Related Experiment Video
Updated: Jun 16, 2026

Electromagnetic Source Imaging in Presurgical Evaluation of Children with Drug-Resistant Epilepsy
Published on: September 20, 2024
[Follow-up of tuberous sclerosis complex complicated by epilepsy in children]
Jia-Lun Wen1, Jian-Xiang Liao, Li Chen
1Epilepsy Center, Shenzhen Children's Hospital, Shenzhen, Guangdong 518026, China.
Insights
Most children with tuberous sclerosis complex (TSC) and epilepsy achieve seizure freedom with appropriate treatment. Early onset age, tonic seizures, and multiple anti-epileptic drugs are risk factors for intractable epilepsy in TSC.
Area of Science:
- Neurology
- Pediatrics
- Genetics
Context:
- Tuberous sclerosis complex (TSC) is a genetic disorder that can cause epilepsy.
- Intractable seizures pose significant challenges in managing TSC-related epilepsy.
- Understanding treatment outcomes and risk factors is crucial for improving patient care.
Purpose:
- To evaluate treatment outcomes in children with TSC and epilepsy.
- To identify risk factors associated with intractable seizures in this population.
Summary:
- A retrospective study of 66 children with TSC found that 70% achieved seizure freedom.
- Infantile spasms and tonic seizures were common seizure types.
- Risk factors for intractable seizures included early age of onset, tonic seizures, and the use of multiple anti-epileptic drugs.
Impact:
- This study highlights that effective seizure control is achievable for the majority of children with TSC.
- Identifying specific risk factors can guide personalized treatment strategies and interventions.
- Findings can inform clinical practice and research directions for TSC-related epilepsy.
Objective:
To investigate the treatment outcome and risk factors for intractable seizures in children with tuberous sclerosis complex(TSC)complicated by epilepsy.
Methods:
The medical data of 66 cases of TSC were retrospectively studied.
Results:
Of the 66 children with TSC, 47 cases were available for follow-up. The follow-up period ranged from 7 months to 9.3 years (average 4.5 + or - 2.6 years). The patients' present average age was (7.7 + or - 4.1) years (median 8 years). Among the 47 cases, 19 (40%) had infantile spasms, 24 (51%) had tonic seizures, 15 (32%) had partial seizures, and 3 (6%) had tonic-clonic seizures, and additionally, multifocal seizures, atonic seizures, atypical absence seizures and hypomotor seizures each appeared in 1 case (2%) respectively. The average number of antiepileptic drugs used was 1.9 + or - 0.86 (median 1). Among the 47 patients, 12 (26%) still had epileptic seizures and 33 (70%)were seizure-free, and 4% were dead. Three cases underwent surgery and continued to receive medication after surgery. The three patients were seizure-free in a 1.5 years follow-up. Among the 30 children over 7 years old, 17 cases (57%) were enrolled in ordinary schools, 3 cases (10%) in special schools and the other 10 cases were off-school for disabilities of intelligence and speech. The non-conditional logistic regression showed that the age of onset (RR=1.8, 95% CI 1.0- 3.2, P=0.050), administration of multiple antiepileptic drugs (RR=4.8, 95% CI 1.2-18.6, P=0.024), tonic seizures (RR=0.003, 95% CI 0.0- 0.2, P=0.04) and sex (RR=0.016, 95% CI 0.0-0.5, P=0.017) were risk factors for intractable seizures.
Conclusions:
The majority (70%) of children with TSC complicated by epilepsy can be seizure-free with suitable treatment. The risk factors of poor outcome in seizure control may involve in the early onset age, tonic seizures and the administration for multiple anti-epileptic drugs.
Related Concept Videos
Epilepsy and Seizures: Overview
Various factors can trigger epilepsy, including genetic factors, brain damage, metabolic causes, and unknown etiology. Diagnosis of epilepsy involves electroencephalography (EEG), which...
Epilepsy ll: Types
Seizures: Classification
Seizures are typically classified into two main categories: focal and generalized seizures.
Focal Seizures
Focal seizures originate from specific regions of the brain. These seizures are further sub-classified into two types:
Seizures l: Introduction
Antiepileptic Drugs: Modulators of Neurotransmitter Release Mediated by SV2A Protein
SV2A is a transmembrane glycoprotein located predominantly in the brain, modulating the release of neurotransmitters for neuronal communication. Both levetiracetam and brivaracetam exhibit a high affinity for...
Seizures ll: Types
