Atypical language cortex in the left temporal lobe: relationship to bilateral language.

BACKGROUND: The intracarotid amobarbital procedure (IAP) is widely used in the preoperative evaluation for epilepsy surgery to lateralize language dominance and memory functions. However, language mapping has most often been accomplished with cortical brain stimulation. OBJECTIVE: To examine left temporal lobe language cortex representation using this technique in patients with bilateral language (BL) as compared with patients with left language dominance (LD). METHODS: The language maps of each patient were reviewed retrospectively. Group I consisted of 10 patients with BL and Group II consisted of 10 matched control patients with LD. Each stimulation trial included a brief assessment of confrontation naming, automatic speech, reading, repetition, and comprehension. Clusters of errors that included comprehension, repetition, and naming defined primary temporal lobe language areas. RESULTS: Mapping revealed two distinct language areas in 60% of patients in Group I and 10% in Group II (p = 0.019). In Group I, two patients had both language areas in the same gyrus (either the superior or the middle temporal gyrus), whereas two showed one language area each in the superior and middle temporal gyri and the remaining two had one in the superior temporal gyrus and the other intermixed between the superior and middle temporal gyri. In Group II, both language areas were intermixed between the superior and middle temporal gyri. CONCLUSIONS: Bilateral language (BL) representation in the intracarotid amobarbital procedure is frequently associated with more than one noncontiguous language area in the left temporal lobe. A careful search for multiple language areas, particularly in patients with BL, is prudent prior to surgical resection.

Rapid initiation of gabapentin: a randomized, controlled trial.

OBJECTIVE: To compare the tolerability of two different dose-initiation regimens of gabapentin for the adjunctive treatment of partial seizures. BACKGROUND: Patient compliance is a key feature of successful outpatient pharmacologic therapy for epilepsy, and one aspect of compliance is simplicity of initiation. By using a rapid titration rate, leading to a rapid therapeutic gabapentin dose, perhaps there could be an improvement with compliance. METHODS: Male or female patients, at least 12 years old, with a recent history of partial seizures with or without secondary generalization, were randomized to receive gabapentin (following a blinded placebo period of an undisclosed number of days) as either a Slow initiation (300 mg day 1, 600 mg day 2, then 900 mg/day) or a Rapid initiation (900 mg/day immediately following the placebo lead-in). RESULTS: Starting gabapentin therapy at an initial therapeutic dosage of 900 mg/day is well tolerated by patients with epilepsy and is as safe as initiating with a titration schedule over 3 days. Of the four most common adverse events (somnolence, dizziness, ataxia, fatigue), only one, dizziness, occurred more often in the nontitrated (Rapid initiation) group than in the titrated (Slow initiation) group. CONCLUSION: Initiation of gabapentin at 900 mg/day is as well tolerated as is a 3-day titration, except for a higher incidence of dizziness.

The impact of epilepsy from the patient's perspective I. Descriptions and subjective perceptions.

This study surveyed the perceptions about and subjective experience of 1023 people with epilepsy in two community-based samples: one from a national postal survey; the other callers to the Epilepsy Foundation. Response to a mail survey was 49%. In comparison with US Census Bureau norms, respondents had received less education, were less likely to be employed or married, and came from lower income households. Complex partial seizures were the most prevalent seizure type, but a convulsion had occurred in 61%. Fifty percent of respondents reported incomplete control of their seizure disorder, although 25% of these had a seizure in the prior year. Thirteen percent had a longest inter-seizure interval of a year or greater, 37% of 3 months, 22% of 1 month, 10% of 1 week and 4% of 1 day. Respondents listed uncertainty and fear of having a seizure as the worst thing about having epilepsy. Lifestyle, school, driving, and employment limits were also listed as major problems. When asked to rank a list of potential problems, cognitive impairment was ranked highest. These data indicate that ongoing medical and psychosocial problems continue for those with epilepsy in the view of those questioned and their families, even in a sample where the majority report good control of their epilepsy.

The impact of epilepsy from the patient's perspective II: views about therapy and health care.

A national survey of 1023 people with epilepsy in the US assessed their attitudes about their therapies. Subjects were drawn from responders to a previous national survey of US households or from those who phoned the Epilepsy Foundation. Overall response rate was 49%. Approximately 90% of the respondents were taking medications for their epilepsy. Only 56% were on monotherapy, while 26% were taking two, 6% three, and 2% four medications. Only 68% of respondents were very satisfied with their current seizure medications. When asked to rank five areas of importance regarding their seizure medication, the rank order (highest to lowest) was seizure control, fewer side effects, convenient dosing regimens and cost. Adverse medication events were listed in descending rank order as problems with cognition, energy level, school performance, childbearing, coordination, and sexual function. Inter-individual differences in side effects of concern were listed, suggesting medication choices should be individualized according to potential side effects. Twenty percent of 920 respondents adjusted their medications on their own, by adjusting amount (62%), dosing schedule (31%), or both (3%). Eighty percent of respondents were satisfied with their medical care systems. In this group, 82% had health insurance that covered epilepsy. The large majority (94%) of respondents had seen a neurologist. Subjects expressed dissatisfaction about time limits and lack of accessible information about epilepsy. People with epilepsy are generally satisfied with efforts to treat their disorder, but adverse events are of concern. Many patients requested more information about epilepsy.

The effects of epilepsy and its treatment on sexual and reproductive function.

Male and female sexuality and reproductive functions are complex systems with cortical, limbic system, hypothalamic, pituitary, and end organ interactions. Sexual steroids are produced in the sexual glands, the adrenals, and the brain. They undergo interconversion in the brain, bind to different brain areas, and have multiple effects behaviorally and neurophysiologically. Progesterone, estrogen and testosterone have neuroendocrine effects that alter epileptogenicity. Seizure frequency may change throughout the life cycle as a result of hormonal status. Changes in central control, peripheral hormone levels, and/or medication effects may all contribute to decreased libido, potency, and fertility. Antiepileptic drugs (AEDs) interact with hormone-binding metabolism, resulting in altered human reproductive function. AEDs alter contraceptive hormone treatments. Information on the effects of new AEDs is being gathered by the National Pregnancy Registry. Catamenial epilepsy and some sexual dysfunction in men may be treatable.

Gabapentin monotherapy: I. An 8-day, double-blind, dose-controlled, multicenter study in hospitalized patients with refractory complex partial or secondarily generalized seizures. The US Gabapentin Study Group 88/89.

We evaluated the efficacy and safety of gabapentin administered as monotherapy in an 8-day, randomized, double-blind, dose-controlled, parallel-group, multicenter study comparing dosages of 300 and 3,600 mg/d gabapentin in 82 hospitalized patients whose antiepileptic medications had been discontinued for seizure monitoring. Seizures under study were complex partial seizures with or without secondary generalization. Patients exited the study if they experienced a protocol-defined exit event indicating lack of efficacy. Time to exit was significantly longer (p = 0.0001) and completion rate was significantly higher (53% versus 17%; p = 0.002) for patients receiving 3,600 mg/d gabapentin. Gabapentin was well tolerated by patients in both dosage groups, and no patients exited the study due to adverse events, despite rapid initiation of full dose within 24 hours. These results demonstrate that gabapentin has anticonvulsant activity and is well tolerated when administered as monotherapy in patients with refractory partial seizures.

Pentobarbital treatment of refractory status epilepticus.

We studied nine patients with status epilepticus refractory to standard therapy. In all patients so treated, IV pentobarbital terminated seizure activity. Mortality was high (77%) in those treated, but was attributed to underlying pathology and possibly to duration of status epilepticus. Pentobarbital therapy should be initiated within 0 to 2 hours after onset of seizures, with continuous EEG monitoring in an intensive care unit.

EEG and spectral analysis in acute hyperventilation.

Acute hypocapnia decreases CBF, increases hemoglobin affinity for oxygen and causes cerebral tissue hypoxia. This tissue hypoxia is reversed with inhalation of 100% O2 in dogs. EEG slowing produced by hyperventilation is considered a manifestation of cerebral hypoxia due to decreased CBF and is thought to be reversed with hyperoxia. This study evaluated the effects of 3 gas mixtures (16% O2, 21% O2, 100% O2) on posterior frequencies of the resting and hyperventilatory EEG in normal subjects aged 23-37. Hypocapnia was maintained to an end-tidal pCO2 of 21 mm Hg for 3 min. Respiratory measures, heart rate, saO2, minute ventilation and side effects were recorded. EEG was analyzed by visual inspection and by spectral analysis. Spectral analysis evaluated total amplitude, percentile frequencies, and peak frequencies. There were significant changes from eucapnia to hypocapnia for the group in all physiologic parameters, total amplitude by spectral analysis, and posterior frequencies by visual analysis. There were no significant differences among the gases. We conclude that the EEG changes of hyperventilation are independent of the concentration of inspired oxygen over the range studied in our subjects. Symptoms of hyperventilation are likewise independent of the inspired oxygen concentration for the range studied.

Spindle coma in benzodiazepine toxicity: case report.

A forty-two year old female with known alcoholic liver disease was given intravenous lorazepam and diazepam for delirium tremens. This resulted in a comatose state with depression of some brainstem reflexes. Her initial EEG showed a pattern of spindle coma with some responsivity of the background. Clinical improvement occurred with cessation of the benzodiazepines and the EEG showed a return to normal patterns. A review of the literature showed no previous description of this pattern in benzodiazepine coma. Two reports of spindle coma are noted with alcohol and imipramine. The prognostic significance of this pattern in drug overdose is therefore not definitive by itself. Outcome is probably more dependent on the clinical condition of the patient and the reversibility of the drug toxicity.

Ancrod in systemic lupus erythematosus with thrombosis. Clinical and fibrinolysis effects.

A patient with systemic lupus erythematosus had severe hypertension, rapidly worsening renal failure, and multiple successive thrombotic cerebrovascular and retinal lesions develop. In a kidney biopsy specimen luminal thrombi were demonstrated in arteries and arterioles, without vasculitic or inflammatory changes. The patient's plasma was markedly deficient in both prostacyclin stimulating factor (PSF) and vascular plasminogen activator (VPA), and also contained a potent inhibitor of in vitro urokinase-induced fibrinolysis. Treatment with ancrod resulted in striking reversal of the progressive renal damage and clinical recovery from the thrombotic cerebrovascular and retinal lesions. This clinical improvement was associated with improved renal histologic appearance, correction of the PSF and VPA deficiencies, and disappearance of the urokinase inhibitor. Possible mechanisms of action of ancrod are discussed.

Jamaica ginger paralysis. Forty-seven-year follow-up.

In 1930, thousands of Americans were poisoned by an illicit extract of Jamaica ginger ("jake") used to circumvent the Prohibition laws. A neurotoxic organophosphate compound, triorthocresyl phosphate (TOCP), had been used as an adulterant. The earliest reports were of peripheral neuritis, but later it was evident that an upper motor neuron syndrome had supervened. This TOCP poisoning apparently involved various cell groups and tracts in the spinal cord; the lesions was not peripheral at all. We interviewed 11 survivors of the illness residing in eastern Tennessee. Four were carefully examined. The principal findings showed the spasticity and abnormal reflexes of an upper motor neuron syndrome. One patient had mild disease, despite typical findings, and had lived a normal life.

Double-blind evaluation of deanol in tardive dyskinesia.

We administered deanol acetamidobenzoate, 2.0 g/day for four weeks, a double-blind, placebo-controlled crossover trial, to 14 patients with tardive dyskineasia. The patient population included both inpatients and outpatients. The response was evaluated by subjective clinical impression and scoring of filmed sequences. Patients' conditions improved significantly from baseline scores while receiving both deanol and placebo, but there was no distinction between the two treatments.