Is It Time to Test the Antiseizure Potential of Palmitoylethanolamide in Human Studies? A Systematic Review of Preclinical Evidence

Antiseizure medications are the cornerstone pharmacotherapy for epilepsy. They are not devoid of side effects. In search for better-tolerated antiseizure agents, cannabinoid compounds and other N-acylethanolamines not directly binding cannabinoid receptors have drawn significant attention. Among these, palmitoylethanolamide (PEA) has shown neuroprotective, anti-inflammatory, and analgesic properties. All studies examining PEA’s role in epilepsy and acute seizures were systematically reviewed. Preclinical studies indicated a systematically reduced PEA tone accompanied by alterations of endocannabinoid levels. PEA supplementation reduced seizure frequency and severity in animal models of epilepsy and acute seizures, in some cases, similarly to available antiseizure medications but with a better safety profile. The peripheral-brain immune system seemed to be more effectively modulated by subchronic pretreatment with PEA, with positive consequences in terms of better responding to subsequent epileptogenic insults. PEA treatment restored the endocannabinoid level changes that occur in a seizure episode, with potential preventive implications in terms of neural damage. Neurobiological mechanisms for PEA antiseizure effect seemed to include the activation of the endocannabinoid system and the modulation of neuroinflammation and excitotoxicity. Although no human study was identified, there is ground for testing the antiseizure potential of PEA and its safety profile in human studies of epilepsy.

Management of self-inflicted oral organophosphate poisoning in adolescence - a case report

Organophosphate (OP) poisoning is more common in developing countries such as India. Here, we report a case of self-inflicted oral OP poisoning (monocrotophos) by an adolescent male patient who presented to the emergency department of a tertiary care hospital with tachycardia and frothing without seizure episode (non-linear presentation in OP poisoning). Based on the evidence of consumption of OP compound, the management of the patient went as planned and guarded with i.v. administration of pralidoxime and atropine. Gastric lavage was done soon after the patient came to the hospital and was admitted to the Intensive care unit for 5 days and in the general ward for the next 24 h. The patient was discharged from the hospital in a hemodynamically stable state after 6 days of hospital stay by managing the cardiac, muscarinic, and nervous system events as detailed in this case report.

Outcomes of the Latarjet Procedure in Recurrent Anterior Shoulder Instability due to Tramadol-Induced Seizure

Background: This study was aimed to evaluate the final results of surgical treatment (Latarjet procedure) in the recurrent anterior shoulder instability following episodes of tramadol-induced seizure. Methods: From January 2005 to March 2013, 47 patients with recurrent anterior shoulder dislocation after suffering a seizure episode following tramadol use underwent surgical procedure. There were 53 shoulders in 47 male patients (six had bilateral recurrent dislocations). The mean age of the patients at the time of operation was 24.7 years (ranging from 20 to 44 years). The average number of episodes of anterior shoulder dislocation before surgery was 16. Results: External rotation with the elbow at the side improved from 45.8 ± 9.3° (30°-60°) pre-operatively to 61.5 ± 7.8° (45°-90°) postoperatively (P < 0.001). Forward elevation also increased significantly post-operatively (P = 0.002). Mean pre-operative Rowe score was 28.41 ± 4.30 (30-85) which increased to 73.57 ± 8.40 post-operatively. The Western Ontario Shoulder Instability Index (WOSI) score decreased from 1352 ± 74 to 618 ± 46 (P < 0.0001). Conclusion: Correcting glenoid bone loss by Latarjet procedure combined, if necessary, with humeral head defect reconstruction could be a proper treatment method in patients experiencing recurrent anterior shoulder dislocation after idiosyncratic seizure reaction of tramadol.

ACUTE TOMOGRAPHIC CHANGES OF METABOLIC ORIGIN MIMICKING BASAL GANGLIA HEMORRHAGE, CASE REPORT

Patients with acute neurological changes, especially with focal neurological deficit, require images for its initial approach,generally skull tomography due to its availability.Here we report a case of an 80-year-old patient with altered state of consciousness and a seizure episode who was admitted on suspicion of cerebral hemorrhage. Her initial blood glucose was high and a hyperdense lesion was found in the right basal ganglion on brain computed tomography, laboratories in which no other metabolic alteration was identified apart from the acute decompensation of Diabetes, however, with a neuroradiology and clinical team, the diagnosis of diabetic striatopathy was made. The patient was treated with a fluid infusion, and serum glucose level was controlled with insulin. The patient gradually recovered consciousness and was alert to his baseline state within 24 hours,without neurological complications. Patients with risk factors and with findings suggesting stroke,the tomographic high densities,may suggest intracerebral hemorrhage;however,other metabolic and toxic pathologies may have similar tomographic changes. Our intention,is show to emergency physicians the presence of ganglio basal hyperintensities,mimics for gangliobasal hemorrhage should be studied according to history and clinical context and establish appropriate treatment in a timely manner.

TO STUDY CLINICAL PRESENTATION AND TIME OF ONSET OF SEIZURE IN TERM AND PRETERM NEONATES AND THE BIOCHEMICALABNORMALITY IN SEIZURES IN TERM AND PRETERM NEONATES.

INTRODUCTION: Seizure is dened as paroxysmal involuntary disturbance of brain function. It may manifest as impairment or loss of consciousness, abnormal motor activity, behavioural abnormality, sensory disturbance or autonomic dysfunction. Any abnormal, repetitive and stereotypic behaviour in neonates should be evaluated as possible seizure. Neonatal seizures is a common neurological problem with a frequency range from 0.95 to 3.5/1000 live births. AIMS & OBJECTIVES:To assess the importance of biochemical abnormalities in neonatal seizures and to evaluate clinical presentation & time of onset of seizures in term and preterm neonates. MATERIAL & METHODS: A total of 90 neonates presenting with seizures admitted to NICU of National Institute of Medical Sciences & Research, Jaipur from conducted from 1st January 2019 till 30 th June 2020 were enrolled in the study. Detailed antenatal, natal, postnatal history along with detailed examination was done. Baseline characteristics of convulsing neonate including sex, gestational age, birth weight, head circumference & length were recorded at admission. Clinical details of each seizure episode reported by the mother and subsequently observed by the resident doctors on duty were recorded i.e. age at onset of seizures, duration of seizure, number and type of seizure. Relevant investigations including biochemical parameters were done immediately after baby had seizures and before instituting any specic treatment. Etiology of neonatal seizures and associated biochemical abnormalities were diagnosed. RESULTS: In the present study, out of 90 neonates studied, 64 were full term of which 49(76.5%) were AGAand 15(23.5%) were SGA, whereas 26 cases were preterm. The male: female ratio is 1.3:1. Most neonatal seizures occur in rst 3 days of life, i.e. 60 %. Most of them occurred on rst day of life (34%). Birth asphyxia was the cause of neonatal seizures in 82 % neonates who developed seizures on day-1 of life. Birth asphyxia and septicemia are common cause of neonatal seizures in our study, followed by pure metabolic disturbances 20 %. In pure metabolic seizures, hypoglycemia (47.8%) is most common more in preterm babies (55%) followed by hypocalcemia. In cases of non- metabolic seizures, which showed associated biochemical abnormalities, hypoglycemia was most common abnormality 24 of 52 cases (46.15%). 12 cases (52.1%) are associated with birth asphyxia and 11 cases (47.9%) are associated with septicemia. CONCLUSION: Biochemical abnormalities are common in neonatal seizures and often go unrecognized. These abnormalities may signicantly contribute to seizure activity correction of these abnormalities may play a signicant role in seizure control. Hence, a biochemical work up is necessary for all cases of neonatal seizures.

Quality of Life among Middle and Secondary School Children with Epilepsy

Objectives Epilepsy is a leading cause of disability in school-going children. The objectives of this study were to estimate the prevalence of epilepsy in middle and secondary school children and to assess their quality of life (QOL). Materials and Methods This was a cross-sectional study done in schools under the municipal corporation area of Latur Taluka, Maharashtra. At school, children were screened for epilepsy and the positive children were visited at home. Children with confirmed epilepsy were used to calculate prevalence. The QOL of children diagnosed to have epilepsy was assessed using Quality of Life in Childhood Epilepsy Questionnaire (QOLCE-55) version 1.0. Statistical Analysis Mean scores in scales and subscales of QOLCE-55 were calculated. Association between variables was analyzed using unpaired/independent t-test and analysis of variance. Statistically significance was fixed for a p-value less than 0.05. Results Prevalence of epilepsy in middle and secondary school children was found to be 3.20 per 1000. In QOLCE-55, physical functioning was the most compromised, with the lowest mean QOL score (mean = 58.3, standard deviation = 20.66). Present age of the child, age at the first seizure episode, and time interval since last seizure had a statistically significant relation with QOL. The treatment gap was found to be 70.4%. Conclusions Assessment of QOL in children with epilepsy is important for effective and comprehensive management of epilepsy.

Lessons Learned from a Fulminant Case of Reversible Cerebral Vasoconstriction Syndrome: Past Medical History Misleads the Diagnosis and Intra-Arterial Milrinone Offers Diagnostic Utility

A 34-year-old post-partum female having dermatomyositis developed headache and became comatose after a seizure episode. Magnetic resonance imaging of brain showed a massive left ganglio-capsular bleed for which decompressive surgery was done. Computed tomographic angiography showed multiple foci of narrowing and irregularities in distal cerebral vessels. In view of dermatomyositis, the diagnosis of vasculitis was considered and pulse therapy of intravenous methylprednisolone was started. The patient, however, showed no improvement and developed new brain infarcts. She was subsequently taken up for a diagnostic cerebral angiography which showed multifocal severe narrowing in bilateral major cerebral arteries. These angiographic abnormalities showed excellent reversibility to intra-arterial milrinone and hence, reversible cerebral vasoconstriction syndrome (RCVS) was diagnosed. Normal angiographic findings in the first week do not rule out the disease and a repeat angiography should be considered if the clinical suspicion of the RCVS is high. Intra-arterial milrinone has a high diagnostic utility.