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Epilepsy Behav 2020 Jul 2;111:107267. Epub 2020 Jul 2.

Department of Pediatrics, Division of Neurology, Eskisehir Osmangazi University Faculty of Medicine, Eskisehir, Turkey.

Background And Aim: We aimed to examine the frequency of functional gastrointestinal disorders (FGIDs) among pediatric patients with epilepsy and the association of FGIDs with epilepsy characteristics.

Material And Methods: Patients with epilepsy aged between 4 and 18 years old were enrolled. Age- and sex-matched healthy children were taken as the control group. Read More

Epilepsia 2020 Jul 6. Epub 2020 Jul 6.

Department of Clinical and Experimental Epilepsy, University College London Queen Square Institute of Neurology, London, UK.

Objective: Overexpression of the drug transporter P-glycoprotein (P-gp) is thought to be involved in drug-resistance in epilepsy by extrusion of antiepileptic drugs (AEDs). We used positron emission tomography (PET) and the P-gp substrate radiotracer (R)-[ C]verapamil (VPM) together with the third-generation P-gp inhibitor tariquidar (TQD) to evaluate P-gp function in individuals with drug-resistant epileptogenic developmental lesions.

Methods: Twelve healthy controls (7 male, median age 45, range 35-55 years), and two patients with epileptogenic developmental lesions (2 male, aged 24 and 62 years) underwent VPM-PET scans before and 60 minutes after a 30-minute infusion of 2 and 3 mg/kg TQD. Read More

Acta Neurol Scand 2020 Jul 6. Epub 2020 Jul 6.

Lund University, Faculty of Medicine, Department of Clinical Sciences Lund, Division of Clinical Sciences Helsingborg, Sweden.

Objectives: To describe the process and results of the updated Swedish practice guidelines for monotherapy in epilepsy.

Materials And Methods: The Swedish Medical Products Agency led the process together with medical experts. Evidence rating in accordance with the International League Against Epilepsy (ILAE) template was linked to the Cochrane group's Grade system. Read More

Clin Pharmacol Ther 2020 Jul 5. Epub 2020 Jul 5.

Department of Psychiatry and Psychology, Mayo Clinic, Rochester, MN, USA.

Several anti-epileptic drugs (AED) have FDA approval for use as mood stabilizers in bipolar disorder (BD), but not all BD patients respond to these AED mood stabilizers (AED-MS). To identify genetic polymorphisms that contribute to the variability in AED-MS response, we performed a discovery genome-wide association study of 199 BD patients from the Mayo Clinic Bipolar Disorder Biobank. Most of these patients had been treated with the AED-MS valproate and/or lamotrigine. Read More

Rev Neurol 2020 Jul;71(2):54-60

Hospital del Mar, Barcelona, España.

Introduction: Although carbamazepine (CBZ) has strong enzyme-inducing properties, oxcarbazepine (OXC) and eslicarbazepine acetate (ESL) are thought to have a milder effect. These drugs are known to have effects on lipid metabolism and may cause hyponatremia and changes in blood cell counts and liver function tests.

Aim: To compare the long-term effects of three antiepileptic drugs (CBZ, OXC and ESL) on these variables. Read More

BMJ Paediatr Open 2020 29;4(1):e000683. Epub 2020 Jun 29.

Key Laboratory of Obstetrics & Gynecologic and Pediatric Diseases and Birth Defects of the Ministry of Education, Sichuan University, Chengdu, China.

Introduction: Seizures are one of the most common neurological disorders of neonates, which is also an emergency in the neonatal intensive care unit. For neonates, the recommended first-line antiepileptic drugs (AEDs) include phenobarbitone, which may be effective in only 50% of seizures. Some new AEDs, such as levetiracetam, have been shown to be effective in adults and older children. Read More

Epilepsy Behav 2020 Jul 2;111:107125. Epub 2020 Jul 2.

Marmara University, School of Medicine, Department of Public Health and Epilepsy Research and Implementation Centre, Istanbul, Turkey.

Objective: Sudden unexpected death in epilepsy (SUDEP) is the second leading neurological cause of potential years of lifelost after stroke. Despite growing numbers of studies on social aspects of epilepsy, there is a paucity of research on the awareness of SUDEP among the parents of children with epilepsy (CWE), especially in Turkey. In this study, we aimed to evaluate the knowledge of parents of the CWE regarding SUDEP in the tertiary setting. Read More

Epilepsy Res 2020 May 31;165:106378. Epub 2020 May 31.

Epilepsy Unit, Department of Clinical Neurophysiology, Lluis Alcanyis Hospital, Carretera Xátiva-Silla, Km 2, 46800, Xàtiva, Valencia, Spain.

Quantifying epileptiform discharges before and after the initiation of treatment can be useful for evaluating the efficacy of antiepileptic drugs in generalized epilepsy. The aim of this study was to determine if the selective α-amino-3-hydroxy-5-methyl-4-isoxazole propionic acid (AMPA) receptor antagonist perampanel alters the electroencephalographic signals in patients with drug resistant generalized seizures (primary or secondary). We also assessed the clinical efficacy, safety and tolerability of perampanel as an adjunctive treatment for patients with refractory generalized seizures after 3, 6 and 12 months of treatment to determine if there is an electro-clinical correlation. Read More

Eur J Neurol 2020 Jul 4. Epub 2020 Jul 4.

Department of Human Neurosciences, Sapienza' University of Rome, Rome, Italy.

The interaction between DOACs and antiepileptic drugs is an issue commonly encountered in neurological practice. Due to quite frequent occurrence of post-stroke epilepsy (PSE), neurologists may often prescribe both DOACs and antiepileptics in the same patient. The 2018 European Society of Cardiology (ESC) guidelines provided strong restrictions on the concomitant use of DOACs and some antiepileptics. Read More

Zh Nevrol Psikhiatr Im S S Korsakova 2020 ;120(5):138-145

Research Clinical Institute of Pediatric of Pirogov Russian National Research Medical University, Moscow, Russia.

A review of publications over the last two decades is presented. Psychogenic paroxysms develop in approximately 12% of patients with epilepsy. The analysis of social and demographic data, history details, semiological features and results of electrophysiological and neuroimaging studies does not unequivocally support the comorbidity of epilepsy and psychogenic paroxysms. Read More

Neurologist 2020 Jul;25(4):89-92

Department of Neurology Mayo Clinic, Scottsdale, AZ.

Objectives: Status epilepticus (SE) is associated with high morbidity and mortality. The American Epilepsy Society (AES) has established guidelines regarding proper dosing of antiepileptic drugs (AEDs). There are also recommendations for appropriate weaning off anesthetic agents in SE. Read More

Acta Neurochir (Wien) 2020 Jul 2. Epub 2020 Jul 2.

Southern Tohoku Research Institute for Neuroscience, Fukushima, Japan.

We report the case of a patient with hypothalamic hamartoma (HH) who was successfully treated with magnetic resonance-guided focused ultrasound (MRgFUS) for ablation as a disconnection surgery. A 26-year-old man with gelastic epilepsy had been diagnosed with HH at 3 years of age, and antiepileptic drugs were administered due to worsening episodes. Magnetic resonance imaging showed a sessile parahypothalamic hamartoma and MRgFUS ablation was performed, creating an oval-shaped lesion at the boundary area of the HH. Read More

Sisli Etfal Hastan Tip Bul 2020 21;54(2):236-244. Epub 2020 May 21.

Department of Pediatrics, Okmeydani Training and Research Hospital, University of Health Sciences, Istanbul, Turkey.

Objectives: Clobazam is a long-acting antiepileptic drug that belongs to benzodiazepines used in the polytherapy of childhood epilepsy. In this study, our aim is to retrospectively evaluate the effectiveness and side effect profile of clobazam in children with different etiologies of epilepsy, mostly drug resistant.

Methods: Forty patients aged 0-18 years that were admitted to Okmeydanı Training and Research Hospital pediatric neurology outpatient clinic between January 2017-January 2019 and prescribed clobazam were included in this study. Read More

Dtsch Med Wochenschr 2020 Jul 2;145(13):917-925. Epub 2020 Jul 2.

Klinik für Palliativmedizin, Medizinische Fakultät Uniklinik RWTH Aachen.

This review provides an overview of the basic knowledge of drug pain therapy in the palliative situation. Pain is one of the main symptoms in 60 to 90 % of cancer patients. Pain also develops with neurological and other diseases that occur in end-of-life situations. Read More

Bioorg Chem 2020 Jun 16;101:104010. Epub 2020 Jun 16.

Department of Pharmaceutical Chemistry, Rajendra Institute of Technology & Sciences, Sirsa 125055, Haryana, India; Department of Pharmaceutical Chemistry, ISF College of Pharmacy, Ghal Kalan, GT Road, Moga 142001, Punjab, India. Electronic address:

Benzodiazepines (BZDs) represent a class of privilege scaffold in the modern era of medicinal chemistry as CNS active agents and BZD based drugs are used to treat different psychotic disorders. Inspired from the therapeutic potential of BZDs as promising CNS active agents, in the present work three different series of 1,5-benzodiazepines bearing various substitutions at position 2 and 4 of the benzodiazepine core were synthesized by condensing different substituted chalcones with o-phenylenediamine in the presence of piperidine as a base catalyst. Structural characterization of title compounds was done by using various analytical techniques such as IR, NMR, elemental analysis and mass spectral data. Read More

Birth Defects Res 2020 Jul 2. Epub 2020 Jul 2.

Laboratory of Clinical Pharmacy, Tohoku University Graduate School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Sendai, Miyagi, Japan.

Background: The aim of this study was to evaluate the prevalence of folic acid (FA) prescription to prenatal and postpartum women who have also been prescribed antiepileptic drugs (AED) in Japan.

Methods: The data set used in this study included women covered by health insurance between 2005 and 2016. The prevalence of FA prescriptions between 180 days before pregnancy and 180 days postpartum was determined from a large administrative database, with the FA prescription classified according to dose and timing. Read More

Kans J Med 2020 25;13:134-142. Epub 2020 Jun 25.

Department of Pediatrics, University of Kansas School of Medicine-Wichita, KS.

Introduction: Seizures are neurological emergencies with short-and long-term adverse effects in pre-term infants. They may present with or without abnormal movements (clinical versus subclinical). Thus, the true incidence of seizures may be under-reported. Read More

Hong Kong Med J 2020 Jul 2. Epub 2020 Jul 2.

Division of Neurology, Department of Medicine, Queen Mary Hospital, Hong Kong.

Purpose: This study investigated factors associated with depression in people with epilepsy.

Methods: All adult patients attending our epilepsy clinic in 2018 were screened for inclusion in this study. Eligible patients were divided into case and control groups, depending on the presence of co-morbid depression. Read More

Cochrane Database Syst Rev 2020 Jul 1;7:CD007783. Epub 2020 Jul 1.

Department of Molecular and Clinical Pharmacology, Institute of Translational Medicine, University of Liverpool, Liverpool, UK.

Background: This is an update of the Cochrane Review first published in 2010; it includes one additional study. Primary generalised tonic-clonic seizures are a type of generalised seizure. Other types of seizures include: absence, myoclonic, and atonic seizures. Read More

Mol Pharmacol 2020 Jun 29. Epub 2020 Jun 29.

University of Buffalo, SUNY

Ketamine, a dissociative anesthetic, is experiencing a clinical resurgence as fast-acting antidepressant. In the central nervous system, ketamine acts primarily by blocking NMDA receptor currents. Although it is generally safe in clinical setting, it can be addictive and several of its derivatives are investigated as preferable alternatives. Read More

Zhonghua Er Ke Za Zhi 2020 Jul;58(7):586-590

Deparment of Pediatrics, Peking University First Hospital, Beijing 100034, China.

To summarize the clinical characteristics of children with SLC35A2 gene variants related congenital disorders of glycosylation (SLC35A2-CDG), so as to improve the clinicians' understanding of this disease. Clinical data and gene detection results of 6 epilepsy children with SLC35A2 gene variants were treated in the Department of Pediatrics Peking University First Hospital from April 2019 to February 2020 were analyzed retrospectively. Six children with SLC35A2 gene variants were identified, including 1 male and 5 females. Read More

J Clin Neurophysiol 2020 Jun 25. Epub 2020 Jun 25.

Department of Neurological Sciences, University of Nebraska Medical Center, Omaha, Nebraska, U.S.A.

Purpose: Prefabricated arrays with a limited number of electrodes offer an opportunity to hasten the diagnosis of seizures; however, their accuracy to detect seizures is unknown. We examined the utility of two limited-montage EEG setups for the detection of nonconvulsive seizures.

Methods: Thirty previously interpreted EEG segments with nonconvulsive seizures from 30 patients and 60 segments with background slowing or normal EEG from 60 patients were rendered in a bipolar "double banana" montage, a double distance "neonatal" montage, and a circumferential "hatband" montage. Read More

Epilepsy Behav 2020 Jun 27;111:107240. Epub 2020 Jun 27.

Department of Neurology, West China Hospital, Sichuan University, Wai Nan Guo Xue Lane 37#, Chengdu, Sichuan 610041, China. Electronic address:

Purpose: This study was conducted to analyze the clinical and electroencephalographic (EEG) features of attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) in children with benign partial epilepsy with centrotemporal spikes (BECTS) in Southwest China, to address the question of what the risk factors are for patients with BECTS who suffer from ADHD.

Methods: Overall 118 right-handed children with BECTS were included from two medical centers. Of them, 29 patients were with diagnosed ADHD according to the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, Fifth Edition (DSM-V) at baseline, and the remaining were considered as typical BECTS. Read More

CNS Oncol 2020 Jun 30;9(2):CNS53. Epub 2020 Jun 30.

Department of Neurology, Leiden University Medical Center, Leiden, The Netherlands.

Neurology 2020 Jun 29. Epub 2020 Jun 29.

From the Clinical Pharmacology Unit (V.F., G.G., E.P.), University of Pavia; IRCCS Mondino Foundation (V.F., C.F., C.A.G., E.P.), Pavia; Epilepsy Center (M.P.C.), San Paolo Hospital, Milan; Magna Graecia University (G.D.S.), Catanzaro; School of Hospital Pharmacy (G.F.), University of Milan; Epilepsy Center (A.L.N.), Neurology Hospital "Amaducci," University of Bari; Unit of Neurology (E.R.), Usl Centro Toscana Health Authority, Prato; University of Foggia (L.M.S.); Epilepsy Center (S.S.), Federico II University, Naples; and IRCCS (P.T.), Institute of Neurological Sciences of Bologna and Department of Biomedical and Neuromotor Sciences, University of Bologna, Italy.

Objective: To determine whether systematic screening for adverse effects of antiepileptic drugs (AEDs) reduces toxicity burden and improves health-related quality of life in patients with epilepsy.

Methods: Consecutive patients with uncontrolled seizures aged ≥16 years and a high Adverse Event Profile (AEP) score were randomized to 2 groups and followed up for 18 months at 11 referral centers. AEP scores were made available to treating physicians at all visits in the intervention group, but not in the control group. Read More

Clin Neurophysiol 2020 Jun 12;131(8):1917-1924. Epub 2020 Jun 12.

Neurology, Neurophysiology and Neurobiology Unit, Department of Medicine, Università Campus Bio-Medico di Roma, Rome, Italy.

Objectives: High frequency oscillations (HFOs) of Somatosensory evoked potentials (SEPs) reflect the activity of thalamo-cortical and cortical neurons from the sensory pathway. Antiepileptic-drugs (AEDs) reduce seizures acting on the balance between excitation and inhibition. We aimed to study the effect of AED mono and polytherapy on SEP-HFO's components. Read More

Epileptic Disord 2020 Jun;22(3):252-263

Department of Neurology, Franz Tappeiner Hospital, Merano, Italy.

Stroke is one of the commonest causes of seizures and epilepsy, mainly among the elderly and adults. This seminar paper aims to provide an updated overview of post-stroke seizures and post-stroke epilepsy (PSE) and offers clinical guidance to anyone involved in the treatment of patients with seizures and stroke. The distinction between acute symptomatic seizures occurring within seven days from stroke (early seizures) and unprovoked seizures occurring afterwards (late seizures) is crucial regarding their different risks of recurrence. Read More

JRSM Open 2020 Jun 15;11(6):2054270420920999. Epub 2020 Jun 15.

Division of Neurology, Department of Neurosciences, University of California at San Diego, La Jolla, CA 92093-0021, USA.

Recognition of the role of hyperglycaemia in seizures is vital, because they tend to refractory to antiepileptic drugs and respond to insulin therapy and hydration. Read More

Front Immunol 2020 10;11:1372. Epub 2020 Jun 10.

Sharjah Institute for Medical Research, College of Medicine, University of Sharjah, Sharjah, United Arab Emirates.

Current guidelines for COVID-19 management recommend the utilization of various repurposed drugs. Despite ongoing research toward the development of a vaccine against SARS-CoV-2, such a vaccine will not be available in time to contribute to the containment of the ongoing pandemic. Therefore, there is an urgent need to develop a framework for the rapid identification of novel targets for diagnostic and therapeutic interventions. Read More

Encephale 2020 Jun 25. Epub 2020 Jun 25.

Service de neurologie, CHRU Nancy, 54000 Nancy, France; Pôle universitaire de psychiatrie du grand Nancy, CPN, 54520 Laxou, France.

Interictal psychosis (IIP) refers to psychosis that occurs in clear consciousness in persons with epilepsy (PWE) with temporal onset not during or immediately following a seizure. The pooled prevalence estimate of psychosis in PWE is 5.6%. Read More

J Med Case Rep 2020 Jun 29;14(1):83. Epub 2020 Jun 29.

Department of Internal Medicine, Diakonessenhuis, Bosboomstraat 1., 3582, K.E., Utrecht, The Netherlands.

Background: Hyponatremia is the most common electrolyte disorder. Thiazides, antidepressants, antipsychotic drugs, and antiepileptic drugs are well-known causes of hyponatremia. Proton pump inhibitor use is a rare cause of hyponatremia and, when reported, it is due to one specific proton pump inhibitor, mostly omeprazole. Read More

Neurol Sci 2020 Jun 27. Epub 2020 Jun 27.

Department of Clinical Pharmacy, Shiraz University of Medical Sciences, Shiraz, Iran.

People with epilepsy (PWE) are neither more likely to be infected by the coronavirus nor are they more likely to have severe COVID-19 manifestations because they suffer from epilepsy. However, management of COVID-19 in PWE may be more complicated than that in other individuals. Drug-drug interactions could pose significant challenges and cardiac, hepatic, or renal problems, which may happen in patients with severe COVID-19, may require adjustment to antiepileptic drugs (AEDs). Read More

Epilepsy Behav 2020 Jun 25;111:107251. Epub 2020 Jun 25.

Department of Pharmacology, Research Center of Physiology, School of Medicine, Semnan University of Medical Sciences, Semnan, Iran. Electronic address:

Objective: Ziconotide (ω-conotoxin MVIIA peptide) is a novel analgesic agent acting on voltage-gated calcium channels and is administered intrathecally for neuropathic pain. While antiepileptic activities of other types of calcium channel blockers (T- or L-type) are well established, there is no information regarding the effect of ziconotide as an N-type calcium channel antagonist in pentylenetetrazol-induced seizures or its anxiolytic and sedative activities. The present study is the first to report on these effects. Read More

Neuroscience 2020 Jun 24. Epub 2020 Jun 24.

Department of Pharmacology, School of Pharmaceutical Education and Research, Jamia Hamdard, New Delhi, India. Electronic address:

The evidences from various studies show the association of peripheral and neuronal inflammation with complex pathophysiology of status epilepticus (SE). In this view, the present work attempted to develop a model of neuronal inflammation mediated SE by combining both epileptic and inflammatory components of the disease and also to mimic SE co-morbid with systemic inflammation by peripheral administration of the lipopolysaccharide (LPS) 2 h prior to the pilocarpine induction in C57BL/6 mice. We evaluated the anti-convulsant and neuroprotective effects of 7-day prophylactic treatment with three conventional anti-epileptic drugs (Sodium valproate, SVP 300 mg/kg p. Read More

Vopr Kurortol Fizioter Lech Fiz Kult 2020 ;97(3):35-42

Scientific practical center of medical and social rehabilitation named after L.I. Shvetsova, Moscow, Russia.

Introduction: Hydrogalvanic baths are a hydrotherapy method based on the combined effect of electric current and fresh water on the body.

Aim Of Study: Scientific evidence and evaluation of the effectiveness of use of general hydrogalvanic baths in the treatment of patients with lumbosacral radiculopathy with the background of degenerative spinal disorder.

Materials And Methods: A randomized comparative clinical trial included 84 patients. Read More

J Vet Intern Med 2020 Jun 27. Epub 2020 Jun 27.

Department of Comparative Biomedical Sciences, Royal Veterinary College, London, United Kingdom.

A 3-month-old male intact Shiba Inu dog was evaluated for a seizure disorder initially deemed idiopathic in origin. Seizure frequency remained unchanged despite therapeutic serum phenobarbital concentration and use of levetiracetam. The dog was documented to be markedly hypoglycemic during a seizure episode on reevaluation at 6 months of age. Read More

Brain Dev 2020 Jun 23. Epub 2020 Jun 23.

Department of Pediatrics, Toho University, Sakura Medical Center, 564-1, Shimoshizu, Sakura, Chiba 285-0841, Japan. Electronic address:

Background: The clinical spectrum of glucose transporter type 1 deficiency syndrome (GLUT1DS) has broadened, with increasing recognition of a milder phenotype. Antibodies targeting the subunits of glutamate receptors (GluRs), including GluN1, GluN2B, and GluD2, have been detected in various neurological disorders. Anti-GluD2 antibodies in particular may be associated with cerebellar symptoms. Read More

Biochem Pharmacol 2020 Jun 23:114119. Epub 2020 Jun 23.

Neuropharmacology Laboratory, Institute of Biological Sciences, Department of Physiological Sciences, University of Brasília, Distrito Federal, DF, Brazil. Electronic address:

Epilepsy accounts for one of the most serious neurological disorders, and its treatment remains a challenge, due to high cost and harmful side effects. Bioactive molecules extracted from arthropod venoms are considered a promising therapy since these compounds are known for their highly selective and potent profiles. The purpose of this study was to identify and characterize the potential antiseizure effect of the peptide Ppnp7, extracted from the venom of the social wasp Polybia paulista, as also the effect of the bioinspired peptide, named Neuropolybin, in the same parameters. Read More

Front Neurosci 2020 9;14:478. Epub 2020 Jun 9.

Department of Zoology, College of Science, King Saud University, Riyadh, Saudi Arabia.

Neuropathic pain (NP) is the result of irregular processing in the central or peripheral nervous system, which is generally caused by neuronal injury. The management of NP represents a great challenge owing to its heterogeneous profile and the significant undesirable side effects of the frequently prescribed psychoactive agents, including benzodiazepines (BDZ). Currently, several established drugs including antidepressants, anticonvulsants, topical lidocaine, and opioids are used to treat NP, but they exert a wide range of adverse effects. Read More

Handb Clin Neurol 2020 ;170:187-200

Department of Neurological Surgery, Vanderbilt University Medical Center, Nashville, TN, United States. Electronic address:

More than one-third of patients with meningiomas will experience seizures at some point in their disease. Despite this, meningioma-associated epilepsy remains significantly understudied, as most investigations focus on tumor progression, extent of resection, and survival. Due to the impact of epilepsy on the patient's quality of life, identifying predictors of preoperative seizures and postoperative seizure freedom is critical. Read More

Epilepsy Behav 2020 Jun 22;110:107152. Epub 2020 Jun 22.

Department of BioMolecular Sciences, School of Pharmacy, University of Mississippi, University, MS 38677, United States of America. Electronic address:

Current antiepileptic drugs (AEDs) are undesirable for many reasons including the inability to reduce seizures in certain types of epilepsy, such as Dravet syndrome (DS) where in one-third of patients does not respond to current AEDs, and severe adverse effects that are frequently experienced by patients. Epidiolex, a cannabidiol (CBD)-based drug, was recently approved for treatment of DS. While Epidiolex shows great promise in reducing seizures in patients with DS, it is used in conjunction with other AEDs and can cause liver toxicity. Read More

Epilepsy Behav 2020 Jun 21;111:107214. Epub 2020 Jun 21.

Vilnius University, Center for Neurology, Vilnius, Lithuania. Electronic address:

Purpose: The purpose of this study was to evaluate whether the topic of using cannabis as a treatment option for epilepsy is relevant among adult patients with the disorder and assess the possible determinant attitudes for having a history of cannabis consumption or being inclined to try it for medical purposes.

Material And Methods: Willing adult (≥18 years) patients with diagnosed epilepsy participated in a cross-sectional survey study at a tertiary epilepsy center. The questions were related to cannabis use and opinions towards the safety and efficacy profile of cannabis for treating epilepsy. Read More

J Clin Pharmacol 2020 Jun 23. Epub 2020 Jun 23.

Faculty of Health Sciences, Ben-Gurion University of the Negev, Beer-Sheva, Israel.

We aimed to confirm or reject previous reports on the association of prenatal antibiotic exposure and development of epilepsy in offspring by accounting for known and unidentified confounding factors. In a retrospective cohort investigation, we enrolled children aged 3-18 years born between 1998 and 2012 at a single regional hospital and their mothers. A computerized medication database was linked with hospital records. Read More

Drugs Aging 2020 Jul;37(7):463-468

Center for Neurologic Restoration, Headache Section, Cleveland Clinic Foundation, Neurological Institute, 9500 Euclid Ave, Desk C21, Cleveland, OH, 44195, USA.

Although the prevalence of migraine tends to decrease in the fifth to sixth decades of life, there are still a significant number of patients > 65 years of age who experience migraine or have new-onset migraine. Because these older patients are often excluded from clinical trials, there are fewer evidence-based treatment guidelines for them. Migraine treatment in the older population requires careful consideration of changes in medication metabolism and increased medical comorbidities. Read More

Cureus 2020 May 20;12(5):e8211. Epub 2020 May 20.

Pediatric Neurology, Instituto Nacional de Pediatría, Mexico CIty, MEX.

Introduction Anti-N-methyl-D-aspartate receptor (NMDAR) encephalitis is one of the most common autoimmune encephalitides. The frequency of anti-NMDAR encephalitis is known to exceed the frequency of any individual viral encephalitis in young subjects. Epileptic seizures are a cardinal symptom in anti-NMDAR encephalitis; a significant amount of pediatric patients exhibit seizures as the first symptom of the disease, and most of them will develop them during the acute phase. Read More

Int J Mol Sci 2020 Jun 19;21(12). Epub 2020 Jun 19.

Jagiellonian University Medical College, Faculty of Pharmacy, Chair of Organic Chemistry, Department of Bioorganic Chemistry, Medyczna 9, 30-688 Kraków, Poland.

Epilepsy is one of the most frequent neurological disorders affecting about 1% of the world's human population. Despite availability of multiple treatment options including antiseizure drugs, it is estimated that about 30% of seizures still remain resistant to pharmacotherapy. Searching for new antiseizure and antiepileptic agents constitutes an important issue within modern medicinal chemistry. Read More

Epilepsy Behav 2020 Jun 20;111:107215. Epub 2020 Jun 20.

Department of Medicine, Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences, An-Najah National University, Nablus, Palestine.

Background: Therapeutic drug monitoring (TDM) can play a major role in optimizing pharmacotherapy of epilepsy. This study was conducted to explore views and opinions of clinicians who care for patients with epilepsy (PWE) in Palestine and to develop consensus-based recommendations with regard to importance, justification, technical, and analytical issues of TDM of antiepileptic drugs (AEDs).

Methods: The study was conducted in three phases: (1) the published literature was thoroughly searched for an initial list of items relevant to TDM of AEDs, (2) the list was supplemented by items provided by key experts (n = 8) through semi-structured in-depth interviews, (3) views and opinions of clinicians (n = 20) on TDM of AEDs were explored, and (4) a two-round Delphi technique was followed among a panel of experts (n = 27) to develop consensus-based recommendations to guide TDM of AEDs in Palestine. Read More

No Shinkei Geka 2020 Jun;48(6):547-552

Department of Neurosurgery, Division of Clinical Neuroscience, Faculty of Medicine, University of Miyazaki.

We report a case of anterior cranial fossa dural arteriovenous fistula(ACF-DAVF)in a patient whose diagnosis was made according to characteristic findings on arterial spin labeling(ASL)MRI. CASE:A 68-year-old man was admitted to our hospital because of intractable epilepsy. Based on the initial MRI findings, an initial diagnosis of limbic encephalitis was made. Read More

Epilepsy Behav 2020 Jun 19;111:107120. Epub 2020 Jun 19.

School of Epidemiology and Public Health, University of Ottawa, Ottawa, Canada; Cardiovascular Research Methods Centre, University of Ottawa Heart Institute, Ottawa, Canada.

Introduction: The use of medical cannabis to treat drug-resistant epilepsy in children is increasing; however, there has been limited study of the experiences of parents with the current system of accessing medical cannabis for their children.

Methods: In this qualitative study, we used a patient-centered access to care framework to explore the barriers faced by parents of children with drug-resistant epilepsy when trying to access medical cannabis in Canada. We conducted semistructured interviews with 19 parents to elicit their experiences with medical cannabis. Read More

Neurosci Lett 2020 Jun 20;735:135162. Epub 2020 Jun 20.

Laboratory of Neuropharmacology and Preclinical Toxicology Laboratory, Postgraduate Program in Biological Sciences: Pharmacology and Therapeutics, Instituto de Ciências Básicas da Saúde, Universidade Federal do Rio Grande do Sul, Porto Alegre, RS, 90050-170, Brazil.

Despite the introduction of new antiepileptic drugs, about 30 % of patients with epilepsy are refractory to drug therapy. Thus, the search for non-pharmacological interventions such as transcranial direct current stimulation (tDCS) may be an alternative, either alone or in combination with low doses of anticonvulsants. This study evaluated the effect of anodal (a-tDCS) and cathodal tDCS (c-tDCS) on seizure behavior and neuroinflammation parameters. Read More