Pain & Central Nervous System Week via NewsEdge :

2008 OCT 13 - (NewsRx.com) -- "Gelastic epilepsy (GE) associated with hypothalamic hamartomas (HHs) is now a well-characterized clinical syndrome consisting of gelastic seizures starting in infancy, medically refractory seizures with or without the development of multiple seizure types, and behavioral and cognitive decline (see also Epilepsy). It has been postulated that the development of the HH-GE syndrome is a result of a progressive epileptic encephalopathy or secondary epileptogenesis, which is potentially reversible with treatment of the HH," scientists in Calgary, Canada report.

"A variety of surgical options for the treatment of HHs exist, including open and endoscopic procedures, radiosurgery, interstitial radiotherapy, and stereotactic radiofrequency thermocoagulation. Surgical treatment can result in seizure freedom in up to 50% of patients and can be accompanied by significant improvements in behavior, cognition, and quality of life. Partial treatment of HHs may be sufficient to reduce seizure frequency and improve behavior and quality of life with less risk," wrote B. Addas and colleagues, University of Calgary.

The researchers concluded: "A component of reversible cognitive dysfunction may be present in some patients with an HH-GE syndrome."

Addas and colleagues published their study in Neurosurgical Focus (Surgical management of hypothalamic hamartomas in patients with gelastic epilepsy. Neurosurgical Focus, 2008;25(3):E8).

For more information, contact W.J. Hader, University of Calgary, Calgary Epilepsy Programme, Dept. of Clinic Neuroscience, Alberta Children's Hospital, 2888 Shaganappi Trail NW, Calgary, AB T3B 6A8, Canada.

Publisher contact information for the journal Neurosurgical Focus is: American Association Neurological Surgeons, 5550 Meadowbrook Drive, Rolling Meadows, IL 60008, USA.

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