<abstract xmlns="http://www.w3.org/1999/xhtml"><sec id="j_joepi-2021-001_s_001"><h3>Introduction</h3><p>Since 2004 many treatment episodes in different stages of status epilepticus (SE) have been reported. Nowadays the use of levetiracetam (LEV) is recommended as a second-line treatment of SE, when the use of a benzodiazepine was not successful.</p></sec><sec id="j_joepi-2021-001_s_002"><h3>Aim</h3><p>The evidence based on randomized controlled trials for the application of a particular weight-based dose of LEV as a second-line treatment in benzodiazepine refractory SE is investigated.</p></sec><sec id="j_joepi-2021-001_s_003"><h3>Methods</h3><p>Pubmedsearches were undertaken using the terms “Levetiracetam-status-epilepticus-trials” and “Levetiracetam-status-randomized” on May 8<sup>th</sup> 2021. We identified 17 studies reporting treatment with LEV as second line treatment and reporting dosages in mg/kg body weight. We grouped the studies according to the reported dosages (i.e. 20–25 mg/kg; 30 mg/kg; 40 mg/kg, 60 mg/kg). For each group we calculated the mean efficacy rate and the standard deviation of the efficacy rate weighted for the number of cases in the different studies. Twelve studies compared LEV with 20 mg/kg phenytoin (PHT). In these studies, we analysed the relative efficacy rate in comparison to PHT with the same procedure.</p></sec><sec id="j_joepi-2021-001_s_004"><h3>Results</h3><p>Seven studies used LEV 20–25 mg/kg, two studies 30 mg/kg, six studies 40 mg/kg and one study 60 mg/kg. Efficacy rate was highest in the group given 30 mg/kg (95% CI 87.5–90.1%). The relative efficacy rate with this weight-based dose was 1.12. This is just above the upper range of the 95% CI of the relative efficacy rate in studies using 40 mg/kg LEV (i.e. 1.11). The relative efficacy rates in the two other groups were considerably lower.</p></sec><sec id="j_joepi-2021-001_s_005"><h3>Conclusion</h3><p>According to the randomized controlled trials published so far a weight-based dose of 30–40 mg/kg LEV may be appropriate for the treatment of benzodiazepine-refractory SE.</p></sec></abstract>

Levetiracetam as second-line treatment of status epilepticus – which dose should be applied?

<abstract xmlns="http://www.w3.org/1999/xhtml"><sec id="j_joepi-2021-002_s_001"><h3>Introduction.</h3><p>Three neuropathological conditions and two neurosurgical situations have been reported to present significantly earlier seizure onset in cases with autism than without. These are tuberous sclerosis, Angelman syndrome, the <italic>PCDH19</italic> mutation, vagal nerve stimulation and epilepsy surgery.</p></sec><sec id="j_joepi-2021-002_s_002"><h3>Method.</h3><p>We reviewed the case-report literature to determine the extension of this <italic>autism-specific early seizure onset</italic> effect across all relevant neuropathological conditions. Published clinical cases were collected fulfilling two inclusion criteria: age at seizure onset stated and presence (N = 1885 cases) or absence (N=4907 cases) of autism. We also documented the type and tractability/intractability of the epilepsy, genetic abnormality, neurologic syndrome, structural brain imaging findings and presence of intellectual disability when available.</p></sec><sec id="j_joepi-2021-002_s_003"><h3>Results.</h3><p>Cases with autism presented significantly earlier seizure onset than cases without autism in 38 neuropathological conditions out of 162, including the previously established five. These 38 neuropathological conditions typically involved intractable epilepsy caused by focal cortical dysplasia located in the social brain, with the ictal or interictal electrical focus also located in the social brain. Within these 38 neuropathological conditions, in the cases with autism, the median seizure onset occurred between 50 days and 24 months after birth.</p></sec><sec id="j_joepi-2021-002_s_004"><h3>Conclusion.</h3><p>Onset of severe seizure disorder during an early critical post-natal interval, caused by brain damage specifically located in the social brain, strongly associates with subsequent autism.</p></sec></abstract>

Epilepsy and autism: How does age at seizure onset factor in?

<abstract xmlns="http://www.w3.org/1999/xhtml"><sec id="j_joepi-2021-003_s_001"><h3>Background.</h3><p>Epilepsy is one of the most common pediatric neurological disorders. The knowledge and attitude of teachers toward epileptic students can be crucial.</p></sec><sec id="j_joepi-2021-003_s_002"><h3>Patients and methods.</h3><p>This cross-sectional study was carried on schoolteachers in the city of Ouagadougou during the period from March 02 to July 20, 2020. The schools were chosen randomly among a list of recognized public or private establishments.</p></sec><sec id="j_joepi-2021-003_s_003"><h3>Results.</h3><p>Two hundred and twenty teachers were included in the study. Among them, 35.45% were post-primary teachers. Most of them had already heard of epilepsy (98.6%). For the majority of school teachers, epilepsy was not a contagious disease (74%). Regarding the causes of epilepsy, the majority of participants had listed brain disease (65%) and genetic disorders (18.20%). The majority of schoolteachers (70.9%) believed that students with epilepsy usually had associated mental retardation. For the majority of teachers (73.20%), epilepsy was a stigmatizing disease, and students with epilepsy should benefit from personalized supervision (65%). The majority of schoolteachers (75.9%) had a good knowledge of epilepsy, and 43.6% had good attitudes toward epilepsy. The factor associated with teachers’ knowledge was having witnessed an epileptic seizure (p &lt; 0.05). The factors related to schoolteacher practice was gender (p &lt; 0.05) and having already witnessed an epileptic seizure (p &lt; 0.05)</p></sec><sec id="j_joepi-2021-003_s_004"><h3>Conclusion.</h3><p>Our study found that teachers had a good knowledge of epilepsy, but attitudes and practices were inadequate.</p></sec></abstract>

Epilepsy knowledge, attitudes, behaviors, and associated factors among primary, post-primary, and secondary school teachers in Ouagadougou (Burkina Faso)

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Journal of Epileptology

 The Journal of Epileptology – published since 2013 - is an international, open access peer reviewed scientific journal that publishes articles of clinical and experimental epilepsy.   The following categories of epilepsy related topics are accepted for publications: medical hypotheses, basic research, clinical research, reviews and special reports, product investigation, diagnostic and medical technology, case reports, letters to Editor, reports from international and local activities.   The aim of the journal is to widen the international community of readers, research and clinicians interested in various aspects of epilepsy and disseminate interdisciplinary knowledge in all fields related to epilepsy.   The Journal of Epileptology is owned by the Foundation of Epileptology which was established in 1993 by Professor Jerzy Majkowski. The Foundation of Epileptology is the first non-governmental organization in Poland whose priority is to improve the quality of life of persons with epilepsy by improving the diagnostic and therapeutic skills of doctors and by shaping a positive attitude to epilepsy among the public. The Foundation, led by this idea, brings together physicians, psychologists, scientists and academics, social activists and other people who wish to contribute to the development of epileptology and thus provide medical assistance to persons with epilepsy.     About Society   The Foundation of Epileptology was established in 1993 by Professor Jerzy Majkowski who also founded the Department of Neurology and Epileptology at the Medical Centre for Postgraduate Education (CMKP) in 1988. The Foundation of Epileptology is the first non-governmental organisation in Poland to have as its priority the improvement of quality of life of epileptic patients by means of furthering doctors' diagnostic and therapeutic mastery and developing a positive approach to epilepsy among the general public. The Foundation, led by this idea, attracts physicians, psychologists, researchers and academics, social activists and other persons who wish to contribute to the development of epileptology and thereby bring medical assistance to people suffering from epilepsy. The Foundation of Epileptology was registered in the Foundation Register of the District Court for the Municipality of Warsaw on 16 March 1993 and thereby acquired legal status. The Founder appointed the Foundation Council and the Foundation Executive Committee.   The Foundation of Epileptology co-operates with the Polish Society of Epileptology, the Warsaw-based Society for Victims of Epilepsy and their Friends "Calm Head" (Spokojna Głowa) and other domestic and foreign organisations with similar goals. The Foundation of Epileptology is a member of the European Epilepsy Academy (EUREPA) and Professor Majkowski is co-organiser and member of the first Executive Committee and is now a member of the EUREPA Research Advisory Committee. The Executive Committee of the Polish Society of Epileptology shares its headquarters with the Epilepsy Foundationv   Archiving   The archiving of issues published from 2013 to 2017 will occur, and thus all issues published in the current form of the Journal will become available on-line. However, the issues published quarterly under the journal’s earlier name of Epileptologia during 1993 to 2012 will be successively attached and published on journal’s website www.journal-epileptology.com.   Sciendo archives the contents of this journal in Portico - digital long-term preservation service of scholarly books, journals and collections.   Plagiarism Policy   The editorial board is participating in a growing community of Similarity Check System's users in order to ensure that the content published is original and trustworthy. Similarity Check is a medium that allows for comprehensive manuscripts screening, aimed to eliminate plagiarism and provide a high standard and quality peer-review process. 

Journal of Epileptology

Volume 29 (2021): Issue 1 (July 2021)

Levetiracetam as second-line treatment of status epilepticus – which dose should be applied?

Epilepsy and autism: How does age at seizure onset factor in?

Epilepsy knowledge, attitudes, behaviors, and associated factors among primary, post-primary, and secondary school teachers in Ouagadougou (Burkina Faso)

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