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Annual Fundamentals Symposium

The
New Definition and Classification of Epilepsy

Symposium Chair:

Robert Fisher, M.D., Ph.D.

Friday, December 2, 2016


Convention Center – General Assembly

12:30 – 3:00 p.m.


EDUCATION CREDITS

Accreditation Claiming CME Credit and CME Certificates


The American Epilepsy Society is accredited Attendees who registered in the following categories may claim
by the Accreditation Council for Continuing CME or CE for the meeting: physician, health care provider,
Medical Education (ACCME) to provide trainee, one-day and two-day. Meeting registration includes
continuing medical education for physicians. credit claiming: there is no separate fee to claim CME/CE.
Attendees will receive an emailed notification to access the
AMA Credit Designation Statement online evaluation and credit claim system.
The American Epilepsy Society designates this live activity for a The evaluation and credit claim system will remain open
maximum of 29.50 AMA PRA Category 1 Credits™. Physicians through Tuesday, February 28, 2017. Evaluations and credit
should claim only the credit commensurate with the extent of claims must be completed by this date in order to record and
their participation in the activity. receive your CME/CE certificate.
International Credits: The American Medical Association has Attendance Certificate/International Attendees
determined that non-U.S. licensed physicians who participate in
A meeting attendance certificate will be available at the
this CME activity are eligible for a maximum of 29.50 AMA PRA
registration desk for international meeting attendees on
Category 1 Credits™.
Tuesday, December 6.
Physician Assistants: AAPA accepts certificates of participation
for educational activities certified for AMA PRA Category 1 Resolution of Conflicts of Interest
Credits™ from organizations accredited by ACCME or a It is the policy of the American Epilepsy Society to ensure
recognized state medical society. Physician assistants may balance, independence, objectivity and scientific rigor. All
receive a maximum of 29.50 hours of Category 1 credit for persons involved in the selection, development and
completing this program. presentation of content are required to disclose any real or
apparent conflicts of interest. In accordance with the ACCME
Continuing Education for Nurses and Standards for Commercial Support of CME, AES implemented
Pharmacists the mechanism of prospective peer review of this CME activity,
to identify and resolve any conflicts. Additionally, the content of
Jointly provided by AKH, Inc., this activity is based on the best available evidence.
Advancing Knowledge in Healthcare,
and the American Epilepsy Society. Unapproved Use Disclosure
Nurses: Advancing Knowledge in Healthcare is accredited as a AES requires CME authors to disclose to learners when
provider of continuing nursing education by the American products or procedures being discussed are off-label,
Nurses Credentialing Center’s Commission on Accreditation. unlabeled, experimental and/or investigational (not FDA
This activity is awarded 29.50 contact hours. approved); and any limitations on the information that is
presented, such as data that are preliminary or that represent
Pharmacists: Advancing Knowledge in ongoing research, interim analyses and/or unsupported
Healthcare is accredited by the Accreditation opinion. This information is intended solely for continuing
Council for Pharmacy Education as a provider of medical education and is not intended to promote off-label use
continuing pharmacy education. of these medications. If you have questions, contact the
medical affairs department of the manufacturer for the most
Select portions of this Annual Meeting are approved for
recent prescribing information. Information about
pharmacy CE credit. Specific hours of credit for approved pharmaceutical agents/devices that is outside of U.S. Food and
presentations and the Universal Activity Numbers assigned to Drug Administration approved labeling may be contained in
those presentations are found elsewhere in the program this activity.
materials. Criteria for success: credit is based on documented
program attendance and online completion of a program Disclaimer
evaluation/assessment. This CME activity is for educational purposes only and does not
If you have any questions about this CE activity relative to constitute the opinion or endorsement of, or promotion by, the
nursing and/or pharmacy CE, please contact AKH Inc at American Epilepsy Society. Reasonable efforts have been taken
service@akhcme.com. to present educational subject matter in a balanced, unbiased
fashion and in compliance with regulatory requirements.
The American Board of Psychiatry and Neurology has reviewed However, each activity participant must always use his or her
the 70th Annual Meeting — American Epilepsy Society and has own personal and professional judgment when considering
approved this program as part of a comprehensive epilpesy further application of this information, particularly as it may
program, which is mandated by the ABMS as a necessary relate to patient diagnostic or treatment decisions including,
component of maintenance of certification. without limitation, FDA-approved uses and any off-label,
investigational and/or experimental uses.

23
American Epilepsy Society | www.AESnet.org | Houston, Texas 70th Annual Meeting | 6th Biennial North American Regional Epilepsy Congress
OVERVIEW
This session will review the 2014 new definition of epilepsy, the new International League Against Epilepsy
(ILAE) classification of seizures and epilepsy (these are official ILAE positions), the presentation and prognosis of
acute symptomatic seizures and possible scientific underpinnings of the definition and classification of seizures.
Participants will become familiar with application of the definition of epilepsy and new classification system for
seizures. Familiarity with these areas will allow better determination in practice of who has epilepsy, who has
outgrown it, what type of seizures they have and when seizures are “reactive.”

LEARNING OBJECTIVES
Following participation in this symposium, learners should be able to:
• Review and discuss the ILAE definition of epilepsy and how it impacts clinical practice
• Differentiate between epilepsy and an epilepsy syndrome
• Recognize when a seizure is precipitated by an antecedent event rather than being an unprovoked seizure.
• Classify seizures according to the ILAE Operational
• Classification of Seizure Types system.

TARGET AUDIENCE
Intermediate: Epilepsy fellows, epileptologists, epilepsy neurosurgeons, and other providers with experience in
epilepsy care (e.g., advanced practice nurses, nurses, physician assistants), neuropsychologists, psychiatrists,
basic and translational researchers.

PROGRAM
Chair: Robert Fisher, M.D., Ph.D.

Introduction
Robert Fisher, M.D., Ph.D.

New Definition of Epilepsy


Jacqueline French, M.D.

New Classification of Seizure Types


Robert Fisher, MD, Ph.D.

New Roadmap for Epilepsy


Ingrid Scheffer, M.D., Ph.D.

New Insights about Acute Symptomatic Seizures


Dale Hesdorffer, Ph.D.

Towards a Scientific Basis for Definition and Classification of Epilepsy


Ivan Soltesz, Ph.D.

Conclusions
Robert Fisher, M.D., Ph.D.

Education Credit
2.5 CME Credits

Nurses may claim up to 2.5 contact hours for this session.


Pharmacy Credit
AKH Inc., Advancing Knowledge in Healthcare approves this knowledge-based activity for 2.5 contact
hours (0.25 CEUs). UAN 0077-9999-16-083-L01-P. Initial Release Date: 12/2/16.

Commercial Support Acknowledgement


Supported in part by an educational grants from Eisai Inc., Lundbeck, and Supernus Pharmaceuticals, Inc.

FACULTY/PLANNER DISCLOSURES
It is the policy of the AES to make disclosures of financial relationships of faculty, planners and staff involved in
the development of educational content transparent to learners. All faculty participating in continuing medical
education activities are expected to disclose to the program audience (1) any real or apparent conflict(s) of
interest related to the content of their presentation and (2) discussions of unlabeled or unapproved uses of
drugs or medical devices. AES carefully reviews reported conflicts of interest (COI) and resolves those conflicts
by having an independent reviewer from the Council on Education validate the content of all presentations for
fair balance, scientific objectivity, and the absence of commercial bias. The American Epilepsy Society adheres
to the ACCME’s Essential Areas and Elements regarding industry support of continuing medical education;
disclosure by faculty of commercial relationships, if any, and discussions of unlabeled or unapproved uses will
be made.

FACULTY / PLANNER BIO AND DISCLOSURES


Robert S. Fisher, MD, PhD, Chair and Faculty
Professor of neurology
Stanford University School of Medicine
Dr. Fisher is Maslah Saul MD Professor and Director of the Stanford Epilepsy Center and EEG lab. He received
awards from the Klingenstein Foundation, Epilepsy Foundation, CURE and NIH. He has published about 220
peer-reviewed articles and 3 books. He was named from 1996 to 2016 in Best Doctors in America. He received
the Ambassador Award from ILAE, the 2005 American Epilepsy Society Service Award and the 2006 Annual
Clinical Research Award. Dr. Fisher is Past-President of the American Epilepsy Society, and has served on the
Board of the ILAE and as Editor-in-Chief of the Journal, Epilepsia. He is past Editor-in-Chief of epilepsy.com. Dr.
Fisher led the project to develop a formal definition of who has epilepsy and an update of seizure type
classification. His recent research is on new devices to detect and treat seizures.

Dr. Fisher discloses receiving support for Stockholder/Ownership Interest (excluding diversified mutual funds):
Applied Neurometrics, Avails Medical, Cerebral Therapeutics, Smart-Monitor, Zeto, Inc.

Jacqueline A. French, MD, Faculty


Professor
New York University School of Medicine
Dr Jacqueline French is a Professor of Neurology at NYU. She has served as President of the American Epilepsy
Society, Chair of the ILAE North American Commission, Secretary of the American Society of Experimental
Neurotherapeutics, and is currently serving as Chief Scientific Officer of the Epilepsy Foundation.
Dr French’s career has focused on development of new therapies for epilepsy. She created and serves as the
president of the Epilepsy Study Consortium, a non-profit devoted to speeding new therapies to people who
need them. She has been the principle investigator on studies for many new AEDs that have recently been
approved. She recieved the AES Service award, and the Epilepsy Foundation’s Hero award. She is the author of
over 200 articles and book chapters and lectures internationally on her work.

Dr. French discloses receiving support for Consulting Fees (e.g., advisory boards): Adamas, Anavex; Contracted
Research: Acorda, Adamas, Alexza, Eisai, Epilepsy Foundation, Epilepsy Study Consortium, Neurelis, Novartis
Pharmaceuticals, Pfizer, SK LifeScience, Sunovion, Takeda, UCB Pharma; Salary: Ep
Dale C. Hesdorffer, MPH, MPhil, PhD, Faculty
Professor of Epidemiology
GH Serviesy Center and Department of Epidemiology, Columbia University
Dr. Dale Hesdorffer, PhD is a Professor of Epidemiology at the Gertrude H Sergievsky Center and Department of
Epidemiology. She has written on a broad range of topics of interest in the epidemiology of epilepsy. Papers
include risk factors for developing epilepsy, consequences of prolonged febrile seizures, epilepsy comorbidities,
and mortality in epilepsy including SUDEP. She has also written on diuretics as prevention of epilepsy in the
elderly. Her studies of incidence include epilepsy and single unprovoked seizure, acute symptomatic seizures,
the effect of status epilepticus on incident epilepsy and subsequent mortality. She has been a member of the
Commission on Epidemiology of the International League Against Epilepsy (ILAE) and co-chairs the Comorbidity
Task Force.

Dr. Hesdorffer discloses receiving support for Consulting Fees (e.g., advisory boards): Cyberonics, Upsher-Smith
Laboratories

Ingrid E. Scheffer, MBBS PHD FRACP FAA, Faculty


Professor
Epilepsy Research Center, Department of Medicine
University of Melbourne, Austin Health, Heidelberg, Victoria Australia
Professor Ingrid Scheffer
AO MBBS PhD FRACP FAHMS FAA Chair of Paediatric Neurology Research
University of Melbourne; Director of Paediatrics, Austin Health.
Professor Scheffer’s work has led the field of epilepsy genetics over 25 years. She has led the first
reclassification of the epilepsies in two decades as Chair of the ILAE Commission for Classification. Her awards
include AES Clinical Research Award, L’Oréal-UNESCO Women in Science Laureate (Asia-Pacific), co-recipient of
the Prime Minister’s Prize for Science and received an Order of Australia. She is a Fellow of the Australian
Academy of Science and the Australian Academy of Health and Medical Sciences.

Dr. Scheffer discloses she has no financial relationships to disclose relevant to this activity.

Ivan Soltesz, PhD, Faculty


James R. Doty Professor of Neurosurgery and Neurosciences
Stanford University
Ivan Soltesz Ph.D. is currently the James R. Doty Professor of Neurosurgery and Neurosciences in the School of
Medicine at Stanford University. His major research interest is focused on neuronal microcircuits, network
oscillations, cannabinoid signaling and the mechanistic bases of circuit dysfunction in epilepsy. He was the
recipient of the NIH Javits Neuroscience Investigator Award, the American Epilepsy Society’s Research
Recognition Award and the international Michael Prize for basic research in epilepsy.

Dr. Soltesz discloses he has no financial relationships to disclose relevant to this activity.

CME REVIEWERS
Juliann Paolicchi, MD, MA, Reviewer
Juliann M Paolicchi, MA, MD, FANA is the Director of Pediatric Epilepsy for New York for the Northeast Regional
Epilepsy Group, a multi-disciplinary both private and academic based epilepsy group. She is a Clinical Professor
of Pediatric Neurology at Rutgers University Medical Center. Dr. Paolicchi is boarded by the ABPN in Neurology
with Special Qualifications in Child Neurology, Epiilepsy, and Clinical Neurophysiology. She has published
extensively in research focusing on outcomes in clinical pharmacology, clinical neurogenetics, and surgical
outcomes in pediatric epilepsy. She has served as the Director of several academic Pediatric Epilepsy Programs
at Ohio State, Vanderbilt, and Weill Cornell Universities, and is a regular faculty speaker at the Kiffen Penry
Epilepsy Program at Wake Forest University.

Dr. Paolicchi discloses receiving support for Contracted Research: GW Pharma, Zogenix; Honoraria: LivaNova,
Lundbeck

John Pollard, MD, Reviewer


University of Pennsylvania
John Pollard, MD is an Adjunct Associate Professor of Clinical Neurology at the University of Pennsylvania. While
he mainly focuses on the clinical care of adult epilepsy patients, he also helps lead efforts to improve clinical
trials and to develop novel seizure biomarkers.

Dr. Pollard discloses receiving support for Other Financial or Material Support: Cognizance Biomarkers, LLC; Own
1.5% of company with no current value: Cognizance Biomarkers, LLC

PHARMACY/NURSE PLANNERS
Gigi Smith, PhD, RN, CPNP-PC: No financial relationships to disclose relevant to this activity.
Dorothy Duffy, PharmD: No financial relationships to disclose relevant to this activity.

AKH STAFF / AES STAFF


AKH staff and planners: No financial relationships to disclose relevant to this activity.
AES staff and planners: No financial relationships to disclose relevant to this activity.

CLAIMING CREDIT:
PHYSICIANS
Attendees who registered in the following categories may claim CME or CE for the meeting: physician, health
care provider, trainee, one-day and two-day. Meeting registration includes credit claiming: there is no separate
fee to claim CME/CE. Attendees will receive an emailed notification to access the online evaluation and credit
claim system. The evaluation and credit claim system will remain open through Tuesday, February 28, 2017.
Evaluations and credit claims must be completed by this date in order to record and receive your CME/CE
certificate.

Physicians can claim CME credit online at https://cme.experientevent.com/AES151/

This Link is NOT Mobile-friendly! You must access it from a laptop, desktop or tablet.

How to Claim CME Credit


To claim CME credits online, please follow the on-screen instructions at the above url. Log in using your last
name and zip code, OR your last name and country if you’re not from the United States. All CME credits must be
claimed by February 28, 2017.

Questions?
Contact Experient Customer Service at: 800-974-9769 or AES@experient-inc.com

NURSING & PHARMACY

PLEASE NOTE: Providing your NABP e-profile # is required.


The National Association of Boards of Pharmacy (NABP) requires that all pharmacists and pharmacy technicians
seeking CE credit have an ID number issued by NABP. Pharmacy CE providers, such as AKH Inc., Advancing
Knowledge in Healthcare, are required to submit participant completion information directly to NABP with your
ID number and birth information to include month and date (not year) as a validation to this ID number. If you
do not have an ID number (this is not your license #), go to: www.MyCPEmonitor.net

Nursing and Pharmacy credit (per session) is based on attendance as well as completion of an online
evaluation form available at:

WWW.AKHCME.COM/2015AES

THIS MUST BE DONE BY JANUARY 15, 2017 TO RECEIVE YOUR CE CREDIT.


We cannot submit credit to NABP after this date.
If you have any questions, please contact AKH at service@akhcme.com.

DISCLAIMER
Opinions expressed with regard to unapproved uses of products are solely those of the faculty and are not
endorsed by the American Epilepsy Society or any manufacturers of pharmaceuticals.
11/28/2016

Disclosure
New Definition of Epilepsy
I am  President of the Epilepsy Study Consortium. All consulting is done on behalf 
of the consortium, and fees are paid to the consortium. The NYU Comprehensive 
Epilepsy Center receives salary support from the consortium;
I have acted as a consultant for Acorda, Biotie, Brabant Pharma, Eisai Medical 
Research, Glaxo Smith‐Kline, GW Pharma, Impax, Johnson and Johnson, Marathon 
Jacqueline A French, MD Pharmaceuticals, Marinus, Neusentis, Novartis, Pfizer, Sage, Sunovion, SK life 
NYU School of Medicine sciences, Supernus Pharmaceuticals, Takeda, UCB, Upsher‐Smith, Ultragenyx, 
Vertex, Zynerba, grants and research  from Acorda, Alexza, LCGH, Eisai Medical 
Research, Lundbeck, Pfizer, SK life sciences, UCB, Upsher‐Smith, Vertex,
I have received  grants from NINDS, Epilepsy Therapy Project, Epilepsy Research 
Foundation, Epilepsy Study Consortium; 
I am on the editorial board of Lancet Neurology, Neurology Today and Epileptic 
disorders, and is an associate editor of Epilepsia.

Learning Objectives What’s new?
• Describe the difference between the old and new 
definitions of epilepsy
• When you can diagnose epilepsy
• Explain the new concepts of when epilepsy is no  – Handling of reflex epilepsy
longer present • Ability to determine that epilepsy has resolved

“Epilepsy” as a concept Seizure vs Epilepsy


• The “disease” known as epilepsy does not mean  • Epileptic seizures are defined as “a transient 
the presence of seizures. 
occurrence of signs and/or symptoms due to 
• Rather, it means that the brain has, for whatever 
reason, developed a state in which a seizure could  abnormal excessive or synchronous neuronal 
happen at a future  time.  activity in the brain” 1
• A person can be at no immediate risk of a seizure  • Until recently, epilepsy was defined as the 
and still suffer from epilepsy
– For example a person who is on an effective  occurrence of 2 or more unprovoked epileptic 
antiepileptic drug seizures
• In other words, epilepsy is brain hyperexcitability, 
with or without seizures

1. Fisher et al, Epilepsia 46(4): 470‐472, 2005  

1
11/28/2016

Does this make sense? Epilepsy diagnosis
• The occurrence of 2 unprovoked seizures is a fast  • How do you diagnose a brain “state”?
and easy rule to determine the presence of  • Is it necessary to wait for 2 seizures ? Is that 
epilepsy, and this definition was in existence for  appropriate? 
decades
• Why wait for the second seizure if we already 
• Why? Because the occurrence of two unprovoked 
have sufficient evidence that epilepsy has 
seizures suggests that the brain has an “enduring 
predisposition to generate epileptic seizures”  developed?
• We used this as a “surrogate marker ” for the  • Should we consider treating as soon as we 
presence of the disease know epilepsy is present?

ILAE OFFICIAL
Epilepsy  REPORT
Seizure
Threshold really 
starts 
here!
Seizure

Epilepsy

Epilepsy is a disease of the brain defined by any of the following


conditions

1. A least two unprovoked (or reflex) seizures occurring >24 h apart


2. One unprovoked (or reflex) seizure and a probability of further
seizures similar to the general recurrence risk (at least 60%) after
two unprovoked seizures, occurring over the next 10 years
3. Diagnosis of an epilepsy syndrome

Simonato et al, Lancet Neurol 2014; 13: 949–60 

Diagnosis of an epilepsy syndrome How do we know that someone has…
• Presence of an epilepsy syndrome implies a  • … a probability of further seizures similar to  
chronically reduced seizure threshold the general recurrence risk (at least 60%) after 
• Therefore, once sufficient information is  two unprovoked seizures, occurring  over the 
available to determine this, epilepsy can be  next 10 years
said to be present • The new definition does not indicate how we 
• EG: know that any individual has a “greater 
– Single GTCC and generalized polyspike‐wave on  likelihood than not” of having another  
EEG (idiopathic generalized epilepsy) seizure. This is left up to the clinician to 
– Single seizure and centrotempotal spikes (BECTS) determine

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11/28/2016

• “The revised definition places no burden on the 
Does the new definition impact 
treating physician to specify recurrence risk in a  treatment decisions?
particular circumstance.
• If epilepsy may be diagnosed after a single 
• In the absence of clear information about 
recurrence risk, or even knowledge of such  seizure, does that mean that it should be 
information, the default definition of epilepsy  treated at that stage?
originates at the second unprovoked seizure.  • The issue is the degree of uncertainty after a 
• On the other hand, if information is available to  single seizure
indicate that risk for a second seizure exceeds  – Until we invent the “epilepsy thermometer” to tell 
that which is usually considered to be epilepsy  us when the threshold is too low, we can rarely 
(about 60%), then epilepsy can be considered to 
have 100% certainty that a second seizure will 
be present” 
occur
Fisher et al, Epilepsia 55 (4): 475‐482, 2014

AAN Guideline
Conclusion:
• Adults with an unprovoked first seizure should 
be informed that sz recurrence risk is greatest 
early within the first 2 years (21%–45%) (Level 
A), and clinical variables associated with 
increased risk may include:
– a prior brain insult (Level A), 
– an epileptiform EEG (Level A),
– An  abnormal CT/MRI(Level B)
– a nocturnal seizure (Level B).

Provoked Seizures
Seizure
AAN Guideline Threshold
Seizures

• Immediate antiepileptic drug (AED) therapy, 
as compared with delay of treatment pending 
a second seizure, is likely to reduce recurrence  Epilepsy
risk within the first 2 years (Level B) 
• Clinicians’ recommendations whether to 
initiate immediate AED treatment after a first  Precipitating Factor

seizure should be based on individualized 
assessments that weigh the risk of recurrence 
against the AEs of AED therapy. 

3
11/28/2016

These are not Epilepsy because there is no risk of a


seizure in the absence of a precipitating factor Reflex Epilepsies
• Despite the fact that seizures are “provoked” 
• Febrile seizures in children age 0.5 – 6 years old
in reflex epilepsies, these are considered 
• Alcohol-withdrawal seizures epilepsy, because…
• Metabolic seizures (sodium, calcium, magnesium, glucose, oxygen) • If the seizure threshold were not altered, 
• Toxic seizures (drug reactions or withdrawal, renal failure) these precipitants would typically not cause 
• Convulsive syncope seizures
• Acute concussive convulsion – Eg photosensitive epilepsy, eating epilepsy
• Seizures within first week after brain trauma, infection or stroke

How do 
Seizure
Threshold
we know  Epilepsy Resolved
when 
epilepsy is 
Seizures gone? • Epilepsy is now considered to be resolved
for individuals who had an age-dependent
epilepsy syndrome but are now past the
applicable age or those who have
remained seizure-free for the last 10
years, with no seizure medicines for the
last 5 years.

Fisher et al, Epilepsia 55 (4): 475‐482, 2014

Conclusion: How will the new 
Impact on Clinical Care and Practice
definition(s) change our practice?
• Determine whether antiepileptic drugs should be 
• Our definition of epilepsy will be more aligned  initiated
with our treatment strategies, both in regards 
to starting and stopping treatment • Determine which seizures may not be epilepsy
• The new definition should allow us to have a 
dialogue with patients
• Maybe in the future we will discover an even 
better surrogate marker for the presence of 
epilepsy

4
11/28/2016

Disclosure
The 2017 ILAE Seizure Classification
Stock or options:
• Smart‐Monitor (seizure‐detector watch)
• Cerebral Therapeutics (CSF AED delivery)
Robert S. Fisher, MD, PhD
• Zeto (dry, wireless EEG)
Stanford Neurology
• Applied Neurometrics (dry, wireless EEG)
• Avails Medical (AED and sample analysis)

None are relevant to the subject of this talk

Impact on Clinical Care and Practice Learning Objectives

• Participants will have a better understanding of when  • Clarify the new definition of epilepsy
a patient is considered to have epilepsy • Review acute symptomatic seizures
• First showing of the new classification of seizures
• Participants will learn how to apply the new  • Discuss the scientific basis for classifying seizures
classification of seizure types and epilepsy

The 2017 ILAE Seizure Classification International  Classification  of  Seizures  1981
Partial Seizures
Simple Dreifuss et al. Proposal for revised
Seizure Classification Task Force: Robert S.  Fisher (Chair), J. Helen Cross, Carol D’Souza,  Sensory clinical and electroencephalographic
Jacqueline A. French, Norimichi Higurashi, Edouard Hirsch, Floor E. Jansen, Lieven Lagae,  Motor classification of epileptic seizures. From
Sensory-Motor the Commission on Classification and
Solomon L. Moshé, Jukka Peltola, Eliane Roulet Perez, Ingrid E. Scheffer, Sameer M.  Zuberi.
Psychic Terminology of the International
Revision Task Force:  Robert S. Fisher (Chair), Sheryl Haut, Andreas Schulze‐Bonhage,  Autonomic League Against Epilepsy. Epilepsia.
1981;22:489-501.
Ernest Somerville, Michael Sperling, Elza Marcia Yacubian.   Complex
with or without aura
with or without automatisms
Secondarily generalized
Generalized Seizures
Absence, typical and atypical
Tonic-clonic
Atonic
Tonic
Myoclonic
Other
Unclassifiable seizures

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11/28/2016

Motivation for Revision Possible Seizure Classifications Could be Based On:

• Some seizure types, for example tonic seizures or epileptic spasms, can  Pathophysiology Anatomy Networks Practical, by: Modify Existing


have either a focal or generalized onset.
But this is  Temporal Neocortical AED response 1981 ILAE System
• Lack of knowledge about the onset makes a seizure unclassifiable and  currently  Frontal Limbic Surgical target 2010 ILAE update
difficult to discuss with the 1981 system. impossible with Parietal Thalamo‐Cortical Disabling
our limited  Occipital Brainstem EEG pattern
understanding Diencephalic Many others
• Retrospective seizure descriptions often do not specify a level of  Brainstem
consciousness, and altered consciousness, while central to many 
seizures, is a confusing concept.

• Some terms in current use do not have high levels of community  • In the absence of fundamental knowledge, we chose to extend the existing classification
acceptance or public understanding, such as “psychic,” “partial,” “simple  • The is an operational (practical) system, not a true scientific classification
partial,” “complex partial”, and “dyscognitive.” • Others might devise special operational classifications for specific use, e.g., neonatal, ICU

• Some important seizure types are not included. • This classification is predominantly for clinicians

How Do Clinicians Classify Seizures ? Key Seizure Signs and Symptoms?
Symptoms Medical Term
• Elicit symptoms and signs of event (semiology)
• Look for familiar patterns in symptoms and signs automatic behaviors automatisms
• Sometimes use ancillary data, e.g., EEG, MRI, genes, antibodies, etc. emotions or appearance of emotions  emotions
one‐to many extension or flexion postures tonic

Symptoms + Signs      Seizure Type      flushing/sweating/piloerection autonomic

many‐to‐one jerking arrhythmically myoclonus


jerking rhythmically clonus
examples language or thinking problems, deja vu cognitive
complex partial seizure lid jerks eyelid myoclonia
automatisms absence seizure limp atonic
numb/tingling, sounds, smells, tastes visions, vertigo sensations
automatisms pausing, freezing, activity arrest behavior arrest
autonomic complex partial seizure thrashing/pedaling hyperkinetic
trunk flexion spasm

The Elements of Change The Elements of Change

• Allow some seizures to be either focal or generalized onset • Allow some seizures to be either focal or generalized onset
• Classify seizures of unknown onset • Classify seizures of unknown onset
• Clarify “impairment of consciousness” • Clarify “impairment of consciousness”
• Include a few previously unclassified types • Include a few previously unclassified types
• Update word usage for greater public clarity • Update word usage for greater public clarity
• Validate use of supportive information, e.g. EEG • Validate use of supportive information, e.g. EEG
• Conform with ICD 11 and 12 • Conform with ICD 11 and 12
• Update the 2001 glossary of seizure terms • Update the 2001 glossary of seizure terms
• Standardize common descriptors to describe seizures • Standardize common descriptors to describe seizures
• Map old to new terms  • Map old to new terms 

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Some Seizure Onsets can be Focal or Generalized The Elements of Change

• Allow some seizures to be either focal or generalized onset
• Classify seizures of unknown onset
Focal Onset Generalized Onset
• Clarify “impairment of consciousness”
atonic atonic
• Include a few previously unclassified types
clonic clonic
epileptic spasms
• Update word usage for greater public clarity
epileptic spasms
myoclonic myoclonic • Validate use of supportive information, e.g. EEG
tonic tonic • Conform with ICD 11 and 12
tonic‐clonic tonic‐clonic
• Update the 2001 glossary of seizure terms
• Standardize common descriptors to describe seizures
• Map old to new terms 

Seizures of Unknown Onset The Elements of Change

Hypothetical case: You hear a noise and enter the video‐EEG  • Allow some seizures to be either focal or generalized onset
room to find the patient in bed, grunting, eyes rolled up, all limbs 
• Classify seizures of unknown onset
stiff, then rhythmically jerking for a minute. He was off‐camera at 
the start. What seizure type is this? • Clarify “impairment of consciousness”

Some seizure types are  • Include a few previously unclassified types
worth describing even if  • Update word usage for greater public clarity
onset is unknown:
• tonic‐clonic • Validate use of supportive information, e.g. EEG
• epileptic spasms
• behavior arrest • Conform with ICD 11 and 12
• Update the 2001 glossary of seizure terms
• Standardize common descriptors to describe seizures
• Map old to new terms 

Key Role of Impaired Consciousness Loss (or Impairment) of Consciousness

Among many possible behaviors during a seizure,  Two types of seizures with loss of consciousness
impairment of consciousness has always had a key 
role in classifying the seizure, because of practical 
importance for: 
• Driving
• Safety during seizures
• Employability
• Interference with schooling and learning

How well does the public understand LOC during a complex partial seizure?

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Loss (or Impairment) of Consciousness The Elements of Change

• Allow some seizures to be either focal or generalized onset
Elements of consciousness
• Awareness of ongoing activities • Classify seizures of unknown onset
• Memory for time during the event • Clarify “impairment of consciousness”
• Responsiveness to verbal or nonverbal stimuli
• Sense of self as being distinct from others • Include a few previously unclassified types
• Update word usage for greater public clarity
Which would be the best surrogate marker ?
• Validate use of supportive information, e.g. EEG
• The 2017 Classification chooses awareness
• Conform with ICD 11 and 12
• Consciousness remains in the classification
but “awareness” is in the seizure name • Update the 2001 glossary of seizure terms
• In several languages, these words are the same • Standardize common descriptors to describe seizures
• Awareness is not used to classify generalized onset seizures • Map old to new terms 

New Seizure Types The Elements of Change

• Allow some seizures to be either focal or generalized onset
New Focal Seizures New generalized seizures • Classify seizures of unknown onset
Motor Non‐Motor absence with eyelid myoclonia
atonic behavior arrest epileptic spasms (infantile spasms) • Clarify “impairment of consciousness”
(autonomic) myoclonic‐atonic (e.g., Doose)
automatisms
clonic (cognitive) myoclonic‐tonic‐clonic (e.g., JME) • Include a few previously unclassified types
epileptic spasms emotional
hyperkinetic (sensory) • Update word usage for greater public clarity
myoclonic
tonic New combined seizures • Validate use of supportive information, e.g. EEG
(focal to bilateral tonic‐clonic)
• Conform with ICD 11 and 12
• Update the 2001 glossary of seizure terms
(parentheses) indicates prior existence, but renaming
• Standardize common descriptors to describe seizures
• Map old to new terms 

Wording Changes The Elements of Change

• Allow some seizures to be either focal or generalized onset
O L D   T E R M N E W   T E R M
• Classify seizures of unknown onset
Unconscious (still used, not in name) Impaired awareness (surrogate) • Clarify “impairment of consciousness”
Partial Focal • Include a few previously unclassified types
Simple partial Focal aware • Update word usage for greater public clarity
Complex partial Focal impaired awareness
• Validate use of supportive information, e.g. EEG
Dyscognitive (word discontinued) Focal impaired awareness
Psychic Cognitive
• Conform with ICD 11 and 12
Secondarily generalized tonic‐clonic Focal to bilateral tonic‐clonic • Update the 2001 glossary of seizure terms
Arrest, freeze, pause, interruption Behavior arrest • Standardize common descriptors to describe seizures
• Map old to new terms 

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Supportive Information The Elements of Change

Seizures are usually classified by symptoms and signs • Allow some seizures to be either focal or generalized onset
But supportive information may be helpful, when available: • Classify seizures of unknown onset
• Videos brought in by family 
• EEG patterns • Clarify “impairment of consciousness”
• Lesions detected by neuroimaging 
• Laboratory results such as detection of anti‐neuronal antibodies  • Include a few previously unclassified types
• Gene mutations 
• Update word usage for greater public clarity
• Diagnosis of an epilepsy syndrome diagnosis
• Validate use of supportive information, e.g. EEG
• Conform with ICD 11 and 12
• Update the 2001 glossary of seizure terms
• Standardize common descriptors to describe seizures
• Map old to new terms 

ICD9, 10, 11, 12 The Elements of Change

• Allow some seizures to be either focal or generalized onset
• ICD 9 & 10 are in use now with old terminology: petit mal, grand mal
• Classify seizures of unknown onset
• ICD 11 does not name seizure types, but ILAE syndromes and etiologies
• ICD 12 should conform to the new ILAE seizure type classification • Clarify “impairment of consciousness”
• Include a few previously unclassified types
• Update word usage for greater public clarity
• Validate use of supportive information, e.g. EEG
• Conform with ICD 11 and 12
• Update the 2001 glossary of seizure terms
• Standardize common descriptors to describe seizures
• Map old to new terms 

Glossary The Elements of Change
WORD DEFINITION SOURCE • Allow some seizures to be either focal or generalized onset
absence, typical a sudden onset, interruption of ongoing activities, a blank stare, possibly a  Adapted from 11
brief up‐ ward deviation of the eyes.  Usually the patient will be unresponsive  • Classify seizures of unknown onset
when spoken to.  Duration is a few seconds to half a minute with very rapid 

• Clarify “impairment of consciousness”
recovery.  Although not always available, an EEG would show generalized 
epileptiform discharges during the event. An absence seizure is by definition 
a seizure of generalized onset. The word is not synonymous with a blank 
stare, which also can be encountered with focal onset seizures.
• Include a few previously unclassified types
absence, atypical an absence seizure with changes in tone that are more pronounced Adapted from 
Dreifuss 1 • Update word usage for greater public clarity
than in typical absence or the onset and/or cessation is not abrupt, often 
associated with slow, irregular, generalized spike‐wave activity
see behavioral arrest new
• Validate use of supportive information, e.g. EEG
arrest

atonic sudden loss or diminution of muscle tone without apparent preceding  11
• Conform with ICD 11 and 12
myoclonic or tonic event lasting ~1 to 2 s, involving head, trunk, jaw, or limb 
musculature. • Update the 2001 glossary of seizure terms
a more or less coordinated motor activity usually occurring when cognition is  11
automatism
impaired and for which the subject is usually (but not always) amnesic 
afterward.  This often resembles a voluntary movement and may consist of 
• Standardize common descriptors to describe seizures
an inappropriate continuation of preictal motor activity.  
• Map old to new terms 

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Common Descriptors The Elements of Change
of other symptoms
and signs during
seizures. • Allow some seizures to be either focal or generalized onset
These are not seizure • Classify seizures of unknown onset
types, just suggested
• Clarify “impairment of consciousness”
descriptive words.
• Include a few previously unclassified types
A free text description
is also highly encouraged. • Update word usage for greater public clarity
• Validate use of supportive information, e.g. EEG
• Conform with ICD 11 and 12
• Update the 2001 glossary of seizure terms
• Standardize common descriptors to describe seizures
• Map old to new terms 

Examples of Mapping Old to New Terms
ILAE 2017 Classification of Seizure Types Basic Version 1

Focal Onset Generalized Onset Unknown Onset

Aware 
Impaired Motor Motor
Awareness  Tonic‐clonic Tonic‐clonic
Other motor
Other motor
Motor Non‐Motor (Absence) Non‐Motor
Non‐Motor

Unclassified 2
focal to bilateral tonic‐clonic

1 Definitions, other seizure types and descriptors are listed in the accompanying paper & glossary of terms

2 Due to inadequate information or inability to place in other categories

ILAE 2017 Classification of Seizure Types Expanded Version1 Rules for Classifying Seizures (1 of 2)
Focal Onset Generalized Onset Unknown Onset

Impaired Motor Onset: Decide whether seizure onset is focal or


Aware  Motor
Awareness  generalized, using an 80% confidence level. 
tonic‐clonic tonic‐clonic
clonic epileptic spasms Awareness: For focal seizures, decide whether to 
Motor Onset tonic Non‐Motor classify by degree of awareness or to omit 
automatisms myoclonic
behavior arrest awareness as a classifier.  
atonic2 myoclonic‐tonic‐clonic
clonic myoclonic‐atonic
Impaired awareness at any point: A focal seizure is 
epileptic spasms2 atonic
a focal impaired awareness seizure if awareness is 
hyperkinetic epileptic spasms2
Unclassified3 impaired at any point during the seizure.
myoclonic Non‐Motor (absence)
tonic typical Onset predominates: Classify a focal seizure by its 
Non‐Motor Onset atypical first prominent sign or symptom. Do not count 
myoclonic transient behavior arrest.
autonomic
eyelid myoclonia
behavior arrest
cognitive  Behavior arrest: A focal behavior arrest seizure shows arrest of behavior as the prominent feature of the entire
emotional  seizure.  
1 Definitions, other seizure types and descriptors are listed in the
sensory     accompanying paper and glossary of terms. Motor/Non‐motor: A focal aware or impaired awareness seizure maybe further sub‐classified by motor or non‐
2 These could be focal or generalized, with or without alteration of awareness motor characteristics.  Alternatively, a focal seizure can be characterized by motor or non‐motor characteristics, 
focal to bilateral tonic‐clonic without specifying level of awareness. Example, a focal tonic seizure.
3 Due to inadequate information or inability to place in other categories

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Rules for Classifying Seizures (2 of 2) The Net Effect

Optional terms: Terms such as motor or non‐motor 
may be omitted when the seizure type is otherwise 
unambiguous.
The net effect of updating the Classification of Seizures 
Additional descriptors: It is encouraged to add  should be the following: 
descriptions of other signs and symptoms, suggested 
descriptors or free text. These do not alter the seizure 
1. Render the choice of a seizure type easier for seizures that 
type. Example: focal emotional seizure with tonic right 
arm activity and hyperventilation. did not fit into any prior categories; 

Bilateral vs. generalized: Use the term “bilateral” for  2. Clarify what is meant when a seizure is said to be of a 
tonic‐clonic seizures that propagate to both 
hemispheres and “generalized” for seizures that  particular type; 
apparently originate simultaneously in both.
3. Provide more transparency of terminology to the 
Atypical absence: Absence is atypical if it has slow onset or offset, marked changes in tone or EEG spike‐waves at  nonmedical community.  
less than 3 per second. 

Clonic vs. myoclonic: Clonic refers to sustain rhythmical jerking and myoclonic to a regular unsustained jerking.

Eyelid myoclonia: Absence with eyelid myoclonia refers to forced upward jerking of the eyelids during an absence 
seizure.

Examples Examples

Old = unclassified
New = unknown onset tonic‐clonic
1. A woman awakens to find her husband having a seizure 
in bed.  The onset is not witnessed, but she is able to 
describe bilateral stiffening followed by bilateral shaking.   1. A woman awakens to find her husband having a seizure 
EEG and MRI are normal.   in bed.  The onset is not witnessed, but she is able to 
describe bilateral stiffening followed by bilateral shaking.  
EEG and MRI are normal.  This seizure is classified as onset 
unknown tonic‐clonic.  There is no supplementary 
information to determine if the onset was focal or 
generalized.  In the old classification, this seizure would 
have been unclassifiable. 

Examples Examples

Old = partial onset, secondarily generalized seizure
2. In an alternate scenario of case #1, the EEG shows a  New = focal to bilateral tonic‐clonic seizure
clear right parietal slow wave focus.  The MRI shows a 
2. In an alternate scenario of case #1, the EEG shows a 
right parietal region of cortical dysplasia.  
clear right parietal slow wave focus.  The MRI shows a 
right parietal region of cortical dysplasia. In this 
circumstance, the seizure can be classified as focal to 
bilateral tonic‐clonic, despite the lack of an observed 
onset, because a focal etiology has been identified, and 
the overwhelming likelihood is that the seizure had a focal 
onset.  The old classification would have classified this 
seizure as partial onset, secondarily generalized seizure.

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Examples Examples

Old = atypical absence seizures
New = atypical absence seizures
3. A child is diagnosed with Lennox‐Gastaut syndrome of 
unknown etiology.  EEG shows runs of slow spike‐wave.  
3. A child is diagnosed with Lennox‐Gastaut syndrome of 
Seizure types include absence and others.
unknown etiology.  EEG shows runs of slow spike‐wave.  
Seizure types with this child include absence, tonic, and 
focal motor seizures.  In this case, the absence seizures 
are classified as atypical absence (the word “generalized” 
may be assumed) due to the EEG pattern and underlying 
syndrome.  The absence seizures would have had the 
same classification in the old system.

Examples Examples

Old = tonic seizures
New = focal aware tonic seizures
4. The same child as in #3 has seizures with stiffening of 
the right arm and leg, during which responsiveness and 
awareness are retained.   4. The same child as in #3 has seizures with stiffening of 
the right arm and leg, during which responsiveness and 
awareness are retained.  This seizure is a focal aware tonic 
seizures (the word “motor” can be assumed).  In the old 
system, the seizures would have been called tonic 
seizures, with a perhaps incorrect assumption of 
generalized onset.

Examples Examples

Old = complex partial seizures
New = focal seizures with impaired awareness
5: A 25 year old woman describes seizures beginning with 
30 seconds of an intense feeling that “familiar music is  5: A 25 year old woman describes seizures beginning with 
playing.”  She can hear other people talking, but  30 seconds of an intense feeling that “familiar music is 
afterwards realizes that she could not determine what  playing.”  She can hear other people talking, but 
they were saying.  After an episode, she is mildly  afterwards realizes that she could not determine what 
confused, and has to “reorient herself.”  they were saying.  After an episode, she is mildly 
confused, and has to “reorient herself.”  The seizures 
would be classified as focal seizures with impaired 
awareness.  Even though the patient is able to interact 
with her environment, she cannot interpret her 
environment, and is mildly confused.  

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Examples Examples

Old = simple partial autonomic seizures
New = focal aware autonomic seizures
6. A 22 year‐old man has seizures during which he 
remains fully aware, with the “hair on my arms standing 
on edge” and a feeling of being flushed.   6. A 22 year‐old man has seizures during which he 
remains fully aware, with the “hair on my arms standing 
on edge” and a feeling of being flushed.  These are 
classified as focal aware non‐motor autonomic, or more 
succinctly focal aware autonomic.  The old classification 
would have called them simple partial autonomic 
seizures.

Examples Examples

Old = myoclonic astatic seizures 
7. A 4 year‐old boy with myoclonic‐atonic epilepsy  New = myoclonic‐atonic seizures
(Doose syndrome) has seizures with a few arm jerks, then 
a limp drop to the ground.   7. A 4 year‐old boy with myoclonic‐atonic epilepsy 
(Doose syndrome) has seizures with a few arm jerks, then 
a limp drop to the ground.  These are now classified as 
myoclonic‐atonic seizures (the word “generalized” may 
be assumed).  The old classification would have called 
these unclassified or unofficially, myoclonic‐astatic 
seizures.  

Examples Examples

Old =  myoclonic seizures followed by a tonic‐clonic seizure


8. A 35 year‐old man with juvenile myoclonic epilepsy has  New = myoclonic‐tonic‐clonic seizures
seizures beginning with a few bilateral arm jerks, followed 
by stiffening of all limbs and then rhythmic jerking of all   8. A 35 year‐old man with juvenile myoclonic epilepsy has 
limbs.   seizures beginning with a few regularly‐spaced jerks, 
followed by stiffening of all limbs and then rhythmic 
jerking of all limbs.  This would be classified as generalized 
myoclonic‐tonic‐clonic seizures.  No corresponding single 
seizure type existed in the old classification, but they 
might have been called myoclonic seizures followed by a 
tonic‐clonic seizure.  

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Examples Examples

Old = infantile spasms (focality not specified)
New = focal epileptic spasms 
9. A 14‐month old girl has sudden flexion of both arms 
with head flexing forward for about 2 seconds.  These 
9. A 14‐month old girl has sudden flexion of both arms 
seizures repeat in clusters.  EEG shows hypsarrhythmia
with head flexing forward for about 2 seconds.  These 
with bilateral spikes, most prominent over the left parietal 
seizures repeat in clusters.  EEG shows hypsarrhythmia
region.  MRI shows a left parietal dysplasia.  
with bilateral spikes, most prominent over the left parietal 
region.  MRI shows a left parietal dysplasia.  Because of 
the ancillary information, the seizure type would be 
considered to be focal epileptic spasms (the term “motor” 
can be assumed).  The previous classification would have 
called them infantile spasms, with information on focality
not included.

Examples Examples

Old = unclassified
10. A 75 year‐old man reports an internal sense of body  New = unclassified
trembling.  No other information is available.  

10. A 75 year‐old man reports an internal sense of body 
trembling.  No other information is available.  EEG and 
MRI are normal.  This event is unclassified and may or 
may not even be a seizure.

The End

“Words, words, words, I’m so sick of words!”


Eliza Doolittle, My Fair Lady

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Disclosure

New roadmap for epilepsy Name of Commercial Interest

Honoraria/travel: GSK, Eisai, UCB, Transgenomics
Ingrid E Scheffer AO, MBBS PhD FRACP FAHMS FAA
Chair, ILAE Classification Task Force Scientific advisory board: GSK, UCB, Eisai
University of Melbourne, Austin & Royal Children’s Hospitals
Melbourne, Australia Grants: NHMRC, NIH, HRC, March of Dimes, US DOD, ARC

Learning Objectives Are we there yet?
• Understand the new framework of the epilepsies
• Understand the term “developmental and epileptic 
encephalopathy”
• Replace ”benign” with “self‐limited” and “pharmaco
responsive”

Classification of the Epilepsies
Purpose: for clinical diagnosis

2005‐2009 Commission Report
Epilepsia 2010;51:676‐685

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November 2013

128 people commented online (15 Nov‐12 Feb): 43 countries

Seizure types
Focal  Generalized  Unknown 
Etiology
onset onset onset Structural
Co‐morbidities

Genetic

Epilepsy types Infectious
Combined
Focal Generalized Generalized Unknown
Metabolic
& Focal

Immune

Unknown
Epilepsy Syndromes

1. Seizure types
Seizure types
Focal  Generalized  Unknown 
onset onset onset
• Certain that events are epileptic seizures – not referring 
to distinguishing epileptic versus non‐epileptic
• In some settings  classification according to seizure 
type may be maximum level of diagnosis possible
• In other cases  simply too little information to be able 
to make a higher level diagnosis 
• eg. when a patient has only had a single event

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Seizure types
Focal  Generalized  Unknown 
Etiology Epilepsy types
onset onset onset Structural Combined
Focal Generalized Generalized Unknown
& Focal
Genetic

Tuberous Sclerosis • Where unable to make an Epilepsy Syndrome


Infectious
diagnosis or a diagnosis of Epilepsy with Etiology
Metabolic • Many examples
– Temporal lobe epilepsy
Immune – Generalized tonic-clonic seizures in a 5 year old with
GLUT1 deficiency generalized spike-wave
Unknown
– Both focal impaired awareness seizures and absence
seizures in a patient
– Cannot tell if tonic-clonic seizure is focal or generalized

Generalized and Focal Epilepsies Seizure types


Etiology
Focal  Generalized  Unknown 
• Combined focal and generalized epilepsies onset onset onset Structural

Examples
Genetic
– Juvenile Myoclonic Epilepsy and Temporal Lobe 
Epilepsy in adult of normal intellect Epilepsy types Infectious
• With normal imaging Focal Generalized
Combined
Unknown
Generalized Metabolic
– Dravet syndrome  & Focal

Immune

• What do with
Unknown
– Multifocal epilepsies?  focal Epilepsy Syndromes
– Hemispheric epilepsies?  focal

Old term
Genetic versus idiopathic
‘Idiopathic Generalized Epilepsies’
• ‘Idiopathic’ = presumed hereditary predisposition
Idiopathic Generalized 
Epilepsies • Genetic ≠ inherited
– Importance of de novo mutations in both 
Childhood Juvenile
Absence  Absence  mild and severe epilepsies
Epilepsy Epilepsy

• Critical problem of stigma in some parts of the world
Juvenile Generalized
Myoclonic Tonic‐Clonic
Epilepsy Seizures Alone

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Genetic ≠ Gene testing Seizure types
Etiology
Focal  Generalized  Unknown 
– Usually the mutation is not known  onset onset onset Structural
– Access to molecular genetic testing not necessary

Co‐morbidities
– Diagnosed on clinical research eg. twin, family studies Genetic
Genetic

Epilepsy types Infectious
Combined
Focal Generalized Generalized Unknown
Generalized Metabolic
& Focal

Immune

Unknown
Epilepsy Syndromes

JME pair; Lennox 1941 CAE pair; Lennox 1950

Epilepsy syndromes Benign
• Many epilepsies not benign
– CAE – psychosocial impact
• There are no approved ILAE  – BECTS – learning concerns
epilepsy syndromes • Replaced by terms:
– Self‐limited 
– Pharmacoresponsive
• No longer use
– Malignant 
– Catastrophic 

Epileptic encephalopathy
Developmental and/or Epileptic Encephalopathy
For many encephalopathies, there is a 
developmental component independent
of epileptic encephalopathy
Developmental delay may precede 
Epileptic activity itself seizure onset
contributes to severe cognitive and
behavioral impairment above and Co‐morbidities 
beyond that expected from the eg. cerebral palsy, autism spectrum 
underlying pathology and that disorder, ID
these can worsen over time Outcome poor even though seizures stop
Berg et al 2010 eg. KCNQ2, STXBP1 encephalopathies

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Developmental and Epileptic Encephalopathies Developmental and/or Epileptic Encephalopathy


with Movement Disorders • Developmental encephalopathy
Overlap with movement disorders common
• May begin in utero
• Post birth

• Epileptic encephalopathy
• Can occur at any age
• May be remediable component – right vs wrong AED

• Move towards GENE encephalopathy

STXBP1 KCNA2 DNM1 • eg. CDKL5 encephalopathy, SCN2A encephalopathy

Old terms
ILAE Classification of the Epilepsies
‘Symptomatic Generalized Epilepsies’
• Simplified the framework
• Beloved term to many
Symptomatic Generalized  • Etiology, etiology, etiology – consider at all stages
• Used for different  Epilepsies
groups of disorders • Developmental and Epileptic Encephalopathy
• Self‐limited, pharmacoresponsive
Developmental • IGE  Generalized Epilepsies of Genetic Etiology
and/or (Static)
Epileptic  Encephalopathies • SGE
Encephalopathies
 Developmental and Epileptic Encephalopathies
 (static) Encephalopathy with Epilepsy

Impact on Clinical Care and Practice
ILAE Classification Task Force 2016
• New classification framework
• Will change the approach to diagnosis in the clinic
• Will be applied to patients and guide 
management 
• Updates terminology in line with current thinking
• Reflecting scientific advances

Torbjörn Tomson, Emilio Perucca, Ingrid Scheffer, Jackie French, Yue‐Hua Zhang
Satish Jain, Gary Mathern, Sam Wiebe, Edouard Hirsch, Sameer Zuberi, Nico Moshe

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11/28/2016

Disclosure
New Insights about Acute 
Cyberonics Upsher Smith
Symptomatic Seizures
Dale C Hesdorffer, PhD
Columbia University

Definition of Acute Symptomatic Epilepsy:
Learning Objectives
ILAE, 1989, 1991, 1993
• To describe the latest 2010 ILAE definition of acute 
• “Acute symptomatic seizures occur at the time of a systemic insult 
symptomatic seizures
or in close temporal association with a documented brain insult.”

• To determine the outcomes of acute symptomatic  • The definition was targeted to epidemiological studies

seizures compared to outcomes after a first 
• Acute symptomatic seizures have also been called:
unprovoked seizure
• Reactive seizures
• Provoked seizures
• Situation‐related seizures

The recent definition of acute symptomatic seizures 
The terminology below is no longer applicable
mostly remains the same, ILAE 2010

Provoked seizure 
Acute symptomatic seizures are events, occurring in close 
Increased risk for acute symptomatic seizure (e.g., ETOH, sodium levels)
temporal relationship with an acute CNS insult, which may  Provoking factors associated with unprovoked seizure 

be metabolic, toxic, structural, infectious, or due to  Sleep deprivation and low ETOH intake lowers seizure threshold
Etiologies 
inflammation.  The interval between the insult and seizure  Antecedent etiologies associated with an increased risk for unprovoked 
seizure or for acute symptomatic seizure (e.g., metabolic)
may vary due to the underlying clinical condition. Acute repetitive seizures 
Seizure clusters 
Situation‐related seizure 
Synonym for acute symptomatic seizure in 1989 ILAE paper
Reflex epilepsy (Trigger seizures/epilepsy)
Epilepsies characterized by seizures with specific modes of precipitation 
Reading epilepsy, musicogenic epilepsy
Beghi et al. Epilepsia 2010;51:671‐675

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Defining time in acute symptomatic seizures Defining time in acute symptomatic seizures
Events within 24 hours using specific biochemical or hematological abnormalities
High probability
• Events within 1 week of: Severe metabolic derangements
• Stroke Drug or alcohol intoxication or withdrawal (can be within 7‐28 hours of 
• TBI the last drink)
• Anoxic encephalopathy Exposure to well‐defined epileptogenic drugs
• Intracranial surgery Strongly associated: Normeperidine, meperidine, Methaqualone, 
• First identification of subdural hematoma Gluarimide, stimulants in excess, inhalants
• Presence of an active CNS infection Withdrawal of barbiturates and benzodiazepines
• During an active phase of multiple sclerosis or other  Fair probability
autoimmune disease Hallucinogens
Angel dust (PCP, Phencyclidine, phencyclidine, quatandine)
Low or no probability
Heroin
Marijuana
Beghi et al. Epilepsia 2010;51:671‐675 Beghi et al. Epilepsia 2010;51:671‐675

Cut off values for acute symptomatic seizures in  Hyponatremia and risk of seizures: A retrospective cross‐
common metabolic disorders sectional study of 363 patients, 36‐88 years, in a Swedish 
county hospital

Biochemical parameter Cut off value Serum 


sodium  Patients  N with 
<36 mg/dl (2.0mM) or >450 mg/dl (25 mM) associated with 
(mM) (N) seizure  Absolute risk of seizure OR (95% CI)
Serum Glucose ketoacidosis whether or not long‐standing diabetes exists
120‐124 150 1 0.0067 (0.0002‐0.0366) Reference
Serum sodium <115 mg/dl (<5 mM)
115‐119 120 3 0.0252 (0.0052‐0.0719) 3.85 (0.40‐37.530
Serum calcium <5.0 mg/dl (<1.2 mM)
110‐114 54 3 0.0536 (0.0112‐0.1487) 8.43 (0.859‐82.85)
Serum magnesium <0.8 mg/dl (<0.3 mM)
<110 39 4 0.1081 (0.0303‐0.2542) 18.06 (1.96‐166.86)
Urea nitrogen >100 mg/dl (>35.7 mM)
Eleven patients with hyponatremia and seizures
Creatinine >10.0 mg/dl (>884 µM) Sodium levels
1 died (sodium level 104 mM)
7 had seizures and polydipsia, vomiting, diuretics (sodium levels: 106‐116 mM)
2 were of unclear cause (117‐122 Mm)
Seizure types
8 GTCS, 1 multiple SGTC, 1 focal motor seizure, and 1 complex partial seizure
Beghi et al. Epilepsia 2010;51:671‐675
Halawa et al. Epilepsia 2011;52:410‐413

Differentiating acute symptomatic seizures from 
Misclassification of Acute Symptomatic Seizures
unprovoked seizures
First unprovoked seizure incidence/100,000      Acute symptomatic seizure incidence/100,000
Acute Symptomatic Seizures Unprovoked Seizures/Epilepsy 300

250
Seizures occurring in close temporal  Seizures occurring in the absence of a  200
relationship with an acute CNS insult,  potentially responsible clinical 
150
which may be metabolic, toxic,  condition or beyond the interval 
100
structural, infectious, or due to  estimated for the occurrence of acute 
50
inflammation. symptomatic seizures
0
lt1 1 to 4 5 to 14 15 to 25 to 35 to 45 to 55 to 65‐74 75+
The interval between the insult and  24 34 44 54 64
seizure may vary due to the 
underlying clinical condition.
Similar age distributions, similar incidence per 100,000. 
Difficult to distinguish in resource‐poor settings

Beghi et al. Epilepsia 2010;51:671‐675

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Acute symptomatic afebrile seizures: Incidence,  Questions on the prognosis of acute symptomatic 
proportion and recurrence seizures versus unprovoked seizures

• Age‐adjusted incidence of acute symptomatic seizures was  Is the risk for an unprovoked seizure greater in acute symptomatic 
39/100,000 in Rochester, MN seizures versus first unprovoked seizure?
• The acute symptomatic seizure incidence was 29/100,000 in  What are the etiologies at greatest risk?
Gironde France
• These both represented 40% of all afebrile seizures in the  Is the risk for mortality increased in acute symptomatic seizures versus 
community first unprovoked seizure? 
And restricting to structural etiologies (CNS infection, stroke and TBI)

Recurrent seizures Is the risk for unprovoked seizure after a first acute symptomatic seizure 
• Acute symptomatic seizures are unlikely to be recurrent different with and without SE
• Unprovoked seizures are often recurrent Restricting to structural etiologies (CNS infection, stroke and TBI

Annegers et al. Epilepsia 1995;36:327‐333; Loiseau et al. These, 1987. 

Subsequent unprovoked seizure by structural etiology 
Cumulative risk for recurrent unprovoked seizure, Rochester  after a first unprovoked seizure or acute symptomatic 
1955‐84: Structural Etiologies: CNS infection, stroke, TBI seizure
Cumulative Probability of Subsequent Unprovoked Seizure

1.00 Cumulative Risk of


First Unprovoked
Structural Etiology Number Unprovoked seizure RR (95% CI)
0.75 Stroke
Acute Symptomatic Seizure 53 36.3%; p<0.001 0.4 (0.2-0.6)
0.50 Unprovoked Seizure 96 78.5% 1.0 (referent)
CNS infection
Acute Symptomatic
0.25
Acute Symptomatic Seizure 72 18.1%; p<0.001 0.1 (0.03-0.2)

Log Rank p<0.001


Unprovoked Seizure 10 100% 1.0 (referent)
0.00
0 2 4 6 8 10 TBI
Time (Years)
Acute Symptomatic Seizure 81 18.1%; p<0.001 0.1 (0.06-0.3)
Univariate RR=0.2, 95% CI=0.1‐0.3    
Adjusted RR=0.02 (95% CI=0.2‐0.4), adjusting for age gender and SE Unprovoked Seizure 37 75.9% 1.0 (referent)

Hesdorffer et al. Epilepsia 2009 Hesdorffer et al, Epilepsia 2009

Cumulative risk for 30‐day mortality, Rochester 1955‐84 30‐day mortality by structural etiology: 
Structural Etiologies: CNS infection, stroke and TBI Acute symptomatic seizure vs first unprovoked seizure

1.00
Structural Etiology N Cumulative Risk of death
Stroke
Cumulative Probability of 30-day Mortality

Acute Symptomatic Seizure 91 41.9%; p<0.001


0.75 Log Rank p<0.001
Unprovoked Seizure 101 5.0%

0.50
CNS infection
Acute Symptomatic Seizure 80 9.9%; p=0.03

0.25 Acute Symptomatic Unprovoked Seizure 10 0%

First Unprovoked
TBI
0.00 Acute Symptomatic Seizure 91 11.0%; p=0.04
0 10 20 30
Time (Days) Unprovoked Seizure 37 0%
56 deaths/262 with acute symptomatic seizure versus 5 deaths/148 with unprovoked seizure.
Univariate RR=6.9 (2.8-17.3); Adjusted RR=8.9 (3.5-22.5) – adjusted for age, gender and SE

Hesdorffer et al. Epilepsia 2009 Hesdorffer et al. Epilepsia 2009

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Cumulative risk for 10‐year mortality, in 30 day survivors 
Rochester 1955‐84 10‐year mortality in 30‐day survivors by structural etiology
Structural Etiologies: CNS infection, stroke and TBI

Etiology Number Cumulative Risk of Death


Stroke
Acute Symptomatic Seizure 53 73.8%; ns
Unprovoked Seizure 96 71.6%
CNS infection
Acute Symptomatic Seizure 72 13.6%; ns
Unprovoked Seizure 10 0%
TBI
Acute Symptomatic Seizure 81 21.7%; ns
54 deaths/206 with acute symptomatic seizure vs 71 deaths/143 with unprovoked seizure
RR=0.5 (0.4‐0.7); adjusted RR=0.7 (0.5‐1.03)‐ adjusted for age, gender and SE Unprovoked Seizure 37 28.1%

Hesdorffer et al. Epilepsia 2009 Hesdorffer et al. Epilepsia 2009

Risk for unprovoked seizure in acute short seizure vs  Determinants of unprovoked seizure after acute 
acute status epilepticus over 10 years  symptomatic seizure over 10 years

Variable Adjusted RR 95% CI


SE 3.3 1.8-6.1
No SE 1.0 Referent
Etiology
Structural SE 7.1 2.9-16.9
Structural no SE 2.4 1.1-5.5
Metabolic SE 3.6 1.1-11.9
Metabolic no SE 1.0 Referent
Encephalophathic SE 18.8 3.6-98.6
Encephaloapthic no SE 1.9 0.23-15.3

Hesdorffer et al, 1998
Hesdorffer et al, 1998

30 day cumulative survival by etiology of status epilepticus Conclusions: Differences Between Acute Symptomatic 


Seizures & Unprovoked Seizures
log rank test: chi-square=18.9 (p=0.0001)
1

0.8

0.6

0.4

0.2
acute
idiopathic remote progressive symptomatic
0
0 5 10 15 20 25 30 35

Logroscino et al. Epilepsia 1997

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Conclusions: Differences between acute symptomatic SE  New‐onset Refractory Status Epilepticus (NORSE) in 
(ASSE) and shorter acute symptomatic seizures (ASS) 13 Centers (Gaspard et al Neurology 2015)
Retrospective review of 125 complete cases with new onset refractory SE 
with unknown etiology within 48 hours of admission over a 5 year period

• The risk for an unprovoked seizure is 3‐fold greater in ASSE than in shorter ASS Etiology
• The risk for unprovoked seizures after ASSE versus metabolic ASS 50% unknown etiology
• ASSE has a 3‐fold increased risk 50% known etiology
• Metabolic ASSE has a 3.6‐fold increased risk 20% autoimmune, non‐paraneoplastic 
• Structural ASSE has a 7.1‐fold increased risk 18% paraneoplastic
• Encephalopatic ASSE has an 18.8‐fold increased risk 8% infection‐related
4% other causes
• 30‐day survival in ASSE is far worse than either idiopathic, remote symptomatic,
With  Without 
or progressive symptomatic seizures
All NORSE etiology etiology
Seizures 23(37%) 13 (37%) 10 (37%)
No seizure but treated 34 (55%) 18 (51%) 16 (59%)
No seizures and no treatment 5 (8%) 4 (11%) 1 (4%)
Death 28 (22%) 11 (18%) 17 (27%)

Conclusions: Reflecting on the practical clinical ILAE  Conclusions: Use of the new ILAE definition of acute 
definition of epilepsy symptomatic seizures

• Epilepsy definition: 60% risk for a recurrent seizure that is unprovoked–either • Only one study has used the 2010 definition of acute 
after an acute symptomatic seizure or after a first unprovoked seizure symptomatic seizures
This does not reach the definition of epilepsy in acute symptomatic seizure  • Other studies are needed to address:
and acute symptomatic SE
• Events within 24 hours: 
• Biochemical parameters (e.g., calcium levels)
• Stroke reaches the cut off for epilepsy after a first unprovoked seizure
• Varying time intervals between the insult and seizure due 
to the underlying clinical condition (e.g., stroke)
• Events within 24 hours with high, medium and low 
probability of acute symptomatic seizures

Impact on Clinical Care and Practice

• To define acute symptomatic seizures using the 2010 
ILAE definition
• To use the definition to determine outcomes
• To use only acute symptomatic seizures to index these 
seizures and not the older names for these seizures

#AES2016

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11/16/2016

Disclosure
New Insights about Acute 
Cyberonics Upsher Smith
Symptomatic Seizures
Dale C Hesdorffer, PhD
Columbia University

Definition of Acute Symptomatic Epilepsy:
Learning Objectives
ILAE, 1989, 1991, 1993
• To describe the latest 2010 ILAE definition of acute 
• “Acute symptomatic seizures occur at the time of a systemic insult 
symptomatic seizures
or in close temporal association with a documented brain insult.”
• To determine the outcomes of acute symptomatic 
seizures compared to outcomes after a first  • The definition was targeted to epidemiological studies

unprovoked seizure
• Acute symptomatic seizures have also been called:
• Reactive seizures
• Provoked seizures
• Situation‐related seizures

The recent definition of acute symptomatic seizures 
The terminology below is no longer applicable
mostly remains the same, ILAE 2010

Provoked seizure 
Acute symptomatic seizures are events, occurring in close 
Increased risk for acute symptomatic seizure (e.g., ETOH, sodium levels)
temporal relationship with an acute CNS insult, which may  Provoking factors associated with unprovoked seizure 

be metabolic, toxic, structural, infectious, or due to  Sleep deprivation and low ETOH intake lowers seizure threshold
Etiologies 
inflammation.  The interval between the insult and seizure  Antecedent etiologies associated with an increased risk for unprovoked 
seizure or for acute symptomatic seizure (e.g., metabolic)
may vary due to the underlying clinical condition. Acute repetitive seizures 
Seizure clusters 
Situation‐related seizure 
Synonym for acute symptomatic seizure in 1989 ILAE paper
Reflex epilepsy (Trigger seizures/epilepsy)
Epilepsies characterized by seizures with specific modes of precipitation 
Reading epilepsy, musicogenic epilepsy
Beghi et al. Epilepsia 2010;51:671‐675

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11/16/2016

Defining time in acute symptomatic seizures Defining time in acute symptomatic seizures
Events within 24 hours using specific biochemical or hematological abnormalities
High probability
• Events within 1 week of: Severe metabolic derangements
• Stroke Drug or alcohol intoxication or withdrawal (can be within 7‐28 hours of 
• TBI the last drink)
• Anoxic encephalopathy Exposure to well‐defined epileptogenic drugs
• Intracranial surgery Strongly associated: Normeperidine, meperidine, Methaqualone, 
• First identification of subdural hematoma Gluarimide, stimulants in excess, inhalants
• Presence of an active CNS infection Withdrawal of barbiturates and benzodiazepines
• During an active phase of multiple sclerosis or other  Fair probability
autoimmune disease Hallucinogens
Angel dust (PCP, Phencyclidine, phencyclidine, quatandine)
Low or no probability
Heroin
Marijuana
Beghi et al. Epilepsia 2010;51:671‐675 Beghi et al. Epilepsia 2010;51:671‐675

Cut off values for acute symptomatic seizures in  Hyponatremia and risk of seizures: A retrospective cross‐
common metabolic disorders sectional study of 363 patients, 36‐88 years, in a Swedish 
county hospital

Biochemical parameter Cut off value Serum 


sodium  Patients  N with 
<36 mg/dl (2.0mM) or >450 mg/dl (25 mM) associated with 
(mM) (N) seizure  Absolute risk of seizure OR (95% CI)
Serum Glucose ketoacidosis whether or not long‐standing diabetes exists
120‐124 150 1 0.0067 (0.0002‐0.0366) Reference
Serum sodium <115 mg/dl (<5 mM)
115‐119 120 3 0.0252 (0.0052‐0.0719) 3.85 (0.40‐37.530
Serum calcium <5.0 mg/dl (<1.2 mM)
110‐114 54 3 0.0536 (0.0112‐0.1487) 8.43 (0.859‐82.85)
Serum magnesium <0.8 mg/dl (<0.3 mM)
<110 39 4 0.1081 (0.0303‐0.2542) 18.06 (1.96‐166.86)
Urea nitrogen >100 mg/dl (>35.7 mM)
Eleven patients with hyponatremia and seizures
Creatinine >10.0 mg/dl (>884 µM) Sodium levels
1 died (sodium level 104 mM)
7 had seizures and polydipsia, vomiting, diuretics (sodium levels: 106‐116 mM)
2 were of unclear cause (117‐122 Mm)
Seizure types
8 GTCS, 1 multiple SGTC, 1 focal motor seizure, and 1 complex partial seizure
Beghi et al. Epilepsia 2010;51:671‐675
Halawa et al. Epilepsia 2011;52:410‐413

Differentiating acute symptomatic seizures from 
Misclassification of Acute Symptomatic Seizures
unprovoked seizures
First unprovoked seizure incidence/100,000      Acute symptomatic seizure incidence/100,000
Acute Symptomatic Seizures Unprovoked Seizures/Epilepsy 300

250
Seizures occurring in close temporal  Seizures occurring in the absence of a  200
relationship with an acute CNS insult,  potentially responsible clinical 
150
which may be metabolic, toxic,  condition or beyond the interval 
100
structural, infectious, or due to  estimated for the occurrence of acute 
50
inflammation. symptomatic seizures
0
lt1 1 to 4 5 to 14 15 to 25 to 35 to 45 to 55 to 65‐74 75+
The interval between the insult and  24 34 44 54 64
seizure may vary due to the 
underlying clinical condition.
Similar age distributions, similar incidence per 100,000. 
Difficult to distinguish in resource‐poor settings

Beghi et al. Epilepsia 2010;51:671‐675

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Acute symptomatic afebrile seizures: Incidence,  Questions on the prognosis of acute symptomatic 
proportion and recurrence seizures versus unprovoked seizures

• Age‐adjusted incidence of acute symptomatic seizures was  Is the risk for an unprovoked seizure greater in acute symptomatic 
39/100,000 in Rochester, MN seizures versus first unprovoked seizure?
• The acute symptomatic seizure incidence was 29/100,000 in  What are the etiologies at greatest risk?
Gironde France
• These both represented 40% of all afebrile seizures in the  Is the risk for mortality increased in acute symptomatic seizures versus 
community first unprovoked seizure? 
And restricting to structural etiologies (CNS infection, stroke and TBI)

Recurrent seizures Is the risk for unprovoked seizure after a first acute symptomatic seizure 
• Acute symptomatic seizures are unlikely to be recurrent different with and without SE
• Unprovoked seizures are often recurrent Restricting to structural etiologies (CNS infection, stroke and TBI

Annegers et al. Epilepsia 1995;36:327‐333; Loiseau et al. These, 1987. 

Subsequent unprovoked seizure by structural etiology 
Cumulative risk for recurrent unprovoked seizure, Rochester  after a first unprovoked seizure or acute symptomatic 
1955‐84: Structural Etiologies: CNS infection, stroke, TBI seizure
Cumulative Probability of Subsequent Unprovoked Seizure

1.00 Cumulative Risk of


First Unprovoked
Structural Etiology Number Unprovoked seizure RR (95% CI)
0.75 Stroke
Acute Symptomatic Seizure 53 36.3%; p<0.001 0.4 (0.2-0.6)
0.50 Unprovoked Seizure 96 78.5% 1.0 (referent)
CNS infection
Acute Symptomatic
0.25
Acute Symptomatic Seizure 72 18.1%; p<0.001 0.1 (0.03-0.2)

Log Rank p<0.001


Unprovoked Seizure 10 100% 1.0 (referent)
0.00
0 2 4 6 8 10 TBI
Time (Years)
Acute Symptomatic Seizure 81 18.1%; p<0.001 0.1 (0.06-0.3)
Univariate RR=0.2, 95% CI=0.1‐0.3    
Adjusted RR=0.02 (95% CI=0.2‐0.4), adjusting for age gender and SE Unprovoked Seizure 37 75.9% 1.0 (referent)

Hesdorffer et al. Epilepsia 2009 Hesdorffer et al, Epilepsia 2009

Cumulative risk for 30‐day mortality, Rochester 1955‐84 30‐day mortality by structural etiology: 
Structural Etiologies: CNS infection, stroke and TBI Acute symptomatic seizure vs first unprovoked seizure

1.00
Structural Etiology N Cumulative Risk of death
Stroke
Cumulative Probability of 30-day Mortality

Acute Symptomatic Seizure 91 41.9%; p<0.001


0.75 Log Rank p<0.001
Unprovoked Seizure 101 5.0%

0.50
CNS infection
Acute Symptomatic Seizure 80 9.9%; p=0.03

0.25 Acute Symptomatic Unprovoked Seizure 10 0%

First Unprovoked
TBI
0.00 Acute Symptomatic Seizure 91 11.0%; p=0.04
0 10 20 30
Time (Days) Unprovoked Seizure 37 0%
56 deaths/262 with acute symptomatic seizure versus 5 deaths/148 with unprovoked seizure.
Univariate RR=6.9 (2.8-17.3); Adjusted RR=8.9 (3.5-22.5) – adjusted for age, gender and SE

Hesdorffer et al. Epilepsia 2009 Hesdorffer et al. Epilepsia 2009

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Cumulative risk for 10‐year mortality, in 30 day survivors 
Rochester 1955‐84 10‐year mortality in 30‐day survivors by structural etiology
Structural Etiologies: CNS infection, stroke and TBI

Etiology Number Cumulative Risk of Death


Stroke
Acute Symptomatic Seizure 53 73.8%; ns
Unprovoked Seizure 96 71.6%
CNS infection
Acute Symptomatic Seizure 72 13.6%; ns
Unprovoked Seizure 10 0%
TBI
Acute Symptomatic Seizure 81 21.7%; ns
54 deaths/206 with acute symptomatic seizure vs 71 deaths/143 with unprovoked seizure
RR=0.5 (0.4‐0.7); adjusted RR=0.7 (0.5‐1.03)‐ adjusted for age, gender and SE Unprovoked Seizure 37 28.1%

Hesdorffer et al. Epilepsia 2009 Hesdorffer et al. Epilepsia 2009

Risk for unprovoked seizure in acute short seizure vs  Determinants of unprovoked seizure after acute 
acute status epilepticus over 10 years  symptomatic seizure over 10 years

Variable Adjusted RR 95% CI


SE 3.3 1.8-6.1
No SE 1.0 Referent
Etiology
Structural SE 7.1 2.9-16.9
Structural no SE 2.4 1.1-5.5
Metabolic SE 3.6 1.1-11.9
Metabolic no SE 1.0 Referent
Encephalophathic SE 18.8 3.6-98.6
Encephaloapthic no SE 1.9 0.23-15.3

Hesdorffer et al, 1998
Hesdorffer et al, 1998

30 day cumulative survival by etiology of status epilepticus Conclusions: Differences Between Acute Symptomatic 


Seizures & Unprovoked Seizures
log rank test: chi-square=18.9 (p=0.0001)
1

0.8

0.6

0.4

0.2
acute
idiopathic remote progressive symptomatic
0
0 5 10 15 20 25 30 35

Logroscino et al. Epilepsia 1997

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Conclusions: Differences between acute symptomatic SE  Conclusions: Reflecting on the practical clinical ILAE 
(ASSE) and shorter acute symptomatic seizures (ASS) definition of epilepsy

• The risk for an unprovoked seizure is 3‐fold greater in ASSE than in shorter ASS • Epilepsy definition: 60% risk for a recurrent seizure that is unprovoked–either
• The risk for unprovoked seizures after ASSE versus metabolic ASS after an acute symptomatic seizure or after a first unprovoked seizure
• ASSE has a 3‐fold increased risk This does not reach the definition of epilepsy in acute symptomatic seizure 
• Metabolic ASSE has a 3.6‐fold increased risk and acute symptomatic SE
• Structural ASSE has a 7.1‐fold increased risk
• Encephalopatic ASSE has an 18.8‐fold increased risk • Stroke reaches the cut off for epilepsy after a first unprovoked seizure
• 30‐day survival in ASSE is far worse than either idiopathic, remote symptomatic,
or progressive symptomatic seizures

Conclusions: Use of the new ILAE definition of acute 
Impact on Clinical Care and Practice
symptomatic seizures
• To define acute symptomatic seizures using the 2010 
• Only one study has used the 2010 definition of acute  ILAE definition
symptomatic seizures • To use the definition to determine outcomes
• Other studies are needed to address: • To use only acute symptomatic seizures to index these 
seizures and not the older names for these seizures
• Events within 24 hours: 
• Biochemical parameters (e.g., calcium levels)
• Varying time intervals between the insult and seizure due 
to the underlying clinical condition (e.g., stroke)
• Events within 24 hours with high, medium and low 
probability of acute symptomatic seizures

#AES2016

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11/28/2016

Towards a Scientific Basis for Definition  Disclosure
and Classification of Epilepsy Nothing to disclose

Ivan Soltesz, PhD
Stanford University

Learning Objectives • Brain rhythms are ubiquitous: All neuronal circuits generate 


network oscillations at various frequencies

• Discuss how recent advances in neuroscience may inform  • Example: The hippocampus: theta (4Hz‐10Hz), low gamma 
definition and classification of epilepsy (25Hz‐90Hz), high gamma (90Hz‐130Hz), ripples (130Hz‐200Hz)
• Each of these oscillations have their specific behavioral 
• Evaluate the potential benefits and practical and conceptual  correlates: theta during running, ripples during rest
limitations of a science‐inspired definition and classification 
of epilepsy • Functions of the distinct oscillations are beginning to be 
understood; e.g., gamma: coordination of cell assemblies; 
ripples: replay of episodic memory sequences

Oscillations and cognition
Example: Replay of place cell sequences during ripples Normal and abnormal oscillations can coexist

Place cells

RIPPLES

Replay
Buzsaki and Wang, 2012
Le Van Quyen, et al., 2006

G. Buzsaki

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11/28/2016

A basic scientist’s view:  • Simple definition: Seizures are abnormal network oscillations

All current epilepsy treatments have pluses  • Most often involve cortical circuits, but can also involve 
and minuses, but they fundamentally all  subcortical circuits
aim to control abnormal oscillators without 
affecting the normal ones
• Just as specific circuits generate characteristic oscillations in the 
Comorbidities, side‐effects normal brain, each altered circuit in epilepsy generates 
abnormal network oscillations that are characteristic for that 
particular circuit; e.g., spike‐and‐wave discharges, temporal 
lobe epilepsy
Bui*, Alexander* & Soltesz
The Neuroscientist 2017 (in press)

• Therefore, a truly science‐based classification of  “We will not have a real seizure classification until we understand 
seizures should be possible when the nature of the  why there are different types of seizures” (R. Fisher)
altered circuits generating the abnormal oscillations 
becomes better understood Genetics, development, networks, physiological principles

• Clinicians and basic scientists need to work together  Limited animal models for different seizure types; for example, we 
towards designing a new science‐based framework  know little of atonic drop seizures because we don’t have a good 
for seizures  animal model for that seizure type

Taxonomy of seizures based on first principles? Seizure patterns conserved across species and brain regions


Experiments Flows in state space
Universality of seizures: from flies to humans; under various conditions

What are the fundamental properties of seizure dynamics that hold across multiple patients, 
species and brain regions? 

Dynamical system theory is the mathematical analysis of physical systems whose state changes 
over time

Analysis of seizure dynamics mathematically; Theoretical framework called Epileptor (Jirsa et 


al., Brain 2014) Theory: Only 16 truly different seizure types can exist!

5 variables, transitions from normal state to a seizure state and back: “bifurcations”

How many fundamentally distinct seizures can there be in theory (in a dynamical system theory 
sense)?
Viktor K. Jirsa et al. Brain 2014;137:2210-2230

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Towards automated, bias‐free seizure classification: 
Reconstructing the neuronal machine
Will we be able to find seizure‐specific behavioral 
“syllables” and connect them to specific brain circuits? “The basic mental strategy of assembling 
neuron networks from virtually completely 
stained but isolated individual cells, was 
that of looking for the “best spatial fitting”
between terminal axon arborizations and 
3D imaging of behavior and machine learning‐ potential postsynaptic sites, such as cell 
bodies, major dendrites and characteristic 
assisted analysis in normal mice points of their arborizations, dendritic 
spines, etc.” The Ferrier Lecture, 1978  János Szentágothai
1912- 1994
Behaviors are structured according to 
stereotyped modules at subsecond time‐scales 
(“syllables”) that are arranged according to 
specific rules (“grammar”)

Slowly evolving pose dynamics seprated by fast 
transitions
G. Nyiri Szentágothai
Based on Wiltschko et al., Neuron 2015

Neurotransmitters are released in specific spatial domains at specific times: 
“Chronocircuits” – Unity of neuronal space and time
Seizures are abnormal chronocircuit activities

Other chronocircuit disorders or “rhythmopathies”:

Parkinson’s disease, Dystonias,
Tinnitus, Essential tremor,
Alzheimer’s disease, Autism, 
Schizophrenia, Depression
Krook‐Magnuson et al TINS 2012

Emerging rules of chronocircuit organization I:
Local time-keepers (clocks) of network oscillations PV cells release GABA in a sequential manner during theta: initial segment, soma, 
dendrites
“clock/time‐keeper of oscillations” “modifiable inhibition”

CCK2
receptor
P/Q type
N‐type

Freund (2003) TINS
Varga et al eLife 2014

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11/28/2016

Emerging rules of chronocircuit organization II:  Data‐driven, full‐scale model of the isolated CA1 network


Frequency invariant temporal ordering of perisomatic and dendritic  Ion channel properties Synapse properties

inhibition

Firing properties

Ion channel distribution

Pyramidal 
Basket cells cells

Dendritically projecting cells Bezaire et al., 2016


Varga et al PNAS 2012
BioRxiv 087403 

Emergence of normal network oscillations from the biological  Conclusions:
data‐driven model of the CA1 neuronal network • We need to understand why there are different types of seizures

• Animal models are needed for all seizures subtypes

• Normal and abnormal oscillations co‐exist and transition to one another; 
chronocircuits, rhythmopathies, universe of circuit disorders

• Theoretical analysis of seizures points to an upper limit for the number of 
possible seizure types

• Modern technology (BRAIN Initiative) to help in understanding the 
principles of normal and abnormal chronocircuit organization 

#AES2016

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