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Zhong Nan Da Xue Xue Bao Yi Xue Ban 2021 Mar;46(3):240-248

Department of Neurology, Xiangya Hospital, Central South University, Changsha 410008, China.

Objectives: To comprehensively analyze the characteristics of cognitive impairment of temporal lobe epilepsy (TLE), and to explore the effects of different lateral patients' cognitive impairment and different clinical factors on cognitive impairment of TLE.

Methods: A total of 84 patients, who met the diagnostic criteria for TLE in the Department of Neurology, Xiangya Hospital, were collected as a patient group, with 36 cases of left TLE and 48 cases of right TLE. A total of 79 healthy volunteers with matching gender, age and education level were selected as a control group. Read More

Expert Opin Pharmacother 2021 May 12:1-9. Epub 2021 May 12.

Department of Pediatrics, University of Perugia, Perugia, Italy.

: Brivaracetam (BRV) is an antiseizure medication (ASM), which has been approved as an adjunctive treatment in adults and pediatric patients aged four years and older with focal onset seizures. It is a second-generation levetiracetam (LEV) derivative, sharing the same mechanism of action, binding synaptic vesicles 2A (SV2A). BRV shows higher binding affinity and selectivity and higher brain permeability than LEV. Read More

BMJ Case Rep 2021 Apr 13;14(4). Epub 2021 Apr 13.

Division of Neurosurgery, University of Montreal, Montreal, Quebec, Canada

A 24-year-old woman was referred to us for an intracranial haemorrhage in the left temporal lobe caused by a ruptured cavernous malformation; the bleeding extended over the left Heschl's gyrus and Wernicke area. On admission, the patient had global aphasia. A few days later, she spontaneously improved but remained with mild residual comprehensive dysphasia. Read More

Epilepsy Behav 2021 May 8;118:107938. Epub 2021 Apr 8.

Eisai Inc., Woodcliff Lake, NJ, USA.

Rationale: Study 311 (E2007-G000-311; NCT02849626) was a Phase 3, multicenter, open-label single-arm study of adjunctive perampanel oral suspension in pediatric patients (aged 4 to <12 years) with partial-onset seizures (POS) (with/without secondarily generalized tonic-clonic seizures [SGTCS]) or primary generalized tonic-clonic seizures (PGTCS). Health-related quality of life (HRQoL) was an exploratory endpoint initially analyzed through simple descriptive summaries. The aim of this post hoc analysis was to provide a more thorough assessment of HRQoL. Read More

Handb Exp Pharmacol 2021 Apr 10. Epub 2021 Apr 10.

Department of Pharmacology, Qingdao University School of Pharmacy, Qingdao, China.

Native M-current is a low-threshold, slowly activating potassium current that exerts an inhibitory control over neuronal excitability. The M-channel is primarily co-assembled by heterotetrameric Kv7.2/KCNQ2 and Kv7. Read More

Zh Nevrol Psikhiatr Im S S Korsakova 2021 ;121(3):31-38

Sechenov First Moscow State Medical Univesity, Moscow, Russia.

Objective: To evaluate the efficacy and tolerability of extended release carbamazepine (finlepsin-retard and tegretol CR) in adult patients with new-onset focal epilepsy (FE) with the assessment of epileptiform activity index (EAI).

Material And Methods: The study included 62 patients (38 (61.3%) men and 24 (38. Read More

J Neurol Sci 2021 May 27;424:117428. Epub 2021 Mar 27.

Departments of Neurosurgery, Los Angeles (UCLA), Los Angeles, CA, United States; Departments of Radiation Oncology, Los Angeles (UCLA), Los Angeles, CA, United States; Departments of Head and Neck Surgery, Los Angeles (UCLA), Los Angeles, CA, United States; Jonsson Comprehensive Cancer Center, Los Angeles (UCLA), Los Angeles, CA, United States; Los Angeles Biomedical Research Institute, Los Angeles (UCLA), Los Angeles, CA, United States; Harbor-UCLA Medical Center, Los Angeles (UCLA), Los Angeles, CA, United States; David Geffen School of Medicine, Los Angeles (UCLA), Los Angeles, CA, United States. Electronic address:

Background: The seizure activity associated with hypothalamic hamartomas (HHs) is refractory to medical management and surgical intervention is often required. Stereotactic Radiofrequency Ablation (SRFA) is a minimally invasive technique offering targeted lesion ablation with a reduced risk of complications.

Objective: Here, we review the current literature on the use of SRFA for HHs. Read More

Clin Neurophysiol 2021 May 20;132(5):1057-1063. Epub 2021 Feb 20.

Unit of Clinical and Biomedical Engineering, Fondazione IRCCS Istituto Neurologico Carlo Besta, Milan, Italy.

Objective: To investigate the mechanisms by which Perampanel (PER) reduces the severity of action myoclonus, we studied on MEG signals the changes occurring in cortico-muscular coherence (CMC) and cortico-cortical connectivity in patients with progressive myoclonus epilepsies.

Methods: The subjects performed an isometric extension of the hand; CMC and cortico-cortical connectivity were assessed using autoregressive models and generalized partial-directed coherence. The contralateral (Co) sensors showing average CMC values >0. Read More

Epilepsy Behav 2021 04 16;117:107909. Epub 2021 Mar 16.

Pediatrics Department, Wayne State University School of Medicine, Detroit, MI, USA; Neurology Department, Wayne State University School of Medicine, Detroit, MI, USA; Translational Neuroscience Program, Wayne State University School of Medicine, Detroit, MI, USA.

Purpose: Focal epilepsy is a risk factor for language impairment in children. We investigated whether the current state-of-the-art deep learning network on diffusion tractography connectome can accurately predict expressive and receptive language scores of children with epilepsy.

Methods: We studied 37 children with a diagnosis of drug-resistant focal epilepsy (age: 11. Read More

BMJ Case Rep 2021 Mar 17;14(3). Epub 2021 Mar 17.

Unidade de Alcoologia e Novas Dependências, Centro Hospitalar Psiquiatrico de Lisboa, Lisboa, Portugal.

Disulfiram has been widely used for over six decades in the treatment of alcohol dependence, as an aversive therapeutic agent. Despite having very few side effects when taken without concurrent alcohol consumption, some of these may underlie serious clinical complications. Epileptic seizure induction is a rare adverse effect of disulfiram and its aetiological mechanism is unknown. Read More

Neurology 2021 04 16;96(17):799-804. Epub 2021 Mar 16.

From the Department of Neurology and Weill Institute for Neurosciences, University of California, CA.

Neurostimulation provides a new dimension in the treatment of neurologic disorders. For patients with drug-resistant epilepsy, the Responsive Neurostimulation (RNS) System (NeuroPace, Inc.) provides treatment of seizures with a closed-loop device that continuously records brain activity and provides stimulation designed to reduce seizure frequency over time. Read More

Neurology 2021 04 15;96(17):805-817. Epub 2021 Mar 15.

From the Research Centre of the Centre Hospitalier de l'Université de Montréal (CRCHUM) (B.S., M.-A.P., A.V.C., J.C., B.R., M.R.K.); Department of Neurosciences (B.S., M.-A.P., A.V.C., J.C., B.R., M.R.K.), Université de Montréal, Quebec; Schulich Library of Physical Sciences (G.G.), Life Sciences, and Engineering, McGill University, Montreal, Quebec, Canada; Department of Psychosomatic Medicine and Psychotherapy (P.R.B.), University Medical Center Freiburg, Germany; Department of Neurology (C.-S.K., N.J.), Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York; Department of Clinical Neurosciences and Hotchkiss Brain Institute (N.J., C.B.J.), University of Calgary, Alberta; and School of Public Health of the Université de Montréal (M.R.K.), Quebec, Canada.

Objective: To evaluate the incidence and prevalence of drug-resistant epilepsy (DRE) as well as its predictors and correlates, we conducted a systematic review and meta-analysis of observational studies.

Methods: Our protocol was registered with PROSPERO, and the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses and Meta-analysis of Observational Studies in Epidemiology reporting standards were followed. We searched MEDLINE, Embase, and Web of Science. Read More

J Clin Neurophysiol 2021 Mar;38(2):101-111

Department of Neurology, Mayo Clinic, Jacksonville, Florida, U.S.A.

Summary: Long-term video-EEG monitoring has been the gold standard for diagnosis of epileptic and nonepileptic events. Medication changes, safety, and a lack of recording EEG in one's habitual environment may interfere with diagnostic representation and subsequently affect management. Some spells defy standard EEG because of ultradian and circadian times of occurrence, manifest nocturnal expression of epileptiform activity, and require classification for clarifying diagnostic input to identify optimal treatment. Read More

Nat Commun 2021 03 3;12(1):1423. Epub 2021 Mar 3.

Department of Biology, The University of Texas at San Antonio, San Antonio, TX, USA.

In the mammalian hippocampus, adult-born granule cells (abGCs) contribute to the function of the dentate gyrus (DG). Disruption of the DG circuitry causes spontaneous recurrent seizures (SRS), which can lead to epilepsy. Although abGCs contribute to local inhibitory feedback circuitry, whether they are involved in epileptogenesis remains elusive. Read More

Epilepsy Behav 2021 04 25;117:107808. Epub 2021 Feb 25.

Epilepsy Monitoring Unit, Clinical Neurophysiology Department, Hospital Infantil Universitario Niño Jesús, Madrid, Spain.

Background: We aimed to prospectively analyze memory and executive and social cognitive functioning in patients with drug-resistant frontal lobe epilepsy (FLE) and temporal lobe epilepsy (TLE) with focal lesions and isolate the impact of intellectual ability on specific deficits.

Methods: A neuropsychological evaluation was performed in 23 children with FLE, 22 children with TLE, and 36 healthy pediatric controls (HCs). Patients in the epilepsy groups had a range of lesions, including low-grade epilepsy-associated tumors (LEAT), focal cortical dysplasia (FCD) type II, and mesial temporal sclerosis (MS). Read More

Epilepsy Behav 2021 04 25;117:107830. Epub 2021 Feb 25.

Epilepsy, Detroit Medical Center, Wayne State University, United States.

Introduction: The differentiation between focal and generalized epilepsies based on clinical and electroencephalographic features is difficult and sometimes confusing.

Objective: To review the EEG findings in patients with focal epilepsy.

Methods: An extensive literature review was done. Read More

Epilepsy Behav 2021 04 25;117:107854. Epub 2021 Feb 25.

Laboratory of Clinical Neurophysiology, Institute and Department of Psychiatry, Hospital das Clinicas, Faculdade de Medicina da Universidade de Sao Paulo (HCFMUSP), Rua Dr. Ovidio Pires de Campos, 785, Cerqueira Cesar, Sao Paulo, SP 05403-010, Brazil. Electronic address:

Background: Mood disorders are the most frequent psychiatric disorders in patients with temporal lobe epilepsy caused by hippocampal sclerosis (TLE-HS). The pathophysiological mechanisms in common between TLE and mood disorders include abnormalities in the serotonergic pathway. We aimed to evaluate the association between serotonin transporter genetic polymorphisms - 5-HTTLPR and 5-HTTVNTR - and the presence of mood disorders in patients with TLE-HS. Read More

Yonsei Med J 2021 Mar;62(3):215-223

Department of Rehabilitation Medicine, The Affiliated Jiangsu Shengze Hospital of Nanjing Medical Univeristy, Suzhou, China.

Purpose: This study aimed to elucidate whether lncRNA ZFAS1 is involved in neuronal apoptosis and inflammation in temporal lobe epilepsy (TLE).

Materials And Methods: Ninety-six TLE patients were recruited, and their peripheral venous blood was gathered to determine Zfas1 expression with polymerase chain reaction. Neurons were separated from hippocampal tissue of newborn SD rats, and si-Zfas1 or pcDNA3. Read More

Epilepsy Behav 2021 04 20;117:107848. Epub 2021 Feb 20.

IRCCS NEUROMED, Pozzilli (IS), Italy. Electronic address:

Nat Commun 2021 02 22;12(1):1216. Epub 2021 Feb 22.

Institute of Molecular Rhythm and Metabolism, Guangzhou University of Chinese Medicine, Guangzhou, China.

To design potentially more effective therapies, we need to further understand the mechanisms underlying epilepsy. Here, we uncover the role of Rev-erbα in circadian regulation of epileptic seizures. We first show up-regulation of REV-ERBα/Rev-erbα in brain tissues from patients with epilepsy and a mouse model. Read More

Epilepsia 2021 Mar 22;62(3):683-697. Epub 2021 Feb 22.

LTSI-U1099, Université de Rennes 1, INSERM, Rennes, France.

Objective: This study was undertaken to investigate how gain of function (GOF) of slack channel due to a KCNT1 pathogenic variant induces abnormal neuronal cortical network activity and generates specific electroencephalographic (EEG) patterns of epilepsy in infancy with migrating focal seizures.

Methods: We used detailed microscopic computational models of neurons to explore the impact of GOF of slack channel (explicitly coded) on each subtype of neurons and on a cortical micronetwork. Then, we adapted a thalamocortical macroscopic model considering results obtained in detailed models and immature properties related to epileptic brain in infancy. Read More

Epilepsy Behav 2021 04 18;117:107814. Epub 2021 Feb 18.

Department of Pharmacy, People's Hospital of Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region, Urumqi, Xinjiang Province 830001, China; Institute of Clinical Pharmacy, People's Hospital of Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region, Urumqi, Xinjiang Province 830001, China. Electronic address:

Purpose: Lacosamide (LCM) was approved in China in 2018. However, the safety of LCM has not been established in pediatric patients. Therefore, the objective of this study was to investigate its safety, efficacy, and tolerability in pediatric patients living in Uygur, Northwest China. Read More

Epilepsy Behav 2021 04 18;117:107841. Epub 2021 Feb 18.

University of Wisconsin-Madison, Department of Neurology, United States.

Temporal lobe epilepsy (TLE) has been conceptualized as focal disease with a discrete neurobiological focus and can respond well to targeted resection or ablation. In contrast, the neuro-cognitive deficits resulting from TLE can be widespread involving regions beyond the primary epileptic network. We hypothesize that this seemingly paradoxical findings can be explained by differences in connectivity between the primary epileptic region which is hyper-connected and its secondary influence on global connectome organization. Read More

Epilepsy Behav 2021 04 18;117:107839. Epub 2021 Feb 18.

Department of Neurology, ASST S. Gerardo Hospital, University of Milano - Bicocca, Monza, Italy; Milan Center for Neuroscience (NeuroMI), Italy.

Objective: Epilepsy with onset in the adulthood is an increasing health problem, due to the progressive aging of the worldwide population. Whether the causes remain undetermined, the disease is defined as Late-Onset Epilepsy of Unknown origin (LOEU). The aim of this study was to evaluate the semiological, electroencephalographic, metabolic, and neuropsychological features of LOEU. Read More

Epilepsy Behav 2021 04 18;117:107834. Epub 2021 Feb 18.

Institute of Imaging Science, Department of Radiology and Radiological Sciences, Vanderbilt University Medical Center, USA; Department of Neurological Surgery, Vanderbilt University Medical Center, USA; Department of Biomedical Engineering, Vanderbilt University, USA. Electronic address:

Objective: Patients with temporal lobe epilepsy (TLE) commonly experience a broad range of language impairments. These deficits are thought to arise from repeated seizure activity that damages language regions. However, connectivity between the seizure onset region in the hippocampus and regions related to language processing has rarely been studied, and could also have a strong impact on language function. Read More

Epilepsy Behav 2021 04 12;117:107766. Epub 2021 Feb 12.

Department of Neurosciences, Hospital Germans Trias i Pujol, C/Canyet s/n, 08916 Badalona, Spain.

Objective: Much remains to be elucidated about the cognitive profile of patients with psychogenic nonepileptic seizures (PNES) and about how this changes over time and compares to that of patients with epilepsy. The aim of this study was to study the neuropsychological profile of patients with PNES and an age-matched group of patients with temporal lobe epilepsy (TLE) during admission to a video electroencephalography monitoring unit (VEMU) and 1 year after discharge.

Methods: Patients diagnosed with PNES or TLE at a VEMU were prospectively recruited. Read More

Epilepsy Behav 2021 03 10;116:107776. Epub 2021 Feb 10.

Department of Neurology, Medical University of South Carolina, United States. Electronic address:

Brain 2021 02;144(1):9-11

Neurology Clinic, University of Perugia - S. Maria della Misericordia Hospital, Perugia, Italy.

Neuroscience 2021 04 9;460:13-30. Epub 2021 Feb 9.

Department of Neurology and Regional Epilepsy Center, University of Washington, Seattle, WA, United States. Electronic address:

Because hyperpolarization-activated cyclic nucleotide-gated (HCN) ion channels modulate the excitability of cortical and hippocampal principal neurons, these channels play a key role in the hyperexcitability that occurs during the development of epilepsy after a brain insult, or epileptogenesis. In epileptic rats generated by pilocarpine-induced status epilepticus, HCN channel activity is downregulated by two main mechanisms: a hyperpolarizing shift in gating and a decrease in amplitude of the current mediated by HCN channels, I. Because these mechanisms are modulated by various phosphorylation signaling pathways, we hypothesized that phosphorylation changes occur at individual HCN channel amino acid residues (phosphosites) during epileptogenesis. Read More

Epilepsy Behav 2021 03 6;116:107772. Epub 2021 Feb 6.

Department of Epilepsy and Neurosurgery, Comprehensive Epilepsy Center, Seirei Hamamatsu General Hospital, 2-12-12 Sumiyoshi, Hamamatsu, Shizuoka 4308558, Japan. Electronic address:

Objective: Few studies have examined the localization of seizures presenting with ictal eye deviation (ED) in the absence of other motor symptoms. We aimed to investigate differences in the localization of the ictal onset zone (IOZ) between patients with isolated ED and those with ED plus head turning (HT) during focal seizures.

Methods: We reviewed intracranial video-EEG data for 931 seizures in 80 patients with focal onset epilepsy in whom the IOZ could be confirmed. Read More