Epilepsy & behavior : E&B
-
Epilepsy & behavior : E&B · Jun 2015
Perceived efficacy of cannabidiol-enriched cannabis extracts for treatment of pediatric epilepsy: A potential role for infantile spasms and Lennox-Gastaut syndrome.
There is a great need for safe and effective therapies for treatment of infantile spasms (IS) and Lennox-Gastaut syndrome (LGS). Based on anecdotal reports and limited experience in an open-label trial, cannabidiol (CBD) has received tremendous attention as a potential treatment for pediatric epilepsy, especially Dravet syndrome. However, there is scant evidence of specific utility for treatment of IS and LGS. ⋯ Although this study suggests a potential role for CBD in the treatment of refractory childhood epilepsy including IS and LGS, it does not represent compelling evidence of efficacy or safety. From a methodological standpoint, this study is extraordinarily vulnerable to participation bias and limited by lack of blinded outcome ascertainment. Appropriately controlled clinical trials are essential to establish efficacy and safety.
-
Epilepsy & behavior : E&B · Jun 2015
Validation of the Chinese version of the Neurological Disorders Depression Inventory for Epilepsy (C-NDDI-E) in West China.
We aimed to validate the Neurological Disorders Depression Inventory for Epilepsy (NDDI-E) for Chinese people with epilepsy (PWE). ⋯ The C-NDDI-E is a valuable instrument for screening MDD in Chinese PWE.
-
Epilepsy & behavior : E&B · May 2015
Functional connectivity homogeneity correlates with duration of temporal lobe epilepsy.
Temporal lobe epilepsy (TLE) is often associated with progressive changes to seizures, memory, and mood during its clinical course. However, the cerebral changes related to this progression are not well understood. Because the changes may be related to changes in brain networks, we used functional connectivity MRI (fcMRI) to determine whether brain network parameters relate to the duration of TLE. ⋯ Analyzed according to epilepsy duration, patients with TLE showed a progressive reduction in CD. In conclusion, we found that several network parameters decreased in patients with TLE compared to controls, which suggested reduced connectivity in TLE. Reduction in CD associated with epilepsy duration suggests a homogenization of connections over time in TLE, indicating a reduction of the normal repertoire of stronger and weaker connections to other brain regions.
-
Epilepsy & behavior : E&B · May 2015
Addressing the treatment gap and societal impact of epilepsy in Rwanda--Results of a survey conducted in 2005 and subsequent actions.
This study, supported by the Rwandan Ministry of Health and the World Health Organization, was conducted in 2005 to determine the prevalence of epilepsy and its sociocultural perception in Rwanda, as well as epilepsy-related knowledge and practices of health-care professionals (HCPs). A cross-sectional, nationally representative survey was conducted throughout Rwanda by trained investigators. Participants were recruited by random cluster sampling based on the organization of administrative units in the country. ⋯ Living with epilepsy was associated heavily with stigma, and a significant treatment gap (68%) was identified. Following this study, numerous actions have been taken by the Rwandan government, the Rwandan League Against Epilepsy, and several nongovernmental organizations to increase awareness about epilepsy and to close the treatment gap. An overview of these activities is provided.
-
Epilepsy & behavior : E&B · Apr 2015
Interprofessional simulation to improve safety in the epilepsy monitoring unit.
Patient safety is critical for epilepsy monitoring units (EMUs). Effective training is important for educating all personnel, including residents and nurses who frequently cover these units. We performed a needs assessment and developed a simulation-based team training curriculum employing actual EMU sentinel events to train neurology resident-nurse interprofessional teams to maximize effective responses to high-acuity events. ⋯ A simulated team training curriculum using a safe-practice checklist to improve the management of acute events in an EMU may be an effective method of training neurology residents. However, translating the results into sustainable benefits and confidence in management in the EMU requires further study.