Summary
Epilepsy is among the most common serious neurologic disorders encountered by neurologists.1 In the United States, there are approximately 200 000 new cases of epilepsy each year, including 45 000 children. It has been estimated that as many as 3% of the population will develop epilepsy before the age of 80, and that more than 3 million Americans currently have epilepsy.2 For many patients with epilepsy, even a single seizure may cause the loss of driving privileges, jeopardize the patient’s ability to work, or otherwise profoundly diminish independence and quality of life.1
The 2009 American Academy of Neurology (AAN) Annual Meeting provides an important opportunity for researchers and clinicians from around the world to exchange views and information about the management of epilepsy and other neurologic disorders. This online edition of Johns Hopkins Advanced Studies in Medicine reviews a selection of poster presentations on epilepsy management that appeared at the 2009 AAN meeting, which was held in Seattle, Washington. These posters were selected to provide an overview of epilepsy presentations that encompassed a range of diverse patient populations, including infants with intractable seizures, adults on long-term antiepileptic drug maintenance therapy, potential candidates for epilepsy surgery, women with seizure exacerbations that occur in synchrony with the menstrual cycle, and elderly individuals at risk of new-onset seizures. The studies were selected for their importance in clinical practice, and include the use of electroencephalography in the diagnosis of epilepsy, pharmacologic and surgical treatment of epilepsy, and issues related to the diagnosis and treatment of epilepsy in assessment of seizures in children, women, and elderly patients.
Goal
To provide neurologists and epileptologists with up-to-date information on the treatment and management of patients with epilepsy.
Intended Audience
This activity is designed for neurologists and epileptologists. No prerequisites required.
Learning Objectives
After reading this issue, participants should be able to:
- Discuss clinical applications of video electroencephalography (EEG) and intracranial EEG in the evaluation of patients with epilepsy.
- Summarize findings from American Academy of Neurology poster presentations that examined epilepsy in special patient populations, including children, women with catamenial seizures, and older patients.
- Assess the risk of clinically significant shifts in circulating drug levels for patients who switch from branded to generic antiepileptic drugs (AEDs).
- Discuss the efficacy of newer AEDs when used in combination regimens with older medications.
- List patient characteristics that are important predictors of long-term outcomes following surgery for epilepsy.
Sponsorship Statement
Presented by The Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine. The Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine takes responsibility for the content, quality, and scientific integrity of this activity.
Release date: July 15, 2009. Expiration date: July 15, 2011.
The estimated time to complete this activity: 1 hour.
Activity Format
Web-based summaries of poster presentations from the 2009 American Academy of Neurology Annual Meeting.
Full Disclosure Policy Affecting CME Activities
As a provider accredited by the Accreditation Council for Continuing Medical Education (ACCME), it is the policy of the Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine to require the disclosure of the existence of any significant financial interest or any other relationship a faculty member or a sponsor has with the manufacturer(s) of any commercial product(s) discussed in an educational presentation. The Course Director reported the following:
Eileen P. G. Vining, MD
Professor of Neurology and Pediatrics
The Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine
Baltimore, Maryland
Dr Vining reports receiving honoraria from SHS.
Notice: Dr Vining has indicated that she has not referenced unlabeled/unapproved uses of drugs or devices.
Disclaimer Statement
The opinions and recommendations expressed by faculty and other experts whose input is included in this activity are their own. This enduring material is produced for educational purposes only. Use of The Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine name implies review of educational format, design, and approach. Please review the complete prescribing information of specific drugs or combinations of drugs, including indications, contraindications, warnings, and adverse effects, before administering pharmacologic therapy to patients.
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Poster Presentation Summaries
Epilepsy in Children
Utility of the Measurement of Monoamine Neurotransmitter Metabolites and Other Specific Biomarkers in CSF from Infants and Children with Early Onset Epilepsy
Epilepsy in Women
Catamenial Epilepsy Frequency with Various Antiepileptic Drugs
Epilepsy in Elderly Patients
Predicting Epilepsy and Seizures from Vascular Risk Factors Among Elderly Patients
Long-Term Efficacy with Vagus Nerve Stimulation in Adults and the Elderly with Refractory Epilepsy: A Comparative Analysis
Electroencephalography
Repeating EEG Video Monitoring: Why and with What Results?
Intracranial EEG Seizure—Onset Patterns and Surgical Outcomes in Patients with Refractory Epilepsy
Therapeutics
Evaluating FDA Bioequivalence Standards for Generic Carbamazepine Formulations
Comparison of 2 Classifications of Postoperative Seizure Outcome, Engel vs ILAE Classification, Following Epilepsy Surgery in Adults with Medically Refractory Epilepsy
Lacosamide Efficacy Is Independent of Concomitant AED(s) Treatment
Postsurgical Outcome of Frontal Lobe Epilepsy. An Unexpected Finding
Epilepsy Cost of Illness in the US Privately Insured
Differential Effects of Rufinamide in Adults with Partial-Onset Seizures as a Function of Concomitant Antiepileptic Drug Therapy: A Post-Hoc Analysis
Carbamazepine and Atherosclerosis: Is There Any Link?
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