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Objective: In Germany, six previous representative surveys on attitudes toward epilepsy (AE) have been conducted between 1967 and 2008 using the four original Caveness questions (CQs) from 1949 to 1980. The aims of this study were (1) to investigate changes in AE over the time span of 50 years, including the current survey in 2018 (2) to investigate the first-time emotional reactions measured with the Scales of Attitudes toward People with Epilepsy (SAPE) (3) to identify predictors of AE., Methods: A representative face-to-face survey with CQ, in addition with the SAPE scales of Social Distance, Stereotypes, Personal Concerns, and Emotional Reactions was carried out in Germany in 2018. One thousand and twenty-six persons who ever had heard of epilepsy participated. Respondents who answered "don't know" in the CQs were subsequently asked to answer only yes/no. The analysis of trends from 1967 to 2018 was based on the pooled data of the surveys. The four CQs in the 2018 survey were included in the SAPE item pool and an exploratory principal axis factor analysis was performed. General linear models were performed to identify predictors., Results: For all four CQs, the trend of improved AE was significant over the past 50 years. In the 2018 survey, excluding the "don't know" answer option increased the proportion of negative responses for contact of one's own children with a person with epilepsy (PWE) from 6.9% to 11.4% and for the marriage of one's own children with a PWE from 13.9% to 23.8%. When encountering a PWE, 30.1% would feel insecure or uncomfortable and nearly 60% were concerned that the PWE might be injured in case of a seizure. Knowing what to do in case of a seizure, knowing that seizures can be treated successfully, personal contact with a PWE along with younger age, and higher education were found to be the strongest predictors for positive AE identified by multivariate analyses. Exploratory principal axis factor analysis revealed that three of the four CQs items loaded > 0.30 at the factors of Social Distance and Stereotypes of SAPE but none on the factors measuring emotional reactions., Significance: AE measured by CQs have markedly improved in Germany over the last 50 years. Germany is to our knowledge the only country with such a long-term trend investigation in AE. Negative AE may be underestimated by survey questions with "don't know" answer option. Emotional aspects of attitudes are underexposed resp. neglected in the CQs, which are used worldwide for measuring AE. Additional tools like SAPE can close this gap. The identified predictors may help to derive interventions against negative AE., Competing Interests: Declaration of Competing Interest The authors declare the following financial interests/personal relationships which may be considered as potential competing interests: H.M.H. has served on the scientific advisory board of Angelini, Corlieve, Eisai, GW, Sandoz, UCB Pharma and Zogenix. He served on the speakers’ bureau of or received unrestricted grants from Ad-Tech, Bracco, Desitin, Eisai, GW, Micromed, Nihon Kohden, Novartis, Pfizer, and UCB Pharma. M.H. received speaker’s honoraria and/or consultancy fees from Angelini/Arvelle, Bial, Desitin, Eisai, GW Pharmaceuticals, Neuraxpharm, UCB, and Zogenix within the last 3 years. A.S. reports personal fees and grants from Angelini Pharma/Arvelle Therapeutics, Desitin Arzneimittel, Eisai, GW Pharmaceuticals companies, Marinus Pharma, Precisis, UCB, UNEEG medical, and Zogenix. ASB reports research support or personal honoraria for lectures or advice from Angelini Pharma/Arvelle Therapeutics, BIAL Eisai, GW, UCB, UNEEG and Precisis. The other authors have no conflicts of interest., (Copyright © 2022 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.)

Objective: To report a prospectively planned analysis of two randomised controlled trials with embedded comparisons of prednisolone versus tetracosactide depot for the treatment of infantile epileptic spasms syndrome (IESS)., Methods: Individual patient data from patients randomly allocated to prednisolone or tetracosactide depot were analysed from two trials (UKISS, ICISS). The comparison was embedded within trials in which some patients also received vigabatrin but only patients receiving monotherapy with randomly allocated hormonal treatments are included in this analysis. The main outcome was cessation of spasms (Days 13-14 after randomisation). Lead time to treatment and underlying aetiology were taken into account. Cessation of spasms on Days 14-42 inclusive, electroclinical response (EEG Day 14), plus developmental and epilepsy outcomes (at 14 months in UKISS and 18 months in ICISS) are also reported. Minimum treatment was prednisolone 40 mg per day for two weeks or tetracosactide depot 0·5 mg IM on alternate days for two weeks, all followed by a reducing dose of prednisolone over two weeks., Results: 126 infants were included in this study. On tetracosactide depot, 47 of 62 (76%) were free of spasms on Days 13-14 compared to 43 of 64 (67%) on prednisolone (difference 9%, 95% CI -7·2% to +25·2%, chi square 1·15, p = 0·28). For Day 14-42 cessation of spasms, on tetracosactide depot, 41 of 61 (67%) were free of spasms compared to 35 of 62 (56%) on prednisolone (difference 11%, 95% CI -6·4% to +28·4%, chi square 1·51, p = 0·22). There was no significant difference in mean VABS score between infants who received prednisolone compared with those who received tetracosactide depot (74·8 (SD 18·3) versus 78·0 (SD 20·2) t = -0·91 p = 0·36). The proportion with ongoing epilepsy at the time of developmental assessment was 20 of 61 (33%) in the tetracosactide group compared with 26 out of 63 (41%) in the prednisolone group (difference 8%, 95% CI -9·2% to +25·2%, Chi [2] 0·95, p = 0·33)., Significance: With hormone monotherapy, either prednisolone or tetracosactide depot may be recommended for infantile epileptic spasms syndrome., Competing Interests: Declaration of competing interest JPO unsuccessfully approached Aventis for funding of a follow up study to look at visual field defects: he appeared in a promotional video for Aventis: he received income from UCB Pharma. The study sponsor for UKISS and ICISS received funding from Marathon and from UCB Pharma which was used in part to fund the research reported including salaries to JPO and SE. JPO, SE, FJKOC, EH and AL all received IP payments from the sponsor relating to funding from Marathon. AL received funding from Hoechst-Marion-Roussel to attend a conference. No other authors declared a conflict of interest., (© 2022 Published by Elsevier Ltd on behalf of European Paediatric Neurology Society.)

Objective: The aims of this study were (1) to investigate psychometric properties of a new questionnaire (SAPE, Scales of the Attitudes toward People with Epilepsy) that assesses attitudes toward people with epilepsy (PWE) (2) to compare the effects of mode of survey administration (web-based vs. face-to-face) on attitudes, and (3) to identify predictors of attitudes., Methods: A face-to-face and a web-based survey were performed in Germany. Weighting factors were used to achieve representative samples of the German population. Reliability and validity of the 6 scales of the SAPE (social distance, stereotypes, personal concerns, and emotional reactions differentiated by fear, anger, and pity) were evaluated and compared for both surveys. Epilepsy knowledge was also assessed. General linear models were performed to investigate predictors of attitudes toward PWE including the type of survey., Results: In total, 1001 participants of the web-based survey and 1026 participants of face-to-face survey were included. Psychometric analyses indicated satisfactory reliability and validity of the scales and differed only slightly between modes of survey. In both surveys, fears and concerns were more pronounced than stereotypes and social distance. However, mean values of two scales were slightly or moderately higher in the face-to-face survey indicating more negative attitudes toward PWE (p < 0.001). Fewer participants of the face-to-face survey reported personal experience with PWE, claiming to know what to do in case of a seizure and claiming to know that seizures can be treated successfully (p < 0.001). These variables proved to be important predictors of positive attitudes toward PWE, besides demographic factors (e.g. age < 65, female gender). When controlling for them, the differences remained significant only for the scales Social Distance (moderately) and Fear (slightly)., Significance: In total, psychometric analyses show that web-based surveys using the SAPE may be an alternative to face-to-face surveys to assess attitudes toward PWE. This applies also to the scales Social Distance and Emotional Reactions that allow comparisons with other diseases, e.g. psychiatric disorders. Most scales differ only slightly between survey modes, except social distance. This indicates that single components of attitudes toward PWE may be dependent on the mode of survey or different characteristics of respondents., Competing Interests: Declaration of Competing Interest The authors declare that they have no known competing financial interests or personal relationships that could have appeared to influence the work reported in this paper., (Copyright © 2022 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.)

This retrospective study included 54 children with epilepsy. The treatment consisted of four pulses with single doses of 20 mg/kg/d methylprednisolone (MPR), administered every week on 3 consecutive days. After this initial phase, the intervals between the pulses were increased based on individual factors. MPR pulses were administered exclusively orally in 39 patients and 7.8% of all pulses were applied intravenously. After four pulses, 30 of 54 (56%) patients were responders, according to several clinical and electroencephalography criteria. A response was obtained in 12 of 20 (60%) cases with genetic, 7 of 17 (41%) with structural metabolic, and 11 of 17 (65%) with unknown etiology. Responder rates were 11 of 15 (73%) in patients with continuous spike-waves in slow sleep (CSWS) or Landau-Kleffner syndrome, 2 of 6 in patients with myoclonic astatic epilepsy or Lennox-Gastaut syndrome, and 17 of 31 (55%) in patients with unclassified epilepsies. A response was not correlated with any epilepsy-related clinical factor. The patients received a median of eight MPR pulses (range, 1-52), and the median duration of the therapy was 11 weeks. The response was maintained in 19 of 30 (63%) patients, and 3 of 24 (13%) without initial response became seizure-free (total responder rate at the end of the therapy 22/54 [41%]). The majority of patients experienced adverse effects that were typically mild and transient., (Georg Thieme Verlag KG Stuttgart · New York.)

The comparative sensitivity of EEG and magnetoencephalography (MEG) in the visual detection of focal epileptiform activity in simultaneous interictal sleep recordings were investigated. The authors examined 14 patients aged 3.5 to 17 years with localization-related epilepsy. Simultaneous 122-channel whole-head MEG and 33-channel EEG were recorded for 20 to 40 minutes during spontaneous sleep. The EEG and MEG data were separated and four blinded independent reviewers marked the presence and timing of epileptic discharges (ED) in the 28 data segments. EEG and MEG data were matched and spikes identified by at least three reviewers were classified in three categories according to the following criteria: type 1 MEG > EEG, type 2 EEG > MEG (type 1/2: difference of three or more raters), and type 3 EEG = MEG (three or more raters each). The presence of simultaneous sleep changes was visually determined for every single EEG-segment. Spikes with high spatiotemporal correlation were averaged and subjected to single dipole analysis of peak activity in EEG. Out of 4704 marked patterns, 1387 spikes fulfilled the above criteria. In fact, more spikes were unique to MEG (689) than to EEG (136) and to the combination of both modalities (562). ED were detected predominantly by MEG in eight patients and by EEG in two patients. The presence of vertex waves and spindles lead to a significantly higher number of spikes identified only in MEG. Averaging of type 1 spikes produced clear spike activity in EEG in 9 of 12 cases. On the contrary, only 2 of 10 type 2 spikes were visible in MEG after averaging. Dipoles of spikes visible in MEG showed a more tangential orientation compared with more radial dipoles of type 2 spikes. Spike characteristics, e.g., dipole orientation, are a key factor for a sole EEG representation. Exclusive MEG detection is more likely influenced by overlapping background activity in EEG. Because MEG is indifferent to radial activity, i.e., sleep changes, a higher ratio of spikes unique to MEG compared with EEG is detected in the case of overlapping sleep changes.

Source localization using single current dipoles estimates equivalent centers of the spiking gray matter. The extent of the active cortex, however, is difficult to assess from scalp EEG because of the unknown individual volume conduction. The spatial scatter of dipole localizations of single spikes has been proposed as a measure of extent. Single spike localization, however, is strongly dependent on the signal-to-noise ratio (SNR), that is, the ratio of spike and background EEG amplitudes. On the other hand, averaging of all spikes yields only the localization of equivalent centers of activity. We investigated the influence of SNR and multiple subaverages on the estimation of spatial extent by comparing the localization scatter of 100 single spikes in 27 spike types of 25 epilepsy patients with 1000 different subaverages computed by random sampling and bootstrapping. Averaging increased SNR and therefore allowed for localization not only at the spike peak but also during spike onset when less cortex is active. In several subjects with known cortical lesions, the single spike scatter considerably exceeded the lesion. Single dipole scatter was highly correlated with SNR (r = -0.83, P < 0.0001) and was greatly reduced when analyzing multiple subaverages of 10, 25, 50, and 100 spikes. Thus, we found a dominant role of the SNR on the estimated extent and improvement by scatterplots based on the dipole localization of randomly sampled subaverages.

Purpose: To evaluate the efficacy and tolerability of Levetiracetam (LEV) in a large pediatric cohort with drug-resistant epilepsy from a prospective multicenter observational study., Methods: We report the results of a multicenter observational survey of a cohort of 285 pediatric patients (mean: 9.9 years, range: 0; 6-17; 11) with refractory generalized and focal epilepsy who received Levetiracetam as an add-on open label treatment trial. The average duration of epilepsy was 6.0 years and the patients were treated with a mean of 7.0 antiepileptic drugs (AED) before LEV was introduced., Results: No serious persistent adverse events were reported. Reversible colitis and an apnoea syndrome in a child with phosphorylase-A-kinase-deficiency were noted. Mild to moderate side effects were reported in 128 patients (44.9%), consisting most frequently of somnolence (23.9%), general behavioral changes (15.4%), aggression (10.5%) and sleep disturbances (3.2%). In 209 patients, efficacy was analyzed over a treatment period of at least 12 weeks compared to a baseline of 2 weeks. Thirteen patients (6.2%) became seizure free, 39 (18.7%) responded with a seizure reduction of more than 50% following introduction of LEV. No response to LEV was reported in 65.1% (n=136). A decrease of initial treatment effect was seen in 37 patients (17.8%) while in 6.7% the seizure frequency doubled to the baseline (n=14). In seven patients (3.3%), the effect of LEV on seizure frequency could not be evaluated. A positive psychotropic effect was observed in 18 patients (8.6%). Mental retardation was associated with poor response and associated with more side effects and earlier discontinuation of LEV therapy., Conclusion: LEV is a well-tolerated new AED that may effectively improve seizure control as an add-on drug in resistant epilepsy in childhood with good tolerability. However, neurologically handicapped children appear at increased risk for reversible neurocognitive side effects and have a poorer treatment response.

The purpose of this study was to assess whether the histological subtype of focal cortical dysplasia and dual pathology affect surgical outcome in patients with medically intractable epilepsy due to focal cortical dysplasia (FCD). We retrospectively analysed the outcome of 67 patients from 2 to 66 years of age at follow-up periods of 6 to 48 months after epilepsy surgery. Histological subtypes were classified according to Palmini and included a few cases with mild histological abnormalities corresponding to the definition of mild malformations of cortical development. The seizure outcome was classified according to Engel and evaluated at the last follow-up visit as well as at follow-up periods of 12 and 24 months after surgery. The outcome in patients with FCD and additional hippocampal pathology (dual pathology) was analysed separately. Distribution of histological subtypes differed in temporal and extratemporal localization, with a significantly higher extratemporal prevalence of FCD type 2. There was a tendency towards better postsurgical outcome related to the last follow-up visit in patients with more subtle abnormalities classified as mild malformations of cortical development (mMCD) (63% Engel Ia), FCD type 1a (67% Engel Ia) and FCD type 1b (55% Engel Ia) compared with patients with FCD type 2a (43% Engel Ia) and FCD type 2b (Taylor type) (50% Engel Ia). Considering the outcome at follow-up periods over 12 and 24 months, complete seizure-freedom was achieved significantly more often in patients with FCD type 1 and mMCD than with FCD type 2, and seizure reduction by less than 75% (Engel IV) occurred in more patients with FCD type 2a compared with the other subgroups. This tendency was seen in the whole patient group and in the extratemporal subgroup. Patients with dual pathology almost always had temporal lobe epilepsy; the outcome in this patient group was generally favourable (66% complete seizure-freedom at the last follow-up visit). The outcome remained almost constant with longer periods of follow-up. We conclude that patients with FCD type 1 and mMCD had a better outcome compared with those with more severe forms of cortical dysplasia. A higher incidence of FCD type 1 in temporal localization did not allow the effects of histological subtype and localization to be separated. A subanalysis of extratemporal FCDs, however, revealed a similar tendency for a better outcome with FCD type 1, suggesting that the histological subtype itself seems to be at least a relevant cofactor influencing postsurgical outcome.

Objectives This report aims to define treatment goals, to summarize the level of the evidence of different treatment options for infantile spasms (IS), both in terms of efficacy and adverse effect, and to give recommendations for the management of IS. Methods The Cochrane and Medline (1966-July 2014) databases were searched. Literature known to the guideline working group and identified through citations was also considered. The results of previously published guidelines were taken into account in our analysis. Rating the level of evidence followed the Scottish Intercollegiate Guidelines Network. Recommendations If IS are suspected, electroencephalogram (EEG) should be performed within a few days and, if confirmed, treatment should be initiated immediately. Response to first-line treatments should be evaluated clinically and electroencephalographically after 14 days. Adrenocorticotropic hormone, corticosteroids, and vigabatrin are the first-line drugs for the treatment of IS. In children with tuberous sclerosis complex, vigabatrin is the treatment of first choice. Ketogenic diet, sulthiame, topiramate, valproate, zonisamide, and benzodiazepines can be used when first-line drugs have proved ineffective. Children refractory to drug therapy should be evaluated for epilepsy surgery, especially if focal brain lesions are present. Regular follow-up controls, including EEG (preferably sleep EEG) and standardized developmental assessment are recommended. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract: Purpose: At present, neonatal seizures are usually treated with Phenobarbital (PB) despite the limited efficacy and the potential risk this treatment holds for the developing brain. We report here a prospective pilot feasibility study on the use of Levetiracetam as monotherapy in the treatment of neonatal seizures. Methods: Six newborns (body weight>2000g, gestational age>30 weeks) presenting with neonatal seizures were enrolled. Patients whose seizures were caused by electrolyte disturbances or hypoglycemia, or whose seizures did respond to pyridoxine were excluded. Patients previously treated with other antiepileptic drugs (AEDs), with the exception of single PB doses before and during titration, were excluded. LEV was administered orally, increasing the dose by 10mg/(kgday) over 3 days. Endpoint was the need of any additional AEDs (or PB) after day 3, or 3 months of LEV treatment. A decision regarding further treatment was made on an individual basis and follow-up was documented up to 8 months of age. Results: No severe adverse effects were observed. Mild sedation was reported in one infant. All six patients treated with oral LEV became seizure free within 6 days. Five patients remained seizure free after 3 months with ongoing LEV monotherapy. One infant developed pharmacoresistent epilepsy. Seizures relapsed later in the clinical course of two more patients, one of whom was no longer under LEV therapy. Discussion: Results from our small patient group indicate that LEV may be an alternative therapeutic option in neonatal seizures. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

To evaluate the efficacy and tolerability of adjunctive levetiracetam in very young children (aged 1 month to <4 years) with partial-onset seizures inadequately controlled with one or two antiepileptic drugs. This multicenter, double-blind, randomized, placebo-controlled study consisted of a 48-h inpatient baseline video-EEG (electroencephalography) and a 5-day inpatient treatment period (1-day up-titration; 48-h evaluation video-EEG in the last 2 days). Children who experienced at least two partial-onset seizures during the 48-h baseline video-EEG were randomized to either levetiracetam [40 mg/kg/day (age 1 to <6 months); 50 mg/kg/day (age ≥6 months to <4 years] or placebo. Of 175 patients screened, 116 patients were randomized [60 levetiracetam; 56 placebo; intent-to-treat (ITT) population], and 111 completed the study. The responder rate in average daily partial-onset seizures frequency (48-h video-EEG monitoring; primary efficacy variable) was 43.1% for levetiracetam [modified ITT (mITT) = 58] versus 19.6% for placebo (mITT = 51; p=0.013), with odds ratio for response 3.11 [95% confidence interval (CI), 1.22–8.26]. The median percent reduction from baseline in average daily partial-onset seizure frequency was 43.6% for levetiracetam and 7.1% for placebo with a median difference between treatment groups of 39.2% (95% CI, 17.5–62.2; p < 0.001). In general, levetiracetam was well tolerated. Treatment-emergent adverse events were reported by 55.0% levetiracetam- and 44.6% placebo-treated patients (ITT population). The most frequently reported adverse events were somnolence (13.3% levetiracetam, 1.8% placebo) and irritability (11.7% levetiracetam, 0% placebo). Adjunctive levetiracetam is an efficacious and well-tolerated treatment for partial-onset seizures in infants and young children. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Purpose: Simultaneous interictal EEG and magnetoencephalography (MEG) recordings were used for noninvasive analysis of epileptogenicity in focal cortical dysplasia (FCD). The results of two different approach methods (multiple source analysis of averaged spikes and single dipole peak localization of single spikes) were compared with pre- and postoperative anatomic magnetic resonance imaging (MRI). Patients: We studied nine children and adolescents (age, 3.5–15.9 years) with localization-related epilepsy and FCD diagnosis based on MRI. Five patients underwent epilepsy surgery, two of them after long-term recording with subdural grid electrodes, and one after intraoperative electrocorticography. Methods: The 122-channel whole-head MEGs and 33-channel EEGs were recorded simultaneously for 25 to 40 min. Interictal spikes were identified visually and used as templates to search for similar spatiotemporal spike patterns throughout the recording. With the BESA program, similar spikes ( r > 0.85) were detected, averaged, high-pass filtered (5 Hz) to enhance spike onset, and subjected to multiple spatiotemporal source analysis with a multishell spherical head model. Peak activity from single spikes was modeled by single dipoles for the same subset of spikes. Source localization was visualized by superposition on T1-weighted MRI and compared with the lesion identified in T1- and T2-weighted MRI. In the five cases undergoing epilepsy surgery, the results were correlated with invasive recordings, postoperative MRI, and outcome. Results: In all cases, the analysis of averaged spikes showed a localization of onset- and peak-related sources within the visible lesion for both EEG and MEG. Of the single spikes, 128 (45%; total 284) were localizable at the peak in MEG, and 170 (60%) in EEG. Of these, 91% localized within the lesion with MEG, and 93.5% with EEG. In three of five patients operated on, the resected area included the onset zones of averaged EEG and MEG spike activity. These patients had excellent postoperative outcome, whereas the others did not become seizure free. Conclusions: Consistent MEG and EEG spike localization in the lesional zone confirmed the hypothesis of intrinsic epileptogenicity in FCD. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Summary: Purpose: To estimate the incidence rate of epilepsies and epileptic syndromes in German children and adolescents aged 1 month to <15 years, and to provide data on their classification. Methods: A population-based prospective study was performed between July 1, 1999, and June 30, 2000. All children aged 1 month to <15 years with a newly diagnosed epilepsy or epileptic syndrome were recorded by private pediatricians, EEG laboratories, and the two University Children's Hospitals in the neighboring cities of Heidelberg and Mannheim. The diagnoses were classified according to the International Classification of Epilepsies and Epileptic Syndromes of the International League Against Epilepsy (ILAE). Results: The total age-adjusted annual incidence rate was 60/100,000 (95% confidence interval, 42–84), with the highest incidence in the first year of life (146/100,000). Focal epilepsies or epileptic syndromes (58%; incidence rate, 35/100,000) were more common than were generalized ones (39%; incidence rate, 24/100,000), and 3% (incidence rate, 2/100,000) of the epilepsies or epileptic syndromes were undetermined. The rate of idiopathic (47%; incidence rate, 29/100,000) and symptomatic or cryptogenic epilepsies (50%; incidence rate, 30/100,000) was equal. No significant difference in incidence between boys and girls was found. Conclusions: Incidence rates for epilepsy in German children aged 1 month to <15 years are about equal to those of other countries in Europe and North America. In accordance with studies from the United States and from many European countries, incidence was highest in the first year of life, and no difference in the incidence between girls and boys was found. In Germany as throughout Europe, idiopathic generalized epileptic syndromes are more often diagnosed than in the United States. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract: Purpose: Multiple source analysis of interictal EEG and MEG spikes was used to identify irritative zones in polymicrogyria (PMG). Spike onset times and source localization were compared between both modalities. PMG is characterized by a marked loss of deep cortical fissures. Hence, differences between EEG and MEG were expected since MEG signals are predominantly generated from tangentially orientated neurons in fissures. Patients: We studied 7 children and young adults (age 7.5 to 19 years) with localization-related epilepsy and unilateral polymicrogyria (PMG) as defined from anatomical MRI. Methods: 122-channel whole-head MEG and 32-channel EEG were recorded simultaneously for 25 to 40 min. Using the BESA program, interictal spikes were identified visually and used as templates to search for similar spatio-temporal spike patterns throughout the recording. Detected similar spikes (r > 0.85) were averaged, high-pass filtered (5 Hz) to enhance spike onset, and subjected to multiple spatio-temporal source analysis. Source localization was visualized by superposition on T1-weighted MRI and compared to the lesion. Results: Nine spike types were identified in seven patients (2 types in 2 patients). Eight out of nine EEG sources and seven MEG sources modeling spike onset were localized within the visible lesion. EEG spike onset preceded MEG significantly in two spike types by 19 and 25 ms. This was related to radial onset activity in EEG while MEG localized propagated activity. In one case, the earliest MEG spike activity was localized to the normal hemisphere while the preceding radial EEG onset activity was localized within the lesion. Distances between EEG and MEG onset sources varied markedly between 9 and 51 mm in the eight spike types with concordant lateralization. Conclusion: Interictal irritative zones were localized within the lesion in PMG comparable to other malformations, e.g., FCD. Discrepancies in MEG and EEG were related to the lack of deep fissures in PMG. In two cases, MEG was blind to the onset of radial interictal spike activity and localized propagated spike activity. In two other cases, MEG localized to the more peripheral parts of the irritative zone. Simultaneous EEG recordings with MEG and multiple source analysis are required to avoid problems of MEG interpretation. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]