child, probably, has correlation with to prolonged focal partial seizures and not to the presence of glioma low grade.

Transient unilateral hearing loss induced by electrocortical stimulation

A 32-year-old patient with seizures experienced decreased right-ear hearing during electrocortical stimulation mapping of the left lateral superior temporal gyrus. Audiometric testing under headphones confirmed a reversible, moderate unilateral hearing loss. Under binaural listening conditions, auditory comprehension was impaired at the same site, whereas word repetition, environmental sound recognition, naming, and spontaneous speech remained intact.

Severe anemia secondary to a probable drug interaction between zidovudine and valproic acid

A 42-year-old man with human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) infection and a history of complex partial seizures developed severe anemia after the addition of valproic acid to his stable antiretroviral regimen of zidovudine, lamivudine, and abacavir. The inhibition of zidovudine glucuronidation by valproic acid and the resultant zidovudine hematologic toxicity is the proposed mechanism of the interaction.

Reversible language regression as an adverse effect of topiramate treatment in children

Profound language regression developed in three children with epilepsy 4 to 28 weeks after beginning topiramate (TPM). TPM was administered as an adjunctive antiepileptic drug at doses of 2.5 to 6.0 mg/kg/day. Language functions recovered while TPM was being reduced in dose or stopped.

Complex partial seizures and depression

A long-recognized association exists between epilepsy and affective disturbance, especially depression. People with complex partial seizures that result from temporal lobe seizure foci are highly vulnerable to psychiatric disorders. Accurate diagnosis of such disorders is an important key to treatment. Interictal depression or dysphoria is the most clinically significant problem of this type. Pharmacotherapeutic treatments that have positive effects in other types of depressive illness are also effective for depression associated with epilepsy. Electroconvulsive therapy is helpful to some patients with depression that is refractory to drug treatment or psychotherapy. Surgical resection of seizure foci may lead to psychiatric improvement for some individuals, but can also have psychiatric complications.

Transient Kluver-Bucy syndrome following complex partial status epilepticus

The characteristic features of Kluver-Bucy syndrome include hypersexuality, hyperorality, placidity, hypermetamorphosis, visual agnosia, changes in dietary habits, and memory impairment. Human cases have been reported with herpes simplex encephalitis, head injury, Pick's disease, transtentorial herniation, adrenoleukodystrophy, and Reye's syndrome, all involving bilateral temporal lobe pathology. We present the case of a patient with no evidence of a structural lesion in the temporal lobes and behavioral changes consistent with Kluver-Bucy syndrome following complex partial status epilepticus.

Level and contents of consciousness in connection with partial epileptic seizures

The present study introduces concepts and methods that can be used in the systematic psychological study of a seizure, to gain more insight into the seizure as it is experienced by the patient and the significant other. Fourteen patients reported 40 descriptions of their subjective experiences during complex partial seizures. We analyzed the descriptions with respect to the temporal progression of the seizure and the level and contents of consciousness. There were three main findings: (1). We identified an impairment of the voluntary control of attention ("forced attention") that seems to characterize the early stages of the seizure in all patients. (2). Although most patients reported the total absence of consciousness, we identified a subgroup of patients with a fluctuating level of consciousness during the seizure. (3). The patients who reported some contents of consciousness during the seizure were found to usually experience internal mental images rather than other contents of consciousness (e.g., sensations or perceptions). We propose that use of a qualitative methodology for the psychological assessment of seizures could lead to a better understanding of seizures as experienced from the patient's perspective and thereby to improvements in the treatment of seizures.

Attentional disorders in patients with complex partial epilepsy

A study of concentrated attention patterns in epileptic patients was conducted with the objectives: characterization of the patients' epileptic condition; assessment of the concentrated attention levels in epileptic and nonepileptic individuals; comparison of the attention levels of the two groups. An evaluation was performed of 50 adult outpatients with complex partial seizures and 20 non-epileptic individuals (comparative group) at the Neuroepilepsy Ambulatory Unit, State University of Campinas SP, Brazil.

METHOD

characterization of seizure types, frequency and duration; concentrated attention assessment (Concentrated Attention Test - Toulouse-Pi ron); comparison of the epileptic with non-epileptic individuals.

RESULTS

A statistically significant difference was observed between the groups with regard to Correct Response, Wrong Response and No Response. A difference was observed in relation to Time, but it was statistically insignificant. The epileptic patients presented inferior cognitive performance in relation to concentrated attention when compared with the non-epileptic individuals, findings compatible with the clinical complaints.

VNS in patients with previous unsuccessful resective epilepsy surgery: antiepileptic and psychotropic effects

OBJECTIVES

To assess the efficacy of vagus nerve stimulation (VNS) in patients with medically and surgically intractable complex partial seizures (CPS).

PATIENTS AND METHODS

Sixteen patients with previous temporal [15] and frontal [one] resections were treated with VNS between 1994 and 1999 at King's College Hospital, London, UK. Post-operative video-electroencephalogram telemetry had shown that CPS started from the operated side in 12 patients, contralaterally in three and bilaterally independently in one.

RESULTS

Three patients (18.75%) had 50% or more reduction in seizure frequency, but one showed severe worsening of epilepsy, which remitted upon VNS discontinuation. The antiepileptic effect of VNS was not different with respect to the type of operation (anterior temporal lobectomy vs amygdalohippocampectomy), the side of operation, or the side of seizure onset. We observed psychotropic effects in two patients with post-ictal psychosis, in two others with depression, and in a child with severe behavioral disorder.

CONCLUSIONS

VNS may have a rather limited antiepileptic role to play in patients with persistent seizures following epilepsy surgery, but may independently possess useful antipsychotic and mood-stabilizing properties.

[Myokymia of the obliquus superior muscle and cryptogenetic epilepsy]

BACKGROUND

Myokymia of the obliquus superior muscle is a rare episodic microtremor caused by uncontrolled activities of the trochlearis nerve fibres. Epilepsy is also caused by spontaneous discharges of neurons. In our report we present an associated epilepsy which to the best of our knowledge is described for the first time.

PATIENT

An 61-year old man with twitches of the right eye for 6 weeks and a subjective feeling of eye movement was investigated at our hospital. His history was void of any ophthalmologic diseases. However, he suffered from cryptogenetic epilepsy known since childhood. The morphological and orthoptical findings of his eyes were normal. During the slit-lamp investigation a unilateral rotating microtremor of the right eye induced by looking downward was seen. The neurologic investigation, magnetic resonance imaging and assessment of the thyreoid function did not show further pathological results. The patient underwent treatment with carbamazepine. Under this therapy he did not show any symptoms of myokymia during follow-up.

SUMMARY

To the best of our knowledge this is the first case of myokymia of the obliquus superior muscle associated to epilepsy. To our opinion, any case of this syndrome should be investigated for epilepsy. A causal relation is unlikely since the most probable etiologies are either spontaneous discharges of trochlear nucleus neurons or a close contact between vessel and nerve analogously to trigeminal neuralgia.