ObjectiveTo evaluate the efficacy, tolerability and safety of vigabatrin (VGB) for seizure treatment in patients with tuberous sclerosis complex (TSC). MethodsForty-one epilepsy patients with tuberous sclerosis complex, admitted from January 2015 to December 2015, were included in our study; they were treated with VGB with an initial dose of 20 mg/(kg·d), and a maintenance dose of 50~ 100 mg/(kg·d). Baseline seizure frequency were evaluated by the parents or the guardian, and investigated the efficacy, tolerability, adverse reactions and safety in 3 and 6 months after treatment, and compared with the baseline. The treatment outcomes were evaluated by seizure frequency as completely seizure free (100% seizure reduction), markedly effective (75%~99% seizure reduction), effective (50%~74% seizure reduction) and invalid ( < 50% seizure reduction). Adverse reactions were observed during treatment. ResultsThe completely seizure free rates after 3 and 6 months treatment were 51.2% and 57.9%; and the total effective rates (completely seizure free+markedly effective+effective) were 90.2% and 89.5%.During the 6 months, only one patients stopped VGB use because of the poor efficacy and the difficulties to buy this medicine. 14 patients appeared adverse reactions, including drowsiness, agitation, hyperactivity and myoclonus, which were transient and mild. No patients had clinically perceivable visual-field changes on clinical examination. ConclusionVGB is a effective treatment in TSC patients with epilepsy, and have a good security in short term.
ObjectiveThe purpose of this study was to explore the expression of Corticotropin releasing hormone (CRH), Corticotropin releasing hormone receptor 1 (CRHR1), Protein kinase C (PKC) in epileptogenic zone of Infantile spasm (IS).MethodsCollected 17 cases of tissues of IS patients from operation and 6 cases of normal brain tissues from clinical autopsy during June 2011 to June 2014. Westen blot was used to detected the protein expression of CRH, CRHR1, PKC. PCR was used to exam the mRNA expression of CRH, CRHR1, PKC. Immunohistochemistry and fluorescenceimmuno assay were used to detect the expression of CRH, CRHR1, PKC.ResultsThe mRNA expression of CRH and CRHR1 in IS group are higher than control group, and the protein expression of CRH and CRHR1 in IS group are higher than control group. CRH are slightly expressed in the controls, medium and strong expressed in IS, CRH and NF200 both expressed in IS; CRH is negative in GFAP positive astrocyte; CRH is negative in HLA positive microglial cell. CRHR1 are slightly and medium expressed in the controls, medium and strong expressed in IS, CRHR1 and NF200 both expressed in IS; CRHR1 and GFAP are both positive in astrocyte; CRHR1 and HLA are both positive in microglial cell. PKC are slightly and medium expressed in the controls, medium and strong expressed in IS, PKC and NF200 both expressed in IS; PKC and GFAP are both positive in astrocyte; PKC and HLA are both positive in microglial cell. Spearman analysis showed positive correlation between the expression of CRH, CRHR1, PKC with epileptic spasm in IS patients, as well as positive correlation between PKC with CRHR1.ConclusionsOver expression of CRH, CRHR1, PKC with epileptic spasm in IS patients were positive related with epileptic seizure in IS patients, indicated that CRH signal pathway is related with IS pathogenesis.