I'm looking for chemical or physiological parameters (which can be measured) that change minutes or seconds before an epilepsy crisis. In other terms, what are the chemical, biological and physiological changes that occur just before an epilepsy crisis ?
Here is a report about a system that predicts
a seizure from cardiac, muscle, and brain
activity. I presume EMG and EEG.
http://www.medgadget.com/2014/08/wemu-smart-clothing-for-epilepsy-monitoring-and-diagnosis-video.html
Related:
http://www.theguardian.com/society/2012/aug/07/epilepsy-seizure-drugs-device-progress
http://www.gizmag.com/epilepsy-seizure-prediction-brain-implant/27369/
http://www.gizmag.com/seizure-measuring-wristbands/22322/
http://www.smartplanet.com/blog/rethinking-healthcare/wristband-sensors-to-prevent-fatal-epileptic-seizures/
Regards,
Joachim
Dear Charlotte,
indeed, prediction of seizures and status epilepticus is the "holy grail" in epilepsy research. Unfortunately there is limited evidence for the predictive value of clinical characteristics and clinical scoring systems are scarce. However, there are some typical clinical features occuring in patients with nonconvulsive seizures and status epilepticus (Sutter R, et al. Neurol Clin Parct 2012;2(4):275-286). To what degree such features may occur prior to epileptic events remains unclear. In addition, the emergence of periodic epileptiform discharges on EEG are associated with the development of treatment refractory status epilepticus (Mayer, S. A. et al. Arch Neurol 2002;59:205–210) and in a recent case–control study of 200 patients with gen- eralized periodic discharges (GPDs) who were matched with 200 control individuals demonstrated that GPDs were strongly associated with nonconvulsive seizures and status epilepticus (Foreman, B. et al. Neurology 2012;79:1951–1960). Further features that may have predictive value are compiled in our review (Sutter R, et al. Nature Rev Neurol 2013;9:525–534).
Kindest regards
Raoul
To prevent a seizure one needs to intervene in the brain and alter the seizure generating mechanisms. Some studies have shown evidence for reduction in seizure frequency using neurostimulation. One may need to intervene quite early in advance of a seizure for a stimylation-for example-to be effective. This implies that the seizure occurrence is predicted. Most of the work on seizure prediction has been done using EEG, more specifically intracranial EEG. Very few studies attempted to predict seizures using other modalities. There is now a body of studies that demonstrated seizure prediction is possible above chance. Many EEG features were used to detect seizure precursors that are sensitive and specific to seizure occurrence. For a good review on seizure prediction see Mormann et al. 2007 Brain. I Hope this helps.
Try measurements of potassium, calcium and glucose in the brain tissue (for in vivo) or in the cerebrospinal fluid and brain slices (if in vitro)
In paralleled recording of EEG and ECG you can sometimes see an icrease of the heart rate directly prior to seizure-onset. This is beeing used to trigger extra Stimulation in the new vagus nerve Stimulator 105 by cyberonics. I dont have personal experience with the new Stimulator an dont have literature by i guess there is at least some evidence that it may work.
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