Sesquicentenary of the knee jerk reflex: The contributions of Hughlings Jackson, Horsley, and Sherrington.

The knee jerk reflex, emblematic of neurology and central to clinical practice, marks its 150th anniversary in 2025. First introduced to the neurological literature in 1875 through independent reports by Wilhelm Erb and Carl Westphal, this reflex has since evolved from a clinical curiosity to a diagnostic staple, although its initial interpretation was debated. Erb viewed it as a spinal reflex, whereas Westphal questioned its reflex nature, considering mechanical muscle excitation.

Epilepsy core outcome set for effectiveness trials (EPSET): A systematic review of outcomes measured in registered phase III and IV clinical trials for adults with epilepsy.

At present, little is known about the outcomes measured in studies assessing the effectiveness of treatments for adults with epilepsy. As part of a wider project developing a Core Outcome Set for clinical trials for adults with epilepsy, we summarised the current outcomes and measurement instruments used in completed phase III and IV clinical trials registered in the clinicaltrials.gov and International Standard Randomised Controlled Trial Number (ISRCTN) databases.

Neurocysticercosis-related seizures: Imaging biomarkers.

Neurocysticercosis (NCC)-a parasitic CNS infection endemic to developing nations-has been called the leading global cause of acquired epilepsy yet remains understudied. It is currently unknown why a large proportion of patients develop recurrent seizures, often following the presentation of acute seizures. Furthermore, the presentation of NCC is heterogenous and the features that predispose to the development of an epileptogenic state remain uncertain.

Prognosis of adults and children following a first unprovoked seizure.

Background: Epilepsy is clinically defined as two or more unprovoked epileptic seizures more than 24 hours apart. Given that, a diagnosis of epilepsy can be associated with significant morbidity and mortality, it is imperative that clinicians (and people with seizures and their relatives) have access to accurate and reliable prognostic estimates, to guide clinical practice on the risks of developing further unprovoked seizures (and by definition, a diagnosis of epilepsy) following single unprovoked epileptic seizure.

Objectives: 1.

Protocol for an observational cohort study investigating biomarkers predicting seizure recurrence following a first unprovoked seizure in adults.

Introduction: A first unprovoked seizure is a common presentation, reliably identifying those that will have recurrent seizures is a challenge. This study will be the first to explore the combined utility of serum biomarkers, quantitative electroencephalogram (EEG) and quantitative MRI to predict seizure recurrence. This will inform patient stratification for counselling and the inclusion of high-risk patients in clinical trials of disease-modifying agents in early epilepsy.

Association of Epilepsy Surgery With Changes in Imaging-Defined Brain Age.

Objective: To determine whether surgery in patients with mesial temporal lobe epilepsy (mTLE) is associated with reduced brain-predicted age as a neural marker overall brain health, we compared brain-predicted and chronologic age difference (brain age gap estimation [BrainAGE]) in patients before and after surgery with healthy controls.

Methods: We acquired 3D T1-weighted MRI scans for 48 patients with mTLE before and after temporal lobe surgery to estimate brain age using a gaussian processes regression model. We examined BrainAGE before and after surgery controlling for brain volume change, comparing patients to 37 age- and sex-matched controls.

Fiber ball white matter modeling in focal epilepsy.

Multicompartment diffusion magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) approaches are increasingly being applied to estimate intra-axonal and extra-axonal diffusion characteristics in the human brain. Fiber ball imaging (FBI) and its extension fiber ball white matter modeling (FBWM) are such recently described multicompartment approaches. However, these particular approaches have yet to be applied in clinical cohorts.

Epilepsy care in the COVID-19 era.

The COVID-19 pandemic will impact on how care for chronic conditions is delivered. We use epilepsy to exemplify how care for patients will be affected, and suggest ways in which healthcare systems can respond to deliver the most effective care. Where face-to-face outpatient appointments have been cancelled, telemedicine can facilitate remote clinical consultations for new and follow-up epilepsy clinic patients while reducing the risk of infection to both patients and healthcare staff.

Incidence, aetiology, and sequelae of viral meningitis in UK adults: a multicentre prospective observational cohort study.

Background: Viral meningitis is increasingly recognised, but little is known about the frequency with which it occurs, or the causes and outcomes in the UK. We aimed to determine the incidence, causes, and sequelae in UK adults to improve the management of patients and assist in health service planning.

Methods: We did a multicentre prospective observational cohort study of adults with suspected meningitis at 42 hospitals across England.

Growth Patterns of Residual Tumor in Preoperatively Growing Vestibular Schwannomas.

 To analyze growth of residual vestibular schwannoma (VS) following incomplete tumor resection and determine the influence of residual location and size.  Retrospective case note and scan review.  Tertiary skull base unit.

Validation of the facial dysfunction domain of the Penn Acoustic Neuroma Quality-of-Life (PANQOL) Scale.

The objective of this study is to evaluate the strength of content validity within the facial dysfunction domain of the Penn Acoustic Neuroma Quality-of-Life (PANQOL) Scale and to compare how it correlates with a facial dysfunction-specific QOL instrument (Facial Clinimetric Evaluation, FaCE). The study design is online questionnaire survey. Members of the British Acoustic Neuroma Association received both PANQOL questionnaires and the FaCE scale.