Epilepsy (Aura)

A disorder characterized by recurrent episodes of paroxysmal brain dysfunction due to a sudden, disorderly, and excessive neuronal discharge. Epilepsy classification systems are generally based upon: (1) clinical features of the seizure episodes (e.g., motor seizure), (2) etiology (e.g., post-traumatic), (3) anatomic site of seizure origin (e.g., frontal lobe seizure), (4) tendency to spread to other structures in the brain, and (5) temporal patterns (e.g., nocturnal epilepsy). (From Adams et al., Principles of Neurology, 6th ed, p313)

Also Known As:

Networked: 37791 relevant articles (2227 outcomes, 5659 trials/studies)

Relationship Network

Disease Context: Research Results

Related Diseases

1.	Seizures (Absence Seizure)
2.	Migraine Disorders (Migraine)
3.	Drug Resistant Epilepsy
4.	Parkinson Disease (Parkinson's Disease)
5.	Stroke (Strokes)

Experts

1.	Löscher, Wolfgang: 140 articles (01/2022 - 01/2002)
2.	Sander, Josemir W: 117 articles (01/2022 - 01/2004)
3.	Devinsky, Orrin: 116 articles (10/2022 - 04/2001)
4.	Marson, Anthony G: 111 articles (05/2022 - 05/2002)
5.	Perucca, Emilio: 101 articles (01/2022 - 01/2002)
6.	Striano, Pasquale: 100 articles (08/2022 - 05/2006)
7.	O'Brien, Terence J: 96 articles (06/2022 - 09/2003)
8.	Aronica, Eleonora: 91 articles (01/2022 - 07/2002)
9.	Rosenow, Felix: 87 articles (08/2022 - 01/2003)
10.	Kwan, Patrick: 86 articles (01/2022 - 04/2002)

Drugs and Biologics

Drugs and Important Biological Agents (IBA) related to Epilepsy:

1.	Anticonvulsants (Antiepileptic Drugs)IBA 01/01/2017 - "Our study demonstrates that posterior cortex epilepsy surgery is highly effective in terms of lasting seizure control and antiepileptic drug cessation in selected pediatric candidates. " 01/01/2022 - "Antiepileptic drugs (AEDs) are the mainstay of treatment for most patients with epilepsy. " 01/01/2019 - "This novel Tsc1 mouse model is highly suitable to assess the efficacy of antiepileptic and -epileptogenic drugs to treat mTORC1-dependent epilepsy. " 03/01/2018 - "The first antiepileptic drug has to be highly selected according to the epilepsy type and causes but also to the patient characteristics (sex, age, comorbidities, associated drugs, profession, and way of life…) An exhaustive patient Education needs to support the first antiepileptic drug prescription: (sleep and nutritional advices, benefit of observance, antiepileptic drugs features and side effects, follow-up, prognosis…) A regular follow-up is essential to control the observance, tolerability and efficacy of the antiepileptic drug, and to control also the good acceptance of the disease. " 05/01/2016 - "Treatment of epilepsy with a first generation antiepileptic drug is the most cost-effective treatment (US$ 321 per DALY adverted). "
2.	Valproic Acid (Depakote)FDA LinkGeneric 01/01/2022 - "Among the various medications administered for treatment, valproate showed the best results for the treatment of epilepsy caused by CHD2 gene mutation. " 01/01/2005 - "The efficacy of sodium valproate for the treatment of most types of epilepsy has been demonstrated extensively and this drug remains the mainstay of treatment for many clinical situations. " 01/01/2001 - "The highest efficiency of depakine was achieved in idiopathic forms of epilepsy (complete remission--in 74% of the cases) and, therefore, depakine can be used as a monotherapy. " 01/01/2009 - "In the second section we review the results of animal research, which could be beneficial in assessing the effects of valproate and epilepsy." 01/01/2021 - "Valproic acid (VPA) is recommended as a first-line treatment for children with epilepsy. "
3.	Levetiracetam (Keppra)FDA LinkGeneric 01/01/2014 - "Understanding the precise mechanisms of action of levetiracetam would be extremely beneficial in helping to understand the processes involved in seizure generation and epilepsy. " 05/01/2008 - "Levetiracetam treatment was safe and effective in this group of very young patients with various types of epilepsy." 01/01/2011 - "The results of the study revealed the high efficacy of levetiracetam as an add-on treatment of pharmacoresistant epilepsy in children. " 10/01/2004 - "Levetiracetam may be effective in generalized-onset epilepsy, and randomized, controlled trials are indicated." 01/01/2021 - "Corroborating the results in the literature, levetiracetam was shown to be effective and safe for children and adults with refractory focal-onset epilepsy."
4.	Carbamazepine (Tegretol)FDA LinkGeneric 04/01/2022 - "At the 12-month follow-up, most occipital epilepsy patients (9, 90%) responded well to carbamazepine. " 04/01/2021 - "Carbamazepine was found to be effective in improving emotional intelligence and mindfulness in patients with epilepsy." 02/01/2006 - "Carbamazepine would appear to be a cost-effective treatment for epilepsy in certain contexts, although evidence from a prospective, randomized, controlled trial is awaited and this assertion may not be true for certain patient subgroups, or in developing world health services. " 12/01/2022 - "We sought to assess the anti-seizure efficacy of carbamazepine (CBZ) and retention rate (RR) in randomized, controlled trials (RCTs) in epilepsy. " 12/01/2014 - "Finally, 3 randomized controlled trials (RCT) studies met the criteria on comparing the efficacy of leviteracetam versus carbamazepine for patients with epilepsy were included for meta-analysis. "
5.	Lamotrigine (Lamictal)FDA LinkGeneric 12/16/2001 - "The new anti-epileptic drugs have a major therapeutic advantage, not only in the management of epilepsy in different clinical situations, but also in the good results observed when using lamotrigine in patients of fertile age." 03/01/1998 - "Lamotrigine (LTG) is a valuable addition to the medical management of epilepsy with wide spectrum of efficacy and good outcomes for quality of life. " 01/01/2020 - "Evidence suggests that lamotrigine could be effective in reducing aura frequency and duration. " 01/01/2008 - "The AED lamotrigine has been demonstrated to be effective in the treatment of depressive symptoms in patients with epilepsy. " 10/01/2007 - "Review of the available literature suggests lamotrigine is effective and well tolerated in elderly patients with epilepsy and relatively well-tolerated and may be effective in delaying mood relapse, particularly in the depressive pole, in patients with BD. "
6.	Topiramate (Topamax)FDA LinkGeneric 12/01/2022 - "Topiramate (TPM) is effective for treating epilepsy, but executive dysfunction is a common side effect that could significantly affect everyday life. " 05/01/2003 - "Significant improvement in frontal lobe associated neuropsychological functions after withdrawal of topiramate in epilepsy patients." 07/01/2023 - "Further studies are necessary to better understand the potential adverse effects and overall efficacy of topiramate XR for the treatment of feline epilepsy." 07/01/2007 - "In terms of remission, Topamax was more effective in adolescents, youths and adults than in younger children, and this pattern was also seen in the treatment of symptomatic epilepsy. " 10/01/2006 - "With its established efficacy for epilepsy treatment and its increased use for other disorders, topiramate-positive findings are more common in death-investigation and human-performance casework. "
7.	trans-sodium crocetinate (crocetin)IBA 08/01/2018 - "In early onset epilepsies associated with TSC, surgical treatment is highly effective, in particular when performed early. " 01/01/2023 - "Prolonged vEEG monitoring may have an important role in the routine epilepsy care of infants with TSC, as demonstrating undetected high clinical seizure frequency may allow improved epilepsy management decisions." 08/15/2021 - "Our study demonstrates that the rates of successful seizure outcome of epilepsy surgery in TSC have improved in the last 10 years. " 01/01/2020 - "Neuropsychiatric manifestations and phenotype severity: Depressed mood, absent or delayed onset of language, repetitive language, difficulties in relationship with peers, repetitive behaviors, spelling, mathematics, dual-tasking, visuo-spatial tasks, executive skills, and getting disoriented were significantly different among TSC patients with different epilepsy severity. " 07/01/1993 - "These data suggest that epilepsy surgery may be beneficial in selected patients with TSC despite multifocal EEG and neuroimaging abnormalities."
8.	Phenobarbital (Luminal)FDA Link 01/01/2002 - "Low doses of phenobarbital were very effective against epilepsy. " 12/01/2012 - "Phenobarbital is an effective treatment for epilepsy but concerns remain over its potential neurocognitive toxicity. " 01/01/1987 - "Seventy-five children with different nutritional status, who were receiving phenobarbitone for treatment of various seizure disorders, were monitored for their plasma steady state level, therapeutic efficacy and toxicity. " 07/01/2021 - "Efficacy of phenobarbital in treating elderly epilepsy patients in rural northeast China: A community-based intervention trial." 05/23/2006 - "[Evaluation of the efficacy of phenobarbital in treatment of epilepsy in rural areas: study of 2455 patients in rural China]."
9.	gamma-Aminobutyric Acid (GABA)IBA 02/01/1993 - "Previous studies have shown significantly greater GABA levels and numbers of GABAergic neurons in the central nucleus of the inferior colliculus (ICCN) of genetically epilepsy-prone rats (GEPR-9s). " 05/01/2004 - "It is suggested that subacute electrical stimulation of PHC is more effective in patients with less severe epilepsy, an effect associated with a high GABA tissue content and a low rate of cell loss." 02/01/1996 - "The primary mechanism by which the action of synaptically released GABA is thought to be terminated is by re-uptake into neurones and glial cells, and the pharmacological inhibition of this uptake may be beneficial in conditions where decreased GABAergic transmission has been implicated, such as epilepsy. " 01/01/1991 - "In recent years considerable emphasis has been placed on the hypothesis that enhancement of GABA transmission could be beneficial in some types of epilepsy. " 07/01/1986 - "The iontophoretic dose (current) of GABA required to suppress neuronal firing in the epilepsy-prone rat was significantly greater than that required in neurons of the normal rat. "
10.	Phenytoin (Dilantin)FDA LinkGeneric 04/01/1980 - "Many medications and combinations of medications are available for the control of epilepsy, but phenytoin continues to be the most effective agent for most patients. " 09/01/1976 - "Our observations carried out in a meaningful sample of epileptic patients suggest that at present the practice of monitoring diphenylhydantoin plasma levels is still an essential tool for the management of epilepsy when a safe and effective therapeutic regimen is required." 12/01/2014 - "figs--a potential herbal adjuvant to phenytoin for improved management of epilepsy and associated behavioral comorbidities." 09/01/2016 - "The aim of the study was to analyze the effect of ABCB1 genetic polymorphisms on the efficacy of phenytoin (PHT) treatment in epilepsy patients. " 04/01/2008 - "We remind clinicians that phenytoin toxicity can easily mimic a cerebellar lesion or alcohol intoxication, and suggest that in accordance with National Institute for Clinical Excellence (NICE) guidelines phenytoin should no longer be used as a first-line treatment for epilepsy."

Therapies and Procedures

1.	Therapeutics 10/01/2014 - "Overall, the acute treatment of epilepsy emergencies in children has markedly improved with availability of out-of-hospital therapies, but additional studies to determine the most efficacious, maximally safe, and best tolerated treatments are needed. " 01/01/2021 - "Understanding which pathogenic mechanism(s) that underlie each genetic epilepsy is pivotal to design precision therapies that are most likely to be beneficial for the patient. " 09/01/2015 - "Dietary therapy is the best option for refractory nonsurgical epilepsy." 09/01/2015 - "Dietary therapy is not the best option for refractory nonsurgical epilepsy." 01/01/2014 - "Based on available clinical trial data as adjunctive therapy, the AMPAR antagonists will likely be highly useful in a small subset of persons and moderately helpful in a larger subset, similar to other new drugs for epilepsy developed since 1993. "
2.	Ketogenic Diet 09/10/2022 - "Ketogenic diets (KDs) are highly effective in the treatment of epilepsy. " 05/01/2011 - "The ketogenic diet remains one of the most effective treatments for medically refractory childhood epilepsy. " 11/01/2008 - "The ketogenic diet (KD) has shown remarkable efficacy in the treatment of drug-resistant childhood epilepsy. " 12/20/2022 - "Introduction: ketogenic diet is a treatment with proven efficacy in drug-refractory childhood epilepsy. " 01/01/2003 - "The ketogenic diet appears to be a very effective treatment for epilepsy, particularly in childhood. "
3.	Vagus Nerve Stimulation 07/01/2008 - "Vagus nerve stimulation (VNS) is effective in treating catastrophic 1 epilepsy in very young children." 01/01/2012 - "Although in limited group of patients the study confirms good results of surgical treatment of selected posttraumatic epilepsy patients--mainly temporal epilepsy patients and patients after vagus nerve stimulation. " 01/01/2007 - "Direct vagus nerve stimulation (VNS) has proved to be an effective treatment for seizure disorder and major depression. " 03/01/2005 - "Vagal nerve stimulation proved effective in animal models of epilepsy, and in open and double-blinded trials, in over 450 patients. " 01/01/2023 - "Vagal nerve stimulation (VNS) is an effective treatment for patients with epilepsy, depression, and other neuropsychiatric conditions. "
4.	Drug Therapy (Chemotherapy) 03/01/1985 - "Optimal seizure control is often possible with use of a single drug; in fact, in most patients with epilepsy, single-drug therapy is more effective than multiple-drug therapy and more desirable." 09/07/2023 - "Only patients with deep white matter lesions exhibited ES or MS. The symptoms of FS resembled those of self-limited epilepsy with centrotemporal spikes; however, only half of the patients reached remission by the time of investigation, and four patients had more than one seizure per month despite appropriate drug therapy. " 11/01/2001 - "These issues have implications for the management of young women with epilepsy in general, since major changes in drug therapy and other attempts to reduce the teratogenic risks should be accomplished before conception in order to be effective and safe." 01/01/2023 - "Pharmacotherapy is the main treatment for epilepsy, but at least 30% of patients with epilepsy have pharmacoresistant epilepsy. " 01/01/2010 - "Pharmacotherapy of epilepsy requires deep knowledge of AED: spectrum of therapeutic efficacy and extent of drug effect; safety, tolerability and side-effects, in particular severe and life-threatening ones, specifics of pharmacokinetics, pharmacodynamics, between-drug interactions and mechanisms of action; titration rate, necessity in laboratory tests during treatment, peculiarities of application of pharmacoeconomics. "
5.	Deep Brain Stimulation 08/01/2011 - "Deep brain stimulation (DBS) of the thalamus has been demonstrated to be effective for the treatment of epilepsy. " 01/01/2008 - "In the reported series, deep-brain stimulation of 2 unconventional targets belonging to the reticulo-cortical system (the brainstem-diencephalon functional system including structures that act as remote controls in modulating cortical excitability) was found to be effective in controlling otherwise refractory multifocal (pHyp) and focal sensorimotor (CZi) epilepsy when resective surgery was not feasible." 01/01/2021 - "Deep brain stimulation (DBS), specifically thalamic DBS, has achieved promising results to reduce seizure severity and frequency in pharmacoresistant epilepsies, thereby establishing it for clinical use. " 10/01/2017 - "We designed a prospective, randomized, controlled, double-blind study to evaluate the efficacy of hippocampal deep brain stimulation (Hip-DBS) in patients with refractory temporary lobe epilepsy (TLE). " 01/01/2016 - "Seizure Suppression Efficacy of Closed-Loop Versus Open-Loop Deep Brain Stimulation in a Rodent Model of Epilepsy."