Muerte súbita inesperada en epilepsia. Revisión sobre la implicación del tallo encefálico / Sudden unexpected death in epilepsy. Review about the brainstem involvement

RESUMEN La muerte súbita inesperada en epilepsia, se define como la muerte repentina -presenciada o no- de personas con epilepsia, no traumática ni por ahogamiento, con o sin evidencias de crisis, y en quienes el examen postmorten no revela una causa estructural o toxicológica de muerte. El objetivo de esta revisión es describir las evidencias más recientes, publicadas en la literatura, sobre la participación crucial del tallo encefálico en la fisiopatología de la muerte súbita inesperada en epilepsia. Se realizó una búsqueda bibliográfica en la base de datos computarizada PubMed. Los estudios en modelos animales han demostrado que los mecanismos de la muerte súbita inesperada en epilepsia involucran un primer evento mediado por una crisis, seguido por la despolarización cortical, que se propaga al tallo encefálico y que resulta en una disfunción autonómica causante de apnea central, edema pulmonar o arritmia cardiaca. Los estudios en humanos se han apoyado en las imágenes de resonancia magnética para evaluar el papel de diferentes áreas del tallo encefálico en la muerte súbita inesperada en epilepsia. Las evidencias acumuladas por la literatura, tanto en estudios con animales como humanos, evidencian el papel fundamental desempeñado por las estructuras del tallo encefálico en la fisiopatología de la muerte súbita inesperada en epilepsia.

ABSTRACT Sudden unexpected death in epilepsy is defined as the sudden death-whether witnessed or not-of people with epilepsy, not traumatic or due to drowning, with or without evidence of seizures, and in whom postmortem examination does not reveal a structural or toxicological cause of death. The aim of this review is to describe the most recent evidence published in the literature, on the crucial involvement of the brain stem in the pathophysiology of sudden unexpected death in epilepsy. A bibliographic search was conducted in PubMed computerized database. Studies in animal models have shown that the mechanisms of sudden unexpected death in epilepsy involve a first seizure-mediated event, followed by cortical depolarization, which spreads to the brainstem and results in autonomic dysfunction causing central apnea, pulmonary edema or cardiac arrhythmia. Studies in humans have relied on magnetic resonance imaging to assess the role of the brainstem in sudden unexpected death in epilepsy. The evidence accumulated in the literature, both in animal and in human studies, shows the role played by brainstem structures in the pathophysiology of sudden unexpected death in epilepsy.

Common Ictal and Interictal Perfusion Patterns: A Window into the Epileptogenic Network and SUDEP Mechanism in Drug-Resistant Focal Epilepsy.

BACKGROUND: Focal epilepsies have been described as a network disease. Noninvasive investigative techniques have been used to characterize epileptogenic networks. OBJECTIVE: This study aimed to describe ictal and interictal cortical and subcortical perfusion patterns using single- photon emission computed tomography (SPECT) in patients with drug-resistant epilepsy (DRE). METHODS: Thirty-five interictal-ictal SPECT scans were obtained from 15 patients with DRE. A methodology was developed to get a relative perfusion index (PI) of 74 cortical and sub-cortical brain structures. K-means algorithm, together with modified v-fold cross-validation, was used to identify the two regions of interest (ROIs) that represent hypoperfused and hyperperfused areas. RESULTS: In common with the individual analysis, the statistical analysis evidenced that the hyperperfusion ROIs resulting from group analysis during interictal and ictal involved mainly the cingulate gyrus, cuneus, lingual gyrus, and gyrus rectus as well as the putamen. ROIs hypoperfused included the red nucleus, the substantia nigra, and the medulla. The medians of the group analysis of the hypoperfusion and hyperperfusion ROIs were 0.601-0.565 and 1.133-1.119 for the ictal and interictal states, correspondingly. A group of mostly cortical structures involved in the hyperperfused ROIs in both interictal and ictal states showed no change or negative change in the transition from interictal to ictal state (mean change of -0.002). On the other hand, the brain stem, basal ganglia, red nucleus, and thalamus revealed a mean global change of 0.19, indicating a mild increase in the PI. However, some of these structures (red nucleus, substantia nigra, and medulla oblongata) remained hypoperfused during the interictal to ictal transition. CONCLUSION: The methodology employed made it possible to identify common cortical and subcortical perfusion patterns not directly linked to epileptogenicity, for a better epileptogenic network and sudden unexpected death (SUDEP) mechanism in DRE.

Surgical Outcome in Extratemporal Epilepsies Based on Multimodal Pre-Surgical Evaluation and Sequential Intraoperative Electrocorticography.

OBJECTIVE: to present the postsurgical outcome of extratemporal epilepsy (ExTLE) patients submitted to preoperative multimodal evaluation and intraoperative sequential electrocorticography (ECoG). SUBJECTS AND METHODS: thirty-four pharmaco-resistant patients with lesional and non-lesional ExTLE underwent comprehensive pre-surgical evaluation including multimodal neuroimaging such as ictal and interictal perfusion single photon emission computed tomography (SPECT) scans, subtraction of ictal and interictal SPECT co-registered with magnetic resonance imaging (SISCOM) and electroencephalography (EEG) source imaging (ESI) of ictal epileptic activity. Surgical procedures were tailored by sequential intraoperative ECoG, and absolute spike frequency (ASF) was calculated in the pre- and post-resection ECoG. Postoperative clinical outcome assessment for each patient was carried out one year after surgery using Engel scores. RESULTS: frontal and occipital resection were the most common surgical techniques applied. In addition, surgical resection encroaching upon eloquent cortex was accomplished in 41% of the ExTLE patients. Pre-surgical magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) did not indicate a distinct lesion in 47% of the cases. In the latter number of subjects, SISCOM and ESI of ictal epileptic activity made it possible to estimate the epileptogenic zone. After one- year follow up, 55.8% of the patients was categorized as Engel class I-II. In this study, there was no difference in the clinical outcome between lesional and non lesional ExTLE patients. About 43.7% of patients without lesion were also seizure- free, p = 0.15 (Fischer exact test). Patients with satisfactory seizure outcome showed lower absolute spike frequency in the pre-resection intraoperative ECoG than those with unsatisfactory seizure outcome, (Mann- Whitney U test, p = 0.005). CONCLUSIONS: this study has shown that multimodal pre-surgical evaluation based, particularly, on data from SISCOM and ESI alongside sequential intraoperative ECoG, allow seizure control to be achieved in patients with pharmacoresistant ExTLE epilepsy.

Potencial P300 durante una tarea de atención sostenida en pacientes conenfermedad de Parkinson / P300 event-related potential during sustained attention in Parkinson's disease patients

Objetivo: Evaluar la relación entre el potencial relacionado a eventos P300 con significado atencional visual y los resultados de la evaluación neuropsicológica en pacientes conenfermedad de Parkinson en estadios II y III de Hoehn y Yahr.Métodos: Se realizó un estudio analítico transversal donde se evaluaron 57 pacientes con enfermedad de Parkinson idiopática, atendidos entre diciembre de 2017 y abril de 2018, en el Centro Internacional de Restauración Neurológica, de La Habana. Se realizó el registro de P300, durante la ejecución de una tarea de atención sostenida visual. Se midió latencia y amplitud de la P300, lo que se correlacionó (test de correlaciones de Spearman, p< 0,01)con las variables demográficas, variables de eficiencia en la tarea de atención sostenida y variables neuropsicológicas. Se compararon los resultados de los grupos II y III de Hoehn y Yahr con respecto a todas las variables estudiadas (test de la U de Mann Whitney, p< 0,05).Resultados: Se constató una significativa diferencia de latencia entre grupos del componente P300 en el electrodo Pz. Fue más prolongado en el grupo III de Hoehn y Yahr.Se evidenciaron en el grupo II correlaciones negativas entre la latencia de P300 y el test de batería de evaluación frontal, y positivas entre la latencia de P300 y la prueba de Stroop.Las correlaciones entre el test de ba(AU)

Objective: To evaluate the relationship between the P300 event-related potential with visual attention significance and the results of neuropsychological evaluation in patientswith Parkinson's disease in Hoehn and Yahr stages II and III.Methods: A cross-sectional analytical study was carried out evaluating 57 patients with idiopathic Parkinson's disease, who were treated from December 2017 to April 2018 at theInternational Center for Neurological Restoration, in Havana. P300 was recorded during the execution of a visual sustained attention task. The latency and amplitude of P300 weremeasured, which was correlated (Spearman's correlation test, p <0.01) with demographic variables, efficiency variables in the sustained attention task and neuropsychological variables. The results of Hoehn and Yahr groups II and III were compared with respect to all the variables studied (Mann Whitney U test, p <0.05).Results: Significant latency difference was found between groups of P300 component in Pz electrode. It was more prolonged in Hoehn and Yahr group III. Negative correlations were found in group II between P300 latency and the frontal evaluation battery test, andpositive correlations between P300 latency and Stroop test. The correlations between the frontal evaluation battery test and P300 amplitude were positive, and between Stroop test and P300 amplitude were negative. Similar results were evident in group III regarding P300 amplitude, which corresponded to worse performance in the neuropsychological evaluation.Conclusions: A close relationship between P300 event-related potential with visual attention significance and the results of the neuropsychological evaluation in Parkinson's disease patients, in Hoehn and Yahr stages II and III, was verified. P300 potential was an objective examination that reinforced the validity of the neuropsychological evaluationresults(AU)

Consentimiento informado en pacientes con epilepsias intratables / Informed consent in patients with intractable epilepsy

La ética médica aborda, entre otros aspectos, la relación médico-paciente, de la cual se deriva el término consentimiento informado como su máxima expresión. La epilepsia afecta al 1-2 por ciento de la población mundial, y en la búsqueda de soluciones a esta enfermedad los sujetos son involucrados en diferentes tipos de estudios. En el presente trabajo se realiza una breve revisión de algunos aspectos éticos relacionados con la aprobación dada por los pacientes que padecen epilepsia o su representante legal para participar en estudios que presuponen la realización de exámenes diagnósticos y el empleo de formas novedosas de tratamiento, lo que se materializa a través del consentimiento informado. Especialmente, se hace referencia a la participación de los pacientes en ensayos clínicos y el manejo de las pacientes que quedan embarazadas en el transcurso del ensayo clínico, los efectos adversos de la medicación y de la cirugía de epilepsia(AU)

Medical Ethics addresses, among other aspects, the doctor-patient relationship from which the term informed consent is derived as its maximum expression. Epilepsy affects 1-2 percent of the world population, and in the search for solutions to this disease the subjects are involved in different types of studies. In the present paper, a brief review of some ethical aspects related to the approval given by patients suffering from epilepsy or their legal representative to participate in studies that presuppose the performance of diagnostic tests and the use of novel forms of treatment. This is materialized through informed consent. Especially, there is a reference to the participation of patients in clinical trials, and the management of patients who become pregnant during the clinical trial, the adverse effects of medication, and epilepsy surgery(AU)

Consentimiento informado en pacientes con epilepsias intratables / Informed consent in patients with intractable epilepsy

La ética médica aborda, entre otros aspectos, la relación médico-paciente, de la cual se deriva el término consentimiento informado como su máxima expresión. La epilepsia afecta al 1-2 por ciento de la población mundial, y en la búsqueda de soluciones a esta enfermedad los sujetos son involucrados en diferentes tipos de estudios. En el presente trabajo se realiza una breve revisión de algunos aspectos éticos relacionados con la aprobación dada por los pacientes que padecen epilepsia o su representante legal para participar en estudios que presuponen la realización de exámenes diagnósticos y el empleo de formas novedosas de tratamiento, lo que se materializa a través del consentimiento informado. Especialmente, se hace referencia a la participación de los pacientes en ensayos clínicos y el manejo de las pacientes que quedan embarazadas en el transcurso del ensayo clínico, los efectos adversos de la medicación y de la cirugía de epilepsia(AU)

Medical Ethics addresses, among other aspects, the doctor-patient relationship from which the term informed consent is derived as its maximum expression. Epilepsy affects 1-2 percent of the world population, and in the search for solutions to this disease the subjects are involved in different types of studies. In the present paper, a brief review of some ethical aspects related to the approval given by patients suffering from epilepsy or their legal representative to participate in studies that presuppose the performance of diagnostic tests and the use of novel forms of treatment. This is materialized through informed consent. Especially, there is a reference to the participation of patients in clinical trials, and the management of patients who become pregnant during the clinical trial, the adverse effects of medication, and epilepsy surgery(AU)

Relation of Structural and Functional Changes in Auditory and Visual Pathways after Temporal Lobe Epilepsy Surgery.

Auditory and visual pathways may be affected as a consequence of temporal lobe epilepsy surgery because of their anatomical relationships with this structure. The purpose of this paper is to correlate the results of the auditory and visual evoked responses with the parameters of tractography of the visual pathway, and with the state of connectivity between respective thalamic nuclei and primary cortices in both systems after the surgical resection of the epileptogenic zone in drug-resistant epileptic patients. Tractography of visual pathway and anatomical connectivity of auditory and visual thalamus-cortical radiations were evaluated in a sample of eight patients. In general, there was a positive relationship of middle latency response (MLR) latency and length of resection, while a negative correlation was found between MLR latency and the anatomical connection strength and anatomical connection probability of the auditory radiations. In the visual pathway, significant differences between sides were found with respect to the number and length of tracts, which was lower in the operated one. Anatomical connectivity variables and perimetry (visual field defect index) were particularly correlated with the latency of P100 wave which was obtained by quadrant stimulation. These results demonstrate an indirect functional modification of the auditory pathway and a direct traumatic lesion of the visual pathway after anterior temporal lobectomy in patients with drug resistant epilepsy.

Conectividad funcional derivada del electroencefalograma durante el sueño no REM en los trastornos del espectro autista / Functional connectivity derived from an electroencephalogram during non-REM sleep in autism spectrum disorders

Objetivo. Conocer las diferencias en los patrones de conectividad funcional, las características topológicas de la red y la relación de éstas con las anomalías epileptiformes interictales en niños con trastorno del espectro autista (TEA) primario y secundario. Pacientes y métodos. Se realizó un estudio retrospectivo con 27 niños de 3-13 años diagnosticados con TEA, a los que se les realizó un electroencefalograma en estado funcional de sueño espontáneo. Se analizó la conectividad funcional y las propiedades de la red a partir de los datos obtenidos del electroencefalograma durante la etapa N2 del sueño no REM. Se determinó la frecuencia de descarga de la actividad epileptiforme interictal (FDAEI) y se correlacionó con las propiedades topológicas de la red. Resultados. Los pacientes con TEA secundario tenían una disminución de la sincronización para la frecuencia alfa y un incremento para la frecuencia theta y delta en comparación con los pacientes con TEA primario. La eficiencia local alfa fue mayor en los pacientes que presentaban actividad epileptiforme interictal. Además, en los pacientes con TEA secundario, existía una correlación positiva y negativa estadísticamente significativa entre la FDAEI y las propiedades topológicas de red. Conclusiones. Los pacientes con TEA secundario muestran patrones de conectividad funcional más débiles para la frecuencia alfa y más fuerte para la theta y delta que los pacientes con TEA primario. En pacientes con TEA secundario, la actividad epileptiforme interictal se relaciona con la conectividad local y global de la red para las bandas de frecuencia alfa y beta durante el sueño no REM

Aim. To know the differences in the patterns of functional connectivity, the topological characteristics of the network and the relationship between these latter and the interictal epileptiform anomalies in children with primary and secondary autism spectrum disorder (ASD). Patients and methods. A retrospective study was conducted with 27 children aged between 3 and 13 years diagnosed with ASD. Subjects were submitted to an electroencephalogram in a functional state of spontaneous sleep. Functional connectivity and the properties of the network were analysed using data obtained from the electroencephalogram during the N2 stage of non-REM sleep. The frequency of discharge of the interictal epileptiform activity (FDIEA) was determined and was correlated with the topological properties of the network. Results. Synchronisation was diminished in patients with secondary ASD for the alpha frequency and increased for the theta and delta frequency compared with patients with primary ASD. Local alpha efficiency was higher in patients who presented interictal epileptiform activity. Additionally, in patients with secondary ASD there was a statistically significant positive and negative correlation between FDIEA and the topological properties of the network. Conclusions. Patients with secondary ASD display patterns of functional connectivity that are weaker for the alpha frequency and stronger for theta and delta than patients with primary ASD. In patients with secondary ASD, the interictal epileptiform activity is related to local and global connectivity of the network for the alpha and beta bands during non-REM sleep

Long-Term Electroclinical and Employment Follow up in Temporal Lobe Epilepsy Surgery. A Cuban Comprehensive Epilepsy Surgery Program.

The purpose of this paper is to present a long- term electroclinical and employment follow up in temporal lobe epilepsy (TLE) patients in a comprehensive epilepsy surgery program. Forty adult patients with pharmacoresistant TLE underwent detailed presurgical evaluation. Electroencephalogram (EEG) and clinical follow up assessment for each patient were carried out. The occurrence of interictal epileptiform activity (IEA) and absolute spike frequency (ASF) were tabulated before and after 1, 6, 12, 24 and 72 months surgical treatment. Employment status pre- to post-surgery at the last evaluated period was also examined. Engel scores follow-up was described as follows: at 12 months 70% (28) class I, 10% (4) class II and 19% (8) class III-IV; at 24 months after surgery 55.2% (21) of the patients were class I, 28.9% (11) class II and 15.1% (6) class III-IV. After one- year follow up 23 (57.7%) patients were seizure and aura-free (Engel class IA). These figures changed to 47.3%, and 48.6% respectively two and five years following surgery whereas 50% maintained this condition in the last follow up period. A decline in the ASF was observed from the first year until the sixth year after surgery in relation to the preoperative EEG. The ASF one year after surgery allowed to distinguish "satisfactory" from "unsatisfactory" seizure relief outcome at the last follow up. An adequate social functioning in terms of education and employment in more than 50% of the patients was also found. Results revealed the feasibility of conducting a successful epilepsy surgery program with favorable long term electroclinical and psychosocial functioning outcomes in a developing country as well.

Follow-Up of Peripheral IL-1ß and IL-6 and Relation with Apoptotic Death in Drug-Resistant Temporal Lobe Epilepsy Patients Submitted to Surgery.

Increasing amounts of evidence support the role of inflammation in epilepsy. This study was done to evaluate serum follow-up of IL-1ß and IL-6 levels, as well as their concentration in the neocortex, and the relationship of central inflammation with NF-κB and annexin V in drug-resistant temporal lobe epileptic (DRTLE) patients submitted to surgical treatment. Peripheral and central levels of IL-1ß and IL-6were measured by ELISA in 10 DRTLE patients. The sera from patients were taken before surgery, and 12 and 24 months after surgical treatment. The neocortical expression of NF-κB was evaluated by western blotting and annexin V co-localization with synaptophysin by immunohistochemistry. The neocortical tissues from five patients who died by non-neurological causes were used as control. Decreased serum levels of IL-1 and IL-6 were observed after surgery; at this time, 70% of patients were seizure-free. No values of IL-1 and IL-6 were detected in neocortical control tissue, whereas cytokine levels were evidenced in DRTLE. Increased NF-κB neocortex expression was found and the positive annexin V neurons were more obvious in the DRTLE tissue, correlating with IL-6 levels. The follow-up study confirmed that the inflammatory alterations disappeared one year after surgery, when the majority of patients were seizure-free, and the apoptotic death process correlated with inflammation.

Percepción de la memoria y la calidad de vida en pacientes con epilepsia del lóbulo temporal con y sin tratamiento quirúrgico / Memory perception and quality of life in temporal lobe epilepsy patient´s with and without surgical treatment

Objetivo: Evaluar la relación entre percepción de memoria y calidad de vida de los pacientes con epilepsia del lóbulo temporal que han recibido y que no han recibido tratamiento quirúrgico.Métodos: Se realizó un estudio descriptivo, retrospectivo y longitudinal, a 33 pacientes con epilepsia del lóbulo temporal atendidos en el Centro Internacional de Restauración Neurológica, en el período enero 2008 y enero 2015, con edades entre 20 y 54 años. Se dividió la muestra en dos grupos: operados (20) y no operados (13). Se evaluó la percepción de memoria y la calidad de vida a partir de la aplicación del Cuestionario de Eficiencia de Memoria y la escala de Calidad de vida QOLI–31 respectivamente. Se tabularon laspuntuaciones en ambos grupos utilizando estadística paramétrica (test de correlaciones de Pearson Test; T–Student, p<0.05).Resultados: Los pacientes no operados reportaron quejas del funcionamiento de memoria con mayor frecuencia que los operados, evidenciándose diferencias significativas entre grupos en la auto–percepción de problemas de memoria (T–test, p<0.05). Se demostraron diferencias significativas entre los grupos en seis de las dimensiones de la calidad de vida, siendo mejor la percepción de calidad de vida en el grupo de pacientes operados. La percepción de memoria y la calidad de vida tuvieron una relación estadísticamente significativa enambos grupos (Pearson, p<0.05). El grupo tratado quirúrgicamente mostró una relación significativa de la percepción de memoria con lapreocupación por las crisis y los efectos de los medicamentos antiepilépticos.Conclusiones: El tratamiento quirúrgico de los pacientes con epilepsia del lóbulo temporal provoca una mejor percepción sobre el funcionamiento de memoria, lo que se relaciona con una mejor calidad de vida(AU)

Objective: To evaluate the relationship between memory perception and quality of life in temporal lobe epilepsy patients with and without surgical treatment.Methods: A descriptive, retrospective and longitudinal study was carried out in 33 patients with temporal lobe epilepsy attended in International Center for Neurological Restoration, from January 2008 to January 2015 (range age: 20 to 54 years old). The sample wasdivided into two groups: with surgical treatment (20) and without it (13). We evaluate the memory perception and quality of life by means ofthe Efficiency Memory Questionnaire (EMQ) and the Quality of Life Scale (QOLI–31) respectively. Parametric statistics were used for analysis of the data (Pearsons correlations Test; T–test, p<0.05).Results: Patients without surgical treatment showed more memory complaint than patients with resection of epileptic area. There were significant differences between groups regarding to auto–perception of memory problems area of EMQ (T–test, p<0.05). Six dimensions of the QOLI–31 also showed significant differences between groups, with a better perception in quality of life in the surgical treated one. Therewas a statistically significant relationship between memory perception and quality of life in both groups of patients (Pearsons correlations Test, p<0.05). The group under surgical treatment showed an additional relationship of memory perception with seizure worries andantiepileptic drugs effects.Conclusions: The surgical treatment of temporal lobe epilepsy patients improves their perception of memory function, leading to a better quality of life(AU)

Multimodal imaging in nonlesional medically intractable focal epilepsy.

Identification and localization of epileptogenic zone (EZ) is vital in patients with medically-intractable focal epilepsy, who may be candidates for potentially curative resective epilepsy surgery. Presence of a lesion on magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) influences both diagnostic classification and selection for surgery. However, the implications for MRI-negative cases are not well-defined for such patients. Most of these patients undergo invasive long-term Electroencephalography recordings before a final decision regarding resection is possible. Recent developments in structural and functional neuroimaging which include quali-quantitative MRI, Positron Emission Tomography, Single Photon Emission Computed Tomography, and functional MRI have significantly changed presurgical epilepsy evaluation. Source analysis based on electrophysiological information, using either EEG or magnetoencephalography are also promising in order to noninvasively localize the EZ and to guide surgery in medically-intractable focal epilepsy patients that exhibit nonlesional MRI. This chapter aims to review the value of the combined use of structural and functional imaging techniques, and how this multimodal approach improves both selection of surgical candidates and post-operative outcomes in medically-intractable nonlesional focal epilepsy.

Afectividad y memoria subjetiva en pacientes con epilepsia del lóbulo temporal medial intratable / Affectivity and Subjective Memory in Patients with Intractable Medial Temporal Lobe Epilepsy

Fundamento: al revisar la literatura relacionada con epilepsia del lóbulo temporal medial intratable, se aprecia cierta divergencia en cuanto a los factores que pueden estar incidiendo en las quejas de memoria de los pacientes con dicha enfermedad.Objetivo: identificar la relación entre algunas manifestaciones de la afectividad y la memoria subjetiva en pacientes con epilepsia del lóbulo temporal medial intratable. Métodos: estudio de serie de casos, con 32 pacientes, entre 15 y 60 años atendidos en el Centro Internacional de Restauración Neurológica, entre enero de 2008 y septiembre de 2011. Se aplicó el inventario de ansiedad rasgo-estado, el inventario de depresión rasgo-estado y el cuestionario de eficiencia de memoria. Las variables estudiadas fueron la ansiedad, la depresión y la memoria subjetiva. Para el procesamiento de los datos obtenidos, se empleó la estadística descriptiva, así como la correlación de Spearman. Resultados: se apreció un predominio de niveles medios de ansiedad rasgo-estado y de depresión como estado, sin embargo, la depresión como rasgo se comportó en niveles altos. Los pacientes refirieron quejas sobre el funcionamiento de su memoria. Se obtuvo una relación negativa entre la depresión como rasgo y la memoria subjetiva, r=-0,36, p<0,05. Conclusión: se constató la presencia de algunas manifestaciones de la afectividad (ansiedad y depresión), afectación de la memoria subjetiva independientemente de la lateralización de la zona de inicio ictal, así como la relación entre la depresión como rasgo y la memoria subjetiva en los pacientes con epilepsia del lóbulo temporal medial intratable. Normal 0 21 false false false ES-TRAD X-NONE X-NONE /* Style Definitions */ table.MsoNormalTable {mso-style-name:"Tabla normal"; mso-tstyle-rowband-size:0; mso-tstyle-colband-size:0; mso-style-noshow:yes; mso-style-priority:99; mso-style-qformat:yes; mso-style-parent:""; mso-padding-alt:0cm 5.4pt 0cm 5.4pt; mso-para-margin:0cm; ...

Background: in the literature related to intractable medial temporal lobe epilepsy, some divergence is observed in terms of the factors that may be leading to memory complaints in patients with this condition. Objective: to identify the relationship between some manifestations of affectivity and subjective memory in patients with intractable medial temporal lobe epilepsy. Methods: a case series study was conducted in 32 patients aged 15 to 60 years treated at the International Center for Neurological Restoration from January 2008 through September 2011. The State-Trait Anxiety Inventory, State-Trait Depression Inventory and Questionnaire of Memory Efficiency were applied. The variables studied were anxiety, depression and subjective memory. Descriptive statistics and the Spearman correlation were used to process the data. Results: a prevalence of mean levels of state-trait anxiety and state depression was observed; however, trait depression reached high levels. Patients reported complaints about their memory functioning. A negative relationship between trait depression and subjective memory (r = -0.36, p <0.05) was obtained.Conclusion: some manifestations of affectivity (anxiety and depression), subjective memory impairment regardless of the lateralization of the ictal onset zone, and the relationship between trait depression and subjective memory were observed in patients with intractable medial temporal lobe epilepsy.

Temporal lobe epilepsy surgery modulates the activity of auditory pathway.

The purpose of this paper is to evaluate the effects of the anterior temporal lobectomy on the functional state of the auditory pathway in a group of drug-resistant epileptic patients, linking the electrophysiological results to the resection magnitude. Twenty-seven patients with temporal lobe epilepsy and a matched control group were studied. Auditory brainstem and middle latency responses (ABR and MLR respectively) were carried out before and after 6, 12 and 24 months surgical treatment. The volume and longitude of temporo-mesial resected structures were estimated on magnetic resonance images taken 6 months after surgery. Before the intervention the patients showed a significant delay of latency in waves III, V, Pa and Nb, with an increase in duration of I-V interval in comparison with healthy subjects (Mann-Whitney U-test, p<0.05). After resection, additional significant differences in waves I and Na latency were observed. Na and Pa waveforms showed a tendency to increase in amplitude, which became statistically significant 12 months after surgery for right hemisphere lobectomized patients in the midline electrode, and in Pa waveform for all patients in the temporal electrodes ipsilateral to resection (Wilcoxon test, p<0.05). In general, latency variations of MLR correlated with resection longitude, while changes in amplitude correlated with the volume of the resection in the middle temporal pole and amygdala (Pearson' correlation test, p<0.05). As a result, we assume that anterior temporal lobectomy provokes functional modifications into the auditory pathway, probably related to an indirect modulation of its activity by the temporo-mesial removed structures.

Un método experimental para lesionar un nervio periférico y evaluar conductualmente la recuperación y el efecto de tratamientos restaurativos / An experimental method to injure a peripheral nerve and to evaluate recovery and the effect of restorative treatments using behavioral techniques

Se presenta un método simple de lesión del nervio periférico por pinzamiento del nervio ciático, y de evaluación conductual de la lesión y su recuperación empleando la marcha sobre una rejilla metálica. La lesión del ciático dificulta el desplazamiento de los animales sobre este sustrato como lo demuestran el aumento significativo de la latencia de escape hacia la caja de habitación y el incremento de fallos en el apoyo de la pata lesionada. Empleando este método se evaluó el efecto de la administración poslesional del complejo vitamínico Compvit B® y del ácido orótico (un precursor de nucleótidos de pirimidina) sobre la recuperación del nervio dañado. Ambos tratamientos y su combinación, mejoraron significativamente la recuperación del nervio lesionado al ser comparados con controles tratados con solución salina(AU)

The paper describes a simple method to injure the peripheral sciatic nerve by clamping, along with a behavioral test to asses the lesion and its recovery using the gait on a metallic grid. Sciatic nerve lesion impairs the displacement of the animals on this surface as demonstrated by the significant increase in the escape latency towards the room cage and the increased number of stance failures with the injured leg. Using this method we assessed the effect of post-injury administration of Compvit B® (vitamin compound) and orotic acid (a pyrimidine-nucleotide precursor) on the recovery of injured nerve. Both treatments and its combination, improved significantly the recovery of injured nerve compared to controls treated with saline solution(AU)

Un método experimental para lesionar un nervio periférico y evaluar conductualmente la recuperación y el efecto de tratamientos restaurativos / An experimental method to injure a peripheral nerve and to evaluate recovery and the effect of restorative treatments using behavioral techniques

Se presenta un método simple de lesión del nervio periférico por pinzamiento del nervio ciático, y de evaluación conductual de la lesión y su recuperación empleando la marcha sobre una rejilla metálica. La lesión del ciático dificulta el desplazamiento de los animales sobre este sustrato como lo demuestran el aumento significativo de la latencia de escape hacia la caja de habitación y el incremento de fallos en el apoyo de la pata lesionada. Empleando este método se evaluó el efecto de la administración poslesional del complejo vitamónico Compvit B® y del ácido orótico (un precursor de nucleótidos de pirimidina) sobre la recuperación del nervio dañado. Ambos tratamientos y su combinación, mejoraron significativamente la recuperación del nervio lesionado al ser comparados con controles tratados con solución salina

The paper describes a simple method to injure the peripheral sciatic nerve by clamping, along with a behavioral test to asses the lesion and its recovery using the gait on a metallic grid. Sciatic nerve lesion impairs the displacement of the animals on this surface as demonstrated by the significant increase in the escape latency towards the room cage and the increased number of stance failures with the injured leg. Using this method we assessed the effect of post-injury administration of Compvit B® (vitamin compound) and orotic acid (a pyrimidine-nucleotide precursor) on the recovery of injured nerve. Both treatments and its combination, improved significantly the recovery of injured nerve compared to controls treated with saline solution

Innovative evaluation of visual field defects in epileptic patients after standard anterior temporal lobectomy, using partial field visual evoked potentials.

The purpose of this paper is to obtain an electrophysiological evaluation of visual field defects consecutive to the direct lesion of optic radiations in drug-resistant epileptic patients after a standard electrocorticographically adjusted lobectomy, and to correlate it with conventional perimetric results, and with the volume of resected tissue during surgical treatment. Twenty-four patients with temporal lobe epilepsy defined through long term EEG-video, ictal and interictal SPECT, as well as Magnetic Resonance Imaging were studied. Visual evoked potentials (VEPs) with partial and total visual field stimulation were carried out before and after 6, 12 and 24 months surgical treatment. A control group was also studied. No differences between patients and control subjects were observed during the evaluation of the full-field VEPs. However, there were statistical differences between groups in the half-field VEP recordings and in the VEP recordings of contralateral to resected side superior quadrant (CSQ) before lobectomy and 6 months later (Mann-Whitney's U-test, p<0.05). Significant associations were found between VEP abnormalities and perimetric results in CSQ. A close relationship between perimetry, VEPs and volume of the resected tissue in hippocampus, parahippocampus, medial and lower temporal giri was also found. Visual field defects consecutive to standard temporal lobe resection in epileptic patients could be objectively evaluated by partial stimulation VEPs corresponding to the size of resected tissue.

Autologous bone marrow stem cell neurotransplantation in stroke patients. An open study.

PURPOSE: Bone marrow stem cells (BMSC) were transplanted into the perilesional area in five patients bearing sequels of stroke, to evaluate the safety of the procedure and tolerance to the transplanted cells. METHODS: Cells were obtained from bone marrow samples taken from the same patient and stereotactically implanted into the targets, determined using a combination of images, and trans-operative recording of multiunit activity. The cells were implanted in several points along tracts in the perilesional region. RESULTS: No important adverse events derived from surgery or transplant were observed during the one year follow-up period, or detected using a combination of tests and functional measurements applied pre- and post-surgically. In contrast, some improvements were observed regarding the neurological condition of the patients, but the small number of patients in the study does not allow any conclusive statement. CONCLUSIONS: Our results demonstrate that BMSC can be safely transplanted into the brain of patients, with excellent tolerance and without complications, using the methods described here.

Algunas consideraciones éticas acerca del consentimiento informado en el paciente con enfermedad de Alzheimer / Some ethical considerations about informed consent from patients with Alzheimerïs disease

La ética constituye la ciencia de la moral, y la ética médica en particular aborda los principios y normas de conducta entre los trabajadores de la salud, el error médico, y la relación médico-paciente entre otros aspectos. De esta relación se deriva el término consentimiento informado (CI) como su máxima expresión. El presente trabajo realiza una breve revisión de los aspectos éticos relacionados con la aprobación de los pacientes con enfermedad de Alzheimer para participar en protocolos de investigación a través del Cl, considerando que estos pueden llegar a ser sujetos legalmente incompetentes. Se habla entonces de Cl subrogado, que puede ser emitido por un familiar o representante legal del paciente, y del Cl antecedente que puede aprobar el propio paciente antes de llegar a perder su capacidad de decisión. Finalmente se aborda la necesidad de obtener el Cl para que un paciente con enfermedad de Alzheimer sea incluido en un protocolo de investigación, y del papel que en esto desempeñan los comités de ética institucionales(AU)