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A Behavioral Screen for Heat-Induced Seizures in Mouse Models of Epilepsy
06:58

A Behavioral Screen for Heat-Induced Seizures in Mouse Models of Epilepsy

Published on: July 12, 2021

Can fever treat epileptic encephalopathies?

Maria Pintaudi1, Monika M Eisermann, Dorothée Ville

  • 1Department of Child Neuropsychiatry G. Gaslini Hospital, University of Genoa, Italy. mariapintaudi@hotmail.com

Epilepsy Research
|September 19, 2007
PubMed
Abstract

Insights

Febrile episodes can temporarily resolve drug-resistant epileptic encephalopathies in children. This study observed seizure arrest and EEG improvement following fever, suggesting potential therapeutic insights.

Area of Science:

  • Neurology
  • Pediatrics
  • Epileptology

Background:

  • Epileptic encephalopathies are severe neurological disorders characterized by frequent, intractable seizures.
  • Pharmacoresistance is a common challenge in managing these conditions, often leading to significant disability.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To investigate the phenomenon of resistant epileptic encephalopathies that showed significant improvement after an acute febrile episode (FE).
  • To describe the clinical characteristics and outcomes of patients experiencing seizure remission linked to fever.

Main Methods:

  • Retrospective review of clinical histories of patients with daily pharmacoresistant seizures.
  • Identification of four patients who experienced seizure arrest in association with a febrile episode.

Main Results:

  • All four patients had epileptic encephalopathy, with three symptomatic and one cryptogenic.
  • Seizures, including spasms and atypical absences, ceased upon onset of fever, with notable EEG improvements observed.
  • Patients remained seizure-free for periods ranging from 2 to 24 months.

Conclusions:

  • A strong association exists between febrile episodes and seizure cessation/EEG improvement in these pharmacoresistant cases.
  • Potential mechanisms include viral infections, hyperthermia, inflammatory responses, and ACTH release.
  • Further research into this phenomenon may reveal novel therapeutic strategies for epileptic encephalopathies.

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