Epilepsia
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In pediatric patients with intractable epilepsy, surgical intervention should be considered in terms of seizure control and prevention of neuronal deterioration. We present our experience with pediatric epilepsy surgery, focusing on corpus callosotomy and hemispherotomy. ⋯ In pediatric epilepsy surgery, corpus callosotomy is very effective in abolishing drop attacks and improving postoperative psychomotor function. For hemispherotomy, cases of hemimegalencephaly had the worst seizure control and surgical complications. Incomplete section of the corpus callosum should be carefully evaluated as a cause of surgical failure.
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Being a woman with epilepsy is not the same as being a man with epilepsy. Epilepsy affects sexual development, menstrual cycle, aspects of contraception, fertility, and reproduction. MENSTRUAL CYCLE, EPILEPSY, AND FERTILITY: The diagnosis of epilepsy and the use of antiepileptic drugs (AEDs) present women of childbearing age with many problems; both the disease and its treatment can alter the menstrual cycle and fertility. ⋯ MENOPAUSE: During menopause, about 40% of women report worsening of their seizure disorder, 27% improve, and a third had no change. Hormone replacement therapy is significantly associated with an increase in seizure frequency during menopause, and this is more likely in women with a history of catamenial epilepsy. BONE HEALTH: Women with epilepsy are at increased risk of fractures, osteoporosis, and osteomalacia.
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To evaluate antibody-mediated and cytotoxic T cell-mediated pathogenicity that has been implicated as the autoimmune pathophysiological mechanism in Rasmussen's encephalitis. ⋯ Autoantibodies against GluRepsilon2 may be one of the diagnostic markers for Rasmussen's encephalitis with and without EPC. Patients have activated T cells stimulated by GluRepsilon2 in peripheral blood circulation. We speculate that cellular autoimmunity and the subsequent humoral autoimmunity against GluRepsilon2 may contribute to the pathophysiological processes in Rasmussen's encephalitis.
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To study the antiepileptic properties of extracts from rhizomes of Acorus tatarinowii Schott (ATS). ⋯ Both decoction and volatile oil extracted from the rhizome of Acorus tatarinowii Schott have anticonvulsive effects. The volatile oil is shown to be less effective for PTZ-induced convulsions. Both extracts can prevent convulsions as well as convulsion-related GABAergic neuron damage in the brain in the prolonged PTZ kindling model.
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Randomized Controlled Trial Comparative Study Clinical Trial
Dose-dependent safety and efficacy of zonisamide: a randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled study in patients with refractory partial seizures.
To evaluate the safety and efficacy of zonisamide (ZNS) as adjunctive treatment in patients with refractory localization-related epilepsy. ⋯ ZNS provides dose-dependent, effective, and generally well-tolerated adjunctive therapy in patients with partial seizures.