Neurology
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Review Practice Guideline Comparative Study Guideline
Efficacy and tolerability of the new antiepileptic drugs II: treatment of refractory epilepsy: report of the Therapeutics and Technology Assessment Subcommittee and Quality Standards Subcommittee of the American Academy of Neurology and the American Epilepsy Society.
To assess the evidence demonstrating efficacy, tolerability, and safety of seven new antiepileptic drugs (AEDs) (gabapentin, lamotrigine, topiramate, tiagabine, oxcarbazepine, levetiracetam, and zonisamide) in the treatment of children and adults with refractory partial and generalized epilepsies. ⋯ The choice of AED depends upon seizure and/or syndrome type, patient age, concomitant medications, AED tolerability, safety, and efficacy. The results of this evidence-based assessment provide guidelines for the prescription of AEDs for patients with refractory epilepsy and identify those seizure types and syndromes where more evidence is necessary.
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Review Practice Guideline Comparative Study Guideline
Efficacy and tolerability of the new antiepileptic drugs I: treatment of new onset epilepsy: report of the Therapeutics and Technology Assessment Subcommittee and Quality Standards Subcommittee of the American Academy of Neurology and the American Epilepsy Society.
To assess the evidence demonstrating efficacy, tolerability, and safety of seven new antiepileptic drugs (AEDs) (gabapentin, lamotrigine, topiramate, tiagabine, oxcarbazepine, levetiracetam, and zonisamide-reviewed in the order in which these agents received approval by the US Food and Drug Administration) in the treatment of children and adults with newly diagnosed partial and generalized epilepsies. ⋯ The results of this evidence-based assessment provide guidelines for the prescription of AEDs for patients with newly diagnosed epilepsy and identify those seizure types and syndromes where more evidence is necessary.
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Clinical Trial Controlled Clinical Trial
Stiff-person syndromes: motor cortex hyperexcitability correlates with anti-GAD autoimmunity.
S: To investigate whether motor cortex excitability is enhanced in both stiff-person syndrome (SPS) and its "plus" variant, progressive encephalomyelitis with rigidity (PER), and related to autoimmunity against glutamic acid decarboxylase (GAD). ⋯ The motor cortex is hyperexcitable in SPS and PER patients. However, hyperexcitability is partly masked by GABAmimetic treatment. Correlation of elevated GAD antibody levels with enhanced ICF suggests that motor cortex hyperexcitability in SPS and PER is related to anti-GAD autoimmunity.
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Comparative Study Clinical Trial
Cerebral lactic acidosis correlates with neurological impairment in MELAS.
To evaluate the role of chronic cerebral lactic acidosis in mitochondrial encephalomyopathy, lactic acidosis, and stroke-like episodes (MELAS). ⋯ High levels of ventricular lactate, the brain spectroscopic signature of MELAS, are associated with more severe neurologic impairment.
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Randomized Controlled Trial Multicenter Study Clinical Trial
Efficacy of pergolide in treatment of restless legs syndrome: the PEARLS Study.
To evaluate the short- and long-term safety and efficacy of pergolide therapy for restless legs syndrome (RLS) in a double-blind, placebo-controlled, randomized trial (Pergolide European Australian RLS [PEARLS] study). ⋯ Pergolide substantially improves periodic limb movement measures and subjective sleep disturbance associated with restless legs syndrome. Low-dose pergolide was well tolerated and maintained its efficacy in the long term.