Clin Neurophysiol Pract
October 2024
Myoclonus has multiple clinical manifestations and heterogeneous generators and etiologies, encompassing a spectrum of disorders and even physiological events. This paper, developed from a teaching course conducted by the Neurophysiology Commission of the Italian League against Epilepsy, aims to delineate the main types of myoclonus, identify potential underlying neurological disorders, outline diagnostic procedures, elucidate pathophysiological mechanisms, and discuss appropriate treatments. Neurophysiological techniques play a crucial role in accurately classifying myoclonic phenomena, by means of simple methods such as EEG plus polymyography (EEG + Polymyography), evoked potentials, examination of long-loop reflexes, and often more complex protocols to study intra-cortical inhibition-facilitation In clinical practice, EEG + Polymyography often represents the first step to identify myoclonus, acquire signals for off-line studies and plan the diagnostic work-up.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFThis study aims to develop a detection method based on morphological features of spike-wave (SW) patterns in the EEG of epilepsy patients and evaluate the effect of cathodal transcranial direct current stimulation (ctDCS) treatment. The proposed method is based on several simple features describing the shape of SW patterns and their synchronous occurrence on at least two EEG channels. High sensitivity, specificity and selectivity values were achieved for each patient and condition.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFObjective: This study was undertaken to assess the effectiveness/tolerability of adjunctive cenobamate, variations in the load of concomitant antiseizure medications (ASMs) and predictors of clinical response in people with focal epilepsy.
Methods: This was a retrospective study at 21 centers participating in the Italian Expanded Access Program. Effectiveness outcomes included retention and responder rates (≥50% and 100% reduction in baseline seizure frequency).
Introduction: Despite new anti-seizure medications (ASMs) being introduced into clinical practice, about one-third of people with epilepsy do not reach seizure control. Cenobamate is a novel tetrazole-derived carbamate compound with a dual mechanism of action. In randomized controlled trials, adjunctive cenobamate reduced the frequency of focal seizures in people with uncontrolled epilepsy.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFObjective: Brivaracetam (BRV) is a recent antiseizure medication (ASM) approved as an add-on therapy for people with focal epilepsy. BRV has a good efficacy and safety profile compared to other ASMs. However, its specific effects on resting-state EEG activity and connectivity are unknown.
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