Thesis (M.A.)--Indiana University, 2008. / Title from screen (viewed on August 28, 2009). Department of History, Indiana University-Purdue University Indianapolis (IUPUI). Advisor(s): William Schneider. Includes vita. Includes bibliographical references (leaves 93-98).

abstract: Psychogenic non-epileptic seizures (PNES), is a conversion disorder thought to be linked to unresolved emotional distress. While some studies suggest that PNES patients do not attribute their somatic symptoms to severe psychological experiences (Stone, Binzer, & Sharpe, 2004; LaFrance & Barry, 2005), it is unclear what PNES patients do think causes their seizures, and the psychological consequences of those attributions. The aim of the present study was to investigate PNES patients' attributions for their seizures, and to determine how these attributions relate to stress and emotion regulation. It was hypothesized that participants who attribute their seizures to something (i.e., have an explanation for their seizures) will have lower perceived stress and less difficulty with emotion regulation than those who are unsure of the cause of their seizures. Twenty-four PNES participants completed a questionnaire assessing seizure diagnosis, characteristics of seizure impact, perceived stress, psychological symptoms, emotion regulation, attributions for seizures, and coping resources. Contrary to the hypothesis, having an explanation for seizures, rather than being “unsure” of seizure cause, was related to greater perceived stress. While it would seem that attributing unpredictable seizure events to a cause would lower perceived stress and emotion regulation difficulty, this study indicates that an attribution to an unknown cause may be more beneficial for the individual. / Dissertation/Thesis / M.S. Psychology 2012

The aim of this inquiry was to gain a deeper understanding of the hospitalisation of learners living with severe epilepsy. Much current research focuses on the attitudes and perceptions of teachers and relatively little has been done on learners with severe epilepsy and the kinds of support they require in a school setting. The latest policy document on inclusion, White Paper 6 of 2001 refers to support as essential in accommodating diversity. This involves the provision of supportive teaching and learning for all. Particularly in supporting learners with severe epilepsy, parents, teachers and all role players are regarded as important. From the literature review, it was evident that support for learners with epilepsy plays an important role in enhancing teaching and learning. It was also apparent that, where support is lacking, their learning abilities is negatively affected. This study therefore aims to examine the ways in which hospitalisation affects epileptics’ learning abilities and, consequently, the support they require as a result of their barriers to learning. This information may be used as a point of departure in the training of teachers, in order to facilitate support and promote the successful removal of barriers to learning. In order to achieve this goal, two focus group interviews were conducted with teachers and learners; furthermore, two individual interviews were also conducted with the hospital head sister attached to the school, and with the school principal. The main patterns of concern that emerged from the data related to the learners, teachers, parents and the policy of inclusive education. From the analysis of data, it was clear that hospitalisation impacts negatively on learning and that little or no support is provided. It would probably be advisable for the Department of Education, teachers, parents and hospital staff to take note of these results and concerns so that all role players can be trained in the provision of adequate support. Moreover, the Department of Education is urged to speed up the process of implementing the policy on curriculum adaptation, which will benefit all learners, including those with severe epilepsy. Collaborative working relationships between parents, teachers, learners, the hospital staff and other role-players must be characterised by warmth, love, perseverance, tolerance, acceptance and understanding. This working relationship should, at all times, provide the means for enabling learners to cope in the classroom. Parents, as partners in the education of learners, should be involved as classroom aides, and can be enlisted to visit learners who are hospitalized and to offer them support. The establishment of this commitment is a key element in supporting learners living with severe epilepsy. / Mrs. J.V. Fourie

Thesis (M.S.)--Boston University / This exploratory study is an attempt (1) to provide information concerning the incidence of • epilepsy in New Hampshire and (2) in the light of this incidence to consider the role of the public health nurse in the care of the epileptic child.

<p>  </p> <p>Approximately 30% of patients with epilepsy do not achieve adequate seizure control through current anti-seizure drugs (ASD) and treatment methods. Therefore, a critical need exists to efficiently screen ASDs to enhance our ability to tailor treatment protocols and improve patient outcomes. The zebrafish pentylenetetrazol (PTZ) seizure model has become an increasingly popular screening paradigm for novel ASDs. Here, we present an optimized PTZ assay to improve reliability and reproducibility based on work in our laboratory. This optimized assay improves robustness in our screening of anti-seizure drugs (topiramate, lamotrigine, carbamazepine and GS967). These findings show that electroencephalogram (EEG) and calcium sensitive GFP from fusion protein (GCaMP) assays largely correlate with the behavioral findings, helping us connect physiological and behavioral responses to ASDs. Genetic epilepsy syndromes, like voltage gated sodium channel <em>SCN2A</em> and <em>SCN8A</em> pathogenic variants, are often poorly controlled by current medications. Our optimized assay relied on a fast and precise zebrafish seizure model using mRNA overexpression of h<em>SCN2A</em> and h<em>SCN8A</em> variants including: hSCN2A R1882Q and R853Q and hSCN8A R1872Q. All three pathogenic variants increased seizure activity, and the ASDs significantly decreased this seizure activity. This mRNA overexpression assay can be used to quickly evaluate seizure activity induced by pathogenic variants in voltage gated sodium channel genes and test ASDs to determine efficacy. In a separate study, we tested if the addition of the human <em>SCN2A </em>sodium channel could potentially rescue the loss of the zebrafish scn1Lab gene. Our GCaMP assay data indicates that this loss was successfully rescued. Cumulatively, these findings can be used to improve the screening of novel ASDs and treatments for patients with refractory epilepsy.</p>

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The experiences of family caregivers of adults diagnosed with Non-Epileptic Attack Disorder (NEAD) are under-researched. To address this lack of research and the Department of Health’s (DOH) aim to focus on the experiences of caregivers to inform the development of appropriate services (DOH, 2010), this narrative inquiry focuses on the stories told by eight caregivers of adults diagnosed with NEAD. Each narrative, which was collected through loosely structured interviews, was analysed from both a content and performative perspective. Multiple readings of the narratives revealed that caregivers told two different story ‘types’ about their experiences: stories of ‘biographical continuity’ and stories of ‘biographical disruption’. These findings are discussed in relation to the relevant literature and clinical implications. Methodological limitations and directions for future research are also presented. The study provides a valuable insight for any professional working with caregivers of individuals with NEAD and it is hoped that this research will promote dialogue amongst professionals and readers.

12 month embargo; Available online 9 November 2016 / SCN8A encephalopathy is a severe, early-onset epilepsy disorder resulting from de novo gain-of-function mutations in the voltage-gated sodium channel Na(v)1.6. To identify the effects of this disorder on mRNA expression, RNA-seq was performed on brain tissue from a knock-in mouse expressing the patient mutation p.Asn1768Asp (N1768D). RNA was isolated from forebrain, cerebellum, and brainstem both before and after seizure onset, and from age-matched wildtype littermates. Altered transcript profiles were observed only in forebrain and only after seizures. The abundance of 50 transcripts increased more than 3-fold and 15 transcripts decreased more than 3 fold after seizures. The elevated transcripts included two anti-convulsant neuropeptides and more than a dozen genes involved in reactive astrocytosis and response to neuronal damage. There was no change in the level of transcripts encoding other voltage-gated sodium, potassium or calcium channels. Reactive astrocytosis was observed in the hippocampus of mutant mice after seizures. There is considerable overlap between the genes affected in this genetic model of epilepsy and those altered by chemically induced seizures, traumatic brain injury, ischemia, and inflammation. The data support the view that gain-of-function mutations of SCN8A lead to pathogenic alterations in brain function contributing to encephalopathy.

Background: Status epilepticus (SE) is a serious medical condition associated with significant morbidity and mortality. Few studies have addressed this condition in the elderly. The present study examines predictors of SE mortality in this growing population.Methods: SE patients visiting the Virginia Commonwealth University Medical Center from July 1, 1989, to June 30,2006 were included in the study. Data on demographic characteristics, SE type, etiology, time to treatment and mortality were collected. Logistic regression analysis was conducted to examine the determinants of mortality due to SE. Data was stratified by age to examine the characteristics of SE among the elderly population.Results: A total of 2,220 SE patients were included in this study. One-third of the patient population were elderly (>60 years). Mortality in the elderly group was significantly higher than in the young group (OR=3.54 CI 2.53-4.95). The logistic regression model showed that being white, female, having hypoxia, CNS acute, non-CNS acute and remote etiology groups were significant predictors for mortality in the elderly.Conclusions: SE is a serious medical condition, consisting of prolonged seizure activity, associated with a significant mortality. Elderly patients with SE represent a distinct population with unique characteristics.

Thesis advisor: Thomas N. Seyfried / Epilepsy is a prevalent disabling chronic and socially isolating neurological disorder that involves recurrent abnormal discharges of neurons. Despite seizures afflicting about 10% of people worldwide, antiepileptic drugs (AEDs) are largely unable to manage seizures in many persons with epilepsy. As an alternative to AEDs, dietary therapies possess a broad therapeutic potential in both humans and animals models of various neurological and neurodegenerative disease etiologies. My research focus was to identify the therapeutic efficacy and potential mechanism(s) of action of calorie restriction (CR) and the ketogenic diet (KD) in both the epileptic EL mouse model and the Mecp2<super>308/y<super/> mouse model of Rett syndrome. My findings indicate that both the KD and CR can reduce seizure susceptibility in EL mice, a natural model for multifactorial idiopathic generalized epilepsy. CR and circulating glucose and ketone levels significantly influence the therapeutic efficacy of the KD. A concurrent reduction in circulating plasma glucose levels and elevation in circulating plasma &beta-hydroxybutyrate levels was predicted to associate with the anticonvulsant effect of these diets in EL mice. For the first time, I was able to show that a KD fed in unrestricted amount is able to reduce seizure threshold in EL mice. Interestingly, supplementation of calories in the form of carbohydrate in the water of calorie-restricted EL mice results in a diminished anticonvulsant efficacy of the KD. In my effort to elucidate the neuroprotective mechanism(s) associated with these changes in metabolite availability, I started investigating the complex alterations occurring in multiple integrated neural and metabolic processes. Furthermore, I showed that a restricted KD diet improves aspects of the behavioral abnormalities seen in Rett mice, in particular with respect to anxiety. Finally, for the first time, I provide a standardized protocol for the implementation of diet therapies in the management of an array of neurological and neurodegenerative diseases, which ultimately may help elucidate the complex neuroprotective mechanism(s) of CR and the KD. This research overall has provided a new understanding in the therapeutic efficacy of diets in epilepsy and Rett Syndrome. / Thesis (PhD) — Boston College, 2010. / Submitted to: Boston College. Graduate School of Arts and Sciences. / Discipline: Biology.