Effect of HighDose Statin Treatments on DrugEluting Stent Sway Protection

Objective To evaluate the feasibility of repeat stereotactic radiofrequency thermocoagulation (re-SRT) for patients with hypothalamic hamartoma (HH) and to clarify clinical and surgical factors for seizure outcomes. Methods Hypothalamic hamartoma patients with gelastic seizures (GSs) who underwent SRT were retrospectively reviewed. Seizure outcomes were evaluated separately for GS and other types of seizures (non-GS). Surgical complications were compared between re-SRT and first SRT. Clinical and surgical factors related to both seizure recurrences after first SRT and final seizure outcomes were analyzed. Results Participants comprised 150 patients (92 males; median age at surgery, 8 years; range, 1.7-50 years). Of those, 122 (81.3%) had non-GS. Forty-three patients (28.7%) underwent re-SRT. Freedom from GS was achieved by first SRT in 103 patients (68.7%), second SRT in 30/40 (67.5%), third SRT in 3/10 (30.0%), and fourth SRT in 2/3 (66.7%). Finally, 135 patients (90.0%) became GS-free. Ninety patients (73.8gical indications, and repeated ineffective treatments should be avoided. © 2020 The Authors. Epilepsia Open published by Wiley Periodicals Inc. on behalf of International League Against Epilepsy.Objectives Recently, defects in the protein kinase mTOR (mammalian target of rapamycin) and its associated pathway have been correlated with hemimegalencephaly (HME). mTOR acts as a central regulator of important physiological cellular functions such as growth and proliferation, metabolism, autophagy, death, and survival. This study was aimed at identifying specific variants in mTOR signaling pathway genes in patients diagnosed with HME. Methods Using amplicon and whole exome sequencing (WES) of resected brain and paired blood samples from five HME patients, we were able to identify pathogenic mosaic variants in the mTOR pathway genes MTOR, PIK3CA, and DEPDC5. Results These results strengthen the hypothesis that somatic variants in PI3K-Akt-mTOR pathway genes contribute to HME. We also describe one patient presenting with a pathogenic variant on DEPDC5 gene, which reinforces the role of DEPDC5 on cortical structural changes due to mTORC1 hyperactivation. These findings also provide insights into when in brain development these variants occurred. An early developmental variant is expected to affect a larger number of cells and to result in a larger malformation, whereas the same variant occurring later in development would cause a minor malformation. Significance In the future, numerous somatic variants in known or new genes will undoubtedly be revealed in resected brain samples, making it possible to draw correlations between genotypes and phenotypes and allow for a genetic clinical diagnosis that may help to predict a given patient's outcome. © 2020 The Authors. Epilepsia Open published by Wiley Periodicals Inc. on behalf of International League Against Epilepsy.Objective Ion channels belonging to subfamily A of voltage-gated potassium channels (Kv1) are highly expressed on axons, where they play a key role in determining resting membrane potential, in shaping action potentials, and in modulating action potential frequency during repetitive neuronal firing. We aimed to study the genesis of seizures caused by mutations affecting Kv1 channels and searched for potential therapeutic targets. Methods We used a novel in silico model, the laminar cortex model (LCM), to examine changes in neuronal excitability and network dynamics associated with loss-of-function mutations in Kv1 channels. The LCM simulates the activities of a network of tens of thousands of interconnected neurons and incorporates the kinetics of 11 types of ion channel and three classes of neurotransmitter receptor. Changes in two types of potassium currents conducted by Kv1 channels were examined slowly inactivating D-type currents and rapidly inactivating A-type currents. Effects on neuronal firing rate, ia Open published by Wiley Periodicals Inc. on behalf of International League Against Epilepsy.Objective The objective of the study was to assess level of knowledge and attitudes of SUDEP among people living with epilepsy (PLWE) and healthcare workers providing epilepsy care in Uganda. Methods This cross-sectional study of 48 PLWE and 19 epilepsy care providers used a tailored questionnaire to evaluate epilepsy and SUDEP knowledge, frequency of SUDEP discussion, reasons for not discussing SUDEP, timing of SUDEP discussions, and perceived patient reactions to being provided information on SUDEP. Results Median PLWE sample age was 25 (IQR; 19-34) years, 10 (20.8%) were male, median age of onset of epilepsy 12 (IQR; 6-18) years. Half of the PLWE reported that they had never heard of SUDEP. Most PLWE desired detailed information regarding SUDEP and preferred this information during the subsequent visits. BMS-986020 Healthcare provider sample mean age was 35.7 (22.8) years, 12 (63.2%) were male and composed of 4 physicians (21.1%). Only 15% (3/20) of providers discussed SUDEP with their patients while 85% (17/20) have never discussed it. The main reasons for not discussing SUDEP were not knowing enough about SUDEP (89.5%) and no adequate support network available (30%). Providers that discussed SUDEP (100%) reported that negative reactions were the most common patient response. Significance In this Ugandan sample, most PLWE are not aware of SUDEP and epilepsy care providers rarely discuss SUDEP with their patients or patient caregivers. Negative reactions to SUDEP discussions are common but not universal. There is an urgent need for epilepsy educational programs in clinics and targeted communities addressing SUDEP. © 2019 The Authors. Epilepsia Open published by Wiley Periodicals Inc. on behalf of International League Against Epilepsy.Objective Biochemical assessment is recommended for patients prior to initiating and following a ketogenic diet (KD). There is no published literature regarding current practice in the UK and Ireland. We aimed to explore practice in comparison with international guidelines, determine approximate costs of biochemical testing in KD patients across the UK and Ireland, and promote greater consistency in KD services nationally. Methods A survey was designed to determine the biochemical tests requested for patients at baseline, 3, 6, 12, 18, and 24 months + on KD. The survey was circulated to 39 centers across the UK and Ireland. Results Sixteen centers completed the survey. Full blood count, electrolytes, calcium, liver function tests (LFTs), lipid profile, and vitamin D were requested at all centers at baseline, in keeping with international guidelines. Bicarbonate, total protein, and urinalysis were less consistently requested. Magnesium and zinc were requested by all centers, despite not being specifically recommended for pre-diet evaluation in guidelines.