Prognostic value of the 5-SENSE Score to predict focality of the seizure-onset zone as assessed by stereoelectroencephalography: a prospective international multicentre validation study.

Introduction: Epilepsy surgery is the only curative treatment for patients with drug-resistant focal epilepsy. Stereoelectroencephalography (SEEG) is the gold standard to delineate the seizure-onset zone (SOZ). However, up to 40% of patients are subsequently not operated as no focal non-eloquent SOZ can be identified.

Literature review and protocol for a prospective multicentre cohort study on multimodal prediction of seizure recurrence after unprovoked first seizure.

Introduction: Epilepsy is a common neurological disorder characterised by recurrent seizures. Almost half of patients who have an unprovoked first seizure (UFS) have additional seizures and develop epilepsy. No current predictive models exist to determine who has a higher risk of recurrence to guide treatment.

Cognitive dysfunction at epilepsy onset as a marker for seizure recurrence.

Background: Cognitive dysfunction has been correlated with seizure control in chronic epilepsy and in newly diagnosed epilepsy, which potentially makes it a good marker for predicting disease course and seizure control. However, there is a lack of prospective studies examining the role of cognitive dysfunction in predicting seizure recurrence at the earliest stages of the disease, such as following the first unprovoked seizure (UFS) or new onset epilepsy (NOE).

Methods: Thirty three adult participants (FS=18, NOE=15) from the Halifax First Seizure Clinic (HFSC) completed a cognitive screening assessment at baseline (typically 3 months following diagnosis); seizure-recurrence was evaluated one year after the initial HFSC visit.

A Prospective Post-Marketing Observational Study of Brivaracetam in People With Focal Epilepsy.

We evaluated the effectiveness and tolerability of brivaracetam (BRV), an adjunctive antiseizure medication, as a treatment for focal epilepsy in adults. In this prospective study, we enrolled 51 participants from 3 sites across Canada. At 6 months, 68% (26/38) of participants were still taking BRV, among whom 35% (8/23) attained seizure freedom and 48% (11/23) saw their seizure frequency reduced by over 50%.

Real-world practices for the care of women with epilepsy during pregnancy: A Canadian perspective.

Objective: Approximately 150,000 Canadian women live with epilepsy, a population that presents with unique challenges. Our objective was to capture demographic and real-world practice characteristics of Canadian healthcare professionals providing care for women with epilepsy (WWE) with specific focus on reproductive considerations to identify potential gaps in knowledge and care.

Methods: A questionnaire developed by the Canadian League Against Epilepsy WWE workgroup was distributed to Canadian healthcare professionals from February 2021 to October 2022 to capture participant demographic characteristics and practice patterns in key areas of the reproductive cycle in WWE.

Potential Pitfalls in Pre-implantation Genetic Diagnosis in a Patient with Tuberous Sclerosis and Isolated Mosaicism for a Variant in Renal Tissue.

Tuberous sclerosis complex (TSC) is an autosomal dominant disorder that displays a wide spectrum of clinical manifestations, often affecting multiple organs including the kidneys, brain, lungs, and skin. A pathogenic mutation in either the or gene can be detected in almost 85% of the cases, with mosaicism accounting for about half of the remaining cases. We report a case of TSC diagnosed clinically, requesting genetic counselling regarding reproductive risks.

Evolution of epilepsy in hemimegalencephaly from infancy to adulthood: Case report and review of the literature.

Hemimegalencephaly (HME) is a rare disorder of cortical development with overgrowth of one cerebral hemisphere. Patients have intellectual delay, hemiparesis and severe epilepsy. Drug-resistant epilepsy is often treated with a hemispherectomy.

Isoflurane Use in the Treatment of Super-Refractory Status Epilepticus is Associated with Hippocampal Changes on MRI.

Background: Refractory status epilepticus (RSE) is associated with high morbidity and mortality. Experts recommend aggressive management with continuous intravenous infusions or inhaled anesthetics such as isoflurane. However, there is concern that MRI changes in RSE reflect isoflurane neurotoxicity.

Plasma Exchange in a Patient with Tumefactive, Corticosteroid-Resistant Multiple Sclerosis.

Tumefactive multiple sclerosis (MS) is an aggressive form of MS that can be difficult to treat with standard therapies. In severe MS relapses, plasma exchange (PLEX) has shown some benefit, but reports of its use in patients with tumefactive MS are limited. This article describes the successful use of PLEX in a patient with tumefactive MS.

Do the clinical features in infantile-onset saccade initiation delay (congenital ocular motor apraxia) correlate with brain magnetic resonance imaging findings?

Background: Infantile-onset saccade initiation delay (ISID) is a defect in saccade initiation. Other features may include impaired smooth ocular pursuit, developmental delay, hypotonia, and ataxia. Brain magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) can be normal or show supratentorial or infratentorial abnormalities.

The syndrome of infantile-onset saccade initiation delay.

Introduction: Infantile-onset saccade initiation delay (ISID), also known as congenital ocular motor apraxia, is characterized by the inability to initiate volitional horizontal saccades. Other abnormalities including developmental delay and ataxia have been reported. The frequency of these abnormalities is unknown.

Disconnections in infantile-onset saccade initiation delay: a hypothesis.

Infantile-onset saccade initiation delay (ISID), commonly known as congenital ocular motor apraxia, is characterized by difficulty in triggering horizontal volitional saccades. It typically presents with head thrusts in infancy and is often associated with developmental delay. Patients with ISID are reported to have abnormalities in various brain regions including the corpus callosum, brainstem, and cerebellum.