Evidence map›Paper›PMID 39985574›Full record

ArticleJournal of neurology2025

Seizure freedom and therapy discontinuation in patients with idiopathic generalized epilepsy: retrospective cohort study from a tertiary epilepsy outpatient service.

Davide G Curti, Anna Bellini, Marco Cursi, Jacopo Lanzone, Fabio Minicucci, Giovanna F Fanelli, Federica Agosta, Massimo Filippi

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Article in Journal of neurology, 2025. The graph could read no effect estimate from its abstract, so it casts no vote on the map. Cited by 2 papers.

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2citing papers in PubMed
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1 · What the graph read from it

What it found

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3 · Its place in the literature

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2 citing papers in PubMed.

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4 · The record

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5 · Who and what money

Authors and funding

8 authors.

Davide G CurtiNeurology Unit, IRCCS San Raffaele Scientific Institute, Via Olgettina, 60, 20132, Milan, Italy.
Anna BelliniNeurology Unit, IRCCS San Raffaele Scientific Institute, Via Olgettina, 60, 20132, Milan, Italy.
Marco CursiNeurophysiology Service, IRCCS San Raffaele Scientific Institute, Milan, Italy.
Jacopo LanzoneNeurology Unit, IRCCS San Raffaele Scientific Institute, Via Olgettina, 60, 20132, Milan, Italy.
Fabio MinicucciNeurophysiology Service, IRCCS San Raffaele Scientific Institute, Milan, Italy.
Giovanna F FanelliNeurology Unit, IRCCS San Raffaele Scientific Institute, Via Olgettina, 60, 20132, Milan, Italy.
Federica AgostaNeurology Unit, IRCCS San Raffaele Scientific Institute, Via Olgettina, 60, 20132, Milan, Italy.
Massimo FilippiNeurology Unit, IRCCS San Raffaele Scientific Institute, Via Olgettina, 60, 20132, Milan, Italy. filippi.massimo@hsr.it.ORCID http://orcid.org/0000-0002-5485-0479

Funding

No grant is acknowledged in the PubMed record.

6 · The paper itself

Abstract

backgroundIdiopathic generalized epilepsy (IGE) affects young individuals and is typically successfully managed with anti-seizure medications (ASMs). Discontinuing therapy in IGE patients is a critical decision due to the risk of seizure recurrence. This study aims to identify factors influencing seizure freedom (SF) or relapse after ASM discontinuation.

methodsWe retrospectively reviewed the medical records of patients seen at our clinic between 2002 and 2024. Collected data included demographics, disease history, seizure types, ASMs used, EEG findings, outcomes related to SF and ASM withdrawal.

resultsWe identified 322 records, with a mean age of 30 ± 12.4 years and an age at onset of 16 ± 5.9 years. On average, patients tried 1.9 ASMs, 23% on polytherapy. The main seizure types were generalized tonic-clonic seizures (GTCS) in 53.1%, myoclonic seizures in 31.7%, absences in 15.2%. SF was achieved by 76.6%. Patients with GTCS as main seizure type or presenting with GTCS in the first year of disease experienced a delayed achievement of SF. ASM discontinuation was attempted in 64 patients. Predictors of relapse after discontinuation were myoclonic and generalized seizures as principal seizure type and higher seizure frequency. Early SF and lower seizure frequency were associated with successful discontinuation. EEG predictors of discontinuation failure included worsening during treatment tapering and specific abnormalities, such as spike waves, photosensitivity, and hyperpnoea sensitivity.

conclusionsThis study provides long-term follow-up data on IGE patients, highlighting key predictors of seizure control, including GTCS or myoclonic seizures and a rapid initial ASM response. EEG emerges as a valuable tool for the longitudinal monitoring of patients undergoing ASM discontinuation.

Indexed as

AnticonvulsantsEpilepsy, GeneralizedSeizuresWithholding TreatmentAdolescentAdultElectroencephalographyFemaleHumansMaleMiddle AgedRecurrenceRetrospective StudiesYoung AdultAnticonvulsantsAntiseizure medication withdrawalEpilepsyIdiopathic generalized epilepsySeizure freedom

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Read under generation 80e0d062 · epoch 390. Bibliography from PubMed, PubMed Central and OpenAlex; grants from NIH RePORTER; trial links from ClinicalTrials.gov; estimates, votes and beliefs from the OpenQuestion graph.