Correlation of 11H-FMZ-PET and 3H-FMZ autoradiography in temporal-lobe epilepsy

s 77 Do people with epilepsy know more about the condition than people without epilepsy? T. Duthie*, S. Jarvie+ & H. Kent’ * Glaxo Welcome UK Ltd, Uxbridge, Middlesex, UK, ‘Department of Clinical Psychology The Grail Street Centre, Glasgow, UK and $British Epilepsy Association, Anstey House, Leeds, UK The level of knowledge of epilepsy among patients has been shown to be key to the management of the condition. However, few studies have assessed the level of knowledge of epilepsy in a large population sample. The objectives of this study (which was part of a larger research project) were first to compare the level of epilepsy-related knowledge between people with epilepsy and people without epilepsy in a general population. Secondly, to ascertain whether people with epilepsy feel satisfied with their knowledge of the condition and with their access to information on the condition. A questionnaire containing the Epilepsy Knowledge Profile---General (EKP-G) and additional questions on information access was designed and pilot tested. The additional questions were only given to the epilepsy sample. The final questionnaire was sent by post to a general population sample of 893 people with epilepsy and 1200 people without epilepsy. The nonepilepsy sample was drawn to match the demographics of the epilepsy sample. Responses from 287 people with epilepsy and 383 people without epilepsy were received, representing a response rate of 32.1% and 32.0% respectively. The mean number of correct responses to the questionnaire are: people with epilepsy (n = 287), medical (n = 34), 25.6 (75.3%) social (n = 21), 14.5 (69%), total (n = 55), 40.2 (73.1%); people without epilepsy (n = 383), medical (n = 34) 25.6 (75.3%), social (n = 21) 14.3 (68.1%), total (n = 55) 39.9 (72.5%). The results from the questionnaire indicate that there is no statistically significant difference in the medical knowledge (P = 0.31) or the social knowledge (P = 0.15) of epilepsy, between the two samples. The relationship between knowledge levels and the epilepsy sample’s satisfaction with their understanding of the condition will be explored. The findings from the study will generate suggestions to improve the focus and target of information provided on epilepsy. In addition, the results will help patient organizations to identify issues for future campaigns. Correlation of l1 C-FMZ-PET and 3H-FMZ autoradiography in temporal-lobe epilepsy M.J. Koepp, K.S.P. Hand, M.l? Richardson, N.G. Bowery & J.S. Duncan Epilepsy Research Group, Institute of Neurology, Queen Square, London, UK We used llC-Flumazenil (FMZ) PET and 3H-FMZ autoradiography in patients with mesial temporal lobe epilepsy (mTLE) to compare in viva and ex viva determination of central benzodiazepine receptors (cBZR). Comparing autoradiography and quantitative neuropathology we demonstrated that there is loss of cBZR in CA1 over and above loss of neurons. In order to determine cBZR density within the body of the hippocampus we applied an MRI-based, four-compartment method for partial volume effect (PVE) correction to ” C-FMZ volume of distribution (FMZ-Vd) images from 10 patients with refractory mTLE due to unilateral, histologically verified hippocampal sclerosis (HS) and 15 age-matched healthy volunteers. Saturation autoradiography was performed in the hippocampal specimens from the same patients and six controls with calculation of receptor availability (Bniax). Reductions of FMZ-Vd after correction for PVE were compared with reductions of Bmax in relation to available control data. FMZ-Vd in the body of the epileptogenic hippocampus was reduced by a mean of 41.7% compared with healthy volunteers. FMZ-B max determined autoradiographically in available hippocampal tissue was reduced by a mean of 41.2% compared to normal control data. In conclusion, down-regulation of cBZR on remaining neurones in HS can be detected in viva using ’ ‘C-FMZ PET corrected for PVE. Memory testing with intra-carotid sodium amytal: A non-mnestic factor S. Oxbury, E. Burkitt, J.M. Oxbury, & A.J. Molyneux The Radcliffe Infirmary, Oxford, UK Intracarotid sodium amytal (ISA) inactivates the injected hemisphere enabling measurement of the mnestic capacity of the other. It is used to check that the hemisphere contralateral to planned temporal lobe surgery (TLS) is free from pathology which might cause postoperative amnesia. An apparently normal non-dominant hemisphere (ND) may score unexpectedly low on memory tests, possibly because it has a lower capacity than the dominant hemisphere (D) or because incidental effects of D injection, e.g. aphasia, complicate assessment. We therefore analysed the post-recovery scores of 22 pre-TLS patients for recognition of eight three-dimensional common objects, initially presented immediately after ISA injection (175200 mg), according to whether the non-injected (i.e. functioning) side was ND or D and pathological or intact. We also