MIGRAINE AND HEADACHE IN CHILDREN AND ADOLESCENTS

Il Prof. Guidetti ne è stato il principale curator

Chemoselective, substrate-directed fluorination of functionalized cyclopentane beta-amino acids

This work describes asubstrate-directed fluorination of some highly functionalized cyclopentanederivatives. The cyclic products incorporatingCH 2ForCHF2 moieties in their structure have been synthesized from diexo-o rdiendonorbornene b-aminoacids following astereocontrolled strat egy.The synthetic study was based on an oxidative transformationofthe ring carbon–carbon double bond of the norbornene b-amino acids, followed by transformation of the resulted „all cis“and „trans“diformyl intermediates by fluorination with „chemodifferentiation“

Psychiatric and Behavioural Disorders in Children with Epilepsy (ILAE Task Force Report): Anxiety, depression and childhood epilepsy

Anxiety and depression are relatively common in children with epilepsy: anxiety has been reported in 15-36% and depression in 8-35% of patients. In some cases these conditions may be related specifically to the epilepsy or its treatment. For example, some antiepileptic drugs are known to be associated with depression in adults and are likely to have a similar effect in young people. Emotional reactions to the epilepsy, for example anxieties and social phobia related specifically to the seizures, might be expected and require appropriate management. However, there is a growing recognition of the bidirectional relationship between epilepsy and psychiatric disorders, including depression, largely based on adult data. Cognitive behavioural therapy and serotonin reuptake inhibitors are used for treatment of both anxiety and depression in children with epilepsy. There is a need for greater understanding of the causes of these conditions in young people and there is also a need for better evidence for optimal treatment

Psychiatric and Behavioural Disorders in Children with Epilepsy (ILAE Task Force Report): Behavioural and psychiatric disorders associated with epilepsy syndromes

The categorisation of the childhood epilepsies into a number of different syndromes has allowed greater insight into the prognosis, not only with regard to seizure control but also in relation to cognitive and behavioural outcome. The role of genetics in determining both the syndrome and the behavioural outcome remains promising, although the promise is still largely unfulfilled. The behavioural/psychiatric outcome of a selection of the large number of childhood epilepsy syndromes is presented. The rate of autism in West syndrome, particularly in children who have tuberous sclerosis with temporal tubers, is high. In Dravet syndrome there is a loss of skills, with an associated increase in behavioural problems. The frequency of both subtle and overt seizures in the Lennox-Gastaut syndrome almost certainly accounts for the apparent poor motivation; however, a marked improvement in seizure control with treatment can also result in behavioural problems, probably as a result of the "release phenomenon". A number of cognitive problems can arise in the so-called "benign" syndrome of epilepsy with centrotemporal spikes (BECTS) and the rate of ADHD is high. Autistic features and ADHD have been described in the Landau-Kleffner syndrome and other syndromes associated with electrical status epilepticus of slow-wave sleep (ESES). Early effective treatment may reverse some of these features. There is clear evidence for a behavioural syndrome in relation to juvenile myoclonic epilepsy (JME), in which both clinical descriptions and functional neuroimaging indicate frontal lobe deficits

Psychiatric and Behavioural Disorders in Children with Epilepsy (ILAE Task Force Report): When should pharmacotherapy for psychiatric/behavioural disorders in children with epilepsy be prescribed?

The most important factor in deciding whether psychotropic medication should be prescribed is a meticulous assessment of the possible causes of the behavioural/psychiatric disturbance. This assessment should include a consideration of the possible roles of the epilepsy itself, treatment of the epilepsy, associated brain damage or dysfunction, reactions to the epilepsy and causes that are unrelated to the epilepsy or its treatment. If the epilepsy itself or antiepileptic drug treatment are responsible for the disorder then a review of antiepileptic medication is required. Contrary to popular myth, most psychotropic medications are not contraindicated in children with epilepsy. Treatment with methylphenidate, dexamfetamine, atomoxetine, clonidine or low-dose risperidone are unlikely to precipitate seizures. The selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors might protect against seizures but some of these are powerful enzyme inhibitors, implying that careful monitoring to avoid antiepileptic drug toxicity is recommended. In many cases, the appropriate approach will be through other interventions such as behavioural management or providing the young person with empowering strategies, implying that psychotropic pharmacotherapy should not be the first-line treatment. However, if assessment indicates that psychotropic medication is necessary, it can be of great benefit

Psychiatric and Behavioural Disorders in Children with Epilepsy (ILAE Task Force Report): Adverse cognitive and behavioural effects of antiepileptic drugs in children

The literature was evaluated for cognitive and more general behavioural effects. We distinguished the older antiepileptic drugs (AEDs), from the newer and newest AEDs. The striking finding was the lack of information on children. From the available evidence it would appear that there may be negative cognitive effects with phenobarbital, phenytoin, topiramate and zonisamide, and adverse behavioural effects with phenobarbital, valproate, gabapentin, topiramate, levetiracetam and zonisamide. There is inconclusive data on ethosuximide, clobazam, vigabatrin, felbamate, pregabalin, stiripentol, rufinamide, lacosamide and retigabine. The following drugs appear to be neutral with regard to cognitive effects: valproate, carbamazepine, gabapentin and oxcarbazepine. Carbamazepine appears to be neutral with regard to behavioural effects. Positive cognitive effects have been reported with lamotrigine and levetiracetam. Positive behavioural effects have been reported with lamotrigine. Recommendations are provided

Psychiatric and Behavioural Disorders in Children with Epilepsy (ILAE Task Force Report): Epilepsy and Autism

A high proportion of children with epilepsy have autism spectrum disorder. Although estimates vary, depending both on the population studied and the definitions used, a figure of around 20% has typically been reported. Autism can have a major impact on the life of the child and family. Despite the importance of this comorbidity and although many studies have been performed, a full understanding of the possible links between epilepsy and autism remains elusive. In a minority of cases, for example in the Landau-Kleffner syndrome, the autistic features can be the result of the epilepsy itself. However, there has been a failure to demonstrate that the epilepsy itself plays a major role in most cases. The current evidence seems to point to a common underlying predisposing factor. The discovery of a growing number of genetic defects leading to both conditions would support this explanation of the link