Can spikes predict seizure frequency? Results of a pilot study in severe childhood epilepsies treated with vagus nerve stimulation

• Published in: Seizure (London, England) Vol. 13; no. 7; pp. 494 - 498
• Main Authors: Ebus, S.C.M., Majoie, H.J.M., Arends, J.B.A.M., Boon, P.J.A.M.
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: England Elsevier Ltd 01-10-2004
• Subjects: Adolescent; Child; Electric Stimulation - methods; Electric Stimulation Therapy - methods; Electroencephalogram; Electroencephalography - methods; Electroencephalography - radiation effects; Epilepsy - physiopathology; Epilepsy - therapy; Female; Follow-Up Studies; Humans; Male; Outcome parameter; Pilot Projects; Prospective Studies; Spike; Treatment Outcome; Vagus Nerve - radiation effects; Vagus nerve stimulation; Spike; Vagus nerve stimulation; Outcome parameter; Electroencephalogram
• ISSN: 1059-1311; 1532-2688
• DOI: 10.1016/j.seizure.2003.12.002

We evaluated whether spike-rates are useful as an outcome parameter following vagus nerve stimulation (VNS). Spikes/minute and spikebursts/minute were counted in serial electroencephalograms before and after implantation of a vagus nerve stimulator in
n=19 patients with severe childhood epilepsies. In the period of 2 years post VNS, spike-rate and reported seizure frequency were significantly correlated (Spearman’s
R=0.61); spikebursts and seizures were correlated with
R=0.74. The response rate, counted after 6 months, was too small to detect differences in responders and non-responders as to spike-reduction. Larger samples and effect sizes are necessary to prove the hypothesis that spike reduction is useful as outcome parameter after VNS or other interventions.