title: Epileptic seizures in multiple sclerosis: clinical and EEG correlations.
abstract: Epileptic seizures occur more frequently in multiple sclerosis (MS) patients than in the general population. We evaluated clinical, electroencephalographic (EEG) and magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) findings, as well as EEG-MRI correlations and the response to antiepileptic drugs (AEDs) in 270 consecutive patients with definite MS referred to our Department from 1995 to 2002. Thirteen (4.8%) subjects experienced epileptic seizures. In four cases, seizures manifested within 1-2 years ("early-onset"), and in six cases within 8-23 years ("late-onset") of MS diagnosis. Seizures were usually partial with secondary generalization. Thus, acute symptomatic seizures occurred in three cases. Epilepsy usually appeared late in the course of disease, although a single episode or a cluster of seizures can represent the onset symptom or a relapse of MS. Prognosis of epilepsy during the course of MS is usually good but the choice of AEDs remains a matter of debate.
authors.affiliation: Department of Neurological Sciences, Federico II University of Naples, Via Pansini 5, I-80131 Naples, Italy.
authors.forename: P
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Striano
authors.forename: G
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Orefice
authors.forename: V
authors.initials: V
authors.lastname: Brescia Morra
authors.forename: P
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Boccella
authors.forename: C
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Sarappa
authors.forename: R
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Lanzillo
authors.forename: G
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Vacca
authors.forename: S
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Striano
mesh_terms: D000200:Action Potentials / Q000502:physiology; D000208:Acute Disease; D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D017668:Age of Onset; D000927:Anticonvulsants / Q000494:pharmacology / Q000627:therapeutic use; D001921:Brain / Q000473:pathology / Q000503:physiopathology*; D018450:Disease Progression; D004569:Electroencephalography; D004828:Epilepsies, Partial / Q000209:etiology / Q000473:pathology / Q000503:physiopathology; D004827:Epilepsy / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000209:etiology* / Q000503:physiopathology*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D016899:Interferon-beta / Q000494:pharmacology / Q000627:therapeutic use; D008279:Magnetic Resonance Imaging; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009103:Multiple Sclerosis / Q000150:complications* / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000503:physiopathology; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D055502:Secondary Prevention
chemical_list: D000927:Anticonvulsants; D016899:Interferon-beta