Psychogenic non-epileptic seizures in Iran

AbstractPurposeWe investigated the demographic and clinical characteristics of psychogenic non-epileptic seizures (PNES) in patients in Iran.MethodsIn this prospective study, all patients with a clinical diagnosis of PNES (based on ictal recordings) were recruited at the outpatient epilepsy clinic at Shiraz University of Medical Sciences, from 2008 through 2013. The epileptologist interviewed all the patients. We investigated the demographic and clinical characteristics of PNES.ResultsTwo hundred and forty-nine patients were diagnosed as having PNES. Two hundred and eleven patients had video-EEG recordings available and included in the study. One hundred and forty-one (66.8%) were female and 70 (33.2%) were male. There were no significant differences between our patients and previous reports regarding the clinical and semiological characteristics of PNES.ConclusionPsychogenic non-epileptic seizures are relatively common at epilepsy clinics. It appears that an Islamic lifestyle (in Iran) has little influence on the clinical characteristics and manifestations of PNES, as we observed similar results as in most previous studies from other cultures

Generalized Spike-Waves in Idiopathic Generalized Epilepsies: Does Their Frequency Matter?

OBJECTIVES: We hypothesized that the frequency (in Hertz) of generalized spike-waves (GSWs) in patients with idiopathic generalized epilepsy (IGE) has associations with the syndromic diagnosis as well as with the prognosis of patients (their response to medical treatment). METHODS: This was a retrospective study of a prospectively developed database. All patients with a diagnosis of IGE were studied at the epilepsy center at Shiraz University of Medical Sciences, Shiraz, Iran, from 2008 until 2022. Patients were classified into four IGE syndromes: childhood absence epilepsy; juvenile absence epilepsy; juvenile myoclonic epilepsy; and generalized tonic-clonic seizures alone. RESULTS: Five hundred and eighty-three patients were studied. GSWs were commonly observed in all four syndromes of IGE. Frequency of GSW (in Hertz) did not have a significant association with the syndromic diagnosis of the patients (p = .179). The presence of GSW did not have a significant association with the seizure outcome (becoming seizure free or not) of the patients (p = .416). Frequency of GSW did not have a significant association with the seizure outcome of the patients either (p = .574). CONCLUSION: GSWs are the hallmark electroencephalographic footprints of idiopathic generalized epilepsies; however, neither their presence nor their frequency has practical associations with the syndromic diagnosis of IGEs or their outcome (response to treatment)

Effect of the COVID-19 Pandemic on Seizure Control Status in Patients With Epilepsy

Background: Previous studies have shown that patients with epilepsy (PWE) perceived significant disruption in the quality and provision of care due to the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic. The present study aimed to investigate the effect of this pandemic on seizure control status and changes in seizure frequency in PWE. Methods:A consecutive sample of adult PWE registered in the database of Shiraz Epilepsy Center (Shiraz, Iran) was included in the study. In July 2021, phone interviews were conducted with all selected patients. Information such as age, sex, last seizure, seizure type, and frequency during the 12 months before the study, and history of COVID-19 contraction was extracted. The seizure control status of the patients in 2019 (pre-pandemic) was compared with that during the COVID-19 pandemic. Data were analyzed using SPSS software with the Fisher’s exact test and Pearson’s Chi squared test. P Results: A total of 158 patients were included in the study, out of which 62 (39.2%) patients had a stable seizure control status, 47 (29.7%) had fewer seizures, and 50 (31.6%) had more seizures. Breakthrough seizures were reported by 32 (34.4%) patients. Seizure frequency increased in 18 (27.7%) and decreased in 46 (70.7%) patients. Conclusion: Overall, the COVID-19 pandemic has not been a major precipitating factor nor has it affected the seizure control status of PWE. In treated epilepsy, a fluctuating course with periods of seizure freedom followed by relapses is part of its natural history

Terminology for psychogenic nonepileptic seizures:Making the case for "functional seizures"

PURPOSE: The purpose of the study was to review the literature on the terminologies for psychogenic nonepileptic seizures (PNES) and make a proposal on the terminology of this condition. This proposal reflects the authors' own opinions.METHODS: We systematically searched MEDLINE (accessed from PubMed) and EMBASE from inception to October 10, 2019 for articles written in English with a main focus on PNES (with or without discussion of other functional neurological disorders) and which either proposed or discussed the accuracy or appropriateness of PNES terminologies.RESULTS: The search strategy reported above yielded 757 articles; 30 articles were eventually included, which were generally of low quality. "Functional seizures" (FS) appeared to be an acceptable terminology to name this condition from the perspective of patients. In addition, FS is a term that is relatively popular with clinicians.CONCLUSION: From the available evidence, FS meets more of the criteria proposed for an acceptable label than other popular terms in the field. While the term FS is neutral with regard to etiology and pathology (particularly regarding whether psychological or not), other terms such as "dissociative", "conversion", or "psychogenic" seizures are not. In addition, FS can potentially facilitate multidisciplinary (physical and psychological) management more than other terms. Adopting a universally accepted terminology to describe this disorder could standardize our approach to the illness and facilitate communication between healthcare professionals, patients, their families, carers, and the wider public.</p

Epilepsy management during difficult times

Major disruption in the delivery of healthcare services can occur in exceptional situations such as natural disasters, conflicts, periods of severe economic hardship, and epidemics. These disruptions typically affect to the greatest extent the most vulnerable segments of the population, including people with epilepsy. Inability to access healthcare services can lead to failure to undergo necessary diagnostic investigations, or to receive needed therapeutic interventions, including epilepsy surgery. Stress and other factors associated with the nature or the cause of the disruption can adversely affect seizure control status, or precipitate the occurrence of psychiatric disorders and other comorbid conditions. Failure to access antiseizure medications is a common occurrence in these situations and can result in loss of seizure control, withdrawal seizures, and status epilepticus. In this article, we provide examples of recent disruptions in healthcare and their implications for people with epilepsy. We discuss the consequences of natural disasters, conflicts, economic sanctions, and focus in greater detail on lessons learnt during the COVID-19 pandemic. We also discuss possible mitigation procedures, focusing in particular on the application of telemedicine to epilepsy care. Finally, we underline the need for governments, healthcare authorities, and international organizations to improve their preparedness to deal with exceptional situations that may arise in the future

Efficacy and tolerability of adjunctive brivaracetam in patients with prior antiepileptic drug exposure: A post-hoc study.

Brivaracetam (BRV), a selective, high-affinity ligand for synaptic vesicle protein 2A, is a new antiepileptic drug (AED) for adjunctive treatment of focal (partial-onset) seizures in adults with epilepsy. This post-hoc analysis was conducted to explore the efficacy of adjunctive BRV in patients with prior levetiracetam (LEV) exposure and whether changes in efficacy were related to the similar mechanism of action of these two drugs. Data were pooled from three Phase III studies (NCT00490035; NCT00464269; NCT01261325) of adults with focal seizures taking 1-2 AEDs who received placebo or BRV 50-200mg/day without titration over a 12-week treatment period. Patients taking concomitant LEV at enrollment were excluded from this analysis. Patients were categorized by their status of prior exposure to LEV, carbamazepine (CBZ), topiramate (TPM), or lamotrigine (LTG), to investigate any consistent trend towards reduced response in AED-exposed subgroups compared to AED-naïve subgroups, regardless of the mechanism of action. Study completion rates, percent reduction from baseline in focal seizure frequency over placebo, ≥50% responder rates, and tolerability were evaluated for each subgroup. A total of 1160 patients were investigated. Study completion rates were similar in the AED-exposed subgroups and AED-naïve subgroups. In subgroups with (531 patients) or without (629 patients) prior LEV exposure, ≥50% responder rates for each dose of BRV compared with placebo were generally higher among the LEV-naïve subgroups than the previously LEV-exposed subgroups. LEV-exposed subgroups receiving BRV doses ≥50mg/day showed greater ≥50% responder rates than those receiving placebo. Similar results were observed for CBZ, TPM, and LTG. Previous treatment failure with commonly prescribed AEDs (LEV, CBZ, TPM, or LTG) is associated with a reduced response to BRV irrespective of the mechanism of action. Hence, this post-hoc analysis indicates that previous treatment failure with LEV does not preclude the use of BRV in patients with epilepsy

Recommendations for treatment strategies in people with epilepsy during times of shortage of antiseizure medications

In times of severe antiseizure medication (ASM) shortage due to emergency situations (e.g., disasters, conflicts, sudden disruption to international supply chains), management of people with epilepsy with available ASMs can be difficult. A group of experts was brought together by the International League Against Epilepsy (ILAE) to formulate recommendations for such circumstances. Every effort was made to base these recommendations on direct published literature or extrapolations from basic information available about ASMs. Actual published literature in this area is, however, limited, and at times, assumptions were made by the experts to generate these recommendations. During times of shortage of ASMs, switching between different ASMs (e.g., oxcarbazepine and carbamazepine) can occasionally be considered as a mitigation procedure. However, for many ASMs, the option of an overnight switch to another drug does not exist. Switching from brand to generic or between generic products has often been shown to be safe, if required. Finally, when supplies of benzodiazepines or equipment to administer medications intravenously are not available, rectal administration of some ASMs may be an emergency alternative route for treating serial seizures and status epilepticus. Decision-making with regard to treatment and possible options should be driven by what is best for the patient

Neonate, Infant, and Child Mortality in North Africa and Middle East by Cause: An Analysis for the Global Burden of Disease Study 2019

Background: During the past three decades, neonate, infant, and child mortality declined in North Africa and Middle East. However, there is substantial heterogeneity in mortality rates across countries. Methods: This study is part of the Global Burden of Diseases study (GBD) 2019. We report the number as well as mortality rates for neonates, infants, and children by cause across 21 countries in the region since 1990. Results: Between 1990 and 2019, the neonate mortality rate in the region declined from 31.9 (29.8, 34.0) to 12.2 (11.1, 13.3) per 1000 live births. Respective figures for under 5 mortality rates (U5MRs) were 79.1 (75.7, 82.7) in 1990 and 24.4 (22.3, 26.7) per 1000 live births in 2019. The majority of deaths among children under 5 years were due to under 1 year deaths: 75.9% in 1990 and 81.8% in 2019. Mortality rates in males were higher than females. The mortality rate among neonates ranged from 2.4 (2.1, 2.6) per 1000 live births in Bahrain to 25.0 (21.6, 28.4) in Afghanistan in 2019. Similarly, in 2019, the U5MR ranged from 5.0 (4.2–6.0) per 1000 live births in United Arab Emirates to 55.3 (47.9–63.5) in Afghanistan. Neonatal disorders, congenital birth defects, and lower respiratory infections were the three main causes of neonate, infant, and child mortality in almost all countries in the region. Conclusion: In 2019, most countries in this region have achieved the SDG targets for neonate and child mortality. However, there is still substantial heterogeneity across countries

Genetics of Functional Seizures; A Scoping Systematic Review

Background: Evidence on the genetics of functional seizures is scarce, and the purpose of the current scoping systematic review is to examine the existing evidence and propose how to advance the field. Methods: Web of science and MEDLINE were searched, from their initiation until May 2023. The following key words were used: functional neurological disorder(s), psychogenic neurological disorder(s), functional movement disorder(s), psychogenic movement disorder(s), functional seizures(s), psychogenic seizure(s), nonepileptic seizure(s), dissociative seizure(s), or psychogenic nonepileptic seizure(s), AND, gene, genetic(s), polymorphism, genome, epigenetics, copy number variant, copy number variation(s), whole exome sequencing, or next-generation sequencing. Results: We identified three original studies. In one study, the authors observed that six (5.9%) patients with functional seizures carried pathogenic/likely pathogenic variants. In another study, the authors observed that, in functional seizures, there was a significant correlation with genes that are over-represented in adrenergic, serotonergic, oxytocin, opioid, and GABA receptor signaling pathways. In the third study, the authors observed that patients with functional seizures, as well as patients with depression, had significantly different genotypes in FKBP5 single nucleotide polymorphisms compared with controls. Conclusion: Future genetic investigations of patients with functional seizures would increase our understanding of the pathophysiological and neurobiological problems underlying this common neuropsychological stress-associated condition