Epilepsy & behavior : E&B
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Epilepsy & behavior : E&B · Aug 2007
Reliability and validity of a Chinese version of the Quality of Life in Epilepsy Inventory (QOLIE-89).
The aim of the work described here was to develop and validate a Chinese version of the Quality of Life in Epilepsy Inventory-89 (QOLIE-89). ⋯ The psychometric properties of the Chinese version of the QOLIE-89 are good and similar to those of the American version and can be applied to assess quality of life in adult patients with epilepsy in China.
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There is little literature on a possible link between the use of antiepileptic drugs (AEDs) and the occurrence of suicidal ideation. Nevertheless, its occurrence needs to be promptly recognized because it may trigger suicidal attempts. ⋯ All cases occurred in the context of a mood disorder presenting early during LEV therapy. Psychopathological characteristics of suicidal ideation were consistent in all subjects and similar to some features that are described as typical of the so-called interictal dysphoric disorder of epilepsy.
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Epilepsy & behavior : E&B · May 2007
Randomized Controlled Trial Comparative Study Clinical TrialSlight improvement in mood and irritability after antiepileptic drug withdrawal: a controlled study in patients on monotherapy.
Most antiepileptic drugs (AEDs) are considered to have effects on mood and to be effective in a number of affective disorders. There are, however, conflicting reports in the literature with respect to the psychotropic properties of AEDs. Many of the studies have a number of methodological problems, and much uncertainty still exists regarding the behavioral and mood effects of AEDs. The aim of this study was to assess, in a randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled study of seizure-free patients with epilepsy, the effect of withdrawal of AEDs in patients on monotherapy on measures of mood and behavior. ⋯ The results suggest that seizure-free patients with epilepsy on monotherapy can obtain a slight improvement in symptoms characteristic of depression and irritability if they discontinue treatment with AEDs. The described changes are limited, and the functional impact is of uncertain significance.
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Epilepsy & behavior : E&B · Mar 2007
Levetiracetam in clinical practice: long-term experience in patients with refractory epilepsy referred to a tertiary epilepsy center.
For the treatment of patients with chronic refractory epilepsies, development of new antiepileptic drugs is crucial. Three regulatory trials have demonstrated that add-on levetiracetam is efficacious in patients with localization-related epilepsy. However, results from these highly controlled short-term clinical trials cannot simply be extrapolated to everyday clinical practice. Therefore, more information is needed about the long-term profile of a new antiepileptic drug in clinical practice. ⋯ Levetiracetam is a new antiepileptic drug that appears to be a useful add-on treatment in patients with refractory epilepsy. Its side effect profile is mild, with mood disorders being the most dominant adverse event.
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Epilepsy & behavior : E&B · Mar 2007
Case ReportsFluctuating Kluver-Bucy syndrome in a child with epilepsy due to bilateral anterior temporal congenital malformations.
An 11-year-old boy with epilepsy due to congenital bilateral anterior temporal lobe malformations presented with fluctuating Kluver-Bucy syndrome (KBS). Since the age of 2, he had experienced clusters of three or four daily complex partial seizures over 2-3 days in a month, followed by a seizure-free interval of 3-4 weeks. During the seizure-free period, the patient exhibited hyperorality, sniffing, irritability alternating with placidity, anxiety, unsolicited sexual gestures, and unusual calmness after eating. ⋯ This is the first reported case of KBS due to congenital bitemporal malformations. Also, KBS behavior phenotype in this patient fluctuated, with escalation during the seizure-free period and remission induced by the monthly seizure cluster. This fluctuating pattern could represent forced normalization.