Journal Club

Depression and Epilepsy: Exploring Common Neurological Pathways

Cognitive and psychological dysfunction is present after a first seizure, prior to epilepsy diagnosis and treatment at a First Seizure Clinic.
Pugh et al. 2024
Presentation by Dr. Rohan Kandasamy

00:57 - Epilepsy and Comorbidities

2:28 - First Paper Overview: The study aimed to capture the neuropsychological profile of drug-naive new-onset epilepsy.

3:36 - Study Methodology: The study population included 32 individuals with epilepsy and 30 healthy controls.

5:42 - Cognitive and Psychological Assessments

8:15 - Study Results: The epilepsy group had deficits in verbal memory, working memory, and executive function.

9:16 - Discussion and Implications: Cognitive and psychological symptoms in epilepsy are primary effects of the disease rather than secondary effects of anti-seizure medications.

13:52 - Conclusion and Limitations: The study's design may have failed to exclude pre-existing psychological comorbidities and concurrent health-related anxiety.

Discussion

00:00 - Study Strengths and Weaknesses

01:00 - Seizure Events and Diagnosis

02:00 - Cognitive and Psychological Symptoms

03:00 - Methodology Concerns

05:00 - Telemedicine and Testing

07:00 - EEG and Cognitive Function

08:00 - Socioeconomic Status

09:00 - Summary of the Paper

Impact of Depressive Symptoms on Adverse Effects in People with Epilepsy on Antiseizure Medication Therapy
Panholzer et al. 2023
Presentation by Dr. Kamil Wezyk

00:58 - Introduction to Second Paper

02:53 - Study Objective: The study aimed to analyze the relationship between depressive symptoms and reported adverse effects of anti-seizure medication in people with epilepsy.

03:48 - Methodology: The study involved adult patients diagnosed with epilepsy and on long-term antiseizure medication therapy.

06:27 - Study Population: Most patients were diagnosed with focal epilepsy, and a significant portion were treated with monotherapy.

09:11 - Key Findings: The study found that depression significantly confounds adverse effects reporting in people with epilepsy on seizure medication therapy, affecting both emotional and somatic adverse effects.

10:13 - Study Limitations: The study had several limitations, including its cross-sectional design, reliance on self-reported measures, poorly defined inclusion criteria, and limited covariates in logistic regression.

14:30 - Conclusion and Implications: The study highlights the importance of considering depressive symptoms when evaluating adverse effects in people with epilepsy on anti-seizure medication therapy.

Discussion

00:00 - Study on Drug-Resistant Epilepsy

02:48 - Depression and Epilepsy

03:41 - Study Limitations

05:30 - Adverse Effects and Depression

11:38 - Choosing Anti-Seizure Medication

10:54 - Study Summary

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