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Introduction: The study aimed to evaluate the effectiveness and safety of brivaracetam (BRV) as conversion monotherapy in adults with focal epilepsy treated in the context of real-world clinical practice., Methods: This was a retrospective, observational, non-interventional study in adults with focal epilepsy who converted to BRV monotherapy following the withdrawal of background antiseizure medications (ASMs). Primary effectiveness outcome was the retention rate of BRV as single ASM at 6 and 12 months. Secondary outcomes included the 6- and 12-month rates of seizure freedom. Safety and tolerability outcomes included the frequency and type of adverse events (AEs) and the occurrence of treatment discontinuation due to AEs., Results: A total of 44 participants with a median age of 63.5 (interquartile range 44-73.5) years were included; 17 subjects were seizure free at baseline, and 9 of them switched from levetiracetam because of lack of tolerability. The retention rate of BRV monotherapy was 88.6% (39/44) at 6 months and 83.9% (26/31) at 12 months. The rates of seizure freedom were 72.7% (32/44) in subjects with 6-month follow-up and 58.1% (18/31) in subjects with 12-month follow-up. The median maintenance dosage of BRV monotherapy was 150 (100-200) mg/day at 6 months and 125 (100-200) mg/day in subjects with 12-month follow-up. Adverse events were recorded in 6/44 (13.6%) participants and led to BRV discontinuation in 2/44 (4.5%) cases. The reported AEs were somnolence (n = 3), fatigue (n = 2), and irritability (n = 1); no serious AEs were experienced. In 21/44 (47.7%) participants, BRV monotherapy resulted from the direct switch from levetiracetam. The rates of treatment retention and seizure freedom at 6 and 12 months were higher among people who switched from levetiracetam to BRV monotherapy., Conclusion: Brivaracetam may be a valuable treatment of focal seizures in people who converted to monotherapy in a real-life setting., (© 2024. The Author(s).)

Objective: assess the effectiveness of a new method for classifying EEG recording features through the use of tags within reports. We present feature prevalence in a sample of patients with toxic-metabolic encephalopathy and discuss the advantages of this approach over existing classification systems., Methods: during EEG report creation, tags reflecting background activity, epileptiform features and periodic discharges were selected according to the findings of each recording. Reports including the tags have been collected and processed by the EEG report parser script written in PHP language. The resulting spreadsheet was analysed to calculate the prevalence and type of EEG features in a sample group of patients with toxic-metabolic encephalopathy., Results: tag checking and extraction were very little time-consuming processes. Considering 5784 EEG recordings performed either in inpatients or outpatients over 2 years, toxic-metabolic aetiology was tagged in 218 (3.8 %). The most frequent background feature was severe slowing (5-6 Hz frequency), occurring in 79 (36.2 %). Epileptiform abnormalities were rare, reaching a maximum of 10 (4.6 %). Triphasic waves were tagged in 43 (19.7 %) recordings., Conclusions: tagging and parsing processes are very fast and integrated into the daily routine. Sample analysis in patients with toxic-metabolic encephalopathies showed EEG slowing as the prevalent feature, while triphasic waves occurred in a minority of recordings. Existing software such as "SCORE" (Holberg EEG) requires the replacement of the currently used software for EEG reporting, minimizing additional costs and training. EEG Report Parser is free and open-source software, so it can be freely adopted, modified and redistributed, allowing further improvement and adaptability., 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 © 2023 The Author(s). Published by Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.)

Objective: Nearly half of people with epilepsy (PWE) are expected to develop seizure clusters (SC), with the subsequent risk of hospitalization. The aim of the present study was to evaluate the use, effectiveness and safety of intravenous (IV) brivaracetam (BRV) in the treatment of SC., Methods: Retrospective multicentric study of patients with SC (≥ 2 seizures/24 h) who received IV BRV. Data collection occurred from January 2019 to April 2022 in 25 Italian neurology units. Primary efficacy outcome was seizure freedom up to 24 h from BRV administration. We also evaluated the risk of evolution into Status Epilepticus (SE) at 6, 12 and 24 h after treatment initiation. A Cox regression model was used to identify outcome predictors., Results: 97 patients were included (mean age 62 years), 74 (76%) of whom had a history of epilepsy (with drug resistant seizures in 49% of cases). BRV was administered as first line treatment in 16% of the episodes, while it was used as first or second drug after benzodiazepines failure in 49% and 35% of episodes, respectively. On the one hand, 58% patients were seizure free at 24 h after BRV administration and no other rescue medications were used in 75 out of 97 cases (77%) On the other hand, SC evolved into SE in 17% of cases. A higher probability of seizure relapse and/or evolution into SE was observed in patients without a prior history of epilepsy (HR 2.0; 95% CI 1.03 - 4.1) and in case of BRV administration as second/third line drug (HR 3.2; 95% CI 1.1 - 9.7). No severe treatment emergent adverse events were observed., Significance: In our cohort, IV BRV resulted to be well tolerated for the treatment of SC and it could be considered as a treatment option, particularly in case of in-hospital onset. However, the underlying etiology seems to be the main outcome predictor., Competing Interests: Declaration of Competing Interest S. Meletti received research grant support from the Ministry of Health (MOH, Italy); has received personal compensation as scientific advisory board member for UCB and EISAI. . Orlandi has received consultancy fees from EISAI. D. Audenino received personal compensation as scientific advisory board member for Eisai and UCB. S. Lattanzi has received speaker's or consultancy fees from Eisai, GW Pharmaceuticals, and UCB Pharma and has served on advisory boards for Angelini Pharma, Arvelle Therapeutics, BIAL, and GW Pharmaceuticals S. Cavalli, M. Coletti Moja, A. Estraneo, F. Giglia, G. Giovannini, A. Labate, A. Laganà, D. Marino, S. Miniello, P. Nazerian, A. Nilo, G. d'Orsi, G. Pauletto, M. Piccioli, F. Pescini, F. Ranzato, R. Renna, A. Sabetta, S. Servo, L. Sicurella, C. Vollono, S. Zappulla, A. Zini, L. Zummo report no disclosures., (Copyright © 2023 British Epilepsy Association. Published by Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.)

Aim: To assess if the amplitude of the N20 wave (N20Amp) of somatosensory evoked potentials (SSEPs) changes between 12-24 h and 72 h from the return of spontaneous circulation (ROSC) after cardiac arrest and if an N20Amp decrease predicts poor neurological outcome (CPC 3-5) at six months., Setting: Retrospective analysis of the ProNeCA multicentre prognostication study dataset. (NCT03849911)., Methods: In adult comatose cardiac arrest survivors whose SSEPs were recorded at both 12-24 h and 72 h after ROSC, we measured the median N20Amp at each timepoint and the individual change in N20Amp across the two timepoints. We identified their cutoffs for predicting poor outcome with 0% false positive rate (FPR) and compared their sensitivities., Results: We included 236 patients. The median [IQR] N20Amp increased from 1.90 [0.78-4.22] µV to 2.86 [1.52-5.10] µV between 12-24 h and 72 h (p = 0.0019). The N20Amp cutoff for 0% FPR increased from 0.6 µV at 12-24 h to 1.23 µV at 72 h, and its sensitivity increased from 56[48-64]% to 71[63-77]%. Between 12-24 h and 72 h, an N20Amp decrease > 53% predicted poor outcome with 0[0-5]% FPR and 26[19-35]% sensitivity. Its combination with an N20Amp < 1.23 µV at 72 h increased sensitivity by 1% to 72[64-79]%., Conclusion: In comatose cardiac arrest survivors, the median N20Amp and its cutoff for predicting poor neurological outcome increase between 12-24 and 72 h after ROSC. An N20Amp decrease greater than 53% between these two timepoints predicts poor outcome with 0% FPR, confirming the unfavourable prognostic signal of a low N20Amp at 72 h., (Copyright © 2022 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.)

Aim: To assess if, in comatose resuscitated patients, the amplitude of the N20 wave (N20amp) of somatosensory evoked potentials (SSEP) can predict 6-months neurological outcome., Setting: Multicentre study in 13 Italian intensive care units., Methods: The N20amp in microvolts (μV) was measured at 12 h, 24 h, and 72 h from cardiac arrest, along with pupillary reflex (PLR) and a 30-min EEG classified according to the ACNS terminology. Sensitivity and false positive rate (FPR) of N20amp alone or in combination were calculated., Results: 403 patients (age 69[58-68] years) were included. At 12 h, an N20amp >3 μV predicted good neurological outcome (Cerebral Performance Categories [CPC] 1-2) with 61[50-72]% sensitivity and 11[6-18]% FPR. Combining it with a benign (continuous or nearly continuous) EEG increased sensitivity to 91[82-96]%. For poor outcome (CPC 3-5), an N20Amp ≤0.38 μV, ≤0.73 μV and ≤1.01 μV at 12 h, 24 h, and 72 h, respectively, had 0% FPR with sensitivity ranging from 61[51-69]% and 82[76-88]%. Sensitivity was higher than that of a bilaterally absent N20 at all time points. At 12 h and 24 h, a highly malignant (suppression or burst-suppression) EEG and bilaterally absent PLR achieved 0% FPR only when combined with SSEP. A combination of all three predictors yielded a 0[0-4]% FPR, with maximum sensitivity of 44[36-53]%., Conclusion: At 12 h from arrest, a high N20Amp predicts good outcome with high sensitivity, especially when combined with benign EEG. At 12 h and 24 h from arrest a low-voltage N20amp has a high sensitivity and is more specific than EEG or PLR for predicting poor outcome., (Copyright © 2021. Published by Elsevier B.V.)

Background: Bilaterally absent pupillary light reflexes (PLR) or N20 waves of short-latency evoked potentials (SSEPs) are recommended by the 2015 ERC-ESICM guidelines as robust, first-line predictors of poor neurological outcome after cardiac arrest. However, recent evidence shows that the false positive rates (FPRs) of these tests may be higher than previously reported. We investigated if testing accuracy is improved when combining PLR/SSEPs with malignant electroencephalogram (EEG), oedema on brain computed tomography (CT), or early status myoclonus (SM)., Methods: Post-hoc analysis of ProNeCA multicentre prognostication study. We compared the prognostic accuracy of the ERC-ESICM prognostication strategy vs. that of a new strategy combining ≥2 abnormal results from any of PLR, SSEPs, EEG, CT and SM. We also investigated if using alternative classifications for abnormal SSEPs (absent-pathological vs. bilaterally-absent N20) or malignant EEG (ACNS-defined suppression or burst-suppression vs. unreactive burst-suppression or status epilepticus) improved test sensitivity., Results: We assessed 210 adult comatose resuscitated patients of whom 164 (78%) had poor neurological outcome (CPC 3-5) at six months. FPRs and sensitivities of the ≥2 abnormal test strategy vs. the ERC-ESICM algorithm were 0[0-8]% vs. 7 [1-18]% and 49[41-57]% vs. 63[56-71]%, respectively (p < .0001). Using alternative SSEP/EEG definitions increased the number of patients with ≥2 concordant test results and the sensitivity of both strategies (67[59-74]% and 54[46-61]% respectively), with no loss of specificity., Conclusions: In comatose resuscitated patients, a prognostication strategy combining ≥2 among PLR, SSEPs, EEG, CT and SM was more specific than the 2015 ERC-ESICM prognostication algorithm for predicting 6-month poor neurological outcome., (Copyright © 2020 The Author(s). Published by Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.)

Purpose: to evaluate the use, effectiveness, and adverse events of intravenous brivaracetam (BRV) in status epilepticus (SE)., Methods: a retrospective multicentric study involving 24 Italian neurology units was performed from March 2018 to June 2020. A shared case report form was used across participating centres to limit biases of retrospective data collection. Diagnosis and classification of SE followed the 2015 ILAE proposal. We considered a trial with BRV a success when it was the last administered drug prior the clinical and/or EEG resolution of seizures, and the SE did not recur during hospital observation. In addition, we considered cases with early response, defined as SE resolved within 6 h after BRV administration., Results: 56 patients were included (mean age 62 years; 57 % male). A previous diagnosis of epilepsy was present in 21 (38 %). Regarding SE etiology classification 46 % were acute symptomatic, 18 % remote and 16 % progressive symptomatic. SE episodes with prominent motor features were the majority (80 %). BRV was administered as first drug after benzodiazepine failure in 21 % episodes, while it was used as the second or the third (or more) drug in the 38 % and 38 % of episodes respectively. The median loading dose was 100 mg (range 50-300 mg). BRV was effective in 32 cases (57 %). An early response was documented in 22 patients (39 % of the whole sample). The use of the BRV within 6 h from SE onset was independently associated to an early SE resolution (OR 32; 95 % CI 3.39-202; p = 0.002). No severe treatment emergent adverse events were observed., Conclusion: BRV proved to be useful and safe for the treatment of SE. Time to seizures resolution appears shorter when it is administered in the early phases of SE., (Copyright © 2021 British Epilepsy Association. Published by Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.)

During epidemic outbreaks, epilepsy course can be modified by different physical and psychological stressors and, most importantly, by irregular therapy intake. The effect of COVID-19 and quarantine isolation on the course of epilepsy and on incidence of new-onset seizures is still unclear. With the aim of managing epilepsy in quarantined patients, three Italian Epilepsy Centers set up telephone consultations using a semistructured interview, allowing a prospective collection of data on seizure course and other seizure-related problems during pandemic. The collected data on seizure course were compared with the analogous period of 2019. The level of patients' concern relating to the COVID-19 pandemic was also assessed using a numeric rating scale. To address the effect of COVID-19 pandemic on seizure incidence, data collection included the number of consultations for first seizures, relapse seizures, and status epilepticus (SE) in the emergency department of one of the participating centers. Clinical telephone interviews suggest the absence of quarantine effect on epilepsy course in our cohort. No differences in incidence of emergency consultations for seizures over a two-month period were also observed compared with a control period. As demonstrated in other infective outbreaks, good antiepileptic drug (AED) supplying, precise information, and reassurance are the most important factors in chronic conditions to minimize psychological and physical stress, and to avoid unplanned treatment interruptions., Competing Interests: Declaration of competing interest None. This research did not receive any specific grant from funding agencies in the public, commercial, or not-for-profit sectors., (Copyright © 2020 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.)

Aims: To assess the accuracy of electroencephalogram (EEG) and somatosensory evoked potentials (SEPs) recorded at 12 and 72 h from resuscitation for predicting six-months neurological outcome in patients who are comatose after cardiac arrest., Methods: Prospective multicentre prognostication study. EEG was classified according to the American Clinical Neurophysiology Society terminology. SEPs were graded according to the presence and amplitude of their cortical responses. Neurological outcome was defined as good (cerebral performance categories [CPC] 1-3) vs. poor (CPC 4-5). None of the patients underwent withdrawal of life-sustaining treatment., Results: A total of 351 patients were included, of whom 134 (38%) had good neurological outcome. At 12 h, a continuous, nearly continuous and low-voltage EEG pattern predicted good neurological outcome with 71[61-80]% sensitivity, while an isoelectric EEG and a bilaterally absent/absent-pathological amplitude (AA/AP) cortical SEP pattern predicted poor neurological outcome with 14[8-21]% and 59[50-68]% sensitivity, respectively. Specificity was 100[97-100]% for all predictors. At 72 h, both an isoelectric, suppression or burst-suppression pattern on EEG and an AA/AP SEP pattern predicted poor outcome with 100[97-100]% specificity. Their sensitivities were 63[55-70]% and 66[58-74]%, respectively. When EEG and SEPs were combined, sensitivity for poor outcome prediction increased to 79%., Conclusions: In comatose resuscitated patients, EEG and SEPs predicted good and poor neurological outcome respectively, with 100% specificity as early as 12 h after cardiac arrest. At 72 h after arrest, unfavourable EEG and SEP patterns predicted poor neurological outcome with 100% specificity and high sensitivity, which further increased after their combination., (Copyright © 2019 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.)

The data presented here are related to our research article entitled "Neurophysiology and neuroimaging accurately predict poor neurological outcome within 24 hours after cardiac arrest: a prospective multicentre prognostication study (ProNeCA)" [1]. We report a secondary analysis on the ability of somatosensory evoked potentials (SEPs), brain computed tomography (CT) and electroencephalography (EEG) to predict poor neurological outcome at 6 months in 346 patients who were comatose after cardiac arrest. Differently from the related research article, here we included cerebral performance category (CPC) 3 among poor outcomes, so that the outcomes are dichotomised as CPC 1-2 (absent to mild neurological disability: good outcome) vs. CPC 3-5 (severe neurological disability, persistent vegetative state, or death: poor outcome). The accuracy of the index tests was recalculated accordingly. A bilaterally absent/absent-pathological amplitude (AA/AP) N20 SEPs wave, a Grey Matter/White Matter (GM/WM) ratio <1.21 on brain CT and an isoelectric or burst suppression EEG predicted poor outcome with 49.6%, 42.2% and 29.8% sensitivity, respectively, and 100% specificity. The distribution of positive results of the three predictors did not overlap completely in the population of patients with poor outcome, so that when combining them the overall sensitivity raised to 61.2%., (© 2019 The Authors.)

Aims: To investigate the ability of 30-min electroencephalogram (EEG), short-latency somatosensory evoked potentials (SEPs) and brain computed tomography (CT) to predict poor neurological outcome (persistent vegetative state or death) at 6 months in comatose survivors of cardiac arrest within 24 h from the event., Methods: Prospective multicentre prognostication study in seven hospitals. SEPs were graded according to the presence and amplitude of their cortical responses, EEG patterns were classified according to the American Clinical Neurophysiology Society terminology and brain oedema on brain CT was measured as grey/white matter (GM/WM) density ratio. Sensitivity for poor outcome prediction at 100% specificity was calculated for the three tests individually and in combination. None of the patients underwent withdrawal of life-sustaining treatments before the index event occurred., Results: A total of 346/396 patients were included in the analysis. At 6 months, 223(64%) had poor neurological outcome; of these, 68 were alive in PVS. Bilaterally absent/absent-pathological amplitude cortical SEP patterns, a GM/WM ratio<1.21 on brain CT and isoelectric/burst-suppression EEG patterns predicted poor outcome with 100% specificity and sensitivities of 57.4%, 48.8% and 34.5%, respectively. At least one of these unfavourable patterns was present in 166/223 patients (74.4% sensitivity). Two unfavourable patterns were simultaneously present in 111/223 patients (49.7% sensitivity), and three patterns in 38/223 patients (17% sensitivity)., Conclusions: In comatose resuscitated patients, a multimodal approach based on results of SEPs, EEG and brain CT accurately predicts poor neurological outcome at 6 months within the first 24 h after cardiac arrest., (Copyright © 2019 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.)