Epileptic phenotypes in autoimmune encephalitis: from acute symptomatic seizures to autoimmune-associated epilepsy
(2022)
Autori:
Matricardi, S.; Casciato, S.; Bozzetti, S.; Mariotto, S.; Stabile, A.; Freri, E.; Deleo, F.; Sartori, S.; Nosadini, M.; Pappalardo, I.; Meletti, S.; Giovannini, G.; Zucchi, E.; Di Bonaventura, C.; Di Gennaro, G.; Ferrari, S.; Zuliani, L.; Zoccarato, M.; Vogrig, A.; Lattanzi, S.; Michelucci, R.; Gambardella, A.; Ferlazzo, E.; Fusco, L.; Granata, T.; Villani, F.; Immune Epilepsies Study Group of the Italian League Against, Epilepsy.
Titolo:
Epileptic phenotypes in autoimmune encephalitis: from acute symptomatic seizures to autoimmune-associated epilepsy
Anno:
2022
Tipologia prodotto:
Articolo in Rivista
Tipologia ANVUR:
Articolo su rivista
Lingua:
Inglese
Formato:
A Stampa
Referee:
Sì
Nome rivista:
Journal of Neurology, neurosurgery and psychiatry
ISSN Rivista:
0022-3050
N° Volume:
93
Numero o Fascicolo:
11
Intervallo pagine:
1194-1201
Parole chiave:
autoimmune encephalitis; epilepsy
Breve descrizione dei contenuti:
Objective: To describe the clinical and paraclinical findings, treatment options and long-term outcomes in autoimmune encephalitis (AE), with a close look to epilepsy. Methods: In this retrospective observational cohort study, we enrolled patients with new-onset seizures in the context of AE. We compared clinical and paraclinical findings in patients with and without evidence of antibodies. Results: Overall, 263 patients (138 females; median age 55 years, range 4-86) were followed up for a median time of 30 months (range 12-120). Antineuronal antibodies were detected in 63.50%.Antibody-positive patients had multiple seizure types (p=0.01) and prevalent involvement of temporal regions (p=0.02). A higher prevalence of episodes of SE was found in the antibody-negative group (p<0.001).Immunotherapy was prescribed in 88.60%, and effective in 61.80%. Independent predictors of favourable outcome of the AE were early immunotherapy (p<0.001) and the detection of antineuronal surface antibodies (p=0.01).Autoimmune-associated epilepsy was the long-term sequela in 43.73%, associated with cognitive and psychiatric disturbances in 81.73%. Independent predictors of developing epilepsy were difficult to treat seizures at onset (p=0.04), a high number of antiseizure medications (p<0.001), persisting interictal epileptiform discharges at follow-up (p<0.001) and poor response to immunotherapy during the acute phase (p<0.001). Conclusions: The recognition of seizures secondary to AE represents a rare chance for aetiology-driven seizures management. Early recognition and treatment at the pathogenic level may reduce the risk of long-term irreversible sequelae. However, the severity of seizures at onset is the major risk factor for the development of chronic epilepsy.This study provides class IV evidence for management recommendations.