Ultrastructure of the blood-brain barrier of the gyrus hippocampal cortex in an experimental model of febrile seizures and with the use of a new generation antiepileptic drug--topiramate.

The ultrastructure of the blood-brain barrier (BBB) of the gyrus hippocampal cortex in an experimental model of febrile seizures in rats and the effect of a new generation antiepileptic drug, topiramate, on the morphological status of this barrier were investigated. Advanced changes indicating a substantial increase in BBB permeability were observed in the animals with induced febrile seizures (FS), with approximately 2/3 of capillaries and perivascular astroglial processes being affected. Almost total occlusion of the capillary lumen was frequently seen, caused by damaged endothelial lining and by external pressure from markedly swollen perivascular astrocytic processes. Mitochondrial changes predominated among the abnormalities found in endoplasmic organelles of endothelial cells. Lesions in the BBB coexisted with damage to pyramidal neurons, mainly with features of aponecrosis ("dark neurons"). The study on topiramate seems to demonstrate its protective action on the BBB components of the ammonal cortex in the group receiving the drug as prevention, i.e. against febrile seizures. It was found to prevent marked BBB damage in over half of the capillaries. However, the application of topiramate directly after FS induction had no distinct beneficial effect on the structural BBB components.

Spastic cerebral palsy: clinical magnetic resonance imaging correlation of 129 children.

A prospective study was undertaken of 129 children with spastic cerebral palsy to clarify the relationship between magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) findings and clinical features of cerebral palsy. Low birth weight, asphyxia, prematurity, seizures, mental development, Gross Motor Function Classification System, and MRI findings were analyzed. Significant abnormalities relevant to the cerebral palsy were evident on imaging in 123 (95.3%). A similar percentage of MRI abnormalities were detected in the groups, 45 (100%) in patients with tetraplegic cerebral palsy, 37 (92.5%) in children with diplegic cerebral palsy, and 42 (95.4%) with hemiplegic cerebral palsy. Periventricular leukomalacia was detected more frequently in the children with spastic diplegia than in the patients with tetraplegia or hemiplegia. Cerebral atrophy was found more often in the tetraplegic group compared to the diplegic patients. Porencephalic cysts were detected more frequently in children with spastic hemiplegia. Congenital brain anomalies were found in a higher proportion in tetraplegic children. Significant correlations between the MRI findings and Gross Motor Function Classification System in the diplegic and tetraplegic patients were found. No correlations between the MRI results and risk factors for cerebral palsy in the tetraplegic patients were noted. Early detection of brain abnormalities in children with cerebral palsy may help in the prognosis and in the initiation of appropriate therapy

Evaluation of the influence of antiepileptic therapy on antioxidant enzyme activity and lipid peroxidation in erythrocytes of children with epilepsy.

The aim of this study was to evaluate the influence of antiepileptic therapy on antioxidant enzyme activity and lipid peroxidation in the erythrocytes of children with epilepsy. For this purpose, the activity of superoxide dismutase, glutathione peroxidase, and glutathione reductase and the malondialdehyde concentration in 61 healthy children and 90 children with epilepsy were measured. The activities of all of these enzymes were insignificantly higher, whereas the malondialdehyde concentration was significantly lower in the patients treated with carbamazepine monotherapy. In patients treated with valproate monotherapy, the activities of all enzymes were insignificantly lower, whereas the malondialdehyde concentration was insignificantly higher. In patients treated with polytherapy, the activity of superoxide dismutase was insignificantly lower, whereas the activity of glutathione peroxidase and glutathione reductase was insignificantly higher and the malondialdehyde concentration was lower. There were differences in glutathione reductase activity between the valproate monotherapy group and both the carbamazepine monotherapy and polytherapy groups and in malondialdehyde concentrations between the carbamazepine and valproate groups. The results indicate that the oxidant-antioxidant balance in children with epilepsy is modified by antiepileptic therapy.

[Current data on interferon therapy of multiple sclerosis in patients at developmental age]. / Aktualne dane na temat zastosowania interferonu w leczeniu stwardnienia rozsianego u pacjentów wieku rozwojowego.

Multiple sclerosis (MS) is a rare disorder of the central nervous system in children. In spite of the investigations of the last decade its etiology has not been established. The authors of the paper presented data on the specific nature of children MS using the current literature. They also demonstrated the role of interferon (INF) and clinical trials of MS treatment in children. The authors described their own experiences in the treatment of a boy with the youth MS using INF. The patient has suffered from MS since he was 15; INF therapy was introduced after two relapses of the disease. The results of the 18-month therapy with INF suggest beneficial immunomodulatory effects of interferon on MS course in children. The presented patient is continuing the therapy while his clinical status is being observed.

Analysis of the etiology, clinical picture and treatment of epilepsy in children in the north-eastern region of Poland.

Epilepsy is one of the most frequent diseases of the central nervous system (CNS) in children. It is considered that roughly 50% of epilepsies begin during childhood. The Department of Childrens' Neurology of the Medical Academy of Bialystok embraces with medical attention over 500 children with epilepsy from the north-eastern region of Poland. The aim of the study was the analysis of etiology, clinical symptoms and treatment of epilepsy in children, who are under the medical attention of our Department. 392 children aged from 7 months to 18 and 2/12 years were included in the study. In the analysed groups were 46.6% girls and 53.4% boys. 44.4% of the children live in cities and 55.6% in small towns or villages. The etiology of epilepsy was established in 48.7% of the children. The most common etiology of epilepsy were hypoxic-ischemic damages in perinatal period, developmental malformation of the brain, craniocerebral injuries and neuroinfections in the neonatal period. In 50.3% of the children the etiology of epilepsy was unknown. The most common types of seizures were primary and secondary generalised tonic-clonic seizures. 92.6% of the patients received the antiepileptic drugs during the study. Monotherapy was administered in 66.0%, politherapy in 26.5% of the children. The results relating to the etiology and clinical picture of epilepsy in our children are consisted with many dates from literature. It is a favourable observation, that in many children monotherapy is an effective treatment.