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Objective: The evaluation to determine candidacy and treatment for epilepsy surgery in persons with drug-resistant epilepsy (DRE) is not uniform. Many non-invasive and invasive tests are available to ascertain an appropriate treatment strategy. This study examines expert response to clinical vignettes of magnetic resonance imaging (MRI)-positive lesional focal cortical dysplasia in both temporal and extratemporal epilepsy to identify associations in evaluations and treatment choice., Methods: We analyzed annual report data and a supplemental epilepsy practice survey reported in 2020 from 206 adult and 136 pediatric epilepsy center directors in the United States. Non-invasive and invasive testing and surgical treatment strategies were compiled for the two scenarios. We used chi-square tests to compare testing utilization between the two scenarios. Multivariable logistic regression modeling was performed to assess associations between variables., Results: The supplemental survey response rate was 100% with 342 responses included in the analyses. Differing testing and treatment approaches were noted between the temporal and extratemporal scenarios such as chronic invasive monitoring selected in 60% of the temporal scenario versus 93% of the extratemporal scenario. Open resection was the most common treatment choice; however, overall treatment choices varied significantly (p < .001). Associations between non-invasive testing, invasive testing, and treatment choices were present in both scenarios. For example, in the temporal scenario stereo-electroencephalography (SEEG) was more commonly associated with fluorodeoxyglucose-positron emission tomography (FDG-PET) (odds ratio [OR] 1.85; 95% confidence interval [CI] 1.06-3.29; p = .033), magnetoencephalography (MEG) (OR 2.90; 95% CI 1.60-5.28; p = <.001), high density (HD) EEG (OR 2.80; 95% CI 1.27-6.24; p = .011), functional MRI (fMRI) (OR 2.17; 95% CI 1.19-4.10; p = .014), and Wada (OR 2.16; 95% CI 1.28-3.66; p = .004). In the extratemporal scenario, choosing SEEG was associated with increased odds of neuromodulation over open resection (OR 3.13; 95% CI 1.24-7.89; p = .016)., Significance: In clinical vignettes of temporal and extratemporal lesional DRE, epilepsy center directors displayed varying patterns of non-invasive testing, invasive testing, and treatment choices. Differences in practice underscore the need for comparative trials for the surgical management of DRE., (© 2023 The Authors. Epilepsia published by Wiley Periodicals LLC on behalf of International League Against Epilepsy.)

Background and Objective: Nearly one-third of persons with epilepsy will continue having seizures despite trialing multiple antiseizure medications. Epilepsy surgery may be beneficial in these cases, and evaluation at a comprehensive epilepsy center is recommended. Numerous palliative and potentially curative approaches exist, and types of surgery performed may be influenced by center characteristics. This article describes epilepsy center characteristics associated with epilepsy surgery access and volumes in the United States., Methods: We analyzed National Association of Epilepsy Centers 2019 annual report and supplemental survey data obtained with responses from 206 adult epilepsy center directors and 136 pediatric epilepsy center directors in the United States. Surgical treatment volumes were compiled with center characteristics, including US Census region. We used multivariable modeling with zero-inflated Poisson regression models to present ORs and incidence rate ratios of receiving a given surgery type based on center characteristics., Results: The response rate was 100% with individual element missingness less than 4% across 352 observations undergoing univariate analysis. Multivariable models included 319 complete observations. Significant regional differences were present. The rates of laser interstitial thermal therapy (LITT) were lower at centers in the Midwest (incidence rate ratio [IRR] 0.74, 95% CI 0.59-0.92; p = 0.006) and Northeast (IRR 0.77, 95% CI 0.61-0.96; p = 0.022) compared with those in the South. Conversely, responsive neurostimulation implantation rates were higher in the Midwest (IRR 1.45, 95% CI 1.1-1.91; p = 0.008) and West (IRR 1.91, 95% CI 1.49-2.44; p < 0.001) compared with the South. Center accreditation level, institution type, demographics, and resources were also associated with variations in access and rates of potentially curative and palliative surgical interventions., Discussion: Epilepsy surgery procedure volumes are influenced by US epilepsy center region and other characteristics. These variations may affect access to specific surgical treatments for persons with drug resistant epilepsy across the United States., (Copyright © 2022 The Author(s). Published by Wolters Kluwer Health, Inc. on behalf of the American Academy of Neurology.)

Objective: Persons with drug-resistant epilepsy may benefit from epilepsy surgery and should undergo presurgical testing to determine potential candidacy and appropriate intervention. Institutional expertise can influence use and availability of evaluations and epilepsy surgery candidacy. This census survey study aims to examine the influence of geographic region and other center characteristics on presurgical testing for medically intractable epilepsy., Methods: We analyzed annual report and supplemental survey data reported in 2020 from 206 adult epilepsy center directors and 136 pediatric epilepsy center directors in the United States. Test utilization data were compiled with annual center volumes, available resources, and US Census regional data. We used Wilcoxon rank-sum, Kruskal-Wallis, and chi-squared tests for univariate analysis of procedure utilization. Multivariable modeling was also performed to assign odds ratios (ORs) of significant variables., Results: The response rate was 100% with individual element missingness < 11% across 342 observations undergoing univariate analysis. A total of 278 complete observations were included in the multivariable models, and significant regional differences were present. For instance, compared to centers in the South, those in the Midwest used neuropsychological testing (OR = 2.87, 95% confidence interval [CI] = 1.2-6.86; p = .018) and fluorodeoxyglucose-positron emission tomography (OR = 2.74, 95% CI = = 1.14-6.61; p = .025) more commonly. For centers in the Northeast (OR = .46, 95% CI = .23-.93; p = .031) and West (OR = .41, 95% CI = .19-.87; p = .022), odds of performing single-photon emission computerized tomography were lower by nearly 50% compared to those in the South. Center accreditation level, demographics, volume, and resources were also associated with varying individual testing rates., Significance: Presurgical testing for drug-resistant epilepsy is influenced by US geographic region and other center characteristics. These findings have potential implications for comparing outcomes between US epilepsy centers and may inject disparities in access to surgical treatment., (© 2022 The Authors. Epilepsia published by Wiley Periodicals LLC on behalf of International League Against Epilepsy.)

Background and Objectives: Persons with epilepsy, especially those with drug resistant epilepsy (DRE), may benefit from inpatient services such as admission to the epilepsy monitoring unit (EMU) and epilepsy surgery. The COVID-19 pandemic caused reductions in these services within the US during 2020. This article highlights changes in resources, admissions, and procedures among epilepsy centers accredited by the National Association of Epilepsy Centers (NAEC)., Methods: We compared data reported in 2019, prior to the COVID-19 pandemic, and 2020 from all 260 level 3 and level 4 NAEC accredited epilepsy centers. Data were described using frequency for categorical variables and median for continuous variables and were analyzed by center level, center population category, and geographical location. Qualitative responses from center directors to questions regarding the impact from COVID-19 were summarized utilizing thematic analysis. Responses from the NAEC center annual reports as well as a supplemental COVID-19 survey were included., Results: EMU admissions declined 23% (-21,515) in 2020, with largest median reductions in level 3 centers [-55 admissions (-44%)] and adult centers [-57 admissions (-39%)]. The drop in admissions was more substantial in the East North Central, East South Central, Mid Atlantic, and New England US Census divisions. Survey respondents attributed reduced admissions to re-assigning EMU beds, restrictions on elective admissions, reduced staffing, and patient reluctance for elective admission. Treatment surgeries declined by 371 cases (5.7%), with the largest reduction occurring in VNS implantations [-486 cases (-19%)] and temporal lobectomies [-227 cases (-16%)]. All other procedure volumes increased, including a 35% (54 cases) increase in corpus callosotomies., Discussion: In the US, access to care for persons with epilepsy declined during the COVID-19 pandemic in 2020. Adult patients, those relying on level 3 centers for care, and many persons in the eastern half of the US were most affected., (Copyright © 2022 The Author(s). Published by Wolters Kluwer Health, Inc. on behalf of the American Academy of Neurology.)

Background and Objectives: Patients with drug-resistant epilepsy (DRE) may benefit from specialized testing and treatments to better control seizures and improve quality of life. Most evaluations and procedures for DRE in the United States are performed at epilepsy centers accredited by the National Association of Epilepsy Centers (NAEC). On an annual basis, the NAEC collects data from accredited epilepsy centers on hospital-based epilepsy monitoring unit (EMU) size and admissions, diagnostic testing, surgeries, and other services. This article highlights trends in epilepsy center services from 2012 through 2019., Methods: We analyzed data reported in 2012, 2016, and 2019 from all level 3 and level 4 NAEC accredited epilepsy centers. Data were described using frequency for categorical variables and median for continuous variables and were analyzed by center level and center population category. EMU beds, EMU admissions, epileptologists, and aggregate procedure volumes were also described using rates per population per year., Results: During the period studied, the number of NAEC accredited centers increased from 161 to 256, with the largest increases in adult- and pediatric-only centers. Growth in EMU admissions (41%), EMU beds (26%), and epileptologists (109%) per population occurred. Access to specialized testing and services broadly expanded. The largest growth in procedure volumes occurred in laser interstitial thermal therapy (LiTT) (61%), responsive neurostimulation (RNS) implantations (114%), and intracranial monitoring without resection (152%) over the study period. Corpus callosotomies and vagus nerve stimulator (VNS) implantations decreased (-12.8% and -2.4%, respectively), while growth in temporal lobectomies (5.9%), extratemporal resections (11.9%), and hemispherectomies/otomies (13.1%) lagged center growth (59%), leading to a decrease in median volumes of these procedures per center., Discussion: During the study period, the availability of specialty epilepsy care in the United States improved as the NAEC implemented its accreditation program. Surgical case complexity increased while aggregate surgical volume remained stable or declined across most procedure types, with a corresponding decline in cases per center. This article describes recent data trends and current state of resources and practice across NAEC member centers and identifies several future directions for driving systematic improvements in epilepsy care., (Copyright © 2021 The Author(s). Published by Wolters Kluwer Health, Inc. on behalf of the American Academy of Neurology.)

Objective: To prospectively evaluate safety and efficacy of brain-responsive neurostimulation in adults with medically intractable focal onset seizures (FOS) over 9 years., Methods: Adults treated with brain-responsive neurostimulation in 2-year feasibility or randomized controlled trials were enrolled in a long-term prospective open label trial (LTT) to assess safety, efficacy, and quality of life (QOL) over an additional 7 years. Safety was assessed as adverse events (AEs), efficacy as median percent change in seizure frequency and responder rate, and QOL with the Quality of Life in Epilepsy (QOLIE-89) inventory., Results: Of 256 patients treated in the initial trials, 230 participated in the LTT. At 9 years, the median percent reduction in seizure frequency was 75% ( p < 0.0001, Wilcoxon signed rank), responder rate was 73%, and 35% had a ≥90% reduction in seizure frequency. We found that 18.4% (47 of 256) experienced ≥1 year of seizure freedom, with 62% (29 of 47) seizure-free at the last follow-up and an average seizure-free period of 3.2 years (range 1.04-9.6 years). Overall QOL and epilepsy-targeted and cognitive domains of QOLIE-89 remained significantly improved ( p < 0.05). There were no serious AEs related to stimulation, and the sudden unexplained death in epilepsy (SUDEP) rate was significantly lower than predefined comparators ( p < 0.05, 1-tailed χ 2 )., Conclusions: Adjunctive brain-responsive neurostimulation provides significant and sustained reductions in the frequency of FOS with improved QOL. Stimulation was well tolerated; implantation-related AEs were typical of other neurostimulation devices; and SUDEP rates were low., Clinicaltrialsgov Identifier: NCT00572195., Classification of Evidence: This study provides Class IV evidence that brain-responsive neurostimulation significantly reduces focal seizures with acceptable safety over 9 years., (Copyright © 2020 The Author(s). Published by Wolters Kluwer Health, Inc. on behalf of the American Academy of Neurology.)

Purpose: To determine the feasibility of using epileptiform events detected by continuous electrocorticographic monitoring via a brain-responsive neurostimulation system to supplement patient-maintained seizure diaries., Methods: Data were retrospectively analyzed from a randomized controlled trial of brain-responsive neurostimulation (RNS® System) for adjunctive treatment of medically intractable focal onset seizures in 191 subjects. The long-term (≥3 months) correspondence between daily counts of diary-reported seizures and device-recorded "long epileptiform events" (LEs), a proxy for electrographic seizures (ESs), was assessed using cross-correlation and logistic generalized estimating equation models., Results: Diary-reported seizures and LEs significantly co-varied across days in 124 patients whose detection settings were held constant, with a significantly higher correlation in 54 patients (44 %) whose LEs were usually ESs (high concordance patients). There were more days in which LEs were detected than days in which patients reported a seizure (positive predictive value (PPV): 34 %). On days when there were no LEs, there were typically no diary-reported seizures (negative predictive value (NPV): 90 %). In patients with a high concordance between LEs and ESs, the PPV and NPV were both slightly higher, 43 % (35-52 %) and 93 % (95 % CI: 86-97 %) respectively., Conclusion: Although LEs can substantially outnumber diary reported seizures, the high across-day correlation and strong NPV between LEs and diary seizures suggests that LEs recorded by the RNS® System could potentially supplement seizure diaries by providing an objective biomarker for relative seizure burden., (Copyright © 2020 The Authors. Published by Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.)

Objective: Evaluate the seizure-reduction response and safety of mesial temporal lobe (MTL) brain-responsive stimulation in adults with medically intractable partial-onset seizures of mesial temporal lobe origin., Methods: Subjects with mesial temporal lobe epilepsy (MTLE) were identified from prospective clinical trials of a brain-responsive neurostimulator (RNS System, NeuroPace). The seizure reduction over years 2-6 postimplantation was calculated by assessing the seizure frequency compared to a preimplantation baseline. Safety was assessed based on reported adverse events., Results: There were 111 subjects with MTLE; 72% of subjects had bilateral MTL onsets and 28% had unilateral onsets. Subjects had one to four leads placed; only two leads could be connected to the device. Seventy-six subjects had depth leads only, 29 had both depth and strip leads, and 6 had only strip leads. The mean follow-up was 6.1 ± (standard deviation) 2.2 years. The median percent seizure reduction was 70% (last observation carried forward). Twenty-nine percent of subjects experienced at least one seizure-free period of 6 months or longer, and 15% experienced at least one seizure-free period of 1 year or longer. There was no difference in seizure reduction in subjects with and without mesial temporal sclerosis (MTS), bilateral MTL onsets, prior resection, prior intracranial monitoring, and prior vagus nerve stimulation. In addition, seizure reduction was not dependent on the location of depth leads relative to the hippocampus. The most frequent serious device-related adverse event was soft tissue implant-site infection (overall rate, including events categorized as device-related, uncertain, or not device-related: 0.03 per implant year, which is not greater than with other neurostimulation devices)., Significance: Brain-responsive stimulation represents a safe and effective treatment option for patients with medically intractable epilepsy, including patients with unilateral or bilateral MTLE who are not candidates for temporal lobectomy or who have failed a prior MTL resection., (© 2017 The Authors. Epilepsia published by Wiley Periodicals, Inc. on behalf of International League Against Epilepsy.)

Objective: Evaluate the seizure-reduction response and safety of brain-responsive stimulation in adults with medically intractable partial-onset seizures of neocortical origin., Methods: Patients with partial seizures of neocortical origin were identified from prospective clinical trials of a brain-responsive neurostimulator (RNS System, NeuroPace). The seizure reduction over years 2-6 postimplantation was calculated by assessing the seizure frequency compared to a preimplantation baseline. Safety was assessed based on reported adverse events. Additional analyses considered safety and seizure reduction according to lobe and functional area (e.g., eloquent cortex) of seizure onset., Results: There were 126 patients with seizures of neocortical onset. The average follow-up was 6.1 implant years. The median percent seizure reduction was 70% in patients with frontal and parietal seizure onsets, 58% in those with temporal neocortical onsets, and 51% in those with multilobar onsets (last observation carried forward [LOCF] analysis). Twenty-six percent of patients experienced at least one seizure-free period of 6 months or longer and 14% experienced at least one seizure-free period of 1 year or longer. Patients with lesions on magnetic resonance imaging (MRI; 77% reduction, LOCF) and those with normal MRI findings (45% reduction, LOCF) benefitted, although the treatment response was more robust in patients with an MRI lesion (p = 0.02, generalized estimating equation [GEE]). There were no differences in the seizure reduction in patients with and without prior epilepsy surgery or vagus nerve stimulation. Stimulation parameters used for treatment did not cause acute or chronic neurologic deficits, even in eloquent cortical areas. The rates of infection (0.017 per patient implant year) and perioperative hemorrhage (0.8%) were not greater than with other neurostimulation devices., Significance: Brain-responsive stimulation represents a safe and effective treatment option for patients with medically intractable epilepsy, including adults with seizures of neocortical onset, and those with onsets from eloquent cortex., (© 2017 The Authors. Epilepsia published by Wiley Periodicals, Inc. on behalf of International League Against Epilepsy.)