Evidence map›Paper›PMID 40405320›Full record

ArticleBioelectronic medicine2025

Continuous theta burst stimulation in the treatment of epilepsia partialis continua: a case series.

Chloé Algoet, Sofie Carrette, Alfred Meurs, Ann Mertens, Dimitri Hemelsoet, Paul Boon, Kristl Vonck

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Article in Bioelectronic medicine, 2025. The graph could read no effect estimate from its abstract, so it casts no vote on the map. Not yet cited in PubMed.

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1 · What the graph read from it

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The abstract states no effect estimate the extractor could read, or names no intervention and outcome on the map, so this paper lights no cell and moves no belief. It is still indexed, cited and linked below.

2 · The registry

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3 · Its place in the literature

Who cites it

0 citing papers in PubMed.

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4 · The record

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5 · Who and what money

Authors and funding

7 authors.

Chloé AlgoetDepartment of Neurology, Ghent University, Corneel Heymanslaan 10, Ghent, 9000, Belgium. chloe.algoet@ugent.be.
Sofie CarretteDepartment of Neurology, Ghent University, Corneel Heymanslaan 10, Ghent, 9000, Belgium.
Alfred MeursDepartment of Neurology, Ghent University, Corneel Heymanslaan 10, Ghent, 9000, Belgium.
Ann MertensDepartment of Neurology, Ghent University, Corneel Heymanslaan 10, Ghent, 9000, Belgium.
Dimitri HemelsoetDepartment of Neurology, Ghent University, Corneel Heymanslaan 10, Ghent, 9000, Belgium.
Paul BoonDepartment of Neurology, Ghent University, Corneel Heymanslaan 10, Ghent, 9000, Belgium.
Kristl VonckDepartment of Neurology, Ghent University, Corneel Heymanslaan 10, Ghent, 9000, Belgium.

Funding

No grant is acknowledged in the PubMed record.

6 · The paper itself

Abstract

backgroundEpilepsia partialis continua (EPC) is a medication-resistant form of focal status epilepticus (SE), causing significant morbidity. This case series explored whether continuous theta burst stimulation (cTBS) could reduce seizure activity in patients with EPC.

methodsThree patients with motor EPC (2M/1F) underwent an accelerated cTBS protocol over four consecutive days (five 40-s trains/day, 5Hz bursts, 3 pulses at 50Hz/burst). Stimulation targeted the epileptogenic zone using a figure-of-eight coil at 80% of the resting motor threshold. Electroencephalography (EEG) was conducted before and after each session. Seizure frequency, intensity, adverse events (AEs), seizure diaries, and follow-up data were assessed.

resultscTBS did not interrupt EPC in any patient. One patient reported a 17% reduction in seizure frequency. Another noted mild improvement in shoulder jerks, and a third reported reduced arm tension, though without clinical confirmation. EEG showed no significant changes. One patient experienced seizures during stimulation, and another reported worsening of pre-existing headaches.

conclusionIn this small case series, a four-day accelerated cTBS protocol did not yield clinically meaningful seizure control in EPC. Further research is needed to evaluate TMS and TBS in SE and EPC, where a significant treatment gap remains.

Indexed as

Continuous theta burst stimulationEPCEpilepsia partialis continuaNeuromodulationRepetitive transcranial magnetic stimulationStatus epilepticus

Identifiers

PMID40405320
PMCPMC12100802

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