Epilepsy

The systematic review and meta-analysis showed no correlation between epilepsy surgery and intelligence quotient (IQ) or quality of life (QOL) among younger patients with facial cortical dysplasia (FCD) and long-term epilepsy-associated tumors (LEAT).

The findings from this single-center cross-sectional study, say the researchers, suggest that IL-6 signaling may be a promising target for the treatment of patients with glutamic acid decarboxylase (GADA)–induced autoimmune epilepsy.

The current study, which showed that cannabidiol (CBD) blocked signals carried by the molecule lysophosphatidylinositol in neurons, offers new insights into these mechanisms.

The researchers of a single-center study found that the relationships between epilepsy and autoimmune diseases may be a result of the different etiopathogenetic mechanisms that underly seizure development in each syndrome.

A significantly higher proportion of patients with epilepsy scored above the threshold for clinically significant insomnia compared with controls in this new analysis, in line with previous research.

Investigators found that surgical intervention for epilepsy improves social functioning and increases the likelihood a patient will be free of seizures.

Between 2019 and 2020, there were 97 reported shortages among sponsor-reported antiseizure medications in Australia, 93% of which were generic brands.

Body image dissatisfaction was shown to be the strongest unique contributor for poor quality of life in patients with epilepsy, signaling the potential need for targeted psychological treatments.

Findings of a meta-analysis showed that women with epilepsy were at increased odds of miscarriage, stillbirth, and maternal death, and risk of poor perinatal outcomes increased with greater use of antiseizure medication.

When a series of winter storms in Austin, Texas, in February 2021, 62% of children with epilepsy were negatively affected, according to a new study.

Perampanel, a novel antiepileptic drug, was associated with a reduction in seizure frequency of at least 50% in more than half of children and adolescents in a meta-analysis.

Incidence of medication problems and their harm potential following hospital discharge among pediatric patients with epilepsy were not significantly different for individuals who received discharge medication education and those who did not.

Patients treated with 5-mg midazolam nasal spray were more likely than those given placebo to remain seizure free for 6 hours after treatment or have their seizure terminated within 10 minutes, with no recurrence seen from 10 minutes to 6 hours after the treatment.

School nurses reported improved knowledge and confidence in the care of students with seizures after undergoing the Project ECHO (Extension for Community Healthcare Outcomes) telementoring program for epilepsy.

Children with epilepsy had an increased risk for injuries requiring hospitalization compared with controls in Finland, with boys showing greater risk than girls among all included participants.

Individuals exposed to antidepressant drugs for longer than 365 days had an increased risk of epilepsy, particularly those given escitalopram, venlafaxine, and mirtazapine, according to a recent study conducted in Taiwan.

The modified Atkins diet exhibited superior tolerability and effectiveness in reducing seizure frequency compared with other dietary therapies in the management of childhood drug-resistant epilepsy.

Approximately 70% of veterans with drug-resistant epilepsy reported diagnosis of at least 1 psychiatric condition, with female patients showing a higher prevalence than male patients.

Significant geographical variation was found regarding the prevalence and incidence of epilepsy in United Kingdom primary care data between 2013 and 2018, suggesting a potential relationship between the disease and deprivation.

A review of randomized controlled trials suggests patients with epilepsy refractory to medical management may benefit from vagal nerve stimulation.

In an animal study, researchers found that valproate, a common epilepsy drug, possessed hypnotic and antiepileptic properties during sleep, suggesting that the drug could help improve sleep quality for patients with nocturnal epilepsy.

Progressive muscle relaxation exercises may improve depression, sleep, and quality of life in patients with epilepsy.

Patients with epilepsy on Medicaid insurance of Black, Latino, and Native Hawaiian and Other Pacific Island ethnicity were associated with lower odds of being on newer, second- and third-generation, antiseizure medications compared with White individuals.

A study showed 18.3% of adolescents with epilepsy (AWE) had at least 1 emotional or behavioral problem, and 24.9% of parents felt others had stigma towards their children with epilepsy.

A review explored the connection between 4 domains (structural, sociocultural, health care, and physiological) contributing to the persistence of inequities in epilepsy risk and outcomes in the United States, as well as key areas of intervention to promote health equity.

A specific genetic variant of SCN1A may be associated with earlier-onset epilepsy.

Martina Bebin, MD, MPA, professor of neurology, University of Alabama at Birmingham Epilepsy Center, discussed Infantile Spasms Awareness Week, the strides made within the field, and the emphasis on early and accurate diagnosis.

Abstracts from the American Epilepsy Society annual meeting show that telemedicine is capable of meeting the needs of patients with epilepsy, and that the patient portal accessibility for patients experiencing high social vulnerability index needs further research.

Abstracts from the American Epilepsy Society (AES) display potential benefits of cannabidiol (CBD) on pediatric patients with epilepsy in tertiary care centers and highlight areas where further research is needed.

New research shows people with psychogenic nonepileptic seizures (PNES) have higher rates of childhood trauma of all types compared with people with epilepsy.