Aspectos electroclínicos de la epilepsia temporal mesial / Neuropsychological risk in temporal lobe epilepsy

Introducción: La epilepsia del lóbulo temporal mesial se considera la más frecuente de las epilepsias focales, con signos y síntomas característicos que ayudan a definir su diagnóstico. Contenidos: Dentro de su historia natural, las crisis pueden iniciar en los primeros años de vida, usualmente como episodios febriles con un periodo de remisión, para reaparecer en la adolescencia o en el adulto joven. La presentación electroencefalográfica tiene un patrón característico, con aparición de puntas y ondas agudas interictales en la región temporal anterior, por lo general unilaterales, y con actividad ictal generalmente theta en la misma localización. La causa más frecuente es la esclerosis del hipocampo. El tratamiento con medicamentos anticrisis puede controlar la epilepsia, aunque algunos casos pueden evolucionar a la farmacorresistencia, en la cual la cirugía de epilepsia está indicada, y tiene buenos resultados. Conclusiones: Esta revisión se centra en la descripción de las características electroclínicas de la epilepsia temporal mesial, para hacer un diagnóstico temprano e iniciar un tratamiento adecuado, a efectos de lograr un mejor pronóstico y una mejor calidad de vida para los pacientes con epilepsia y sus familiares.

Introduction: Mesial temporal lobe epilepsy is considered the most common of the focal epilepsies, with characteristic signs and symptoms that help define its diagnosis. Contents: In the natural history of the disease, seizures can begin in the first years of life, usually as febrile seizures with a period of remission, to reappear in adolescence or in the young adult. The electroencephalographic presentation has a characteristic pattern with the appearance of interictal sharp waves and spikes in the anterior temporal region, usually unilateral, and with generally theta ictal activity in the same location. The most common cause is hippocampal sclerosis. Treatment with antiseizure medication can control epilepsy. However, in some cases evolution of drug resistance can occur, leading to epilepsy surgery as the most appropriate treatment, based on its good results. Conclusions: This review focuses on the description of the electroclinical characteristics of temporal mesial epilepsy, in order to make an early diagnosis and adequate treatment, thus providing a better prognosis and quality of life for patients with epilepsy and their families.

Surgical treatment of temporal lobe epilepsy: comparative results of selective amygdalohippocampectomy versus anterior temporal lobectomy from a referral center in Brazil / Tratamento cirúrgico da epilepsia do lobo temporal: resultados comparativos da amigdalohipocampectomia seletiva versus lobectomia temporal anterior em um centro de referência no Brasil

Abstract Background Temporal lobe epilepsy (TLE) is a high prevalence neurological disorder. Surgery has emerged as a promising treatment. Objective The objective of this work is to compare the surgical results of anterior temporal lobectomy (ATL) versus selective amygdalohippocampectomy (SAH) in a cohort of 132 patients. Methods We performed a retrospective study of 146 patients operated for TLE from 2008 to 2019. Initially, 13 patients were excluded from the study due to insufficient medical record data or follow-up loss. One patient was excluded from the analysis of the results due to death in the first postoperative week. We used the ILAE scale to classify seizure control after surgery. In patients with left hippocampal sclerosis, SAH was performed and in right temporal lobe epilepsy, ATL was the approach of choice. Results The mean follow-up time after surgery was 57.2 months (12-137). In our data analysis, we found that the group of patients undergoing ATL had a higher prevalence of being completely seizure-free (ILAE I) (57.1% versus 31%) and a higher rate of satisfactory seizure control (88.6% versus 69.3%) p = 0,006, when compared with patients undergoing SAH. Conclusions The literature is still controversial about seizure control concerning the technique used due to the lack of a robust methodology. Our data analysis identified the superiority of ATL over SAH in seizure outcomes. ATL may be the best option for adequately controlling seizures with minimal additional morbidity in countries with a cost limitation for extended propaedeutics.

Resumo Antecedentes A epilepsia do lobo temporal (TLE) é uma desordem neurológica de alta prevalência. A cirurgia surgiu como um tratamento promissor. Objetivo O objetivo deste trabalho é comparar os resultados da lobectomia temporal anterior (ATL) versus amigdalohipocampectomia seletiva (SAH) em uma coorte de 132 pacientes. Métodos Realizamos um estudo retrospectivo de 146 pacientes operados por TLE de 2008 a 2019. Inicialmente, 13 pacientes foram excluídos por insuficiência de dados em prontuário ou perda de seguimento. Um paciente foi excluído da análise por óbito na primeira semana de pós-operatório. Usamos a escala ILAE para classificar o controle das crises após a cirurgia. Em pacientes com esclerose hipocampal à esquerda, foi realizada a SAH, e na epilepsia do lobo temporal à direita, a ATL foi a abordagem de escolha. Resultados O tempo médio de seguimento após a cirurgia foi de 57,2 meses (12-137). Em nossa avaliação, encontramos que o grupo de pacientes submetidos à ATL apresentou maior prevalência de ausência total de crises (ILAE I) (57,1% versus 31%) e maior taxa de controle satisfatório da epilepsia (88,6% versus 69,3%) p = 0,006, quando comparado ao grupo submetido à SAH. Resultados A literatura ainda é controversa em relação à redução das crises de acordo com a técnica utilizada devido a falta de uma metodologia robusta. Nosso estudo identificou superioridade da ATL sobre a SAH nos desfechos convulsivos. ATL pode ser a melhor opção para controlar adequadamente as convulsões com morbidade adicional mínima em países com limitação de custo para propedêutica estendida.

Imaging study of 18F-SDM-8 in rat temporal lobe epilepsy model / 中华核医学与分子影像杂志

Objective:To explore whether the specific synaptic vesicle glycoprotein 2A (SV2A) targeted imaging agent ( R)-4-(3-fluoro-5-(fluoro- 18F)phenyl)-1-((3-methylpyridin-4-yl)methyl)pyrrolidin-2-one ( 18F-SDM-8) can be used to detect epileptic foci. Methods:Twenty male Sprague-Dawley (SD) rats (8-9 weeks) were injected with 1.2 μl of kainic acid (16 rats in the epilepsy group) or saline (4 rats in the control group) into the right hippocampus. 18F-SDM-8 and 18F-FDG mircoPET/CT imaging were respectively performed at 1-2 d (acute phase), 6-7 d (incubation period) and 45-60 d (chronic phase) after the seizure. Asymmetric index (AI) was used to evaluate the epileptic foci identify ability of 18F-SDM-8. Paired t test, Mann-Whitney U test and Pearson correlation analysis were used to analyze data. Results:In the three periods of 18F-SDM-8 imaging, the differences of AI of hippocampus between the epilepsy group and control group were statistically significant ( z values: from -2.64 to 2.67, all P<0.05). Both imaging agents had asymmetric uptake in the epilepsy group (right was lower than left), and the decrease in the medial right temporal lobe was the most significant. The pathological staining results were consistent with the imaging results. In the chronic phase of the epilepsy group, the differences of 18F-SDM-8 SUV mean (right versus left) in each brain area of interest were statistically significant ( t value: from -33.40 to -5.60, all P<0.05). The asymmetric uptake of the two imaging agents in the hippocampus had a better correlation ( r=0.97, P=0.001), and the AI of 18F-SDM-8 ((34.2±8.4)%) in this area was 1.4 times higher than that of 18F-FDG ((24.6±4.7)%). Conclusions:18F-SDM-8 PET is a promising method to test the level of SV2A. It can reflect the changes of SV2A in the rat epilepsy model induced by intrahippocampal injection of kainic acid, and improve the sensitivity of molecular imaging for epileptic foci.

MTL-P300 as a marker of the epileptogenic zone and hippocampal functionality in the presurgical evaluation of temporal lobe epilepsy: a systematic review / MTL-P300 como um marcador da zona epileptogênica e da funcionalidade hipocampal na avaliação pré-operatória da epilepsia do lobo temporal: revisão sistemática

Abstract Background In the past twenty years, there has been an increasing interest among neuroscientists and physicians in mapping the cortical areas involved in the epileptogenic zone (EZ) through event-related potentials (ERPs) that enable the evaluation of the functional preservation of these areas. The present review is an update on publications on this topic. Objective To investigate the accuracy of the cognitive evoked of the medial temporal lobe P300 (MTL-P300) potential in detecting the EZ in temporal lobe epilepsy (TLE). Methods The systematic review of articles on the PubMed, Embase and Lilacs databases was conducted between February and December 2020. Articles published in English from 1985 to December 2020 were included. Additional studies were identified by searching the references of the selected studies and review articles. The studies were included for the following reasons: in-depth intracranial electroencephalography (iEEG) analysis of hippocampal activity; investigations of patients with TLE; and correlations between regarding the ERP results obtained in the temporal regions (MTL-P300) and the EZ. Results In the three studies analyzed, the authors were able to define the laterality of the EZ during the preoperative investigation through the MTL-P300 results. The sensitivity of this method was of ~ 70% to 80%, and the specificity between 70% and 94.7%. One of the limitations of the present review was the low number of studies. Conclusion There is evidence that the reduced amplitude of the MTL-P300 has high specificity in identifying the EZ, and this is a good marker for diagnosis in unilateral TLE. The low sensitivity and negative likelihood ratios negative that a normal MTL-P300 response does not exclude the epileptogenicity of the hippocampus.

Resumo Antecedentes Nos últimos 20 anos, tem havido um crescente interesse de neurocientistas e médicos em mapear áreas corticais envolvidas na zona epileptogênica (ZE) por meio de potenciais relacionados a eventos (PREs), que permitem avaliar a preservação funcional dessas áreas. Esta revisão é uma atualização das publicações sobre esse tema. Objetivo Investigar a acurácia do potencial evocado cognitivo do lobo temporal medial P300 (medial temporal lobe P300, MTL-P300, em inglês) na detecção da ZE em casos de epilepsias do lobo temporal (ELT). Métodos A revisão sistemática de artigos nas bases de dados PubMed, Embase e Lilacs foi realizada entre fevereiro e dezembro de 2020. Foram incluídos artigos publicados em inglês de 1985 a dezembro de 2020. Estudos adicionais foram identificados por meio de busca nas referências dos estudos selecionados e artigos de revisão. Os estudos foram incluídos pelas seguintes razões: análise detalhada por meio de eletroencefalografia intracraniana (iEEG) da atividade hipocampal; investigações de pacientes com ELT; e correlações entre os resultados de ERP obtidos nas regiões temporais (MTL-P300) e na ZE. Resultados Nos três estudos analisados, os autores foram capazes de definir a lateralidade da ZE durante a investigação pré-operatória por meio dos resultados do MTL-P300. A sensibilidade deste método foi de 70% a 80%, e a especificidade, entre 70% e 94.7%. Uma das limitações desta revisão foi o baixo número de estudos. Conclusão Há evidências de que a amplitude reduzida do MTL-P300 tem alta especificidade na identificação da ZE, e este é um bom marcador para o diagnóstico na ELT unilateral. A baixa sensibilidade e a razão de verossimilhança negativa indicam que a resposta MTL-P300 normal não exclui a epileptogenicidade do hipocampo.

Functional magnetic resonance imaging study of drug-resistant medial temporal lobe epilepsy / 中华神经科杂志

Objective:To explore the changes of brain activity in drug-resistant or drug-controlled medial temporal lobe epilepsy patients by the method of functional connectivity density (FCD), and to analyze their correlation with the course of the disease.Methods:According to the definition of drug-resistant epilepsy by the International League Against Epilepsy in 2010, 146 patients with medial temporal lobe epilepsy who were clearly diagnosed as unilateral hippocampal sclerosis in Jinling Hospital, Nanjing University School of Medicine from July 2009 to February 2019 were divided into drug control group ( n=73) and drug-resistant group ( n=73). The 3.0 T resting state functional magnetic resonance scan was performed on all subjects to compare the difference in FCD between the two groups, and calculate the correlation between the FCD value of the brain area and the course of the disease between the two groups of patients. Results:There was significant difference between the two groups in FCD. Compared with the drug control group, the drug-resistant group had significantly lower FCD values in the insula, lenticular nucleus, thalamus, hippocampus and precentral gyrus on the side of the epileptogenic focus. The FCD value of the precuneus on the side of the epileptogenic focus in the drug-resistant group was negatively correlated with the duration ( r=-0.30, P=0.01). Conclusions:The FCD of patients with drug-resistant medial temporal lobe epilepsy was lower than that of the drug control group. In addition, there may be progressive damage to the brain. The difference is helpful for exploring the pathophysiological mechanisms related to drug resistance in patients with medial temporal lobe epilepsy, and finding reliable neuroimaging markers related to drug resistance.

Localization of epileptic foci in intractable epilepsy induced by hippocampal sclerosis by 11C-choline PET/CT dynamic brain imaging / 中华核医学与分子影像杂志

Objective:To evaluate the diagnostic value of 11C-choline PET/CT brain imaging for localization of epileptogenic foci in hippocampal sclerosis-refractory temporal lobe epilepsy (HS-RTLE), and compare it with 18F-FDG and 11C-flumazeni (FMZ) PET/CT. Methods:From March 2017 and June 2020, a total of 62 patients (39 males, 23 females, age (30.3±11.2) years) with pathologically confirmed HS-RTLE in General Hospital of Northern Theater Command were retrospectively analyzed. All patients were preoperatively treated with multiple radionuclide ( 18F-FDG, 11C-FMZ, 11C-choline) PET/CT brain imaging. 11C-choline PET imaging was used to acquire dynamic imaging data and time-activity curve (TAC) of 11C-choline in bilateral hippocampal regions were drawn. With postoperative pathology as the " gold standard" , the positive detection rates and localization diagnostic efficacies of three radionuclide imaging agents for epileptogenic foci were analyzed. Then a prospective study including 46 patients (27 males, 19 females; age (32.9±11.9) years; between May 2019 and August 2020; General Hospital of Northern Theater Command) with drug-refractory epilepsy caused by clinically suspected hippocampal sclerosis was performed. The examination method was the same as that of retrospective study. Using intracranial electrode implantation or postoperative pathology as " gold standard" , the diagnostic efficacy of 11C-choline TAC for localization of epileptogenic foci was verified, and ROC curve was drawn to evaluate the diagnostic value of three imaging agents for HS-RTLE epileptogenic foci. χ 2 test and Fisher exact probability method, Delong test were used to analyze the data. Results:In the retrospective study, the positive detection rate of 18F-FDG PET/CT was higher than that of 11C-choline PET/CT (100%(62/62) vs 85.48%(53/62); P=0.003), and the localization accuracies of 11C-choline and 11C-FMZ PET/CT were both higher than that of 18F-FDG PET/CT (100%(53/53), 96.61%(57/59) vs 33.87%(21/62); both P<0.001). In the prospective study, 25 of 46 patients were diagnosed as HS-RTLE and 21 were non-HS induced epilepsy. The specificities of 11C-choline, 11C-FMZ and 18F-FDG PET/CT were 100%(21/21), 90.48%(19/21), 33.33%(7/21), respectively. The AUCs of 11C-choline and 11C-FMZ PET/CT were significantly higher than that of 18F-FDG PET/CT (0.920, 0.912, 0.627; z values: 4.93, 5.16, both P<0.01). Conclusions:11C-choline PET/CT can be used in the preoperative localization of epileptic foci. Compared with 18F-FDG and 11C-FMZ PET/CT, the specificity of 11C-choline PET/CT is higher, and the negative imaging of 11C-choline is more significant for exclusion.

MRI study of association between the SCN1A gene rs3812718 locus polymorphism and spontaneous brain activity in temporal lobe epilepsy / 中华放射学杂志

Objective:To investigate the effect of SCN1A gene polymorphism (SCN1A-rs3812718) on the alterations of spontaneous brain activity using amplitude of low-frequency fluctuations (ALFF) of MR in patients with temporal lobe epilepsy (TLE).Methods:A total of 37 TLE patients (TLE group) admitted to the Epilepsy Center of the 900th Hospital of Joint Logistic Team from March 2018 to August 2019 were retrospectively analyzed, and another 28 healthy volunteers matched for gender, age, and years of education with the TLE group were selected as the healthy control group (HC group). Sixty-five subjects were divided into four groups by genotype and diagnosis: 34 cases in AA/AG-TLE subgroup, 3 cases in GG-TLE subgroup, 20 cases in AA/AG-HC subgroup and 8 cases in GG-HC subgroup. All subjects underwent sagittal 3D-T 1WI and resting-state functional MRI using a Siemens 3.0 T Trio Tim MR scanner. Then ALFF values of the four groups were calculated using DPABI by the MATLAB 2010 platform. The ALFF values between two groups were compared by independent samples t-test. The ALFF values of different genotypes at rs3812718 locus in TLE and HC group were analyzed by multivariate analysis of variance to find out the corresponding brain regions with interaction, and then post hoc simple effect analysis was performed. Results:The ALFF values in TLE group significantly increased in left marginal lobe, left parahippocampal gyrus, left fusiform gyrus, left hippocampus, right insular lobe and right inferior temporal gyrus (Alphasim corrected P<0.001) and decreased in the left superior frontal gyrus, left middle frontal gyrus, left inferior frontal gyrus, right middle frontal gyrus, right precuneus, left precuneus, bilateral cingulate gyrus and right angular gyrus (Alphasim correction P<0.05) compared with HC group. Subjects carrying the non-risk G allele had higher ALFF values in the right inferior temporal gyrus, right fusiform gyrus, and right cerebellum than subjects carrying the risk A allele ( t=3.30, Alphasim corrected P=0.002). There was a significant interaction effect on posterior cerebellar lobe, left anterior cerebellar lobe, left inferior temporal gyrus, left superior parietal lobule and right precuneus of TLE patients with SCN1A-rs3812718 genotype. Post-hoc simple effect analysis showed that ALFF significantly increased in the left posterior cerebellar lobe, left anterior cerebellar lobe, left inferior temporal gyrus and left fusiform gyrus in GG-TLE subgroup ( t=5.97, P<0.001), but significantly decreased in the right superior parietal lobule, right precuneus, right posterior cerebellar lobe in AA/AG-TLE subgroup compared to the HC group. Compared with GG-TLE subgroup, ALFF in left posterior cerebellar lobe, left fusiform gyrus and left inferior temporal gyrus decreased in AA/AG-TLE subgroup. Conclusion:SCN1A gene polymorphism in the rs3812718 locus affects spontaneous neural activity in resting state, which may be one of the pathophysiological mechanisms of TLE.

Study of altered brain metabolism and connectivity in temporal lobe epilepsy / 中华核医学与分子影像杂志

Objective:To explore the abnormal brain metabolic pattern and connectivity in temporal lobe epilepsy (TLE) patients.Methods:18F-FDG PET images of 75 patients diagnosed as drug resistant unilateral TLE from January 2014 to December 2016 in Huashan Hospital of Fudan University were collected retrospectively, including 41 (22 males, 19 females, age (28.4±8.7) years) left TLE (LTLE) and 34 (13 males, 21 females, age (28.5±8.8) years) right TLE (RTLE). Forty-four healthy controls (24 males, 20 females, age (31.2±6.2) years) were also enrolled. The cerebral glucose metabolism in TLE patients and the controls were analyzed with statistical parametric mapping (SPM) 12. The brain connectivity based on glucose metabolism were analyzed with bilateral hippocampus and amygdala as seeds. Permutation test with 1 000 permutations was used to analyze data. Results:Compared to control group, in both LTLE and RTLE groups, hypometabolism was found in affected hippocampus, amygdala, insula and temporal gyrus and hypermetabolism was observed in health hippocampus, parahippocampal gyrus, amygdala, lenticular nucleus and thalamus. In addition, hypometabolism was also found in affected superior/middle frontal gyrus and hypermetabolism was also found in bilateral frontal-orbital gyrus, bilateral cerebellum, affected lenticular nucleus and thalamus in LTLE group. In both TLE groups, affected seeds exhibited increased connectivity with affected superior frontal gyrus, lingual gyrus, fusiform gyrus, superior/middle temporal gyrus and temporal pole (all P<0.05); affected seeds exhibited increased connectivity with health superior frontal gyrus ( P=0.005), lingual gyrus ( P=0.018) and transverse temporal gyrus ( P=0.016) in RTLE group in addition. Besides, affected seeds exhibited decreased connectivity with bilateral default mode network (DMN) (all P<0.05), affected caudate nucleus ( P=0.015) and health thalamus ( P=0.008), in a uniform distribution pattern in LTLE group, and with bilateral cerebral cortex in an irregular distribution pattern in RTLE group (all P<0.05). In LTLE group, health seeds exhibited more increased connections with superior ( P=0.005)/middle frontal gyrus ( P=0.042), health hippocampus ( P=0.038), parahippocampal gyrus ( P=0.019), amygdala ( P=0.038), posterior cingulate gyrus ( P=0.004), and bilateral fusiform gyrusand ( P=0.048) compared with RTLE group; while, in RTLE group, health seeds exhibited more decreased connections with health superior ( P=0.047), inferior frontal gyrus ( P<0.001), orbital frontal gyrus ( P<0.001) and rectus gyrus ( P=0.016) compared with LTLE group. Conclusion:Altered brain glucose metabolism and connectivity pattern are found and will elucidate the underlying metabolic pattern of TLE.

Memoria episódica posterior a cirugía de epilepsia del lóbulo temporal / Episodic memory after temporal lobe epilepsy surgery

RESUMEN INTRODUCCIÓN: La cirugía resectiva del lóbulo temporal anterior con amigdalo-hipocampectomía es un tratamiento efectivo para la epilepsia farmacorresistente del lóbulo temporal con esclerosis hipocampal. Sin embargo, este procedimiento conlleva riesgo de deterioro de la memoria episódica verbal y no verbal postoperatoria, dependiendo de la dominancia hemisférica para la memoria y el lenguaje. OBJETIVO: Explorar el desenlace de la memoria episódica posterior a la cirugía resectiva mediante lobectomía temporal anterior con amigdalo-hipocampectomía. MÉTODOS: Se analizó retrospectivamente la memoria episódica verbal y no verbal mediante pruebas neurop-sicológicas de 51 pacientes consecutivos sometidos a lobectomía temporal anterior con amigdalo-hipocampectomía del lado izquierdo y derecho. Todos los pacientes fueron sometidos a resonancia magnética cerebral preoperatoria, video-electroencefalografía y evaluaciones neuropsicológicas. A 12 pacientes (24 %) no se les realizó el test de Wada. RESULTADOS: Hubo disminución en la memoria episódica verbal postoperatoria con diferencias respecto a la preoperatoria, en la subprueba de textos II recuerdo de la escala de memoria de Wechsler III (p = 0,035). El resultado en la memoria episódica visual se mantuvo igual, no hubo diferencias en el grupo de lobectomía temporal estándar. CONCLUSIÓN: La lobectomía temporal anterior más amigdalo-hipocampectomía izquierda afecta levemente el desempeño de la memoria episódica postoperatoria, que clínicamente no es significativo en pacientes con epilepsia del lóbulo temporal mesial farmacorresistente.

SUMMARY INTRODUCTION: Resective surgery of the anterior temporal lobe with amygdalohippocampectomy is an effective treatment for drug-resistant epilepsy of the temporal lobe with hippocampal sclerosis. However, this procedure carries a risk of post-operative episodic verbal and nonverbal memory impairment depending on the hemispheric dominance for memory and language. OBJECTIVE: To explore the outcome of episodic memory after resective surgery by means of anterior temporal lobectomy with amygdalohippocampectomy. METHODS: Verbal and non-verbal episodic memory was retrospectively analyzed by neuropsychological tests of 51 consecutive patients undergoing anterior temporal lobectomy with amygadalohyppocampectomy on the left and right sides. All patients underwent preoperative brain MRI, video electroencephalography, and neuropsychological evaluations. 12 patients (24%) did not undergo the Wada test. RESULTS: There was a decrease in postoperative verbal episodic memory with differences compared to preoperative, in the text II subtest recall of the Wechsler III memory scale (p = 0.035). The result in visual episodic memory remained the same, there were no differences in the standard temporal lobectomy group. CONCLUSION: Anterior temporal lobectomy plus left amygadalohyppocampectomy slightly affects the performance of postoperative episodic memory, which is clinically not significant in patients with drug-resistant mesial temporal lobe epilepsy.

Predictive factors of quality of life in temporal and extratemporal lobe epilepsy: association with affective temperament profiles and psychiatric comorbidities / Factores predictivos de la calidad de vida en la epilepsia del lóbulo temporal y extratemporal: asociación con perfiles de temperamento afectivo y comorbilidades psiquiátricas

ABSTRACT Background: Investigating predictive factors of reduced quality of life (QOL) of patients and their association with focal epilepsy can improve management and treatment strategies. Objective: This study aimed to investigate the relationship between affective temperaments, depression, anxiety, disease characteristics, and QOL and to explore the predictors of QOL in patients with temporal lobe epilepsy (TLE) and extratemporal lobe epilepsy (ETLE). Methods: A total of 50 patients with TLE, 51 patients with ETLE, and 70 controls were enrolled. Affective temperaments were evaluated using the Temperament Evaluation of Memphis, Pisa, Paris, and San Diego-Autoquestionnaire (TEMPS-A). QOL was assessed by the Short-Form Health Survey (SF-36). Beck Depression Inventory and Beck Anxiety Inventory were used to explore depression and anxiety severity, respectively. Results: Compared with the controls, patients with TLE and ETLE had significantly higher scores on all TEMPS-A scales, except on hyperthymic temperament. All the SF-36 subscale scores were lower in the TLE and ETLE groups. Linear regression analysis revealed that depressive symptoms, anxiety, depressive and irritable temperament, and seizure frequency were significant predictors of QOL in TLE. Patients with ETLE with temperamental disturbances, depressive symptoms, and polytherapy had a poorer QOL. Conclusions: Affective temperaments, psychiatric disorders, and clinical factors may predict impaired QOL in patients with TLE and ETLE. Further studies are needed to identify predictors of QOL in various epilepsy subtypes.

RESUMEN Antecedentes: Explorar los factores asociados y predictivos que reducen la calidad de vida en la epilepsia focal produce un efecto beneficioso en las estrategias de gestión y tratamiento. Objetivo: Investigar la relación entre temperamentos afectivos, depresión, ansiedad, características de la enfermedad y calidad de vida (QOL) y explorar los predictores de QOL en pacientes con epilepsia del lóbulo temporal (TLE) y epilepsia del lóbulo extratemporal (ETLE). Métodos: Se inscribieron un total de 50 pacientes con TLE, 51 pacientes con ETLE y 70 controles. Los temperamentos afectivos se evaluaron mediante el cuestionario de autoevaluación de Temperamento de Memphis, Pisa, París y San Diego (TEMPS-A). La calidad de vida se evaluó mediante la encuesta de salud de formato corto (SF-36). También se realizó a todos los participantes el Inventario de Depresión de Beck (BDI) y el Inventario de Ansiedad de Beck (BAI). Resultados: Los pacientes con TLE y ETLE tuvieron puntuaciones significativamente más altas en todas las escalas TEMPS-A que los controles, excepto la hipertimia . En la comparación de las puntuaciones del SF-36 dentro de cada grupo, todas las subescalas fueron más bajas en los pacientes con TLE y ETLE. El análisis de regresión lineal reveló que la depresión y la ansiedad, el temperamento depresivo e irritable y la frecuencia de las convulsiones fueron predictores significativos de la calidad de vida en el TLE. Además, los pacientes con ETLE con desequilibrios de temperamento afectivo, depresión comórbida y politerapia tenían una peor calidad de vida. Conclusiones: Los temperamentos afectivos, los trastornos psiquiátricos y los factores clínicos pueden predecir el deterioro de la calidad de vida en pacientes con TLE y ETLE. Se necesitan más estudios para descubrir los predictores de la calidad de vida en varios subtipos de epilepsia.

Relationship between seizure cluster of temporal lobe epilepsy with hippocampal sclerosis and cortisol rhythm change / 中华神经科杂志

Objective:To explore the relationship between seizure cluster of temporal lobe epilepsy with hippocampal sclerosis (TLE-HS) and cortisol (COR) rhythm, and understand its mechanism from the perspective of neuroendocrine.Methods:Fifty-seven patients with unilateral TLE-HS were recruited from the Qinghai Provincial People′s Hospital from May 1st 2012 to December 31st 2020. According to the history of seizure clusters one month before admission, 27 patients were enrolled in seizure clusters group (SC group), 30 patients were included in without seizures cluster group (NSC group). The clinical characteristics were systematically analyzed and compared between the SC and NSC groups. Plasma COR levels were measured at 8:00, 16:00 and 24:00 (COR8, COR16 and COR0) on the same day, and bilateral magnetic resonance spectroscopy (MRS) diagnosis was performed in two groups. Independent sample t test, chi-square test, repeated analysis of variance, covariance analysis, and multivariate Logistic regression were used for statistical analysis. Results:Time effect, grouping effect and the interaction effect of the time and grouping in the level of COR were statistically significant. Covariance analysis excluded age as an influential factor, COR16, COR0 and the slope of COR8-16 in the SC group [(126.22±19.98) μg/L, (51.63±21.43) μg/L, -7.78±4.54] were higher than the NSC group [(97.70±18.55) μg/L, (31.90±10.73) μg/L, -12.40±4.16], and the difference was statistically significant ( F=5.587, 4.320, 4.013, all P<0.05). The slope of COR0-8 in the SC group (17.11±6.32) was lower than that in the NSC group (20.62±6.54), and the difference was statistically significant ( F=-2.065, P<0.05). There was no significant difference in lateralization of hippocampal sclerosis between the two groups, and there was no significant difference in the ratio of N-acetyl aspartic acid(NAA)/[choline(Cho)+creatinine(Cr)] in the unilateral hippocampal sclerosis zone of the two groups, but the NAA/(Cho±Cr) ratio of the contralateral hippocampus in the SC group (0.71±0.03) was lower than that in the NSC group (0.76±0.06),and the difference was statistically significant ( t=4.999, P=0.029). Multivariate Logistic regression analysis showed that COR16 ( OR=1.328, 95% CI 1.073-1.642, P=0.009), COR8-16 ( OR=3.657, 95% CI 1.404-9.525, P=0.008) were independent risk factors of seizure clusters in TLE-HS. Conclusion:COR rhythm disturbance may be the neuroendocrine basis of seizure clusters in patients with TLE-HS.

Alterations of brain functional complex network in temporal lobe epilepsy patients: a functional magnetic resonance imaging study / 中华神经科杂志

Objective:To investigate longitudinal alterations of brain functional complex network by rest-stage functional magnetic resonance imaging (rs-fMRI) and graph theory in patients with temporal lobe epilepsy (TLE).Methods:A total of 13 TLE patients (TLE baseline group) and 13 healthy controls (healthy control group) were enrolled to observe alterations in complex functional network. The subjects were recruited in the Epilepsy Clinic of the First Affiliated Hospital of Guangxi Medical University from January 2015 to April 2018. For longitudinal analysis, TLE patients were followed-up for three years (TLE follow-up group). All participants underwent rs-fMRI and attention network test (ANT). Finally, a cross-sectional study was conducted by comparing the area under the curve (AUC) between the TLE baseline group and the healthy control group, and a longitudinal analysis was conducted by comparing the AUC between the TLE baseline group and the TLE follow-up group.Results:Cross-sectional analysis showed that the alerting function of the TLE baseline group was declined [The tonic alertness reaction time, phasic alertness reaction time and alertness were (727.00±126.07) ms, (692.85±132.37) ms, and (34.15±23.50) ms, respectively in the TLE baseline group, which were (639.87±81.41) ms, (589.50±80.59) ms, and (50.37±14.71) ms, respectively in the healthy control group, with statistically significant differences between the two groups ( t=-2.09, P=0.047; t=-2.41, P=0.024; t=2.11, P=0.045)]; the TLE baseline group demonstrated decreased clustering coefficient in left supplementary motor area (SMA.L)(AUC was 0.162±0.044, 0.189±0.021, respectively; t=-4.14, P=4.67E-04) and left inferior parietal supramarginal angular gyri (AUC was 0.178±0.021, 0.202±0.026, respectively; t=-2.42, P=0.024), and decreased nodal local efficiency in SMA.L (AUC was 0.239±0.045, 0.260±0.022, respectively; t=-4.13, P=4.77E-04) and left inferior temporal gyrus (AUC was 0.233±0.036, 0.253±0.027, respectively; t=-3.03, P=0.006) compared with the healthy control group, and both SMA.L clustering coefficient and nodal local efficiency were positively correlated with TLE patients′ duration ( r=0.652, P<0.05; r=0.611, P<0.05). Longitudinal analysis showed that the global network efficiency of the TLE follow-up group decreased (The AUC of the TLE baseline group was 0.182±0.008, and the AUC of the TLE follow-up group was 0.169±0.015, t=2.73, P=0.017), which was negatively correlated with alertness ( r=-0.617, P<0.05). Conclusions:TLE patients show impairment of topological properties of brain functional network. SMA.L is a significant node in network. Alterations of brain functional network associate with duration. The decline in global network efficiency may be a characteristic of progressive deficit to TLE.

18F-FDG PET/CT imaging in temporal lobe epilepsy and extratemporal lobe epilepsy caused by focal cortical dysplasia / 中华核医学与分子影像杂志

Objective:To analyze the differences in 18F-fluorodeoxyglucose (FDG) PET/CT imaging and preoperative localization between patients with temporal lobe epilepsy (TLE) and extratemporal epilepsy (ETLE) caused by focal cortical dysplasia (FCD). Methods:From April 2015 to August 2018, a total of 71 patients (45 males, 26 females, age (24.3±9.1) years) with refractory epilepsy who underwent 18F-FDG PET/CT imaging before surgery and confirmed as FCD by pathology in Xuanwu Hospital were retrospectively analyzed. Patients were divided into TLE and ETLE groups based on pathological results. 18F-FDG PET/CT images were analyzed qualitatively and compared with the operation result, then region of interest (ROI) was used to calculate the asymmetry index (AI), and evaluated the hypometabolism of every cerebral region by |AI| semi-quantitatively. Engle classification were followed-up after surgery. Independent-sample t test and χ2 test were used to analyze data. Results:Of 71 FCD patients, 35 were TLE and 36 were ETLE. The onset age of ETLE patients were younger than TLE patients ((10.1±6.5) vs (14.9±9.7) years; t=2.48, P=0.02). In TLE group, 54.29%(19/35) were completely consistent with the operation results, and 42.86%(15/35) showed hypometabolized brain regions in extratemporal lobe. In ETLE group, 27.78%(10/36) were completely consistent with the operation results, and 47.22%(17/36) showed hypometabolized brain regions in temporal lobe. There were significant differences in the lateral accuracy and positioning accuracy of 18F-FDG PET/CT between TLE and ETLE patients (97.14%(34/35) vs 75.00%(27/36), 54.29%(19/35) vs 27.78%(10/36); χ2 values: 7.19, 6.27, both P<0.05). There was no significant difference in |AI| values between the brain regions of TLE and ETLE patients ( z values: from -1.25 to -0.06, all P>0.05). Conclusion:The lateral accuracy and positioning accuracy of 18F-FDG PET/CT in TLE patients are better than that in ETLE patients.

Religiosity and spirituality in patients with epilepsy / Religiosidade e espiritualidade em pacientes com epilepsia

ABSTRACT Religiosity and spirituality (R/S) are widely regarded as important allies against illness and suffering in general. Findings in temporal lobe epilepsy (TLE) suggest the temporal lobe as the anatomical-functional basis of religious experiences. Both R/S are relevant in patients with epilepsy (PWE) since epilepsy can lead to psychosocial issues for a significant portion of patients and their families. Objective: To investigate R/S in PWE, as well as the impact of different epileptic syndromes on patients' R/S. Methods: One hundred PWE and 50 healthy volunteers matched for age, sex and educational level were submitted to an interview, as well as three previously validated questionnaires: Index of Core Spiritual Experience (INSPIRIT-R), Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale (HADS), and the Quality of Life in Epilepsy Inventory (QOLIE-31). Results: PWE's and control's mean ages were 35.9 ± 12.4 vs. 36.3 ± 18.1 years, mean schooling was 8.9 ± 3.7 vs. 10.1 ± 4.2 years. The mean age of epilepsy onset was 14.5 ± 12.1 and monthly frequency of seizures was 5.9 ± 12.6. INSPIRIT-R's scores were not statistically significantly different between patients and controls (3.0 ± 0.8 vs. 3.0 ± 0.8); however, INSPIRIT-R's scores were significantly higher in TLE patients when compared with other epilepsy syndromes (3.2 ± 0.7 vs. 2.8 ± 0.9; p = 0.04). Conclusion: Temporal lobe epilepsy patients have higher levels of R/S.

Resumo Religiosidade e espiritualidade (R/E) são geralmente consideradas importantes aliadas no enfrentamento de doenças e sofrimento. Estudos na epilepsia do lobo temporal (ELT) sugerem que o lobo temporal é a base anatômico-funcional de experiências religiosas. Além disso, R/E têm impacto na vida de pacientes com epilepsia (PCE), uma vez que a epilepsia frequentemente está associada a distúrbios psicossociais em pacientes e seus familiares. Objetivo: Investigar R/E em PCE, bem como o impacto de diferentes síndromes epilépticas na R/E dos pacientes. Método: Cem PCE e 50 voluntários saudáveis pareados por idade, sexo e nível educacional foram submetidos a uma entrevista, bem como três questionários previamente validados: Index of Core Spiritual Experience (INSPIRIT-R), Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale (HADS), e Quality of Life in Epilepsy Inventory (QOLIE-31). Resultados: As médias de idade de PCE e controles foram de 35,9 ± 12,4 vs. 36,3 ± 18,1 anos, com escolaridade média de 8,9 ± 3,7 vs. 10,1 ± 4,2 anos. A idade média do início da epilepsia foi de 14,5 ± 12,1 e a frequência de crises mensais foi de 5,9 ± 12,6. Os escores do INSPIRIT-R não foram estatisticamente diferentes entre os pacientes e controles (3,0 ± 0,8 vs. 3,0 ± 0,8); entretanto, os escores do INSPIRIT-R foram significativamente maiores em pacientes com ELT quando comparados com outras síndromes epilépticas (3,2 ± 0,7 vs. 2,8 ± 0,9; p = 0,04). Conclusão: Pacientes com epilepsia do lobo temporal possuem níveis mais altos de religiosidade e espiritualidade.

Effect of the Chaihu-Longgu-Muli decoction on electroencephalogram and expression of brain derived neurotrophie factor in serum of patients with temporal lobe epilepsy / 中国医师杂志

Objective@#To observe influences of Chaihu-Longgu-Muli decoction (CLMD) on electroencephalogram (EEG), serum nerve growth factor (NGF) and brain derived neurotrophie factor (BDNF) level of patients with temporal lobe epilepsy.@*Methods@#Single blind randomized controlled trial design was used. 138 patients with temporal lobe epilepsy were divided into oxcarbazepine group (including 67 patients), oxcarbazepine+ CLMD group (including 71 patients). After 28 d of treatment, EEG changes, NGF and BDNF changes in serum, and relevant serological indicator inspection of drug reactions in both groups were observed.@*Results@#The effective rate of EEG in oxcarbazepine+ CLMD group was 81.8%, which was obviously higher than the oxcarbazepine group (50.7%), with significant difference (P<0.01). After treatment, NGF and BDNF of both groups were higher than those before treatment (P<0.05). Moreover, serum NGF and BDNF of oxcarbazepine+ CLMD group were higher than the oxcarbazepine group (P<0.05). There was no statistical significance in serological indicator of drug reactions in both groups (P>0.05).@*Conclusions@#The curative effects of oxcarbazepine+ CLMD is superior to the individual oxcarbazepine and it can obviously enhance serum NGF and BDNF of patients with temporal lobe epilepsy and reduce the status epilepticus of patients with temporal lobe epilepsy and it has the high safety.

Clinical value of MRI, interictal 18F-FDG and 11C-FMZ PET/CT imaging in the diagnosis of hippocampal sclerosing refractory epilepsy / 中华核医学与分子影像杂志

Objective@#To compare the lateralization accuracy and localization accuracy of MRI, interictal 18F-fluorodeoxyglucose(FDG) and 11C-flumazenil(FMZ) PET/CT imaging for refractory epilepsy(REP) in patients with hippocampal sclerosis(HS).@*Methods@#A total of 41 classical HS patients (25 males, 16 females; age: 15-61 years) with REP from General Hospital of Northern Theater Command of PLA between January 2017 and October 2018 were retrospectively analyzed. All patients underwent MRI, interictal 18F-FDG and 11C-FMZ PET/CT imaging, followed by the resection of epileptogenic foci. The pathological diagnosis was taken as the gold standard. Visual and semi-quantitative analyses were used to analyze the images. The lateralization accuracy and localization accuracy of the three imaging methods for epileptogenic foci were calculated and compared(χ2 test).@*Results@#The lateral accuracy and localization accuracy of MRI were 70.73%(29/41) and 60.98%(25/41), those of interictal 18F-FDG PET/CT imaging were 78.05%(32/41) and 70.73%(29/41), and those of interictal 11C-FMZ PET/CT imaging were 100%(41/41) and 100%(41/41), respectively. The interictal 11C-FMZ PET/CT imaging was the best among 3 imaging methods(χ2 values: 1.976-12.902, all P<0.01).@*Conclusions@#All 3 imaging methods have their advantages and limitations. The interictal 11C-FMZ PET/CT imaging has a high value in the localization of classical HSREP, which can significantly improve the diagnostic accuracy of classical HSREP and guide clinical operation.

A Primer on Magnetic Resonance-Guided Laser Interstitial Thermal Therapy for Medically Refractory Epilepsy

Epilepsy surgery that eliminates the epileptogenic focus or disconnects the epileptic network has the potential to significantly improve seizure control in patients with medically intractable epilepsy. Magnetic resonance-guided laser interstitial thermal therapy (MRgLITT) has been an established option for epilepsy surgery since the US Food and Drug Administration cleared the use of MRgLITT in neurosurgery in 2007. MRgLITT is an ablative stereotactic procedure utilizing heat that is converted from laser energy, and the temperature of the tissue is monitored in real-time by MR thermography. Real-time quantitative thermal monitoring enables titration of laser energy for cellular injury, and it also estimates the extent of tissue damage. MRgLITT is applicable for lesion ablation in cases that the epileptogenic foci are localized and/or deep-seated such as in the mesial temporal lobe epilepsy and hypothalamic hamartoma. Seizure-free outcomes after MRgLITT are comparable to those of open surgery in well-selected patients such as those with mesial temporal sclerosis. Particularly in patients with hypothalamic hamartoma. In addition, MRgLITT can also be applied to ablate multiple discrete lesions of focal cortical dysplasia and tuberous sclerosis complex without the need for multiple craniotomies, as well as disconnection surgery such as corpus callosotomy. Careful planning of the target, the optimal trajectory of the laser probe, and the appropriate parameters for energy delivery are paramount to improve the seizure outcome and to reduce the complication caused by the thermal damage to the surrounding critical structures.

Clinical value of MRI,interictal 18 F-FDG and 11 C-FMZ PET /CT imaging in the diagnosis of hipp-ocampal sclerosing refractory epilepsy / 中华核医学与分子影像杂志

Objective To compare the lateralization accuracy and localization accuracy of MRI, interictal 18 F-fluorodeoxyglucose(FDG)and 11 C-flumazenil(FMZ)PET/CT imaging for refractory epilepsy (REP)in patients with hippocampal sclerosis(HS).Methods A total of 41 classical HS patients (25 males,16 females;age:15-61 years)with REP from General Hospital of Northern Theater Command of PLA between January 2017 and October 2018 were retrospectively analyzed.All patients underwent MRI, interictal 18 F-FDG and 11 C-FMZ PET/CT imaging,followed by the resection of epileptogenic foci.The path-ological diagnosis was taken as the gold standard.Visual and semi-quantitative analyses were used to analyze the images.The lateralization accuracy and localization accuracy of the three imaging methods for epilepto-genic foci were calculated and compared(χ2 test).Results The lateral accuracy and localization accuracy of MRI were 70.73％(29 /41)and 60.98％(25 /41),those of interictal 18 F-FDG PET/CT imaging were 78.05％(32 /41)and 70.73％(29 /41),and those of interictal 11 C-FMZ PET/CT imaging were 100％(41 /41)and 100％(41 /41),respectively.The interictal 11 C-FMZ PET/CT imaging was the best among 3 ima-ging methods(χ2 values:1.976-12.902,all P<0.01).Conclusions All 3 imaging methods have their ad-vantages and limitations.The interictal 11 C-FMZ PET/CT imaging has a high value in the localization of classical HSREP,which can significantly improve the diagnostic accuracy of classical HSREP and guide clinical operation.

Effect of the Chaihu-Longgu-Muli decoction on electroencephalogram and expression of brain derived neurotrophie factor in serum of patients with temporal lobe epilepsy / 中国医师杂志

Objective To observe influences of Chaihu-Longgu-Muli decoction (CLMD) on electroencephalogram (EEG),serum nerve growth factor (NGF) and brain derived neurotrophie factor (BDNF) level of patients with temporal lobe epilepsy.Methods Single blind randomized controlled trial design was used.138 patients with temporal lobe epilepsy were divided into oxcarbazepine group (including 67 patients),oxcarbazepine + CLMD group (including 71 patients).After 28 d of treatment,EEG changes,NGF and BDNF changes in serum,and relevant serological indicator inspection of drug reactions in both groups were observed.Results The effective rate of EEG in oxcarbazepine + CLMD group was 81.8％,which was obviously higher than the oxcarbazepine group (50.7％),with significant difference (P ＜0.01).After treatment,NGF and BDNF of both groups were higher than those before treatment (P ＜0.05).Moreover,serum NGF and BDNF of oxcarbazepine + CLMD group were higher than the oxcarbazepine group (P ＜ 0.05).There was no statistical significance in serological indicator of drug reactions in both groups (P ＞0.05).Conclusions The curative effects of oxcarbazepine + CLMD is superior to the individual oxcarbazepine and it can obviously enhance serum NGF and BDNF of patients with temporal lobe epilepsy and reduce the status epilepticus of patients with temporal lobe epilepsy and it has the high safety.

A Primer on Magnetic Resonance-Guided Laser Interstitial Thermal Therapy for Medically Refractory Epilepsy

Epilepsy surgery that eliminates the epileptogenic focus or disconnects the epileptic network has the potential to significantly improve seizure control in patients with medically intractable epilepsy. Magnetic resonance-guided laser interstitial thermal therapy (MRgLITT) has been an established option for epilepsy surgery since the US Food and Drug Administration cleared the use of MRgLITT in neurosurgery in 2007. MRgLITT is an ablative stereotactic procedure utilizing heat that is converted from laser energy, and the temperature of the tissue is monitored in real-time by MR thermography. Real-time quantitative thermal monitoring enables titration of laser energy for cellular injury, and it also estimates the extent of tissue damage. MRgLITT is applicable for lesion ablation in cases that the epileptogenic foci are localized and/or deep-seated such as in the mesial temporal lobe epilepsy and hypothalamic hamartoma. Seizure-free outcomes after MRgLITT are comparable to those of open surgery in well-selected patients such as those with mesial temporal sclerosis. Particularly in patients with hypothalamic hamartoma. In addition, MRgLITT can also be applied to ablate multiple discrete lesions of focal cortical dysplasia and tuberous sclerosis complex without the need for multiple craniotomies, as well as disconnection surgery such as corpus callosotomy. Careful planning of the target, the optimal trajectory of the laser probe, and the appropriate parameters for energy delivery are paramount to improve the seizure outcome and to reduce the complication caused by the thermal damage to the surrounding critical structures.