Abstract
Hyperglycemic status may be rarely complicated by Epilepsia partialis continua (EPC) that usually responds to metabolic normalization. Anti-glutamic acid decarboxylase antibodies (GAD-Ab) play a pivotal role in the autoimmune process that leads to clinical onset of type 1 diabetes mellitus (T1DM). GAD-Ab have been recently reported in association with rare forms of refractory epilepsy, with or without association to T1DM. Here we describe a young patient who developed EPC five months after T1DM onset; GAD-Ab were detected in his cerebrospinal fluid with evidence of oligoclonal bands. His epileptic disorder evolved over time into drug-resistant epilepsy with continuous spike-waves during slow sleep and severe behavioral impairment. The role of both metabolic imbalance and GAD autoimmunity is discussed.
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Acknowledgment
We are grateful for the assistance of Dr. Elena Bazzigaluppi, from San Raffaele Institute, University of Milan, Italy, for GAD-Ab determinations.
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Baglietto, M.G., Mancardi, M.M., Giannattasio, A. et al. Epilepsia partialis continua in type 1 diabetes: evolution into epileptic encephalopathy with continuous spike-waves during slow sleep. Neurol Sci 30, 509–512 (2009). https://doi.org/10.1007/s10072-009-0122-y
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DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s10072-009-0122-y