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| Author(s): |
Marcia Elisabete Morita
Total Authors: 1
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| Document type: | Doctoral Thesis |
| Press: | Campinas, SP. |
| Institution: | Universidade Estadual de Campinas (UNICAMP). Faculdade de Ciências Médicas |
| Defense date: | 2012-07-02 |
| Examining board members: |
Fernando Cendes;
João Pereira Leite;
Marilisa Mantovani Guerreiro;
Carlos Eduardo Soares Silva;
Jose Antonio Rocha Gontijo
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| Advisor: | Íscia Teresinha Lopes Cendes; Fernando Cendes |
| Abstract | |
Introduction: Mesial temporal lobe epilepsy (MTLE), the main cause of partial epilepsy in adulthood, is frequently associated with hippocampal atrophy (HA). The knowledge regarding its natural history and pathophysiology is based mainly on surgical series. Familial mesial temporal lobe epilepsy (FMTLE) is characterized by the recurrence of MTLE in the same family with different degrees of severity. This aspect, together with the fact that some asymptomatic members have MRI signs of HA, makes the prospective study of FMTLE the perfect scenario for the better understanding of the natural history and pathophysiology of MTLE. Material and Methods: We analyzed prospectively 103 individuals belonging to 17 families with FMTL. The mean duration of follow up was 7.6 years (SD, ± 1.8 years) Family members were divided into 3 groups: FMTLE (n=53), unclassified (seizures that did not fulfill criteria for MTLE, n=18) and asymptomatic at first evaluation (n=32). The FMTLE group was divided into 3 subgroups named: remission (n=19), benign (n=17) and refractory (n=17) and were further reclassified according to their outcome in favorable outcome and poor outcome. Outcome groups were correlated with possible predictor factors. MRI signs of atrophy were defined by visual analysis. In a related study, we performed manual volumetry in both MRI images when they were available. Results: In the benign group patients evolved to either refractoriness (17.6%) or remission (23.5%). In the remission group, most patients remained seizure free and only 21% were further reclassified as benign. All refractory patients remained refractory or underwent surgery. From the asymptomatic group 12.5% developed benign FMTLE and from the unclassified seizure group 22% evolved to a diagnosis of benign FMTLE. Predictive factors related to poor outcome were presence of HA (p=0.0192) and interictal epileptiform discharges on EEGs (p=0.0174). The correlation between initial precipitating injuries and clinical outcome was not significant although a clear tendency was observed (p=0.0549). Regarding volumetric analysis, when comparing hippocampal volumes from initial and last MRIs, we observed progression of HA. Discussion: Our results confirm the benign aspect of FMTLE. This finding emphasizes the existence of patients with good outcome even in the presence of signs of HA, challenging the notion that MTLE with HA is always refractory. Furthermore, the demonstration of predictive factors of poor clinical outcome supports the hypothesis that, in addition to the genetic influence, there should be other factors involved in the pathophysiology of this condition. Volumetric data reinforces the theory that MTLE might be a progressive disorder, and that the rate of progression would be influenced by external factors. This longitudinal study brought additional data regarding the natural history of FMTLE that strengthens and clarifies some of the previously formulated hypotheses. The better understanding of the underlying mechanisms of FMTLE is important to determine therapeutic strategies aiming better seizure control and perhaps thereby preventing epileptogenesis and progression of neuronal damage (AU) | |