Epilepsy & behavior : E&B
-
Epilepsy & behavior : E&B · Dec 2015
Clinical characteristics and prognosis of mah-jong-induced epilepsy: A cohort review of 56 patients.
The objective of this study was to investigate the clinical characteristics of reflex epilepsy elicited by playing mah-jong in Western China. ⋯ Reflex epilepsy induced by mah-jong is a unique type of epilepsy in the Chinese population and usually occurs in adults after a long time lag of playing mah-jong. Avoiding the triggers is the most effective treatment for epilepsy.
-
Epilepsy & behavior : E&B · Dec 2015
Long-term seizure and psychosocial outcomes of vagus nerve stimulation for intractable epilepsy.
Vagus nerve stimulation (VNS) is a widely used adjunctive treatment option for intractable epilepsy. Most studies have demonstrated short-term seizure outcomes, usually for up to 5 years, and thus far, none have reported psychosocial outcomes in adults. We aimed to assess long-term seizure and psychosocial outcomes in patients with intractable epilepsy on VNS therapy for more than 15 years. ⋯ The associations of >50% SR with the psychosocial outcomes of driving, employment, and antidepressant use were not significant, although 77% of this subset said VNS was worthwhile. This is the first study that assesses both seizure and psychosocial outcomes, and demonstrates favorable seizure outcomes of >50% SR in 68% of patients and seizure freedom in 20% of patients. A large majority of patients (80%) considered VNS therapy worthwhile regardless of epilepsy type and psychosocial outcomes.
-
Epilepsy & behavior : E&B · Dec 2015
The beliefs among patients with epilepsy in Saudi Arabia about the causes and treatment of epilepsy and other aspects.
The current survey sought to identify the religious and cultural beliefs about the causes and treatment of epilepsy in people with epilepsy from Saudi Arabia and a number of other aspects relating to the possibility of cure, coping with the condition, and public awareness. ⋯ In Saudi Arabia, religious and cultural beliefs about the causes and treatment of epilepsy exist alongside medical beliefs. The holding of religious beliefs, the practicing of religious rituals, and the presence of family support were found to be of great importance in coping with epilepsy, and their role needs to be fully appreciated in the medical management of the condition.
-
Epilepsy & behavior : E&B · Nov 2015
Randomized Controlled TrialSafety and tolerability of lacosamide as adjunctive therapy for adults with partial-onset seizures: Analysis of data pooled from three randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled clinical trials.
The objective of this study was to describe a priori protocol-defined analyses to evaluate the safety and tolerability of adjunctive oral lacosamide (200-600 mg/day) in adults (ages 16-70 years) with partial-onset seizures (POS) using data pooled from three similarly designed randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled trials (SP667, SP754 [NCT00136019], SP755 [NCT00220415]). ⋯ The safety and tolerability profile of adjunctive lacosamide in this detailed evaluation was similar to that observed in the individual double-blind trials. Adjunctive lacosamide was associated with TEAEs related to the nervous system and gastrointestinal tract, predominantly during titration.
-
Epilepsy & behavior : E&B · Nov 2015
ReviewThe enigma of the latent period in the development of symptomatic acquired epilepsy - Traditional view versus new concepts.
A widely accepted hypothesis holds that there is a seizure-free, pre-epileptic state, termed the "latent period", between a brain insult, such as traumatic brain injury or stroke, and the onset of symptomatic epilepsy, during which a cascade of structural, molecular, and functional alterations gradually mediates the process of epileptogenesis. This review, based on recent data from both animal models and patients with different types of brain injury, proposes that epileptogenesis and often subclinical epilepsy can start immediately after brain injury without any appreciable latent period. ⋯ Knowing whether a latent period exists or not is important for our understanding of epileptogenesis and for the discovery and the trial design of antiepileptogenic agents. The development of antiepileptogenic treatments to prevent epilepsy in patients at risk from a brain insult is a major unmet clinical need.