Unblinded, randomized multicenter trial comparing lamotrigine and valproate combination with controlled-release carbamazepine monotherapy as initial drug regimen in untreated epilepsy.

Purpose: To compare controlled-release carbamazepine monotherapy (CBZ-CR) with lamotrigine and valproate combination therapy (LTG + VPA) in equivalent total drug load, as initial drug regimen in untreated patients with partial and/or generalized tonic-clonic seizures (GTCS).

Methods: This unblinded, randomized, 60-week superiority trial recruited patients having two or more unprovoked seizures with at least one seizure during previous three months. After randomization into CBZ-CR or LTG + VPA, patients entered into eight-week titration phase (TP), followed by 52-week maintenance phase (MP).

Age-related differences in the brain areas outside the classical language areas among adults using category decision task.

Older adults perform much like younger adults on language. This similar level of performance, however, may come about through different underlying brain processes. In the present study, we evaluated age-related differences in the brain areas outside the typical language areas among adults using a category decision task.

Frontal lobe epilepsy may present as myoclonic seizures.

We describe a patient with seizures arising from right anterior-inferior frontal lobe presenting as myoclonic epilepsy. A 19-year-old man had experienced frequent paroxysmal bilateral myoclonic jerks involving his upper arms, shoulders, neck, and upper trunk since the age of 10. His baseline EEG showed intermittent right frontal spikes, and his ictal EEG showed rhythmic sharp theta discharges in the same area.

Incidence of atypical handedness in epilepsy and its association with clinical factors.

The incidence of atypical handedness (left-handedness and ambidexterity) in patients with epilepsy, particularly its association with major clinical factors, is not well established. We evaluated a full range of clinical variables in 478 patients with epilepsy from the United States and Korea. With the Edinburgh Handedness Inventory, handedness was established as both a categorical variable (right-handed, left-handed, ambidextrous) and a continuous variable.

Autosomal dominant nocturnal frontal lobe epilepsy and mild memory impairment associated with CHRNB2 mutation I312M in the neuronal nicotinic acetylcholine receptor.

Certain paroxysmal nocturnal behaviors have been established as features of nocturnal frontal lobe epilepsy (NFLE). Despite insight into its genetics, the majority of patients with NFLE are not linked to a known mutation and clinical diagnosis remains a challenge. We describe a family presenting with stereotyped nocturnal arousals from non-rapid eye movement sleep, bilateral hand posturing, and pelvic thrusting in the mother, but subtle motor activity in the daughter, and minimal or no epileptiform EEG discharges.

Inhibitory effects of glucosamine on lipopolysaccharide-induced activation in microglial cells.

The aim of the present study was to investigate the effects of glucosamine on lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-induced cellular activation in microglia and to evaluate the inhibitory mechanisms involved. Lipopolysaccharide (100 ng/mL) was used for the activation of primary cultured rat microglial or BV2 microglial cells. Changes in intracellular Ca2+ levels and outward K+ currents were measured using fura-2/AM and whole-cell patch-clamp methods, respectively.

A Korean kindred with autosomal dominant nocturnal frontal lobe epilepsy and mental retardation.

Background: A Korean family had distinctive clinical and neuroimaging features and carried the same genetic mutation that was found in a previously described Japanese kindred with autosomal dominant nocturnal frontal lobe epilepsy.

Objective: To describe the first Korean family with autosomal dominant nocturnal frontal lobe epilepsy.

Methods: Members of a large family, including 9 affected individuals from 3 generations, underwent a comprehensive genetic, clinical, electroencephalographic, neuropsychological, and neuroimaging evaluation.

Hearing symptoms in migrainous infarction.

Background: In case reports, migraine headaches have been associated with fluctuating low-frequency hearing loss and sudden, unilateral hearing loss. Auditory symptoms associated with migrainous infarction have not previously been emphasized.

Objective: To describe migrainous infarction presenting with acute auditory symptoms.

Sudden deafness and anterior inferior cerebellar artery infarction.

Background And Purpose: Acute ischemic stroke in the distribution of the anterior inferior cerebellar artery (AICA) is known to be associated with vertigo, nystagmus, facial weakness, and gait ataxia. Few reports have carefully examined the deafness associated with the AICA infarction. Furthermore, previous neurological reports have not emphasized the inner ear as a localization of sudden deafness.

Migraine and isolated recurrent vertigo of unknown cause.

Chronic recurrent attacks of vertigo, not associated with any auditory or neurological symptoms, are a common reason for referral to our neurotology clinic. Even after an extensive neurotological evaluation, some cases remain undiagnosed. We prospectively evaluated 72 consecutive patients who presented to the clinic with isolated recurrent vertigo of unknown cause.