ABSTRACT
OBJECTIVE: The objective of this study was to determine if Divaza, a drug with nootropic and antioxidant effects, was safe and effective for the correction of oxidative disturbances and to stabilize cognitive impairment in patients with cerebral atherosclerosis. STUDY DESIGN: The study design consisted of a 12-week multicenter, randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled, prospective trial in parallel groups. SETTING: The setting in which the study was conducted comprised 10 clinical centers across the Russian Federation. INTERVENTIONS: Patients were randomized into 2 groups and instructed to take either 2 tablets of the study drug or a placebo 3 times per day in conjunction with basic therapy. OUTCOMES: The primary outcome was a change in the average endogenous antioxidant potential after the completion of the study. The blood indicators of the oxidative stress (OS) were analyzed at the baseline and then after 12 weeks of therapy using iron-induced chemiluminescence analysis. The Montreal cognitive assessment test was used as a secondary outcome measure to evaluate cognitive impairment at the end of the study. RESULTS: 124 outpatients with a mean age of 60.7 ± 7.6 years were enrolled and randomly assigned to receive Divaza (n = 65) or a placebo (n = 59). An improvement of cognitive function was observed in all patients of the Divaza group at the end of the treatment; this was significantly better than the placebo group (100 [100] vs. 89.5 [89.1]%, respectively, p = 0.0272 [p = 0.0128]). The administration of Divaza restored the activity of the endogenous antioxidant system. The change in the average level of lipoprotein resistance to oxidation after 12 weeks of therapy, compared to the baseline, was significantly higher in the Divaza group (14.8 ± 14.7 [14.8 ± 14.7] seconds latent period vs. 6.4 ± 16.9 [6.9 ± 16.7] seconds in the placebo group (p = 0.007 [p = 0.0107]). CONCLUSIONS: Divaza is a safe and effective therapeutic option for attenuating OS and recovery of cognitive impairment in patients with cerebral atherosclerosis.
Subject(s)
Antibodies/therapeutic use , Antioxidants/therapeutic use , Brain/drug effects , Cognition/drug effects , Cognitive Dysfunction/drug therapy , Intracranial Arteriosclerosis/drug therapy , Nootropic Agents/therapeutic use , Oxidative Stress/drug effects , Adult , Aged , Antibodies/adverse effects , Antioxidants/adverse effects , Brain/metabolism , Cognitive Dysfunction/diagnosis , Cognitive Dysfunction/metabolism , Cognitive Dysfunction/psychology , Double-Blind Method , Female , Humans , Intracranial Arteriosclerosis/diagnosis , Intracranial Arteriosclerosis/metabolism , Intracranial Arteriosclerosis/psychology , Male , Middle Aged , Neuropsychological Tests , Nootropic Agents/adverse effects , Prospective Studies , Russia , Time Factors , Treatment OutcomeABSTRACT
PURPOSE: The method of temporal lobectomy and parietooccipital disconnection has been applied in the treatment of patients with monolateral widespread cortical lesions and with hand motor function intact. There are no data regarding the use of this method in the treatment of patients with bilateral lesions. CASE REPORT: A case history of a 15-year-old female patient with medically refractory epilepsy is presented. Magnetic resonance imaging revealed bilateral periventricular nodular heterotopia associated with cortical dysplasia (CD) in the right temporo-parietal region. The left hemisphere had no signs of CD. Invasive monitoring revealed rhythmic theta-delta activity during the interictal period and fast activity during the ictal onset in the right temporal and parietal regions. The surgery procedure consisted of anterior temporal lobectomy, the removal of the right heterotopy nodus, the dissection of the posterior part of the corpus callosum, and the detachment of the temporo-parieto-occipital complex by dissection behind the sensorimotor cortex. Histological examination of the cortex revealed CD type I. The patient has been seizure-free for 4 years after surgery. CONCLUSION: Partial disconnection procedures may be effective in cases where total hemispherotomy is not indicated in patients with bilateral lesions and a well-lateralized epileptogenic zone localized in the temporo-parieto-occipital region.
ABSTRACT
OBJECTIVES: To assess the influence of different factors on health-related QOL in adults with epilepsy in Moscow, Russia. METHOD: We evaluated quality of life in 242 patients (98 de novo and 144 previously inadequately treated) by using QOLIE-31. Partial cryptogenic or symptomatic epilepsy was diagnosed in 214 patients, in 28-idiopathic generalized epilepsy. Stepwise regression analysis was performed to assess the influence of different factors on QOL. RESULTS: In patients with epilepsy in Russia the total score of QOLIE-31 was rather low-42.13+/-4.14. Relationship of quality of life (total score) and frequency of seizures and duration of disease was analyzed. Frequency of seizures was the most significant parameter related to QOL (R=0.46 with total score). Duration of disease also correlated with QOL score (R=0.24 with total score). Significant but rather weak association (link) between frequency of seizures and almost all of subscales of quality of life was noticed. Duration of epilepsy correlated with less number of subscales: Energy/fatigue, Medication effects, Social functioning, Overall QOL subscales. When factors influencing on QOL were separately analyzed in newly diagnosed and previously treated patients frequency of seizures was the most important parameter in both groups. CONCLUSIONS: Frequency of seizures is the most important factor influencing on QOL in adults with epilepsy (newly diagnosed and previously treated).
