Papers by Elisabetta Tozzi
International Neuropsychiatric Disease Journal, Jan 10, 2017
European Journal of Neurology, 2021
Background and aims: The present Italian multicenter study aimed at investigating whether the cou... more Background and aims: The present Italian multicenter study aimed at investigating whether the course of primary headache disorders in children and adolescents was changed during the lockdown necessary to contain the COVID-19 emergency in Italy. Methods: During the lockdown, we submitted an online questionnaire to patients already diagnosed with primary headache disorders. Questions explored the course of headache, daily habits, psychological factors related to COVID- 19, general mood and school stress. Answers were transformed into data for statistical analysis. Through a bivariate analysis, the main variables affecting the subjective trend of headache, and intensity and frequency of the attacks were selected. The significant variables were then used for the multivariate analysis. Results: We collected the answers of 707 patients. In the multivariate analysis, we found that reduction of school effort and anxiety was the main factor explaining the improvement in the subjective trend ...
Cellular and molecular biology, 1987
Cephalalgia, 2020
Objective The present Italian multicenter study aimed at investigating whether the course of prim... more Objective The present Italian multicenter study aimed at investigating whether the course of primary headache disorders in children and adolescents was changed during the lockdown necessary to contain the COVID-19 emergency in Italy. Methods During the lockdown, we submitted an online questionnaire to patients already diagnosed with primary headache disorders. Questions explored the course of headache, daily habits, psychological factors related to COVID-19, general mood and school stress. Answers were transformed into data for statistical analysis. Through a bivariate analysis, the main variables affecting the subjective trend of headache, and intensity and frequency of the attacks were selected. The significant variables were then used for the multivariate analysis. Results We collected the answers of 707 patients. In the multivariate analysis, we found that reduction of school effort and anxiety was the main factor explaining the improvement in the subjective trend of headache an...
European Journal of Neurology, 2012
Background and purposes: To determine the prevalence of SLC2A1 mutations in children with early-o... more Background and purposes: To determine the prevalence of SLC2A1 mutations in children with early-onset absence epilepsy (EOAE) and to investigate whether there were differences in demographic and electroclinical data between patients who became seizure-free with anti-epileptic drug (AED) monotherapy (group I) and those who needed add-on treatment of a second AED (group II). Methods: We reviewed children with EOAE attended different Italian epilepsy centers. All participants had onset of absence seizures within the first 3 years of life but otherwise conformed to a strict definition of childhood absence epilepsy. Mutation analysis of SLC2A1 was performed in each patient. Results: Eighty-four children (57 in group I, 27 in group II) fulfilled the inclusion criteria. No mutation in SLC2A1 was found. There were no statistical differences between the two groups with regard to F/M ratio, age at onset of EOAE, early history of febrile seizures, first-degree family history for genetic generalized epilepsy, duration of AED therapy at 3 years after enrollment, use of AEDs at 3 years, failed withdrawals at 3 years, terminal remission of EOAE at 3 years, and 6-month follow-up EEG data. Mean duration of seizures/active epilepsy was significantly shorter in group I than in group II (P = 0.008). Conclusions: We demonstrate that in a large series of children with rigorous diagnosis of EOAE, no mutations in SLC2A1 gene are detected. Except for duration of seizures/active epilepsy, no significant differences in demographic and electroclinical aspects are observed between children with EOAE who responded well to AED monotherapy and those who became seizure-free with add-on treatment of a second AED.
European Journal of Paediatric Neurology, 2015
Objective To describe the natural history of sporadic and familial hemiplegic migraines (SHM and ... more Objective To describe the natural history of sporadic and familial hemiplegic migraines (SHM and FHM) with onset in the pediatric age. Methods Retrospective observational study of 28 cases, visiting 9 Italian Centers for Juvenile Headache, diagnosed as SHM or FHM (ICHD-III b version, 2013) with onset under 16 years and with a longitudinal follow-up. Results 28 cases (17 females, 11 males): 23 SHM (14 females, 9 male), 5 FHM (3 females, 2 male). Family history was positive for migraine without aura (5/28) or with aura non hemiplegic (8/28). Triggering factors were found in 13/28 cases. Age at HM onset: mean 10.1 y, range 4–16 y (5/28 cases under 6 y). Mean duration of aura was 11h 13' (range 5′–48 h). Between HM attacks, neurologic examination was normal in 26/28 cases. At follow-up: mean age 16.9 y (range 6.5–47 y), mean duration of follow-up 8.1 y (range 2.5–38 y). The frequency of attacks ranged from 2 per month to less than 1 per year (mean 5–6 every year). During follow-up, FHM and SHM cases showed some differences: in cases with SHM attacks were less frequent but more severe while FHM patients had less intense but more frequent attacks and also a longer duration of disease. Preventive therapy for HM was prescribed to 12/28 cases. Conclusion In the Literature data on the natural history of HM are quite limited, particularly in children. In the majority of our cases, the frequency and the type of attacks were quite variable, and in less than half of the cases trigger factors were identified. The majority of our patients had a good prognosis, even in cases with early onset of HM and/or prolonged and/or severe HM attacks. The natural history of SHM seems to differ from the FHM.
Supplemental material, sj-pdf-1-cep-10.1177_0333102420965139 for I stay at home with headache. A ... more Supplemental material, sj-pdf-1-cep-10.1177_0333102420965139 for I stay at home with headache. A survey to investigate how the lockdown for COVID-19 impacted on headache in Italian children by Laura Papetti, Pierfrancesco Alaimo Di Loro, Samuela Tarantino, Licia Grazzi, Vincenzo Guidetti, Pasquale Parisi, Vincenzo Raieli, Vittorio Sciruicchio, Cristiano Termine, Irene Toldo, Elisabetta Tozzi, Paola Verdecchia, Marco Carotenuto, Matteo Battisti, Angela Celi, Daniela D'Agnano, Noemi Faedda, Michela AN Ferilli, Giovanni Grillo, Giulia Natalucci, Agnese Onofri, Maria Federica Pelizza, Fabiana Ursitti, Michelangelo Vasta, Margherita Velardi, Martina Balestri, Romina Moavero, Federico Vigevano and, Massimiliano Valeriani; on behalf of the Italian Headache Society (SISC) specific interest group on pediatric headaches in Cephalalgia
Journal of Headache and Pain, 2015
Clinical Hemorheology and Microcirculation, 2016
The focus of this paper is mainly directed on the role that the structural and functional perturb... more The focus of this paper is mainly directed on the role that the structural and functional perturbations of the erythrocyte membranes could have in the incidence of abnormal microcirculation which occur with the elderly. Rheological parameters of whole blood and the activity of some enzymes involved in erythrocyte metabolism and permeability are studied
Journal of Neurology, 2014
Prader-Willi syndrome is a multisystemic genetic disorder that can be associated with epilepsy. T... more Prader-Willi syndrome is a multisystemic genetic disorder that can be associated with epilepsy. There is insufficient information concerning the clinical and electroencephalographic characteristics of epilepsy and the long-term outcome of these patients. The aim of this study is to describe seizure types, electroencephalographic patterns and long-term seizure outcome in Prader-Willi syndrome patients suffering from epilepsy. We retrospectively studied 38 patients with Prader-Willi syndrome and seizures. Results of neuroimaging studies were obtained for 35 individuals. We subdivided these patients into two groups: group A, 24 patients, without brain lesions; and group B, 11 patients, with brain abnormalities. All patients were re-evaluated after a period of at least 10 years. Twenty-one patients (55.2 %) were affected by generalized epilepsy and 17 patients (44.8 %) presented focal epilepsy. The most common seizure type was generalized tonicclonic seizure. The mean age at seizure onset was 4.5 years (ranged from 1 month to 14 years). In the follow-up period, seizure freedom was achieved in 32 patients (84.2 %).
European Journal of Neurology, 2012
Background and purpose: Increased headache frequency and severity have been observed in obese pop... more Background and purpose: Increased headache frequency and severity have been observed in obese population, but the real impact of a weight loss treatment on headache has not been studied. We investigated this issue in a sample of obese adolescents. Methods: One hundred thirty-five migraineurs, aged 14-18 years, with body mass index (BMI) 97th percentile, participating in a 12-month-long program, were studied before and after treatment. The program included dietary education, specific physical training, and behavioral treatment. Results: Decreases in weight (P < 0.01), BMI (P < 0.01), waist circumference (P < 0.01), headache frequency (P < 0.01) and intensity (P < 0.01), use of acute medications (P < 0.05), and disability (P < 0.05) were observed at the end of the first 6-month period and were maintained through the second 6 months. Both lower baseline BMI and excess change in BMI were significantly associated with better migraine outcomes 12-month after intervention program. Conclusions: Significant improvements in both adiposity and headache data were observed in obese adolescents with migraine who participated in 12-month-long interdisciplinary intervention program for weight loss. Initial body weight and amount of weight loss may be useful for clinicians to predict migraine outcomes.
Digestive and Liver Disease, 2007
Child's Nervous System, 2011
Purpose Headache in epileptic population ranges from 8% to 15%. The aim of this paper was to stud... more Purpose Headache in epileptic population ranges from 8% to 15%. The aim of this paper was to study the clinical and temporal characteristics of primary headache comorbidity in idiopathic epileptic children. Methods From June 2006 to June 2009, a cross-sectional multi-center study involving five Italian Child Neurology University Centers (two in Rome, one in Chieti, one in Naples, and one in L'Aquila) was conducted. Among 1,264 consecutively newly diagnosed, idiopathic, partial, or generalized, epileptic children, according to ILAE diagnostic criteria (aged between 5 and 15 years of age), we selected 142 children (11.2%) (130 of whom completed the study) who showed an associated peri-ictal and/or interictal headache diagnosed according to the International Headache Society Criteria. Rare cases of "ictal epileptic headache", in which headache represents the sole ictal epileptic manifestation, were excluded from this study. Results and conclusions Post-ictal headaches were most frequent (62%). Pre-ictal headaches were less common (30%). Inter-ictal headaches were described in 57.6%. Clear migrainous features were present in 93% of pre-ictal and 81.4% of post-ictal headaches. Inter-ictal headaches meet criteria for migraines in 87%. The association between partial epilepsy and migraine without aura is most common and reported in 82% of our patients with peri-ictal headache and in 76.5% of patients with post-ictal headache.
Child's Nervous System, 1994
Purpose Epilepsy and migraine frequently show a clinical overlap. An increase in number of electr... more Purpose Epilepsy and migraine frequently show a clinical overlap. An increase in number of electroencephalographic abnormalities, such as centro-temporal spikes (CTS), may be observed in patients suffering from migraine, epileptic abnormalities that are typically in benign epilepsy of childhood with CTS (BECTS). The aim of this study is to better define the role of CTS in children with migraine compared to children with BECTS, in relation with their neuropsychological profile. Methods Thirty-two children were enrolled and divided into three groups on the basis of their diagnosis: 16 children (eight males and eight females, aged 12.3±2.58 years) affected by BECTS, 8 patients (four males and four females, aged 11.8±3.47 years) affected by BECTS and migraine, and 8 children (four males and four females, aged 13.5± 1.79 years) affected by migraine showing CTS abnormalities. A cognitive and neuropsychological assessment was performed, using Wechsler Intelligence Scale for Childrenthird edition and NEPSY II, in all patients. Results and conclusions A similar neuropsychological impairment was found in patients affected by BECTS and in those affected by BECTS and migraine; a significant deficit in short-and long-term verbal memory was evident in patients affected by migraine and CTS. CTS in patients with migraine can influence the neuropsychological tests, with a possible negative impact on language and learning development.
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Papers by Elisabetta Tozzi