et al.

In patients with cryptogenic stroke who have migraine, there is a high prevalence (79%) of patent foramen ovale (PFO) with right-to-left shunt, according to a recent study. Furthermore, the timing of the stroke in migraineurs is usually not related to a migraine attack. Patients between the ages of 18 and 60 who presented with an ischemic stroke were characterized based on ASCOD (atherosclerosis, small vessel disease, cardiac pathology, other causes, dissection) phenotyping. A migraine diagnosis was identified by reviewing physician notes, and frequent aura was defined if present in at least 50% of attacks. A PFO with right-to-left shunt diagnosis was identified by the presence of a positive bubble contrast study. Researchers found:

• Of the 712 patients who presented with ischemic stroke, 127 (18%) were diagnosed as cryptogenic; 68 patients had adequate testing for PFO and a documented migraine history.
• The prevalence of PFO in patients with cryptogenic stroke without migraine was elevated (59%) compared with the general population (18%).
• Patients with both cryptogenic stroke and migraine had a higher prevalence of PFO (79%).

In patients with cryptogenic stroke who had migraine with frequent aura, the prevalence of PFO was 93%.

Frequency of patent foramen ovale and migraine in patients with cryptogenic stroke. [Published online ahead of print April 10, 2018]. Stroke. doi:10.1161/STROKEAHA.117.020160.

In patients with cryptogenic stroke who have migraine, there is a high prevalence (79%) of patent foramen ovale (PFO) with right-to-left shunt, according to a recent study. Furthermore, the timing of the stroke in migraineurs is usually not related to a migraine attack. Patients between the ages of 18 and 60 who presented with an ischemic stroke were characterized based on ASCOD (atherosclerosis, small vessel disease, cardiac pathology, other causes, dissection) phenotyping. A migraine diagnosis was identified by reviewing physician notes, and frequent aura was defined if present in at least 50% of attacks. A PFO with right-to-left shunt diagnosis was identified by the presence of a positive bubble contrast study. Researchers found:

• Of the 712 patients who presented with ischemic stroke, 127 (18%) were diagnosed as cryptogenic; 68 patients had adequate testing for PFO and a documented migraine history.
• The prevalence of PFO in patients with cryptogenic stroke without migraine was elevated (59%) compared with the general population (18%).
• Patients with both cryptogenic stroke and migraine had a higher prevalence of PFO (79%).

In patients with cryptogenic stroke who had migraine with frequent aura, the prevalence of PFO was 93%.

Frequency of patent foramen ovale and migraine in patients with cryptogenic stroke. [Published online ahead of print April 10, 2018]. Stroke. doi:10.1161/STROKEAHA.117.020160.

In patients with cryptogenic stroke who have migraine, there is a high prevalence (79%) of patent foramen ovale (PFO) with right-to-left shunt, according to a recent study. Furthermore, the timing of the stroke in migraineurs is usually not related to a migraine attack. Patients between the ages of 18 and 60 who presented with an ischemic stroke were characterized based on ASCOD (atherosclerosis, small vessel disease, cardiac pathology, other causes, dissection) phenotyping. A migraine diagnosis was identified by reviewing physician notes, and frequent aura was defined if present in at least 50% of attacks. A PFO with right-to-left shunt diagnosis was identified by the presence of a positive bubble contrast study. Researchers found:

• Of the 712 patients who presented with ischemic stroke, 127 (18%) were diagnosed as cryptogenic; 68 patients had adequate testing for PFO and a documented migraine history.
• The prevalence of PFO in patients with cryptogenic stroke without migraine was elevated (59%) compared with the general population (18%).
• Patients with both cryptogenic stroke and migraine had a higher prevalence of PFO (79%).

In patients with cryptogenic stroke who had migraine with frequent aura, the prevalence of PFO was 93%.

Frequency of patent foramen ovale and migraine in patients with cryptogenic stroke. [Published online ahead of print April 10, 2018]. Stroke. doi:10.1161/STROKEAHA.117.020160.

Elevated vascular biomarkers were associated with migraine, a recent study found, particularly migraine with aura (MA), as well as with years of aura and number of aura attacks. Participants (300 women, 117 men) were aged 30–60 (mean 48) years, 155 MA, 128 migraine without aura (MO), and 134 were controls with no severe headaches. Plasma concentrations of fibrinogen, Factor II, D-dimer, high sensitivity C-reactive protein (hs-CRP), and von Willebrand factor antigen were compared between groups, also stratifying by sex. Researchers found:

• Fibrinogen and hs-CRP were elevated in migraineurs compared to controls.
• In logistic regression analyses, MO and MA had increased likelihood of elevated fibrinogen, and MA had increased likelihood of elevated Factor II and hs-CRP.
• Fibrinogen and Factor II were associated with MA in women but not men.
• In the migraine subgroup, the total number of years of aura, but not headache, predicted elevated hs-CRP, and the average number of aura, but not headache, attacks predicted all biomarkers but Factor II.

Migraine and vascular disease biomarkers: A population-based case-control study. Cephalalgia. 2018;38(3):511-518. doi:10.1177/0333102417698936.

Elevated vascular biomarkers were associated with migraine, a recent study found, particularly migraine with aura (MA), as well as with years of aura and number of aura attacks. Participants (300 women, 117 men) were aged 30–60 (mean 48) years, 155 MA, 128 migraine without aura (MO), and 134 were controls with no severe headaches. Plasma concentrations of fibrinogen, Factor II, D-dimer, high sensitivity C-reactive protein (hs-CRP), and von Willebrand factor antigen were compared between groups, also stratifying by sex. Researchers found:

• Fibrinogen and hs-CRP were elevated in migraineurs compared to controls.
• In logistic regression analyses, MO and MA had increased likelihood of elevated fibrinogen, and MA had increased likelihood of elevated Factor II and hs-CRP.
• Fibrinogen and Factor II were associated with MA in women but not men.
• In the migraine subgroup, the total number of years of aura, but not headache, predicted elevated hs-CRP, and the average number of aura, but not headache, attacks predicted all biomarkers but Factor II.

Migraine and vascular disease biomarkers: A population-based case-control study. Cephalalgia. 2018;38(3):511-518. doi:10.1177/0333102417698936.

Elevated vascular biomarkers were associated with migraine, a recent study found, particularly migraine with aura (MA), as well as with years of aura and number of aura attacks. Participants (300 women, 117 men) were aged 30–60 (mean 48) years, 155 MA, 128 migraine without aura (MO), and 134 were controls with no severe headaches. Plasma concentrations of fibrinogen, Factor II, D-dimer, high sensitivity C-reactive protein (hs-CRP), and von Willebrand factor antigen were compared between groups, also stratifying by sex. Researchers found:

• Fibrinogen and hs-CRP were elevated in migraineurs compared to controls.
• In logistic regression analyses, MO and MA had increased likelihood of elevated fibrinogen, and MA had increased likelihood of elevated Factor II and hs-CRP.
• Fibrinogen and Factor II were associated with MA in women but not men.
• In the migraine subgroup, the total number of years of aura, but not headache, predicted elevated hs-CRP, and the average number of aura, but not headache, attacks predicted all biomarkers but Factor II.

Migraine and vascular disease biomarkers: A population-based case-control study. Cephalalgia. 2018;38(3):511-518. doi:10.1177/0333102417698936.

Migraine headache was associated with an increased long-term risk of cardiovascular and cerebrovascular events, a recent study found. This effect was due to an increased risk of stroke (both ischemic and hemorrhagic) and myocardial infarction (MI). There was a moderate to severe degree of heterogeneity for the outcomes, which was partly explained by the presence of aura. A total of 16 cohort studies (18 study records) with 394,942 migraineurs and 757,465 non-migraineurs were analyzed. Researchers found:

• Migraine was associated with a higher risk of a major adverse cardiovascular and cerebrovascular event driven by a higher risk of stroke and MI.
• There was no difference in the risk of all-cause mortality, with a considerable degree of statistical heterogeneity between the studies.
• The presence of aura was an effect modifier for stroke and all-cause mortality.

Migraine and the risk of cardiovascular and cerebrovascular events: A meta-analysis of 16 cohort studies including 1,152,407 subjects. [Published online ahead of print March 27, 2018]. BMJ Open. doi:10.1136/bmjopen-2017-020498.

Migraine headache was associated with an increased long-term risk of cardiovascular and cerebrovascular events, a recent study found. This effect was due to an increased risk of stroke (both ischemic and hemorrhagic) and myocardial infarction (MI). There was a moderate to severe degree of heterogeneity for the outcomes, which was partly explained by the presence of aura. A total of 16 cohort studies (18 study records) with 394,942 migraineurs and 757,465 non-migraineurs were analyzed. Researchers found:

• Migraine was associated with a higher risk of a major adverse cardiovascular and cerebrovascular event driven by a higher risk of stroke and MI.
• There was no difference in the risk of all-cause mortality, with a considerable degree of statistical heterogeneity between the studies.
• The presence of aura was an effect modifier for stroke and all-cause mortality.

Migraine and the risk of cardiovascular and cerebrovascular events: A meta-analysis of 16 cohort studies including 1,152,407 subjects. [Published online ahead of print March 27, 2018]. BMJ Open. doi:10.1136/bmjopen-2017-020498.

Migraine headache was associated with an increased long-term risk of cardiovascular and cerebrovascular events, a recent study found. This effect was due to an increased risk of stroke (both ischemic and hemorrhagic) and myocardial infarction (MI). There was a moderate to severe degree of heterogeneity for the outcomes, which was partly explained by the presence of aura. A total of 16 cohort studies (18 study records) with 394,942 migraineurs and 757,465 non-migraineurs were analyzed. Researchers found:

• Migraine was associated with a higher risk of a major adverse cardiovascular and cerebrovascular event driven by a higher risk of stroke and MI.
• There was no difference in the risk of all-cause mortality, with a considerable degree of statistical heterogeneity between the studies.
• The presence of aura was an effect modifier for stroke and all-cause mortality.

Migraine and the risk of cardiovascular and cerebrovascular events: A meta-analysis of 16 cohort studies including 1,152,407 subjects. [Published online ahead of print March 27, 2018]. BMJ Open. doi:10.1136/bmjopen-2017-020498.

A recent study identifies early cerebral diffusion changes in children with tension-type and migraine-type headaches compared with controls. The hypothesized mechanisms of nociception in migraine-type and tension-type headaches may explain the findings as a precursor to structural changes seen in adult patients with chronic headache. Patients evaluated for tension-type or migraine-type headache without aura from May 2014 to July 2016 in a single center were retrospectively reviewed. Thirty-two patients with tension-type headache and 23 with migraine-type headache at an average of 4 months after diagnosis were enrolled. All patients underwent diffusion weighted imaging at 3T before the start of pharmacotherapy. Researchers found:

• There were no significant differences in regional brain volumes between the groups.
• Patients with tension-type and migraine-type headaches showed significantly increased apparent diffusion coefficient (ADC) in the hippocampus and brain stem compared with controls.
• Additionally, only patients with migraine-type headache showed significantly increased ADC in the thalamus and a trend toward increased ADC in the amygdala compared with controls.

Brain diffusion abnormalities in children with tension-type and migraine-type headaches. [Published online ahead of print March 15, 2018]. AJNR Am J Neuroradiol. doi:10.3174/ajnr.A5582.

A recent study identifies early cerebral diffusion changes in children with tension-type and migraine-type headaches compared with controls. The hypothesized mechanisms of nociception in migraine-type and tension-type headaches may explain the findings as a precursor to structural changes seen in adult patients with chronic headache. Patients evaluated for tension-type or migraine-type headache without aura from May 2014 to July 2016 in a single center were retrospectively reviewed. Thirty-two patients with tension-type headache and 23 with migraine-type headache at an average of 4 months after diagnosis were enrolled. All patients underwent diffusion weighted imaging at 3T before the start of pharmacotherapy. Researchers found:

• There were no significant differences in regional brain volumes between the groups.
• Patients with tension-type and migraine-type headaches showed significantly increased apparent diffusion coefficient (ADC) in the hippocampus and brain stem compared with controls.
• Additionally, only patients with migraine-type headache showed significantly increased ADC in the thalamus and a trend toward increased ADC in the amygdala compared with controls.

Brain diffusion abnormalities in children with tension-type and migraine-type headaches. [Published online ahead of print March 15, 2018]. AJNR Am J Neuroradiol. doi:10.3174/ajnr.A5582.

A recent study identifies early cerebral diffusion changes in children with tension-type and migraine-type headaches compared with controls. The hypothesized mechanisms of nociception in migraine-type and tension-type headaches may explain the findings as a precursor to structural changes seen in adult patients with chronic headache. Patients evaluated for tension-type or migraine-type headache without aura from May 2014 to July 2016 in a single center were retrospectively reviewed. Thirty-two patients with tension-type headache and 23 with migraine-type headache at an average of 4 months after diagnosis were enrolled. All patients underwent diffusion weighted imaging at 3T before the start of pharmacotherapy. Researchers found:

• There were no significant differences in regional brain volumes between the groups.
• Patients with tension-type and migraine-type headaches showed significantly increased apparent diffusion coefficient (ADC) in the hippocampus and brain stem compared with controls.
• Additionally, only patients with migraine-type headache showed significantly increased ADC in the thalamus and a trend toward increased ADC in the amygdala compared with controls.

Brain diffusion abnormalities in children with tension-type and migraine-type headaches. [Published online ahead of print March 15, 2018]. AJNR Am J Neuroradiol. doi:10.3174/ajnr.A5582.

Migraine disease has a higher prevalence in an otolaryngologic cohort than in the general population, according to a recent study, presenting with a high rate of sinonasal and otologic symptoms that may be due to or exacerbated by migraines. In a cross-sectional study utilizing the CHEER (Creating Healthcare Excellence through Education and Research) network, patients were recruited in 14 CHEER sites between June 2015 and March 2017. Those included were aged 18 years or older and had been seen for any concern that was not head and neck cancer. Patients with any history of brain abnormality or headaches that began within 2 weeks of a medical illness, trauma, or head injury were excluded. If they screened positive on the Migraine Assessment Tool (MAT+), the subjects also filled out questionnaires for sinonasal, otologic, and migraine-specific symptoms. Researchers found:

• Of 1458 patients screened, 235 (16.1%) screened positive for migraine (MAT+), which is higher than the general population (13%).
• The MAT+ group was significantly younger (47.2 vs 55.6 years of age) and predominantly women (80.0% vs 55.9%).

Patterns of migraine disease in otolaryngology: A CHEER network study. [Published online ahead of print March 20, 2018]. Otolaryngol Head Neck Surg. doi:10.1177/0194599818764387.

Migraine disease has a higher prevalence in an otolaryngologic cohort than in the general population, according to a recent study, presenting with a high rate of sinonasal and otologic symptoms that may be due to or exacerbated by migraines. In a cross-sectional study utilizing the CHEER (Creating Healthcare Excellence through Education and Research) network, patients were recruited in 14 CHEER sites between June 2015 and March 2017. Those included were aged 18 years or older and had been seen for any concern that was not head and neck cancer. Patients with any history of brain abnormality or headaches that began within 2 weeks of a medical illness, trauma, or head injury were excluded. If they screened positive on the Migraine Assessment Tool (MAT+), the subjects also filled out questionnaires for sinonasal, otologic, and migraine-specific symptoms. Researchers found:

• Of 1458 patients screened, 235 (16.1%) screened positive for migraine (MAT+), which is higher than the general population (13%).
• The MAT+ group was significantly younger (47.2 vs 55.6 years of age) and predominantly women (80.0% vs 55.9%).

Patterns of migraine disease in otolaryngology: A CHEER network study. [Published online ahead of print March 20, 2018]. Otolaryngol Head Neck Surg. doi:10.1177/0194599818764387.

Migraine disease has a higher prevalence in an otolaryngologic cohort than in the general population, according to a recent study, presenting with a high rate of sinonasal and otologic symptoms that may be due to or exacerbated by migraines. In a cross-sectional study utilizing the CHEER (Creating Healthcare Excellence through Education and Research) network, patients were recruited in 14 CHEER sites between June 2015 and March 2017. Those included were aged 18 years or older and had been seen for any concern that was not head and neck cancer. Patients with any history of brain abnormality or headaches that began within 2 weeks of a medical illness, trauma, or head injury were excluded. If they screened positive on the Migraine Assessment Tool (MAT+), the subjects also filled out questionnaires for sinonasal, otologic, and migraine-specific symptoms. Researchers found:

• Of 1458 patients screened, 235 (16.1%) screened positive for migraine (MAT+), which is higher than the general population (13%).
• The MAT+ group was significantly younger (47.2 vs 55.6 years of age) and predominantly women (80.0% vs 55.9%).

Patterns of migraine disease in otolaryngology: A CHEER network study. [Published online ahead of print March 20, 2018]. Otolaryngol Head Neck Surg. doi:10.1177/0194599818764387.

Single pulse transcranial magnetic stimulation (sTMS) may be an effective, well-tolerated treatment option for migraine prevention, according to a recent study.  Researchers conducted the eNeura Spring TMS Post-Market Observational US Study of Migraine (ESPOUSE), a multicenter, prospective, open label, observational study. Of the total subjects (n=263), 229 completed a baseline diary, and 220 were found to be eligible based on the number of headache days. The treatment protocol consisted of preventive (4 pulses twice daily) and acute (3 pulses repeated up to 3 times for each attack) treatment. Researchers found:

• The device was assigned to 217 subjects (Safety Data Set) and 132 were included in the intention to treat Full Analysis Set.
• For the primary endpoint, there was a −2.75 ± 0.40 mean reduction of headache days from baseline compared to the performance goal (-0.63 days).
• There was a reduction of −2.93 (5.24) days of acute medication use, headache impact measured by HIT-6, −3.1 (6.4), and total headache days of any intensity −3.16 days (5.21) compared to the performance goal (−0.63 days).
• The most common adverse events were lightheadedness, tingling, and tinnitus; there were no serious adverse events.

A multicenter, prospective, single arm, open label, observational study of sTMS for migraine prevention (ESPOUSE study). [Published online ahead of print March 4, 2018]. Cephalalgia. doi:10.1177/0333102418762525.

Single pulse transcranial magnetic stimulation (sTMS) may be an effective, well-tolerated treatment option for migraine prevention, according to a recent study.  Researchers conducted the eNeura Spring TMS Post-Market Observational US Study of Migraine (ESPOUSE), a multicenter, prospective, open label, observational study. Of the total subjects (n=263), 229 completed a baseline diary, and 220 were found to be eligible based on the number of headache days. The treatment protocol consisted of preventive (4 pulses twice daily) and acute (3 pulses repeated up to 3 times for each attack) treatment. Researchers found:

• The device was assigned to 217 subjects (Safety Data Set) and 132 were included in the intention to treat Full Analysis Set.
• For the primary endpoint, there was a −2.75 ± 0.40 mean reduction of headache days from baseline compared to the performance goal (-0.63 days).
• There was a reduction of −2.93 (5.24) days of acute medication use, headache impact measured by HIT-6, −3.1 (6.4), and total headache days of any intensity −3.16 days (5.21) compared to the performance goal (−0.63 days).
• The most common adverse events were lightheadedness, tingling, and tinnitus; there were no serious adverse events.

A multicenter, prospective, single arm, open label, observational study of sTMS for migraine prevention (ESPOUSE study). [Published online ahead of print March 4, 2018]. Cephalalgia. doi:10.1177/0333102418762525.

Single pulse transcranial magnetic stimulation (sTMS) may be an effective, well-tolerated treatment option for migraine prevention, according to a recent study.  Researchers conducted the eNeura Spring TMS Post-Market Observational US Study of Migraine (ESPOUSE), a multicenter, prospective, open label, observational study. Of the total subjects (n=263), 229 completed a baseline diary, and 220 were found to be eligible based on the number of headache days. The treatment protocol consisted of preventive (4 pulses twice daily) and acute (3 pulses repeated up to 3 times for each attack) treatment. Researchers found:

• The device was assigned to 217 subjects (Safety Data Set) and 132 were included in the intention to treat Full Analysis Set.
• For the primary endpoint, there was a −2.75 ± 0.40 mean reduction of headache days from baseline compared to the performance goal (-0.63 days).
• There was a reduction of −2.93 (5.24) days of acute medication use, headache impact measured by HIT-6, −3.1 (6.4), and total headache days of any intensity −3.16 days (5.21) compared to the performance goal (−0.63 days).
• The most common adverse events were lightheadedness, tingling, and tinnitus; there were no serious adverse events.

A multicenter, prospective, single arm, open label, observational study of sTMS for migraine prevention (ESPOUSE study). [Published online ahead of print March 4, 2018]. Cephalalgia. doi:10.1177/0333102418762525.

Associations of migraine severity and presence of associated features with inhibitory control varied by body mass index (BMI) in overweight/obese women with migraine, according to a recent study. These findings, therefore, warrant consideration of weight status in clarifying the role of migraine in executive functioning. Women (n=124) aged 18–50 years with overweight/obesity BMI=35.1 ± 6.4 kg/m² and migraine completed a 28-day smartphone-based headache diary assessing migraine headache severity (attack frequency, pain intensity) and frequency of associated features (aura, photophobia, phonophobia, nausea). They then completed computerized measures of inhibitory control during an interictal (headache-free) period. Researchers found:

• Participants with higher migraine attack frequency performed worse on the Flanker test (accuracy and reaction time).
• Migraine attack frequency and pain intensity interacted with BMI to predict slower Stroop and/or Flanker Reaction Time (RT).
• More frequent photophobia, phonophobia, and aura were independently related to slower RT on the Stroop and/or Flanker tests, and BMI moderated the relationship between the occurrence of aura and Stroop RT.

The role of migraine headache severity, associated features and interactions with overweight/obesity in inhibitory control. Int J Neurosci. 2018;128(1):63-70. doi:10.1080/00207454.2017.1366474.

Associations of migraine severity and presence of associated features with inhibitory control varied by body mass index (BMI) in overweight/obese women with migraine, according to a recent study. These findings, therefore, warrant consideration of weight status in clarifying the role of migraine in executive functioning. Women (n=124) aged 18–50 years with overweight/obesity BMI=35.1 ± 6.4 kg/m² and migraine completed a 28-day smartphone-based headache diary assessing migraine headache severity (attack frequency, pain intensity) and frequency of associated features (aura, photophobia, phonophobia, nausea). They then completed computerized measures of inhibitory control during an interictal (headache-free) period. Researchers found:

• Participants with higher migraine attack frequency performed worse on the Flanker test (accuracy and reaction time).
• Migraine attack frequency and pain intensity interacted with BMI to predict slower Stroop and/or Flanker Reaction Time (RT).
• More frequent photophobia, phonophobia, and aura were independently related to slower RT on the Stroop and/or Flanker tests, and BMI moderated the relationship between the occurrence of aura and Stroop RT.

The role of migraine headache severity, associated features and interactions with overweight/obesity in inhibitory control. Int J Neurosci. 2018;128(1):63-70. doi:10.1080/00207454.2017.1366474.

Associations of migraine severity and presence of associated features with inhibitory control varied by body mass index (BMI) in overweight/obese women with migraine, according to a recent study. These findings, therefore, warrant consideration of weight status in clarifying the role of migraine in executive functioning. Women (n=124) aged 18–50 years with overweight/obesity BMI=35.1 ± 6.4 kg/m² and migraine completed a 28-day smartphone-based headache diary assessing migraine headache severity (attack frequency, pain intensity) and frequency of associated features (aura, photophobia, phonophobia, nausea). They then completed computerized measures of inhibitory control during an interictal (headache-free) period. Researchers found:

• Participants with higher migraine attack frequency performed worse on the Flanker test (accuracy and reaction time).
• Migraine attack frequency and pain intensity interacted with BMI to predict slower Stroop and/or Flanker Reaction Time (RT).
• More frequent photophobia, phonophobia, and aura were independently related to slower RT on the Stroop and/or Flanker tests, and BMI moderated the relationship between the occurrence of aura and Stroop RT.

The role of migraine headache severity, associated features and interactions with overweight/obesity in inhibitory control. Int J Neurosci. 2018;128(1):63-70. doi:10.1080/00207454.2017.1366474.

Infants experiencing spasms will likely respond to standard first-line treatment, whether or not they also have hypsarrhythmia, according to a multicenter study of the National Infantile Spasms Consortium.

• The investigation included infants between 2 months and 2 years who had been enrolled in the Consortium cohort with new onset spasms.
• 82% of the infants had hypsarrthythmia but the condition was not linked to the child’s average age, gender, any preexisting developmental delay or epilepsy, or their response to first line treatment.

First-line treatment, which consisted of vigabatrin, prednisolone, and adrenocorticotropic hormone (ACTH), was by far the most important variable that predicted the infants’ response to therapy, whether or not they had hypsarrhythmia.

The impact of hypsarrhythmia on infantile spasms treatment response: Observational cohort study from the National Infantile Spasms Consortium. Epilepsia. 2017;58:2098-2103.

Infants experiencing spasms will likely respond to standard first-line treatment, whether or not they also have hypsarrhythmia, according to a multicenter study of the National Infantile Spasms Consortium.

• The investigation included infants between 2 months and 2 years who had been enrolled in the Consortium cohort with new onset spasms.
• 82% of the infants had hypsarrthythmia but the condition was not linked to the child’s average age, gender, any preexisting developmental delay or epilepsy, or their response to first line treatment.

First-line treatment, which consisted of vigabatrin, prednisolone, and adrenocorticotropic hormone (ACTH), was by far the most important variable that predicted the infants’ response to therapy, whether or not they had hypsarrhythmia.

The impact of hypsarrhythmia on infantile spasms treatment response: Observational cohort study from the National Infantile Spasms Consortium. Epilepsia. 2017;58:2098-2103.

Infants experiencing spasms will likely respond to standard first-line treatment, whether or not they also have hypsarrhythmia, according to a multicenter study of the National Infantile Spasms Consortium.

• The investigation included infants between 2 months and 2 years who had been enrolled in the Consortium cohort with new onset spasms.
• 82% of the infants had hypsarrthythmia but the condition was not linked to the child’s average age, gender, any preexisting developmental delay or epilepsy, or their response to first line treatment.

First-line treatment, which consisted of vigabatrin, prednisolone, and adrenocorticotropic hormone (ACTH), was by far the most important variable that predicted the infants’ response to therapy, whether or not they had hypsarrhythmia.

The impact of hypsarrhythmia on infantile spasms treatment response: Observational cohort study from the National Infantile Spasms Consortium. Epilepsia. 2017;58:2098-2103.

Black patients are almost twice as likely to be diagnosed with temporal lobe epilepsy than white patients, despite the fact that black patients make up only 20% of the patient population in the Southeastern United States, according to a recent study.

• The University of Alabama at Birmingham reviewed all the video EEG diagnoses in its seizure monitoring unit from 2000 to 2011.
• Researchers performed a statistical analysis that included multivariate logistic regression to detect factors associated with the temporal lobe epilepsy (TLE) diagnosis.
• The diagnoses in the entire patient population included 630 cases of TLE, 1150 cases of psychogenic nonepileptic seizures, 424 additional focal epilepsies, and 224 generalized epilepsies.
• The population included 77.3% white patients, 20% black patients, and 2.3% patients of other races.
• TLE was diagnosed far more often in black patients than white patients (odds ratio: 1.87).

There were more women in the study population, and black women were responsible for most of the statistical difference in TLE diagnoses.

Racial disparities in temporal lobe epilepsy. Epilepsy Res. 2017;16;140:56-60.

Black patients are almost twice as likely to be diagnosed with temporal lobe epilepsy than white patients, despite the fact that black patients make up only 20% of the patient population in the Southeastern United States, according to a recent study.

• The University of Alabama at Birmingham reviewed all the video EEG diagnoses in its seizure monitoring unit from 2000 to 2011.
• Researchers performed a statistical analysis that included multivariate logistic regression to detect factors associated with the temporal lobe epilepsy (TLE) diagnosis.
• The diagnoses in the entire patient population included 630 cases of TLE, 1150 cases of psychogenic nonepileptic seizures, 424 additional focal epilepsies, and 224 generalized epilepsies.
• The population included 77.3% white patients, 20% black patients, and 2.3% patients of other races.
• TLE was diagnosed far more often in black patients than white patients (odds ratio: 1.87).

There were more women in the study population, and black women were responsible for most of the statistical difference in TLE diagnoses.

Racial disparities in temporal lobe epilepsy. Epilepsy Res. 2017;16;140:56-60.

Black patients are almost twice as likely to be diagnosed with temporal lobe epilepsy than white patients, despite the fact that black patients make up only 20% of the patient population in the Southeastern United States, according to a recent study.

• The University of Alabama at Birmingham reviewed all the video EEG diagnoses in its seizure monitoring unit from 2000 to 2011.
• Researchers performed a statistical analysis that included multivariate logistic regression to detect factors associated with the temporal lobe epilepsy (TLE) diagnosis.
• The diagnoses in the entire patient population included 630 cases of TLE, 1150 cases of psychogenic nonepileptic seizures, 424 additional focal epilepsies, and 224 generalized epilepsies.
• The population included 77.3% white patients, 20% black patients, and 2.3% patients of other races.
• TLE was diagnosed far more often in black patients than white patients (odds ratio: 1.87).

There were more women in the study population, and black women were responsible for most of the statistical difference in TLE diagnoses.

Racial disparities in temporal lobe epilepsy. Epilepsy Res. 2017;16;140:56-60.