A 25-year-old woman with childhood-onset refractory epilepsy and developmental delay experienced a gradually progressive marked deterioration in mobility and seizure control, with language regression. Investigation identified a homozygous deletion within the contactin-associated protein-like 2 gene (), underlying her early presentation, but also cerebral folate deficiency that most likely contributed to her later deterioration. Following antiseizure medication adjustment and treatment with folinic acid, she stabilised with improved seizure control and limited improvement in language and motor function; she has remained neurologically stable for more than a decade.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFManagement of drug resistant epilepsy (DRE) represents a challenge to the treating clinician. This manuscript addresses DRE and provides an overview of treatment options, medical, surgical, and dietary. It addresses treatment strategies in polytherapy, then focuses on the role cenobamate (CNB) may play in reducing the burden of DRE while providing practical advice for its introduction.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFBackground/aim: Valproate (VPA) is an effective broad-spectrum anti-seizure medication. Both VPA induced encephalopathy and reversible cognitive decline (VIRCD) have been reported as rare side effects. While the former is well-described in terms of risk factors, mechanism and management, the latter is less recognised and can be easily mistaken for neurodegenerative dementia.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFPurpose: To examine the outcome of vagus nerve stimulation (VNS) for drug-resistant epilepsy using data from a National Health Service VNS clinic.
Methods: Clinical records of patients implanted with VNS for epilepsy between1995 and 2010 were examined. Patients were selected for study who had at least one year of therapeutic stimulation (minimum 1 mA stimulator current) and follow-up by our service with analysable electronic records, providing continuous assessment of seizure control during available follow-up.