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Introduction. Electroencephalogram (EEG) is a non-invasive, cheap and available study particularly useful in epilepsies; for other neurological studies its usefulness is limited, and it results costly and bothersome for patients. Objective: To describe clinical and electroencephalographic characteristics of 1 000 pediatric patients; to identify EEG sensitivity and specificity in epileptic patients from this population sample, and to calculate the cost of each EEG. Materials and methods. Clinical and epidemiological characteristics of 1 000 patients were analyzed; EEG specificity and sensitivity as well as approximate cost were calculated. Results. Forty-nine percent of cases presented a normal EEG whose cost was $484 281.17 Mexican pesos. Psychiatry Department reported 79% normal EEG. In epileptic patients, sensitivity was 47% and specificity 83%; positive and negative predictive values were 40 and 86% respectively. Conclusions. EEG is a very useful study in epileptic patients but not in other neurological diseases. Cost per EEG was $988.33 Mexican pesos. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: In Latin America, epilepsy in the elderly is a neglected issue that has never been studied. The epidemiological transition has significantly altered the demographics of epilepsy, and therefore, we would like to draw attention to this topic. Objective: We require local real-world evidence, as the literature often depicts a different scenario, including pharmacological management. Methods: From 2007 to 2018, we recruited all patients with new-onset geriatric epilepsy (first seizure after the age of 60) tracked from ten Mexican hospitals, adding them to patients with similar characteristics from a previously published study. The diagnosis was confirmed in all patients by a certified neurologist, and they were also studied using a conventional electroencephalogram and imaging workup. Results: A diagnosis of new-onset geriatric epilepsy (Elderly patients was established in 100 cases. No specific cause was found in 26% of patients, while 42% had a stroke and 10% had neurocysticercosis (NCC). Monotherapy was the choice in 83 patients, and phenytoin was the most used drug (50%), followed by carbamazepine (25%). Conclusion: NCC remains a frequent cause of new-onset geriatric epilepsy. This distribution is not seen in the literature, mainly representing patients from wealthy economies. In our setting, financial constraints influence the choice of the drug, and newer antiepileptic drugs should be made more affordable to this population with economic and physical frailty., (Copyright: © 2023 Permanyer.)

The presence of different ethnic groups in Mexico may give rise to genetic diversity between the native Indian population and the Mestizos. It is therefore of medical and anthropological interest to analyze the genotypes of disease-associated loci, such as polymorphism in the apolipoprotein E gene, whose 4/4 allele increases the risk of Alzheimer's disease and coronary heart disease in other populations. We studied a Nahua Indian-population in the State of Morelos (Santo Domingo Ocotitlan). The ABO blood type of all individuals was determined and compared with the findings of other Nahua group from the State of Puebla. Without statistical significant differences in O, A and AB groups between both populations (p > 0.05). The allelic and genotypic frequency of apolipoprotein E was similar to that observed in other Mexican indian (Mazatecans, Mayans) and Mestizo populations, however there was a statistically significant difference when the results were compared to the allelic frequencies of other Amerinds: The Cayapa (Ecuador) for the epsilon 3 and epsilon 4 alleles (p < 0.002); the Nuuk (Greenland) for epsilon 3 and epsilon 4 alleles (p < 0.0001 and p < 0.002 respectively); and the Ammssalik (Greenland) for both alleles with p < 0.0001 and p = 0.04 respectively. In the case of the genotypes, there was statistically significant difference for the 4/3 genotypes, but a non significant difference for the 4/4 genotype. This is a descriptive study which contributes to the knowledge of the genetic structure of Mexican population.