Video-electroencephalography Monitoring Research Articles

Effects of C1-INH Treatment on Neurobehavioral Sequelae and Late Seizures After Traumatic Brain Injury in a Mouse Model of Controlled Cortical Impact.

C1 human-derived C1 esterase inhibitor (C1-INH) is a U.S. Food and Drig Administration-approved drug with anti-inflammatory actions. In the present study, we investigated the therapeutic effects of C1-INH on acute and chronic neurobehavioral outcomes and on seizures in the chronic stage in a mouse traumatic brain injury (TBI) model. Adult male CD1 mice were subjected to controlled cortical impact and randomly allocated to receive C1-INH or vehicle solution 1 h post-TBI. Effects of C1-INH treatment on inflammatory responses and brain damage after TBI were examined using the Cytometric Bead Array, C5a enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay, Fluoro-Jade C staining, and Nissl staining. Neurobehavioral outcomes after TBI were assessed with modified neurological severity scores, the rotarod and open field tests, and the active place avoidance task. Video-electroencephalographic monitoring was performed in the 15th and 16th weeks after TBI to document epileptic seizures. We found that C1-INH treatment reduced TNFα expression and alleviated brain damage. Treatment with C1-INH improved neurological functions, increased locomotor activity, alleviated anxiety-like behavior, and exhibited an effect on seizures in the chronic stage after TBI. These findings suggest that C1-INH has beneficial effects on the treatment of TBI.

Rates of event capture of home video EEG

ObjectiveRecording electrographic and behavioral information during epileptic and other paroxysmal events is important during video electroencephalography (EEG) monitoring. This study was undertaken to measure the event capture rate of an home service operating across Australia using a shoulder-worn EEG device and telescopic pole-mounted camera. MethodsNeurologist reports were accessed retrospectively. Studies with confirmed events were identified and assessed for event capture by recording modality, whether events were reported or discovered, and physiological state. Results6,265 studies were identified, of which 2,788 (44.50%) had events. A total of 15,691 events were captured, of which 77.89% were reported. The EEG amplifier was active for 99.83% of events. The patient was in view of the camera for 94.90% of events. 84.89% of studies had all events on camera, and 2.65% had zero events on camera (mean = 93.66%, median = 100.00%). 84.42% of events from wakefulness were reported, compared to 54.27% from sleep. ConclusionsEvent capture was similar to previously reported rates from home studies, with higher capture rates on video. Most patients have all events captured on camera. SignificanceHome monitoring is capable of high rates of event capture, and the use of wide-angle cameras allows for all events to be captured in the majority of studies.

Safety and efficacy of rapid withdrawal of antiseizure medications during long-term video-electroencephalogram monitoring in children with drug-resistant epilepsy: Aretrospective study.

Performing long-term video-electroencephalographic monitoring (LTVEM) to obtain the ictal electroencephalogram (EEG) is important for presurgical evaluation. This study aimed at investigating the safety and efficacy of our protocol developed at Peking University First Hospital (PUFH) for rapid withdrawal of antiseizure medications (ASMs) during LTVEM to induce seizures in children with drug-resistant epilepsy (DRE) exhibiting nondaily seizures. Children with DRE who followed the PUFH protocol for rapid withdrawal of ASMs during LTVEM between 2018 and 2021 were enrolled. The occurrence of seizures, number of ASMs withdrawn, seizure onset time after ASM tapering initiation, changes in interictal epileptiform discharge (IED), and adverse events were evaluated during LTVEM. Among 80 children evaluated in this study, seizures were induced successfully in 72 (90%) children. Furthermore, no change in IED sites was observed in these 72 children following the initiation of ASM tapering while 2 children exhibited secondary bilateral tonic-clonic seizures. The median time from ASM tapering initiation to the onset of the first seizure was found to be 3 days (2-4), while the median number of ASMs withdrawn was 2 (1-2). Finally, 66 children (91.7%) had habitual seizures while 6 children had nonhabitual seizure semiology. The PUFH protocol can be used for the rapid withdrawal of ASMs during LTVEM in children with DRE. Using this protocol, ictal EEG patterns can be obtained in a relatively short time for most patients with fewer adverse effects during LTVEM, which may provide meaningful electro-clinical information for presurgical evaluation.

A novel method for electroencephalography background analysis in neonates with hypoxic-ischemic encephalopathy

To explore a new method for electroencephalography (EEG) background analysis in neonates with hypoxic-ischemic encephalopathy (HIE) and its relationship with clinical grading and head magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) grading. A retrospective analysis was performed for the video electroencephalography (vEEG) and amplitude-integrated electroencephalography (aEEG) monitoring data within 24 hours after birth of neonates diagnosed with HIE from January 2016 to August 2022. All items of EEG background analysis were enrolled into an assessment system and were scored according to severity to obtain the total EEG score. The correlations of total EEG score with total MRI score and total Sarnat score (TSS, used to evaluate clinical gradings) were analyzed by Spearman correlation analysis. The total EEG score was compared among the neonates with different clinical gradings and among the neonates with different head MRI gradings. The receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve and the area under thecurve (AUC) were used to evaluate the value of total EEG score in diagnosing moderate/severe head MRI abnormalities and clinical moderate/severe HIE, which was then compared with the aEEG grading method. A total of 50 neonates with HIE were included. The total EEG score was positively correlated with the total head MRI score and TSS (rs=0.840 and 0.611 respectively, P<0.001). There were significant differences in the total EEG score between different clinical grading groups and different head MRI grading groups (P<0.05). The total EEG score and the aEEG grading method had an AUC of 0.936 and 0.617 respectively in judging moderate/severe head MRI abnormalities (P<0.01) and an AUC of 0.887 and 0.796 respectively in judging clinical moderate/severe HIE (P>0.05). The total EEG scores of ≤6 points, 7-13 points, and ≥14 points were defined as mild, moderate, and severe EEG abnormalities respectively, which had the best consistency with clinical grading and head MRI grading (P<0.05). The new EEG background scoring method can quantitatively reflect the severity of brain injury and can be used for the judgment of brain function in neonates with HIE.

Semiautomatic interictal electric source localization based on long-term electroencephalographic monitoring: A prospective study.

Electric source imaging (ESI) of interictal epileptiform discharges (IEDs) has shown significant yield in numerous studies; however, its implementation at most centers is labor- and cost-intensive. Semiautomatic ESI analysis (SAEA) has been proposed as an alternative and has previously shown benefit. Computer-assisted automatic spike cluster retrieval, averaging, and source localization are carried out for each cluster and are then reviewed by an expert neurophysiologist, to determine their relevance for the individual case. Here, we examine its yield in a prospective single center study. Between 2017 and 2022, 122 patients underwent SAEA. Inclusion criteria for the current study were unifocal epilepsy disorder, epilepsy surgery with curative purpose, and postoperative follow-up of 2 years or more. All patients (N=40) had continuous video-electroencephalographic (EEG) monitoring with 37 scalp electrodes, which underwent SAEA. Forty patients matched our inclusion criteria. Twenty patients required intracranial monitoring; 13 were magnetic resonance imaging (MRI)-negative. Mean duration of analyzed EEG was 4.3 days (±3.1 days), containing a mean of 12 749 detected IEDs (±22 324). The sensitivity, specificity, and accuracy of SAEA for localizing the epileptogenic focus of the entire group were 74.3%, 80%, and 75%, respectively, leading to an odds ratio (OR) of 11.5 to become seizure-free if the source was included in the resection volume (p< .05). In patients with extratemporal lobe epilepsy, our results indicated an accuracy of 68% (OR=11.7). For MRI-negative patients (n= 13) and patients requiring intracranial EEG (n= 20), we found a similarly high accuracy of 84.6% (OR=19) and 75% (OR=15.9), respectively. In this prospective study of SAEA of long-term video-EEG, spanning several days, we found excellent localizing information and a high yield, even in difficult patient groups. This compares favorably to high-density ESI, most likely due to marked improved signal-to-noise ratio of the averaged IEDs. We propose including ESI, or SAEA, in the workup of all patients who are referred for epilepsy surgery.

Discovery and Validation of Circulating microRNAs as Biomarkers for Epileptogenesis after Experimental Traumatic Brain Injury-The EPITARGET Cohort.

Traumatic brain injury (TBI) causes 10-20% of structural epilepsies and 5% of all epilepsies. The lack of prognostic biomarkers for post-traumatic epilepsy (PTE) is a major obstacle to the development of anti-epileptogenic treatments. Previous studies revealed TBI-induced alterations in blood microRNA (miRNA) levels, and patients with epilepsy exhibit dysregulation of blood miRNAs. We hypothesized that acutely altered plasma miRNAs could serve as prognostic biomarkers for brain damage severity and the development of PTE. To investigate this, epileptogenesis was induced in adult male Sprague Dawley rats by lateral fluid-percussion-induced TBI. Epilepsy was defined as the occurrence of at least one unprovoked seizure during continuous 1-month video-electroencephalography monitoring in the sixth post-TBI month. Cortical pathology was analyzed by magnetic resonance imaging on day 2 (D2), D7, and D21, and by histology 6 months post-TBI. Small RNA sequencing was performed from tail-vein plasma samples on D2 and D9 after TBI (n = 16, 7 with and 9 without epilepsy) or sham operation (n = 4). The most promising miRNA biomarker candidates were validated by droplet digital polymerase chain reaction in a validation cohort of 115 rats (8 naïve, 17 sham, and 90 TBI rats [21 with epilepsy]). These included 7 brain-enriched plasma miRNAs (miR-434-3p, miR-9a-3p, miR-136-3p, miR-323-3p, miR-124-3p, miR-212-3p, and miR-132-3p) that were upregulated on D2 post-TBI (p < 0.001 for all compared with naïve rats). The acute post-TBI plasma miRNA profile did not predict the subsequent development of PTE or PTE severity. Plasma miRNA levels, however, predicted the cortical pathology severity on D2 (Spearman ρ = 0.345-0.582, p < 0.001), D9 (ρ = 0.287-0.522, p < 0.001-0.01), D21 (ρ = 0.269-0.581, p < 0.001-0.05) and at 6 months post-TBI (ρ = 0.230-0.433, p < 0.001-0.05). We found that the levels of 6 of 7 miRNAs also reflected mild brain injury caused by the craniotomy during sham operation (ROC AUC 0.76-0.96, p < 0.001-0.05). In conclusion, our findings revealed that increased levels of neuronally enriched miRNAs in the blood circulation after TBI reflect the extent of cortical injury in the brain but do not predict PTE development.

Clinical case of a patient with focal cortical dysplasia IIa adjacent to the speech center: diagnostic and therapeutic algorithms

A clinical case of a patient with pharmacoresistant epilepsy due to focal cortical dysplasia (PCD) directly adjacent to the speech zone in the left temporal region is presented. The diagnostic search and transition from MRI-negative form to structural focal epilepsy progressed for more than 6 years. It was accounted for by the fact that type IIa vs. IIb FCD is visualized much worse, magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) signs of type IIa FCD are not so prominent, so that this type of dysplasia is often omitted. Functional research methods in epileptology, such as video-electroencephalography monitoring, brain positron emission tomography with 18F-fluorodeoxyglucose, functional MRI of speech zones, allow to more accurately verify the form of epilepsy and determine a scope of surgical treatment. Surgical intervention in carefully selected patients may contribute to favorable outcome of epilepsy (Engel 1, 51-months follow-up), which will lead to improved quality of life.

Howpatients' psycho-social profiles contribute to decision-making in epilepsy surgery: A prospective study.

Identifying factors associated with surgical decision-making is important to understand reasons for underutilization of epilepsy surgery. Neurologists' recommendations for surgery and patients' acceptance of these recommendations depend on clinical epilepsy variables, for example, lateralization and localization of seizure onset zones. Moreover, previous research shows associations with demographic factors, for example, age and sex. Here, we investigate the relevance of patients' psycho-social profile for surgical decision-making. We prospectively studied 296 patients from two large German epilepsy centers. Multiple logistic regression analyses were used to investigate variables linked to neurologists' recommendations for and patients' acceptance of surgery or intracranial video-electroencephalographic monitoring. Patients' psycho-social profiles were assessed via self-reports and controlled for various clinical-demographic variables. Model selection was performed using the Akaike information criterion. As expected, models for neurologists' surgery recommendations primarily revealed clinical factors such as lateralization and localization of the seizure onset zone, load with antiseizure medication (ASM), and site of the epilepsy-center. For this outcome, employment was the only relevant psycho-social aspect (odds ratio [OR]=.38, 95% confidence interval [CI]=.13-1.11). In contrast, three of the five relevant predictors for patients' acceptance were psycho-social. Higher odds were found for those with more subjective ASM adverse events (OR=1.04, 95% CI=.99-1.00), more subjective seizure severity (OR=1.12, 95% CI=1.01-1.24), and lower subjective cognitive impairment (OR= .98, 95% CI=.96-1.00). We demonstrated the relevance ofthe patients' psycho-social profile for decision-making in epilepsy surgery, particularly for patients' decisions. Thus, in addition to clinical-demographic variables, patients' individual psycho-social characteristics add to the understanding of surgical decision-making. From a clinical perspective, this calls for individually tailored counseling to assist patients in finding the optimal treatment option.

Seizure-free outcome and safety of repeated epilepsy surgery for persistent or recurrent seizures.

Reoperation may be an option for select patients with unsatisfactory seizure control after their first epilepsy surgery. The aim of this study was to describe the seizure-free outcome and safety of repeated epilepsy surgery in our tertiary referral center. Thirty-eight patients with focal refractory epilepsy, who underwent repeated epilepsy surgeries and had a minimum follow-up time of 12 months after reoperation, were included. Systematic reevaluation, including comprehensive neuroimaging and noninvasive (n = 38) and invasive (n = 25, 66%) video-electroencephalography monitoring, was performed. Multimodal 3D resection maps were created for individual patients to allow personalized reoperation. The median time between the first operation and reoperation was 74 months (range 5-324 months). The median age at reoperation was 34 years (range 1-74 years), and the median follow-up was 38 months (range 13-142 months). Repeat MRI after the first epilepsy surgery showed an epileptogenic lesion in 24 patients (63%). The reoperation was temporal in 18 patients (47%), extratemporal in 9 (24%), and multilobar in 11 (29%). The reoperation was left hemispheric in 24 patients (63%), close to eloquent cortex in 19 (50%), and distant from the initial resection in 8 (21%). Following reoperation, 27 patients (71%) became seizure free (Engel class I), while 11 (29%) continued to have seizures. There were trends toward better outcome in temporal lobe epilepsy and for unilobar resections adjacent to the initial surgery, but there was no difference between MRI lesional and nonlesional patients. In all subgroups, Engel class I outcome was at least 50%. Perioperative complications occurred in 4 patients (11%), with no fatalities. Reoperation for refractory focal epilepsy is an effective and safe option in patients with persistent or recurrent seizures after initial epilepsy surgery. A thorough presurgical reevaluation is essential for favorable outcome.

Frequency and economic burden of psychogenic non-epileptic seizures in patients applying for disability benefits due to epilepsy.

Psychogenic non-epileptic seizures (PNES) resemble epileptic seizures and are often misdiagnosed as epilepsy. To investigate the frequency of PNES and to calculate the economic burden of the patients who admitted to video-electroencephalographicmonitoring (VEM) to obtain a diagnosis of epilepsy in order to apply for disability retirement. The present retrospective study included 134 patients who required disability reports between 2013 and 2019 and had their definite diagnoses after VEM. Following VEM, the patients were divided into three groups: epilepsy, PNES, and epilepsy + PNES. In total, 22.4% (n = 30) of the patients were diagnosed with PNES, 21.6% (n = 29) with PNES and epilepsy, and 56% (n = 75), with epilepsy. The frequency of PNES among all patients was of 44% (n = 59). In patients with PNES alone, the annual cost of using anti-seizure medication was of 160.67 ± 94.04 dollars; for psychostimulant drugs, it was of 148.3 ± 72.48 dollars a year; and the mean direct cost for diagnostic procedures was of 582.9 ± 330.0 (range: 103.52-1601.3) dollars. Although it is challenging to determine the qualitative and quantitative total cost in these patient groups, early diagnosis and sociopsychological support will reduce the additional financial burden on the health system and increase the quality of life of the patients.

Acute Hippocampal Damage as a Prognostic Biomarker for Cognitive Decline but Not for Epileptogenesis after Experimental Traumatic Brain Injury

It is necessary to develop reliable biomarkers for epileptogenesis and cognitive impairment after traumatic brain injury when searching for novel antiepileptogenic and cognition-enhancing treatments. We hypothesized that a multiparametric magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) analysis along the septotemporal hippocampal axis could predict the development of post-traumatic epilepsy and cognitive impairment. We performed quantitative T2 and T2* MRIs at 2, 7 and 21 days, and diffusion tensor imaging at 7 and 21 days after lateral fluid-percussion injury in male rats. Morris water maze tests conducted between 35-39 days post-injury were used to diagnose cognitive impairment. One-month-long continuous video-electroencephalography monitoring during the 6th post-injury month was used to diagnose epilepsy. Single-parameter and regularized multiple linear regression models were able to differentiate between sham-operated and brain-injured rats. In the ipsilateral hippocampus, differentiation between the groups was achieved at most septotemporal locations (cross-validated area under the receiver operating characteristic curve (AUC) 1.0, 95% confidence interval 1.0-1.0). In the contralateral hippocampus, the highest differentiation was evident in the septal pole (AUC 0.92, 95% confidence interval 0.82-0.97). Logistic regression analysis of parameters imaged at 3.4 mm from the contralateral hippocampus's temporal end differentiated between the cognitively impaired rats and normal rats (AUC 0.72, 95% confidence interval 0.55-0.84). Neither single nor multiparametric approaches could identify the rats that would develop post-traumatic epilepsy. Multiparametric MRI analysis of the hippocampus can be used to identify cognitive impairment after an experimental traumatic brain injury. This information can be used to select subjects for preclinical trials of cognition-improving interventions.

Inpatient long-term video-electroencephalographic monitoring event capture audiovisual diagnostic quality

ObjectivesLong-term video-electroencephalographic monitoring (LTVEM) represents the gold-standard method to evaluate whether events represent electrographic seizures, but limited work has evaluated the quality of inpatient event capture. We evaluated the frequency of audiovisual factors impairing the ideal electroclinical correlation of seizure-like episodes during LTVEM. MethodsWe retrospectively reviewed consecutive inpatient LTVEM studies (11/2019–12/2019) from three academic epilepsy centers. We evaluated all pushbutton events for audiovisual characteristics such as whether the event was narrated, whether the patient was blocked on camera, and what diagnostic challenges impaired the electroencephalographer’s ability to understand either the reason the event button was pushed or clinical semiology (“electroclinical correlation”). We determined the percent of events and studies with each outcome. ResultsThere were 154 studies with 520 pushbutton events. The pushbutton was most commonly activated by patients (41%), followed by nurses (31%) or family (17%). Twenty-nine percent of events represented electrographic seizures, and 78% occurred in the Epilepsy Monitoring Unit. The reason for the push was not stated in 45% of events, and inadequate narration impaired electroclinical correlation in 19% of events. At least one relevant part of the patient’s body was blocked during 12% of events, but this impaired electroclinical correlation in only 1% of events. There was at least one factor impairing electroclinical correlation in 21% of events, most commonly due to incomplete narration (N = 99), lights off (N = 15), or blankets covering the patient (N = 15). At least one factor impaired electroclinical correlation for any event in 36% of studies. ConclusionAudiovisual factors impairing the electroencephalographer’s ability to render an electroclinical correlation were common, particularly related to inadequate narration from bedside observers to explain the reason for pushing the button or event semiology. Future efforts to develop targeted countermeasures should address narration challenges and improve inpatient seizure monitoring quality metrics.

Sleep cycle in children with severe acute bronchopneumonia during mechanical ventilation at different depths of sedation

BackgroundTo investigate the characteristics of sleep cycle in children with severe acute bronchopneumonia treated with invasive mechanical ventilation at different sedation depths.MethodsWe included 35 pediatric patients with severe acute bronchopneumonia treated using mechanical ventilation in Pediatric Intensive Care Unit of Shengjing Hospital of China Medical University. They were divided into deep sedation group (n = 21; ramsay score 5–6) and light sedation group (n = 14; ramsay score3-4) based on sedation depth achieved during mechanical ventilation. Long-term video electroencephalography (EEG) monitoring was performed within the first 24 h after starting mechanical ventilation and after weaning from mechanical ventilation and discontinuing sedatives and analgesics. The results were analyzed and compared with those of normal children to analyze changes in sleep cycle characteristics at different sedation depths and mechanical ventilation stages.ResultsThere were 29 cases altered sleep architecture. The deep sedation group had a significantly higher incidence of sleep architecture altered, total sleep duration, and non-rapid eye movement sleep-1 (NREM-1) loss incidence than the light sedation group. Moreover, the deep sedation group had a significantly lower awakening number and rapid eye movement sleep (REM) percentage than the light sedation group. The sleep cycle returned to normal in 27 (77%) patients without NREM-1 or REM sleep loss.ConclusionsDeep sedation during mechanical ventilation allows longer total sleep duration, fewer awakenings, and an increased deep sleep proportion, but sleep architecture is severely altered. After weaning from mechanical ventilation and sedative discontinuation, lightly sedated children exhibit better sleep recovery.

Effects of Botulinum Toxin Injection on Reducing Myogenic Artifacts during Video-EEG Monitoring: A Longitudinal Study

ABSTRACT Medically refractory seizures affect one-third of patients with epilepsy (PwE), for whom epilepsy surgery is considered. Video electroencephalography (vEEG) monitoring is a fundamental tool for pre-operative seizure localization. Facial and cranial myogenic artifacts can obscure vEEG findings, thus interfering with seizure localization. Studies have shown the beneficial effects of botulinum toxin type A (BTX-A) injection into cranial muscles for reducing myogenic artifacts. This longitudinal study aimed to assess the effects of BTX-A injection on these artifacts. Twenty-two patients with medically refractory hypermotor seizures with daily seizure frequency and undetermined epilepsy localization were included in this study and underwent Dysport® injection (200 units) into the frontotemporal region. vEEG recordings were performed at baseline (one week before the injection), and at three days and six days post-injection. Before and after the injection, the amplitudes of myogenic artifacts were compared during various states (ictal, blinking, chewing, bruxism, head lateralization, scowling, talking, and yawning). BTX-A injection significantly reduced the amplitudes of EEG myogenic artifacts, except during blinking (day three) and talking (days three and six). On day six, significant reduction in EEG myogenic artifacts were noted during blinking, chewing, and bruxism for the greatest number of patients (95.5%, 90.9%, 81.8%), while significant reductions in EEG myogenic artifacts during talking, head lateralization, and ictal phase were associated with the least number of patients (22.7%, 36.3%, and 40.9%). Therefore, BTX-A injection could be a convenient method for filtering myogenic contamination, improving EEG interpretation, and facilitating seizure localization in patients with medically refractory seizures.

A retrospective study of the correlation between duration of monitoring in the epilepsy monitoring unit and diagnostic yield

ObjectiveLong-term video-electroencephalographic (LTVEM) monitoring is a valuable tool in the evaluation of paroxysmal clinical events. However, vEEG itself is costly. Hence, we aimed to establish if longer duration of monitoring (DOM) is associated with higher diagnostic yield. MethodA retrospective review of patients admitted into the epilepsy monitoring unit (EMU) for the diagnostic evaluation of paroxysmal events was performed. Patients’ demographic, clinical characteristics, and vEEG data were analyzed. In the cohort of patients with DOM > 7 days, the reasons for prolonged DOM were identified and the differences in clinical characteristics and vEEG data between conclusive and inconclusive studies were analyzed. ResultA total of 501 patients were included. Four hundred and thirty-six (87 %) patients had conclusive studies. Of these patients, 67.9 % patients with conclusive studies received diagnosis within the first 7 days of monitoring with the highest on day 7. The likelihood of conclusive studies decreased beyond 7 days. A total of 175 had DOM > 7 days, of which 140 (80 %) had conclusive studies. In the cohort with DOM > 7 days, patients with previous abnormal routine EEG, previous vEEG monitoring, first event recorded before day 5 of admission and ≥1 events recorded during vEEG monitoring were more likely to have conclusive studies. The most common reason for prolonging DOM beyond 7 days was to adequately record multiple semiologically distinctive events (76 %). ConclusionOur study supports that longer DOM is associated with an increase in diagnostic yield. More than one-third of our cohort were monitored beyond 7 days with majority (80 %) being conclusive. Our findings may guide clinicians in planning the DOM and predicting the likelihood of conclusive vEEG studies in patients with prolonged DOM based on the clinical characteristics and vEEG data.

Ictal apnea: A prospective monocentric study in patients with epilepsy.

Ictal respiratory disturbances have increasingly been reported, in both generalized and focal seizures, especially involving the temporal lobe. Recognition of ictal breathing impairment has gained importance for the risk of sudden unexpected death in epilepsy (SUDEP). The aim of this study was to evaluate the incidence of ictal apnea (IA) and related hypoxemia during seizures. We collected and analyzed electroclinical data from consecutive patients undergoing long-term video-electroencephalographic (video-EEG) monitoring with cardiorespiratory polygraphy. Patients were recruited at the epilepsy monitoring unit of the Civil Hospital of Baggiovara, Modena Academic Hospital, from April 2020 to February 2022. A total of 552 seizures were recorded in 63 patients. IA was observed in 57 of 552 (10.3%) seizures in 16 of 63 (25.4%) patients. Thirteen (81.2%) patients had focal seizures, and 11 of 16 patients showing IA had a diagnosis of temporal lobe epilepsy; two had a diagnosis of frontal lobe epilepsy and three of epileptic encephalopathy. Apnea agnosia was reported in all seizure types. Hypoxemia was observed in 25 of 57 (43.9%) seizures with IA, and the severity of hypoxemia was related to apnea duration. Apnea duration was significantly associated with epilepsy of unknown etiology (magnetic resonance imaging negative) and with older age at epilepsy onset (p&lt; 0.001). Ictal respiratory changes are a frequent clinical phenomenon, more likely to occur in focal epilepsies, although detected even in patients with epileptic encephalopathy. Our findings emphasize the need for respiratory polygraphy during long-term video-EEG monitoring for diagnostic and prognostic purposes, as well as in relation to the potential link of ictal apnea with the SUDEP risk.

Accurate detection of heart rate using in-ear photoplethysmography in a clinical setting.

BackgroundRecent research has shown that photoplethysmography (PPG) based wearable sensors offer a promising potential for chronic disease monitoring. The aim of the present study was to assess the performance of an in-ear wearable PPG sensor in acquiring valid and reliable heart rate measurements in a clinical setting, with epileptic patients.MethodsPatients undergoing video-electroencephalography (EEG) monitoring with concomitant one-lead electrocardiographic (ECG) recordings were equipped with an in-ear sensor developed by cosinuss°.ResultsIn total, 2,048 h of recording from 97 patients with simultaneous ECG and in-ear heart rate data were included in the analysis. The comparison of the quality-filtered in-ear heart rate data with the reference ECG resulted in a bias of 0.78 bpm with a standard deviation of ±2.54 bpm; Pearson’s Correlation Coefficient PCC = 0.83; Intraclass Correlation Coefficient ICC = 0.81 and mean absolute percentage error MAPE = 2.57.ConclusionThese data confirm that the in-ear wearable PPG sensor provides accurate heart rate measurements in comparison with ECG under realistic clinical conditions, especially with a signal quality indicator. Further research is required to investigate whether this technology is helpful in identifying seizure-related cardiovascular changes.

Influence of Age on Magnitude and Timing of Vasodepression and Cardioinhibition in Tilt-Induced Vasovagal Syncope.

Cardioinhibition may diminish with age, but the changing balance of cardioinhibition and vasodepression with age has not been quantified, leaving the mechanism of vasovagal syncope (VVS) in old ageunclear. This study sought to quantify age-related changes of vasodepression and cardioinhibition in tilt-induced VVS. We studied 163 cases of tilt-induced VVS, evoked using the Italian protocol with blood pressure, heart rate, and video-electroencephalographic monitoring. Presyncope was excluded. Cardioinhibition was defined as the heart rate decrease before syncope; asystolic pauses (≥3 seconds) were divided into early and late asystole, ie, beginning early enough to or too late to be the major cause of loss of consciousness. The log-ratio method was used to quantify contributions of cardioinhibition and vasodepression, assessed in 2 10-second periods before the onset of cardioinhibition and before syncope. With increasing age, cardioinhibition decreased, ie, heart rate decreased less and more slowly near syncope (P< 0.0001), while vasodepression increased. Asystolic pauses were less frequent in the older one-half of the group than the younger one-half (26% vs 57%; P< 0.00001), but when it did, late asystole occurred more often (58% vs 15%; P<0.001). The shift toward less cardioinhibition and more vasodepression with increased age probably reflects a physiological shift in circulatory control. The weakening of cardioinhibition with age may detract from the efficacy of pacing in older patients with VVS. Cardioinhibition-vasodepression balance should be considered in pacing decisions in older subjects with VVS.

Development and validation of the Japanese version of the Epilepsy Stigma Scale in adults with epilepsy

BackgroundSelf-stigma is considered to have immensely negative influences on the living and psychological states in patients with epilepsy. Understanding the stigma experienced by patients with epilepsy is essential considering its negative impact on their treatment and quality of life (QOL). However, few sufficiently validated self-report instruments are available to evaluate self-stigma in patients with epilepsy. The Epilepsy Stigma Scale (ESS) is one of the most commonly used self-reported questionnaires available to evaluate self-stigma in patients with epilepsy. The present study translated the ESS into Japanese to validate the Japanese version of the ESS (ESS-J) in Japanese adults with epilepsy. MethodsThe study included 338 patients with epilepsy (166 men, aged 18–75 years) who underwent comprehensive assessment including long-term video-electroencephalography monitoring, neuroimaging studies, and neuropsychological and psychosocial assessments in the Tohoku University Hospital Epilepsy Monitoring Unit. This study consisted of two phases: (1) translation of the ESS into Japanese using the back-translation technique; and (2) statistical analysis of the ESS-J to evaluate the factor structure, reliability, and validity. ResultsThe 2-factor model achieved acceptable fit to the data: χ2 = 161.27, df = 34, p < 0.01, comparative fit index = 0.929, root mean square error of approximation = 0.105, standardized root mean squared residual = 0.047, Akaike’s information criterion = 203.27 and, Bayesian information criterion = 283.56. These two subscales were named enacted stigma and felt stigma based on the theoretical model of self-stigma. We found the ESS-J to have acceptable internal consistency as follows: enacted (7 items; α = 0.88) and felt stigma subscale (3 items; α = 0.82). The concurrent validity was confirmed by adequate correlation with other related instruments. Both enacted and felt stigma had positive and moderate correlations with depression as measured by the Neurological Disorders Depression Inventory for Epilepsy (r = 0.44, p < 0.01; r = 0.41, p < 0.01, respectively) and with anxiety as measured by the Generalized Anxiety Disorder -7 (r = 0.48, p < 0.01; r = 0.38, p < 0.01, respectively). ConclusionThe ESS-J demonstrated acceptable validity and reliability. The present study provided preliminary evidence about the psychometric properties of the ESS-J, indicating the reliable factorial structure, adequate internal consistency, and satisfactory construct and concurrent validity. Measurement of the two types of self-stigma may offer a useful tool for clinical interpretation of patients’ psychological state throughout epilepsy care, and as one of the patient-reported outcomes in QOL research.

Frontal Lobe Epilepsy in a Pediatric Population: Characterization of Clinical Manifestations and Semiology

Purpose: Frontal lobe epilepsy (FLE) has various clinical presentations depending on the anatomy involved. Seizures are brief and can mimic psychiatric conditions, and patients often cannot describe the aura. Therefore, it is difficult to characterize the semiology, especially in pediatric patients. This study investigated the characteristics of pediatric FLE.Methods: We retrospectively reviewed the data of pediatric patients with FLE who underwent long-term video-electroencephalography (EEG) monitoring between January 2010 and June 2020. Patients’ demographic data, seizure-related clinical presentations, semiology, brain magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), and EEG data were analyzed.Results: Fifty-six patients were included (31 males, 25 females). The age of seizure onset varied from 1 month to 14 years (mean±standard deviation, 6.1±4.4 years). Seizures were classified into nine categories, including focal tonic (30/56), aura (22/56), hypermotor (17/56), focal clonic (15/56), versive (13/56), and bilateral asymmetric tonic (4/56). Seventeen patients (30.4%) had abnormal MRI results, including focal cortical dysplasia, heterotopic gray matter, and neuroepithelial tumors. Ictal EEG changes were commonly observed in the dorsolateral premotor and central cortices. In focal tonic seizures, EEG changes often originated in the premotor cortex. The location of the lesions on MRI and EEG coincided in six cases.Conclusion: In pediatric FLE, various seizure types occur depending on the ictal anatomic origin, and individual patients had multiple semiologies. Brain MRI was normal in two-thirds of patients, and interictal EEG did not reveal epileptiform discharges in approximately 25%. Semiology reported on the basis of home videos and interictal EEG will help localize the ictal onset zone.