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Biomedical subjects

H Gastaut

Publications and source records attributed to H Gastaut.

At least 55 records · Page 3Linked to original sources
PubMed1981

[Individualization of so-called benign and functional epilepsy at different ages. Appraisal of variations corresponding the predisposition for epilepsy at these ages].

The different types of epilepsy encountered during the various phases of life are presented and the distinction is made between benign and, essentially if not exclusively, functional epilepsy related to a genetically-transmitted predisposition to epilepsy: (1) the primary generalized epilepsies and (2) the benign partial epilepsies with functional foci. In the case of primary generalized epilepsy, seizures are the result of a discharge, generalized from the onset, of the entire cortex in individuals genetically predisposed to epilepsy. The seizures present (1) in older children, adolescents and young adults, the well-known characteristics of Petit Mal and/or Grand Mal; (2) in neonates, infants and young children, a different type of generalized (or hemigeneralized) seizures, the semeiology of which remains unclear. In the case of benign partial epilepsy, the seizures result from an epileptic discharge in a cortical area having a low convulsant threshold in patients genetically predisposed to epilepsy. The semeiology of the seizures varies as a function of the patient's age and the site of the epileptic focus: -in neonates: benign partial epilepsy wih an erratic EEG focus, e.g. 'Fifth day seizures'; -in infants: 'cryptogenic' benign partial epilepsy, which remains poorly defined; -in children: (a) benign partial epilepsy with nocturnal motor seizures and a central EEG focus; (b) benign partial epilepsy with affective seizures and a temporal focus; (c) benign partial epilepsy with visual seizures (often coupled with signs of basilar migraine) and an occipital focus; -in adolescents: benign partial motor epilepsy (often versive) often without an interictal EEG focus or with generalized spike-waves; benign partial epilepsies do not occur after adolescence.

Adolescent↗
PubMed1981

[Electro-clinical and developmental forms of epilepsy as a function of their appearance at different ages of life].

The authors review the different electroclinical varieties and the evolution of epilepsy that appear in the six principal age groups: newborn, infancy, childhood, adolescence, adult and aged. The aim of this study is to answer the following questions: on one hand to find out if there exists in newborn, infant or young child, a form of epilepsy entirely functional, dependent on a constitutional epileptic predisposition transmitted on a genetic basis, which correspond to the primary generalized epilepsy of the other age groups. If that is so, to find out this mode of expression. On the other hand, to confirm whether the proportion of primary generalized epilepsy varies according to the different ages of life, revealing a chance in the predisposition during life. The authors propose the following answers to the above-mentioned questions: there exists at birth a principally, functional form of epilepsy in relation to a constitutional predisposition. The usual electroclinical criteria are not applicable in this age group due to brain immadurity, so it is not possible to identify this variety. The progressive development of the brain in the infant and young child permits the clinical and electrical individualization of generalized fits as distinct from Petit or Gran Mal. These facts make it possible to confirm the existence of a principally functional epilepsy which corresponds to the primary generalized epilepsy of the adolescent and older child. The epileptic predisposition, principal factor responsible for primary generalized epilepsy, varies considerably during life. The authors presume that its incidence differs in each age group. Based on the frequency of hyperthermic fits in the infant and young child, the predisposition should be important in this age group, although the actual proportion of primary generalized epilepsy is difficult to quantify. In the older child it is possible to admit that the epileptic predisposition is greater because primary generalized epilepsy represents more than a third of the types of fits observed. This tendence is even greater in adolescence, where this form of epilepsy represents over three quarters of the patients. In the adult and aged patients, the epileptic tendency diminishes progressively, as can be seen comparing the proportion of primary forms of epilepsy with other types (25% young adult, 9% mature adult and 1% in the aged).(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 400 WORDS)

Adolescent↗
PubMed1980

Lipomas of the corpus callosum and epilepsy.

An analysis of four cases of lipomas of the corpus callosum with epilepsy, and a review of the literature, have led to the following conclusions: (1) Epilepsy as an almost constant feature is often severe, nearly always partial, and begins before the age of 15. (2) Pathophysiology of the seizures appears to be essentially an interhemispheric disconnection (rather than the classic theory that seizures depend upon an infiltration of the cingulate gyri by fibrous tissue growing out from the capsule of the lipoma). This disconnection is responsible for a facilitatory and disinhibitory action that favors the appearance of seizures caused by an epileptogenic lesion (the effects of which remain subthreshold in the presence of an intact corpus callosum playing its normal inhibitory role). This hypothesis is clearly applicable in explaining the epilepsies--in every way comparable--that are observed in agenesis of the corpus callosum and in Marchiafava-Bignami disease.

Adolescent↗
PubMed1979

Electroencephalography in brain edema (127 cases of brain tumor investigated by cranial computerized tomography).

Cranial computerized tomography (CCT) in permitting visualization of cerebral edema in live patients, allows for the first time valid studies concerning the role of reactional edema in the generation of EEG abnormalities related to expanding processes. The authors analyze the results of EEG and CCT in 127 patients presenting cerebral tumor(s), 84 of which were accompanied by reactional edema. The study leads to the conclusion (also demonstrated by certain animal work) that edema per se is only rarely responsible (9.5%) for the EEG abnormalities.

Brain Edema↗
PubMed1979

Antiepileptic properties of clobazam, a 1-5 benzodiazepine, in man.

Clobazam is a benzodiazepine with special molecular structure (its nitrogen radicals are in positions 1 and 5, rather than 1 and 4 as in all other antiepileptic benzodiazepines), and it is rapidly effective--in a matter of hours or within a few days--against all varieties of epileptic seizures in 52% of subjects treated with it. Its effects are relatively mild. Unfortunately, its outstanding antiepileptic properties are exhausted after only a few weeks in one-third of all cases. The authors discuss the potential significance of this phenomenon, and stress the urgent need for intensive study of the basic mechanism governing exhaustion of the antiepileptic properties of the benzodiazepines in general and clobazam in particular.

Adolescent↗
PubMed1978

Experimental kuru in the rhesus monkey: a study of EEG modifications in the waking state and during sleep.

EEG patterns recorded in the waking state and during sleep were studied in 6 rhesus monkeys inoculated with a strain of Kuru previously passaged in rhesus monkey (ENAGE strain, rhesus L6 56). The onset of the disease was confirmed by the appearance of various clinical signs in 4 monkeys 15 months after inoculation. At the 16th month, the first EEG modifications appeared during sleep, which became lighter. The waking EEG was abnormal during the mature phase of the disease; it was characterized by slow anomalies and scattered spikes. The sleep EEG still presented 3 stages of Slow Wave Sleep which, however, were totally unlike the physiological stages. REM sleep rapidly disappeared, as did the cyclic organization pattern. Irritative phenomena became very significant and, in particular, very frequent 'tonic seizures' were observed. Experimental Kuru thus appears, in the rhesus monkey, as an epileptogenic encephalopathy, which is differentiated from both the human disease and the experimental disease in the chimpanzee.

Animals↗
PubMed1978

Computerized tomography in the study of West's syndrome.

37 children presenting with West's syndrome were studied by computerized tomography scanning. An abnormality consisting of diffuse cerebral atrophy, predominating in the fronto-temporal region, was demonstrated in 30 cases. The abnormality was sometimes associated with calcification (tuberous sclerosis) or malformation (agenesis of the corpus callosum). The aetiology of the atrophy and its relationship to clinical and electroencephalographic signs is discussed. Computerized tomography scanning is recommended for children with West's syndrome in order to distinguish between primary and secondary cases, and for greater prognostic accuracy.

Adolescent↗