Epilepsia Open. 2023 Dec 22. doi: 10.1002/epi4.12890. Online ahead of print.
ABSTRACT
OBJECTIVE: Rescue benzodiazepine medication can be used to treat seizure clusters, which are intermittent, stereotypic episodes of frequent seizure activity that are distinct from a patient’s usual seizure pattern. The NeuroPace RNS® System is a device that detects abnormal electrographic activity through intracranial electrodes and administers electrical stimulation to control seizures. Reductions in electrographic activity over days to weeks have been associated with the longer-term efficacy of daily antiseizure medications (ASMs). In this pilot study, electrographic activity over hours to days was examined to assess the impact of a single dose of a proven rescue therapy (diazepam nasal spray) with a rapid onset of action.
METHODS: Adult volunteers (>18 years old) with clinically indicated RNS (stable settings and ASM usage) received a weight-based dose of diazepam nasal spray in the absence of a clinical seizure. Descriptive statistics for number of detections and sum of durations of detections at 10-minute, hourly, and 24-hour intervals during the 7-day (predose) baseline period were calculated. Post-dose detections at each time interval were compared with the respective baseline-detection intervals using a 1 SD threshold. The number of long episodes that occurred after dosing also were compared with baseline.
RESULTS: Five participants were enrolled, and 4 completed the study; the excluded participant had recurrent seizures during the study. There were no consistent changes (difference >1 SD) in detections between post-dose and mean baseline values. Although variability was high (1 SD was often near or exceeded the mean), 3 participants showed possible trends for reductions in one or more electrographic variables following treatment.
SIGNIFICANCE: RNS-assessed electrographic detections and durations were not shown to be sensitive measures of short-term effects associated with a single dose of rescue medication in this small group of participants. It is possible the variability of detections may have masked a measurable drug effect.
PMID:38131286 | DOI:10.1002/epi4.12890
