Comparison of neurodevelopmental, educational and adult socioeconomic outcomes in offspring of women with and without epilepsy: A systematic review and meta-analysis
Anti-seizure medication (Source: Seizure: European Journal of Epilepsy)
Source: Seizure: European Journal of Epilepsy - February 28, 2024 Category: Neurology Authors: Paolo Pierino Mazzone, Kirsty Mhairi Hogg, Christopher J. Weir, Jacqueline Stephen, Sohinee Bhattacharya, Simone Richer, Richard F.M. Chin Source Type: research

Psychiatric assessment prior to and after switch from levetiracetam to brivaracetam
Over the last decades, more than 15 antiseizure medications (ASMs) have been introduced to the market, which are referred to as "new" or "newer" ASMs, as opposed to the older ones [1]. Some of the newer ASMs have benefits in terms of tolerability and interactions with other drugs [1] but they can also cause side effects, including psychiatric, cognitive, and behavioral adverse events. Levetiracetam (LEV) is one of the most commonly used new ASMs worldwide due to its beneficial profile in terms of ease of use, virtual non-existence of interactions, good efficacy, and tolerability [2]. (Source: Seizure: European Journal of Epilepsy)
Source: Seizure: European Journal of Epilepsy - February 28, 2024 Category: Neurology Authors: Ammar Kassoum, Tassanai Intravooth, Anne-Sophie Wendling, Anke M. Staack, Bernhard J. Steinhoff Source Type: research

Functional brain connectivity in children with focal epilepsy: A systematic review of functional MRI studies
Focal epilepsy is the predominant type of epilepsy in children [1] and adults [2]. Patients with focal epilepsy have seizures arising from an epileptogenic zone or local network, but we now also understand focal epilepsy as a disorder affecting the connectivity of wider brain networks [3 –6]. Growing evidence suggests that focal epilepsy is associated with widespread brain connectivity alterations, which may be pathophysiological underpinnings of seizure generation and propagation [7,8]. Brain connectivity describes the structural and functional interactions between discrete brain regions. (Source: Seizure: European Journal of Epilepsy)
Source: Seizure: European Journal of Epilepsy - February 27, 2024 Category: Neurology Authors: Xiyu Feng, Rory J. Piper, Freya Prentice, Jonathan D. Clayden, Torsten Baldeweg Source Type: research

Medication use in patients with functional seizures from a public and a private hospital
Functional seizures (FS), also known as psychogenic non-epileptic seizures (PNES) and non-epileptic attack disorder (NEAD), manifest as clinically observable, paroxysmal changes in behaviour or consciousness that mimic epileptic seizures, but unlike the latter, they are not associated with electrophysiological brain abnormalities [1]. While these seizure-like events are believed to be caused by psychological factors [2], their resemblance to epileptic convulsions, especially to healthcare providers who have little experience in dealing with FS, often results in the incorrect diagnosis of epilepsy [3,4]. (Source: Seizure: E...
Source: Seizure: European Journal of Epilepsy - February 23, 2024 Category: Neurology Authors: Gabriele Vilyte, James Butler, Victoria Ives-Deliperi, Chrisma Pretorius Source Type: research

Long-Term Prognosis of Patients with Photosensitive Idiopathic Generalized Epilepsy
Photosensitivity is present in 2-14% of patients with epilepsy and characterized by the photoparoxysmal response (PPR), an abnormal electrophysiologic response to visual stimuli. PPR is defined as a 2-5 Hz generalized spike, spike/slow wave pattern, usually more pronounced in the frontal and paracentral regions, observed during intermittent photic stimulation (IPS) [1]. Clinical photosensitivity refers to the triggering of seizures by flashing lights from natural or artificial light sources [2]. (Source: Seizure: European Journal of Epilepsy)
Source: Seizure: European Journal of Epilepsy - February 23, 2024 Category: Neurology Authors: T ülay Yılmaz Erol, Tuba Cerrahoğlu Şirin, Nermin Görkem Şirin, Nerses Bebek, Betül Baykan Source Type: research

Clonic masseter movements as presentation of focal motor status epilepticus
An 88-year-old man was admitted to the Emergency Department presenting with sudden and persistent jaw movements over the last 10 hours. The patient remained alert, but was unable to voluntarily stop the movements. No prior history of similar episodes was reported, and the patient had no relevant medical history. (Source: Seizure: European Journal of Epilepsy)
Source: Seizure: European Journal of Epilepsy - February 23, 2024 Category: Neurology Authors: Álvaro Lambea-Gil, Joan Miquel Fernández-Vidal, Ainara Barguilla, Alba Sierra-Marcos, Joan Martí-Fàbregas Tags: Clinical letter Source Type: research

Diagnosis and Management of Infantile Epileptic Spasms Syndrome (IESS) in Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) Countries: Expert Consensus Statement
Clinical practice guidelines for managing Infantile Epileptic Spasms Syndrome (IESS) vary based on local experts ’ opinions, local patient demographics, genetic, and clinical characteristics, as well as medication availability and accessibility challenges [1]. However, there is currently a lack of specific guidance tailored to the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) countries. As such, consensus established by ex perienced specialists is urgently needed. An expert panel was convened by the Saudi Pediatric Neurology Society (SPNS) to discuss and debate issues related to the management of IESS in the GCC countries. (Source: Sei...
Source: Seizure: European Journal of Epilepsy - February 22, 2024 Category: Neurology Authors: Fahad A. Bashiri, Khalid Hundallah, Raidah Al-Baradie, Ali Al-Otaibi, Omar Ismayl, Mohamed Elhadi AlMalik, Osama Y. Muthaffar, Amna Al Futaisi, Daniah Kurdi, Asmaa Al Tawari, Daad AlSowat, Shatha AL Shafi, Ayman Ali, Lynn M. AlHajjar, Abdullah Aldakhil Tags: Review Source Type: research

Melatonin as an add-on treatment for epilepsy: A systematic review and meta-analysis
Epilepsy is one of the most common and serious brain diseases, affecting more than 700,000 people worldwide; its incidence is bimodal and higher in infants and old adults [1]. Seizures are transient signs and/or symptoms resulting from abnormally excessive or synchronised neuronal activity in the brain [2]. Additionally, epilepsy often results in oxidative stress and brain damage [3]. Drug therapy is the most important treatment for epilepsy, and currently, anti-seizure medication (ASM) completely eliminate seizures without side effects in approximately 50% of the patients. (Source: Seizure: European Journal of Epilepsy)
Source: Seizure: European Journal of Epilepsy - February 22, 2024 Category: Neurology Authors: Zhifan Liu, Jie Zhu, Ziyi Shen, Yuanyuan Ling, Yumei Zeng, Yang Yang, Guohui Jiang Source Type: research

Whole exome sequencing is the method of choice to determine the etiology of developmental epileptic encephalopathy
We read with interest Jose et  al's article about a single-center cohort study on the frequency and etiology of metabolic disorders in 385 pediatric patients with developmental epileptic encephalopathy (DEE) and treatment-refractory epilepsy [1]. A probable or possible metabolic disorder was suspected in 89/385 patients [1]. A pathogenic or likely pathogenic variant in genes associated with metabolic disorder was detected in 39/89 patients, and a variant of unknown significance in 28/89 patients [1]. (Source: Seizure: European Journal of Epilepsy)
Source: Seizure: European Journal of Epilepsy - February 21, 2024 Category: Neurology Authors: Josef Finsterer Tags: Letter to the editor Source Type: research

The Efficacy of Low Glycemic Index Diet on Seizure Frequency in Pediatric Patients with Epilepsy: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis
Approximately 30% of pediatric patients with epilepsy do not achieve adequate seizure control when given standard medication. Dietary changes are frequently regarded as a viable alternative therapy option in the case for these patients, with a growing body of evidences supporting their efficacy (1-3). Research has demonstrated that the traditional ketogenic diet (KD), which restricts carbohydrate consumption to less than 4% of total calorie intake, shows efficacy in improving seizure management in newborns and young children. (Source: Seizure: European Journal of Epilepsy)
Source: Seizure: European Journal of Epilepsy - February 21, 2024 Category: Neurology Authors: Pejman Rohani, Reza Shervin Badv, Mohammad Hassan Sohouli, Nathalia Sernizon Guimar ães Tags: Review Source Type: research

Challenges in genetic testing for metabolic causes of developmental epileptic encephalopathy- relevance of genotype-phenotype correlations
We thank the author for the positive and critical comments in the letter titled “Whole exome sequencing is the method of choice to determine the etiology of developmental epileptic encephalopathy”. The data published in our paper is from a prospectively maintained database of developmental-epileptic encephalopathies (DEE). Some children may have had normal prior development without any significant medical issues before onset of their illness and psychomotor regression along with medical comorbidities may only have developed after evolution of the epilepsy phenotype. (Source: Seizure: European Journal of Epilepsy)
Source: Seizure: European Journal of Epilepsy - February 20, 2024 Category: Neurology Authors: Manna Jose, Alfiya Fasaludeen, Harini Pavuluri, Pavan Kumar Rudrabhatla, Soumya V. Chandrasekharan, Jithu Jose, Moinak Banerjee, Soumya Sundaram, Ashalatha Radhakrishnan, Ramshekhar N. Menon Tags: Reply Source Type: research

Reply to Dr Finsterer's letter
We thank the author for the positive and critical comments in the letter titled “Whole exome sequencing is the method of choice to determine the etiology of developmental epileptic encephalopathy”. The data published in our paper is from a prospectively maintained database of developmental-epileptic encephalopathies (DEE). Some children may have had normal prior development without any significant medical issues before onset of their illness and psychomotor regression along with medical comorbidities may only have developed after evolution of the epilepsy phenotype. (Source: Seizure: European Journal of Epilepsy)
Source: Seizure: European Journal of Epilepsy - February 20, 2024 Category: Neurology Authors: Manna Jose, Alfiya Fasaludeen, Harini Pavuluri, Pavan Kumar Rudrabhatla, Soumya V. Chandrasekharan, Jithu Jose, Moinak Banerjee, Soumya Sundaram, Ashalatha Radhakrishnan, Ramshekhar N. Menon Tags: Letter to the editor Source Type: research

An atypical case of phosphoglycerate kinase deficiency with a novel PGK1 variant
Phosphoglycerate kinase (PGK) deficiency is an extremely rare X-linked recessive genetic disorder with a wide range of phenotypes, which typically present as either a syndrome of moderate to severe hemolytic anemia accompanied by nervous system manifestations, or a mostly myopathic syndrome.[1,2] Here, we reported a novel PGK1 missense variant from a patient with atypical presentations of PGK deficiency, including mild hemolytic anemia, global developmental delay, and seizures, without apparent myopathies. (Source: Seizure: European Journal of Epilepsy)
Source: Seizure: European Journal of Epilepsy - February 19, 2024 Category: Neurology Authors: Xizhong Zhou, Qiuli Liu, Mingwei Huang Source Type: research

Right-sided vagus nerve stimulation for drug-resistant epilepsy: a systematic review of the literature and perspectives
Epilepsy is a common chronic neurological disorder that affects more than 50 million people worldwide [1]. Antiseizure medications are effective in approximately two-thirds of cases, leaving a third of patients with uncontrolled epileptic seizures [2]. If patients do not qualify for resective epilepsy surgery, neuromodulation strategies, such as vagus nerve stimulation (VNS) or deep-brain stimulation (DBS), are effective options to be considered [3]. The use of VNS was approved for epilepsy by European Union in 1994, followed by the United States of America in 1997, Canada in 1998, China in 2008, and Japan in 2010 [4]. (So...
Source: Seizure: European Journal of Epilepsy - February 19, 2024 Category: Neurology Authors: Meissa HAMZA, Romain CARRON, Maxine DIBU É, Alessandro MOIRAGHI, Sami BARRIT, Cristina FILIPESCU, Elisabeth LANDRÉ, Martine GAVARET, Philippe DOMENECH, Johan PALLUD, Marc ZANELLO Tags: Review Source Type: research

Automated detection of focal cortical dysplasia based on magnetic resonance imaging and positron emission tomography
Focal cortical dysplasia (FCD) is a malformation of cortical development characterized by disruption of the normal cortical cytoarchitecture, which is highly epileptogenic and one of the leading causes of drug-resistant epilepsy [1]. Surgical resection is the most effective approach to control epilepsy caused by FCD. The success of surgery depends on accurately detecting the epileptogenic lesions during the presurgical evaluations. However, FCD often hides at the bottom of cortical sulci, making visual detection on MRI time-consuming and highly dependent on readers ’ experience. (Source: Seizure: European Journal of Epilepsy)
Source: Seizure: European Journal of Epilepsy - February 15, 2024 Category: Neurology Authors: Ruifeng Zheng, Ruotong Chen, Cong Chen, Yuyu Yang, Yi Ge, Linqi Ye, Pu Miao, Bo Jin, Hong Li, Junming Zhu, Shuang Wang, Kejie Huang Source Type: research