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Understanding and Managing Sunflower Syndrome
Sunflower syndrome, a type of reflex seizure usually accompanied by eyelid myoclonia, can be managed with valproate or polypharmacy suggests a recent study of affected patients managed by the Department of Neurology, Division of Child Neurology, Stanford University School of Medicine.
- Sunflower syndrome, a photosensitive epilepsy, is triggered when patients wave their hands in front of the sun.
- A review of 13 cases, occurring mostly in girls with an average age of onset of 5.5 years, found that many of these patients had intellectual, attentional, or academic problems.
- Most patients had eyelid myoclonia, with or without absence seizures, while six also had spontaneous seizures.
- Nine children received valproate, of which 66% experienced significant improvement or stopped having seizures.
- No patients taking levetiracetam or lamotrigine monotherapy saw their seizures resolve, but 3 patients did improve on polypharmacy.
Baumer FM, Porter BE. Clinical and electrographic features of sunflower syndrome. Epilepsy Res. 2018;142:58-63.
Sunflower syndrome, a type of reflex seizure usually accompanied by eyelid myoclonia, can be managed with valproate or polypharmacy suggests a recent study of affected patients managed by the Department of Neurology, Division of Child Neurology, Stanford University School of Medicine.
- Sunflower syndrome, a photosensitive epilepsy, is triggered when patients wave their hands in front of the sun.
- A review of 13 cases, occurring mostly in girls with an average age of onset of 5.5 years, found that many of these patients had intellectual, attentional, or academic problems.
- Most patients had eyelid myoclonia, with or without absence seizures, while six also had spontaneous seizures.
- Nine children received valproate, of which 66% experienced significant improvement or stopped having seizures.
- No patients taking levetiracetam or lamotrigine monotherapy saw their seizures resolve, but 3 patients did improve on polypharmacy.
Baumer FM, Porter BE. Clinical and electrographic features of sunflower syndrome. Epilepsy Res. 2018;142:58-63.
Sunflower syndrome, a type of reflex seizure usually accompanied by eyelid myoclonia, can be managed with valproate or polypharmacy suggests a recent study of affected patients managed by the Department of Neurology, Division of Child Neurology, Stanford University School of Medicine.
- Sunflower syndrome, a photosensitive epilepsy, is triggered when patients wave their hands in front of the sun.
- A review of 13 cases, occurring mostly in girls with an average age of onset of 5.5 years, found that many of these patients had intellectual, attentional, or academic problems.
- Most patients had eyelid myoclonia, with or without absence seizures, while six also had spontaneous seizures.
- Nine children received valproate, of which 66% experienced significant improvement or stopped having seizures.
- No patients taking levetiracetam or lamotrigine monotherapy saw their seizures resolve, but 3 patients did improve on polypharmacy.
Baumer FM, Porter BE. Clinical and electrographic features of sunflower syndrome. Epilepsy Res. 2018;142:58-63.
Developing a Pediatric Epilepsy Self-Management Protocol
Pediatric patients with epilepsy would benefit from a comprehensive self-management system that includes several modifiable targets such as adherence, self-sufficiency, attitudes about the disorder, and family variables, according to a review published in Epilepsia.
- To reach that conclusion, investigators studied English-based literature from 1985 to 2014, concentrating on countries with a very high human development index.
- They identified 25 studies related to self-management of epilepsy and found that individual and family-focused factors were most often analyzed for their ability to predict successful self-management.
- Psychosocial care needs and self-efficiency were identified as key factors linked to pediatric epilepsy self-management.
- Researchers identified adherence, self-efficacy for seizure management, attitudes toward epilepsy, and family variables as skills to concentrate on when developing a self-management model.
Smith G, Modi AC, Johnson EK, et al. Measurement in pediatric epilepsy self-management: a critical review. Epilepsia. 2018;59(3):509-522.
Pediatric patients with epilepsy would benefit from a comprehensive self-management system that includes several modifiable targets such as adherence, self-sufficiency, attitudes about the disorder, and family variables, according to a review published in Epilepsia.
- To reach that conclusion, investigators studied English-based literature from 1985 to 2014, concentrating on countries with a very high human development index.
- They identified 25 studies related to self-management of epilepsy and found that individual and family-focused factors were most often analyzed for their ability to predict successful self-management.
- Psychosocial care needs and self-efficiency were identified as key factors linked to pediatric epilepsy self-management.
- Researchers identified adherence, self-efficacy for seizure management, attitudes toward epilepsy, and family variables as skills to concentrate on when developing a self-management model.
Smith G, Modi AC, Johnson EK, et al. Measurement in pediatric epilepsy self-management: a critical review. Epilepsia. 2018;59(3):509-522.
Pediatric patients with epilepsy would benefit from a comprehensive self-management system that includes several modifiable targets such as adherence, self-sufficiency, attitudes about the disorder, and family variables, according to a review published in Epilepsia.
- To reach that conclusion, investigators studied English-based literature from 1985 to 2014, concentrating on countries with a very high human development index.
- They identified 25 studies related to self-management of epilepsy and found that individual and family-focused factors were most often analyzed for their ability to predict successful self-management.
- Psychosocial care needs and self-efficiency were identified as key factors linked to pediatric epilepsy self-management.
- Researchers identified adherence, self-efficacy for seizure management, attitudes toward epilepsy, and family variables as skills to concentrate on when developing a self-management model.
Smith G, Modi AC, Johnson EK, et al. Measurement in pediatric epilepsy self-management: a critical review. Epilepsia. 2018;59(3):509-522.
Linking EEG Oscillations to Epileptic Spasms
The occurrence rate of high-frequency oscillations is higher in children with drug-resistant multilobar epilepsy who experience epileptic spasms, when compared with those who do not, according to a study published in Epilepsia.
- Researchers found that the number of electrodes with high-rate fast ripple (FR) amplitude and the modulation index of coupling between slow and fast oscillations in all electrodes were significantly higher in children with epileptic spasms.
- The investigation involved 24 pediatric patients with drug-resistant multilobar onset epilepsy who had intracranial video EEGs done before multilobar resection.
- The modulation index was highest in 5 frequency bands among both epileptic spasm and nonepileptic spasm prone children.
- Researchers concluded that the greater number of high-rate FR electrodes provided evidence that there was more widespread epileptogenicity in the spasming patients, compared to those without spasms.
- Children with epileptic spasms who were free of seizures after surgery had strong coupling between slow oscillations and FRs.
Iimura Y, Jones K, Takada L, et al. Strong coupling between slow oscillations and wide fast ripples in children with epileptic spasms: Investigation of modulation index and occurrence rate. Epilepsia. 2018;59(3):544-554.
The occurrence rate of high-frequency oscillations is higher in children with drug-resistant multilobar epilepsy who experience epileptic spasms, when compared with those who do not, according to a study published in Epilepsia.
- Researchers found that the number of electrodes with high-rate fast ripple (FR) amplitude and the modulation index of coupling between slow and fast oscillations in all electrodes were significantly higher in children with epileptic spasms.
- The investigation involved 24 pediatric patients with drug-resistant multilobar onset epilepsy who had intracranial video EEGs done before multilobar resection.
- The modulation index was highest in 5 frequency bands among both epileptic spasm and nonepileptic spasm prone children.
- Researchers concluded that the greater number of high-rate FR electrodes provided evidence that there was more widespread epileptogenicity in the spasming patients, compared to those without spasms.
- Children with epileptic spasms who were free of seizures after surgery had strong coupling between slow oscillations and FRs.
Iimura Y, Jones K, Takada L, et al. Strong coupling between slow oscillations and wide fast ripples in children with epileptic spasms: Investigation of modulation index and occurrence rate. Epilepsia. 2018;59(3):544-554.
The occurrence rate of high-frequency oscillations is higher in children with drug-resistant multilobar epilepsy who experience epileptic spasms, when compared with those who do not, according to a study published in Epilepsia.
- Researchers found that the number of electrodes with high-rate fast ripple (FR) amplitude and the modulation index of coupling between slow and fast oscillations in all electrodes were significantly higher in children with epileptic spasms.
- The investigation involved 24 pediatric patients with drug-resistant multilobar onset epilepsy who had intracranial video EEGs done before multilobar resection.
- The modulation index was highest in 5 frequency bands among both epileptic spasm and nonepileptic spasm prone children.
- Researchers concluded that the greater number of high-rate FR electrodes provided evidence that there was more widespread epileptogenicity in the spasming patients, compared to those without spasms.
- Children with epileptic spasms who were free of seizures after surgery had strong coupling between slow oscillations and FRs.
Iimura Y, Jones K, Takada L, et al. Strong coupling between slow oscillations and wide fast ripples in children with epileptic spasms: Investigation of modulation index and occurrence rate. Epilepsia. 2018;59(3):544-554.
Angelman Syndrome Accompanied by Nonepileptic Myoclonus
Angelman syndrome, a neurogenetic disorder brought on by loss of the Ube3a gene, is often accompanied by nonepileptic myoclonus according to a study of 200 patients reported by the Massachusetts General Hospital and the Lurie Center for Autism.
- Myoclonus seizures were reported in 14% of patients with Angelman syndrome, with the first episode beginning before 8 years of age.
- The seizures were usually brief, unless the patient was experiencing myoclonic status, and EEGs showed interictal generalized spike and wave activity.
- 40% of patients older than 10 years had nonepileptic myoclonus.
- Nonepileptic myoclonus typically started during puberty or later.
- The nonepileptic myoclonus lasted from seconds to hours and always began in patients’ hands and, in some cases, spread to face and all extremities.
Pollack SF, Grocott OR, Parkin KA, et al. Myoclonus in Angelman syndrome [Published online ahead of print March 17, 2018]. Epilepsy Behav. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.yebeh.2018.02.006.
Angelman syndrome, a neurogenetic disorder brought on by loss of the Ube3a gene, is often accompanied by nonepileptic myoclonus according to a study of 200 patients reported by the Massachusetts General Hospital and the Lurie Center for Autism.
- Myoclonus seizures were reported in 14% of patients with Angelman syndrome, with the first episode beginning before 8 years of age.
- The seizures were usually brief, unless the patient was experiencing myoclonic status, and EEGs showed interictal generalized spike and wave activity.
- 40% of patients older than 10 years had nonepileptic myoclonus.
- Nonepileptic myoclonus typically started during puberty or later.
- The nonepileptic myoclonus lasted from seconds to hours and always began in patients’ hands and, in some cases, spread to face and all extremities.
Pollack SF, Grocott OR, Parkin KA, et al. Myoclonus in Angelman syndrome [Published online ahead of print March 17, 2018]. Epilepsy Behav. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.yebeh.2018.02.006.
Angelman syndrome, a neurogenetic disorder brought on by loss of the Ube3a gene, is often accompanied by nonepileptic myoclonus according to a study of 200 patients reported by the Massachusetts General Hospital and the Lurie Center for Autism.
- Myoclonus seizures were reported in 14% of patients with Angelman syndrome, with the first episode beginning before 8 years of age.
- The seizures were usually brief, unless the patient was experiencing myoclonic status, and EEGs showed interictal generalized spike and wave activity.
- 40% of patients older than 10 years had nonepileptic myoclonus.
- Nonepileptic myoclonus typically started during puberty or later.
- The nonepileptic myoclonus lasted from seconds to hours and always began in patients’ hands and, in some cases, spread to face and all extremities.
Pollack SF, Grocott OR, Parkin KA, et al. Myoclonus in Angelman syndrome [Published online ahead of print March 17, 2018]. Epilepsy Behav. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.yebeh.2018.02.006.
Personalizing Seizure Mapping with a Computer Algorithm
A software algorithm has the potential to increase the likelihood of achieving freedom from seizures after epilepsy surgery suggests an analysis of 3 illustrative case studies.
- Researchers from the University of South Florida created the algorithm to individualize the mapping of patients’ epilepsy networks.
- The computer program combines noninvasive EEG source localization with nonconcurrent resting state functional MRI.
- Investigators used scalp EEG and resting state fMRI to gather data on a healthy control subject, a patient with right temporal lobe epilepsy (TLE), and one with bitemporal seizure onset.
- Results from the healthy subject found symmetrical global connectivity.
- The patient with right TLE had asymmetry in global connectivity and very little connectivity ipsolaterial to the epileptogenic cortex.
- The patient who had bitemporal lobe epilepsy had symmetrical global connectivity and a network of correlating activity in the cortex that was localized in the epileptogenic tissue of both temporal lobes.
Neal EG, Maciver S, Vale FL. Multimodal, noninvasive seizure network mapping software: A novel tool for preoperative epilepsy evaluation. Epilepsy Behav. 2018; 81:25-32. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.yebeh.2018.01.033
A software algorithm has the potential to increase the likelihood of achieving freedom from seizures after epilepsy surgery suggests an analysis of 3 illustrative case studies.
- Researchers from the University of South Florida created the algorithm to individualize the mapping of patients’ epilepsy networks.
- The computer program combines noninvasive EEG source localization with nonconcurrent resting state functional MRI.
- Investigators used scalp EEG and resting state fMRI to gather data on a healthy control subject, a patient with right temporal lobe epilepsy (TLE), and one with bitemporal seizure onset.
- Results from the healthy subject found symmetrical global connectivity.
- The patient with right TLE had asymmetry in global connectivity and very little connectivity ipsolaterial to the epileptogenic cortex.
- The patient who had bitemporal lobe epilepsy had symmetrical global connectivity and a network of correlating activity in the cortex that was localized in the epileptogenic tissue of both temporal lobes.
Neal EG, Maciver S, Vale FL. Multimodal, noninvasive seizure network mapping software: A novel tool for preoperative epilepsy evaluation. Epilepsy Behav. 2018; 81:25-32. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.yebeh.2018.01.033
A software algorithm has the potential to increase the likelihood of achieving freedom from seizures after epilepsy surgery suggests an analysis of 3 illustrative case studies.
- Researchers from the University of South Florida created the algorithm to individualize the mapping of patients’ epilepsy networks.
- The computer program combines noninvasive EEG source localization with nonconcurrent resting state functional MRI.
- Investigators used scalp EEG and resting state fMRI to gather data on a healthy control subject, a patient with right temporal lobe epilepsy (TLE), and one with bitemporal seizure onset.
- Results from the healthy subject found symmetrical global connectivity.
- The patient with right TLE had asymmetry in global connectivity and very little connectivity ipsolaterial to the epileptogenic cortex.
- The patient who had bitemporal lobe epilepsy had symmetrical global connectivity and a network of correlating activity in the cortex that was localized in the epileptogenic tissue of both temporal lobes.
Neal EG, Maciver S, Vale FL. Multimodal, noninvasive seizure network mapping software: A novel tool for preoperative epilepsy evaluation. Epilepsy Behav. 2018; 81:25-32. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.yebeh.2018.01.033
Using Quantitative EEG Spectrograms to Detect Seizure Subtypes
Using quantitative EEG (QEEG) can help differentiate among several types of seizures suggests an analysis of 562 seizures among 58 patitents.
- Investigators from Montefiore Medical Center and Albert Einstein College of Medicine in New York evaluated the sensitivity of the Persyst 12 QEEG spectrograms for detecting focal, focal with secondary generalized, and generalized onset seizures.
- Patients included in the analysis had 2 or more seizures successfully recorded during continuous EEG monitoring in the ICU or epilepsy monitoring unit from July 2016 to January 2017.
- QEEG spectrograms detected seizures with a sensitivity of 43% to 72%.
- Asymmetry spectrograms generated the highest sensitivity for detecting local seizures (94%).
- FFT spectrograms were most sensitive for diagnosing secondarily generalized seizures (84%).
- Seizure detection trend was most sensitive for generalized onset seizures (79%).
Goenka A, Boro A, Yozawitz E. Comparative sensitivity of quantitative EEG (QEEG) spectrograms for detecting seizure subtypes. Seizures. 2018;55:70-75.
Using quantitative EEG (QEEG) can help differentiate among several types of seizures suggests an analysis of 562 seizures among 58 patitents.
- Investigators from Montefiore Medical Center and Albert Einstein College of Medicine in New York evaluated the sensitivity of the Persyst 12 QEEG spectrograms for detecting focal, focal with secondary generalized, and generalized onset seizures.
- Patients included in the analysis had 2 or more seizures successfully recorded during continuous EEG monitoring in the ICU or epilepsy monitoring unit from July 2016 to January 2017.
- QEEG spectrograms detected seizures with a sensitivity of 43% to 72%.
- Asymmetry spectrograms generated the highest sensitivity for detecting local seizures (94%).
- FFT spectrograms were most sensitive for diagnosing secondarily generalized seizures (84%).
- Seizure detection trend was most sensitive for generalized onset seizures (79%).
Goenka A, Boro A, Yozawitz E. Comparative sensitivity of quantitative EEG (QEEG) spectrograms for detecting seizure subtypes. Seizures. 2018;55:70-75.
Using quantitative EEG (QEEG) can help differentiate among several types of seizures suggests an analysis of 562 seizures among 58 patitents.
- Investigators from Montefiore Medical Center and Albert Einstein College of Medicine in New York evaluated the sensitivity of the Persyst 12 QEEG spectrograms for detecting focal, focal with secondary generalized, and generalized onset seizures.
- Patients included in the analysis had 2 or more seizures successfully recorded during continuous EEG monitoring in the ICU or epilepsy monitoring unit from July 2016 to January 2017.
- QEEG spectrograms detected seizures with a sensitivity of 43% to 72%.
- Asymmetry spectrograms generated the highest sensitivity for detecting local seizures (94%).
- FFT spectrograms were most sensitive for diagnosing secondarily generalized seizures (84%).
- Seizure detection trend was most sensitive for generalized onset seizures (79%).
Goenka A, Boro A, Yozawitz E. Comparative sensitivity of quantitative EEG (QEEG) spectrograms for detecting seizure subtypes. Seizures. 2018;55:70-75.
Cognitive Impairment Linked to Depression in Epilepsy
Cognitive impairment affects 40% of adult patients with epilepsy and is associated with mental depression, seizure frequency, and the number of adverse effects of antiepileptic drugs, according to an analysis of a Cleveland Clinic database.
- Adults with epilepsy enrolled in the Cleveland Clinic Knowledge Program Data Registry from January to May 2015 were included in the analysis.
- The patients had completed several assessment scales, including the Aldenkamp–Baker Neuropsychological Assessment Schedule (ABNAS), the Patient Health Questionnaire (PHQ-9), the Generalized Anxiety Disorder scale (GAD-7), and the Quality of Life in Epilepsy questionnaire.
- Since topiramate poses a high risk of cognitive impairment, it was used as the basis for the evaluation.
- 270 of 670 patients (40%) reported cognitive impairment, with PHQ-9 scores, the number of adverse drug effects and the frequency of seizures most closely associated with such impairment., suggesting that these three variables could be used as predictors.
Feldman L, Lapin B, Busch RM, et al. Evaluating subjective cognitive impairment in the adult epilepsy clinic: Effects of depression, number of antiepileptic medications, and seizure frequency. Epilepsy Behav. 2018; 81:18-24.
Cognitive impairment affects 40% of adult patients with epilepsy and is associated with mental depression, seizure frequency, and the number of adverse effects of antiepileptic drugs, according to an analysis of a Cleveland Clinic database.
- Adults with epilepsy enrolled in the Cleveland Clinic Knowledge Program Data Registry from January to May 2015 were included in the analysis.
- The patients had completed several assessment scales, including the Aldenkamp–Baker Neuropsychological Assessment Schedule (ABNAS), the Patient Health Questionnaire (PHQ-9), the Generalized Anxiety Disorder scale (GAD-7), and the Quality of Life in Epilepsy questionnaire.
- Since topiramate poses a high risk of cognitive impairment, it was used as the basis for the evaluation.
- 270 of 670 patients (40%) reported cognitive impairment, with PHQ-9 scores, the number of adverse drug effects and the frequency of seizures most closely associated with such impairment., suggesting that these three variables could be used as predictors.
Feldman L, Lapin B, Busch RM, et al. Evaluating subjective cognitive impairment in the adult epilepsy clinic: Effects of depression, number of antiepileptic medications, and seizure frequency. Epilepsy Behav. 2018; 81:18-24.
Cognitive impairment affects 40% of adult patients with epilepsy and is associated with mental depression, seizure frequency, and the number of adverse effects of antiepileptic drugs, according to an analysis of a Cleveland Clinic database.
- Adults with epilepsy enrolled in the Cleveland Clinic Knowledge Program Data Registry from January to May 2015 were included in the analysis.
- The patients had completed several assessment scales, including the Aldenkamp–Baker Neuropsychological Assessment Schedule (ABNAS), the Patient Health Questionnaire (PHQ-9), the Generalized Anxiety Disorder scale (GAD-7), and the Quality of Life in Epilepsy questionnaire.
- Since topiramate poses a high risk of cognitive impairment, it was used as the basis for the evaluation.
- 270 of 670 patients (40%) reported cognitive impairment, with PHQ-9 scores, the number of adverse drug effects and the frequency of seizures most closely associated with such impairment., suggesting that these three variables could be used as predictors.
Feldman L, Lapin B, Busch RM, et al. Evaluating subjective cognitive impairment in the adult epilepsy clinic: Effects of depression, number of antiepileptic medications, and seizure frequency. Epilepsy Behav. 2018; 81:18-24.
Can You Predict How Often Patients Will Have Seizures?
A mathematical formula may help determine the variability in the frequency of patients’ seizures, according to researchers from the National Institutes of Health, Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center, and other institutions.
- Because clinicians and researchers have yet to develop a reliable way to predict the range of each patient’s seizure counts, investigators analyzed 3 independent seizure diary databases to look for patterns.
- The databases included 3106 entries in Seizure Tracker, 93 from the Human Epilepsy Project, and 15 from NeuroVista.
- The analysis looked at the relationship between mean seizure frequency and the standard deviation of seizure frequency.
- The analysis revealed that the logarithm of the mean seizure count had a linear relationship with the log of the standard deviation (R2 >0.83).
- Using this mathematical relationship, researchers were able to predict variability in seizure frequency with a 94% accuracy rate, compared to only 77% using traditional prediction methods.
Goldenholz DM, Goldenholz SR, Moss R, et al. Is seizure frequency variance a predictable quantity? Ann Clin Transl Neurol. 2018;5(2):201-207.
A mathematical formula may help determine the variability in the frequency of patients’ seizures, according to researchers from the National Institutes of Health, Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center, and other institutions.
- Because clinicians and researchers have yet to develop a reliable way to predict the range of each patient’s seizure counts, investigators analyzed 3 independent seizure diary databases to look for patterns.
- The databases included 3106 entries in Seizure Tracker, 93 from the Human Epilepsy Project, and 15 from NeuroVista.
- The analysis looked at the relationship between mean seizure frequency and the standard deviation of seizure frequency.
- The analysis revealed that the logarithm of the mean seizure count had a linear relationship with the log of the standard deviation (R2 >0.83).
- Using this mathematical relationship, researchers were able to predict variability in seizure frequency with a 94% accuracy rate, compared to only 77% using traditional prediction methods.
Goldenholz DM, Goldenholz SR, Moss R, et al. Is seizure frequency variance a predictable quantity? Ann Clin Transl Neurol. 2018;5(2):201-207.
A mathematical formula may help determine the variability in the frequency of patients’ seizures, according to researchers from the National Institutes of Health, Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center, and other institutions.
- Because clinicians and researchers have yet to develop a reliable way to predict the range of each patient’s seizure counts, investigators analyzed 3 independent seizure diary databases to look for patterns.
- The databases included 3106 entries in Seizure Tracker, 93 from the Human Epilepsy Project, and 15 from NeuroVista.
- The analysis looked at the relationship between mean seizure frequency and the standard deviation of seizure frequency.
- The analysis revealed that the logarithm of the mean seizure count had a linear relationship with the log of the standard deviation (R2 >0.83).
- Using this mathematical relationship, researchers were able to predict variability in seizure frequency with a 94% accuracy rate, compared to only 77% using traditional prediction methods.
Goldenholz DM, Goldenholz SR, Moss R, et al. Is seizure frequency variance a predictable quantity? Ann Clin Transl Neurol. 2018;5(2):201-207.
Amygdalohippocampectomy For Intractable Mesial TLE
Amygdalohippocampectomy may offer hope for select patients with intractable temporal lobe epilepsy according to a review published in Brain Sciences by Warren Boling, MD, a neurosurgeon at Loma Linda University Health.
- Patients with mesial temporal lobe epilepsy that does not respond to medical therapy may experience freedom from their seizures by means of resection surgery.
- Two surgical approaches worth considering in this patient population are standard anterior temporal removal and selective amygdalohippocampectomy.
- The advantage of selective amygdalohippocampectomy is the potential to remove the seizure focal point, thus avoiding the removal of portions of the temporary lobe that are not actually part of the epileptogenic zone.
- Selective amygdalohippocampectomy (SAH), if performed using a minimally access approach, also has the advantage of allowing patients to recover more quickly.
- Evidence also suggests that SAH may provide cognitive benefits that standard temporal resections do not.
Boling WW. Surgical Considerations of Intractable Mesial Temporal Lobe Epilepsy. Brain Sciences. 2018;8:35. doi:10.3390/brainsci8020035.
Amygdalohippocampectomy may offer hope for select patients with intractable temporal lobe epilepsy according to a review published in Brain Sciences by Warren Boling, MD, a neurosurgeon at Loma Linda University Health.
- Patients with mesial temporal lobe epilepsy that does not respond to medical therapy may experience freedom from their seizures by means of resection surgery.
- Two surgical approaches worth considering in this patient population are standard anterior temporal removal and selective amygdalohippocampectomy.
- The advantage of selective amygdalohippocampectomy is the potential to remove the seizure focal point, thus avoiding the removal of portions of the temporary lobe that are not actually part of the epileptogenic zone.
- Selective amygdalohippocampectomy (SAH), if performed using a minimally access approach, also has the advantage of allowing patients to recover more quickly.
- Evidence also suggests that SAH may provide cognitive benefits that standard temporal resections do not.
Boling WW. Surgical Considerations of Intractable Mesial Temporal Lobe Epilepsy. Brain Sciences. 2018;8:35. doi:10.3390/brainsci8020035.
Amygdalohippocampectomy may offer hope for select patients with intractable temporal lobe epilepsy according to a review published in Brain Sciences by Warren Boling, MD, a neurosurgeon at Loma Linda University Health.
- Patients with mesial temporal lobe epilepsy that does not respond to medical therapy may experience freedom from their seizures by means of resection surgery.
- Two surgical approaches worth considering in this patient population are standard anterior temporal removal and selective amygdalohippocampectomy.
- The advantage of selective amygdalohippocampectomy is the potential to remove the seizure focal point, thus avoiding the removal of portions of the temporary lobe that are not actually part of the epileptogenic zone.
- Selective amygdalohippocampectomy (SAH), if performed using a minimally access approach, also has the advantage of allowing patients to recover more quickly.
- Evidence also suggests that SAH may provide cognitive benefits that standard temporal resections do not.
Boling WW. Surgical Considerations of Intractable Mesial Temporal Lobe Epilepsy. Brain Sciences. 2018;8:35. doi:10.3390/brainsci8020035.
Do Seizures Have an Impact on Autism Symptom Severity?
Young children with autism spectrum disorder seem to experience less severe symptomology if they have a history of seizures according to a recent study published in Developmental Neurorehabilitation.
- To reach that conclusion, investigators reviewed patient records with the help of a licensed clinical psychologist.
- The study looked at the severity of autism symptoms and developmental functioning in young children, comparing children with and without a history of seizures and comparing those with autism to those who had atypical development.
- Among children with autism spectrum disorders whose parents reported a history of seizures, symptoms of autism were less severe, when compared to children without seizures.
- On the other hand, among children with atypical development, the direction of the correlation was the opposite, with those children with atypical development experiencing more severe symptoms if they had a history of seizures.
Burns CO, Matson JL. An investigation of the association between seizures, autism symptomology, and developmental functioning in young children. [Published online ahead of print February 20, 2018] Dev Neurorehabil. doi: 10.1080/17518423.2018.1437842.
Young children with autism spectrum disorder seem to experience less severe symptomology if they have a history of seizures according to a recent study published in Developmental Neurorehabilitation.
- To reach that conclusion, investigators reviewed patient records with the help of a licensed clinical psychologist.
- The study looked at the severity of autism symptoms and developmental functioning in young children, comparing children with and without a history of seizures and comparing those with autism to those who had atypical development.
- Among children with autism spectrum disorders whose parents reported a history of seizures, symptoms of autism were less severe, when compared to children without seizures.
- On the other hand, among children with atypical development, the direction of the correlation was the opposite, with those children with atypical development experiencing more severe symptoms if they had a history of seizures.
Burns CO, Matson JL. An investigation of the association between seizures, autism symptomology, and developmental functioning in young children. [Published online ahead of print February 20, 2018] Dev Neurorehabil. doi: 10.1080/17518423.2018.1437842.
Young children with autism spectrum disorder seem to experience less severe symptomology if they have a history of seizures according to a recent study published in Developmental Neurorehabilitation.
- To reach that conclusion, investigators reviewed patient records with the help of a licensed clinical psychologist.
- The study looked at the severity of autism symptoms and developmental functioning in young children, comparing children with and without a history of seizures and comparing those with autism to those who had atypical development.
- Among children with autism spectrum disorders whose parents reported a history of seizures, symptoms of autism were less severe, when compared to children without seizures.
- On the other hand, among children with atypical development, the direction of the correlation was the opposite, with those children with atypical development experiencing more severe symptoms if they had a history of seizures.
Burns CO, Matson JL. An investigation of the association between seizures, autism symptomology, and developmental functioning in young children. [Published online ahead of print February 20, 2018] Dev Neurorehabil. doi: 10.1080/17518423.2018.1437842.