Sensor-Dot and Plug 'n Patch Study in Epilepsy
EpilepsyThe investigators plan to determine whether it is possible to use a small, unobtrusive wearable device (the Sensor Dot with Plug 'n Patch system) to follow-up epilepsy in the home environment through measurement of different biosignals (EEG, ECG, EMG, motion, skin temperature, respiration and oxygen saturation) for prolonged periods in patients with epilepsy. If this is possible, the investigators will study the chronobiology of epilepsy.
RESting-state Functional MRI for Prediction of Post-surgical Prognosis In Pediatric Drug-Resistant...
EpilepsyResting-state functional MRI (r-fMRI) has emerged in recent years to analyze resting networks. It allows, without active participation of the patients, to identify and analyze the different functional brain networks. The analysis of r-fMRI can be done thanks to the graph theory, which is based on the based on the calculation of quantifiable parameters applied to the functional network studied, making it possible to assess its effectiveness. To the knowledge of the investigators, no study has used graph theory applied to r-fMRI data in order to obtain parameters useful for the useful parameters for the individual prognosis of children who have to be operation for drug-resistant lesional epilepsy.
Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation for BECTS
Benign Epilepsy With Centrotemporal SpikesLanguage Problems1 moreBenign epilepsy with centrotemporal spikes (BECTS) is the most common pediatric epilepsy syndrome. Affected children typically have a mild seizure disorder, but yet have moderate difficulties with language, learning and attention that impact quality of life more than the seizures. Separate from the seizures, these children have very frequent abnormal activity in their brain known as interictal epileptiform discharges (IEDs, or spikes), which physicians currently do not treat. These IEDs arise near the motor cortex, a region in the brain that controls movement. In this study, the investigators will use a form of non-invasive brain stimulation called transcranial magnetic stimulation (TMS) to determine the impact of IEDs on brain regions important for language to investigate: (1) if treatment of IEDs could improve language; and (2) if brain stimulation may be a treatment option for children with epilepsy. Participating children will wear electroencephalogram (EEG) caps to measure brain activity. The investigators will use TMS to stimulate the brain region where the IEDs originate to measure how this region is connected to other brain regions. Children will then receive a special form of TMS called repetitive TMS (rTMS) that briefly reduces brain excitability. The study will measure if IEDs decrease and if brain connectivity changes after rTMS is applied. The investigators hypothesize that the IEDs cause language problems by increasing connectivity between the motor cortex and language regions. The investigators further hypothesize that rTMS will reduce the frequency of IEDs and also reduce connectivity between the motor and language region
Prospective Regional Epilepsy Database
EpilepsyPREDICT is an observational study following adults with an unprovoked seizure or epilepsy in the health care region of western Sweden. The objective is to identify biomarkers and/or genetic predisposition of relevance for diagnosis and/or treatment of epilepsy and study the long-term prognosis and consequences of epilepsy.
Objective EEG Bed Side Assessment of Impaired Conscious Awareness in Epilepsy
EpilepsyAbsenceIn this project EEG recordings between healthy participants and those with a diagnosed Absence-epilepsy will be compared. The investigators suggest differences in EEG microstate analysis and neuropsychological parameters related to interictal cognitive impairment in these patients. This projects goal is to derive an EEG-based measure of conscious awareness.
The Neural Code and Dynamics of the Reading Network.
EpilepsyBrain TumorThe purpose of this study is to compare organization of normal brain function as detected using Functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI) in normal subjects as opposed to patients with epilepsy or brain tumors, to ascribe precise anatomic labels (including Brodmann Areas) and functional significance to each region involved in cognitive processes as detected by cortical stimulation mapping (CSM) in patients with implanted subdural electrodes (SDE) or depth (sEEG) electrodes, to describe the locations of these regions in Talairach space, for a population of patients without overt structural abnormalities in these regions, to generate a spatial probability map of locations of cortical regions "essential" for these processes, to compare the loci of "crucial" language, visual, motor and cognitive sites as determined by CSM with the loci determined by a battery of tasks using fMRI for each individual and to use these data in patients undergoing intracranial electro-corticographyto determine the loci of essential, involved and uninvolved brain areas, and use sophisticated mathematical analyses of these intracranial recordings to study information flow between these areas.
Adjunctive Anti-seizure Medication (ASM) Real World Evidence (RWE) Study
EpilepsyThe purpose of this study is to describe the effectiveness of the adjunctive ASM treatment on the clinical response, safety profile and quality of life of patients affected by focal onset seizures in a real-world setting.
Adherence to Pharmacological Antiepileptic Treatment in Adolescence
EpilepsyTreatment AdherenceEpilepsy and its drug treatment affect fundamental aspects of an adolescent's lifestyle and can have major consequences on self-esteem and sense of identity. For many adolescents it is difficult to live with epilepsy and medication is difficult to accept; the side effects of medication, in particular even small changes in mental status and somatic appearance, are particularly feared and poorly tolerated. While it is true that drug-resistant epilepsies exist (about 30% of cases), it is also true that there exists a pseudo-resistance to drug treatment which is due to inadequate administration or poor adherence to treatment. It is estimated that 21 to 42% of patients on antiepileptic treatment don't adhere to the prescribed therapy. The literature emphasizes that non-adherence to treatment is a crucial problem for people with epilepsy, and that the adolescent population is particularly at risk. As with any chronic drug therapy, the therapeutic relationship plays an important role in the treatment of epilepsy. In adolescence, the communication that occurs within the therapeutic relationship takes on peculiar and specific aspects that go beyond the acquisition of anamnestic data and of what is usually reported explicitly in the interview. Communication must be centered on the adolescent's need for independence. Appropriate communication can make the adolescent feel more supported and can encourage him or her to gain self-awareness and control on decisions regarding his or her illness. For the physician, knowledge of the adolescent's point of view is indispensable in order to provide all the necessary information in an appropriate, understandable, and acceptable way, while at the same time acting as a mediator of communication. The objective of this project is to describe and analyze adolescents' perception of antiepileptic treatment, their awareness of the disease and of the need for drug treatment.
The Mechanism of cTBS Targeting Dentate Nucleus for DRE
Transcranial Magnetic StimulationDrug Resistant Epilepsy1 moreIn our previous cross-over study--the continuous θ burst stimulation (cTBS) targeting cerebellum dentate nucleus of 44 drug-refractory epilepsy (DRE) patients, a significant reduction in seizure frequency was observed. However, the mechanism of this target to reduce seizures is still unknown. This study aims to explore the mechanism of cTBS targeting cerebellum dentate nucleus for DRE, in order to provide theoretical support for this treatment method. A total of 50 patients with DRE will have 2-week cTBS treatment via accurate navigation to bilateral cerebellar dentate nucleus. Participants will be took TMS-EEG, functional magnetic resonance imaging, and diffusion tensor imaging (DTI) pre- and post- treatment. These three examinations will help to analyze the brain functional connectivity and suggest the mechanism of action of this treatment.
Cenobamate in Adults With Focal-Onset Seizures
EpilepsyFocal-Onset Seizure1 moreThe BLESS Study contributes to filling this information gap by collecting data from the Italian clinical practice and the Compassionate Use Program, to better characterize the clinical profile of cenobamate describing its effectiveness, safety and tolerability in adult patients diagnosed with uncontrolled focal epilepsy despite the use of at least two antiepileptic medicinal products.