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Carrasco M, Estiphan T, McCaffery H, McNamara N. "Is it a seizure?" Prediction tool for seizure likelihood in children aged 1-24 months admitted for electroencephalographic monitoring of paroxysmal, rhythmic, and repetitive events. Epilepsia 2024. [PMID: 38808646 DOI: 10.1111/epi.18018] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/31/2023] [Revised: 05/05/2024] [Accepted: 05/06/2024] [Indexed: 05/30/2024]
Abstract
OBJECTIVE Paroxysmal, rhythmic, and repetitive events (PRREs) during infancy can be concerning for possible seizures, especially following perinatal brain injuries. The workup for establishing whether a PRRE represents a seizure involves the use of continuous video-electroencephalography (cVEEG) for event characterization. This study aims to determine the diagnostic yield of cVEEG for evaluating events concerning for seizures in children aged 1-24 months. METHODS We performed a single-center retrospective chart review (January 1, 2019-December 31, 2020) and included all children aged 1-24 months admitted for PRRE capture and characterization using cVEEG. Chart abstraction included demographics, birth and family history, known brain injury, event semiology, duration, and frequency, as well as interictal electroencephalographic (EEG) features. For each of these variables, odds ratios for seizure prediction were calculated. RESULTS A total of 243 patients were identified for this study. On cVEEG, n = 160 (65.4%) had a target event of concern captured during an initial admission with cVEEG. Whereas n = 41 (25.8%) patients with events captured were confirmed to have seizures, most patients (n = 119) were confirmed to have nonepileptic events. Several variables predicted seizure likelihood during the initial admission with cVEEG, including event duration (>1 min), frequency (occurring ≥3 times per week), and presence of abnormal interictal findings on cVEEG. For patients who did not receive a diagnosis at the time of initial admission with cVEEG, the likelihood of a subsequent epilepsy diagnosis was associated with specific PRRE semiology (motor active or motor passive), longer event duration (>1 min duration), and the presence of interictal abnormal EEG features on initial cVEEG admission. Prediction tools utilizing scoring systems to stratify risk in infants with suspected seizures due to PRREs are included. SIGNIFICANCE Unique patient attributes and PRRE characteristics, as well as the presence of EEG interictal abnormalities, can provide valuable insights for discerning children with a higher likelihood of epilepsy diagnosis following cVEEG admission.
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Affiliation(s)
- Melisa Carrasco
- Department of Neurology, University of Wisconsin, Madison, Wisconsin, USA
| | - Theresa Estiphan
- Barrow Neurological Institute at Phoenix Children's Hospital, Phoenix, Arizona, USA
| | - Harlan McCaffery
- Department of Pediatrics, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, Michigan, USA
| | - Nancy McNamara
- Division of Pediatric Neurology, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, Michigan, USA
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2
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Jaramillo-Jiménez E, Sandoval-Barrios J, Walsh FJ, Jaramillo-Jiménez MC, Echeverri-Sánchez JD, Rodríguez-Márquez IA, Barrientos-Montoya HD, Ascencio-Lancheros JL, Giraldo-Palacio JF, Sierra-Arrieta IM, Gómez-Duque DI, Pérez-López S, Bustamante MT. Epileptic encephalopathies secondary to hypothalamic hamartomas treated with radiosurgery: A case series. Epileptic Disord 2024. [PMID: 38804823 DOI: 10.1002/epd2.20246] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/05/2023] [Revised: 05/08/2024] [Accepted: 05/13/2024] [Indexed: 05/29/2024]
Abstract
OBJECTIVE Hypothalamic hamartomas are congenital lesions that typically present with gelastic seizures, refractory epilepsy, neurodevelopmental delay, and severe cognitive impairment. Surgical procedures have been reported to be effective in removing the hamartomas, however, they are associated with significant morbidity. Therefore, it is not considered a safe therapeutic modality. Image-guided robotic radiosurgery (CyberKnife® Radiosurgery System) has been shown to provide good outcomes without lasting complications. METHODS This series of cases describes the clinical, radiological, radiotherapeutic, and postsurgical outcomes of five patients with epileptic encephalopathies secondary to hypothalamic hamartomas who were treated with CyberKnife®. RESULTS All patients exhibited refractory epilepsy with gelastic seizures and were unsuitable candidates for surgical resection The prescribed dose ranged between 16 and 25 Gy, delivered in a single fraction for four patients and five fractions for one patient while adhering strictly to visual pathway constraints. After radiosurgery, four patients maintained seizure control (one with an Engel class Ia, three with an Engel class 1d), and another presented sporadic, nondisabling gelastic seizures (with an Engel class IIa). After 24-26 months of follow-up, in three patients, their intelligence quotient scores increased. No complications were reported. SIGNIFICANCE This report suggests that Cyberknife may be a good option for treating hypothalamic hamartoma, particularly in cases where other noninvasive alternatives are unavailable. Nevertheless, additional studies are essential in order to evaluate the effectiveness of the technique in these cases.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | - Fergus John Walsh
- School of Medicine, College of Health & Medicine, University of Tasmania, Hobart, Tasmania, Australia
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Borne A, Perrone-Bertolotti M, Ferrand-Sorbets S, Bulteau C, Baciu M. Insights on cognitive reorganization after hemispherectomy in Rasmussen's encephalitis. A narrative review. Rev Neurosci 2024; 0:revneuro-2024-0009. [PMID: 38749928 DOI: 10.1515/revneuro-2024-0009] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/16/2024] [Accepted: 04/26/2024] [Indexed: 05/24/2024]
Abstract
Rasmussen's encephalitis is a rare neurological pathology affecting one cerebral hemisphere, therefore, posing unique challenges. Patients may undergo hemispherectomy, a surgical procedure after which cognitive development occurs in the isolated contralateral hemisphere. This rare situation provides an excellent opportunity to evaluate brain plasticity and cognitive recovery at a hemispheric level. This literature review synthesizes the existing body of research on cognitive recovery following hemispherectomy in Rasmussen patients, considering cognitive domains and modulatory factors that influence cognitive outcomes. While language function has traditionally been the focus of postoperative assessments, there is a growing acknowledgment of the need to broaden the scope of language investigation in interaction with other cognitive domains and to consider cognitive scaffolding in development and recovery. By synthesizing findings reported in the literature, we delineate how language functions may find support from the right hemisphere after left hemispherectomy, but also how, beyond language, global cognitive functioning is affected. We highlight the critical influence of several factors on postoperative cognitive outcomes, including the timing of hemispherectomy and the baseline preoperative cognitive status, pointing to early surgical intervention as predictive of better cognitive outcomes. However, further specific studies are needed to confirm this correlation. This review aims to emphasize a better understanding of mechanisms underlying hemispheric specialization and plasticity in humans, which are particularly important for both clinical and research advancements. This narrative review underscores the need for an integrative approach based on cognitive scaffolding to provide a comprehensive understanding of mechanisms underlying the reorganization in Rasmussen patients after hemispherectomy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Anna Borne
- Univ. Grenoble Alpes, CNRS, LPNC, 38000 Grenoble, France
| | | | - Sarah Ferrand-Sorbets
- Hôpital Fondation Adolphe de Rothschild, Service de Neurochirurgie Pédiatrique, 75019 Paris, France
| | - Christine Bulteau
- Hôpital Fondation Adolphe de Rothschild, Service de Neurochirurgie Pédiatrique, 75019 Paris, France
- Université de Paris-Cité, MC2Lab EA 7536, Institut de Psychologie, F-92100 Boulogne-Billancourt, France
| | - Monica Baciu
- Univ. Grenoble Alpes, CNRS, LPNC, 38000 Grenoble, France
- Neurology Department, CMRR, University Hospital, 38000 Grenoble, France
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Ruggiero RN, Marques DB, Rossignoli MT, De Ross JB, Prizon T, Beraldo IJS, Bueno-Junior LS, Kandratavicius L, Peixoto-Santos JE, Lopes-Aguiar C, Leite JP. Dysfunctional hippocampal-prefrontal network underlies a multidimensional neuropsychiatric phenotype following early-life seizure. eLife 2024; 12:RP90997. [PMID: 38593008 PMCID: PMC11003745 DOI: 10.7554/elife.90997] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 04/11/2024] Open
Abstract
Brain disturbances during development can have a lasting impact on neural function and behavior. Seizures during this critical period are linked to significant long-term consequences such as neurodevelopmental disorders, cognitive impairments, and psychiatric symptoms, resulting in a complex spectrum of multimorbidity. The hippocampus-prefrontal cortex (HPC-PFC) circuit emerges as a potential common link between such disorders. However, the mechanisms underlying these outcomes and how they relate to specific behavioral alterations are unclear. We hypothesized that specific dysfunctions of hippocampal-cortical communication due to early-life seizure would be associated with distinct behavioral alterations observed in adulthood. Here, we performed a multilevel study to investigate behavioral, electrophysiological, histopathological, and neurochemical long-term consequences of early-life Status epilepticus in male rats. We show that adult animals submitted to early-life seizure (ELS) present working memory impairments and sensorimotor disturbances, such as hyperlocomotion, poor sensorimotor gating, and sensitivity to psychostimulants despite not exhibiting neuronal loss. Surprisingly, cognitive deficits were linked to an aberrant increase in the HPC-PFC long-term potentiation (LTP) in a U-shaped manner, while sensorimotor alterations were associated with heightened neuroinflammation, as verified by glial fibrillary acidic protein (GFAP) expression, and altered dopamine neurotransmission. Furthermore, ELS rats displayed impaired HPC-PFC theta-gamma coordination and an abnormal brain state during active behavior resembling rapid eye movement (REM) sleep oscillatory dynamics. Our results point to impaired HPC-PFC functional connectivity as a possible pathophysiological mechanism by which ELS can cause cognitive deficits and psychiatric-like manifestations even without neuronal loss, bearing translational implications for understanding the spectrum of multidimensional developmental disorders linked to early-life seizures.
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Affiliation(s)
- Rafael Naime Ruggiero
- Department of Neuroscience and Behavioral Sciences, Ribeirão Preto Medical School, University of São PauloRibeirão PretoBrazil
| | - Danilo Benette Marques
- Department of Neuroscience and Behavioral Sciences, Ribeirão Preto Medical School, University of São PauloRibeirão PretoBrazil
| | - Matheus Teixeira Rossignoli
- Department of Neuroscience and Behavioral Sciences, Ribeirão Preto Medical School, University of São PauloRibeirão PretoBrazil
| | - Jana Batista De Ross
- Department of Neuroscience and Behavioral Sciences, Ribeirão Preto Medical School, University of São PauloRibeirão PretoBrazil
| | - Tamiris Prizon
- Department of Neuroscience and Behavioral Sciences, Ribeirão Preto Medical School, University of São PauloRibeirão PretoBrazil
| | - Ikaro Jesus Silva Beraldo
- Department of Physiology and Biophysics Federal University of Minas GeraisBelo HorizonteBrazil
- Laboratory of Molecular and Behavioral Neuroscience (LANEC), Federal University of Minas GeraisBelo HorizonteBrazil
| | | | | | - Jose Eduardo Peixoto-Santos
- Neuroscience Discipline, Department of Neurology and Neurosurgery,Universidade Federal de São PauloSão PauloBrazil
| | - Cleiton Lopes-Aguiar
- Department of Physiology and Biophysics Federal University of Minas GeraisBelo HorizonteBrazil
- Laboratory of Molecular and Behavioral Neuroscience (LANEC), Federal University of Minas GeraisBelo HorizonteBrazil
| | - Joao Pereira Leite
- Department of Neuroscience and Behavioral Sciences, Ribeirão Preto Medical School, University of São PauloRibeirão PretoBrazil
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Goel K, Ghadiyaram A, Krishnakumar A, Morden FTC, Higashihara TJ, Harris WB, Shlobin NA, Wang A, Karunungan K, Dubey A, Phillips HW, Weil AG, Fallah A. Hemimegalencephaly: A Systematic Comparison of Functional and Anatomic Hemispherectomy for Drug-Resistant Epilepsy. Neurosurgery 2024; 94:666-678. [PMID: 37975663 DOI: 10.1227/neu.0000000000002759] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/02/2023] [Accepted: 09/19/2023] [Indexed: 11/19/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES Hemimegalencephaly (HME) is a rare diffuse malformation of cortical development characterized by unihemispheric hypertrophy, drug-resistant epilepsy (DRE), hemiparesis, and developmental delay. Definitive treatment for HME-related DRE is hemispheric surgery through either anatomic (AH) or functional hemispherectomy (FH). This individual patient data meta-analysis assessed seizure outcomes of AH and FH for HME with pharmacoresistant epilepsy, predictors of Engel I, and efficacy of different FH approaches. METHODS PubMed, Web of Science, and Cumulative Index to Nursing and Allied Health Literature were searched from inception to Jan 13th, 2023, for primary literature reporting seizure outcomes in >3 patients with HME receiving AH or FH. Demographics, neurophysiology findings, and Engel outcome at the last follow-up were extracted. Postsurgical seizure outcomes were compared through 2-tailed t -test and Fisher exact test. Univariate and multivariate Cox regression analyses were performed to identify independent predictors of Engel I outcome. RESULTS Data from 145 patients were extracted from 26 studies, of which 89 underwent FH (22 vertical, 33 lateral), 47 underwent AH, and 9 received an unspecified hemispherectomy with a median last follow-up of 44.0 months (FH cohort) and 45.0 months (AH cohort). Cohorts were similar in preoperative characteristics and at the last follow-up; 77% (n = 66) of the FH cohort and 81% (n = 38) and of the AH cohort were Engel I. On multivariate analysis, only the presence of bilateral ictal electroencephalography abnormalities (hazard ratio = 11.5; P = .002) was significantly associated with faster time-to-seizure recurrence. A number-needed-to-treat analysis to prevent 1 additional case of posthemispherectomy hydrocephalus reveals that FH, compared with AH, was 3. There was no statistical significance for any differences in time-to-seizure recurrence between lateral and vertical FH approaches (hazard ratio = 2.59; P = .101). CONCLUSION We show that hemispheric surgery is a highly effective treatment for HME-related DRE. Unilateral ictal electroencephalography changes and using the FH approach as initial surgical management may result in better outcomes due to significantly lower posthemispherectomy hydrocephalus probability. However, larger HME registries are needed to further delineate the predictors of seizure outcomes.
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Affiliation(s)
- Keshav Goel
- David Geffen School of Medicine at University of California, Los Angeles, Los Angeles , California , USA
| | - Ashwin Ghadiyaram
- Virginia Commonwealth University School of Medicine, Richmond , Virginia , USA
| | - Asha Krishnakumar
- Virginia Commonwealth University School of Medicine, Richmond , Virginia , USA
| | - Frances T C Morden
- John A. Burns School of Medicine, University of Hawaii at Manoa, Honolulu , Hawaii , USA
| | - Tate J Higashihara
- John A. Burns School of Medicine, University of Hawaii at Manoa, Honolulu , Hawaii , USA
| | - William B Harris
- Department of Neurosurgery, University of Colorado, Boulder , Colorado , USA
| | - Nathan A Shlobin
- Department of Neurological Surgery, Northwestern University Feinberg School of Medicine, Chicago , Illinois , USA
| | - Andrew Wang
- David Geffen School of Medicine at University of California, Los Angeles, Los Angeles , California , USA
| | - Krystal Karunungan
- David Geffen School of Medicine at University of California, Los Angeles, Los Angeles , California , USA
| | - Anwesha Dubey
- David Geffen School of Medicine at University of California, Los Angeles, Los Angeles , California , USA
| | - H Westley Phillips
- Department of Neurosurgery, Children's Hospital of Pittsburgh, University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine, Pittsburgh , Pennsylvania , USA
| | - Alexander G Weil
- Division of Neurosurgery, Department of Surgery, Sainte-Justine University Hospital Centre, Montréal , Québec , Canada
- Division of Neurosurgery, Department of Surgery, University of Montreal Hospital Centre (CHUM), Montréal , Québec , Canada
- Brain and Development Research Axis, Sainte-Justine Research Center, Montréal , Québec , Canada
- Department of Neuroscience, University of Montreal, Montréal , Québec , Canada
| | - Aria Fallah
- David Geffen School of Medicine at University of California, Los Angeles, Los Angeles , California , USA
- Department of Neurosurgery, David Geffen School of Medicine at University of California, Los Angeles, Los Angeles , California , USA
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Bekbolatova M, Mayer J, Jose R, Syed F, Kurgansky G, Singh P, Pao R, Zaw H, Devine T, Chan-Akeley R, Toma M. Biomechanical Effects of Seizures on Cerebral Dynamics and Brain Stress. Brain Sci 2024; 14:323. [PMID: 38671975 PMCID: PMC11048267 DOI: 10.3390/brainsci14040323] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/06/2024] [Revised: 03/22/2024] [Accepted: 03/26/2024] [Indexed: 04/28/2024] Open
Abstract
Epilepsy is one of the most common neurological disorders globally, affecting about 50 million people, with nearly 80% of those affected residing in low- and middle-income countries. It is characterized by recurrent seizures that result from abnormal electrical brain activity, with seizures varying widely in manifestation. The exploration of the biomechanical effects that seizures have on brain dynamics and stress levels is relevant for the development of more effective treatments and protective strategies. This study uses a blend of experimental data and computational simulations to assess the brain's physical response during seizures, particularly focusing on the behavior of cerebrospinal fluid and the resulting mechanical stresses on different brain regions. Notable findings show increases in stress, predominantly in the posterior gyri and brainstem, during seizures and an evidence of brain displacement relative to the skull. These observations suggest a dynamic and complex interaction between the brain and skull, with maximum shear stress regions demonstrating the limited yet essential protective role of the CSF. By providing a deeper understanding of the mechanical changes occurring during seizures, this research supports the goal of advancing diagnostic tools, informing more targeted treatment interventions, and guiding the creation of customized therapeutic strategies to enhance neurological care and protect against the adverse effects of seizures.
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Affiliation(s)
- Molly Bekbolatova
- Department of Osteopathic Manipulative Medicine, College of Osteopathic Medicine, New York Institute of Technology, Old Westbury, NY 11568, USA; (M.B.); (J.M.); (R.J.); (F.S.); (G.K.); (P.S.)
| | - Jonathan Mayer
- Department of Osteopathic Manipulative Medicine, College of Osteopathic Medicine, New York Institute of Technology, Old Westbury, NY 11568, USA; (M.B.); (J.M.); (R.J.); (F.S.); (G.K.); (P.S.)
| | - Rejath Jose
- Department of Osteopathic Manipulative Medicine, College of Osteopathic Medicine, New York Institute of Technology, Old Westbury, NY 11568, USA; (M.B.); (J.M.); (R.J.); (F.S.); (G.K.); (P.S.)
| | - Faiz Syed
- Department of Osteopathic Manipulative Medicine, College of Osteopathic Medicine, New York Institute of Technology, Old Westbury, NY 11568, USA; (M.B.); (J.M.); (R.J.); (F.S.); (G.K.); (P.S.)
| | - Gregory Kurgansky
- Department of Osteopathic Manipulative Medicine, College of Osteopathic Medicine, New York Institute of Technology, Old Westbury, NY 11568, USA; (M.B.); (J.M.); (R.J.); (F.S.); (G.K.); (P.S.)
| | - Paramvir Singh
- Department of Osteopathic Manipulative Medicine, College of Osteopathic Medicine, New York Institute of Technology, Old Westbury, NY 11568, USA; (M.B.); (J.M.); (R.J.); (F.S.); (G.K.); (P.S.)
| | - Rachel Pao
- NewYork-Presbyterian Queens Hospital, New York City, NY 11355, USA;
| | - Honey Zaw
- Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, 1428 Madison Avenue, Atran Berg Building, 8th Floor, New York City, NY 10029, USA;
| | - Timothy Devine
- The Ferrara Center for Patient Safety and Clinical Simulation, Department of Osteopathic Manipulative Medicine, College of Osteopathic Medicine, New York Institute of Technology, Old Westbury, NY 11568, USA;
| | | | - Milan Toma
- Department of Osteopathic Manipulative Medicine, College of Osteopathic Medicine, New York Institute of Technology, Old Westbury, NY 11568, USA; (M.B.); (J.M.); (R.J.); (F.S.); (G.K.); (P.S.)
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Zhao Y, Lin J, Qi X, Cao D, Zhu F, Chen L, Tan Z, Mo T, Zeng H. To explore the potential mechanisms of cognitive impairment in children with MRI-negative pharmacoresistant epilepsy due to focal cortical dysplasia: A pilot study from gray matter structure view. Heliyon 2024; 10:e26609. [PMID: 38404806 PMCID: PMC10884915 DOI: 10.1016/j.heliyon.2024.e26609] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/26/2023] [Revised: 01/22/2024] [Accepted: 02/15/2024] [Indexed: 02/27/2024] Open
Abstract
Objectives To investigate the characteristics of brain structure in children with focal cortical dysplasia (FCD)-induced pharmacoresistant epilepsy, and explore the potential mechanisms of cognitive impairment from the view of gray matter alteration. Methods 25 pharmacoresistant pediatric patients with pathologically confirmed focal cortical dysplasia (FCD), and 25 gender-matched healthy controls were included in this study. 3.0T MRI data and intelligence tests using the Wechsler Intelligence Scale for Children-Forth Edition (WISC-IV) were generated for all subjects. Voxel-based morphometry (VBM)-diffeomorphic anatomical registration through exponentiated lie algebra (DARTEL) and surface-based morphometry (SBM) analyses were performed to analyze gray matter volume and cortical structure. Two-sample t-tests were used to compare the differences in gray matter volume (P<0.05, FWE) and cortical thickness (P<0.001, FWE) between the two groups. Also, the Spearman rank correlation analyses were employed to determine the relationship between structural alterations and neuropsychological results. Results The WISC-IV scores of the FCD group were significantly lower than those of the HC group in terms of full-scale intelligence quotient (FSIQ), verbal comprehension index (VCI), perceptual reasoning index (PRI), working memory index (WMI), and processing speed index (PSI) (all P<0.01). Compared with the HC group, in the FCD group, the gray matter volume (GMV) reduced significantly in the left cerebellum_8, cerebellum_Crus2, and bilateral thalamus (P<0.05, FWE); the GMV increased in the bilateral medial frontal gyrus, right precuneus, and left inferior temporal gyrus (P<0.05, FWE), and the cortical thickness increased in the bilateral frontal, parietal, and temporal areas (P<0.001, FWE). Correlation analyses showed that the age of seizure onset had positive correlations with the WISC-IV scores significantly. Meanwhile, the cortex thicknesses of the left pars opercularis gyrus, left middle temporal gyrus, and right inferior temporal gyrus had negative correlations with the WISC-IV scores significantly. Conclusion FCD patients showed subtle structural abnormalities in multiple brain regions, with significant involvement of the primary visual cortex and language function cortex. And we also demonstrated a crucial correlation between gray matter structural alteration and cognitive impairment.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yilin Zhao
- Department of Radiology, Shenzhen Children's Hospital, Shenzhen, China
- Department of Radiology, West China Xiamen Hospital of Sichuan University, Xiamen, China
| | - Jieqiong Lin
- Department of Radiology, Shenzhen Children's Hospital, Shenzhen, China
| | - Xinxin Qi
- Department of Radiology, Shenzhen Children's Hospital, Shenzhen, China
- China Medical University, Shenyang, China
| | - Dezhi Cao
- Department of Neurology, Shenzhen Children's Hospital, Shenzhen, China
| | - Fengjun Zhu
- Department of Neurology, Shenzhen Children's Hospital, Shenzhen, China
| | - Li Chen
- Department of Neurology, Shenzhen Children's Hospital, Shenzhen, China
| | - Zeshi Tan
- Department of Neurology, Shenzhen Children's Hospital, Shenzhen, China
| | - Tong Mo
- Department of Radiology, Shenzhen Children's Hospital, Shenzhen, China
| | - Hongwu Zeng
- Department of Radiology, Shenzhen Children's Hospital, Shenzhen, China
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Hebbar M, Al-Taweel N, Gill I, Boelman C, Dean RA, Goodchild SJ, Mezeyova J, Shuart NG, Johnson JP, Lee J, Michoulas A, Huh LL, Armstrong L, Connolly MB, Demos MK. Expanding the genotype-phenotype spectrum in SCN8A-related disorders. BMC Neurol 2024; 24:31. [PMID: 38233770 PMCID: PMC10792783 DOI: 10.1186/s12883-023-03478-y] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/31/2023] [Accepted: 11/27/2023] [Indexed: 01/19/2024] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND SCN8A-related disorders are a group of variable conditions caused by pathogenic variations in SCN8A. Online Mendelian Inheritance in Man (OMIM) terms them as developmental and epileptic encephalopathy 13, benign familial infantile seizures 5 or cognitive impairment with or without cerebellar ataxia. METHODS In this study, we describe clinical and genetic results on eight individuals from six families with SCN8A pathogenic variants identified via exome sequencing. RESULTS Clinical findings ranged from normal development with well-controlled epilepsy to significant developmental delay with treatment-resistant epilepsy. Three novel and three reported variants were observed in SCN8A. Electrophysiological analysis in transfected cells revealed a loss-of-function variant in Patient 4. CONCLUSIONS This work expands the clinical and genotypic spectrum of SCN8A-related disorders and provides electrophysiological results on a novel loss-of-function SCN8A variant.
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Affiliation(s)
- Malavika Hebbar
- Division of Neurology, Department of Pediatrics, BC Children's Hospital, Faculty of Medicine, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, BC, Canada
| | - Nawaf Al-Taweel
- Division of Neurology, Department of Pediatrics, BC Children's Hospital, Faculty of Medicine, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, BC, Canada
| | - Inderpal Gill
- Division of Neurology, Department of Pediatrics, BC Children's Hospital, Faculty of Medicine, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, BC, Canada
| | - Cyrus Boelman
- Division of Neurology, Department of Pediatrics, BC Children's Hospital, Faculty of Medicine, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, BC, Canada
| | - Richard A Dean
- Xenon Pharmaceuticals, 200-3650 Gilmore Way, Burnaby, BC, V5G 4W8, Canada
| | - Samuel J Goodchild
- Xenon Pharmaceuticals, 200-3650 Gilmore Way, Burnaby, BC, V5G 4W8, Canada
| | - Janette Mezeyova
- Xenon Pharmaceuticals, 200-3650 Gilmore Way, Burnaby, BC, V5G 4W8, Canada
| | | | - J P Johnson
- Xenon Pharmaceuticals, 200-3650 Gilmore Way, Burnaby, BC, V5G 4W8, Canada
| | - James Lee
- Division of Neurology, Department of Pediatrics, BC Children's Hospital, Faculty of Medicine, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, BC, Canada
| | - Aspasia Michoulas
- Division of Neurology, Department of Pediatrics, BC Children's Hospital, Faculty of Medicine, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, BC, Canada
| | - Linda L Huh
- Division of Neurology, Department of Pediatrics, BC Children's Hospital, Faculty of Medicine, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, BC, Canada
| | - Linlea Armstrong
- Department of Medical Genetics, BC Children's Hospital, Faculty of Medicine, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, BC, Canada
| | - Mary B Connolly
- Division of Neurology, Department of Pediatrics, BC Children's Hospital, Faculty of Medicine, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, BC, Canada
| | - Michelle K Demos
- Division of Neurology, Department of Pediatrics, BC Children's Hospital, Faculty of Medicine, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, BC, Canada.
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Singh T, Ramakrishnan S, Wu X, Reddy DS. A Pediatric Rat Model of Organophosphate-Induced Refractory Status Epilepticus: Characterization of Long-Term Epileptic Seizure Activity, Neurologic Dysfunction and Neurodegeneration. J Pharmacol Exp Ther 2024; 388:416-431. [PMID: 37977810 PMCID: PMC10801778 DOI: 10.1124/jpet.123.001794] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/14/2023] [Revised: 09/09/2023] [Accepted: 09/26/2023] [Indexed: 11/19/2023] Open
Abstract
Children are highly vulnerable to the neurotoxic effects of organophosphates (OPs), which can cause neuronal developmental defects, including intellectual disability, autism, epilepsy, and related comorbidities. Unfortunately, no specific pediatric OP neurotoxicity model currently exists. In this study, we developed and characterized a pediatric rat model of status epilepticus (SE) induced by the OP diisopropylfluorophosphate (DFP) and examined its impact on long-term neurological outcomes. Postnatal day 21 rats were exposed to a DFP regimen with standard antidotes. Progressive behavioral deteriorations were assessed over a three-month period. Development of epileptic seizures, ictal discharges, high-frequency oscillations (HFOs), and interictal spikes were monitored by video-electroencephalography recordings. Histology-stereology analysis was performed to assess neurodegeneration, neuroinflammation, and morphologic abnormalities. DFP-exposed, post-SE animals exhibited significantly elevated levels of anxiety and depression than age-matched controls at 1, 2, and 3 months post-exposure. DFP-exposed animals displayed aggressive behavior and a marked decline in object recognition memory, as well as prominent impairment in spatial learning and memory. DFP-exposed animals had striking electrographic abnormalities with the occurrence of displayed epileptic seizures, ictal discharges, HFOs, and interictal spikes, suggesting chronic epilepsy. Neuropathological analysis showed substantially fewer principal neurons and inhibitory interneurons with a marked increase in reactive microglia and neuroinflammation in the hippocampus and other brain regions. DFP-exposed animals also exhibited mossy fiber sprouting indicating impaired network formations. Long-term epileptic seizures and neuropsychiatric functional deficits induced by DFP were consistent with neuropathological defects. Collectively, this pediatric model displays many hallmarks of chronic sequelae reminiscent of children exposed to OPs, suggesting that it will be a valuable tool for investigating pathologic mechanisms and potential treatment strategies to attenuate long-term OP neurotoxicity. SIGNIFICANCE STATEMENT: Millions of children are exposed to organophosphates (OPs) used in agriculture or chemical incidents. This study investigated the long-term impact of neonatal exposure to the OP chemical diisopropylfluorophosphate (DFP) on neurobehavioral and neurodevelopmental outcomes in adulthood. DFP exposure caused long-lasting behavioral abnormalities, epileptic seizures, and bilateral brain defects with an array of neurological sequelae seen in children's OP neurotoxicity. Thus, this model provides a novel tool to explore therapeutic interventions that mitigate long-term neurotoxic effects of children exposed to OP-induced seizures and status epilepticus.
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Affiliation(s)
- Tanveer Singh
- Department of Neuroscience and Experimental Therapeutics, Texas A&M University School of Medicine, Bryan, Texas (T.S., S.R., X.W., D.S.R.) and Institute of Pharmacology and Neurotherapeutics, Texas A&M University Health Science Center, Bryan, Texas (T.S., S.R., X.W., D.S.R.)
| | - Sreevidhya Ramakrishnan
- Department of Neuroscience and Experimental Therapeutics, Texas A&M University School of Medicine, Bryan, Texas (T.S., S.R., X.W., D.S.R.) and Institute of Pharmacology and Neurotherapeutics, Texas A&M University Health Science Center, Bryan, Texas (T.S., S.R., X.W., D.S.R.)
| | - Xin Wu
- Department of Neuroscience and Experimental Therapeutics, Texas A&M University School of Medicine, Bryan, Texas (T.S., S.R., X.W., D.S.R.) and Institute of Pharmacology and Neurotherapeutics, Texas A&M University Health Science Center, Bryan, Texas (T.S., S.R., X.W., D.S.R.)
| | - Doodipala Samba Reddy
- Department of Neuroscience and Experimental Therapeutics, Texas A&M University School of Medicine, Bryan, Texas (T.S., S.R., X.W., D.S.R.) and Institute of Pharmacology and Neurotherapeutics, Texas A&M University Health Science Center, Bryan, Texas (T.S., S.R., X.W., D.S.R.)
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10
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Xing B, Barbour AJ, Vithayathil J, Li X, Dutko S, Fawcett-Patel J, Lancaster E, Talos DM, Jensen FE. Reversible synaptic adaptations in a subpopulation of murine hippocampal neurons following early-life seizures. J Clin Invest 2024; 134:e175167. [PMID: 38227384 PMCID: PMC10904056 DOI: 10.1172/jci175167] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/25/2023] [Accepted: 01/11/2024] [Indexed: 01/17/2024] Open
Abstract
Early-life seizures (ELSs) can cause permanent cognitive deficits and network hyperexcitability, but it is unclear whether ELSs induce persistent changes in specific neuronal populations and whether these changes can be targeted to mitigate network dysfunction. We used the targeted recombination of activated populations (TRAP) approach to genetically label neurons activated by kainate-induced ELSs in immature mice. The ELS-TRAPed neurons were mainly found in hippocampal CA1, remained uniquely susceptible to reactivation by later-life seizures, and displayed sustained enhancement in α-amino-3-hydroxy-5-methyl-4-isoxazolepropionic acid (AMPA) receptor-mediated (AMPAR-mediated) excitatory synaptic transmission and inward rectification. ELS-TRAPed neurons, but not non-TRAPed surrounding neurons, exhibited enduring decreases in Gria2 mRNA, responsible for encoding the GluA2 subunit of the AMPARs. This was paralleled by decreased synaptic GluA2 protein expression and heightened phosphorylated GluA2 at Ser880 in dendrites, indicative of GluA2 internalization. Consistent with increased GluA2-lacking AMPARs, ELS-TRAPed neurons showed premature silent synapse depletion, impaired long-term potentiation, and impaired long-term depression. In vivo postseizure treatment with IEM-1460, an inhibitor of GluA2-lacking AMPARs, markedly mitigated ELS-induced changes in TRAPed neurons. These findings show that enduring modifications of AMPARs occur in a subpopulation of ELS-activated neurons, contributing to synaptic dysplasticity and network hyperexcitability, but are reversible with early IEM-1460 intervention.
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11
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Baumer NT, Hojlo MA, Pawlowski KG, Milliken AL, Lombardo AM, Sargado S, Soccorso C, Davidson EJ, Barbaresi WJ. Co-occurring conditions in Down syndrome: Findings from a clinical database. AMERICAN JOURNAL OF MEDICAL GENETICS. PART C, SEMINARS IN MEDICAL GENETICS 2023; 193:e32072. [PMID: 37873945 DOI: 10.1002/ajmg.c.32072] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/01/2023] [Revised: 10/03/2023] [Accepted: 10/06/2023] [Indexed: 10/25/2023]
Abstract
Individuals with Down syndrome (DS) experience a range of medical and neurodevelopmental conditions, necessitating systematic study of their occurrence and impact on neurodevelopmental outcomes. We describe the prevalence and relationships of medical, neurodevelopmental (ND), and mental health (MH) conditions in children with DS. We created a prospective clinical database of individuals with DS, integrated into the workflow of a specialty Down Syndrome Program at a specialty pediatric referral hospital. Conditions were collected through caregiver- and clinician report at clinical visits (N = 599). We calculated frequencies of medical, ND, and MH conditions and then assessed the relationship between medical, ND, and MH conditions using frequencies and comparative statistics. The most frequent co-occurring conditions were vision (72.5%), ear/hearing (71.0%), gastrointestinal (61.3%), respiratory (45.6%), and feeding (33.6%) problems, with variation in frequency by age. ND and MH conditions were reported in one quarter, most commonly autism spectrum disorder and attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder. Those with ND and MH conditions had greater frequency of medical conditions, with highest rates of vision, ear/hearing, and gastrointestinal issues, and CHD. Systematically collected clinical data in a large cohort of children with DS reveals high prevalence of several co-occurring medical, ND, and MH conditions. Clinical care requires an understanding of the complex relationship between medical conditions and neurodevelopment.
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Affiliation(s)
- Nicole T Baumer
- Division of Developmental Medicine, Department of Pediatrics, Boston Children's Hospital, Boston, Massachusetts, USA
- Department of Neurology, Boston Children's Hospital, Boston, Massachusetts, USA
- Harvard Medical School, Boston, Massachusetts, USA
| | - Margaret A Hojlo
- Division of Developmental Medicine, Department of Pediatrics, Boston Children's Hospital, Boston, Massachusetts, USA
| | - Katherine G Pawlowski
- Division of Developmental Medicine, Department of Pediatrics, Boston Children's Hospital, Boston, Massachusetts, USA
| | - Anna L Milliken
- Division of Developmental Medicine, Department of Pediatrics, Boston Children's Hospital, Boston, Massachusetts, USA
| | - Angela M Lombardo
- Division of Developmental Medicine, Department of Pediatrics, Boston Children's Hospital, Boston, Massachusetts, USA
| | - Sabrina Sargado
- Division of Developmental Medicine, Department of Pediatrics, Boston Children's Hospital, Boston, Massachusetts, USA
- Harvard Medical School, Boston, Massachusetts, USA
| | - Cara Soccorso
- Division of Developmental Medicine, Department of Pediatrics, Boston Children's Hospital, Boston, Massachusetts, USA
- Harvard Medical School, Boston, Massachusetts, USA
| | - Emily J Davidson
- Division of Developmental Medicine, Department of Pediatrics, Boston Children's Hospital, Boston, Massachusetts, USA
- Harvard Medical School, Boston, Massachusetts, USA
- Division of General Pediatrics, Department of Pediatrics, Boston Children's Hospital, Boston, Massachusetts, USA
| | - William J Barbaresi
- Division of Developmental Medicine, Department of Pediatrics, Boston Children's Hospital, Boston, Massachusetts, USA
- Harvard Medical School, Boston, Massachusetts, USA
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12
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Chung KM, Hack J, Andrews J, Galindo-Kelly M, Schreiber J, Watkins J, Hammer MF. Clinical severity is correlated with age at seizure onset and biophysical properties of recurrent gain of function variants associated with SCN8A-related epilepsy. Epilepsia 2023; 64:3365-3376. [PMID: 37585367 DOI: 10.1111/epi.17747] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/29/2023] [Revised: 08/14/2023] [Accepted: 08/14/2023] [Indexed: 08/18/2023]
Abstract
OBJECTIVE Genetic variants in the SCN8A gene underlie a wide spectrum of neurodevelopmental phenotypes including several distinct seizure types and a host of comorbidities. One of the major challenges facing clinicians and researchers alike is to identify genotype-phenotype (G-P) correlations that may improve prognosis, guide treatment decisions, and lead to precision medicine approaches. METHODS We investigated G-P correlations among 270 participants harboring gain-of-function (GOF) variants enrolled in the International SCN8A Registry, a patient-driven online database. We performed correlation analyses stratifying the cohort by clinical phenotypes to identify diagnostic features that differ among patients with varying levels of clinical severity, and that differ among patients with distinct GOF variants. RESULTS Our analyses confirm positive correlations between age at seizure onset and developmental skills acquisition (developmental quotient), rate of seizure freedom, and percentage of cohort with developmental delays, and identify negative correlations with number of current and weaned antiseizure medications. This set of features is more detrimentally affected in individuals with a priori expectations of more severe clinical phenotypes. Our analyses also reveal a significant correlation between a severity index combining clinical features of individuals with a particular highly recurrent variant and an independent electrophysiological score assigned to each variant based on in vitro testing. SIGNIFICANCE This is one of the first studies to identify statistically significant G-P correlations for individual SCN8A variants with GOF properties. The results suggest that individual GOF variants (1) are predictive of clinical severity for individuals carrying those variants and (2) may underlie distinct clinical phenotypes of SCN8A disease, thus helping to explain the wide SCN8A-related epilepsy disease spectrum. These results also suggest that certain features present at initial diagnosis are predictive of clinical severity, and with more informed treatment plans, may serve to improve prognosis for patients with SCN8A GOF variants.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kyung Mi Chung
- BIO5 Institute, University of Arizona, Tucson, Arizona, USA
| | - Joshua Hack
- BIO5 Institute, University of Arizona, Tucson, Arizona, USA
| | - Jennifer Andrews
- Department of Pediatrics, University of Arizona, Tucson, Arizona, USA
| | | | - John Schreiber
- Department of Neurology, Children's National Medical Center, Washington, District of Columbia, USA
| | - Joseph Watkins
- Department of Mathematics, University of Arizona, Tucson, Arizona, USA
| | - Michael F Hammer
- BIO5 Institute, University of Arizona, Tucson, Arizona, USA
- Neurology Department, University of Arizona, Tucson, Arizona, USA
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13
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Kishk NA, Shamloul R, Moawad MK, Hamdi H, Morsy AA, Baghdadi M, Rizkallah M, Nawito A, Mohammad ME, Magdy R, Alsayyad E, Othman AS, Fouad AM, Rizk H. Cost-effectiveness of HARNESS-MRI protocol in focal drug-resistant epilepsy in a limited-resources country: An Egyptian study. Clin Neurol Neurosurg 2023; 233:107946. [PMID: 37639829 DOI: 10.1016/j.clineuro.2023.107946] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/31/2023] [Revised: 07/25/2023] [Accepted: 08/14/2023] [Indexed: 08/31/2023]
Abstract
OBJECTIVES The international league against epilepsy (ILAE) recommended the harmonized neuroimaging of epilepsy structural sequences (HARNESS-MRI) to improve the detection of epileptogenic lesions in patients with focal drug-resistant epilepsy (DRE). The application of this protocol is still limited in low-resource countries, mainly due to apparent high costs. We aimed to evaluate the cost-effectiveness of the HARNESS-MRI protocol in Egypt and highlighted our experience. METHODS Patients diagnosed with focal DRE at Cairo University epilepsy clinic underwent both conventional MRI (c-MRI) and HARNESS-MRI. Electro-clinical data were collected and analyzed. After the radiologists' initial diagnosis, a multidisciplinary team re-evaluated the MRI. Lesion detection rate and cost for detecting an extra lesion by HARNESS-MRI protocol were calculated. RESULTS The study included 230 patients with focal DRE (146, 62% males and 91, 38% females), with a mean age of 20.5 years. Epileptogenic lesions detected by c-MRI and HARNESS-MRI before and after the board meeting were 40, 106, and 131 lesions, respectively (P < 0.001). Sixty-nine percent of the lesions detected by HARNESS-MRI were missed on c-MRI; most commonly were mesial temporal sclerosis (MTS) and Malformations of cortical development (MCDs). Thirty-seven MTS and 32 MCDs were detected with HARNESS-MRI, compared to only 6 and 3, respectively, detected on c-MRI (P < 0.001). HARNESS-MR protocol is more cost-effective than c-MRI in detecting MRI lesions; it can save about 42$ for detecting an extra lesion in MRI. CONCLUSION The HARNESS-MRI protocol was cost-effective and highly recommended even in limited-resource countries for patients with focal DRE.
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Affiliation(s)
- Nirmeen A Kishk
- Neurology Department, Faculty of Medicine, Cairo University, Egypt
| | - Reham Shamloul
- Neurology Department, Faculty of Medicine, Cairo University, Egypt
| | - Mona K Moawad
- Neurology Department, Faculty of Medicine, Cairo University, Egypt
| | - Hussein Hamdi
- Neurosurgery Department, Faculty of Medicine, Tanta University, Egypt
| | - Ahmed A Morsy
- Neurosurgery Department, Faculty of Medicine, Zagazig University, Egypt
| | | | | | - Amani Nawito
- Neurophysiology Department, Faculty of Medicine, Cairo University, Egypt
| | | | - Rehab Magdy
- Neurology Department, Faculty of Medicine, Cairo University, Egypt.
| | - Enas Alsayyad
- Neurology Department, Faculty of Medicine, Cairo University, Egypt
| | | | - Amr M Fouad
- Neurology Department, Faculty of Medicine, Cairo University, Egypt
| | - Haytham Rizk
- Neurology Department, Faculty of Medicine, Cairo University, Egypt
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14
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Mytinger JR. Reflections and Updates of Contemporary High-Impact Reviews From Seminars in Pediatric Neurology. Semin Pediatr Neurol 2023; 47:101083. [PMID: 37919032 DOI: 10.1016/j.spen.2023.101083] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/04/2023]
Affiliation(s)
- John R Mytinger
- Director, Infantile Spasms Program, Nationwide Children's Hospital, Associate Professor, The Ohio State University, Columbus, OH.
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15
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Hebbar M, Al-Taweel N, Gill I, Boelman C, Dean RA, Goodchild SJ, Mezeyova J, Shuart NG, Johnson JP, Lee J, Michoulas A, Huh LL, Armstrong L, Connolly MB, Demos MK. Expanding the genotype-phenotype spectrum in SCN8A-related disorders. RESEARCH SQUARE 2023:rs.3.rs-3221902. [PMID: 37609289 PMCID: PMC10441468 DOI: 10.21203/rs.3.rs-3221902/v1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 08/24/2023]
Abstract
Background SCN8A-related disorders are a group of variable conditions caused by pathogenic variations in SCN8A. Online Mendelian Inheritance in Man (OMIM) terms them as developmental and epileptic encephalopathy 13, benign familial infantile seizures 5 or cognitive impairment with or without cerebellar ataxia. Methods In this study, we describe clinical and genetic results on eight individuals from six families with SCN8A pathogenic variants identified via exome sequencing. Results Clinical findings ranged from normal development with well-controlled epilepsy to significant developmental delay with treatment-resistant epilepsy. Three novel and three reported variants were observed in SCN8A. Electrophysiological analysis in transfected cells revealed a loss-of-function variant in Patient 4. Conclusions This work expands the clinical and genotypic spectrum of SCN8A-related disorders and provides electrophysiological results on a novel loss-of-function SCN8A variant.
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Affiliation(s)
- Malavika Hebbar
- Division of Neurology, Department of Pediatrics, BC Children's Hospital, Faculty of Medicine, University of British Columbia, Vancouver BC
| | - Nawaf Al-Taweel
- Division of Neurology, Department of Pediatrics, BC Children's Hospital, Faculty of Medicine, University of British Columbia, Vancouver BC
| | - Inderpal Gill
- Division of Neurology, Department of Pediatrics, BC Children's Hospital, Faculty of Medicine, University of British Columbia, Vancouver BC
| | - Cyrus Boelman
- Division of Neurology, Department of Pediatrics, BC Children's Hospital, Faculty of Medicine, University of British Columbia, Vancouver BC
| | - Richard A Dean
- Xenon Pharmaceuticals, 200-3650 Gilmore Way, Burnaby, BC V5G 4W8
| | | | - Janette Mezeyova
- Xenon Pharmaceuticals, 200-3650 Gilmore Way, Burnaby, BC V5G 4W8
| | | | - J P Johnson
- Xenon Pharmaceuticals, 200-3650 Gilmore Way, Burnaby, BC V5G 4W8
| | - James Lee
- Division of Neurology, Department of Pediatrics, BC Children's Hospital, Faculty of Medicine, University of British Columbia, Vancouver BC
| | - Aspasia Michoulas
- Division of Neurology, Department of Pediatrics, BC Children's Hospital, Faculty of Medicine, University of British Columbia, Vancouver BC
| | - Linda L Huh
- Division of Neurology, Department of Pediatrics, BC Children's Hospital, Faculty of Medicine, University of British Columbia, Vancouver BC
| | - Linlea Armstrong
- Department of Medical Genetics, BC Children's Hospital, Faculty of Medicine, University of British Columbia, Vancouver BC
| | - Mary B Connolly
- Division of Neurology, Department of Pediatrics, BC Children's Hospital, Faculty of Medicine, University of British Columbia, Vancouver BC
| | - Michelle K Demos
- Division of Neurology, Department of Pediatrics, BC Children's Hospital, Faculty of Medicine, University of British Columbia, Vancouver BC
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16
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Gaitanis J, Nie D, Hou T, Frye R. Developmental Regression Followed by Epilepsy and Aggression: A New Syndrome in Autism Spectrum Disorder? J Pers Med 2023; 13:1049. [PMID: 37511662 PMCID: PMC10381960 DOI: 10.3390/jpm13071049] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/24/2023] [Revised: 06/20/2023] [Accepted: 06/22/2023] [Indexed: 07/30/2023] Open
Abstract
Autism spectrum disorder (ASD) with regression (ASD-R) involves the loss of previously attained developmental milestones, typically during the first or second year of life. As children age, it is not uncommon for them to develop comorbid conditions such as aggressive behaviors or epilepsy, which can inhibit habilitation in language and social function. In this paper, we hypothesize that aggressive behaviors and epilepsy more commonly develop in patients with ASD-R than in those without a history of regression (ASD-NR). We conducted a retrospective review of non-syndromic patients with ASD over 12 years of age and compared the rates of epilepsy and aggression between ASD-R and ASD-NR patients. Patients with ASD-R, as compared to ASD-NR patients, demonstrated non-significantly higher rates of epilepsy (51.8% vs. 38.1%, p = 0.1335) and aggressive behaviors (73.2% vs. 57.1%, p = 0.0673) when evaluated separately. The rates for combined epilepsy and aggression, however, were statistically significant when comparing ASD-R versus ASD patients (44.5% vs. 23.8%, p = 0.0163). These results suggest that epilepsy with aggression is more common in ASD-R as compared to ASD-NR patients. When considering the impact of epilepsy and aggression on quality of life, these co-morbidities effectively cause a second regression in patients who experienced an earlier regression as toddlers. A larger, prospective trial is recommended to confirm these associations and further define the timeline in which these characteristics develop from early childhood to adolescence.
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Affiliation(s)
- John Gaitanis
- Hasbro Children's Hospital, The Warren Alpert Medical School of Brown University, Providence, RI 02903, USA
| | - Duyu Nie
- Hasbro Children's Hospital, The Warren Alpert Medical School of Brown University, Providence, RI 02903, USA
| | - Tao Hou
- Department of Nutrition, Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health, Boston, MA 02115, USA
| | - Richard Frye
- Autism Discovery and Treatment Foundation, Phoenix, AZ 85050, USA
- Rossignol Medical Center, Phoenix, AZ 85050, USA
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17
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Tyler SE, Tyler LD. Pathways to healing: Plants with therapeutic potential for neurodegenerative diseases. IBRO Neurosci Rep 2023; 14:210-234. [PMID: 36880056 PMCID: PMC9984566 DOI: 10.1016/j.ibneur.2023.01.006] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/24/2022] [Accepted: 01/25/2023] [Indexed: 02/12/2023] Open
Abstract
Some of the greatest challenges in medicine are the neurodegenerative diseases (NDs), which remain without a cure and mostly progress to death. A companion study employed a toolkit methodology to document 2001 plant species with ethnomedicinal uses for alleviating pathologies relevant to NDs, focusing on its relevance to Alzheimer's disease (AD). This study aimed to find plants with therapeutic bioactivities for a range of NDs. 1339 of the 2001 plant species were found to have a bioactivity from the literature of therapeutic relevance to NDs such as Parkinson's disease, Huntington's disease, AD, motor neurone diseases, multiple sclerosis, prion diseases, Neimann-Pick disease, glaucoma, Friedreich's ataxia and Batten disease. 43 types of bioactivities were found, such as reducing protein misfolding, neuroinflammation, oxidative stress and cell death, and promoting neurogenesis, mitochondrial biogenesis, autophagy, longevity, and anti-microbial activity. Ethno-led plant selection was more effective than random selection of plant species. Our findings indicate that ethnomedicinal plants provide a large resource of ND therapeutic potential. The extensive range of bioactivities validate the usefulness of the toolkit methodology in the mining of this data. We found that a number of the documented plants are able to modulate molecular mechanisms underlying various key ND pathologies, revealing a promising and even profound capacity to halt and reverse the processes of neurodegeneration.
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Key Words
- A-H, Alpers-Huttenlocher syndrome
- AD, Alzheimer’s disease
- ALS, Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis
- BBB, blood-brain barrier
- C. elegans,, Caenorhabditis elegans
- CJD, Creutzfeldt-Jakob disease
- CMT, Charcot–Marie–Tooth disease
- CS, Cockayne syndrome
- Ech A, Echinochrome A
- FDA, Food and Drug Administration
- FRDA, Friedreich’s ataxia
- FTD, Frontotemporal dementia
- HD, Huntington’s disease
- Hsp, Heat shock protein
- LSD, Lysosomal storage diseases
- MS, Multiple sclerosis
- MSA, Multiple system atrophy
- MSP, Multisystem proteinopathy
- Medicinal plant
- ND, neurodegenerative disease
- NPC, Neimann-Pick disease type C
- NSC, neural stem cells
- Neuro-inflammation
- Neurodegeneration
- Neurogenesis
- PC, pharmacological chaperone
- PD, Parkinson’s disease
- Protein misfolding
- SMA, Spinal muscular atrophy
- VD, Vascular dementia
- prion dis, prion diseases
- α-syn, alpha-synuclein
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Affiliation(s)
- Sheena E.B. Tyler
- John Ray Research Field Station, Cheshire, United Kingdom
- Corresponding author.
| | - Luke D.K. Tyler
- School of Natural Sciences, Bangor University, Gwynedd, United Kingdom
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18
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Li J, Gao Y, Cao J, Cai F, Zhai X. Efficacy analysis of oral dexamethasone in the treatment of infantile spasms and infantile spasms related Lennox-Gastaut syndrome. BMC Pediatr 2023; 23:255. [PMID: 37217894 DOI: 10.1186/s12887-023-04062-6] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/06/2022] [Accepted: 05/05/2023] [Indexed: 05/24/2023] Open
Abstract
OBJECTIVE Treatment with adrenocorticotropic hormone (ACTH) or a corticosteroid is the first choice for infantile spasms (IS), and vigabatrin is the first choice for children with tuberous sclerosis. Although corticosteroids may be also effective against IS and IS-related Lennox-Gastaut syndrome (LGS), the use of dexamethasone (DEX), a kind of corticosteroid, for these diseases has been rarely reported. This retrospective study aimed to evaluate the efficacy and tolerability of DEX for the treatment of IS and IS-related LGS. METHODS Patients diagnosed as having IS (including patients whose condition evolved to LGS after the failure of early treatment) in our hospital between May 2009 and June 2019 were treated with dexamethasone after failure of prednisone treatment. The oral dose of DEX was 0.15-0.3 mg/kg/d. Thereafter, the clinical efficacy, electroencephalogram (EEG) findings, and adverse effects were observed every 4-12 weeks depending on the individual patient's response. Then, the efficacy and safety of DEX in the treatment of IS and IS-related LGS were retrospectively evaluated. RESULTS Among 51 patients (35 cases of IS; 16 cases of IS-related LGS), 35 cases (68.63%) were identified as responders to DEX treatment, comprising 20 cases (39.22%) and 15 cases (29.41%) with complete control and obvious control, respectively. To discuss the syndromes individually, complete control and obvious control were achieved in 14/35 and 9/35 IS cases and in 6/16 and 6/16 IS-related LGS cases, respectively. During DEX withdrawal, 11 of the 20 patients with complete control relapsed (9/14 IS; 2/6 LGS). The duration of dexamethasone treatment (including weaning) in most of the 35 responders was less than 1 year. However, 5 patients were treated with prolonged, low-dose maintenance therapy, which continued for more than 1.5 years. These 5 patients showed complete control, and 3 patients had no recurrence. Except for one child who died of recurrent asthma and epileptic status 3 months after stopping DEX, there were no serious or life-threatening adverse effects during DEX treatment. CONCLUSION Oral DEX is effective and tolerable for IS and IS-related LGS. all LGS patients were evolved from IS in this study. The conclusion may not apply to patients with other etiology and courses of LGS. Even when prednisone or ACTH is failed, DEX may still be considered as a treatment option. For children who respond to DEX but do not show complete control after 6 months of treatment, prolonged treatment with low-dose DEX administered in the morning might be considered.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jieling Li
- Department of Medical general Ward, Ministry of Education Key Laboratory of Child Development and Disorders, Chongqing Key Laboratory of Pediatrics, National Clinical Research Center for Child Health and Disorders, China International Science and Technology Cooperation base of Child development and Critical Disorders, Children's Hospital of Chongqing Medical University, Chongqing, China
| | - Yujing Gao
- Department of Medical general Ward, Ministry of Education Key Laboratory of Child Development and Disorders, Chongqing Key Laboratory of Pediatrics, National Clinical Research Center for Child Health and Disorders, China International Science and Technology Cooperation base of Child development and Critical Disorders, Children's Hospital of Chongqing Medical University, Chongqing, China
| | - Jie Cao
- Department of Medical general Ward, Ministry of Education Key Laboratory of Child Development and Disorders, Chongqing Key Laboratory of Pediatrics, National Clinical Research Center for Child Health and Disorders, China International Science and Technology Cooperation base of Child development and Critical Disorders, Children's Hospital of Chongqing Medical University, Chongqing, China.
| | - Fangcheng Cai
- Department of Medical general Ward, Ministry of Education Key Laboratory of Child Development and Disorders, Chongqing Key Laboratory of Pediatrics, National Clinical Research Center for Child Health and Disorders, China International Science and Technology Cooperation base of Child development and Critical Disorders, Children's Hospital of Chongqing Medical University, Chongqing, China
| | - Xiuquan Zhai
- Chongqing Kindcare Children's Hospital, Chongqing, China
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Leviton A, Patel AD, Loddenkemper T. Self-management education for children with epilepsy and their caregivers. A scoping review. Epilepsy Behav 2023; 144:109232. [PMID: 37196451 DOI: 10.1016/j.yebeh.2023.109232] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/27/2023] [Revised: 04/20/2023] [Accepted: 04/21/2023] [Indexed: 05/19/2023]
Abstract
Self-management education programs have been highly successful in preparing people to manage medical conditions with recurring events. A detailed curriculum for epilepsy patients, and their caretakers, is lacking. Here we assess what is available for patients who have disorders with recurring events and offer an approach to developing a potential self-care curriculum for patients with seizures and their caregivers. Among the anticipated components are a baseline efficacy assessment and training tailored to increasing self-efficacy, medication compliance, and stress management. Those at risk of status epilepticus will also need guidance in preparing a personalized seizure action plan and training in how to decide when rescue medication is appropriate and how to administer the therapy. Peers, as well as professionals, could teach and provide support. To our knowledge, no such programs are currently available in English. We encourage their creation, dissemination, and widespread use.
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Affiliation(s)
- Alan Leviton
- Boston Children's Hospital, 300 Longwood Avenue, Boston, MA 02115, USA.
| | - Anup D Patel
- Nationwide Children's Hospital, 700 Childrens Drive, Columbus, OH 43205, USA.
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20
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Martinez LA, Born HA, Harris S, Regnier-Golanov A, Grieco JC, Weeber EJ, Anderson AE. Quantitative EEG Analysis in Angelman Syndrome: Candidate Method for Assessing Therapeutics. Clin EEG Neurosci 2023; 54:203-212. [PMID: 33203220 DOI: 10.1177/1550059420973095] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 11.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/10/2023]
Abstract
The goal of these studies was to use quantitative (q)EEG techniques on data from children with Angelman syndrome (AS) using spectral power analysis, and to evaluate this as a potential biomarker and quantitative method to evaluate therapeutics. Although characteristic patterns are evident in visual inspection, using qEEG techniques has the potential to provide quantitative evidence of treatment efficacy. We first assessed spectral power from baseline EEG recordings collected from children with AS compared to age-matched neurotypical controls, which corroborated the previously reported finding of increased total power driven by elevated delta power in children with AS. We then retrospectively analyzed data collected during a clinical trial evaluating the safety and tolerability of minocycline (3 mg/kg/d) to compare pretreatment recordings from children with AS (4-12 years of age) to EEG activity at the end of treatment and following washout for EEG spectral power and epileptiform events. At baseline and during minocycline treatment, the AS subjects demonstrated increased delta power; however, following washout from minocycline treatment the AS subjects had significantly reduced EEG spectral power and epileptiform activity. Our findings support the use of qEEG analysis in evaluating AS and suggest that this technique may be useful to evaluate therapeutic efficacy in AS. Normalizing EEG power in AS therefore may become an important metric in screening therapeutics to gauge overall efficacy. As therapeutics transition from preclinical to clinical studies, it is vital to establish outcome measures that can quantitatively evaluate putative treatments for AS and neurological disorders with distinctive EEG patterns.
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Affiliation(s)
- Luis A Martinez
- Department of Pediatrics, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, TX, USA.,The Jan and Dan Duncan Neurological Research Institute, Texas Children's Hospital, Houston, TX, USA.,The Gordon and Mary Cain Pediatric Neurology Research Foundation Laboratories, Texas Children's Hospital, Houston, TX, USA
| | - Heather A Born
- Department of Pediatrics, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, TX, USA.,The Jan and Dan Duncan Neurological Research Institute, Texas Children's Hospital, Houston, TX, USA.,The Gordon and Mary Cain Pediatric Neurology Research Foundation Laboratories, Texas Children's Hospital, Houston, TX, USA
| | - Sarah Harris
- Department of Pediatrics, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, TX, USA.,The Jan and Dan Duncan Neurological Research Institute, Texas Children's Hospital, Houston, TX, USA.,The Gordon and Mary Cain Pediatric Neurology Research Foundation Laboratories, Texas Children's Hospital, Houston, TX, USA
| | - Angelique Regnier-Golanov
- Department of Pediatrics, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, TX, USA.,The Jan and Dan Duncan Neurological Research Institute, Texas Children's Hospital, Houston, TX, USA.,The Gordon and Mary Cain Pediatric Neurology Research Foundation Laboratories, Texas Children's Hospital, Houston, TX, USA
| | - Joseph C Grieco
- Department of Molecular Pharmacology and Physiology, University of South Florida, Tampa, FL, USA
| | - Edwin J Weeber
- Department of Molecular Pharmacology and Physiology, University of South Florida, Tampa, FL, USA
| | - Anne E Anderson
- Department of Pediatrics, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, TX, USA.,The Jan and Dan Duncan Neurological Research Institute, Texas Children's Hospital, Houston, TX, USA.,The Gordon and Mary Cain Pediatric Neurology Research Foundation Laboratories, Texas Children's Hospital, Houston, TX, USA.,Departments of Neuroscience and Neurology, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, TX, USA
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21
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Arfaie S, Amin P, Kwan ATH, Solgi A, Sarabi A, Hakak-Zargar B, Brunette-Clément T, Pushenko D, Mir-Moghtadaei K, Mashayekhi MS, Mofatteh M, Honarvar F, Ren LY, Noiseux-Lush C, Azizi Z, Pearl PL, Baldeweg T, Weil AG, Fallah A. Long-term full-scale intelligent quotient outcomes following pediatric and childhood epilepsy surgery: A systematic review and meta-analysis. Seizure 2023; 106:58-67. [PMID: 36774775 DOI: 10.1016/j.seizure.2023.01.020] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/26/2022] [Revised: 12/28/2022] [Accepted: 01/30/2023] [Indexed: 02/04/2023] Open
Abstract
OBJECTIVE Cognitive measures are an important primary outcome of pediatric, adolescents, and childhood epilepsy surgery. The purpose of this systematic review and meta-analysis is to assess whether there are long-term alterations (≥ 5 years) in the Full-Scale Intelligence Quotient (FSIQ) of pediatric patients undergoing epilepsy surgery. METHODS Electronic databases (EMBASE, MEDLINE, and Scopus) were searched for English articles from inception to October 2022 that examined intelligence outcomes in pediatric epilepsy surgery patients. Inclusion criteria were defined as the patient sample size of ≥ 5, average follow- up of ≥5 years, and surgeries performed on individuals ≤ 18 years old at the time of surgery. Exclusion criteria consisted of palliative surgery, animal studies, and studies not reporting surgical or FSIQ outcomes. Publication bias was assessed using a funnel plot and the Quality in Prognosis Studies (QUIPS) toolset was used for quality appraisal of the selected articles. A random-effects network meta-analysis was performed to compare FSIQ between surgical patients at baseline and follow-up and Mean Difference (MD) was used to calculate the effect size of each study. Point estimates for effects and 95% confidence intervals for moderation analysis were performed on variables putatively associated with the effect size. RESULTS 21,408 studies were screened for abstract and title. Of these, 797 fit our inclusion and exclusion criteria and proceeded to full-text screening. Overall, seven studies met our requirements and were selected. Quantitative analysis was performed on these studies (N = 330). The mean long-term difference between pre- and post- operative FSIQ scores across all studies was noted at 3.36 [95% CI: (0.14, 6.57), p = 0.04, I2 = 0%] and heterogeneity was low. CONCLUSION To our knowledge, this is the first meta-analysis to measure the long-term impacts of FSIQ in pediatric and adolescent epilepsy patients. Our overall results in this meta-analysis indicate that while most studies do not show long-term FSIQ deterioration in pediatric patients who underwent epilepsy surgery, there was an increase of 3.36 FSIQ points, however, the observed changes were not clinically significant. Moreover, at the individual patient level analysis, while most children did not show long-term FSIQ deterioration, few had significant decline. These findings indicate the importance of surgery as a viable option for pediatric patients with medically refractory epilepsy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Saman Arfaie
- Department of Neurology and Neurosurgery, McGill University, Montreal, QC, Canada; Faculty of Medicine, McGill University, Montreal, QC, Canada; Department of Molecular and Cell Biology, University of California Berkeley, Berkeley, CA, United States of America
| | - Pouya Amin
- Department of Molecular and Cell Biology, University of California Berkeley, Berkeley, CA, United States of America
| | - Angela T H Kwan
- Faculty of Medicine, University of Ottawa, Ottawa, ON, Canada; Department of Chemical and Physical Sciences, University of Toronto, Toronto, ON, Canada
| | - Arad Solgi
- School of Kinesiology & Health Science, York University, Toronto, ON, Canada
| | - Ali Sarabi
- School of Computing and Augmented Intelligence, Arizona State University, Tempe, AZ, United States of America
| | | | | | - Denys Pushenko
- Department of Chemical and Physical Sciences, University of Toronto, Toronto, ON, Canada; Department of Biology, University of Toronto, Toronto, ON, Canada
| | | | | | - Mohammad Mofatteh
- School of Medicine, Dentistry and Biomedical Sciences, Queen's University Belfast, United Kingdom.
| | - Faraz Honarvar
- Faculty of Medicine, Queen's University, Kingston, ON, Canada
| | - Lily Yuxi Ren
- Lane Medical Library and Knowledge Management Center, Stanford Medicine, Stanford University, Palo Alto, CA, United States of America
| | | | - Zahra Azizi
- Stanford Medicine, Stanford University, Palo Alto, CA, United States of America; School of Medicine, Dentistry and Biomedical Sciences, Queen's University Belfast, United Kingdom
| | - Phillip Lawrence Pearl
- Department of Neurology, Boston Children's Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, United States of America
| | - Torsten Baldeweg
- Department of Developmental Neuroscience, UCL Great Ormond Street Institute for Child Health, London WC1N 1EH, United Kingdom; Great Ormond Street Hospital NHS Foundation Trust, London WC1N 3JH, United Kingdom
| | - Alexander G Weil
- Division of Pediatric Neurosurgery, Department of Surgery, Sainte Justine Hospital, University of Montreal, Montreal, QC, Canada
| | - Aria Fallah
- Department of Neurosurgery and Pediatrics, David Geffen School of Medicine at University of California, Los Angeles, CA, United States of America
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22
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Löscher W, Stafstrom CE. Epilepsy and its neurobehavioral comorbidities: Insights gained from animal models. Epilepsia 2023; 64:54-91. [PMID: 36197310 DOI: 10.1111/epi.17433] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/27/2022] [Revised: 10/04/2022] [Accepted: 10/04/2022] [Indexed: 01/21/2023]
Abstract
It is well established that epilepsy is associated with numerous neurobehavioral comorbidities, with a bidirectional relationship; people with epilepsy have an increased incidence of depression, anxiety, learning and memory difficulties, and numerous other psychosocial challenges, and the occurrence of epilepsy is higher in individuals with those comorbidities. Although the cause-and-effect relationship is uncertain, a fuller understanding of the mechanisms of comorbidities within the epilepsies could lead to improved therapeutics. Here, we review recent data on epilepsy and its neurobehavioral comorbidities, discussing mainly rodent models, which have been studied most extensively, and emphasize that clinically relevant information can be gained from preclinical models. Furthermore, we explore the numerous potential factors that may confound the interpretation of emerging data from animal models, such as the specific seizure induction method (e.g., chemical, electrical, traumatic, genetic), the role of species and strain, environmental factors (e.g., laboratory environment, handling, epigenetics), and the behavioral assays that are chosen to evaluate the various aspects of neural behavior and cognition. Overall, the interplay between epilepsy and its neurobehavioral comorbidities is undoubtedly multifactorial, involving brain structural changes, network-level differences, molecular signaling abnormalities, and other factors. Animal models are well poised to help dissect the shared pathophysiological mechanisms, neurological sequelae, and biomarkers of epilepsy and its comorbidities.
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Affiliation(s)
- Wolfgang Löscher
- Department of Pharmacology, Toxicology, and Pharmacy, University of Veterinary Medicine, Hannover, Germany.,Center for Systems Neuroscience, Hannover, Germany
| | - Carl E Stafstrom
- Division of Pediatric Neurology, Department of Neurology, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, Maryland, USA
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23
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Operto FF, Pastorino GMG, Viggiano A, Dell’Isola GB, Dini G, Verrotti A, Coppola G. Epilepsy and Cognitive Impairment in Childhood and Adolescence: A Mini-Review. Curr Neuropharmacol 2023; 21:1646-1665. [PMID: 35794776 PMCID: PMC10514538 DOI: 10.2174/1570159x20666220706102708] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/05/2022] [Revised: 02/28/2022] [Accepted: 04/26/2022] [Indexed: 11/22/2022] Open
Abstract
Managing epilepsy in people with an intellectual disability remains a therapeutic challenge and must take into account additional issues such as diagnostic difficulties and frequent drug resistance. Advances in genomic technologies improved our understanding of epilepsy and raised the possibility to develop patients-tailored treatments acting on the key molecular mechanisms involved in the development of the disease. In addition to conventional antiseizure medications (ASMs), ketogenic diet, hormone therapy and epilepsy surgery play an important role, especially in cases of drugresistance. This review aims to provide a comprehensive overview of the mainfactors influencing cognition in children and adolescents with epilepsy and the main therapeutic options available for the epilepsies associated with intellectual disability.
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Affiliation(s)
- Francesca Felicia Operto
- Child and Adolescent Neuropsychiatry Unit, Department of Medicine, Surgery and Dentistry, University of Salerno, Baronissi, SA, Italy
| | - Grazia Maria Giovanna Pastorino
- Child and Adolescent Neuropsychiatry Unit, Department of Medicine, Surgery and Dentistry, University of Salerno, Baronissi, SA, Italy
| | - Andrea Viggiano
- Department of Medicine, Surgery and Dentistry “Scuola Medica Salernitana”, University of Salerno, Baronissi, SA, Italy
| | | | - Gianluca Dini
- Department of Pediatrics, University of Perugia, Giorgio Menghini Square, 06129 Perugia, Italy
| | - Alberto Verrotti
- Department of Pediatrics, University of Perugia, Giorgio Menghini Square, 06129 Perugia, Italy
| | - Giangennaro Coppola
- Child and Adolescent Neuropsychiatry Unit, Department of Medicine, Surgery and Dentistry, University of Salerno, Baronissi, SA, Italy
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24
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Johnson EC, Atkinson P, Muggeridge A, Chan S, Helen Cross J, Reilly C. Perceived impact of epilepsy on sleep: Views of children with epilepsy, parents and school staff. Epilepsy Behav 2023; 138:109026. [PMID: 36512932 DOI: 10.1016/j.yebeh.2022.109026] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/03/2022] [Revised: 11/16/2022] [Accepted: 11/23/2022] [Indexed: 12/14/2022]
Abstract
OBJECTIVE To gain an understanding of the views of school-aged children with epilepsy, their parents, and school staff regarding the impact of epilepsy on sleep. METHODS As part of the What I Need in School (WINS) study, school-aged children (n = 18) with 'active epilepsy' (taking Anti-Seizure Medications, ASMs, for epilepsy), their parents (n = 68) and school staff (n = 56) were interviewed or completed bespoke questionnaires. Questions focussed on the potential impact of epilepsy on the child's sleep or tiredness in school and the potential impact of sleep/tiredness on learning and behavior. RESULTS Fifty-six percent of children believed that epilepsy affects their sleep while 65% of parents believed that their child had more difficulties with sleep than other children of their age. Seventy-eight percent of parents believed that their child's difficulties were due to epilepsy and 95% believed that their child's difficulties impacted their learning and behavior. Fifty-four percent of school staff believed that the child with epilepsy they supported was more tired/fatigued than their peers, and 86% of school staff believed that the child's increased tiredness affected their learning/behavior. Parents of children with intellectual disabilitiy were significantly more likely to indicate that they felt that their child had more sleep difficulties than other children (p = 0.016). Regarding the impact on their sleep, participating children felt that epilepsy contributed to difficulties in falling and staying asleep and daytime tiredness. Their parents reported a range of potential sleep difficulties and potential impacts on the child's learning and behavior. Parental reported difficulties included daytime tiredness, difficulty falling and staying asleep, and the impact of nocturnal seizures. In terms of impact, parents felt that sleep difficulties impacted negatively cognition and emotional-behavioral functioning. Additionally, parents reported that ASMs and medication for ADHD can contribute to sleep difficulties. School staff felt that many of the children appeared tired/fatigued during the day and this could lead to less engagement with classroom activities, impact attention and processing speed negatively, and contribute to behavioral and emotional difficulties. CONCLUSION The majority of children and parents who responded believed that epilepsy affects the child's sleep. Most parents and school staff also believed that the child's sleep difficulties/excess tiredness were due to the child's epilepsy and that the difficulties significantly impacted the child's learning and behavior. There is a need to better understand the role epilepsy plays in sleep difficulties and associated learning and behavioral impairments. There is also a need to develop interventions to reduce the subsequent impact on child learning and behavior.
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Affiliation(s)
- Emma C Johnson
- Research Department, Young Epilepsy, Lingfield, Surrey RH7 6PW, UK
| | - Patricia Atkinson
- Child Development Centre, Crawley Hospital, West Green Drive, Crawley RH11 7DH, West Sussex, UK
| | - Amy Muggeridge
- Research Department, Young Epilepsy, Lingfield, Surrey RH7 6PW, UK
| | - Samantha Chan
- Great Ormond Street Hospital for Children NHS Trust, Great Ormond Street, London WC1N 3JH, UK; UCL Great Ormond Street Institute of Child Health (ICH), 30 Guilford Street London WC1N 1EH, UK
| | - J Helen Cross
- Research Department, Young Epilepsy, Lingfield, Surrey RH7 6PW, UK; Great Ormond Street Hospital for Children NHS Trust, Great Ormond Street, London WC1N 3JH, UK; UCL Great Ormond Street Institute of Child Health (ICH), 30 Guilford Street London WC1N 1EH, UK
| | - Colin Reilly
- Research Department, Young Epilepsy, Lingfield, Surrey RH7 6PW, UK; UCL Great Ormond Street Institute of Child Health (ICH), 30 Guilford Street London WC1N 1EH, UK.
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25
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Nitin R, Shaw DM, Rocha DB, Walters CE, Chabris CF, Camarata SM, Gordon RL, Below JE. Association of Developmental Language Disorder With Comorbid Developmental Conditions Using Algorithmic Phenotyping. JAMA Netw Open 2022; 5:e2248060. [PMID: 36580336 PMCID: PMC9857086 DOI: 10.1001/jamanetworkopen.2022.48060] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/30/2022] Open
Abstract
IMPORTANCE Developmental language disorder (DLD) is a common (with up to 7% prevalence) yet underdiagnosed childhood disorder whose underlying biological profile and comorbidities are not fully understood, especially at the population level. OBJECTIVE To identify clinically relevant conditions that co-occur with DLD at the population level. DESIGN, SETTING, AND PARTICIPANTS This case-control study used an electronic health record (EHR)-based population-level approach to compare the prevalence of comorbid health phenotypes between DLD cases and matched controls. These cases were identified using the Automated Phenotyping Tool for Identifying Developmental Language Disorder algorithm of the Vanderbilt University Medical Center EHR, and a phenome enrichment analysis was used to identify comorbidities. An independent sample was selected from the Geisinger Health System EHR to test the replication of the phenome enrichment using the same phenotyping and analysis pipeline. Data from the Vanderbilt EHR were accessed between March 2019 and October 2020, while data from the Geisinger EHR were accessed between January and March 2022. MAIN OUTCOMES AND MEASURES Common and rare comorbidities of DLD at the population level were identified using EHRs and a phecode-based enrichment analysis. RESULTS Comorbidity analysis was conducted for 5273 DLD cases (mean [SD] age, 16.8 [7.2] years; 3748 males [71.1%]) and 26 353 matched controls (mean [SD] age, 14.6 [5.5] years; 18 729 males [71.1%]). Relevant phenotypes associated with DLD were found, including learning disorder, delayed milestones, disorders of the acoustic nerve, conduct disorders, attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder, lack of coordination, and other motor deficits. Several other health phenotypes not previously associated with DLD were identified, such as dermatitis, conjunctivitis, and weight and nutrition, representing a new window into the clinical complexity of DLD. CONCLUSIONS AND RELEVANCE This study found both rare and common comorbidities of DLD. Comorbidity profiles may be leveraged to identify risk of additional health challenges, beyond language impairment, among children with DLD.
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Affiliation(s)
- Rachana Nitin
- Vanderbilt Brain Institute, Vanderbilt University, Nashville, Tennessee
- Department of Otolaryngology–Head & Neck Surgery, Vanderbilt University Medical Center, Nashville, Tennessee
| | - Douglas M. Shaw
- Vanderbilt Genetics Institute, Vanderbilt University Medical Center, Nashville, Tennessee
| | - Daniel B. Rocha
- Phenomic Analytics and Clinical Data Core, Geisinger, Danville, Pennsylvania
- NewYork-Presbyterian Hospital, New York
| | - Courtney E. Walters
- Department of Otolaryngology–Head & Neck Surgery, Vanderbilt University Medical Center, Nashville, Tennessee
- Vanderbilt University Neuroscience Program, Vanderbilt University, Nashville, Tennessee
- Loma Linda School of Medicine, Loma Linda University, Loma Linda, California
| | | | - Stephen M. Camarata
- Department of Hearing and Speech Sciences, Vanderbilt University Medical Center, Nashville, Tennessee
| | - Reyna L. Gordon
- Vanderbilt Brain Institute, Vanderbilt University, Nashville, Tennessee
- Department of Otolaryngology–Head & Neck Surgery, Vanderbilt University Medical Center, Nashville, Tennessee
- Vanderbilt Genetics Institute, Vanderbilt University Medical Center, Nashville, Tennessee
- Department of Psychology, Vanderbilt University, Nashville, Tennessee
- Vanderbilt Kennedy Center, Vanderbilt University Medical Center, Nashville, Tennessee
| | - Jennifer E. Below
- Vanderbilt Genetics Institute, Vanderbilt University Medical Center, Nashville, Tennessee
- Department of Medicine, Vanderbilt University Medical Center, Nashville, Tennessee
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Pisani F, Statello R, Pedrazzi G, Miragoli M, Piccolo B, Turco EC. The duration of successive epileptic seizures is monotonically correlated in neonates. Neurophysiol Clin 2022; 52:472-481. [DOI: 10.1016/j.neucli.2022.10.004] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/22/2022] [Revised: 10/25/2022] [Accepted: 10/25/2022] [Indexed: 11/12/2022] Open
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Jensen-Willett S, Cunha A, Lobo MA, Harbourne R, Dusing SC, McCoy SW, Koziol NA, Hsu LY, Marcinowski EC, Babik I, An M, Bovaird JA. The Effect of Early-Life Seizures on Cognitive and Motor Development: A Case Series. Pediatr Phys Ther 2022; 34:425-431. [PMID: 35703307 DOI: 10.1097/pep.0000000000000918] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/25/2022]
Abstract
PURPOSE This case series documents developmental changes over time and in response to a novel intervention, Sitting Together and Reaching to Play (START-Play), in children with early-life seizures. METHODS Thirteen children with early-life seizures were included from a subset of participants in the START-Play multisite, randomized controlled trial. Seven received 3 months of twice weekly START-Play intervention; 6 continued with usual care early intervention. Bayley Scales of Infant Development-III (Cognitive Composite), Gross Motor Function Measure-66 Item Set, Assessment of Problem-Solving in Play, and reaching assessments were administered at baseline, 3, 6, and 12 months postbaseline. Change scores are reported at 3 and 12 months postbaseline. RESULTS Over time, plateau or decline was noted in standardized cognition measures; motor development improved or was stable. Children receiving START-Play showed positive trends in problem-solving (71.4%) and reaching behaviors (57.2%). CONCLUSIONS Interventions such as START-Play that combine motor and cognitive constructs may benefit children with early-life seizures.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sandra Jensen-Willett
- Department of Physical Therapy (Dr Willett), Munroe-Meyer Institute, University of Nebraska Medical Center, Omaha, Nebraska; Department of Physical Therapy (Drs Cunha and Lobo), Biomechanics and Movement Science Program, University of Delaware, Newark, Delaware; Department of Physical Therapy (Dr Harbourne), Duquesne University, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania; Division of Biokinesiology and Physical Therapy (Dr Dusing), University of Southern California, Los Angeles CA; Department of Rehabilitation Medicine (Drs Westcott-McCoy and Hsu), University of Washington, Seattle, Washington; Nebraska Center for Research on Children, Youth, Families and Schools (Drs Koziol and Bovaird), University of Nebraska-Lincoln, Lincoln, Nebraska; College of Human Science and Education (Dr Marcinowski), Louisiana State University, Baton Rouge, Louisiana; Department of Psychological Science (Dr Babik), Boise State University, Boise, Idaho; Department of Physical Therapy (Dr An), Kaya University, Gimhae-si, Gyeongsangnam-do, Republic of Korea
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28
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Chen G, Hu J, Ran H, Nie L, Tang W, Li X, Li Q, He Y, Liu J, Song G, Xu G, Liu H, Zhang T. Alterations of Cerebral Perfusion and Functional Connectivity in Children With Idiopathic Generalized Epilepsy. Front Neurosci 2022; 16:918513. [PMID: 35769697 PMCID: PMC9236200 DOI: 10.3389/fnins.2022.918513] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/12/2022] [Accepted: 05/25/2022] [Indexed: 12/02/2022] Open
Abstract
Background Studies have demonstrated that adults with idiopathic generalized epilepsy (IGE) have functional abnormalities; however, the neuropathological pathogenesis differs between adults and children. This study aimed to explore alterations in the cerebral blood flow (CBF) and functional connectivity (FC) to comprehensively elucidate the neuropathological mechanisms of IGE in children. Methods We obtained arterial spin labeling (ASL) and resting state functional magnetic resonance imaging data of 28 children with IGE and 35 matched controls. We used ASL to determine differential CBF regions in children with IGE. A seed-based whole-brain FC analysis was performed for regions with significant CBF changes. The mean CBF and FC of brain areas with significant group differences was extracted, then its correlation with clinical variables in IGE group was analyzed by using Pearson correlation analysis. Results Compared to controls, children with IGE had CBF abnormalities that were mainly observed in the right middle temporal gyrus, right middle occipital gyrus (MOG), right superior frontal gyrus (SFG), left inferior frontal gyrus (IFG), and triangular part of the left IFG (IFGtriang). We observed that the FC between the left IFGtriang and calcarine fissure (CAL) and that between the right MOG and bilateral CAL were decreased in children with IGE. The CBF in the right SFG was correlated with the age at IGE onset. FC in the left IFGtriang and left CAL was correlated with the IGE duration. Conclusion This study found that CBF and FC were altered simultaneously in the left IFGtriang and right MOG of children with IGE. The combination of CBF and FC may provide additional information and insight regarding the pathophysiology of IGE from neuronal and vascular integration perspectives.
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29
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Osuntokun OS, Olayiwola G, Oriare AK, Oyedokun SO, Abayomi TA, Tokunbo OS, Ayoka AO. Mucuna pruriens seed protects the hippocampal neurons and abrogates seizure indices in chemically-convulsed mice: evidence of the Nrf2 expression defense pathway. J Chem Neuroanat 2022; 123:102115. [PMID: 35662582 DOI: 10.1016/j.jchemneu.2022.102115] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/29/2021] [Revised: 05/25/2022] [Accepted: 05/25/2022] [Indexed: 11/24/2022]
Abstract
The anticonvulsant mechanisms and neuroprotective effects of Mucuna pruriens (MP) seed in male BALB/c mice were evaluated. Ninety mice were kindled with picrotoxin, strychnine, or pilocarpine hydrochloride at the 30th minute of intraperitoneal injection (i.p) of normal saline (0.2ml), MP (200, 100, 50mg/kg), diazepam (7.5mg/kg), or haloperidol (5mg/kg). The onset of convulsion and percentage mortality was recorded. The histoarchitectural and immunohistochemical profiles of the brains were determined. Data were expressed as mean ± SEM with a one-way analysis of variance (ANOVA), while p < 0.05 was considered significant. There was a significant prolongation of the latency to first seizure across the treatment groups following picrotoxin, and pilocarpine-induced convulsion; a decrease in percentage mortality in the MP (50mg/kg) treatment group, and an increase in the hippocampal nuclear factor erythroid 2-related factor 2 count, and Neu-N expression in the MP (200mg/kg, and 100mg/kg) treated mice. Treatment with MP seed may abolish seizure occurrence and consequential mortality; mechanisms traceable to its GABAergic expression and hippocampal NRF 2 and Neu N expression.
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Affiliation(s)
- Opeyemi Samson Osuntokun
- Department of Physiology, Faculty of Basic Medical Sciences, Osun State University Osogbo, Nigeria; Department of Physiology, Faculty of Basic Medical Sciences, Federal University Oye Ekiti, Ekiti State, Nigeria.
| | - Gbola Olayiwola
- Department of Clinical Pharmacy and Pharmacy Administration, Faculty of Pharmacy, Obafemi Awolowo University, Ile-Ife, Osun State, Nigeria
| | - Ayomide Karimat Oriare
- Department of Physiology, Faculty of Basic Medical Sciences, Osun State University Osogbo, Nigeria
| | - Samuel Oyeyemi Oyedokun
- Department of Physiology, Faculty of Basic Medical Sciences, Osun State University Osogbo, Nigeria
| | - Taiwo Adekemi Abayomi
- Department of Anatomy, Faculty of Basic Medical Sciences, Osun State University Osogbo, Nigeria
| | | | - Abiodun Oladele Ayoka
- Department of Physiological Sciences, Faculty of Basic Medical Sciences, Obafemi Awolowo University, Ile-Ife, Osun State Nigeria
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Balwani M, Passi GR. Screening Children with Epilepsy for Cognitive Deficits Using the Modified Mini-Mental Scale Examination and the Digit Letter Substitution Test. ANNALS OF CHILD NEUROLOGY 2022. [DOI: 10.26815/acn.2022.00059] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/11/2022] Open
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Thompson K. Status epilepticus and early development: neuronal injury, neurodegeneration, and their consequences. Epilepsia Open 2022; 8 Suppl 1:S110-S116. [PMID: 35434910 PMCID: PMC10173843 DOI: 10.1002/epi4.12601] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/30/2022] [Revised: 04/12/2022] [Accepted: 04/13/2022] [Indexed: 11/07/2022] Open
Abstract
Evidence showing that the immature brain is vulnerable to seizure-induced damage has been accumulating for decades. Clinical data have always suggested that some early-life seizures are associated with negative sequelae, but clinical observations are frequently obscured by multiple uncontrolled contributing factors and can rarely establish causality. Determining with certainty that seizures, per se, can cause neuronal death and can irreversibly disrupt critical developmental processes, required the development of suitable model systems. Several experimental seizure models clearly show that the immature brain can sustain neuronal injury as a result of uncontrolled seizure activity and that even in the absence of observable neuronal death, the developing brain is selectively vulnerable to interruptions of required growth programs. Severe early-life seizures inhibit DNA, RNA, and protein synthesis, and they can reduce the accumulation of myelin and synaptic markers in the developing nervous system, leading to functional delays in development. Depending on the seizure pathway involved, and the developmental period under study, classic neurodegeneration, excitotoxicity, and apoptosis can result in permanent damage to critical neural networks in the temporal lobe and in many other brain regions. This conclusion is further supported by recent clinical studies showing that prolonged febrile status epilepticus can lead to hippocampal injury, which evolves into hippocampal atrophy and hippocampal sclerosis. A growing body of experimental data demonstrates that the metabolic compromise and cellular loss produced by seizures during critical phases of brain development negatively affect later hippocampal physiology including learning and memory functions in maturity.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kerry Thompson
- Occidental College Department of Biology, 1600 Campus Rd Los Angeles CA USA
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Pathophysiological Heterogeneity of the BBSOA Neurodevelopmental Syndrome. Cells 2022; 11:cells11081260. [PMID: 35455940 PMCID: PMC9024734 DOI: 10.3390/cells11081260] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/03/2022] [Revised: 03/17/2022] [Accepted: 03/29/2022] [Indexed: 11/17/2022] Open
Abstract
The formation and maturation of the human brain is regulated by highly coordinated developmental events, such as neural cell proliferation, migration and differentiation. Any impairment of these interconnected multi-factorial processes can affect brain structure and function and lead to distinctive neurodevelopmental disorders. Here, we review the pathophysiology of the Bosch–Boonstra–Schaaf Optic Atrophy Syndrome (BBSOAS; OMIM 615722; ORPHA 401777), a recently described monogenic neurodevelopmental syndrome caused by the haploinsufficiency of NR2F1 gene, a key transcriptional regulator of brain development. Although intellectual disability, developmental delay and visual impairment are arguably the most common symptoms affecting BBSOAS patients, multiple additional features are often reported, including epilepsy, autistic traits and hypotonia. The presence of specific symptoms and their variable level of severity might depend on still poorly characterized genotype–phenotype correlations. We begin with an overview of the several mutations of NR2F1 identified to date, then further focuses on the main pathological features of BBSOAS patients, providing evidence—whenever possible—for the existing genotype–phenotype correlations. On the clinical side, we lay out an up-to-date list of clinical examinations and therapeutic interventions recommended for children with BBSOAS. On the experimental side, we describe state-of-the-art in vivo and in vitro studies aiming at deciphering the role of mouse Nr2f1, in physiological conditions and in pathological contexts, underlying the BBSOAS features. Furthermore, by modeling distinct NR2F1 genetic alterations in terms of dimer formation and nuclear receptor binding efficiencies, we attempt to estimate the total amounts of functional NR2F1 acting in developing brain cells in normal and pathological conditions. Finally, using the NR2F1 gene and BBSOAS as a paradigm of monogenic rare neurodevelopmental disorder, we aim to set the path for future explorations of causative links between impaired brain development and the appearance of symptoms in human neurological syndromes.
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Benini R, Asir N, Yasin A, Mohamedzain AM, Hadid F, Vasudeva DM, Saeed A, Zamel K, Kayyali H, Elestwani S. Landscape of Childhood Epilepsies – A Multi-Ethnic Population-based Study. Epilepsy Res 2022; 183:106936. [DOI: 10.1016/j.eplepsyres.2022.106936] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/30/2022] [Revised: 04/08/2022] [Accepted: 04/23/2022] [Indexed: 11/24/2022]
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Perazzo D, Moore R, Kasparian NA, Rodts M, Horowitz-Kraus T, Crosby L, Turpin B, Beck AF, Hutton J. Chronic pediatric diseases and risk for reading difficulties: a narrative review with recommendations. Pediatr Res 2022; 92:966-978. [PMID: 35121848 PMCID: PMC9586865 DOI: 10.1038/s41390-022-01934-y] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/05/2021] [Revised: 11/02/2021] [Accepted: 12/13/2021] [Indexed: 12/03/2022]
Abstract
Literacy is a major social determinant of health, rooted in skills that develop during early childhood. Children arriving at kindergarten unprepared to learn to read are more likely to have low reading proficiency thereafter. General and health literacy are highly correlated, affecting understanding of health conditions, treatment adherence, and transition to self-care and adult healthcare services. The American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) recommends literacy and school readiness promotion during well-visits and neurodevelopmental surveillance is emphasized across primary and subspecialty care. While genetic and environmental risk factors for reading difficulties are well-established, risks related to complex and chronic medical conditions are less appreciated and under-researched. This review applies an eco-bio-developmental framework to explore literacy across five complex chronic conditions affecting millions of children worldwide: asthma, cancer, congenital heart disease, epilepsy, and sickle cell disease. In each, integration of an efficient reading brain network may be impacted by direct factors, such as ischemia, anesthesia, and/or medications, and also indirect factors, such as altered parent-child routines, hospital stays, and missed school. By integrating literacy into care management plans for affected children, pediatric primary care and specialty providers are poised to identify risks early, target guidance and interventions, and improve academic and health outcomes. IMPACT: While genetic and environmental risk factors for reading difficulties are well-established, risks related to complex and/or chronic medical conditions such as asthma, cancer, congenital heart disease, epilepsy, and sickle cell disease are substantial, less appreciated, and under-researched. General and health literacy are highly correlated, with implications for the understanding one's health condition, treatment adherence, and transitioning to self-care, which is especially important for children with complex and/or chronic illness. Pediatric primary care and specialty providers are poised to integrate reading and literacy into care management plans for children with complex and/or chronic illness, including early screening, guidance, support, and interventions.
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Affiliation(s)
- Donna Perazzo
- grid.24827.3b0000 0001 2179 9593Reading and Literacy Discovery Center, Cincinnati Children’s Hospital Medical Center and Department of Pediatrics, University of Cincinnati College of Medicine, Cincinnati, OH USA
| | - Ryan Moore
- grid.24827.3b0000 0001 2179 9593The Heart Institute, Cincinnati Children’s Hospital Medical Center and Department of Pediatrics, University of Cincinnati College of Medicine, Cincinnati, OH USA
| | - Nadine A. Kasparian
- grid.24827.3b0000 0001 2179 9593The Heart Institute, Cincinnati Children’s Hospital Medical Center and Department of Pediatrics, University of Cincinnati College of Medicine, Cincinnati, OH USA ,grid.24827.3b0000 0001 2179 9593Center for Heart Disease and Mental Health, Heart Institute and Division of Behavioral Medicine and Clinical Psychology, Cincinnati Children’s Hospital Medical Center and Department of Pediatrics, University of Cincinnati College of Medicine, Cincinnati, OH USA
| | - Megan Rodts
- grid.24827.3b0000 0001 2179 9593The Heart Institute, Cincinnati Children’s Hospital Medical Center and Department of Pediatrics, University of Cincinnati College of Medicine, Cincinnati, OH USA
| | - Tzipi Horowitz-Kraus
- grid.24827.3b0000 0001 2179 9593Reading and Literacy Discovery Center, Cincinnati Children’s Hospital Medical Center and Department of Pediatrics, University of Cincinnati College of Medicine, Cincinnati, OH USA ,grid.24827.3b0000 0001 2179 9593Division of General and Community Pediatrics, Cincinnati Children’s Hospital Medical Center and Department of Pediatrics, University of Cincinnati College of Medicine, Cincinnati, OH USA ,grid.6451.60000000121102151Educational Neuroimaging Center, Faculty of Education in Science and Technology and Faculty of Biomedical Engineering, Technion, Haifa, Israel
| | - Lori Crosby
- grid.24827.3b0000 0001 2179 9593Center for Clinical and Translational Science and Training and Division of Behavioral Medicine and Clinical Psychology, Cincinnati Children’s Hospital Medical Center and Department of Pediatrics, University of Cincinnati College of Medicine, Cincinnati, OH USA
| | - Brian Turpin
- grid.24827.3b0000 0001 2179 9593Division of Oncology, Cincinnati Children’s Hospital Medical Center and Department of Pediatrics, University of Cincinnati College of Medicine, Cincinnati, OH USA
| | - Andrew F. Beck
- grid.24827.3b0000 0001 2179 9593Division of General and Community Pediatrics, Cincinnati Children’s Hospital Medical Center and Department of Pediatrics, University of Cincinnati College of Medicine, Cincinnati, OH USA ,grid.24827.3b0000 0001 2179 9593Division of Hospital Medicine, Cincinnati Children’s Hospital Medical Center and Department of Pediatrics, University of Cincinnati College of Medicine, Cincinnati, OH USA
| | - John Hutton
- Reading and Literacy Discovery Center, Cincinnati Children's Hospital Medical Center and Department of Pediatrics, University of Cincinnati College of Medicine, Cincinnati, OH, USA. .,Division of General and Community Pediatrics, Cincinnati Children's Hospital Medical Center and Department of Pediatrics, University of Cincinnati College of Medicine, Cincinnati, OH, USA.
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Singh H, Ramon A, Finore D, Burnham K, McRobert S, Lippman-Bell J. Learning Deficits and Attenuated Adaptive Stress Response After Early-Life Seizures in Zebrafish. Front Neurosci 2022; 16:869671. [PMID: 35527822 PMCID: PMC9073075 DOI: 10.3389/fnins.2022.869671] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/04/2022] [Accepted: 03/29/2022] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Early-life seizures (ELS) are often associated with the development of cognitive deficits. However, methods to predict and prevent these deficits are lacking. To increase the range of research models available to study cognitive consequences of ELS, we investigated whether seizures in larval zebrafish (Danio rerio) lead to behavioral deficits later in life. We thus modified the existing pentylenetetrazole (PTZ)-induced seizure model in larval zebrafish, exposing zebrafish to PTZ daily from 5 to 7 days post-fertilization (dpf). We then compared later-life learning, social behavior (shoaling), and behavioral and chemical measures of anxiety in the PTZ-exposed zebrafish (PTZ group) to that of naïve clutchmates (untouched controls, UC) and to a second control group (handling control, HC) that experienced the same handling as the PTZ group, but without PTZ exposure. We observed that only the PTZ group displayed a significant deficit in a y-maze learning task, while only the HC group displayed a social deficit of decreased shoaling. HC fish also showed an increased frequency of behavioral freezing and elevated cortisol responses to netting, heightened stress responses not seen in the PTZ fish. Since mild stressors, such as the handling the HC fish experienced, can lead to learned, advantageous responses to stress later in life, we tested escape response in the HC fish using an acoustic startle stimulus. The HC group showed an enhanced startle response, swimming significantly farther than either the PTZ or UC group immediately after being startled. Taken together, these results indicate that seizures in larval zebrafish impair learning and the development of an adaptive, heightened stress response after early-life stress. These findings expand the behavioral characterization of the larval zebrafish seizure model, strengthening the power of this model for ELS research.
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Affiliation(s)
- Harsimran Singh
- Department of Bio-Medical Sciences, Philadelphia College of Osteopathic Medicine, Philadelphia, PA, United States
| | - Alfonsina Ramon
- Department of Bio-Medical Sciences, Philadelphia College of Osteopathic Medicine, Philadelphia, PA, United States
| | - Dana Finore
- Department of Biology, Saint Joseph's University, Philadelphia, PA, United States
| | - Kaleigh Burnham
- Department of Bio-Medical Sciences, Philadelphia College of Osteopathic Medicine, Philadelphia, PA, United States
| | - Scott McRobert
- Department of Biology, Saint Joseph's University, Philadelphia, PA, United States
| | - Jocelyn Lippman-Bell
- Department of Bio-Medical Sciences, Philadelphia College of Osteopathic Medicine, Philadelphia, PA, United States
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Aeby A, Ceulemans B, Lagae L. Treatment of Focal-Onset Seizures in Children: Should This Be More Etiology-Driven? Front Neurol 2022; 13:842276. [PMID: 35330806 PMCID: PMC8940242 DOI: 10.3389/fneur.2022.842276] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/23/2021] [Accepted: 01/24/2022] [Indexed: 01/22/2023] Open
Abstract
To accelerate the process of licensing antiseizure medication (ASM) in children, extrapolation of efficacy data for focal-onset seizures from adults to children ≥2 or ≥4 years of age is now accepted. We summarized the efficacy evidence from randomized, controlled trials that was used to grant approval for the pediatric indication of focal-onset seizures for the different ASMs available in Europe. Data from high-quality randomized, controlled trials in young children are limited, especially on the use of ASMs in monotherapy. Licensure trials are typically focused on seizure type irrespective of etiology or epilepsy syndrome. We elaborate on the importance of etiology- or syndrome-driven research and treatment, illustrating this with examples of childhood epilepsy syndromes characterized by predominantly focal-onset seizures. Some of these syndromes respond well to standard ASMs used for focal-onset seizures, but others would benefit from a more etiology- or syndrome-driven approach. Advances in molecular genetics and neuroimaging have made it possible to reveal the underlying cause of a child's epilepsy and tailor research and treatment. More high-quality randomized, controlled trials based on etiology or syndrome type are needed, including those assessing effects on cognition and behavior. In addition, study designs such as "N-of-1 trials" could elucidate possible new treatment options in rare epilepsies. Broadening incentives currently in place to stimulate the development and marketing of drugs for rare diseases (applicable to some epilepsy syndromes) to more common pediatric epilepsy types and syndromes might be a means to enable high-quality trials, and ultimately allow more evidence-based treatment in children.
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Affiliation(s)
- Alec Aeby
- Pediatric Neurology, Queen Fabiola Children's University Hospital, Université Libre de Bruxelles (ULB), Brussels, Belgium
| | - Berten Ceulemans
- Department of Pediatric Neurology, Antwerp University Hospital, University of Antwerp, Antwerp, Belgium
| | - Lieven Lagae
- Reference Center for Refractory Epilepsy, Pediatric Neurology, Department of Development and Regeneration, University Hospitals Leuven, Leuven, Belgium
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Zaniani NR, Roohbakhsh A, Moghimi A, Mehri S. Protective effect of Toll-like receptor 4 antagonist on inflammation, EEG, and memory changes following febrile seizure in Wistar rats. Behav Brain Res 2021; 420:113723. [PMID: 34923024 DOI: 10.1016/j.bbr.2021.113723] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/24/2021] [Revised: 11/19/2021] [Accepted: 12/14/2021] [Indexed: 12/14/2022]
Abstract
Neuroinflammation and fever are the main triggers in febrile seizures (FS). Focusing on inflammatory pathways and anti-inflammatory drugs could compensate for the limitations of existing medications. The aim of this study is to evaluate the neuroprotective effect of specific antagonizing Toll-like receptor 4 (TLR4), as a prominent inflammatory axis, on the consequences of FS and adulthood using animal models. Complex FS was induced on 9-11 day old male rat pups using a heated chamber. TAK-242, as a specific TLR4 inhibitor, was injected intraperitoneally before seizure induction. Seizure threshold, duration, and spike number were measured by electrocorticography. The levels of inflammatory cytokines, TLR4 protein expression, and oxidative stress markers were detected by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay, western blotting, malondialdehyde (MDA), catalase (CAT), and superoxide dismutase (SOD) assessments in the cortex and hippocampus. Also, spatial and non-spatial memory were evaluated using the novel object recognition test (NORT) and double Y-maze test during adulthood. The results revealed that provoked inflammatory responses in neonate rats, after FS, were associated with the increase of the tumor necrosis factor alpha, interleukin-1β, and enhanced TLR4 protein expression. Meanwhile, based on performed behavioral tests, the inflammatory process was also involved in adulthood memory deficit. Pretreatment with TAK-242 reduced the inflammatory cytokines and TLR4 protein expression in the cortex and hippocampus of neonate rats and improvement in memory deficit in NORT and double Y-maze tasks. Also, pretreatment with TAK-242 elevated seizure threshold, SOD, and CAT activities, and decreased seizure duration and MDA level with no significant change in spike number. TAK-242 possibly controlled FS via inhibiting inflammation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Nosaibeh Riahi Zaniani
- Rayan Research Center for Neuroscience & Behavior, Department of Biology, Faculty of Science, Ferdowsi University of Mashhad, Iran
| | - Ali Roohbakhsh
- Pharmaceutical Research Center, School of Pharmacy, Mashhad University of Medical Sciences, Mashhad, Iran; Department of Pharmacodynamics and Toxicology, School of Pharmacy, Mashhad University of Medical Sciences, Mashhad, Iran
| | - Ali Moghimi
- Rayan Research Center for Neuroscience & Behavior, Department of Biology, Faculty of Science, Ferdowsi University of Mashhad, Iran.
| | - Soghra Mehri
- Department of Pharmacodynamics and Toxicology, School of Pharmacy, Mashhad University of Medical Sciences, Mashhad, Iran
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38
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Romanowski EF, McNamara N. Surgery for Intractable Epilepsy in Pediatrics, a Systematic Review of Outcomes other than Seizure Freedom. Semin Pediatr Neurol 2021; 39:100928. [PMID: 34620460 DOI: 10.1016/j.spen.2021.100928] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/16/2021] [Revised: 08/23/2021] [Accepted: 08/27/2021] [Indexed: 11/25/2022]
Abstract
To perform a systematic review evaluating reported outcomes for epilepsy surgery in pediatric patients with pharmacoresistant epilepsy beyond seizure control, including impact on quality of life, behavioral, neurocognitive outcomes as well as complications, and death. We reviewed articles from both EMBASE and MEDLINE/PubMed articles that met formal criteria (patients ≤18 years, those with intractable epilepsy, at least 5 patients in the case series, published in peer-reviewed journal). Each reviewer independently reviewed the articles and those with discrepancies were discussed and consensus was reached. Out of a total of 536 abstracts obtained from EMBASE and MEDLINE/PubMed searches combined with additional cross-referencing, a total of 98 manuscripts ultimately met all inclusion criteria. The manuscripts were divided into 3 outcomes categories: Quality of Life (16), Cognitive Outcomes (60), and Deficits and Complications (50). Several papers fell into more than 1 category. These were separated by surgical types and evaluated. We found that overall reporting in all domains was variable and inconsistent amongst the different studies. This systematic review highlights the lack of completeness in reporting outcomes and complications involving pediatric epilepsy surgery and discordant results. This underscores the importance of multicenter systematic prospective data collection in pediatric patients who undergo pediatric epilepsy surgery.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Nancy McNamara
- Division of Pediatric Neurology, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI.
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Ahmad Fauzi A, Patrick Engkasan J. What are the effects of intravenous immunoglobulins on seizures and quality of life of people with epilepsy? A Cochrane Review summary with commentary. Dev Med Child Neurol 2021; 63:501-502. [PMID: 33559130 DOI: 10.1111/dmcn.14835] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 01/22/2021] [Indexed: 11/28/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Aishah Ahmad Fauzi
- Department of Rehabilitation Medicine, Faculty of Medicine, University of Malaya, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia
| | - Julia Patrick Engkasan
- Department of Rehabilitation Medicine, Faculty of Medicine, University of Malaya, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia
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Hodges SL, Womble PD, Kwok EM, Darner AM, Senger SS, Binder MS, Faust AM, Condon SM, Nolan SO, Quintero SI, Lugo JN. Rapamycin, but not minocycline, significantly alters ultrasonic vocalization behavior in C57BL/6J pups in a flurothyl seizure model. Behav Brain Res 2021; 410:113317. [PMID: 33910029 DOI: 10.1016/j.bbr.2021.113317] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/21/2020] [Revised: 02/24/2021] [Accepted: 04/21/2021] [Indexed: 12/11/2022]
Abstract
Epilepsy is one of the most common neurological disorders, with individuals having an increased susceptibility of seizures in the first few years of life, making children at risk of developing a multitude of cognitive and behavioral comorbidities throughout development. The present study examined the role of PI3K/Akt/mTOR pathway activity and neuroinflammatory signaling in the development of autistic-like behavior following seizures in the neonatal period. Male and female C57BL/6J mice were administered 3 flurothyl seizures on postnatal (PD) 10, followed by administration of minocycline, the mTOR inhibitor rapamycin, or a combined treatment of both therapeutics. On PD12, isolation-induced ultrasonic vocalizations (USVs) of mice were examined to determine the impact of seizures and treatment on communicative behaviors, a component of the autistic-like phenotype. Seizures on PD10 increased the quantity of USVs in female mice and reduced the amount of complex call types emitted in males compared to controls. Inhibition of mTOR with rapamycin significantly reduced the quantity and duration of USVs in both sexes. Changes in USVs were associated with increases in mTOR and astrocyte levels in male mice, however, three PD10 seizures did not result in enhanced proinflammatory cytokine expression in either sex. Beyond inhibition of mTOR activity by rapamycin, both therapeutics did not demonstrate beneficial effects. These findings emphasize the importance of differences that may exist across preclinical seizure models, as three flurothyl seizures did not induce as drastic of changes in mTOR activity or inflammation as observed in other rodent models.
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Affiliation(s)
- Samantha L Hodges
- Institute of Biomedical Studies, Baylor University, Waco, TX, 76798, USA.
| | - Paige D Womble
- Department of Psychology and Neuroscience, Baylor University, Waco, TX, 76798, USA
| | - Eliesse M Kwok
- Department of Psychology and Neuroscience, Baylor University, Waco, TX, 76798, USA
| | - Alyssa M Darner
- Department of Psychology and Neuroscience, Baylor University, Waco, TX, 76798, USA
| | - Savannah S Senger
- Department of Psychology and Neuroscience, Baylor University, Waco, TX, 76798, USA
| | - Matthew S Binder
- Department of Psychology and Neuroscience, Baylor University, Waco, TX, 76798, USA
| | - Amanda M Faust
- Department of Psychology and Neuroscience, Baylor University, Waco, TX, 76798, USA
| | - Siena M Condon
- Department of Psychology and Neuroscience, Baylor University, Waco, TX, 76798, USA
| | - Suzanne O Nolan
- Department of Psychology and Neuroscience, Baylor University, Waco, TX, 76798, USA
| | - Saul I Quintero
- Department of Psychology and Neuroscience, Baylor University, Waco, TX, 76798, USA
| | - Joaquin N Lugo
- Institute of Biomedical Studies, Baylor University, Waco, TX, 76798, USA; Department of Psychology and Neuroscience, Baylor University, Waco, TX, 76798, USA; Department of Biology, Baylor University, Waco, TX, 76798, USA
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Crespo M, León-Navarro DA, Martín M. Glutamatergic System is Affected in Brain from an Hyperthermia-Induced Seizures Rat Model. Cell Mol Neurobiol 2021; 42:1501-1512. [PMID: 33492599 DOI: 10.1007/s10571-021-01041-2] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/31/2020] [Accepted: 01/11/2021] [Indexed: 12/22/2022]
Abstract
One of the most frequent neurological disorders in children is febrile seizures (FS), a risk for epilepsy in adults. Glutamate is the main excitatory neurotransmitter in CNS acting through ionotropic and metabotropic receptors. Excess of glutamate in the extracellular space elicits excitotoxicity and has been associated with neurological disorders, such as epilepsy. The removal of extracellular glutamate by excitatory amino acid transporters (EATT) plays an important neuroprotective role. GLT-1 is the main EAAT present in the cortex brain. On the other hand, an increase in metabotropic glutamate receptors 5 (mGlu5R) levels or their overstimulation have been related to the appearance of seizure events in different animal models and in temporal lobe epilepsy in humans. In this work, the status of several components of the glutamatergic system has been analysed in the cortex brain from an FS rat model at short (48 h) and long (20 days) term after hyperthermia-induced seizures. At the short term, we detected increased GLT-1 levels, reduced glutamate concentration, and unchanged mGlu5R levels, without neuronal loss. However, at the long term, an increase in mGlu5R levels together with a decrease in both GLT-1 and glutamate levels were observed. These changes were associated with the appearance of an anxious phenotype. These results suggest a neuroprotective role of the glutamatergic components mGlu5R and GLT-1 at the short term. However, this neuroprotective effect seems to be lost at the long term, leading to an anxious phenotype and suggesting an increased vulnerability and propensity to epileptic events in adults.
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Affiliation(s)
- M Crespo
- Department of Inorganic, Organic and Biochemistry, Faculty of Chemical and Technological Sciences, School of Medicine of Ciudad Real, Universidad de Castilla-La Mancha, Regional Centre of Biomedical Research (CRIB), Avenida Camilo José Cela, 10, 13071, Ciudad Real, Spain
| | - D A León-Navarro
- Department of Inorganic, Organic and Biochemistry, Faculty of Chemical and Technological Sciences, School of Medicine of Ciudad Real, Universidad de Castilla-La Mancha, Regional Centre of Biomedical Research (CRIB), Avenida Camilo José Cela, 10, 13071, Ciudad Real, Spain.
| | - M Martín
- Department of Inorganic, Organic and Biochemistry, Faculty of Chemical and Technological Sciences, School of Medicine of Ciudad Real, Universidad de Castilla-La Mancha, Regional Centre of Biomedical Research (CRIB), Avenida Camilo José Cela, 10, 13071, Ciudad Real, Spain
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Abstract
PURPOSE OF REVIEW To review the evolution of the concept of epileptic encephalopathy during the course of past years and analyze how the current definition might impact on both clinical practice and research. RECENT FINDINGS Developmental delay in children with epilepsy could be the expression of the cause, consequence of intense epileptiform activity (seizures and EEG abnormalities), or because of the combination of both factors. Therefore, the current International League Against Epilepsy classification identified three electroclinical entities that are those of developmental encephalopathy, epileptic encephalopathy, and developmental and epileptic encephalopathy (DEE). Many biological pathways could be involved in the pathogenesis of DEEs. DNA repair, transcriptional regulation, axon myelination, metabolite and ion transport, and peroxisomal function could all be involved in DEE. Also, epilepsy and epileptiform discharges might impact on cognition via several mechanisms, although they are not fully understood. SUMMARY The correct and early identification of cause in DEE might increase the chances of a targeted treatment regimen. Interfering with neurobiological processes of the disease will be the most successful way in order to improve both the cognitive disturbances and epilepsy that are the key features of DEE.
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Fóthi Á, Soorya L, Lőrincz A. The Autism Palette: Combinations of Impairments Explain the Heterogeneity in ASD. Front Psychiatry 2020; 11:503462. [PMID: 33343403 PMCID: PMC7738611 DOI: 10.3389/fpsyt.2020.503462] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/22/2020] [Accepted: 09/23/2020] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Autism spectrum disorder (ASD) is a heterogeneous neuropsychiatric condition traditionally defined by core symptoms in social behavior, speech/communication, repetitive behavior, and restricted interests. Beyond the core symptoms, autism has strong association with other disorders such as intellectual disability (ID), epilepsy, schizophrenia among many others. This paper outlines a theory of ASD with capacity to connect heterogeneous "core" symptoms, medical and psychiatric comorbidities as well as other etiological theories of autism in a unifying cognitive framework rooted in neuroscience and genetics. Cognition is embedded into an ever-developing structure modified by experiences, including the outcomes of environment influencing behaviors. The key constraint of cognition is that the brain can handle only 7±2 relevant variables at a time, whereas sensory variables, i.e., the number of sensory neurons is orders of magnitude larger. As a result, (a) the extraction, (b) the encoding, and (c) the capability for the efficient cognitive manipulation of the relevant variables, and (d) the compensatory mechanisms that counteract computational delays of the distributed components are critical. We outline our theoretical model to describe a Cartesian Factor (CF) forming, autoencoder-like cognitive mechanism which breaks combinatorial explosion and is accelerated by internal reinforcing machineries and discuss the neural processes that support CF formation. Impairments in any of these aspects may disrupt learning, cognitive manipulation, decisions on interactions, and execution of decisions. We suggest that social interactions are the most susceptible to combinations of diverse small impairments and can be spoiled in many ways that pile up. Comorbidity is experienced, if any of the many potential impairments is relatively strong. We consider component spoiling impairments as the basic colors of autism, whereas the combinations of individual impairments make the palette of autism. We put forth arguments on the possibility of dissociating the different main elements of the impairments that can appear together. For example, impairments of generalization (domain general learning) and impairments of dealing with many variable problems, such as social situations may appear independently and may mutually enhance their impacts. We also consider mechanisms that may lead to protection.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ábel Fóthi
- Institute of Enzymology, Research Centre for Natural Sciences, Budapest, Hungary
- Department of Artificial Intelligence, Faculty of Informatics, Eötvös Loránd University, Budapest, Hungary
| | - Latha Soorya
- Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, Rush Medical College, Chicago, IL, United States
| | - András Lőrincz
- Department of Artificial Intelligence, Faculty of Informatics, Eötvös Loránd University, Budapest, Hungary
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Ahmed GK, Darwish AM, Khalifa H, Khashbah MA. Comparison of cognitive function, socioeconomic level, and the health-related quality of life between epileptic patients with attention deficit hyperactivity disorder and without. MIDDLE EAST CURRENT PSYCHIATRY 2020. [DOI: 10.1186/s43045-020-00054-9] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/03/2023] Open
Abstract
Abstract
Background
Epilepsy is one of the most common neurological conditions. Attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) in children with epilepsy proves to be very common. Both epilepsy and ADHD impair quality of life. We aimed to evaluate cognitive function, socioeconomic level, and quality of life (QOL) among children with ADHD and epilepsy. A total of 100 children were divided into 5 groups (20 children/group) as (I) epilepsy, (II) ADHD with epilepsy, (III) ADHD with EEG changes, (IV) ADHD without EEG changes, and (V) control. Children aged between 6 and 11 years were recruited for this study. Early Childhood Epilepsy Severity Scale (E-Chess), Conners’ Parent Rating Scale (CPRS), Wechsler Intelligence Scale for Children-3rd edition (WISC-III), socioeconomic scale for assessment of social burden and socioeconomic classes, and PedsQL (quality of life measure) assessed.
Results
Children with ADHD and epilepsy had the lowest PedsQL total scores and lower scores than other groups especially in performance IQ score. The highest percentage of low socioeconomic class (25%) was observed in the group of ADHD with epilepsy and the group of epilepsy.
Conclusion
ADHD with epilepsy is associated with low performance IQ, poor socioeconomic level, and quality of life. Pediatric Quality of Life Inventory scores show significant correlation with total IQ score in the group of ADHD with epilepsy.
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Kloc ML, Velasquez F, Niedecker RW, Barry JM, Holmes GL. Disruption of hippocampal rhythms via optogenetic stimulation during the critical period for memory development impairs spatial cognition. Brain Stimul 2020; 13:1535-1547. [PMID: 32871261 DOI: 10.1016/j.brs.2020.08.011] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/02/2020] [Revised: 08/14/2020] [Accepted: 08/18/2020] [Indexed: 12/12/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Hippocampal oscillations play a critical role in the ontogeny of allocentric memory in rodents. During the critical period for memory development, hippocampal theta is the driving force behind the temporal coordination of neuronal ensembles underpinning spatial memory. While known that hippocampal oscillations are necessary for normal spatial cognition, whether disrupted hippocampal oscillatory activity during the critical period impairs long-term spatial memory is unknown. Here we investigated whether disruption of normal hippocampal rhythms during the critical period have enduring effects on allocentric memory in rodents. OBJECTIVE/HYPOTHESIS We hypothesized that disruption of hippocampal oscillations via artificial regulation of the medial septum during the critical period for memory development results in long-standing deficits in spatial cognition. METHODS After demonstrating that pan-neuronal medial septum (MS) optogenetic stimulation (465 nm activated) regulated hippocampal oscillations in weanling rats we used a random pattern of stimulation frequencies to disrupt hippocampal theta rhythms for either 1Hr or 5hr a day between postnatal (P) days 21-25. Non-stimulated and yellow light-stimulated (590 nm) rats served as controls. At P50-60 all rats were tested for spatial cognition in the active avoidance task. Rats were then sacrificed, and the MS and hippocampus assessed for cell loss. Power spectrum density of the MS and hippocampus, coherences and voltage correlations between MS and hippocampus were evaluated at baseline for a range of stimulation frequencies from 0.5 to 110 Hz and during disruptive hippocampal stimulation. Unpaired t-tests and ANOVA were used to compare oscillatory parameters, behavior and cell density in all animals. RESULTS Non-selective optogenetic stimulation of the MS in P21 rats resulted in precise regulation of hippocampal oscillations with 1:1 entrainment between stimulation frequency (0.5-110 Hz) and hippocampal local field potentials. Across bandwidths MS stimulation increased power, coherence and voltage correlation at all frequencies whereas the disruptive stimulation increased power and reduced coherence and voltage correlations with most statistical measures highly significant (p < 0.001, following correction for false detection). Rats receiving disruptive hippocampal stimulation during the critical period for memory development for either 1Hr or 5hr had marked impairment in spatial learning as measured in active avoidance test compared to non-stimulated or yellow light-control rats (p < 0.001). No cell loss was measured between the blue-stimulated and non-stimulated or yellow light-stimulated controls in either the MS or hippocampus. CONCLUSION The results demonstrated that robust regulation of hippocampal oscillations can be achieved with non-selective optogenetic stimulation of the MS in rat pups. A disruptive hippocampal stimulation protocol, which markedly increases power and reduces coherence and voltage correlations between the MS and hippocampus during the critical period of memory development, results in long-standing spatial cognitive deficits. This spatial cognitive impairment is not a result of optogenetic stimulation-induced cell loss.
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Affiliation(s)
- Michelle L Kloc
- Epilepsy Development and Cognition Group, Department of Neurological Sciences, University of Vermont, Larner College of Medicine, Burlington, VT, USA
| | - Francisco Velasquez
- Epilepsy Development and Cognition Group, Department of Neurological Sciences, University of Vermont, Larner College of Medicine, Burlington, VT, USA
| | - Rhys W Niedecker
- Epilepsy Development and Cognition Group, Department of Neurological Sciences, University of Vermont, Larner College of Medicine, Burlington, VT, USA
| | - Jeremy M Barry
- Epilepsy Development and Cognition Group, Department of Neurological Sciences, University of Vermont, Larner College of Medicine, Burlington, VT, USA
| | - Gregory L Holmes
- Epilepsy Development and Cognition Group, Department of Neurological Sciences, University of Vermont, Larner College of Medicine, Burlington, VT, USA.
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Recurrent seizures cause immature brain injury and changes in GABA a receptor α1 and γ2 subunits. Epilepsy Res 2020; 163:106328. [DOI: 10.1016/j.eplepsyres.2020.106328] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/09/2020] [Revised: 03/05/2020] [Accepted: 03/31/2020] [Indexed: 02/07/2023]
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Atabaki R, Roohbakhsh A, Moghimi A, Mehri S. Protective effects of maternal administration of curcumin and hesperidin in the rat offspring following repeated febrile seizure: Role of inflammation and TLR4. Int Immunopharmacol 2020; 86:106720. [PMID: 32585605 DOI: 10.1016/j.intimp.2020.106720] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/23/2020] [Revised: 06/15/2020] [Accepted: 06/15/2020] [Indexed: 12/12/2022]
Abstract
Neuroinflammation has a key role in seizure generation and perpetuation in the neonatal period, and toll-like receptor 4 (TLR4) pathway has a prominent role in neuroinflammatory diseases. Administration of antioxidants and targeting TLR4 in the embryonic period may protect rat offspring against the next incidence of febrile seizure and its harmful effects. Curcumin and hesperidin are natural compounds with anti-inflammatory and antioxidant properties and have an inhibitory action on TLR4 receptors. We evaluated the effect of maternal administration of curcumin and hesperidin on infantile febrile seizure and subsequent memory dysfunction in adulthood. Hyperthermia febrile seizure was induced on postnatal days 9-11 on male rat pups with 24 h intervals, in a Plexiglas box that was heated to ~45 °C by a heat lamp. We used enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay, Western blotting, malondialdehyde (MDA), and glutathione (GSH) assessment for evaluation of inflammatory cytokine levels, TLR4 protein expression, and oxidative responses in the hippocampal tissues. For assessing working memory and long-term potentiation, the double Y-maze test and Schaffer collateral-CA1 in vivo electrophysiological recording were performed, respectively Our results showed that curcumin and hesperidin decreased TNF-α, IL-10, and TLR4 protein expression and reversed memory dysfunction. However, they did not provoke a significant effect on GSH content or amplitude and slope of recorded fEPSPs in the hippocampus. In addition, curcumin, but not hesperidin, decreased interleukin-1β (IL-1β) and MDA levels. These findings imply that curcumin and hesperidin induced significant protective effects on febrile seizures, possibly via their anti-inflammatory and antioxidant properties and downregulation of TLR4.
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Affiliation(s)
- Rabi Atabaki
- Rayan Center for Neuroscience & Behavior, Department of Biology, Faculty of Science, Ferdowsi University of Mashhad, Iran
| | - Ali Roohbakhsh
- Pharmaceutical Research Center, School of Pharmacy, Mashhad University of Medical Sciences, Mashhad, Iran; Department of Pharmacodynamics and Toxicology, School of Pharmacy, Mashhad University of Medical Sciences, Mashhad, Iran
| | - Ali Moghimi
- Rayan Center for Neuroscience & Behavior, Department of Biology, Faculty of Science, Ferdowsi University of Mashhad, Iran.
| | - Soghra Mehri
- Department of Pharmacodynamics and Toxicology, School of Pharmacy, Mashhad University of Medical Sciences, Mashhad, Iran
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Gil‐Nagel A, Álvarez Carriles J, Bermejo P, Carreño M, García‐Morales I, García Peñas JJ, López‐González FJ, Ruíz‐Falcó M, Sánchez JC, Tato C. Consensus statement for the management of generalized tonic-clonic seizures in Spain. Acta Neurol Scand 2020; 141:22-32. [PMID: 31529468 DOI: 10.1111/ane.13169] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/20/2019] [Revised: 08/08/2019] [Accepted: 09/10/2019] [Indexed: 12/17/2022]
Abstract
OBJECTIVE To develop recommendations for the management of patients with primary or secondary generalized tonic-clonic seizures (GTCS) based on best evidence and experience. METHODS The Delphi methodology was followed. A multidisciplinary panel of 10 experts was established, who defined the scope, users and preliminary recommendations. Systematic and narrative reviews of the current literature were performed to assess data on the risk of sudden unexpected death in epilepsy and the efficacy and safety of add-on therapy in patients with GTCS. Twenty-five definitive recommendations were generated which were then graded on a scale of 1 (totally disagree) to 10 (totally agree) by the experts and 45 neurologists. Consensus was reached if at least 70% of the participants applied a score of ≥7. Each recommendation was then assigned a level of evidence, a grade of agreement and a grade of recommendation. The entire process was supervised by an expert methodologist. RESULTS Overall, 24 out of 25 recommendations achieved consensus. These included specific recommendations on diagnosis, evaluation and treatment. The recommendations also emphasized the importance of proper psychological evaluation and effective communication between patients and health professionals, and the importance of patient and family education and support. SIGNIFICANCE The recommendations generated by this consensus can be used as a guide for the diagnosis and management of patients with GTCS.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | | | - Mar Carreño
- Hospital Clinic de Barcelona Barcelona Spain
| | | | | | | | | | - Juan Carlos Sánchez
- Complejo Hospitalario Universitario Parque Tecnológico de la Salud Granada Spain
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A single early-life seizure results in long-term behavioral changes in the adult Fmr1 knockout mouse. Epilepsy Res 2019; 157:106193. [PMID: 31520894 DOI: 10.1016/j.eplepsyres.2019.106193] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/14/2019] [Revised: 08/06/2019] [Accepted: 08/28/2019] [Indexed: 12/20/2022]
Abstract
Fragile X syndrome (FXS) is the leading cause of inherited intellectual disability and a significant genetic contributor to Autism spectrum disorder. In addition to autistic-like phenotypes, individuals with FXS are subject to developing numerous comorbidities, one of the most prevalent being seizures. In the present study, we investigated how a single early-life seizure superimposed on a genetic condition impacts the autistic-like behavioral phenotype of the mouse. We induced status epilepticus (SE) on postnatal day (PD) 10 in Fmr1 wild type (WT) and knockout (KO) mice. We then tested the mice in a battery of behavioral tests during adulthood (PD90) to examine the long-term impact of an early-life seizure. Our findings replicated prior work that reported a single instance of SE results in behavioral deficits, including increases in repetitive behavior, enhanced hippocampal-dependent learning, and reduced sociability and prepulse inhibition (p < 0.05). We also observed genotypic differences characteristic of the FXS phenotype in Fmr1 KO mice, such as enhanced prepulse inhibition and repetitive behavior, hyperactivity, and reduced startle responses (p < 0.05). Superimposing a seizure on deletion of Fmr1 significantly impacted repetitive behavior in a nosepoke task. Specifically, a single early-life seizure increased consecutive nose poking behavior in the task in WT mice (p < 0.05), yet seizures did not exacerbate the elevated stereotypy observed in Fmr1 KO mice (p > 0.05). Overall, these findings help to elucidate how seizures in a critical period of development can impact long-term behavioral manifestations caused by underlying gene mutations in Fmr1. Utilizing double-hit models, such as superimposing seizures on the Fmr1 mutation, can help to enhance our understanding of comorbidities in disease models.
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Encinas AC, Moore I(KM, Watkins JC, Hammer MF. Influence of age at seizure onset on the acquisition of neurodevelopmental skills in an SCN8A cohort. Epilepsia 2019; 60:1711-1720. [DOI: 10.1111/epi.16288] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/30/2019] [Revised: 06/24/2019] [Accepted: 06/24/2019] [Indexed: 11/28/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Alejandra C. Encinas
- Graduate Interdisciplinary Program in Genetics University of Arizona Tucson Arizona
| | | | - Joseph C. Watkins
- Graduate Interdisciplinary Program in Genetics University of Arizona Tucson Arizona
- Department of Mathematics University of Arizona Tucson Arizona
| | - Michael F. Hammer
- Graduate Interdisciplinary Program in Genetics University of Arizona Tucson Arizona
- Department of Neurology University of Arizona Tucson Arizona
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