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Children (Basel, Switzerland) Nov 2023Epilepsy is a chronic neurological disease characterized by the presence of spontaneous seizures, with a higher incidence in the pediatric population. Anti-seizure...
Epilepsy is a chronic neurological disease characterized by the presence of spontaneous seizures, with a higher incidence in the pediatric population. Anti-seizure medication (ASM) may produce adverse drug reactions (ADRs) with an elevated frequency and a high severity. Thus, the objective of the present study was to analyze, through intensive pharmacovigilance over 112 months, the ADRs produced by valproic acid (VPA), oxcarbazepine (OXC), phenytoin (PHT), and levetiracetam (LEV), among others, administered to monotherapy or polytherapy for Mexican hospitalized pediatric epilepsy patients. A total of 1034 patients were interviewed; 315 met the inclusion criteria, 211 patients presented ADRs, and 104 did not. A total of 548 ASM-ADRs were identified, and VPA, LEV, and PHT were the main culprit drugs. The most frequent ADRs were drowsiness, irritability, and thrombocytopenia, and the main systems affected were hematologic, nervous, and dermatologic. LEV and OXC caused more nonsevere ADRs, and PHT caused more severe ADRs. The risk analysis showed an association between belonging to the younger groups and polytherapy with ADR presence and between polytherapy and malnutrition with severe ADRs. In addition, most of the severe ADRs were preventable, and most of the nonsevere ADRs were nonpreventable.
PubMed: 38002866
DOI: 10.3390/children10111775 -
Biomedicines Oct 2023Four 5,5'-diphenylhydantoin Schiff bases possessing different aromatic species (-) were recently synthesized and characterized using spectroscopic and electrochemical...
Four 5,5'-diphenylhydantoin Schiff bases possessing different aromatic species (-) were recently synthesized and characterized using spectroscopic and electrochemical tools. The present study aimed to ascertain the anticonvulsant activity of the novel phenytoin derivatives , , , and , containing different electron-donor and electron-acceptor groups, and their possible mechanism of action. The exhibited the highest potency to suppress the seizure spread with ED = 8.29 mg/kg, comparable to phenytoin (ED = 5.96 mg/kg). While did not produce neurotoxicity and sedation, it decreased locomotion and stereotypy compared to control. When administered in combination, the four Schiff bases decreased the phenytoin ED by more than 2× and raised the protective index by more than 7× (phenytoin+). The strongest correlation between in-vivo and docking study results was found for ligands' interaction energies with kappa and delta receptors. These data, combined with the worst interaction energies of our ligands with the mu receptor, suggest that the primary mechanism of their action involves the kappa and delta receptors, where the selectivity to the kappa receptor leads to higher biological effects. Our findings suggest that the four Schiff bases might be promising candidates with potential applications as a safe and effective adjuvant in epilepsy.
PubMed: 38001914
DOI: 10.3390/biomedicines11112912 -
Journal of Advanced Research Nov 2023One-third of people with epilepsy continue to experience seizures despite treatment with existing anti-seizure medications (ASMs). The failure of modern ASMs to...
INTRODUCTION
One-third of people with epilepsy continue to experience seizures despite treatment with existing anti-seizure medications (ASMs). The failure of modern ASMs to substantially improve epilepsy prognosis has been partly attributed to overreliance on acute rodent models in preclinical drug development as they do not adequately recapitulate the mechanisms of human epilepsy, are labor-intensive and unsuitable for high-throughput screening (HTS). There is an urgent need to find human-relevant HTS models in preclinical drug development to identify novel anti-seizure compounds.
OBJECTIVES
This paper developed high-throughput preclinical screening models to identify new ASMs.
METHODS
14 natural compounds (α-asarone, curcumin, vinpocetine, magnolol, ligustrazine, osthole, tanshinone IIA, piperine, gastrodin, quercetin, berberine, chrysin, schizandrin A and resveratrol) were assessed for their ability to suppress epileptiform activity as measured by multi-electrode arrays (MEA) in neural cultures derived from human induced pluripotent stem cells (iPSCs). In parallel, they were tested for anti-seizure effects in zebrafish and mouse models, which have been widely used in development of modern ASMs. The effects of the compounds in these models were compared. Two approved ASMs were used as positive controls.
RESULTS
Epileptiform activity could be induced in iPSCs-derived neurons following treatment with 4-aminopyridine (4-AP) and inhibited by standard ASMs, carbamazepine, and phenytoin. Eight of the 14 natural compounds significantly inhibited the epileptiform activity in iPSCs-derived neurons. Among them, piperine, magnolol, α-asarone, and osthole showed significant anti-seizure effects both in zebrafish and mice. Comparative analysis showed that compounds ineffective in the iPSCs-derived neural model also showed no anti-seizure effects in the zebrafish or mouse models.
CONCLUSION
Our findings support the use of iPSCs-derived human neurons for first-line high-throughput screening to identify compounds with anti-seizure properties and exclude ineffective compounds. Effective compounds may then be selected for animal evaluation before clinical testing. This integrated approach may improve the efficiency of developing novel ASMs.
PubMed: 37995945
DOI: 10.1016/j.jare.2023.11.022 -
CNS Drugs Nov 2023Over the last decade, significant advancements have been made in status epilepticus (SE) management, influenced by landmark trials such as ESETT and RAMPART. The...
Trends and Differences in Status Epilepticus Treatment of Children and Adults Over 10 Years: A Comparative Study of Medical Records (2012-2021) from a University Hospital in Germany.
BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES
Over the last decade, significant advancements have been made in status epilepticus (SE) management, influenced by landmark trials such as ESETT and RAMPART. The objectives of this study were to explore the evolution of drug treatments for patients with SE, to investigate its association with outcomes and mortality, and to evaluate differences in treatment patterns between adults and children for a potential shift in medication trends due to the above mentioned trials.
METHODS
The medical records of patients with SE treated at University Hospital Frankfurt between 2012 and 2021 were evaluated for medication trends and outcomes. Children and adults were analyzed separately and jointly.
RESULTS
This study included 1151 SE episodes in 1021 patients (mean age = 53.3 ± 28.3 years; 52.5 % female [n = 533]). The overall percentage of patients with SE treated prehospital was stable over the last decade. More than half (53.6 %) of children were treated prehospital, compared with less than one-third (26.7 %) of adults. Prehospital midazolam use increased over time, while diazepam use decreased. Lorazepam was the most commonly used benzodiazepine in hospitals in 2012-2013, used in 40.8 % of all episodes. However, its use declined to 27.2 % in 2020-2021, while midazolam use increased to 44.0 %. While the use of older antiseizure medications (ASMs) such as phenobarbital (p = 0.02), phenytoin (p < 0.001), and valproate (p < 0.001) decreased, the use of newer ASMs such as levetiracetam and lacosamide significantly increased (p < 0.001). Propofol and continuous midazolam infusion remained the most used third-line therapy drugs. Overall mortality was 16.5 % at discharge and 18.9 % at 30 days. Mortality rates did not change between 2012 and 2021.
CONCLUSION
Midazolam has become the preferred benzodiazepine in pre- and in-hospital settings, both in children and adults. The same applies to the increased use of levetiracetam and lacosamide over time in children and adults, while phenobarbital, phenytoin, and valproate use decreased. Continuous midazolam infusion and propofol remain the most frequently used anesthetic drugs. Mortality and outcome remain stable despite changes in medication patterns.
Topics: Humans; Child; Adult; Female; Middle Aged; Aged; Aged, 80 and over; Male; Anticonvulsants; Phenytoin; Midazolam; Levetiracetam; Valproic Acid; Propofol; Lacosamide; Hospitals, University; Status Epilepticus; Phenobarbital; Benzodiazepines; Medical Records
PubMed: 37979095
DOI: 10.1007/s40263-023-01049-w -
BioRxiv : the Preprint Server For... Oct 2023The intricate neuroanatomical structure of the cerebellum is of longstanding interest in epilepsy, but has been poorly characterized within the current cortico-centric...
OBJECTIVE
The intricate neuroanatomical structure of the cerebellum is of longstanding interest in epilepsy, but has been poorly characterized within the current cortico-centric models of this disease. We quantified cross-sectional regional cerebellar lobule volumes using structural MRI in 1,602 adults with epilepsy and 1,022 healthy controls across twenty-two sites from the global ENIGMA-Epilepsy working group.
METHODS
A state-of-the-art deep learning-based approach was employed that parcellates the cerebellum into 28 neuroanatomical subregions. Linear mixed models compared total and regional cerebellar volume in i) all epilepsies; ii) temporal lobe epilepsy with hippocampal sclerosis (TLE-HS); iii) non-lesional temporal lobe epilepsy (TLE-NL); iv) genetic generalised epilepsy; and (v) extra-temporal focal epilepsy (ETLE). Relationships were examined for cerebellar volume versus age at seizure onset, duration of epilepsy, phenytoin treatment, and cerebral cortical thickness.
RESULTS
Across all epilepsies, reduced total cerebellar volume was observed (=0.42). Maximum volume loss was observed in the corpus medullare (=0.49) and posterior lobe grey matter regions, including bilateral lobules VIIB (= 0.47), Crus I/II (= 0.39), VIIIA (=0.45) and VIIIB (=0.40). Earlier age at seizure onset (=0.05) and longer epilepsy duration (=0.06) correlated with reduced volume in these regions. Findings were most pronounced in TLE-HS and ETLE with distinct neuroanatomical profiles observed in the posterior lobe. Phenytoin treatment was associated with reduced posterior lobe volume. Cerebellum volume correlated with cerebral cortical thinning more strongly in the epilepsy cohort than in controls.
SIGNIFICANCE
We provide robust evidence of deep cerebellar and posterior lobe subregional grey matter volume loss in patients with chronic epilepsy. Volume loss was maximal for posterior subregions implicated in non-motor functions, relative to motor regions of both the anterior and posterior lobe. Associations between cerebral and cerebellar changes, and variability of neuroanatomical profiles across epilepsy syndromes argue for more precise incorporation of cerebellum subregions into neurobiological models of epilepsy.
PubMed: 37961570
DOI: 10.1101/2023.10.21.562994 -
Annals of Palliative Medicine Jan 2024Trigeminal neuralgia (TN) usually affects people over 50 years old. TN-related pains are short-lived, and the disease course is characterized by exacerbations and...
BACKGROUND
Trigeminal neuralgia (TN) usually affects people over 50 years old. TN-related pains are short-lived, and the disease course is characterized by exacerbations and remissions. Sometimes chronic pain develops due to central sensitization. This is the first case report on the effectiveness of tapentadol in pain control in TN.
CASE DESCRIPTION
It is an instructive case history demonstrating the high effectiveness of tapentadol in a 55-year-old Caucasian male with severe [Visual Analogue Scale (VAS) 9/10] TN-related pain and a history of ineffective treatment with antiepileptic drugs. The neuralgia had occurred twice a year for the three preceding years, and typically the TN periods lasted 2-3 weeks with complete remissions between. Previously the patient had been treated with antiepileptic drugs (e.g., carbamazepine, phenytoin, clonazepam, gabapentin, and lamotrigine). However, he found all treatments to be ineffective and accompanied by unacceptable somnolence. Thus, a prolonged-release oral tapentadol was proposed at the beginning of the next relapse. After application of tapentadol, the patient reported a significant improvement. The severity of pain declined to VAS 6/10 (2nd day) and 4/10 (3rd day), and the attacks resolved entirely on the fourth day of treatment. He reported no side effects. The drug was discontinued after 14 days.
CONCLUSIONS
Despite pain chronification, tapentadol was efficient and well tolerated in TN. Further research is needed to reveal tapentadol's efficacy in neuralgias.
Topics: Male; Humans; Middle Aged; Tapentadol; Trigeminal Neuralgia; Anticonvulsants; Neuralgia; Gabapentin; Treatment Outcome
PubMed: 37953213
DOI: 10.21037/apm-23-439 -
Frontiers in Genetics 2023Specific alleles in human leukocyte antigens (HLAs) are associated with an increased risk of developing drug hypersensitivity reactions induced by abacavir,...
Specific alleles in human leukocyte antigens (HLAs) are associated with an increased risk of developing drug hypersensitivity reactions induced by abacavir, allopurinol, carbamazepine, oxcarbazepine, phenytoin, lamotrigine, or flucloxacillin. Transplant patients are genotyped for HLA as a routine practice to match a potential donor to a recipient. This study aims to investigate the feasibility and potential impact of repurposing these HLA genotype data from kidney transplant patients to prevent drug hypersensitivity reactions. A cohort of 1347 kidney transplant recipients has been genotyped in the Leiden University Medical Center (LUMC) using next-generation sequencing (NGS). The risk alleles and were retrieved from the NGS data. Medical history, medication use, and allergic reactions were obtained from the patient's medical records. Carrier frequencies found were compared to a LUMC blood donor population. A total of 13.1% of transplant cohort patients carried at least one of the five risk alleles and therefore had an increased risk of drug-induced hypersensitivity for specific drugs. , were found in carrier frequencies of 4.61%, 1.19%, 4.46%, and 3.35% respectively. No carrier was found. In total nine carriers received flucloxacillin and seven carriers within our cohort received allopurinol. Our study shows that repurposing HLA genotype data from transplantation patients for the assignment of HLA risk alleles associated with drug hypersensitivity is feasible. The use of these data by physicians while prescribing drugs or by the pharmacist when dispensing drugs holds the potential to prevent drug hypersensitivity reactions. The utility of this method was highlighted by 13.1% of the transplant cohort patients carrying an actionable HLA allele.
PubMed: 37908589
DOI: 10.3389/fgene.2023.1289015 -
Cureus Sep 2023Stevens-Johnson syndrome and toxic epidermal necrolysis overlap is a rare but severe cutaneous hypersensitivity reaction that can lead to death if not treated...
Stevens-Johnson syndrome and toxic epidermal necrolysis overlap is a rare but severe cutaneous hypersensitivity reaction that can lead to death if not treated aggressively and adequately. Drug-induced hypersensitivity reactions are often related to drug exposure, with sulfonamides, anti-epileptics, fluoroquinolones, cephalosporins, and nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs being the most common culprits. This case report describes a 10-year-old boy who was administered phenytoin at a local clinic to manage his seizures. This treatment led to the onset of SJS-TEN overlap, ultimately resulting in his demise.
PubMed: 37900419
DOI: 10.7759/cureus.46075 -
Pharmaceutics Oct 2023Regulatory agencies worldwide expect that clinical pharmacokinetic drug-drug interactions (DDIs) between an investigational new drug and other drugs should be conducted...
Regulatory agencies worldwide expect that clinical pharmacokinetic drug-drug interactions (DDIs) between an investigational new drug and other drugs should be conducted during drug development as part of an adequate assessment of the drug's safety and efficacy. However, it is neither time nor cost efficient to test all possible DDI scenarios clinically. Phenytoin is classified by the Food and Drug Administration as a strong clinical index inducer of CYP3A4, and a moderate sensitive substrate of CYP2C9. A physiologically based pharmacokinetic (PBPK) platform model was developed using GastroPlus to assess DDIs with phenytoin acting as the victim (CYP2C9, CYP2C19) or perpetrator (CYP3A4). Pharmacokinetic data were obtained from 15 different studies in healthy subjects. The PBPK model of phenytoin explains the contribution of CYP2C9 and CYP2C19 to the formation of 5-(4'-hydroxyphenyl)-5-phenylhydantoin. Furthermore, it accurately recapitulated phenytoin exposure after single and multiple intravenous and oral doses/formulations ranging from 248 to 900 mg, the dose-dependent nonlinearity and the magnitude of the effect of food on phenytoin pharmacokinetics. Once developed and verified, the model was used to characterize and predict phenytoin DDIs with fluconazole, omeprazole and itraconazole, i.e., simulated/observed DDI AUC ratio ranging from 0.89 to 1.25. This study supports the utility of the PBPK approach in informing drug development.
PubMed: 37896246
DOI: 10.3390/pharmaceutics15102486 -
Pharmaceutics Oct 2023Free drug concentrations are generally considered the pharmacologically active moiety and are important for cellular diffusion and distribution. Pregnancy-related...
Total and Free Blood and Plasma Concentration Changes in Pregnancy for Medicines Highly Bound to Plasma Proteins: Application of Physiologically Based Pharmacokinetic Modelling to Understand the Impact on Efficacy.
Free drug concentrations are generally considered the pharmacologically active moiety and are important for cellular diffusion and distribution. Pregnancy-related changes in plasma protein binding and blood partitioning are due to decreases in plasma albumin, alpha-1-acid glycoprotein, and haematocrit; this may lead to increased free concentrations, tissue distribution, and clearance during pregnancy. In this paper we highlight the importance and challenges of considering changes in total and free concentrations during pregnancy. For medicines highly bound to plasma proteins, such as tacrolimus, efavirenz, clindamycin, phenytoin, and carbamazepine, differential changes in concentrations of free drug during pregnancy may be clinically significant and have important implications for dose adjustment. Therapeutic drug monitoring usually relies on the measurement of total concentrations; this can result in dose adjustments that are not necessary when changes in free concentrations are considered. We explore the potential of physiologically based pharmacokinetic (PBPK) models to support the understanding of the changes in plasma proteins binding, using tacrolimus and efavirenz as example drug models. The exposure to either drug was predicted to be reduced during pregnancy; however, the decrease in the exposure to the total tacrolimus and efavirenz were significantly larger than the reduction in the exposure to the free drug. These data show that PBPK modelling can support the impact of the changes in plasma protein binding and may be used for the simulation of free concentrations in pregnancy to support dosing decisions.
PubMed: 37896215
DOI: 10.3390/pharmaceutics15102455