scholarly journals Visual Motor and Executive Functioning in Adult Patients with Primary Generalized Epilepsy: A Pilot Study

2020 ◽  
Vol 10 (2) ◽  
pp. 62-68
Author(s):  
Priyanka Samuel
Keyword(s):  
Pilot Study ◽  
Executive Functioning ◽  
Adult Patients ◽  
Visual Motor ◽  
Primary Generalized Epilepsy ◽  
Generalized Epilepsy

scholarly journals Benefits of a Mindfulness-Based Intervention upon School Entry: A Pilot Study

2021 ◽  
Vol 18 (23) ◽  
pp. 12630
Author(s):  
Adam Koncz ◽  
Ferenc Köteles ◽  
Zsolt Demetrovics ◽  
Zsofia K. Takacs
Keyword(s):  
Working Memory ◽  
Academic Performance ◽  
Pilot Study ◽  
Executive Functioning ◽  
Short Story ◽  
First Graders ◽  
School Entry ◽  
Control Group ◽  
Mindfulness Intervention ◽  
Cortisol Levels

Background: mindfulness meditation is effective at fostering the executive functioning of children, i.e., the skills that play important roles in academic performance and social–emotional wellbeing. One possible mechanism for such an effect might be that meditation practices can decrease stress, especially if someone is at a risk for elevated cortisol levels, for instance, due to a stressful life event, such as starting school. Participants and methods: the present pilot study tested the effects of a six-session mindfulness intervention applied right after school entry compared to a passive control group. In total 61 first graders participated (Mage = 84.95 months, SD = 5.21) in this study from four classes of a primary school in Budapest. Repeated-measures ANOVA were performed to explore the effects on executive functioning skills and cortisol levels. Results: no effect was found on morning salivary cortisol levels, but the working memory capacities of girls significantly improved as a result of the intervention. Conclusions: a relatively short, story-based mindfulness intervention can improve the working memory capacities of first-graders; thus, it could potentially contribute to the academic performance and adaptation of children in schools.

Consultation with the Specialist

1995 ◽  
Vol 16 (10) ◽  
pp. 386-389
Author(s):  
Margaret C. McBride
Keyword(s):  
Status Epilepticus ◽  
Primary Care Physicians ◽  
Seizure Activity ◽  
Medical Emergency ◽  
Partial Status Epilepticus ◽  
Primary Generalized Epilepsy ◽  
Generalized Epilepsy ◽  
Static Encephalopathy ◽  
Prolonged Absence ◽  
Partial Status

Status epilepticus has been defined as continuous seizure activity or intermittent seizure activity without recovery of consciousness between seizures that lasts for more than 30 minutes. However, if a seizure has continued unabated for 5 minutes, status epilepticus should be presumed and therapy initiated. Status epilepticus is a medical emergency, and all primary care physicians should know how to initiate its treatment. Usually status epilepticus consists of generalized or asymmetric clonic activity with unconsciousness. However, prolonged absence or partial seizures comprise 10% of episodes. Absence status epilepticus usually occurs in children who have severe primary generalized epilepsy or Lennox-Gastaut syndrome. Partial status epilepticus occurs in children who have focal brain pathology. The initial treatment of both is like that for generalized status epilepticus, with only slightly less urgency. The remainder of this review concerns generalized status epilepticus. Etiology It is important to obtain both remote and recent histories from the child's family or attendant as soon as possible so that an appropriate differential diagnosis may be developed. In 25% of cases, status is idiopathic. In another 25% it is provoked only by fever (febrile status). In the 20% of children who have a static encephalopathy, the condition is termed remote symptomatic status epilepticus. In another 20%, status is termed acute symptomatic and is an expression of an acute encephalopathy or brain injury.

Effects of a Stimulant Drug on Extra Version Level in Hyperactive Children

1978 ◽  
Vol 46 (1) ◽  
pp. 88-90 ◽  
Author(s):  
Donald L. McManis ◽  
Mike McCarthy ◽  
Randy Koval
Keyword(s):  
Pilot Study ◽  
Vigilance Task ◽  
Lemon Juice ◽  
Reactive Inhibition ◽  
Stimulant Drug ◽  
Follow Up Study ◽  
Hyperactive Children ◽  
Visual Motor

7 hyperactive children in a pilot study, and 15 hyperactive and 15 non-hyperactive control children in a later study, were assessed for salivation to lemon juice stimulation, reactive inhibition on an audio-vigilance task, and visual-motor maze errors. Hyperactive children were tested under stimulant drug and nondrug conditions and nonhyperactive children twice under nondrug conditions. Pilot study hyperactive children displayed significantly fewer maze errors and somewhat greater salivation and lesser reactive inhibition levels under the drug than the nondrug conditions. Follow-up study control children did not differ significantly between test occasions on any measure, while the hyperactive children displayed significantly fewer maze errors, mote salivation, and less reactive inhibition under the stimulant drug, indicating significant decreases in extraversion after the stimulant drug.

scholarly journals Neurocognitive Development in Perinatally Human Immunodeficiency Virus–infected Adolescents on Long-term Treatment, Compared to Healthy Matched Controls: A Longitudinal Study

2019 ◽  
Author(s):  
Malon Van den Hof ◽  
Anne Marleen ter Haar ◽  
Henriette J Scherpbier ◽  
Johanna H van der Lee ◽  
Peter Reiss ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Working Memory ◽  
Human Immunodeficiency Virus ◽  
Executive Functioning ◽  
Processing Speed ◽  
Learning Ability ◽  
Z Score ◽  
Immunodeficiency Virus ◽  
Group Time ◽  
Visual Motor ◽  
Over Time

Abstract Background A cross-sectional analysis of the Neurological, cOgnitive and VIsual performance in hiv-infected Children cohort showed significant cognitive impairment in combination antiretroviral therapy (cART)-treated, perinatally human immunodeficiency virus (HIV)-infected adolescents (PHIV+) compared to age-, sex-, ethnicity- and socioeconomic status (SES)-matched HIV-negative controls (HIV−). In this longitudinal study, we compared cognitive development in the same adolescents over time. Methods We repeated the standardized cognitive test battery after a mean of 4.6 years (standard deviation 0.3). In participants who completed both assessments, we compared cognitive trajectories between groups in the domains of intelligence quotient (IQ), processing speed, working memory, executive functioning, learning ability, and visual-motor function, using linear mixed models. We explored associations with disease- and treatment-related factors and used multivariate normative comparison (MNC) to determine the prevalence of cognitive impairment. Results There were 21 PHIV+ and 23 HIV− participants that completed 2 assessments and were similar concerning age, sex, ethnicity, and SES. Compared to HIV− participants, in PHIV+ participants the IQ score increased significantly more over time (group*time 6.01, 95% confidence interval [CI] 1.5–10.50; P = .012), whereas executive functioning decreased significantly more (group*time −1.43 z score, 95% CI −2.12 to −0.75; P < .001), resulting in the disappearance and appearance of significant differences. Processing speed, working memory, learning ability, and visual-motor function trajectories were not statistically different between groups. Univariately, those who had started cART at an older age deviated more in executive functioning (−0.13 z score, 95% CI −0.24 to −0.02; P = .043). The prevalence of cognitive impairments by MNC was similar in both groups, at both time points. Conclusions The cART-treated PHIV+ adolescents appeared to have similar global cognitive development, compared to their healthy peers. Executive functioning trajectory appears to deviate, potentially explained by earlier brain damage.

scholarly journals Exacerbation of Pre-existing Epilepsy by Mild Head Injury: a Five Patient Series

2004 ◽  
Vol 31 (3) ◽  
pp. 394-397 ◽  
Author(s):  
P.C. Tai ◽  
D.W. Gross
Keyword(s):  
Head Injury ◽  
Temporal Relationship ◽  
Seizure Control ◽  
Head Injuries ◽  
Neurological Deficits ◽  
Mild Head Injury ◽  
Primary Generalized Epilepsy ◽  
Generalized Epilepsy ◽  
One Year ◽  
Patients With Epilepsy

Objective:While the risk of developing seizures following a mild head injury has been reported and is thought to be low, the effect of mild head injury on patients with a pre-existing seizure disorder has not been reported. We present a series of cases where a strong temporal relationship between mild head injury and worsening of seizure frequency was observed.Methods:Five cases were identified and reviewed in detail. Information was derived from clinic and hospital charts with attention to the degree of injury, pre- and postinjury seizure patterns and frequency.Results:One patient has primary generalized epilepsy and four have localization related epilepsy. Prior to the head injury, three of the patients were seizure free (range: two to 24 years). The patients suffered from mild head injuries with no or transient loss of consciousness and no focal neurological deficits. In all cases, the patients experienced a worsening of seizure control within days of the injury. In one case, the patient's seizure pattern returned to baseline one year after the accident, while in the remaining four cases, the patients continue to have medically refractory seizures.Conclusion:A close temporal relationship between mild head injury and a worsening of seizure control was observed in five patients with epilepsy. Although further study is required, this observation suggests that a head injury that would be considered benign in the general population can have serious consequences such as recurrence of seizures and medical intractability in patients with epilepsy.

scholarly journals Role of Short Term Video Encephalography with Induction by Verbal Suggestion in Diagnosis of Suspected Paroxysmal Nonepileptic Seizure-Like Symptoms

2016 ◽  
Vol 2016 ◽  
pp. 1-6 ◽  
Author(s):  
Soaham Dilip Desai ◽  
Devangi Desai ◽  
Trilok Jani
Keyword(s):  
Developing Countries ◽  
Heart Block ◽  
Focal Epilepsy ◽  
Diagnostic Yield ◽  
Cost Effective ◽  
Short Term ◽  
Primary Generalized Epilepsy ◽  
Generalized Epilepsy ◽  
Outpatient Settings

Purpose. To determine the diagnostic yield and utility of STVEEG with verbal suggestion in diagnosis of patients presenting with transient unresponsiveness and suspected psychogenic nonepileptiform seizures. Methods. A retrospective analysis of STVEEG records of patients with transient unresponsiveness and suspected PNES between 1 Jan 2009 and 28 Feb 2014 was done. Results. Amongst 155 patients [38 males, 117 females], with mean age 32 [8–67], PNES were identified in 109 [70.3%], focal epilepsy was identified in 24 [15.4%], and actual seizure was recorded in 7 [4.5%]. Nine [5.8%] patients were found to have both epilepsy and PNES. Primary generalized epilepsy was diagnosed in 2 [1.2%]. A diagnosis of other paroxysmal nonepileptiform events [tachyarrhythmia and heart block] was done in 3 [1.9%]. A normal EEG and no inducible episode and hence an uncertain diagnosis at the end of STVEEG were seen in only 17 [10.9%] patients. A STVEEG of approximately one hour duration was able to establish the diagnosis in 138 [89.1%] patients with transient unresponsiveness. Conclusion. STVEEG with verbal suggestion is a useful and cost effective diagnostic test for diagnosis of PNES. It can be a good modality for diagnosis in patients with transient abnormalities in sensorium in the outpatient settings in developing countries.

Psychiatric Aspects of Self-Induced Epileptic Seizures

2002 ◽  
Vol 36 (4) ◽  
pp. 534-543 ◽  
Author(s):  
Beng-Yeong Ng
Keyword(s):  
Seizure Control ◽  
Epileptic Seizures ◽  
Behavioural Modification ◽  
Intermittent Photic Stimulation ◽  
Contradictory Evidence ◽  
Psychiatric Intervention ◽  
Primary Generalized Epilepsy ◽  
Generalized Epilepsy ◽  
Eye Closure ◽  
Spike Wave

Objective: To review the literature on self-induced epileptic seizures and apply psychiatric knowledge to define possible causes and treatment recommendations. Methods: A review of MEDLINE literature on self-induced epileptic seizures was conducted, followed by cross-referencing with the relevant neurologic, psychiatric and paediatric books and journals. Results: The reported prevalence of self-induction varies depending on the setting. In most instances, self-inducers are people affected by photosensitive primary generalized epilepsy, in whom self-induction is by intermittent photic stimulation or, more rarely, pattern stimulation or eye closure. Self-induced seizures are most commonly absences with spike-wave, though eyelid myoclonia and generalized myoclonic jerks occur. Earlier studies indicate that the majority of self-inducers were of subnormal intelligence but more recent ones indicate that as a group they could not be considered mentally retarded. Monitoring in a well-lit environment is indicated in any therapy-resistant photosensitive patient to determine whether or not selfinduction occurs. Self-induced epilepsy is notoriously resistant to therapy and reasons for this resistance are discussed. An explanatory model for the initiation and maintenance of selfinduction behaviour is also included. Conclusions: It is difficult to determine from published papers just what level of clinical difficulty self-induction of seizures actually posed to the patients and clinicians. In some cases there is contradictory evidence as to the degree of willfulness or self-induction. Self-induced epileptic seizures may be an important aspect of poor seizure control in a subgroup of epilepsy sufferers. These seizures might be modifiable by psychiatric intervention or behavioural modification.

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