Search

Objective: The ketogenic diet (KD), a high-fat and low-carbohydrate diet, is effective for a subset of patients with drug-resistant epilepsy, although the mechanisms of the KD have not been fully elucidated. The aims of this observational study were to investigate comprehensive short-term metabolic changes induced by the KD and to explore candidate metabolites or pathways for potential new therapeutic targets. Methods: Subjects included patients with intractable epilepsy who had undergone the KD therapy (the medium-chain triglyceride [MCT] KD or the modified Atkins diet using MCT oil). Plasma and urine samples were obtained before and at 2–4 weeks after initiation of the KD. Targeted metabolome analyses of these samples were performed using gas chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry (GC/MS/MS) and liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry (LC/MS/MS). Results: Samples from 10 and 11 patients were analysed using GC/MS/MS and LC/MS/MS, respectively. The KD increased ketone bodies, various fatty acids, lipids, and their conjugates. In addition, levels of metabolites located upstream of acetyl-CoA and propionyl-CoA, including catabolites of branched-chain amino acids and structural analogues of γ-aminobutyric acid and lactic acid, were elevated. Conclusions: The metabolites that were significantly changed after the initiation of the KD and related metabolites may be candidates for further studies for neuronal actions to develop new anti-seizure medications.

To determine whether sirolimus, a mechanistic target of rapamycin (mTOR) inhibitor, reduces epileptic seizures associated with focal cortical dysplasia (FCD) type II.Sixteen patients (aged 6-57 years) with FCD type II received sirolimus at an initial dose of 1 or 2 mg/day based on body weight (FCDS-01). In 15 patients, the dose was adjusted to achieve target trough ranges of 5-15 ng/mL, followed by a 12-week maintenance therapy period. The primary endpoint was a lower focal seizure frequency during the maintenance therapy period. Further, we also conducted a prospective cohort study (RES-FCD) in which 60 patients with FCD type II were included as an external control group.The focal seizure frequency reduced by 25% in all patients during the maintenance therapy period and by a median value of 17%, 28%, and 23% during the 1-4-, 5-8-, and 9-12-week periods. The response rate was 33%. The focal seizure frequency in the external control group reduced by 0.5%. However, the background characteristics of external and sirolimus-treated groups differed. Adverse events were consistent with those of mTOR inhibitors reported previously. The blood KL-6 level was elevated over time.The reduction of focal seizures did not meet the predetermined level of statistical significance. The safety profile of the drug was tolerable. The potential for a reduction of focal seizures over time merit further investigations.

Objective Physiological gamma and ripple activities may be linked to neurocognitive functions. This study investigated the relationship between development and non-epileptic, probably physiological, fast (40–200 Hz) oscillations (FOs) including gamma (40 – 80 Hz) and ripple (80 – 200 Hz) oscillations in scalp EEG in children with neurodevelopmental disorders. Methods Participants were 124 children with autism spectrum disorder (ASD) and/or attention deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD). Gamma and ripple oscillations were explored from 60-second-long sleep EEG data in each subject using a semi-automatic detection tool supplemented with visual confirmation and time–frequency analysis. Results Gamma and ripple oscillations were detected in 25 (20.2%) and 22 (17.7%) children, respectively. The observation of one or more occurrence(s) of ripple oscillations, but not gamma oscillations, was significantly related to lower age at EEG recording (odds ratio, OR: 0.727 [95% confidence interval, CI: 0.568–0.929]), higher intelligence/developmental quotient (OR: 1.041, 95% CI: 1.002–1.082), and lack of a diagnosis with ADHD (OR: 0.191, 95% CI: 0.039 – 0.937) according to a binominal logistic regression analysis that included diagnosis with ASD, sex, history of perinatal complications, history of febrile seizures, and use of a sedative agent for the EEG recording as the other non-significant parameters. Diagnostic group was not related to frequency or power of spectral peaks of FOs. Conclusion The production of non-epileptic scalp ripples was confirmed to be associated with brain development and function/dysfunction in childhood. Further investigation is necessary to interpret all of the information on higher brain functions that may be embedded in scalp FOs.

Background DYT-TOR1A is caused by a GAG deletion in the TOR1A gene. While it usually manifests as early-onset dystonia, its phenotype is extremely diverse, even within one family. Recent reports have revealed that some DYT-TOR1A cases have novel mutations in the TOR1A gene while others have mutations in both TOR1A and another DYT gene (THAP1 or SGCE). Our understanding of the correlation between genotype and phenotype is becoming increasingly complicated. Case presentations: Here, we report on monozygotic twins who developed dystonia in childhood. The two children had different presentations in terms of onset age and dominant disturbances, but both exhibited marked diurnal fluctuation and jerking movements of the limbs as well as levodopa/levodopa-carbidopa responsiveness. These features are commonly associated with DYT/PARK-GCH1 and DYT-SGCE, yet these twins had no mutations in the GCH1 or SGCE genes. Whole exome sequencing eventually revealed a single GAG deletion in the TOR1A gene. Conclusion Monozygotic twins whose only mutation was a GAG deletion in TOR1A exhibited DYT/PARK-GCH1-asssociated features and jerking movements reminiscent of myoclonus. This finding may expand the spectrum of phenotypes associated with DYT-TOR1A, and suggests that levodopa has potential as a treatment for DYT-TOR1A with DYT/PARK-GCH1-associated features.

Background We aimed to demonstrate the biochemical characteristics of vitamin B6–dependent epilepsy, with a particular focus on pyridoxal 5′-phosphate and pyridoxal in the cerebrospinal fluid. Methods Using our laboratory database, we identified patients with vitamin B6–dependent epilepsy and extracted their data on the concentrations of pyridoxal 5′-phosphate, pyridoxal, pipecolic acid, α-aminoadipic semialdehyde, and monoamine neurotransmitters. We compared the biochemical characteristics of these patients with those of other epilepsy patients with low pyridoxal 5′-phosphate concentrations. Results We identified seven patients with pyridoxine-dependent epilepsy caused by an ALDH7A1 gene abnormality, two patients with pyridoxal 5′-phosphate homeostasis protein deficiency, and 28 patients with other epilepsies with low cerebrospinal fluid pyridoxal 5′-phosphate concentrations. Cerebrospinal fluid pyridoxal and pyridoxal 5′-phosphate concentrations were low in patients with vitamin B6–dependent epilepsy but cerebrospinal fluid pyridoxal concentrations were not reduced in most patients with other epilepsies with low cerebrospinal fluid pyridoxal 5′-phosphate concentrations. Increase in 3-O-methyldopa and 5-hydroxytryptophan was demonstrated in some patients with vitamin B6–dependent epilepsy, suggestive of pyridoxal 5′-phosphate deficiency in the brain. Conclusions Low cerebrospinal fluid pyridoxal concentrations may be a better indicator of pyridoxal 5′-phosphate deficiency in the brain in vitamin B6–dependent epilepsy than low cerebrospinal fluid pyridoxal 5′-phosphate concentrations. This finding is especially helpful in individuals with suspected pyridoxal 5′-phosphate homeostasis protein deficiency, which does not have known biomarkers.

Tuberous sclerosis complex (TSC) is an autosomal dominant hereditary disorder caused by mutations in either TSC1 on chromosome 16 or TSC2 on chromosome 9, clinically characterized mainly by facial angiofibroma, epilepsy, and intellectual disability. Cortical dysplasias, subependymal nodules, and subependymal giant cell astrocytoma are characteristic central nervous system lesions among 11 major features in the current clinical diagnostic criteria for TSC. We encountered an unusual case of genetically confirmed TSC1 presenting with symptomatic West syndrome due to an isolated cortical dysplasia in the left occipital lobe of a six-month-old male infant who did not meet the clinical diagnostic criteria for TSC. The patient underwent left occipital lesionectomy at age 11 months and has been seizure-free for nearly six years since then. Histological examination of the resection specimen revealed cortical neuronal dyslamination with abundant dysmorphic neurons and balloon cells, consistent with focal cortical dysplasia (FCD) type IIb. However, the lesion was also accompanied by unusual features, including marked calcifications, dense fibrillary gliosis containing abundant Rosenthal fibers, CD34-positive glial cells with abundant long processes confined to the dysplastic cortex, and multiple nodular lesions occupying the underlying white matter, consisting exclusively of balloon cell and/or balloon-like astrocytes with focal calcifications. Genetic testing for TSC1 and TSC2 using the patient's peripheral blood revealed a germline heterozygous mutation in exon 7 (NM_000368.5: c.526dupT, p.Tyr176fs) in TSC1. Isolated FCD with unusual features such as calcification, dense fibrillary gliosis, Rosenthal fibers and/or subependymal nodule-like lesions in the white matter may indicate the possibility of a cortical tuber even without a clinical diagnosis of TSC. Identification of such histopathological findings has significant implications for early and accurate diagnosis and treatment of TSC, and is likely to serve as an important supplementary feature for the current clinical diagnostic criteria for TSC.

Sepiapterin reductase deficiency (SRD) causes central nervous system symptoms due to dopamine and serotonin depletion because sepiapterin reductase plays an important role in tetrahydrobiopterin biosynthesis. SRD cannot be detected by newborn screening because of the absent hyperphenylalaninemia. To diagnose SRD biochemically, confirmation of reduced monoamine metabolites and elevated sepiapterin in the cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) has been considered necessary, because a past study showed no elevation of urine sepiapterin. Recently, however, the elevation of urine sepiapterin in SRD was reported.We developed a fast method to measure sepiapterin and creatinine simultaneously using high-performance liquid chromatography with fluorescence and ultraviolet detection. Urine sepiapterin and creatinine were measured in three SRD patients, two SRD carriers, four SRD siblings, and 103 non-SRD patients.In the three SRD cases, concentrations of urine sepiapterin were 1086, 914, and 575 µmol/mol creatinine (upper limit: 101.7 µmol/mol creatinine), and were markedly higher than those in other groups. CSF sepiapterin concentration was also measured in one SRD case and it was 4.1 nmol/L (upper limit: 0.5 nmol/L).The simultaneous determination of urine sepiapterin and creatinine appears helpful for the diagnosis of SRD. This assay system can also be used to measure sepiapterin in the CSF.

Background The initial presentation of acute encephalopathy with biphasic seizures and late reduced diffusion (AESD) is indistinguishable from that of complex febrile seizures (FS), which poses a great diagnostic challenge for clinicians. Excitotoxicity is speculated to be the pathogenesis of AESD. Vitamin B6 (VB6) is essential for the biosynthesis of gamma-aminobutyric acid, an inhibitory neurotransmitter. The aim of this study is to investigate our hypothesis that VB6 deficiency in the brain may play a role in AESD. Methods We obtained cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) samples from pediatric patients with AESD after early seizures and those with FS. We measured pyridoxal 5′-phosphate (PLP) and pyridoxal (PL) concentrations in the CSF samples using high-performance liquid chromatography with fluorescence detection. Results The subjects were 5 patients with AESD and 17 patients with FS. Age did not differ significantly between AESD and FS. In AESD, CSF PLP concentration was marginally lower (p = 0.0999) and the PLP-to-PL ratio was significantly (p = 0.0417) reduced compared to those in FS. Conclusions Although it is impossible to conclude that low PLP concentration and PLP-to-PL ratio are causative of AESD, this may be a risk factor for developing AESD. When combined with other markers, this finding may be useful in distinguishing AESD from FS upon initial presentation.

Objectives To evaluate the performance of commercially available seizure detection algorithms in critically ill children. Design Diagnostic accuracy comparison between commercially available seizure detection algorithms referenced to electroencephalography experts using quantitative electroencephalography trends. Setting Multispecialty quaternary children's hospital in Canada. Subjects Critically ill children undergoing electroencephalography monitoring. Interventions Continuous raw electroencephalography recordings (n = 19) were analyzed by a neurophysiologist to identify seizures. Those recordings were then converted to quantitative electroencephalography displays (amplitude-integrated electroencephalography and color density spectral array) and evaluated by six independent electroencephalography experts to determine the sensitivity and specificity of the amplitude-integrated electroencephalography and color density spectral array displays for seizure identification in comparison to expert interpretation of raw electroencephalography data. Those evaluations were then compared with four commercial seizure detection algorithms: ICTA-S (Stellate Harmonie Version 7; Natus Medical, San Carlos, CA), NB (Stellate Harmonie Version 7; Natus Medical), Persyst 11 (Persyst Development, Prescott, AZ), and Persyst 13 (Persyst Development) to determine sensitivity and specificity in comparison to amplitude-integrated electroencephalography and color density spectral array. Measurements and main results Of the 379 seizures identified on raw electroencephalography, ICTA-S detected 36.9%, NB detected 92.3%, Persyst 11 detected 75.9%, and Persyst 13 detected 74.4%, whereas electroencephalography experts identified 76.5% of seizures using color density spectral array and 73.7% using amplitude-integrated electroencephalography. Daily false-positive rates averaged across all recordings were 4.7 with ICTA-S, 126.3 with NB, 5.1 with Persyst 11, 15.5 with Persyst 13, 1.7 with color density spectral array, and 1.5 with amplitude-integrated electroencephalography. Both Persyst 11 and Persyst 13 had sensitivity comparable to that of electroencephalography experts using amplitude-integrated electroencephalography and color density spectral array. Although Persyst 13 displayed the highest sensitivity for seizure count and seizure burden detected, Persyst 11 exhibited the best trade-off between sensitivity and false-positive rate among all seizure detection algorithms. Conclusions Some commercially available seizure detection algorithms demonstrate performance for seizure detection that is comparable to that of electroencephalography experts using quantitative electroencephalography displays. These algorithms may have utility as early warning systems that prompt review of quantitative electroencephalography or raw electroencephalography tracings, potentially leading to more timely seizure identification in critically ill patients.

Background Renal calcified lesions are known as one of the complications during adrenocorticotropic hormone (ACTH) therapy for intractable epilepsy. However, laboratory changes during the therapy or laboratory features of high‐risk cases with renal calcified lesions are yet to be clarified. Methods In this study, 43 patients with West syndrome aged ≤2 years were included. We retrospectively reviewed age and body mass index at the beginning of ACTH therapy, as well as the amount of fluid intake, daily urinary volume, and laboratory data during therapy. In addition, we studied the urinary sediment of the cases with renal calcified lesions diagnosed by computed tomography. Results After initiating ACTH treatment, urinary calcium (Ca)/creatinine ratio and urinary pH increased within 2 weeks. Urinary crystals and renal tubular epithelial cells (RTECs) in urinary sediment were frequently found in most cases. Urinary Ca levels, proteinuria or frequency of urinary crystals, and number of RTECs in the urinary sediment were significantly higher in patients with epithelial casts (ECs) or hematuria than in patients without these findings. Among the seven patients who underwent abdominal CT, ECs or hematuria were found only in those with renal calcified lesions. These findings suggested that patients with ECs or hematuria were more likely to have calcified lesions. Conclusions The risk of renal calcified lesions increased after 2 weeks of ACTH treatment. Abnormal findings in urinary sediments might be an early sign of renal calcification during ACTH therapy.

The recent development of various new antiepileptic drugs (AEDs) has provided a wide range of therapeutic strategies for epilepsy. Information regarding the mechanisms of the action of AEDs is valuable when selecting drugs for individual epilepsy patients. AEDs can be categorized as those acting at the excitatory synapse, at the inhibitory synapse, on the extrasynaptic neuronal membrane, or with multiple or miscellaneous mechanisms of action. We herein briefly summarize and illustrate the action of AEDs on neurons and related findings that are pertinent to the clinical aspect of epileptology.

BackgroundHypophosphatasia (HPP) is a rare inherited metabolic disorder caused by mutations in the ALPL gene, which encodes tissue nonspecific alkaline phosphatase. The phenotype of HPP is widely diverse from the perinatal severe form to the adult mild form. The former represents the most severe form and was earlier associated with high mortality due to impaired development of the lungs and severe hypomineralization of the bones. Enzyme replacement therapy (ERT) using asfotase alfa was approved in 2015 in Japan for treating patients with HPP and has improved their pulmonary function and life prognosis. There are several practical and ethical challenges related to using orphan drugs for a rare disorder in a publicly funded healthcare system. Sharing experiences about their application is essential towards formulating guidelines to assist clinicians with decisions about their initiation and withdrawal. We report the details of ERT experience in ten cases of childhood-onset HPP in nine families from January 2015 to November 2019 (median [interquartile range] age 11.0 years [7.6–12.5] years; 60% male). This is the largest study of a single-center cohort describing the clinical course of HPP patients treated with ERT in Asia. ResultsOne case of perinatal lethal form of HPP, two cases of perinatal benign form, six cases of childhood form, and one case of odontohypophophatasia were observed. The most common symptom at onset was bone abnormalities. All patients had low serum ALP levels as compared to the age-matched reference range before the commencement of ERT. All HPP patients responded to ERT without serious adverse effects. Genetic analysis showed that eight out of ten patients had compound heterozygosity; two patients had only one heterozygous variant. In this study, two patients had a heterozygous variant of ALPL and responded to ERT, although the variants did not have the dominant-negative effect. ConclusionsERT may be effective in patients with symptoms of HPP even with only one pathogenic variant of ALPL without dominant-negative effect. Early diagnosis based on symptoms such as bone abnormalities or low serum alkaline phosphatase levels might be essential for early treatment and can contribute to better prognosis.

Objective We studied ripple-band (80–200 Hz) high-frequency oscillations in scalp electroencephalogram (EEG) in various pediatric epilepsies featuring sleep-activated spikes, such as epileptic encephalopathy with continuous spike-and-wave during sleep (CSWS) and investigated their characteristics. Methods The subjects were 94 children with epileptic disorders including idiopathic and non-idiopathic CSWS, benign epilepsy with centrotemporal spikes (BECTS), Panayiotopoulos syndrome, other types of focal epilepsies (oFE), and focal spikes without clinical seizures (Latent). We detected ripple oscillations using a semi-automatic detection tool based on localized power increase. Results In the idiopathic CSWS Group, the median ratio of ripples per spike in the initial EEG was 5.73, which was significantly higher than those in the BECTS, Panayiotopoulos syndrome, oFE, and Latent Groups (0.39, 0.02, 0.35, 0, respectively, all with p Conclusions This paper is the first to confirm a high ratio of ripples per spike in CSWS in the largest number of patients to date. Significance The dense generation of ripples, which occurs through a combination of heavy loading of individual spikes with ripples and large numbers of spikes during sleep, characterizes CSWS and might be closely related to the pathophysiology of this epileptic encephalopathy.

Background Recently, many genes related to neurodevelopmental disorders have been identified by high-throughput genomic analysis; however, a comprehensive understanding of the mechanism underlying neurodevelopmental disorders remains to be established. To further understand these underlying mechanisms, we performed a comprehensive genomic analysis of patients with undiagnosed neurodevelopmental disorders. Methods Genomic analysis using next-generation sequencing with a targeted panel was performed for a total of 133 Japanese patients (male/female, 81/52) with previously undiagnosed neurodevelopmental disorders, including developmental delay (DD), intellectual disability (ID), autism spectrum disorder (ASD), and epilepsy. Genomic copy numbers were also analyzed using the eXome Hidden Markov Model (XHMM). Results Thirty-nine patients (29.3%) exhibited pathogenic or likely pathogenic findings with single-gene variants or chromosomal aberrations. Among them, 20 patients were presented here. Pathogenic or likely pathogenic variants were identified in 18 genes, including ACTG1, CACNA1A, CHD2, CDKL5, DNMT3A, EHMT1, GABRB3, GABRG2, GRIN2B, KCNQ3, KDM5C, MED13L, SCN2A, SHANK3, SMARCA2, STXBP1, SYNGAP1, and TBL1XR1. Conclusion A diagnostic yield of 29.3% in this study was nearly the same as that previously reported from other countries. Thus, we suggest that there is no difference in genomic backgrounds in Japanese patients with undiagnosed neurodevelopmental disabilities. Although most of the patients possessed de novo variants, one of the patients showed an X-linked inheritance pattern. As X-linked recessive disorders exhibit the possibility of recurrent occurrence in the family, comprehensive molecular diagnosis is important for genetic counseling.

Lesch-Nyhan disease (LND) is an X-linked recessive disorder caused by a deficiency in hypoxanthine-guanine phosphoribosyl transferase. Patients with LND experience involuntary movements, including dystonia, choreoathetosis, opisthotonos, ballismus, and self-injury. Alleviating these involuntary movements is important to improve the quality of life in patients with LND. Many clinicians have difficulty controlling these involuntary movements in their patients, and there are no established and effective treatments. A 6-month-old boy with LND presented with generalized dystonia and self-injury behavior that was alleviated after receiving S-adenosylmethionine (SAMe). His self-injury behavior completely resolved after he received SAMe and risperidone. Although he had often experienced inspiratory stridor because of laryngeal dystonia and frequently developed aspiration pneumonitis and bronchitis, no inspiratory stridor was noted after SAMe treatment. The patient is continuing to receive SAMe and risperidone. SAMe treatment alleviates dystonic movements and improves quality of life in pediatric patients with LND. Additional research is needed to determine the long-term safety and efficacy of SAMe and its appropriate dosage.

Hypophosphatasia (HPP) is a rare disorder caused by low serum tissue non-specific alkaline phosphatase (ALP) activity due to hypomorphic mutations in the ALPL gene. HPP is characterized by defective bone mineralization. It frequently accompanies pyridoxine-responsive seizures. Because alkaline phosphatase change pyridoxal 5′ phosphate (PLP) into pyridoxal (PL), which can cross the blood brain barrier and regulates inhibitory neurotransmitter gamma-aminobutyric acid. The female patient was born at a gestational age of 37 weeks 2 days. She presented severe respiratory disorder due to extreme thoracic hypoplasia. With the extremely low serum ALP value (14 IU/L), she was clinically diagnosed as HPP. The diagnosis was confirmed with genetic testing. On day1, the subclinical seizures were detected by aEEG. Together with enzyme replacement therapy by asfotase alfa, pyridoxine hydrochloride was administered, then the seizures were rapidly controlled. While confirming that there was no seizure by aEEG monitoring, pyridoxine hydrochloride was gradually discontinued after 1 month. Before administration of pyridoxine hydrochloride, PL was extremely low (4.7 nM) and PLP was increased (1083 nM). After the withdrawal, PL was increased to 84.9 nM only by enzyme replacement. Monitoring with aEEG enabled early intervention for pyridoxine responsive seizures. Confirming increased serum PL concentration is a prudent step in determining when to reduce or discontinue pyridoxine hydrochloride during enzyme replacement therapy.

Epileptic seizures are core symptoms in focal cortical dysplasia (FCD), a disease that often develops in infancy. Such seizures are refractory to conventional antiepileptic drugs (AED) and temporarily disappear in response to AED in only 17% of patients. Currently, surgical resection is an important option for the treatment of epileptic seizures in FCD. In 2015, Korean and Japanese groups independently reported that FCD is caused by somatic mosaic mutation of the MTOR gene in the brain tissue. Based on these results we decided to test a novel treatment using sirolimus, an mTOR inhibitor, for epileptic seizures in patients with FCD type II. A single arm open-label clinical trial for FCD type II patients is being conducted in order to evaluate the efficacy and safety of sirolimus. The dose of sirolimus is fixed for the first 4 weeks and dose adjustment is achieved to maintain a blood level of 5 to 15 ng/mL during 8 to 24 weeks after initiation of administration, and it is kept within this level during a maintenance therapy period of 12 weeks. Primary endpoint is a reduction in the rate of incidence of focal seizures (including focal to bilateral tonic-clonic seizures) per 28 days during the maintenance therapy period from the observation period. To evaluate the frequency of epileptic seizures, registry data will be used as an external control group. We hope that the results of this trial will lead to future innovative treatments for FCD type II patients.