SUDEP in adults and children

Sudden unexpected death in epilepsy (SUDEP) represents an important cause of death in patients with epilepsy and it exceeds the expected rate of sudden death in the general population by nearly 24 times. We searched the electronic databases (Cochrane, EMBASE, Scopus, Medline, Pubmed) for studies related to etiology and risk stratification of SUDEP including data on Takotsubo cardiomyopathy (TKC) following seizures resulting in death or near death.: SUDEP is more common among males in the fourth decade of life. Risk for SUDEP is increased by early onset of seizures, low IQ, generalised tonic clonic seizures, nocturnal seizures and seizure frequency. Nonadherance to antiepileptic medications, absence of therapeutic drug level monitoring, presence of neuropathological lesions on imaging and certain subgroups like Dravet syndrome increase its risk. The risk for premature death in patients undergoing temporal lobe resection for drug resistant epilepsy decreased over time but remained above the standard population. Prolonged postictal electroencephalographic suppression was a risk factor for SUDEP in patients with generalised seizures which may indicate a cerebral electrical shutdown. Documented ictal/postictal hypoventilation, laryngeal spasm and cardiac rhythm abnormalities prior to SUDEP may suggest central apnea, neurogenic pulmonary edema, cardiac arrhythmia, or a combination of the above as a cause. Seizure triggered TKC does not seem to play a major role in the pathogenesis of SUDEP.

Anxiety and Depression in School-going children with Epilepsy

Background: This study was designed to find the prevalence of anxiety and depression in school-going children with epilepsy.Methods:All the patients with epilepsy presenting during the study period underwent detailed clinical and EEG evaluation. Hospital Anxiety and Depression score (HADS) was used to screen for anxiety and depression.Results:We identified 190 patients with epilepsy during the study period. Out of these 30 (15.8%) were diagnosed as having treatment resistance epilepsy. Anxiety was diagnosed in 114 (60%) and depression in 62 (32.6%). Patients with drug resistant epilepsy were found to have statistically significant markers in the form of higher scores for depression and anxiety, and lower IQ scores. Frequency of GTCS (Generaized Tonic Clonic Seizures) showed inverse correlation with IQ scores and direct correlation to the anxiety/depression scores.Conclusion:We conclude that anxiety and depression in school-going children with epilepsy is common and that it has a correlation with treatment resistance.

Study of Epilepsy and its Correlation with Neuroimaging and Drug Therapy

Background: Thousands of people in the world suffer from epilepsy. Inspite of modern advances, it can be controlled in only 80% of treated once. Diagnosis and treatment of epilepsy is still challenged. The present study is attempted to highlight the importance of clinical findings and role of EEG and CT scan and MRI in diagnosis of epilepsy2.Aim:To study the incidence and epidemiological profile, various types of epilepsy and correlation with MRI, CT SCAN, EEG and the effectiveness of various Anti epilepticdrugs in different types of epilepsy. Settings and Design: This is a prospective study carried out at Civil Hospital, Ahmedabad.Methods:All the patients having 2 and/or more unprovoked seizures and already enrolled patients in epilepsy clinic in 1 year duration from January 1,2020 to December 31,2020 were included.Results &Conclusions:Out of 6930 total admissions, 163 patients with epilepsy were enrolled in this study from age group of 1 month to 12 years. Out of 163 patients, 97 were male and 66 were female. Most common age group affected is of 1-5 years. 128 patients (78.62%) were of generalized epilepsy and 35 patients were of partial epilepsy. Most common precipitating factor in epilepsy is inadequate drug dosages (45%). 45 patients (22.7%) have developmental delay. Abnormal EEG findings were present in 123 patients (75.46%). Abnormal MRI findings were present in 37 patients (22.7%). CT scan was done in 56 patients, 20 were abnormal. 107 patients were on monotherapy and 56 patients were on polytherapy. Valproate is most commonly used drug (76.6%).

Artificial Intelligence Applications in the Imaging of Epilepsy and Its Comorbidities: Present and Future

Artificial intelligence (AI) is increasingly used in medical image analysis and has accelerated scientific discoveries across fields of medicine. In this review, we highlight how AI has been applied to neuroimaging in patients with epilepsy to enhance classification of clinical diagnosis, prediction of treatment outcomes, and the understanding of cognitive comorbidities. We outline the strengths and shortcomings of current AI research and the need for future studies using large datasets that test the reproducibility and generalizability of current findings, as well as studies that test the clinical utility of AI approaches.

Outcomes of Arthroscopic Latarjet Procedure for Anterior Glenohumeral Instability in Patients With Epilepsy: A Case-Control Study

Background: Unacceptably high rates of redislocation, reoperation, osteoarthritis, and coracoid nonunion have been reported in patients with a seizure disorder after surgery for shoulder instabilitiy. Purpose: To evaluate the objective and subjective functional and radiologic results of the arthroscopic Latarjet procedure for anterior shoulder instability in patients with epilepsy and compare them with the results of patients without epilepsy. Study design: Cohort study; Level of evidence, 3. Methods: A retrospective and comparative case-control analysis of patients operated for shoulder instability with arthroscopic Latarjet was conducted. Nineteen patients (21 unstable shoulders) with a seizure disorder (epilepsy group) were matched with 21 patients without a history of seizure (control group). Demographics, surgical indications, and imaging data were collected. Clinical outcomes at a minimum 2 years of follow-up (range, 2-9 years) postoperatively included Rowe score, Western Ontario Shoulder Instability Index (WOSI), Constant-Murley Shoulder Outcome (CMSO) score, and Single Assessment Numeric Evaluation (SANE). The incidence of complications, recurrent instability, redislocation, revision surgery, repeated seizure(s), and presence of osteoarthritis, coracoid nonunion, and osteolysis were also examined. Results: After a mean follow-up of 4.5 years, no significant differences in functional results were found between patients with and without epilepsy on the average Rowe ( P = .917), WOSI ( P = .621), CMSO ( P = .600), and SANE ( P = .859) scores. A total of 5 patients (7 shoulders) continued to have seizures postoperatively, but no seizure-related glenohumeral instability was documented. One dislocation and 1 subluxation were documented while participating in sports in each study group, comprising a recurrence rate of 9.5%, but no significant differences were found at comparison ( P = .605). A bone defect did not influence the results, as no significant difference was found between the 2 groups. Osteoarthritic changes of the glenohumeral joint were observed in 5 shoulders (23.8%) in the epilepsy group and in 3 (14.3%) in the control group ( P = .451). No case of coracoid nonunion or osteolysis was recorded. There was no statistically significant difference in postoperative athletic activity ( P = .660). However, patients with epilepsy had significantly lower pre- and postoperative sports participation ( P < .001). Conclusion: Arthroscopic Latarjet stabilization can lead to improved functional and subjective outcomes and should be considered in patients with epilepsy with recurrent anterior glenohumeral instability. These results can be achieved regardless of the presence of bone defect and the postoperative control of seizures and are similar to those in patients without epilepsy.

Use of Complementary and Alternative Medicine Among Patients With Epilepsy and Diabetes Mellitus, Focusing on the Outcome of Treatment

Introduction: Millions all over the world live with epilepsy, and they may require long-term drug treatment. The use and interest in complementary and alternative medicine (CAM) have grown over the previous years. Coadministration of herbal products with medicines may result in adverse drug reactions (ADRs) and/or unfavorable interactions. The aims of this study were to determine the prevalence of CAM use among patients with epilepsy, to compare the results to those of the patients with diabetes mellitus (DM), to reveal factors that may drive the use of CAM, and to measure outcomes and adherence. It was also our intent to have state-of-the-art information on CAM use in our region among patients with the two diseases above.Materials and Methods: We conducted a non-interventional study using a self-developed questionnaire. It was distributed among adult patients with either epilepsy or DM who also suffered from cardiovascular consequences. A database was compiled from the anonymous questionnaires filled in voluntarily by the patients. Basic statistics were used to analyze this database.Results: A total of 227 questionnaires were filled in by 127 patients (55.9%) with epilepsy and 100 patients (44.1%) with DM. Mean age was 54.54 ± 17.33 years. Of the patients, 50.2% were male. Average body weight was 80.3 ± 17.3 kg. Of the patients, 22 (9.7%) used CAM because they believed in CAM. Two of them reported ADRs. Among the patients with epilepsy, the ratio was only 7.9% compared to 12% among those with DM. While the number of CAM users was higher among younger patients with epilepsy, it was the elderly patients with DM who tended to use CAM.Conclusion: Attention should be paid to reliance on CAM during the follow-up. Our finding that health-conscious patients tend to use CAM more often (than the general population) may indicate it is necessary to discuss CAM usage sincerely. CAMs modulating cytochrome P450 (CYP) enzymes were the most common, leading to interactions with medication used and resulting in ADRs. This shows the importance of educating patients and treating team including clinical pharmacists in this field.

Enhancement of central norepinephrinergic neurotransmission contributes to inhibition of seizure-induced respiratory arrest by targeting the beta-1 adrenergic receptor (β1-AR) locating in the cardiomyocytes in the DBA/1 mouse SUDEP model

Sudden unexpected death of epilepsy (SUDEP) is the key cause of of death in patients with epilepsy. Due to the complicated pathogenesis of SUDEP, however, the exact mechanism of SUDEP remains elusive. Currently, although it is recognized that the seizure-induced respiratory arrest (S-IRA) may be a main cause for SUDEP, other factors resulting in SUDEP can not be excluded e.g arrhythmias. Our previous findings indicated that the incidence of seizure-induced respiratory arrest S-IRA and SUDEP evoked by acoustic stimulation or pentetrazol (PTZ) injection was significantly reduced by atomoxetine, a norepinephrine reuptake inhibitor (NRI), suggesting that noradrenergic neurotransmission modulates S-IRA and SUDEP. Given that norepinephrine acts on the central and peripheral target to modulate respiratory and circulation function by targeting adrenergic receptor α and beta (a-AR and β-AR) and the arrhythmias can be contributed to SUDEP. Meanwhile, to further test whether cardiac factors are implicated in S-IRA and SUDEP, we choose esmolol hydrochloride, a selective antagonist of beta-1 adrenergic receptor (β1-AR) to test it in our models. Our findings demonstrated that the lower incidence of S-IRA and SUDEP evoked by acoustic stimulation or PTZ in DBA/1 mice by administration with atomoxetine was significantly reversed by intraperitoneal (IP) of esmolol hydrochloride. Importantly, the data of electrocardiogram (ECG) showed that the cardiac arrhythmia evoked by acoustic stimulation including the ventricular tachycardia, ventricular premature beat and atrioventricular block and administration of atomoxetine significantly reduced theses arrhythmias and the incidence of S-IRA and SUDEP in our models. Thus, the dysfunction of respiratory and circulation may be implicated in the pathogenesis of S-IRA and SUDEP hand in hand and enhancing central norepinephrinergic neurotransmission contributes to inhibition of seizure-induced respiratory arrest by targeting β1-AR locating in the cardiomyocytes. Our findings will show a new light on decoding the pathogenesis of SUDEP. Keywords: sudden unexpected death in epilepsy (SUDEP); seizure-induced respiratory arrest S-IRA); esmolol hydrochloride (Esmolol); Electrocardiogram (ECG); locus coeruleus (LC); cardiac arrhythmia; pentetrazol (PTZ)