Provides evidence that surgery improves psychiatric functioning in drug-resistant epilepsy through a prospective controlled study.

Psychiatric morbidity in drug-resistant epilepsy is frequent. Surgery is the best therapeutic alternative for treating seizures, but the current evidence concerning the effects of surgery on psychiatric disorders (PDs) is inconclusive. We aim to clarify surgery's role in long-term PDs. Using a prospective controlled study, we analyzed the psychopathologic outcomes of patients with drug-resistant epilepsy, comparing those who underwent surgery to those who did not due to not being suitable. Surgical candidates were paired (n = 84) with the immediately following nonsurgical candidates (n = 68). Both groups continued their usual medical treatment. We studied psychiatric changes for each group and analyzed de novo and remission cases. The assessments were made during the presurgical evaluation, and at 6 months (6-M) and 12 months (12-M) after surgery. Finally, we determined associated factors for postsurgical PDs. At 12 months, using the Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale (HADS), anxiety improved in both groups (p = 0.000), while depression improved only in the surgical group (p = 0.016). Moreover, all symptom dimensions on the Symptom Checklist-90-R (SCL-90), as well as severity, distress, and total symptoms, decreased only in the surgical group. These ameliorations reached not only statistical significance but also clinical significance for depression (HADS) (p = 0.014) and the interictal dysphoric disorder (p = 0.013). The main predictors for PDs after surgery were as follows: the presurgical and 6-month psychiatric symptoms, the absence of surgery, seizure outcomes, and some antiepileptic and psychiatric drugs. This study provides evidence that surgery for epilepsy could have a role in improving some symptoms of psychiatric disorders 12-M after the surgery.

IntroductionCannabinoid hyperemesis syndrome (CHS), is characterized by recurrent episodes of severe nausea and intractable vomiting, preceded by chronic use of cannabis. A pathognomonic characteristic is compulsive bathing in hot water. The resolution of the problem occurs when cannabis use is stopped. However, patients are often reluctant to discontinue cannabis. Treatment with anti-emetic medication is ineffective. Case series suggested haloperidol as a potential treatment. Other antipsychotics as olanzapine has been used as anti-emetic treatment in chemotherapy.ObjectivesTo describe three cases of patients with CHS whom showed a successful response to olanzapine, even when, haloperidol had failed.AimsTo present an alternative treatment for CHS which can offer benefits over haloperidol.MethodsWe present three cases of patients who suffered from CHS and were admitted to emergency department. All patients were treated with olanzapine after conventional anti-hemetic treatment failure. One patient was also unsuccessfully treated with haloperidol.ResultsAll three patients showed a good response to olanzapine treatment. Different presentations were effective: velotab and intramuscular. Their nausea, vomits and agitation were ameliorated. They could be discharge after maintained remission of symptoms.ConclusionsOlanzapine should be considered as an adequate treatment for CHS. Its suitable receptorial profile, its availability in different routes of administration and its side effects profile could offer some benefits over haloperidol.Disclosure of interestThe authors have not supplied their declaration of competing interest.

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