Related Experiment Video
Updated: Aug 1, 2026
10:21
In Vivo Imaging Systems (IVIS) Detection of a Neuro-Invasive Encephalitic Virus
Published on: December 2, 2012
Intraventricular interferon-alpha stops seizures in Rasmussen's encephalitis: a case report
O Dabbagh1, G Gascon, J Crowell
1Department of Neurosciences, King Faisal Specialist Hospital and Research Centre, Riyadh, Saudi Arabia.
Epilepsia
|May 14, 1998
Summary
Rasmussen's encephalitis in a child was treated with intraventricular interferon-alpha, effectively controlling seizures refractory to multiple anticonvulsants. This novel treatment offers hope for managing this rare, severe neurological disorder.
Area of Science:
- Pediatric Neurology
- Neuroimmunology
Background:
- Rasmussen's encephalitis is a rare, chronic inflammatory neurological disease affecting one cerebral hemisphere, typically in children.
- It is characterized by progressive neurological deficits, including hemiparesis and intractable epilepsy.
Observation:
- A 3.5-year-old girl presented with epilepsia partialis continua, diagnosed as Rasmussen's encephalitis.
- Initial treatment with methylprednisolone provided only temporary seizure control.
Findings:
- The patient's seizures were refractory to a broad spectrum of conventional antiepileptic drugs over two years.
- Intraventricular interferon-alpha administration, in both a 6-week and a subsequent 6-month course, resulted in near-total seizure suppression.
Implications:
- Intraventricular interferon-alpha represents a promising therapeutic option for medically intractable Rasmussen's encephalitis.
- This approach may offer significant seizure control, improving neurological function and quality of life in affected children.
More Related Videos
Related Concept Videos
01:13Seizures: Classification
Epilepsy is primarily characterized by unpredictable seizures, either provoked by an identifiable factor, such as injury or illness, or unprovoked, occurring spontaneously without apparent cause.
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 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:
01:20Antiepileptic Drugs: Modulators of Neurotransmitter Release Mediated by SV2A Protein
Antiepileptic drugs, such as levetiracetam (Keppra) and brivaracetam (Briviact), have emerged as crucial tools in managing epilepsy. These medications exert their therapeutic effects by targeting the synaptic vesicle protein SV2A, a transmembrane glycoprotein primarily found in the brain.
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...
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...
01:25Arboviral Encephalitis
Arboviral encephalitis refers to brain inflammation caused by arthropod-borne viruses, particularly those transmitted through mosquito vectors. Among these, West Nile virus (WNV), a member of the Flaviviridae family, is a significant public health concern. WNV is an enveloped, positive-sense, single-stranded RNA virus. Human infection typically begins when an infected mosquito introduces the virus into the dermis during feeding. The primary transmission cycle involves birds as amplifying hosts...
01:30Inhibitors of Viral Protein Synthesis
Protein synthesis is indispensable for viral replication, as viruses lack the cellular machinery required for this process and must hijack the host's translational apparatus. In response, host cells deploy a critical innate immune defense involving interferons, specialized cytokines that play a central role in inhibiting viral propagation.Upon viral detection, infected cells release interferons that bind to receptors on adjacent uninfected cells, activating the JAK-STAT signaling pathway and...
01:19Encephalitis l: Introduction
Encephalitis is inflammation of the brain parenchyma, most often due to infections or autoimmune processes. It presents with neuropsychiatric features such as fever, altered mental status, behavioral changes, cognitive dysfunction, seizures, focal deficits, and sometimes autonomic instability. In some cases, the meninges are also involved, resulting in meningoencephalitis.Infectious CausesInfectious encephalitis is most commonly viral but can also result from bacterial, fungal, or parasitic...
01:26Encephalitis ll: Pathophysiology
Encephalitis is inflammation of the brain parenchyma caused by direct viral invasion or immune-mediated mechanisms triggered by infections or tumors. Both processes lead to neuronal injury, disrupted neurotransmission, and diverse neurological symptoms, often with overlapping clinical and pathological features.Autoimmune EncephalitisIn autoimmune encephalitis, antibodies target neuronal antigens on cell surfaces, synapses, or within neurons. A key example is anti-NMDAR encephalitis, which can...