Epilepsy & behavior : E&B
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Epilepsy & behavior : E&B · Feb 2006
Comparative StudyDetermining empirically based self-reported cognitive change: development of reliable change indices and standardized regression-based change norms for the multiple abilities self-report questionnaire in an epilepsy sample.
Reliable change indices (RCIs) and standardized regression-based (SRB) change score norms were calculated for a measure of self-reported cognitive function, the Multiple Abilities Self-Report Questionnaire (MASQ), in patients with complex partial seizures. Establishment of such standardized change scores could be useful in determining the magnitude and direction of self-appraised cognitive change after epilepsy surgery or other treatment interventions. The primary study objective was to calculate RCI and SRB values for the MASQ. A secondary objective was to report SRB change scores in patients who had undergone anterior temporal lobectomy (ATL) and to assess relationships between self-reported cognitive change, seizure outcome, objective memory test performance, and mood. ⋯ SRB methodology provides a standardized technique with which to establish patient perception of cognitive change and may be of use when examining change across individual- and group-level ratings of cognitive functioning in clinical and research settings. These techniques also provide a common metric for direct comparison between subjective self-report ratings of cognitive function and objective cognitive test instruments.
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Epilepsy & behavior : E&B · Feb 2006
Case ReportsRecurrent status epilepticus as the main feature of Hashimoto's encephalopathy.
Hashimoto's encephalopathy (HE) is a severe but treatable condition that rarely complicates Hashimoto's thyroiditis. Clinically it is characterized by progressive or relapsing symptoms, including tremor, myoclonus, stroke-like episodes, seizures, impairment of consciousness, and dementia. ⋯ Our observation confirms that the clinical spectrum of HE at presentation is heterogeneous and diagnosis is often difficult. This case highlights the crucial importance of antithyroid antibody measurement in patients presenting with otherwise unexplained episodes of GCSE with or without adjunctive signs of encephalopathy or thyroiditis.
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Epilepsy & behavior : E&B · Feb 2006
Posttraumatic stress disorder and major depressive disorder is common in parents of children with epilepsy.
The purpose of the study was to determine the prevalence of posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD), posttraumatic stress symptoms (PTSS), and major depressive disorder (MDD) in parents of children with epilepsy. ⋯ These findings suggest that a significant proportion of parents of children with epilepsy experience PTSD and MDD. Increased awareness of the clinical presentations of these disorders may help clinicians to develop preventive and intervention strategies for parents of children with epilepsy.
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Epilepsy & behavior : E&B · Dec 2005
ReviewAntiepileptic drugs and neuroprotection: current status and future roles.
There has been a growing interest in the use of antiepileptic drugs (AEDs) for neuroprotection, and in the possible role of AEDs in disease modification (i.e., antiepileptogenesis). Increased understanding of the mechanisms underlying brain injury has led to advances in the study of neuroprotection. However, defining the clinical paradigm and selecting appropriate outcomes to detect neuroprotective effects present challenges to clinicians studying the neuroprotective properties of drugs. ⋯ Animal model studies also have suggested that newer AEDs, such as levetiracetam, topiramate, and zonisamide, may have neuroprotective or antiepileptogenic properties. However, the prevention of epileptogenesis by an AED has yet to be demonstrated in clinical trials. The future of neuroprotection may involve established and newer AEDs, as well as other compounds, such as immunophilins, caspase inhibitors, endocannabinoids, and antioxidants.