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[Adolescence epilepsy--a clinical, electroencephalographical and prognostic study (author's transl)].

Epileptic seizures are almost as common in adolescence as in childhood. They have the same etiologies or, more often, lack any etiology, However, their clinical and electroencephalographical features are different. Primary generalized epilepsy is chiefly represented by clonic-tonic seizures, with or without myoclonias. The prognosis is better if only one type of seizure is present. Secondary generalized epilepsies are very rare. Partial epilepsies, almost as frequent as generalized epilepsies, are represented by either elementary or complex partial seizures. Elementary partial seizures are more common and usually of good prognosis. The prognosis is poor for complex partial seizures.

Adolescent↗

[Longitudinal study of epilepsies occurring during adolescence (author's transl)].

A total of 216 cases of epilepsies occurring during adolescence (11-18 years) were studied for a period of 10 years mean. The frequency of primary generalized epilepsies (PGE) was very high: 3/4 of the cases. Adolescence epilepsies were, in a decreasing order of frequency, PGE with grand mal seizures, partial epilepsies (PE) with complex semiology seizures, PE with elementary semiology seizures, PGE with petit mal seizures and secondary generalized epilepsies. Family antecedents could be found in PGE. Organic lesions were often observed in PE with complex semiology seizures, but never in PE with elementary semiology seizures. The seizures evolved as follows: disappearance for most of the PGE; sometimes good evolution in PE with elementary semiology seizures; more rarely good evolution in PE with complex semiology seizures. The epilepsies with a good evolution represent 80% of the epilepsies occurring during adolescence.

Adolescent↗

Polygraphic study of vestibular stimulation in epileptic patients.

Vertigo, vestibular function and the effect of labyrinthine stimulation on the EEG were studied in 29 epileptic patients. Vertigo has no distinguishing characteristics and the epileptic nature of this symptom can be only tentatively inferred from its chronological relationship with the other epileptic features. In a high percentage of epileptic subjects, especially those with focal seizures, abnormal vestibular responses can be observed. This finding may be ascribed to the existence of a common cerebral lesion responsible for both focal seizures and vestibular abnormalities, even though the data do not allow us to exclude the role played by antiepileptic treatment in modifying the vestibular response. Caloric labyrinthine stimulation in the method employed by us shows a limited activating effect on the EEG and clinical epileptic pattern. Even in the positive cases this method does not allow us to reach any precise anatomo-physiological conclusions.

Adolescent↗

Neurological presentation of three patients with 22q11 deletion (CATCH 22 syndrome).

Chromosome 22q11 deletion (CATCH 22 syndrome or velocardiofacial syndrome) is one of the most frequent chromosomal syndromes. Neurological features other than cognitive disorders are probably the least-described part of the expanding phenotype of the 22q11 deletion. We report the neurological features of three unrelated children with a de novo deletion: one patient with an autistic disorder, a second patient with hypocalcaemic neonatal seizures and unusual persistent epileptic focus at electroencephalographic follow-up, and a third patient with atypical absence epilepsy. These observations enlarge the clinical and neurological spectrum of the 22q11 deletion. Awareness of such cases is necessary, and a diagnosis of the 22q11 deletion should be suspected in children with common neurological features associated with severe or mild dysmorphism. Diagnosis of the 22q11 deletion should be confirmed by fluorescence in situ hybridization analysis associated with standard chromosomal analysis.

Abnormalities, Multiple↗

Influence of ethosuximide on valproic acid serum concentrations.

In the therapy of absence epilepsies, a combination of ethosuximide (ESM) and valproic acid (VPA) is sometimes necessary for a successful seizure control. Previous studies of the interaction between ESM and VPA revealed contradictory results. We investigated the influence of ESM on VPA serum concentrations in children with epilepsy. In case of ineffectiveness of the drug, ESM was withdrawn (n = 9). Four children treated with VPA got ESM additionally because their seizure control was insufficient with VPA alone. Two children had bromide, and one clobazam as comedicament. Both of these antiepileptic drugs (AEDs) do not have any known interactions with ESM or VPA. Serum levels of VPA were higher in monotherapy than in combination with ESM (120.0 +/- 20.1 micrograms/ml; range, 88.9-153.4 micrograms/ml; vs. 87.0 +/- 13.1 micrograms/ml; range, 67.4-108.0 micrograms/ml). The difference was statistically significant (P < 0.01). After stopping ESM the serum concentrations of VPA rose about 36.7%; when combined with ESM they fell about 28.3%. Neither the age of the patients nor the serum concentrations of ESM influenced significantly the changes of VPA serum levels in either group. The mechanism of ESM to influence the serum levels of VPA remains unknown. ESM has no known enzyme inducing properties. The interaction of ESM and VPA ought to be considered in a combination therapy of these drugs.

Adolescent↗

No, some types of nonconvulsive status epilepticus cause little permanent neurologic sequelae (or: "the cure may be worse than the disease").

Nonconvulsive status epilepticus (NCSE) is characterized by a cognitive or behavioral change which lasts for at least 30 minutes, with EEG evidence of seizures. Although there is little argument that generalized nonconvulsive status epilepticus (GNSE) does not cause lasting deficits, there is still debate regarding the morbidity of complex partial status epilepticus (CPSE). Because the EEG is used for diagnosis, a strong argument can be made that NCSE is significantly under-recognized and diagnosed. Furthermore, since the documented cases of permanent neurologic sequelae are few, the potential permanent morbidity from CPSE may be significantly exaggerated. The literature indicates that comatose patients have a poor prognosis largely as a result of comorbid conditions and coma, whereas lightly obtunded or slightly confused patients with NCSE have little or no sequelae. Patients with NCSE may suffer (hypotension and respiratory suppression) from iatrogenic 'aggressive' treatment with intravenous anti-epileptic drugs (IV-AEDs), and the findings in the literature indicate that subjects treated with benzodiazepines may have a worse prognosis. The clinician must balance the potential but rare neurologic morbidity associated with NCSE against the not infrequent morbidity caused by IV-AEDs. Better stratification of the level of consciousness and comorbid conditions is needed when evaluating outcomes so as to clearly distinguish among the deficits due to: comorbid conditions; the effects of treatment and the effects of status epilepticus (SE) proper.

Anticonvulsants↗

Vigabatrin in chronic epilepsy: a 7-year follow-up study of responder patients.

Data on efficacy and safety of vigabatrin over very protracted treatment periods are still limited. This study reports the follow up of 23 responder epileptic patients who continued vigabatrin treatment after completion of the first year, to an overall long-term exposure ranging 21-84 months (median 60; mean 58.0 +/- 24.0 sd). The seizure frequency during the follow up was compared with that at the end of the first year on vigabatrin. The rates of patients who gained a further improvement and those who deteriorated were almost identical, ranging 33-45% and 33-46% respectively at individual time points. At the trial endpoint, nine patients (39%) were improved, five (22%) were unchanged and nine (39%) showed some deterioration. All patients still had a 14-100% decrease of seizure frequency as compared with pretreatment baseline. Two patients discontinued vigabatrin for occasional reasons. No patient experienced new adverse events during the follow up after the first year on vigabatrin. No significant effects were noted on any of the routine hematologic or metabolic screening assessments. Although reduction of concomitant treatment was rarely possible, the overall number of associated antiepileptic drugs dropped from 42 at entry to 40 at the trial endpoint. These findings indicate that vigabatrin retains its efficacy and safety in responder patients for periods up to 7 years.

Adolescent↗

Diagnosing juvenile myoclonic epilepsy in an elderly patient.

Juvenile myoclonic epilepsy is a common idiopathic generalized epilepsy with age-related onset of symptoms. We present an unusual case where definitive diagnosis was delayed until the patient was aged 66 years, despite early recognition of the clinical features. Although uncommon in the elderly, JME should be considered in all patients with seizures refractory to treatment.

Aged↗

Topiramate in intractable childhood onset epilepsy--a cautionary note.

OBJECTIVES: To study the effectiveness and safety of topiramate in clinical practice, for a group of patients with childhood onset epilepsy. METHODS: All patients treated with topiramate at the three study centers between November 1995 and December 31, 1997 were analyzed retrospectively, using a standardized study protocol. Data were gathered on demographic features, seizures response and medication related adverse events. RESULTS: Eighty-seven patients were treated with topiramate. Over 90% seizure reduction was achieved in 8 (9%) patients, 50%-90% in 21 (24%), < 50% in 54 (62%) patients. Four patients (5%) had a deterioration in seizure control. Adverse events required topiramate discontinuation in 36 (41%). Of these 27 (31%) complained of unacceptable cognitive dulling. The rate of dose escalation and final dose in mg/kg were similar in those who remained on topiramate and those who were intolerant because of cognitive side effects. CONCLUSIONS: Although topiramate resulted in > 50% seizure reduction in 29 (33%) of this group of patients with difficult epilepsy, its usefulness was limited by a high incidence of adverse effects. Adverse events prevented ongoing therapy for 36 (41%) and cognitive dulling resulted in topiramate discontinuation by 27 (31%) of the group.

Adolescent↗

Phosphinic acid analogues of GABA. 2. Selective, orally active GABAB antagonists.

In 1987, 25 years after the synthesis of the potent and selective GABAB agonist baclofen (1), Kerr et al. described the first GABAB antagonist phaclofen 2. However, phaclofen and structurally similar derivatives 3-5 did not cross the blood-brain barrier and hence were inactive in vivo as central nervous system agents. As a consequence, the therapeutic potential of GABAB antagonists remained unclear. In exploring GABA and baclofen derivatives by replacing the carboxylic acid residue with various phosphinic acid groups, we discovered more potent and water soluble GABAB antagonists. Electrophysiological experiments in vivo demonstrated that some of the new compounds were capable of penetrating the blood-brain barrier after oral administration. Neurotransmitter release experiments showed that they interacted with several presynaptic GABAB receptor subtypes, enhancing the release of GABA, glutamate, aspartate, and somatostatin. The new GABAB antagonists interacted also with postsynaptic GABAB receptors, as they blocked late inhibitory postsynaptic potentials. They facilitated the induction of long-term potentiation in vitro and in vivo, suggesting potential cognition enhancing effects. Fifteen compounds were investigated in various memory and learning paradigms in rodents. Although several compounds were found to be active, only 10 reversed the age-related deficits of old rats in a multiple-trial one-way active avoidance test after chronic treatment. The cognition facilitating effects of 10 were confirmed in learning experiments in Rhesus monkeys. The novel GABAB antagonists showed also protective effects in various animal models of absence epilepsy.

Administration, Oral↗

Calcium channel alpha2delta subunits: differential expression, function, and drug binding.

Voltage-activated calcium channels are transmembrane proteins that act as transducers of electrical signals into numerous intracellular activities. On the basis of their electrophysiological properties they are classified as high- and low-voltage-activated calcium channels. High-voltage-activated calcium channels are heterooligomeric proteins consisting of a pore-forming alpha1 subunit and auxiliary alpha2delta, beta, and--in some tissues--gamma subunits. Auxiliary subunits support the membrane trafficking of the alpha1 subunit and modulate the kinetic properties of the channel. In particular, the alpha2delta subunit has been shown to modify the biophysical and pharmacological properties of the alpha1 subunit. The alpha2delta subunit is posttranslationally cleaved to form disulfide-linked alpha2 and, delta proteins, both of which are heavily glycosylated. Recently it was shown that at least four genes encode for alpha2delta subunits which are expressed in a tissue-specific manner. Their biophysical properties were characterized in coexpression studies with high- and low-voltage-activated calcium channels. Mutations in the gene encoding alpha2delta-2 have been found to underlie the ducky phenotype. This mouse mutant is a model for absence epilepsy and is characterized by spike wave seizures and cerebellar ataxia. Alpha2delta subunits can also support pharmacological interactions with drugs that are used for the treatment of epilepsy and neuropathic pain.

Acetates↗

Epilepsy.

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Brain↗

GABAB-receptor splice variants GB1a and GB1b in rat brain: developmental regulation, cellular distribution and extrasynaptic localization.

GABAB (gamma-aminobutyric acid)-receptors have been implicated in central nervous system (CNS) functions, e.g. cognition and pain perception, and dysfunctions including spasticity and absence epilepsy. To permit an analysis of the two known GABAB-receptor splice variants GABAB-R1a (GB1a) and GABAB-R1b (GB1b), their distribution pattern has been differentiated in the rat brain, using Western blotting and immunohistochemistry with isoform-specific antisera. During postnatal maturation, the expression of the two splice variants was differentially regulated with GB1a being preponderant at birth. In adult brain, GB1b-immunoreactivity (-IR) was predominant, and the two isoforms largely accounted for the pattern of GABAB-receptor binding sites in the brain. Receptor heterogeneity was pronounced in the hippocampus, where both isoforms occurred in CA1, but only GB1b in CA3. Similarly, in the cerebellum, GB1b was exclusively found in Purkinje cells in a zebrin-like pattern. The staining was most pronounced in Purkinje cell dendrites and spines. Using electron microscopy, over 80% of the spine profiles in which a synaptic contact with a parallel fibre was visible contained GB1b-IR at extrasynaptic sites. This subcellular localization is unrelated to GABAergic inputs, indicating that the role of GABAB-receptors in vivo extends beyond synaptic GABAergic neurotransmission and may, in the cerebellum, involve taurine as a ligand.

Animals↗