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Primary headache syndromes' development is associated with biological, psychological and social parameters. Factors such as daily habits, behavioral characteristics and sleep disorders also play an important role. We aim to identify the variables which affect the above factors. The study included 111 patients affected by primary headache. The patients were stratified into subgroups according to gender, age, occupation and headache type. Women attained higher scores than men in three of the evaluation rating scales and lower scores in the severity of dependence scale. Occupation was associated with SF36 and Hamilton anxiety scale. Unemployed had higher scores in Hamilton anxiety. Migraineurs and occupied individuals have lower SF36 scores. Women are associated with depression, anxiety and higher disability derived from headache. Men are more prone to dependence on opioids. Unemployment was linked with anxiety and well-being. The migraneurs presented a decreased level of quality of life.

ObjectiveThis qualitative study explored the challenges that Greek parents/caregivers of children with controlled epilepsy (CwE) face regarding the disorder.MethodsInterviews were conducted based on open-ended questions guided by a review of the literature. A total of 91 parents/caregivers were recruited by neurologists at the neurology clinics of two Athens public hospitals. A hermeneutic phenomenological approach was used to explore parent/caregiver experiences. The data were grouped and analyzed through a textual interpretation.ResultsTwo key challenges were identified for parents of CwE: the disclosure of epilepsy and the absence of adequate information about coping with epilepsy. Parents in Greece were hesitant to reveal their child's epilepsy to school staff and their wider social milieu. Also, although satisfied with the patient-centered approach they experienced with their hospital doctor, parents/caregivers found that they needed more education about the existing sources of psychosocial and emotional support to cope with their child's epilepsy personally and as a family. Finally, the parents/caregivers who let their child know about the epilepsy and discussed the implications with the child found that parent–child communication improved.ConclusionThis study provides valuable insight into the impact of epilepsy on parents of CwE, which might help hospital and school staff support families with greater understanding, sensitivity, and skill. The findings suggest that Greek authorities should staff hospitals and schools with experts and more systematically advertise sources of information about epilepsy and ways to cope with it.

We aimed at establishing the epidemiologic profile of first epileptic seizures (FES) in the Greek island of Lesvos. During a 1year period (01/06/2010 to 31/05/2011), cases of FES admitted to the Lesvos General Hospital/addressed by general practitioners/private neurologists were prospectively identified. A total of 45 cases (30 males and 15 females; mean age +/- SD of 59.4 +/- 28.4 and 58.9 +/- 26.8 years, respectively), were collected. The FES incidence rate was 52.1 (95% CI 37-67) per 105 persons. Provoked and unprovoked FES had an incidence of, 16.2 and 35.9 cases per 105 persons, respectively. Following age-adjustment to the 2000 US census population, incidence rates of FES (all types combined) were, 40.5 (95% CI 28-56) per 10(5) persons. Cerebrovascular disease (CVD) was the most prevalent etiologic factor. The present findings indicate a low-ranking incidence of FES in the studied population and highlight CVD as a leading causative factor.

Objective. Recent cross-disciplinary literature suggests a dynamical analogy between earthquakes and epileptic seizures. This study extends the focus of inquiry for the applicability of models for earthquake dynamics to examine both scalp-recorded and intracranial electroencephalogram recordings related to epileptic seizures. Approach. First, we provide an updated definition of the electric event in terms of magnitude and we focus on the applicability of (i) a model for earthquake dynamics, rooted in a nonextensive Tsallis framework, (ii) the traditional Gutenberg and Richter law and (iii) an alternative method for the magnitude-frequency relation for earthquakes. Second, we apply spatiotemporal analysis in terms of nonextensive statistical physics and we further examine the behavior of the parameters included in the nonextensive formula for both types of electroencephalogram recordings under study. Main results. We confirm the previously observed power-law distribution, showing that the nonextensive formula can adequately describe the sequences of electric events included in both types of electroencephalogram recordings. We also show the intermittent behavior of the epileptic seizure cycle which is analogous to the earthquake cycles and we provide evidence of self-affinity of the regional electroencephalogram epileptic seizure activity. Significance. This study may provide a framework for the analysis and interpretation of epileptic brain activity and other biological phenomena with similar underlying dynamical mechanisms.

Objective: To present a case involving a discrepancy in the presurgical data of a patient suffering from pharmacoresistant mesial temporal lobe epilepsy. Clinical Presentation and Intervention: A 47-year-old, female patient with complex partial seizures since her twenties came to be evaluated in the Epilepsy Surgery Unit. The ictal electroencephalogram suggested a left temporal epileptogenic zone and the magnetic resonance image showed an abnormality in the right mesial temporal lobe. Intracranial monitoring revealed a pacemaker zone in the right hippocampus that discharged fast spreading to the left mesial temporal lobe, a phenomenon known as ‘burned-out hippocampus’. Conclusion: The intracranial recording, even though it is an invasive procedure, was necessary for the presurgical evaluation of our patient. This case demonstrates the risks of using surface electroencephalography to determine localization of epileptogenic zones. Copyright (C) 2012 S. Karger AG, Basel

We describe two female patients with drug-resistant mesial temporal lobe epilepsy and chronic drug-resistant psychosis. In both patients, MRI scans revealed left mesial temporal sclerosis. After clinical assessment, ictal video/EEG monitoring, and a neuropsychological evaluation including Wada testing, the patients underwent selective left amygdalohippocampectomy. Since the operation, the two patients have remained free of seizures for 17 and 15 months. During the same period, both patients have sustained a full remission of the psychosis. (C) 2008 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.