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Biomedical subjects

Gregory B Sharp

Publications and source records attributed to Gregory B Sharp.

4 recordsLinked to original sources
PubMed2004

Levetiracetam in the treatment of Lennox-Gastaut syndrome.

Lennox-Gastaut syndrome is an epileptic encephalopathy characterized by multiple seizure types, mental retardation, and a slow spike-and-wave pattern on electroencephalography. Medical intractability is common. We identified a case series of six patients diagnosed with Lennox-Gastaut syndrome in which levetiracetam was initiated as add-on therapy for the management of seizures. At follow-up, four patients experienced 100% reduction of their myoclonic seizures; two patients had greater than 50% reduction of their atonic seizures, and four patients experienced 100% reduction in their generalized tonic-clonic seizures. Tonic seizures were not responsive to treatment. The most common side effect was irritability; the most positive change involved alertness. In this small sample, levetiracetam appeared effective in reducing seizures in Lennox-Gastaut syndrome. This preliminary study is limited by its retrospective design and small number of patients, but positive findings warrant a larger scale, multicenter study.

Adolescent↗
PubMed2003

Anxiety in children with epilepsy.

Although the prevalence is unknown, affective disorders are more common in children with epilepsy than in healthy controls. The purpose of the present study was to examine the occurrence of anxiety in children and adolescents with epilepsy and to determine factors associated with elevation of these symptoms. Children and adolescents (n=101) between the ages of 6 and 16 years were given the Revised Children's Manifest Anxiety Scale (RCMAS). Mild to moderate symptoms of anxiety were reported by 23% of the patients. Based on regression analysis, factors significantly associated with increased anxiety included the presence of comorbid learning or behavioral difficulties, ethnicity, and polytherapy. Results suggest the need to monitor children and adolescents with epilepsy for affective symptoms in order to provide appropriate interventions.

Adolescent↗
PubMed2003

Parental anxiety and quality of life in children with epilepsy.

Parental beliefs and attitudes concerning epilepsy may significantly impact adjustment and quality of life for both the child and family. The purpose of the present study was to examine the relationship between parental anxiety and quality of life in pediatric patients with ongoing epilepsy. Subjects were parents (n=200) of children between the ages of 6 and 16 years who had been diagnosed and treated for epilepsy for at least 1 year. Parents were given quality of life and anxiety questionnaires during the child's clinic visit. A stepwise regression analysis suggested that severity of comorbid conditions, parental anxiety, seizure control, and number of medications were significantly associated with quality of life for these children. Parents with increased anxiety whose children had poorly controlled seizures and a comorbid disability were found to have diminished quality of life.

Adolescent↗