Epileptic seizures in multiple sclerosis
Author(s)
Walsh, Stephen
Corbett, Joel
Tan, K Meng
Broadley, Simon
Griffith University Author(s)
Year published
2018
Metadata
Show full item recordAbstract
Introduction Epileptic seizures have been described in association with multiple sclerosis (MS) in both anecdotal case reports and case series. The recent identification of specific antibodies to myelin oligodendrocyte glycoprotein (MOG) protein in a small number of patients with demyelinating disease which may resemble neuromyelitis optica or acute disseminated encephalopathy, which may involve seizures, raises the possibility that anti-MOG antibody related demyelination may account for the association of epilepsy with MS.
Methods We have undertaken a retrospective review of cases of MS diagnosed at the Gold Coast MS clinic ...
View more >Introduction Epileptic seizures have been described in association with multiple sclerosis (MS) in both anecdotal case reports and case series. The recent identification of specific antibodies to myelin oligodendrocyte glycoprotein (MOG) protein in a small number of patients with demyelinating disease which may resemble neuromyelitis optica or acute disseminated encephalopathy, which may involve seizures, raises the possibility that anti-MOG antibody related demyelination may account for the association of epilepsy with MS. Methods We have undertaken a retrospective review of cases of MS diagnosed at the Gold Coast MS clinic over a 10 year period. All cases were systematically asked if they had ever had an epileptic seizure either via a patient completed questionnaire or at a clinic visit. Demographic and clinical information were also recorded. These data have been analysed using descriptive statistics and appropriate tests for significant differences between those with epilepsy and those without. Results 428 cases with complete data were identified. Those with a history of epilepsy were slightly younger (median (range); 44.5 (27–64) years vs 4715–88 years), but this difference was not statistically significantly different. The gender ratio was the same for both groups (9/12 (75%) for those with epilepsy and 326/416 (78%)). There was no significant difference in age of onset, disease course, relapse frequency or level of disability. Although numbers are small, seizure appear to occur most frequently earlier in the disease course and are rarely an ongoing issue. Conclusion These data support earlier work indicating that epilepsy occurs in people with MS who are younger. This fits with the notion that seizures arise in the context of the inflammatory stage of multiple sclerosis rather than the degenerative phase. Further work needs to be undertaken to assess any association with anti-MOG antibodies and epileptic seizures in demyelinating disease.
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View more >Introduction Epileptic seizures have been described in association with multiple sclerosis (MS) in both anecdotal case reports and case series. The recent identification of specific antibodies to myelin oligodendrocyte glycoprotein (MOG) protein in a small number of patients with demyelinating disease which may resemble neuromyelitis optica or acute disseminated encephalopathy, which may involve seizures, raises the possibility that anti-MOG antibody related demyelination may account for the association of epilepsy with MS. Methods We have undertaken a retrospective review of cases of MS diagnosed at the Gold Coast MS clinic over a 10 year period. All cases were systematically asked if they had ever had an epileptic seizure either via a patient completed questionnaire or at a clinic visit. Demographic and clinical information were also recorded. These data have been analysed using descriptive statistics and appropriate tests for significant differences between those with epilepsy and those without. Results 428 cases with complete data were identified. Those with a history of epilepsy were slightly younger (median (range); 44.5 (27–64) years vs 4715–88 years), but this difference was not statistically significantly different. The gender ratio was the same for both groups (9/12 (75%) for those with epilepsy and 326/416 (78%)). There was no significant difference in age of onset, disease course, relapse frequency or level of disability. Although numbers are small, seizure appear to occur most frequently earlier in the disease course and are rarely an ongoing issue. Conclusion These data support earlier work indicating that epilepsy occurs in people with MS who are younger. This fits with the notion that seizures arise in the context of the inflammatory stage of multiple sclerosis rather than the degenerative phase. Further work needs to be undertaken to assess any association with anti-MOG antibodies and epileptic seizures in demyelinating disease.
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Conference Title
Journal of Neurology Neurosurgery and Psychiatry
Volume
89
Issue
6
Subject
Biomedical and clinical sciences
Psychology
Science & Technology
Life Sciences & Biomedicine
Clinical Neurology
Psychiatry
Surgery