Translation, adaptation and validation of an epilepsy screening instrument in two Ghanaian languages.

Introduction: The prevalence of epilepsy in sub-Saharan Africa varies considerably, and the exact estimate for Ghana remains unclear, particularly in peri-urban areas where data are scarce. More community-based studies are required to understand better the actual burden of epilepsy in these areas and the difficulties in accessing healthcare.

Objective: To adapt and validate a household survey epilepsy-screening instrument in Shai-Osudoku and Ningo-Prampram District of Greater Accra Region, Ghana.

Mechanistic insights into the visible-light-driven -arylation of carboxylic acids catalyzed by xanthine-based nickel complexes.

We present a photocatalytic protocol for the -arylation of carboxylic acids using nickel complexes bearing C8-pyridyl xanthines. Our studies suggest that the underlying mechanism operates independently of external photosensitizers. Stoichiometric experiments and crystallographic studies characterize the catalytically relevant Ni complexes.

Temporal Trends in Hippocampal Sclerosis Surgery: An Observational Study From a Tertiary Epilepsy Centre.

Objective: Temporal lobe epilepsy with hippocampal sclerosis (HS) is a surgically remediable syndrome. We determined temporal trends in the prevalence of hippocampal sclerosis surgeries and related factors.

Methods: We analysed a prospective cohort of adults who underwent epilepsy surgery at the NHNN, London, between 1990 and 2019.

The Role of Social Determinants of Health in Childhood Epilepsy.

Social determinants of health (SDHs) are significant and potentially modifiable drivers of neurologic diseases, including childhood epilepsy. Social determinants of health greatly influence the epidemiology, management, and outcomes associated with these conditions. Social determinants of health affect every aspect of a family's journey with epilepsy-from initial diagnosis to accessing effective treatments and ongoing care.

Diagnosis, treatment, management and monitoring of patients with tyrosinaemia type 1: Consensus group recommendations from the German-speaking countries.

Hepatorenal tyrosinaemia (HT1) is an autosomal recessive disorder of tyrosine degradation resulting in hepatic and renal dysfunction, neurological sequelae may occur in some patients. The use of nitisinone (NTBC) has revolutionised treatment and outcome of this disorder. NTBC has to be combined with a low protein diet.

The association of polytherapy and psychiatric comorbidity in epilepsy.

Purpose: Managing epilepsy may require using more than one anti-seizure medication (ASM). While combination therapy may help, risks, including psychiatric problems, are not fully explored in Africa. We examined the relationship between polytherapy and psychiatric comorbidities among attendees of an epilepsy community clinic.

Forecasting the future of smart hospitals: findings from a real-time delphi study.

Background: In concert with other digital technologies, artificial intelligence (AI) is shaping the vision of smart hospitals. The transformation into smart hospitals, however, is all but trivial due to the lack of financial and human resources, digital skills, and supporting policies. Thus, the extent to which the vision of smart hospitals will eventually become reality is uncertain.

Focal, generalised epilepsy or both?

A 29-year-old woman presented with a witnessed convulsion, with semiology consistent with a focal-to-bilateral tonic-clonic seizure. Routine EEG supported a syndromic diagnosis of idiopathic generalised epilepsy with photosensitivity. We discuss the clinical utility of seizure semiology, highlighting the caveat that over-reliance or sole reliance on the ictal semiology may result in an erroneous diagnosis of focal epilepsy in someone with a generalised epilepsy.

A digital dashboard for reporting mental, neurological and substance use disorders in Nairobi, Kenya: Implementing an open source data technology for improving data capture.

The availability of quality and timely data for routine monitoring of mental, neurological and substance use (MNS) disorders is a challenge, particularly in Africa. We assessed the feasibility of using an open-source data science technology (R Shiny) to improve health data reporting in Nairobi City County, Kenya. Based on a previously used manual tool, in June 2022, we developed a digital online data capture and reporting tool using the open-source Kobo toolbox.

A Quantitative Comparison Between Human and Artificial Intelligence in the Detection of Focal Cortical Dysplasia.

Objectives: Artificial intelligence (AI) is thought to improve lesion detection. However, a lack of knowledge about human performance prevents a comparative evaluation of AI and an accurate assessment of its impact on clinical decision-making. The objective of this work is to quantitatively evaluate the ability of humans to detect focal cortical dysplasia (FCD), compare it to state-of-the-art AI, and determine how it may aid diagnostics.

SLAMF7 (CD319) on activated CD8 T cells transduces environmental cues to initiate cytotoxic effector cell responses.

CD8 T-cell responses are meticulously orchestrated processes regulated by intercellular receptor:ligand interactions. These interactions critically control the dynamics of CD8 T-cell populations that is crucial to overcome threats such as viral infections or cancer. Yet, the mechanisms governing these dynamics remain incompletely elucidated.

Comparative Efficacy of Neuromodulatory Strategies for Drug-Resistant Epilepsy: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis.

Objective: The study aims to evaluate the efficacy of neuromodulatory strategies for people who have drug-resistant epilepsy (DRE).

Methods: We searched electronic repositories, including PubMed, Web of Science, Embase, and the Cochrane Library, for randomized controlled trials, their ensuing open-label extension studies, and prospective studies focusing on surgical or neuromodulation interventions for people with DRE. We used seizure frequency reduction as the primary outcome.

The impact of COVID-19 on people with epilepsy: Global results from the coronavirus and epilepsy study.

Objective: To characterize the experience of people with epilepsy and aligned healthcare workers (HCWs) during the first 18 months of the COVID-19 pandemic and compare experiences in high-income countries (HICs) with non-HICs.

Methods: Separate surveys for people with epilepsy and HCWs were distributed online in April 2020. Responses were collected to September 2021.

Higher Validity, Lower Radiation: A New Ictal Single-Photon Emission Computed Tomography Framework.

Objective: To assess whether arterial spin labeling perfusion images of healthy controls can enhance ictal single-photon emission computed tomography analysis and whether the acquisition of the interictal image can be omitted.

Methods: We developed 2 pipelines: The first uses ictal and interictal images and compares these to single-photon emission computed tomography and arterial spin labeling of healthy controls. The second pipeline uses only the ictal image and the analogous healthy controls.

Rasmussen's encephalitis: structural, functional, and clinical correlates of contralesional epileptiform activity.

Progressive inflammation of one hemisphere characterises Rasmussen's encephalitis (RE), but contralesional epileptiform activity has been repeatedly reported. We aimed to quantify contralesional epileptiform activity in RE and uncover its functional and structural underpinnings. We retrospectively ascertained people with RE treated between 2000 and 2018 at a tertiary centre (Centre 1) and reviewed all available EEG datasets.

Antiseizure Medications and Sudden Unexpected Death in Epilepsy: An Updated Review.

Sudden unexpected death in epilepsy (SUDEP) is responsible for most epilepsy-related deaths. It is mainly related to unwitnessed nocturnal convulsions, either focal to bilateral or generalised tonic-clonic seizures (TCS). Targeted preventive strategies are currently lacking as underlying mechanisms are largely unknown.

Mortality of Epilepsy in Chinese Populations: A Comprehensive Review.

Background: Premature mortality is a significant part of the epilepsy burden and may vary across populations, especially between high-income and lower- and middle-income countries. People with epilepsy in China are approximately a fifth of the global population with epilepsy. Previous studies were unlikely to represent the situation in China due to limitations in design, methods, sample size, follow-up time, and other inherent population heterogeneity.