Decision-making impulsivity in patients with idiopathic generalized epilepsy / 中华行为医学与脑科学杂志

Objective To explore the decision-making impulsivity in patients with idiopathic generalized epilepsy.Methods 39 patients with idiopathic generalized epilepsy and 40 healthy controls completed delay discounting task.The participants were demanded to make a series of choices between two different rewards after a delayed period (a smaller sooner reward or a larger longer reward).Results The delay discount rate k was transformed to common logarithm lg (k),and lg (k)=-1.75±0.86 in IGE group was more larger than that in HC group lg (k)=-2.21±0.72(t=2.58,P=0.01).IGE group performed worse than HC group in verbal fluency test-semantic (M (P25,P75):16.00 (14.00,19.00) vs 18.00 (16.00,22.75),Z =-2.86,P＜0.01),verbal fluency test-voice (M (P25,P75):4.00 (3.00,6.00) vs 7.00 (6.00,10.00),Z =-4.26,P＜0.01) and digital span backward test (M(P25,P75):5.00(5.00,7.00) vs 6.00 (5.00,8.00),Z=-2.48,P=0.01).In addition,lg (k) had significant correlation with verbal fluency test-semantic (r=0.32,P=0.048).Conclusion IGE group prefer immediate rewards and show more impulsive than HC group in delay discounting task.IGE group has cognitive deficit in frontal lobe language function and attention function.In addition,impulsivity is correlated with frontal lobe function.

The Mechanism of Anti-Epileptogenesis by Levetiracetam Treatment is Similar to the Spontaneous Recovery of Idiopathic Generalized Epilepsy during Adolescence

OBJECTIVE: The anti-epileptogenic drug levetiracetam has anticonvulsant and anti-epileptogenesis effects. Synergy between cell death and inflammation can lead to increased levels of apoptosis inhibitory factors and brain-derived neurotrophic factor, aberrant neurogenesis and extended axon sprouting. Once hyperexcitation of the neural network occurs, spontaneous seizures or epileptogenesis develops. This study investigated whether the anti-epileptogenic effect of levetiracetam is due to its alternate apoptotic activity. METHODS: Adult male Noda epileptic rats were treated with levetiracetam or vehicle control for two weeks. mRNA quantification of Bax, Bcl-2 and GAPDH expression were performed from prefrontal cortex and hippocampus tissue samples. RESULTS: The levetiracetam-treated group showed a significant increase of Bax/Bcl-2 mRNA expression ratio in the prefrontal cortex than the control group, but no change in the Bax/Bcl-2 mRNA expression ratio in hippocampus. CONCLUSION: Idiopathic generalized epilepsy including childhood absence epilepsy develop at childhood and recover spontaneously during adolescence. The aberrant neural excitable network is pruned by a neural-maturing action. This study suggests the mechanism of acquired anti-epileptogenesis by levetiracetam treatment may be similar to spontaneous recovery of idiopathic generalized epilepsy during adolescence.

Study of fractional amplitude of low frequency fluctuation and regional homogeneity in idiopathic generalized epilepsy based on resting-state functional MRI / 实用放射学杂志

Objective To observe the changes of whole brain function in idiopathic generalized epilepsy(IGE).Methods Three-dimensional structure scan and resting-state functional scan were performed in 23 cases of IGE patients and 23 health controls at 3.0T super-conducting MRI scanner.Brain functional analysis by fALFF and ReHo methods were obtained and the changes of brain areas were compared.Correlation analysis between different brain regions of IGE patients with the course of disease were performed.Results Compared with normal controls,IGE group showed increasd fALFF in the bilateral precentral gyrus,left supplementary motor area, left cingulate gyrus,left paracentral lobule,left superior occipital gyrus,left calcarine cortex,left middle occipital gyrus and right precuneus;decreased fALFF in the bilateral inferior temporal gyrus,right parahippocampa gyrus,right insula,right precuneus and left inferior parietal lobule(P<0.005).IGE group showed increasd ReHo in the left calcarine cortex,left superior parietal lobule, left postcentral gyrus,right precentral gyrus;decreased ReHo in the right fusiform gyrus,left lentiform nucleus,right inferior frontal gyrus,right superior medial frontal gyrus,left middle occiptal gyrus,right insula and bilateral inferior parietal lobule(P<0.005). These different brain regions in fALFF and ReHo results for IGE patients were no correlated with the course of disease.Conclusion IGE patients having wide range of brain areas with abnormal changes in function is the basis of the IGE complex clinical manifestations of the nerve.Combined application of two analysis methods of RS-fMRI can evaluate the change of brain function more comprehensively, and provide functional neuroanatomical evidence for the researches on neuro pathogenesis mechanism of IGE.

Qualitative palmar dermatoglyphic patterns in cases of idiopathic generalized epilepsy.

Background: Genetic etiology has been proposed for both idiopathic epilepsy and dermatoglyphics. Hence, the present study has been undertaken to find out the existence of any correlation between dermatoglyphics and idiopathic generalized epilepsy. Objective of current study was to find out an association, if any, between dermatoglyphic patterns of hands in idiopathic generalized epilepsy of both sexes. Methods: The study was conducted in the department of anatomy and department of neurology, Himalayan institute of medical sciences, Swami Ram Nagar, Dehradun. Fingertip patterns (whorls, loops, arches) and Main line (A, B, C, D) terminations were analysed by utilizing finger and palmar prints. Results: The present study showed a significant decrease in whorls and an increase in arches in both the hands of male and female IGE patients. Loops were increased in both hands of female patients. Main line D was mostly confined to sectors 11, 9 and 7 in both sexes among the cases and controls. Main line C terminated quite often in sectors 9 & 7 in males and females of the case series. Main line B terminated most frequently in sectors 5'' & 7 in control and case groups. Main line A terminated most frequently in sector 5' in males and females. Conclusion: Therefore, we can conclude and hypothesize merely by observing decrease in the whorl and increase in the arch patterns in the fingerprints (as observed in the present study) that persons with high risk of idiopathic generalized epilepsy can be identified early and preventive measures can be taken against serious complications.

Epilepsia generalizada idiopatica: aspectos etnicos, eletroencefalograficos e de neuroimagem / Idiopathic generalized epilepsy: clinical, electroencephalographic and neuroimagem features

Epilepsias generalizadas idiopáticas (EGI) constituem de 20-40% das epilepsias e de forma oposta às epilepsias parciais, anormalidades estruturais não são esperadas. De acordo com a idade de início e o tipo principal de crise, as EGI são divididas principalmente em epilepsia ausência infantil e juvenil (EA), epilepsia mioclônica juvenil (EMJ) e epilepsia com crises tônico-clônicas generalizadas (CTCG). Os limites entre estas subsíndromes são imprecisos e a classificação muitas vezes é difícil. Devido às características semelhantes, alguns autores consideram a EGI como uma única patologia com múltiplos fenótipos (continuum biológico). O eletroencefalograma (EEG) auxilia no diagnóstico das EGI especialmente quando evidencia descargas do tipo espícula onda-lenta generalizadas com atividade de base normal. Entretanto, o EEG pode ser normal e até mesmo mostrar focalidades dificultando o diagnóstico. A ressonância magnética (RM) não é realizada de forma rotineira em pacientes com EGI. Contudo, novas técnicas de aquisição e processamento de imagens vêm detectando anormalidades sutis nestes indivíduos. O objetivo deste estudo foi investigar a fisiopatologia das EGI através da análise de características clínicas, eletroencefalográficas e de neuroimagem. Inicialmente, as características dos EEGs de 180 pacientes com diagnóstico clínico de EGI foram avaliadas. 493 exames foram analisados. Em 33% dos pacientes o EEG inicial foi característico e em 22% o exame evidenciou focalidades. Após a identificação de focalidades utilizamos a neuroimagem convencional (análise visual) na avaliação de 134 pacientes com EGI. Observamos anormalidades na RM de 27 (20%) pacientes. A maioria das anormalidades não apresentou relação direta com as crises. Utilizamos a técnica da morfometria baseada...

Idiopathic generalized epilepsies (IGE) represent 20-40% of all epilepsies and opposed to partial epilepsies, structural abnormalities are not expected. According to the age of onset and the main seizure type, IGE are divided mainly in childhood and juvenile absence epilepsy (AE), juvenile myoclonic epilepsy (JME) and generalized tonic-clonic seizures (GTCS). The limits between these subsyndromes are unclear and sometimes classification is difficult. Because of the similar characteristics, some authors consider IGE as a single pathology with multiple phenotypes (biological continuum). Electroencephalogram (EEG) helps the IGE diagnosis specially when it shows the generalized spike and wave discharges with normal background. However, the EEG may be normal or even disclose focalities difficulting the diagnosis. Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) is not routinely performed in patients with IGE. In spite of this, new techniques of acquisition and processing of the images are detecting subtle abnormalities in these individuals. The objective of this study was to investigate the pathophysiology of the IGE using the clinical, EEG and neuroimaging features. Initially, the characteristics of the EEGs of 180 patients with clinical diagnosis of IGE were evaluated. 493 exams were analyzed. In 33% of the patients the initial EEG was characteristic and in 22% the exam revealed focalities. After the identification of the focalities, we used conventional neuroimaging (visual analysis) on the evaluation of 134 patients with IGE. We observed abnormalities in the MRI of 27 (20%) patients. Most of the abnormalities were not directly related to the seizures. We used the voxel base morphometry (VBM) technique to evaluate...

The Pharmacological Treatment of Pediatric Onset Idiopathic Generalized Epilepsies: The Therapeutic Effects of Topiramate, Lamotrigine, and Valproate / 대한간질학회지

PURPOSE: The majority of patients with idiopathic generalized epilepsy (IGE) are controlled by an antiepileptic drug when appropriately selected. So far, valproate is regarded as the first-line treatment for IGE. Also, it is postulated that lamotrigine and topiramate may have efficacy in IGE but there are a few evidence to support the usage. We examined the remission rates of seizures on valproate, lamotrigine, topiramate and factors predicting the outcome. METHODS: We reviewed the patients who diagnosed as IGE in pediatric neurology clinics in Asan Medical Center from March, 1995 to August, 2005. The patients with childhood absence epilepsy and patients without generalized spike and slow waves in EEG were excluded. Data were collected retrospectively on demographics, seizure types, antiepileptic drug treatment details, and remission rates. RESULTS: 64 of 80 patients had achieved one year period of remission by monotherapy with following drugs: Valproate (73.7% of 38 patients), lamotrigine (72.4% of 29 patients) or topiramate (83.3% of 18 patients). Among patients who failed to achieve remission by monotherapy, the combination of the drugs showed a remission rate of 72.7% (8/11 patients). Factors such as age, sex, family history, and history of febrile convulsions did not affect the remission rates. The existence of photoparoxysmal responses or focal epileptiform discharges, and syndrome diagnoses also couldn't be the predictive factors as well. CONCLUSIONS: As in adult patients with IGE, topiramate and lamotrigine as well as valproate can be used as the most effective anti-epileptic drugs in children with IGE without significant side effect.

Reflex Epilepsy Induced by Playing Oriental Card or Board Games

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE: There are currently few studies on clinical profiles of reflex epilepsy induced by thinking and spatial tasks. We studied the clinical characteristics of reflex epilepsy induced by playing oriental card and board games. METHODS: This study included 17 patients who presented with seizures that occur predominantly while playing games. We collected clinical data via protocol-based interviews. EEGs and brain MRI were performed. RESULTS: All of the subjects were men, and all of them were older than 30 years at the onset of seizure. Thirteen patients (76%) experienced their seizures while playing the oriental card game "Go-stop" and the remaining four patients (24%) experienced them while playing the oriental board game "Baduk". Generalized tonic-clonic seizures were frequently preceded by prodromal symptoms, but myoclonus was not evident. Most patients had no spontaneous seizures and generalized epileptiform discharges on EEGs, and infrequent seizures that were well controlled. CONCLUSIONS: Our patients exhibited some features that differ from those described previously in the literature, suggesting that the clinical spectrum of reflex epilepsy induced by thinking and spatial tasks is wide.

Seizure Types and EEG Findings of Juvenile Onset Idiopathic Generalized Epilepsy

PURPOSE: Juvenile myoclonic epilepsy, juvenile absence epilepsy, and epilepsy wth generalized tonic clonic seizure (GTCS) on awakening are the three syndromes of idiopathic generalized epilepsy of adolescent onset currently included in the classification of epilepsy syndromes of the International League Against Epilepsy (ILAE). Although they differ in their predominant seizure types, the syndromes share several seizure types. Also, there are no unique electrophysiologic or genetic markers. The question of phenotypic overlap and purity have arison. METHODS: We diagnosed 60 patients as idiopathic generalized epilepsy in Seoul National University Children's Hospital from August 1987 to June 1993 were analyzed in aspects of seizure types, electroencephalographic findings and follow up results. Their onset age of seizure was over 8 year old and the follow-up period was minimum 3 year. RESULTS: 1) seizure types : Four groups were defined by seizure type. The group with absence but not myoclonic (group A) were 19 cases (31.7%) and the group with myoclonic but not absence (group B), 12 cases (20.0%), the group with absence and myoclnic (Group C), 4cases (6.7%), and the group with GTCS only (Group D), 25 cases (41.6%). There was a tendency in that absence begins earlier and myoclonic seizure later in each group. 2) epilepsy syndromes : We could classify as 20 cases (33.3%) of jevenile absence epilepsy, 15 cases (15%) of jevenile myoclonic epilepsy, 5 cases (8.4%) of epilepsy with generalized tonic clonic on awakening, and 20 cases (33.3%) of isolated generalized tonic clonic seizure. 3) EEG characteristics by seizure type : 3-4Hz generalized bursts were most frequent in group A (p<0.05) and polyspike discharges were more frequent in group B than group A (p<0.05). The response to photic stimulation were more frequently observed in group B than group A. There was no significant differences in response to hyperventilation between group A and B. CONCLUSION: To define the combination of seizure types occurred in intervals make easy to approach the diagnosis and treatment of idiopathic generalized epilepsy syndromes. We found that the current classification does not include all patients such as isolated generalized tonic clonic seizure in this study. We can expect information from the fields of molecular genetics and neuroimaging to help to define the etiologic basis of many epilepsies and perhaps to refine the present system of classification, more etiologically oriented and disease-specifically.