RBANS Validity Measures and the TOMM in Veterans Undergoing Seizure Monitoring.

Objective: To assess the validity of embedded measures of performance validity, the effort index (EI) and effort scale (ES) of the repeatable battery for the assessment of neuropsychological status (RBANS), in Veterans with seizures; to compare the frequency of failure on the test of memory malingering (TOMM) in patients with epileptic versus psychogenic nonepileptic seizures (PNES).

Methods: Seizure diagnosis was established for 309 participants in epilepsy monitoring units using conventional diagnostic criteria who completed both the TOMM and RBANS. The criterion for performance invalidity was failure on any trial of the TOMM.

The prevalence of epilepsy and association with traumatic brain injury in veterans of the Afghanistan and Iraq wars.

Objective: To examine the association of epilepsy with traumatic brain injury (TBI) in Afghanistan and Iraq (Operation Enduring Freedom [OEF]/Operation Iraqi Freedom [OIF]) Veterans.

Design: Cross-sectional observational study.

Participants: A total 256 284 OEF/OIF Veterans who received inpatient and outpatient care in the Veterans Health Administration in fiscal years 2009-2010.

Demographic and historical backgrounds of the elderly with nonepileptic seizures: a comparative study.

Background: Non-epileptic seizures (NES) are not infrequent in the elderly. However, the data on NES in the elderly is likited.

Aim: To study the demographic and historical background of eldely patients with NES and compare the same with the data in the younger patients with NES.

MMPI-2 profiles: fibromyalgia patients compared to epileptic and non-epileptic seizure patients.

We compared MMPI-2 profiles of Gulf War veterans with fibromyalgia (FM) to epileptic seizure (ES) patients, psychogenic non-epileptic seizure (PNES) patients, and Gulf War veteran healthy controls. Both PNES and FM are medically unexplained conditions. In previous MMPI-2 research PNES patients were shown to have significantly higher Hs and Hy clinical scales than ES patients.

Psychogenic nonepileptic seizures.

Neurological, neurodiagnostic, and neuropsychological aspects of psychogenic nonepileptic seizures (PNES) are reviewed, including psychosocial, psychiatric, cognitive, and MMPI-2 findings.

MMPI-2 profiles of persons with multiple chemical sensitivity.

We compared the MMPI-2 profiles of adults with multiple chemical sensitivity (MCS), epileptic seizures (ES), and nonepileptic seizures (NES). Both NES and MCS are medically unexplained conditions. In previous studies profiles associated with NES were elevated on scales Hs and Hy, compared with profiles associated with ES.

The Portland Neurotoxicity Scale: validation of a brief self-report measure of antiepileptic-drug-related neurotoxicity.

The Portland Neurotoxicity Scale (PNS) is a brief patient-based survey of neurotoxicity complaints commonly encountered with the use of antiepileptic drugs (AEDs). The authors present data on the validity of this scale, particularly when used in longitudinal studies. Participants included 55 healthy controls, 23 epilepsy patient controls, and 86 healthy volunteers who took various AEDs or placebos for 12 weeks as part of randomized, double-blind studies of AED effects on cognitive abilities.

Assessment of CNS effects of antiepileptic drugs by using quantitative EEG measures.

Purpose: Antiepileptic drugs (AEDs) can be associated with adverse neurologic effects including cognitive dysfunction. Objective methods for recognizing AED effects on the brain could be valuable for long-term management. We compared quantitative EEG measures and cognitive tests in a group of patients beginning or ending AED therapy.

Vagus Nerve Stimulation As Treatment for Epileptic Seizures.

Vagus nerve stimulation is a unique therapy for epileptic seizures. Two randomized controlled trials in patients with medically refractory partial seizures have demonstrated efficacy, leading to US Food and Drug Administration approval of vagus nerve stimulation therapy in 1997. Extensive safety testing has not revealed significant effects on cardiac, respiratory, or gastrointestinal function, though recent reports of intraoperative asystole and sleep-related airway obstruction have raised concerns.

Effects of gabapentin and carbamazepine on the EEG and cognition in healthy volunteers.

Purpose: Antiepileptic drug (AED) therapy can be associated with neurotoxic side effects including cognitive dysfunction. Objective methods for detection of neurotoxicity in individual patients would be useful. We studied the effects of gabapentin (GBP) and carbamazepine (CBZ) on neurophysiologic and cognitive/behavioral measures in healthy volunteers.