G Coppola1, S Grosso2, E Franzoni3, P Veggiotti4, N Zamponi5, P Parisi6, A Spalice7, F Habetswallner8, A Fels8, A Verrotti9, A D'Aniello1, S Mangano10, A Balestri2, P Curatolo11, A Pascotto1. 1. Clinic of Child Neuropsychiatry, Second University of Naples, Naples. 2. Department of Pediatrics, Pediatric Neurology Section, University of Siena, Siena. 3. Child Neuropsychiatry Unit, Bologna University, Bologna. 4. Department of Child Neurology and Psychiatry, C. Mondino Institute, University of Pavia, Pavia. 5. Pediatric Neurology Department, G. Salesi Hospital, Ancona. 6. Chair of Pediatrics, Second Faculty of Medicine, Sapienza University. 7. Department of Pediatrics, First Faculty of Medicine, Sapienza University, Sapienza. 8. Clinical Neurophysiology Unit, Cardarelli Hospital, Naples. 9. Department of Pediatrics, University of Chieti, Chieti. 10. Child Neuropsychiatry, Palermo University, Palermo. 11. Pediatric Neuroscience Unit, Tor Vergata University of Rome, Rome, Italy.
Abstract
BACKGROUND: To report on the first multicenter Italian experience with rufinamide as adjunctive drug in children, adolescents and young adults with refractory childhood-onset epileptic encephalopathies other than Lennox-Gastaut syndrome. METHODS: Thirty-eight patients (19 males, 19 females), aged between 4 and 34 (mean 13.7 ± 8.3, median 12.5), all affected by different types of childhood-onset refractory epileptic encephalopathies other than Lennox-Gastaut syndrome, were treated with rufinamide as adjunctive drug for a mean period of 11.4 months (range 3-26 months). RESULTS: Fifteen of 38 patients (39.5%) had a ≥ 50% seizure reduction in countable seizures. Complete seizure freedom was achieved in one of these patients (2.6%). Three patients (7.9%) had a 25-49% seizure reduction, whilst seizure frequency remained unchanged in 15 (39.5%) and increased in five patients (13.1%). Eleven patients (28.9%) reported adverse side effects. Vomiting was reported in five patients (13.1%); drowsiness, decreased appetite and irritability with migraine manifested in other four patients. They were transient and mild in all cases. CONCLUSION: Rufinamide may be an effective and well-tolerated adjunctive drug for the treatment of refractory childhood-onset epileptic encephalopathies other than Lennox-Gastaut syndrome. Rufinamide was most effective in patients with drop-attacks and (bi)frontal spike-wave discharges.
BACKGROUND: To report on the first multicenter Italian experience with rufinamide as adjunctive drug in children, adolescents and young adults with refractory childhood-onset epilepticencephalopathies other than Lennox-Gastaut syndrome. METHODS: Thirty-eight patients (19 males, 19 females), aged between 4 and 34 (mean 13.7 ± 8.3, median 12.5), all affected by different types of childhood-onset refractory epilepticencephalopathies other than Lennox-Gastaut syndrome, were treated with rufinamide as adjunctive drug for a mean period of 11.4 months (range 3-26 months). RESULTS: Fifteen of 38 patients (39.5%) had a ≥ 50% seizure reduction in countable seizures. Complete seizure freedom was achieved in one of these patients (2.6%). Three patients (7.9%) had a 25-49% seizure reduction, whilst seizure frequency remained unchanged in 15 (39.5%) and increased in five patients (13.1%). Eleven patients (28.9%) reported adverse side effects. Vomiting was reported in five patients (13.1%); drowsiness, decreased appetite and irritability with migraine manifested in other four patients. They were transient and mild in all cases. CONCLUSION:Rufinamide may be an effective and well-tolerated adjunctive drug for the treatment of refractory childhood-onset epilepticencephalopathies other than Lennox-Gastaut syndrome. Rufinamide was most effective in patients with drop-attacks and (bi)frontal spike-wave discharges.
Authors: Martin J Brodie; Frank Besag; Alan B Ettinger; Marco Mula; Gabriella Gobbi; Stefano Comai; Albert P Aldenkamp; Bernhard J Steinhoff Journal: Pharmacol Rev Date: 2016-07 Impact factor: 25.468
Authors: Laurent M Willems; Astrid Bertsche; Frank Bösebeck; Frauke Hornemann; Ilka Immisch; Karl M Klein; Susanne Knake; Rhina Kunz; Gerhard Kurlemann; Lisa Langenbruch; Gabriel Möddel; Karen Müller-Schlüter; Felix von Podewils; Philipp S Reif; Bernhard J Steinhoff; Isabel Steinig; Felix Rosenow; Susanne Schubert-Bast; Adam Strzelczyk Journal: Front Neurol Date: 2018-07-23 Impact factor: 4.003