Adjunctive lacosamide for focal epilepsy: an open-label trial evaluating the impact of flexible titration and dosing on safety and seizure outcomes.

To evaluate the safety and effectiveness of lacosamide in a real-life setting with the use of a flexible dose titration schedule and individualised maintenance doses up to the maximum approved dose of 400 mg/day. Adults with a diagnosis of focal seizures, with or without secondary generalization, were enrolled in this open-label Phase IV trial (NCT01235403). Lacosamide was initiated at 100 mg/day (50 mg bid) and uptitrated over a 12-week period to 200, 300 or 400 mg/day, based on safety and seizure control.

Loss of function of the retinoid-related nuclear receptor (RORB) gene and epilepsy.

Genetic generalized epilepsy (GGE), formerly known as idiopathic generalized epilepsy, is the most common form of epilepsy and is thought to have predominant genetic etiology. GGE are clinically characterized by absence, myoclonic, or generalized tonic-clonic seizures with electroencephalographic pattern of bilateral, synchronous, and symmetrical spike-and-wave discharges. Despite their strong heritability, the genetic basis of generalized epilepsies remains largely elusive.

Early add-on treatment vs alternative monotherapy in patients with partial epilepsy.

Aim: The aim of this study was to evaluate the impact of two different therapeutic strategies in patients with partial seizures who were intractable to the first prescribed antiepileptic drug (AED); alternative monotherapy vs early add-on treatment.

Methods: We conducted an open, cluster-randomised, prospective, controlled trial in patients with persistent partial seizures, despite treatment with one AED, who were never administered any other AEDs. Neurologists were randomised to two strategies: in group A, an alternative monotherapy with a second AED was employed; in group B, add-on treatment with a second AED was employed.