Lee, Jong Woo

AbstractIn response to the evolving treatment landscape for new‐onset refractory status epilepticus (NORSE) and the publication of consensus recommendations in 2022, we conducted a comparative analysis of NORSE management over time. Seventy‐seven patients were enrolled by 32 centers, from July 2016 to August 2023, in the NORSE/FIRES biorepository at Yale. Immunotherapy was administered to 88% of patients after a median of 3 days, with 52% receiving second‐line immunotherapy after a median of 12 days (anakinra 29%, rituximab 25%, and tocilizumab 19%). There was an increase in the use of second‐line immunotherapies (odds ratio [OR] = 1.4, 95% CI = 1.1–1.8) and ketogenic diet (OR = 1.8, 95% CI = 1.3–2.6) over time. Specifically, patients from 2022 to 2023 more frequently received second‐line immunotherapy (69% vs 40%; OR = 3.3; 95% CI = 1.3–8.9)—particularly anakinra (50% vs 13%; OR = 6.5; 95% CI = 2.3–21.0), and the ketogenic diet (OR = 6.8; 95% CI = 2.5–20.1)—than those before 2022. Among the 27 patients who received anakinra and/or tocilizumab, earlier administration after status epilepticus onset correlated with a shorter duration of status epilepticus (ρ = .519, p = .005). Our findings indicate an evolution in NORSE management, emphasizing the increasing use of second‐line immunotherapies and the ketogenic diet. Future research will clarify the impact of these treatments and their timing on patient outcomes.

Abstract Febrile infection‐related epilepsy syndrome (FIRES) is a subset of new onset refractory status epilepticus (NORSE) that involves a febrile infection prior to the onset of the refractory status epilepticus. It is unclear whether FIRES and non‐FIRES NORSE are distinct conditions. Here, we compare 34 patients with FIRES to 30 patients with non‐FIRES NORSE for demographics, clinical features, neuroimaging, and outcomes. Because patients with FIRES were younger than patients with non‐FIRES NORSE (median = 28 vs. 48 years old, p = .048) and more likely cryptogenic (odds ratio = 6.89), we next ran a regression analysis using age or etiology as a covariate. Respiratory and gastrointestinal prodromes occurred more frequently in FIRES patients, but no difference was found for non‐infection‐related prodromes. Status epilepticus subtype, cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) and magnetic resonance imaging findings, and outcomes were similar. However, FIRES cases were more frequently cryptogenic; had higher CSF interleukin 6, CSF macrophage inflammatory protein‐1 alpha (MIP‐1a), and serum chemokine ligand 2 (CCL2) levels; and received more antiseizure medications and immunotherapy. After controlling for age or etiology, no differences were observed in presenting symptoms and signs or inflammatory biomarkers, suggesting that FIRES and non‐FIRES NORSE are very similar conditions.

With more than 6000 attendees between in-person and virtual offerings, the American Epilepsy Society Meeting 2022 in Nashville, felt as busy as in prepandemic times. An ever-growing number of physicians, scientists, and allied health professionals gathered to learn a variety of topics about epilepsy. The program was carefully tailored to meet the needs of professionals with different interests and career stages. This article summarizes the different symposia presented at the meeting. Basic science lectures addressed the primary elements of seizure generation and pathophysiology of epilepsy in different disease states. Scientists congregated to learn about anti-seizure medications, mechanisms of action, and new tools to treat epilepsy including surgery and neurostimulation. Some symposia were also dedicated to discuss epilepsy comorbidities and practical issues regarding epilepsy care. An increasing number of patient advocates discussing their stories were intertwined within scientific activities. Many smaller group sessions targeted more specific topics to encourage member participation, including Special Interest Groups, Investigator, and Skills Workshops. Special lectures included the renown Hoyer and Lombroso, an ILAE/IBE joint session, a spotlight on the impact of Dobbs v. Jackson on reproductive health in epilepsy, and a joint session with the NAEC on coding and reimbursement policies. The hot topics symposium was focused on traumatic brain injury and post-traumatic epilepsy. A balanced collaboration with the industry allowed presentations of the latest pharmaceutical and engineering advances in satellite symposia.