• Nuclear Medicine and Molecular Imaging
• /
• v.42 no.sup1
• /
• pp.172-176
• /
• 2008

FDG PET has been used as a diagnostic tool for localization of seizure focus for last 2-3 decades. In this article, the clinical usefulness of FDG PET in the management of patients with epilepsy has been reviewed, which provided the evidences to justify the medicare reimbursement for FDG PET in management of patients with epilepsy. Literature review demonstrated that FDG PET provides an important information in localization of seizure focus and determination whether a patients is a surgical candidate or not. FDG PET has been reported to have high diagnostic performance in localization of seizure focus in neocortical epilepsy as well as temporal lobe epilepsy regardless of the presence of structural lesion on MRI. Particularly, FDG PET can provide the additional information when the results from standard diagnositic modality such as interictal or video-monitored EEG, and MRI are inconclusive or discordant, and make to avoid invasive study. Furthermore, the presence of hypometabolism and extent of metabolic extent has been reported as an important predictor for seizure free outcome. However, studies suggested that more accurate localization and better surgical outcome could be expected with multimodal approach by combination of EEG, MRI, and functional studies using FDG PET or perfusion SPECT rather than using a single diagnostic modality in management of patients with epilepsy. Complementary use of FDG PET in management of epilepsy is worth for good surgical outcome in epilepsy patients.

• Clinical and Experimental Pediatrics
• /
• v.63 no.8
• /
• pp.291-300
• /
• 2020

Advances in autoimmune encephalitis studies in the past 10 years have led to the identification of new syndromes and biomarkers that have transformed the diagnostic approach to the disorder. The disorder or syndrome has been linked to a wide variety of pathologic processes associated with the neuron-specific autoantibodies targeting intracellular and plasma membrane antigens. However, current criteria for autoimmune encephalitis are quite dependent on antibody testing and responses to immunotherapy, which might delay the diagnosis. This form of encephalitis can involve the multifaceted presentation of seizures and unexpected behavioral changes. The spectrum of neuropsychiatric symptoms in children is less definitive than that in adults, and the incorporation of clinical, immunological, electrophysiological, and neuroradiological results is critical to the diagnostic approach. In this review, we document the clinical and immunologic characteristics of autoimmune encephalitis known to date, with the goal of helping clinicians in differential diagnosis and to provide prompt and effective treatment.

• Biomedical Science Letters
• /
• v.18 no.4
• /
• pp.428-434
• /
• 2012

Epilepsy is a chronic neurological disease showing a symptom of repeated seizures without any other physical disorders. Among the diagnostic examination for epilepsy, the electroencephalogram (EEG) has been known as an important test. This study aimed to investigate the EEG with photic stimulation in the pediatric epilepsy patients. They underwent digital sleep and waking EEGs or waking EEGs with photic stimulation. Epilepsy type, seizure history, and season of occurring seizure were analyzed. Epilepsy patients showed more response during the period of photic-on and eye close at the frequency of 10~20 Hz during the EEG activation procedure. Photoparoxysmal response (PPR) was shown in 206 patients out of total 1,551 epilepsy patients. PPR was appeared more frequently during summer and winter seasons, and especially in the patients who had a history of seizure. During the PPR, EEG pattern showed spike (77.18%), theta (9.71%), and spike + theta (13.11%). On the other hand, beta and theta waves were not significantly changed by photic stimulation. However, alpha wave was decreased and delta wave was increased by photic stimulation (P<0.05). These changes may be due to temporarily altered electrophysiological function of the epileptic patient's brain by the photic stimulation. There was no difference in the EEG pattern between the left and right side in the brain. In conclusion, condition of photic-on with closed eyes and frequency of 10~20 Hz during the procedure of EEG activation could be appropriate for obtaining a definite photoparoxysmal response in the electroencephalogram of the pediatric epilepsy patients.

• Clinical and Experimental Pediatrics
• /
• v.59 no.2
• /
• pp.74-79
• /
• 2016

Purpose: Febrile seizure, the most common type of pediatric convulsive disorder, is a benign seizure syndrome distinct from epilepsy. However, as epilepsy is also common during childhood, we aimed to identify the prognostic factors that can predict epilepsy in children with febrile seizures. Methods: The study comprised 249 children at the Korea University Ansan Hospital who presented with febrile seizures. The relationship between the subsequent occurrence of epilepsy and clinical factors including seizure and fever-related variables were analyzed by multivariate analysis. Results: Twenty-five patients (10.0%) had additional afebrile seizures later and were diagnosed with epilepsy. The subsequent occurrence of epilepsy in patients with a history of febrile seizures was associated with a seizure frequency of more than 10 times during the first 2 years after seizure onset (P<0.001). Factors that were associated with subsequent occurrence of epilepsy were developmental delay (P<0.001), preterm birth (P =0.001), multiple seizures during a febrile seizure attack (P =0.005), and epileptiform discharges on electroencephalography (EEG) (P =0.008). Other factors such as the age at onset of first seizure, seizure duration, and family history of epilepsy were not associated with subsequent occurrence of epilepsy in this study. Conclusion: Febrile seizures are common and mostly benign. However, careful observation is needed, particularly for prediction of subsequent epileptic episodes in patients with frequent febrile seizures with known risk factors, such as developmental delay, history of preterm birth, several attacks during a febrile episode, and epileptiform discharges on EEG.

• Clinical and Experimental Pediatrics
• /
• v.61 no.4
• /
• pp.101-107
• /
• 2018

Recent advances in genetics have determined that a number of epilepsy syndromes that occur in the first year of life are associated with genetic etiologies. These syndromes range from benign familial epilepsy syndromes to early-onset epileptic encephalopathies that lead to poor prognoses and severe psychomotor retardation. An early genetic diagnosis can save time and overall cost by reducing the amount of time and resources expended to reach a diagnosis. Furthermore, a genetic diagnosis can provide accurate prognostic information and, in certain cases, enable targeted therapy. Here, several early infantile epilepsy syndromes with strong genetic associations are briefly reviewed, and their genotype-phenotype correlations are summarized. Because the clinical presentations of these disorders frequently overlap and have heterogeneous genetic causes, next-generation sequencing (NGS)-based gene panel testing represents a more powerful diagnostic tool than single gene testing. As genetic information accumulates, genetic testing will likely play an increasingly important role in diagnosing pediatric epilepsy. However, the efforts of clinicians to classify phenotypes in nondiagnosed patients and improve their ability to interpret genetic variants remain important in the NGS era.

• Proceedings of the Korean Society of Applied Pharmacology
• /
• 1993.04a
• /
• pp.54-54
• /
• 1993

Two strains of genetically epilepsy-prone rats (GEPRs) have been derived from Sprague Dawley stock. One strain, known by the acronym GEPR-9, has a more pronounced epileptic condition than the other strain, known by the acronym GEPR-3. Only a small fraction of commercially available Sprague Dawley rats exhibits evidence of epilepsy. GEPRS are similar to most humans with epilepsy in that their general behaviors appear normal . GEPRS also share other traits with their non-epileptic counterparts. They are susceptible to forebrain and brainstem seizures produced by convulsant drugs and electrical currents. Because GEPRs and normal rats share these seizure non-epileptic brain rather than to an understanding of epilepsy. However, humans wi th epilepsy, the GEPR and other mammal inn models of genetic epilepsy are distinctive because they are characterized by seizure predisposition.

• Nuclear Medicine and Molecular Imaging
• /
• v.41 no.2
• /
• pp.97-101
• /
• 2007

Correct localization of epileptogenic zone is important for the successful epilepsy surgery. Both ictal perfusion single photon emission computed tomography (SPECT) and interictal F-18 fluorodeoxyglucose positron emission tomography (FDG-PET) can provide useful information in the presurgical localization of intractable partial epilepsy. These imaging modalities have excellent diagnostic sensitivity in medial temporal lobe epilepsy and provide good presurgical information in neocortical epilepsy. Also provide functional information about cellular functions to better understand the neurobiology of epilepsy and to better define the ictal onset zone, symptomatogenic zone, propagation pathways, functional deficit zone and surround inhibition zones. Multimodality imaging and developments in analysis methods of ictal perfusion SPECT and new PET ligand other than FDG help to better define the localization.

• Sleep Medicine and Psychophysiology
• /
• v.9 no.1
• /
• pp.14-17
• /
• 2002

Epilepsy is a paroxysmal disorder caused by abnormal electrical discharges of the brain. As it is characterized by episodic seizures with intervening normal neurological states, some temporal patterns of seizure attacks can be traced. Sleep and wakefulness patterns are one of several factors influencing seizure occurrence. In this article, physiological and pathological influences of sleep on the seizure phenomenon were reviewed. Understanding this relationship between sleep and epilepsy might lead to better understanding of sleep and epilepsy themselves, thus leading to better diagnosis and treatment of each disease.

• Clinical and Experimental Pediatrics
• /
• v.63 no.3
• /
• pp.88-95
• /
• 2020

Accurate localization of the seizure onset zone is important for better seizure outcomes and preventing deficits following epilepsy surgery. Recent advances in neuroimaging techniques have increased our understanding of the underlying etiology and improved our ability to noninvasively identify the seizure onset zone. Using epilepsy-specific magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) protocols, structural MRI allows better detection of the seizure onset zone, particularly when it is interpreted by experienced neuroradiologists. Ultra-high-field imaging and postprocessing analysis with automated machine learning algorithms can detect subtle structural abnormalities in MRI-negative patients. Tractography derived from diffusion tensor imaging can delineate white matter connections associated with epilepsy or eloquent function, thus, preventing deficits after epilepsy surgery. Arterial spin-labeling perfusion MRI, simultaneous electroencephalography (EEG)-functional MRI (fMRI), and magnetoencephalography (MEG) are noinvasive imaging modalities that can be used to localize the epileptogenic foci and assist in planning epilepsy surgery with positron emission tomography, ictal single-photon emission computed tomography, and intracranial EEG monitoring. MEG and fMRI can localize and lateralize the area of the cortex that is essential for language, motor, and memory function and identify its relationship with planned surgical resection sites to reduce the risk of neurological impairments. These advanced structural and functional imaging modalities can be combined with postprocessing methods to better understand the epileptic network and obtain valuable clinical information for predicting long-term outcomes in pediatric epilepsy.

• Parasites, Hosts and Diseases
• /
• v.54 no.3
• /
• pp.335-338
• /
• 2016

The present study aimed to investigate the possible association of Toxoplasma gondii and Toxocara spp. infections with cryptogenic epilepsy in children. The study was carried out between June 2014 and March 2015. Total 90 children (40 with cryptogenic epilepsy, 30 with non-cryptogenic epilepsy, and 20 healthy control children) were evaluated to determine the anti-Toxocara and anti-T. gondii IgG seropositivity using ELISA kits. Epileptic cases were selected from those attending the pediatrics outpatient clinic of Benha University Hospital, Pediatrics Neurology Unit, and from Benha Specialized Hospital of children. The results showed that the level of anti-T. gondii IgG seropositivity was significantly higher among children with cryptogenic epilepsy (20%) than among children with non-cryptogenic children (0%). In healthy controls (10%), there was no association between toxocariasis seropositivity and cryptogenic epilepsy (only 5.7%; 4 out of 70 cases) among cases and 10% (2 out of 20) among controls. Among toxocariasis IgG positive cases, 3 (7.5%) were cryptogenic, and only 1 (3.3%) was non-cryptogenic. These statistically significant results support the association between T. gondii infection and cryptogenic epilepsy while deny this association with toxocariasis.