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Musicogenic epilepsy with ictal single photon emission computed tomography (SPECT): could these cases contribute to our knowledge of music processing?

Musicogenic epilepsy has a strong correlation with the temporal lobe with a right-sided preponderance. We report the case of a 48-year-old woman whose seizures began at the age of 32 years. Her prenatal, natal and childhood histories were unremarkable and her family history was negative for epilepsy. She had typical complex partial seizures with chewing automatisms. Cranial computed tomography, magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) and interictal SPECT showed no abnormality. Interictal EEG showed paroxysmal bitemporal sharp wave discharges predominant on the right side. Ictal EEG showed a combination of high voltage sharp and slow sharp waves and spikes that originated from the right temporal leads and then became generalized. Ictal activity on EEG started 4-5 min after the music stimulus. For the ictal SPECT study, i.v. injection of 20 mCi of HMPAO was administered approximately 30 s after the ictal activity started. Ictal SPECT demonstrated a right anterior and mesial temporal hyperperfusion. These results seem to support the dominant role of the right temporal lobe and the possible relation of mesial temporal structures to the affective content of music in musicogenic epilepsy.

Electroencephalography↗

Schizophrenia in epilepsy: seizure and psychosis variables.

Prior studies have incompletely established a relationship between epilepsy and schizophrenia, primarily because of methodological difficulties. We undertook a two-part retrospective investigation of neurology clinic patients with epilepsy and schizophrenia. Part I: Interictal schizophrenic disorders occurred in 149 (9.25%) of 1,611 epileptic outpatients, compared with only 23 (1.06%) of 2,167 migraine outpatients. Part II: Among age- and sex-matched groups, we compared 62 epilepsy-with-schizophrenia patients with 62 epilepsy patients on six seizure variables, and we compared them with 62 schizophrenia patients on 10 psychosis variables. The epilepsy-with-schizophrenia group had a later epilepsy age of onset with more complex partial seizures, more patients with auras, and fewer patients with generalized epilepsy. Except for increased suicidal behavior, epileptic patients did not differ from controls on psychosis variables; however, psychotic symptoms often emerged with increased seizure activity. Together these results support a distinct association of schizophrenic disorders with epilepsy, particularly with seizures emanating from the temporal limbic system.

Adult↗

[Oxcarbazepine in the treatment of drug-resistant epilepsy in children and adolescents: preliminary study].

A comparative study was conducted to evaluate the efficacy and tolerability of oxcarbazepine administration in patients with a diagnosed intractable epilepsy with simple partially and complex seizures secondarily generalised. There were 12 patients aged between 2-23 treated in Outpatients' Neurological Department for Children and Adolescents in Poznań. Oxcarbazepine was applied as an add-on therapy in all patients. The drug was administered in 3 daily dose. The doses of oxcarbazepine were evaluated as well as the occurrence of adverse effects was recorded. Four patients presented over 50% reduction of seizures. During the whole period of observation there was no occurrence of adverse effects associated with the inclusion of oxcarbazepine as add-on drug.

Adolescent↗

Intensive monitoring of interictal psychosis in epilepsy.

Ten epileptic patients developed interictal psychosis while being treated in hospital for seizure control. They were subjected to intensive behavioral, video-electroencephalographic, and serum anticonvulsant monitoring for an average of 7.1 weeks in a specialized epilepsy unit. In 9 patients, the interictal psychosis was indistinguishable from acute schizophrenia. Only 5 of these patients had complex partial seizures; the other 4 showed evidence of generalized epilepsies. Thus a "unique" association between schizophreniform psychosis and complex partial seizures, noted by previous authors, could not be confirmed. Only 1 patient showed normalization of the electroencephalogram during psychosis and an inverse relationship between psychosis and seizure frequency. In most cases the emergence of psychosis could not be explained. Interictal psychosis in epilepsy appears to be a spectrum of disorders that may be multifactorially determined.

Adolescent↗

Cerebrospinal fluid and serum levels of dopa, catechols, and monoamine metabolites in patients with epilepsy.

We measured CSF and serum concentrations of monoamines and monoamine metabolites in normal control subjects and in patients with partial epilepsy between and less than 2 h after complex partial seizures (CPS) or secondarily generalized tonic-clonic seizures (SGTCs). After SGTCs, concentrations of norepinephrine in CSF were significantly higher (p less than 0.05) than interictal concentrations, concentrations after PSs, and concentrations in control subjects. Serum epinephrine levels also were significantly higher after SGTCs than interictal and control subjects' levels. CSF HVA levels were significantly higher after PSs than interictal or control subjects' levels. CSF concentrations of norepinephrine and its intraneuronal metabolite, dihydroxyphenylglycol, were highly correlated, both interictally and following SGTCs, whereas correlations between serum and CSF levels of these catechols generally were not statistically significant. The results indicate that seizures are associated with release of catecholamines in the central nervous system.

3,4-Dihydroxyphenylacetic Acid↗

EEG changes and seizure exacerbation in young children treated with carbamazepine.

Carbamazepine (CBZ) has been reported to exacerbate some seizure types in children. We studied the correlation between CBZ-associated EEG changes and seizure exacerbation in 59 children aged < 6 years treated with CBZ. All patients had EEGs before and after initiation of treatment; initial EEGs were not significantly different among the patients. In 33 children (56%), the subsequent EEGs were either unchanged or improved or demonstrated minor changes (Group I), and excellent to complete seizure control was achieved in 67% of patients. In 26 children (44%), the EEG became significantly more abnormal and was characterized predominantly by new appearance of generalized spike/polyspike-and-wave discharges (group II). The majority of these patients (65%) experienced seizure exacerbation (p < 0.001). For group I, symptomatic partial epilepsy, idiopathic focal epilepsy, and complex febrile seizures were significantly more common; in group II, cryptogenic seizure disorders were more common (p < 0.005). Children in group I were more likely to remain on CBZ or to be weaned from medication after successful treatment, whereas children in group II required additional medication(s) or complete discontinuation of CBZ. Our results suggest that new appearance of generalized paroxysmal discharges after treatment is highly correlated with seizure exacerbation or suboptimal control as well as with adverse outcome. Conversely, absence of significant EEG deterioration on CBZ is usually associated with good seizure control.

Acute Disease↗

Nonconvulsive status epilepticus in adults: thirty-two consecutive patients from a general hospital population.

We studied all adult patients who between 1984 and 1989 were initially diagnosed at our hospital as having nonconvulsive status epilepticus. Thirty-two patients fulfilled the criteria, which included ictal EEG recordings. The annual incidence was 1.5 in 100,000 inhabitants. The median age at onset of status was 51 years. Ten patients had status as their first epileptic manifestation, but most patients had a previous history of epilepsy. Median duration of epilepsy at onset of status was 4 years. Fourteen patients had focal ictal seizure activity on EEG and thus met the criteria for complex partial status. Eighteen patients had generalized seizure activity on EEG, but only 6 of these had a history of absence epilepsy or juvenile myoclonic epilepsy. None had Lennox-Gastaut syndrome. The clinical features of status in the remaining 12 patients were in some respects similar to those of the patients with complex partial status. We hypothesize that the EEG seizure activity in these patients may have been generalized from an initial focus.

Adolescent↗

Memory function decline over 18 months after selective amygdalohippocampectomy.

We report on a 22 year-old woman with left temporal lobe epilepsy who had suffered complex partial seizures since childhood. At 19 years 10 months of age she underwent selective amygdalohippocampectomy, which resulted in a complete cessation of seizures. Preoperatively, the Logical Memory II section of the WMS-R revealed poor logical memory function. Postoperatively, the patient's scores on several neuropsychological tests had deteriorated, namely, the Miyake Paired-Associate Word Learning Test (related and unrelated pairs), several sections of the WMS-R (Figural Memory, Logical memory I, Visual Reproduction II, Visual Paired Associates I, and Verbal Paired Associates I and II), and the BVRT-R. In particular, her scores on the Visual Paired Associates I, Verbal Paired Associates I and II sections of the WMS-R, and the BVRT-R not only declined at one and three months post-surgery, but also showed progressive deterioration at 16 and 18 months post-surgery. It should be kept in mind that selective amygdalohippocampectomy can result in progressive postoperative, deterioration in some aspects of memory function.

Adult↗

GABAergic neurons and GABA(A)-receptors in temporal lobe epilepsy.

Mesial temporal lobe epilepsy (MTLE) is the most prevalent form of epilepsy, characterized by recurrent complex partial seizures and hippocampal sclerosis. The pathophysiology underlying this disorder remains unidentified. While a loss of benzodiazepine binding sites is a key diagnostic feature of MTLE, experimental studies have shown enhanced inhibitory transmission and increased expression of GABA(A)-receptors, suggesting that compensatory mechanisms are operative in epileptic hippocampus. In the present study, changes in the expression and cellular distribution of major GABA(A)-receptor subunits were investigated in the hippocampus of pilocarpine-treated rats during the phase of spontaneous recurrent seizures. A uniform decrease in GABA(A)-receptor subunit-immunoreactivity was observed in regions of extensive neuronal death (i.e. CA1, CA3, hilus). whereas a prominent increase occurred in the dentate gyrus (DG). Most strikingly, the increase was largest for the alpha3- and alpha5-subunits, which are expressed at very low levels in the DG of control rats, suggesting the formation of novel GABA(A)-receptor subtypes in epileptic tissue. Furthermore, an extensive loss of interneurons expressing the alpha1-subunit, representing presumptive basket cells, was seen in the DG. These changes were very similar to those reported in a novel mouse model of MTLE, based on the unilateral injection of kainic acid into the dorsal hippocampus (Bouilleret et al., 1999). This indicates that the regulation of GABA(A)-receptor expression is related to chronic recurrent seizures, and is not due to the extrahippocampal neuronal damage affecting pilocarpine-treated rats. These results allow causal relationships in the induction and maintenance of chronic recurrent seizures to be distinguished. The loss of a critical number of interneurons in the DG is a possible cause of seizure initiation, whereas the long-lasting upregulation of GABA(A)-receptors in granule cells represents a compensatory response to seizure activity.

Animals↗

[Epileptic vomiting].

A 17 year-old girl was suffering complex partial seizures, secondary generalized epilepsy and seizures manifested only by vomiting. The neurological, laboratory, radiological studies and the brain CT were normal. The EEG recording of an ictal vomiting showed bisynchronous spike-and-wave and sharp slow-wave discharges. An interictal paroxysmal focus of the right temporo-occipital region appeared at the EEG and a marked photoconvulsant effect was induced by light stimulation. The patient remained seizure-free for the last 4 years on carbamazepine therapy. The authors suggest the vomiting fits originate from the epileptic discharges on the Ammon's horn. The depths of the temporal lobe appear clearly involved in this type of seizures and the rolandic and pre-rolandic neighboring areas are attended too.

Adolescent↗

Worsening in seizure frequency and severity in relation to folic acid administration.

We report a case of increase in seizure frequency and severity in a 26-year-old woman receiving folic acid at a dosage of 0.8 mg/day. She had symptomatic partial epilepsy with simple and complex seizures treated with carbamazepine. She was planning pregnancy and we prescribed folic acid for prevention of neural-tube defects. In the next few days she had a generalized tonic-clonic seizure for the first time and a significant increase in seizure frequency. Because of the temporal relation between the seizure worsening and the administration of folic acid, we hypothesize a role of folic acid in provoking seizures, as has been reported in the literature.Copyright Lippincott-Raven Publishers

Journal Article↗

Anomalies of the cerebral cortex in a case of epilepsia partialis continua.

Morphological and biochemical findings are described from the brain biopsy of an 11-year-old girl with intractable type II epilepsia partialis continua. Computerized tomography scan showed severe progressive central and cortical atrophy, mainly of the right hemisphere. Brain biopsy revealed microangiopathy of the cortex-penetrating arteries, patchy necrosis of the cortex, and small loose infiltrates of lymphocytic cells. Biochemical analysis showed normal pyruvate metabolism and citric acid cycle in gray and white matter.

Carbon Dioxide↗

Neuropsychiatric and electroencephalographic aspects in the diagnosis of complex partial seizures.

The authors review from a psychiatric perspective some of the electroencephalographic techniques that may assist the clinician in diagnosing complex partial seizures (temporal lobe epilepsy). Routine scalp electroencephalograms may not detect temporal lobe EEG abnormalities, leading to the false impression of pseudo or hysterical seizures. Knowledge of the advantages of a sleep recording, specialized EEG electrodes (nasopharyngeal, sphenoidal), and natural or pharmacological activation techniques will increase one's diagnostic acumen. The authors discuss the appropriate use of these methods and their relevance to psychiatry.

Adult↗

The wing of madness: the illness of Vincent van Gogh.

This paper briefly describes some aspects of Vincent van Gogh's life and attitudes. It discusses absinthe and several psychodynamic factors that may have contributed to his psychotic episodes at Arles, when he cut off his ear. It discusses Vincent's descriptions of his illness, especially at Saint Rémy de Provence and concludes that he probably suffered from partial complex seizures (temporal lobe epilepsy) with manic depressive mood swings aggravated by absinthe, brandy, nicotine and turpentine.

Depressive Disorder↗

[The results of the two-year experience of using keppra in therapy of adult patients with epilepsy].

Keppra (levetiracetam) was used as a part of the complex therapy in 87 patients with partial epilepsy and in 17 patients with adult idiopathic generalized epilepsy. Most of the cases were pharmacoresistant. Remission was observed in 25.3% of patients for the period over 12 months. Therapeutic efficacy by a decrease of seizures frequency by 75% and more has been reached in 12.6% of cases; by 50% and more--in 43.7%. The absence of drug effect and insufficient efficacy were detected only in 18.4% of cases. The therapeutic effect was stable and did not decrease after 12 and 24 months. The drug was well tolerated and was withdrawn in 5 cases (4.8%) because of side effects. The results obtained hold promise for using keppra in epileptology, in particular in treatment of pharmacoresistant epilepsy.

Adult↗

Abortive generalized spike and waves in children: a review.

Full-blown generalized spike and wave patterns in electroencephalogram lasting more than 3 seconds are diagnostically significant, suggesting one of the generalized epileptic syndromes. However, brief (less than 3 seconds) bursts of generalized spike waves activity are often difficult to evaluate the clinical correlations when such bursts are the only remarkable finding in a record which is otherwise within broad limits of normality. After reviewing the literature about the classification and genetic aspects of generalized spike and waves, we concluded that one or more of the following conditions will be the most possible to correlate with abortive generalized spike and waves: 1. as a interictal pattern of generalized tonic-clonic seizures. 2. simple or complex partial seizures. 3. generalized epilepsy under effective anticonvulsant treatment. 4. withdrawal from anticonvulsant therapy. 5. natural evolution of generalized spike waves. 6. drug induced. 7. a genetic trait of relatives of generalized epilepsy. 8. normal pattern.

Electroencephalography↗

[The activity of cytochrome oxidase in the normal cerebral cortex and after destructive and irritating lesions. Histochemical research].

Production of an epileptogenic focus by cobalt-gelatin implantation in the cerebral cortex of the rat determines a local increase of cytochrome oxidase activity in neurones and probably a decrease of its activity in neuroglia. This variation of oxidative metabolism is not characteristic of the "epileptic neuron" since it takes also place after non irritative lesions, though remaining less conspicuous and less extensive.

Animals↗

[Concentration of circulating immune complexes in the blood in clinical and experimental epileptic seizures].

The levels of circulating immune complexes (CIC) in the peripheral blood were studied in 31 epileptic patients and 30 rabbits which served as an experimental model of the development of the epileptic process. CIC levels in the blood serum were measured by means of polyethylene glycol precipitation followed by measurement of optic density by a spectrophotometer. Elevated concentrations of CIC in the patients' blood were observed in the period of the epileptic status and during a series of epileptic attacks, as well as in experimental animal during epileptic attacks and in the period preceding their development. Blood analysis made at different periods after controlling the attacks showed gradual normalization of the levels of CIC. The role of CIC in the development and maintenance of epileptic seizures is discussed.

Adolescent↗