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Thangarajh M, McDermott MP, Guglieri M, Griggs RC. Association between neurodevelopmental impairments and motor function in Duchenne muscular dystrophy. Ann Clin Transl Neurol 2023; 10:2285-2296. [PMID: 37804000 PMCID: PMC10723228 DOI: 10.1002/acn3.51914] [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: 05/22/2023] [Revised: 07/13/2023] [Accepted: 09/09/2023] [Indexed: 10/08/2023] Open
Abstract
OBJECTIVE We explored various prognostic factors of motor outcomes in corticosteroid-naive boys with Duchenne Muscular Dystrophy (DMD). METHODS The associations between parent-reported neurodevelopmental concerns (speech delay, speech and language difficulties (SLD), and learning difficulties), DMD mutation location, and motor outcomes (6-minute walk distance (6MWD), North Star Ambulatory Assessment (NSAA) total score, 10-meter walk/run velocity, and rise from floor velocity) were studied in 196 corticosteroid-naive boys from ages 4 to less than 8 years. RESULTS Participants with SLD walked 25.8 fewer meters in 6 minutes than those without SLD (p = 0.005) but did not demonstrate statistical differences in NSAA total score, 10-meter walk/run velocity, and rise from floor velocity. Participants with distal DMD mutations with learning difficulties walked 51.8 fewer meters in 6 minutes than those without learning difficulties (p = 0.0007). Participants with distal DMD mutations were slower on 10-meter walk/run velocity, and rise from floor velocity (p = 0.02) than those with proximal DMD mutations. Participants with distal DMD mutations, who reported speech delay or learning difficulties, were slower on rise from floor velocity (p = 0.04, p = 0.01) than those with proximal DMD mutations. The mean NSAA total score was lower in participants with learning difficulties than in those without (p = 0.004). INTERPRETATION Corticosteroid-naive boys with DMD with distal DMD mutations may perform worse on some timed function tests, and that those with learning difficulties may perform worse on the NSAA. Pending confirmatory studies, our data underscore the importance of considering co-existing neurodevelopmental symptoms on motor outcome measures.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mathula Thangarajh
- Department of NeurologyVirginia Commonwealth UniversityRichmondVirginiaUSA
| | - Michael P. McDermott
- University of Rochester Medical CenterSchool of Medicine and DentistryRochesterNew YorkUSA
| | - Michela Guglieri
- John Walton Muscular Dystrophy Research CentreNewcastle University and Newcastle Hospitals National Health Service Foundation TrustNewcastleUK
| | - Robert C. Griggs
- University of Rochester Medical CenterSchool of Medicine and DentistryRochesterNew YorkUSA
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Grounds MD, Lloyd EM. Considering the Promise of Vamorolone for Treating Duchenne Muscular Dystrophy. J Neuromuscul Dis 2023; 10:1013-1030. [PMID: 37927274 PMCID: PMC10657680 DOI: 10.3233/jnd-230161] [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] [Accepted: 09/25/2023] [Indexed: 11/07/2023]
Abstract
This commentary provides an independent consideration of data related to the drug vamorolone (VBP15) as an alternative steroid proposed for treatment of Duchenne muscular dystrophy (DMD). Glucocorticoids such as prednisone and deflazacort have powerful anti-inflammatory benefits and are the standard of care for DMD, but their long-term use can result in severe adverse side effects; thus, vamorolone was designed as a unique dissociative steroidal anti-inflammatory drug, to retain efficacy and minimise these adverse effects. Extensive clinical trials (ongoing) have investigated the use of vamorolone for DMD, with two trials also for limb-girdle muscular dystrophies including dysferlinopathy (current), plus a variety of pre-clinical trials published. Vamorolone looks very promising, with similar efficacy and some reduced adverse effects (e.g., related to height) compared with other glucocorticoids, specifically prednisone/prednisolone, although it has not yet been directly compared with deflazacort. Of particular interest to clarify is the optimal clinical dose and other aspects of vamorolone that are proposed to provide additional benefits for membranes of dystrophic muscle: to stabilise and protect the sarcolemma from damage and enhance repair. The use of vamorolone (and other glucocorticoids) needs to be evaluated in terms of overall long-term efficacy and cost, and also in comparison with many candidate non-steroidal drugs with anti-inflammatory and other benefits for DMD.
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Affiliation(s)
- Miranda D. Grounds
- Department of Anatomy, Physiology and Human Biology, School of Human Sciences, The University of Western Australia, Perth, Western Australia, Australia
| | - Erin M. Lloyd
- Department of Anatomy, Physiology and Human Biology, School of Human Sciences, The University of Western Australia, Perth, Western Australia, Australia
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Pascual-Morena C, Cavero-Redondo I, Álvarez-Bueno C, Jiménez-López E, Saz-Lara A, Martínez-García I, Martínez-Vizcaíno V. Global prevalence of intellectual developmental disorder in dystrophinopathies: A systematic review and meta-analysis. Dev Med Child Neurol 2022; 65:734-744. [PMID: 36440509 DOI: 10.1111/dmcn.15481] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/06/2022] [Revised: 09/16/2022] [Accepted: 11/08/2022] [Indexed: 11/29/2022]
Abstract
AIM To estimate the global prevalence of intellectual developmental disorder (IDD) and the IDD prevalence-genotype association in Becker muscular dystrophy (BMD) or Duchenne muscular dystrophy (DMD) according to the affected isoforms of the DMD gene: Dp427, Dp140, Dp71. METHOD Systematic searches in MEDLINE, Scopus, Web of Science, and the Cochrane Library were conducted from inception of each database to March 2022. Observational studies that determined the prevalence of IDD in the population with BMD or DMD were included. Meta-analyses of IDD prevalence and prevalence ratios of the IDD-genotype association were conducted. RESULTS Forty-nine studies were included. The prevalence of IDD in BMD was 8.0% (95% confidence interval 5.0-11.0), and in DMD it was 22.0% (18.0-27.0). Meta-analyses of IDD-genotype association showed a deleterious association between IDD and the number of isoforms affected in DMD, with a prevalence ratio = 0.43 (0.28-0.64) and 0.17 (0.09-0.34) for Dp140+ /Dp71+ versus Dp140- /Dp71+ and Dp140+ /Dp71+ versus Dp140- /Dp71- comparisons respectively. However, in BMD, there was no association for Dp140+ /Dp71+ versus Dp140- /Dp71+ . INTERPRETATION There is a high prevalence of IDD in BMD and DMD. Moreover, the number of isoforms affected is strongly and negatively associated with the prevalence of IDD in DMD.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Iván Cavero-Redondo
- Facultad de Ciencias de la Salud, Universidad Autónoma de Chile, Talca, Chile
| | - Celia Álvarez-Bueno
- Health and Social Research Center, Universidad de Castilla-La Mancha, Cuenca, Spain.,Universidad Politécnica y Artística del Paraguay, Asunción, Paraguay
| | - Estela Jiménez-López
- Health and Social Research Center, Universidad de Castilla-La Mancha, Cuenca, Spain
| | - Alicia Saz-Lara
- Health and Social Research Center, Universidad de Castilla-La Mancha, Cuenca, Spain
| | | | - Vicente Martínez-Vizcaíno
- Health and Social Research Center, Universidad de Castilla-La Mancha, Cuenca, Spain.,Facultad de Ciencias de la Salud, Universidad Autónoma de Chile, Talca, Chile
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Passos-Bueno MR, Costa CIS, Zatz M. Dystrophin genetic variants and autism. DISCOVER MENTAL HEALTH 2022; 2:4. [PMID: 37861890 PMCID: PMC10501027 DOI: 10.1007/s44192-022-00008-z] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/29/2021] [Accepted: 02/07/2022] [Indexed: 10/21/2023]
Abstract
Loss-of-function variants in the dystrophin gene, a well-known cause of muscular dystrophies, have emerged as a mutational risk mechanism for autism spectrum disorder (ASD), which in turn is a highly prevalent (~ 1%) genetically heterogeneous neurodevelopmental disorder. Although the association of intellectual disability with the dystrophinopathies Duchenne (DMD) and Becker muscular dystrophy (BMD) has been long established, their association with ASD is more recent, and the dystrophin genotype-ASD phenotype correlation is unclear. We therefore present a review of the literature focused on the ASD prevalence among dystrophinopathies, the relevance of the dystrophin isoforms, and most particularly the relevance of the genetic background to the etiology of ASD in these patients. Four families with ASD-DMD/BMD patients are also reported here for the first time. These include a single ASD individual, ASD-discordant and ASD-concordant monozygotic twins, and non-identical ASD triplets. Notably, two unrelated individuals, which were first ascertained because of the ASD phenotype at ages 15 and 5 years respectively, present rare dystrophin variants still poorly characterized, suggesting that some dystrophin variants may compromise the brain more prominently. Whole exome sequencing in these ASD-DMD/BMD individuals together with the literature suggest, although based on preliminary data, a complex and heterogeneous genetic architecture underlying ASD in dystrophinopathies, that include rare variants of large and medium effect. The need for the establishment of a consortia for genomic investigation of ASD-DMD/BMD patients, which may shed light on the genetic architecture of ASD, is discussed.
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Affiliation(s)
- Maria Rita Passos-Bueno
- Departamento de Genética e Biologia Evolutiva, Centro de Estudos do Genoma Humano e Células-Tronco, Instituto de Biociências, Universidade de São Paulo, São Paulo, SP, Brazil.
| | - Claudia Ismania Samogy Costa
- Departamento de Genética e Biologia Evolutiva, Centro de Estudos do Genoma Humano e Células-Tronco, Instituto de Biociências, Universidade de São Paulo, São Paulo, SP, Brazil
| | - Mayana Zatz
- Departamento de Genética e Biologia Evolutiva, Centro de Estudos do Genoma Humano e Células-Tronco, Instituto de Biociências, Universidade de São Paulo, São Paulo, SP, Brazil
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Psychopharmacological Treatments for Mental Disorders in Patients with Neuromuscular Diseases: A Scoping Review. Brain Sci 2022; 12:brainsci12020176. [PMID: 35203936 PMCID: PMC8870619 DOI: 10.3390/brainsci12020176] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/01/2021] [Revised: 01/11/2022] [Accepted: 01/18/2022] [Indexed: 12/05/2022] Open
Abstract
Mental disorders are observed in neuromuscular diseases, especially now that patients are living longer. Psychiatric symptoms may be severe and psychopharmacological treatments may be required. However, very little is known about pharmacotherapy in these conditions. We aimed to summarize the current knowledge on the use of psychopharmacological treatments for mental disorders in patients living with a neuromuscular disease. A scoping review was performed using the methodology of the Joanna Briggs Institute. Four databases were searched from January 2000 to July 2021. Articles were screened based on titles and abstracts. Full-text papers published in peer-reviewed journals in English were selected. Twenty-six articles met eligibility criteria, all being case reports/series focusing on the psychopharmacological control of psychiatric symptoms for the following conditions: myasthenia gravis (n = 11), Duchenne (n = 5) and Becker (n = 3) muscular dystrophy, mitochondrial disorders (n = 3), glycogen storage disease (n = 1), myotonic dystrophy (n = 1), hyperkalemic periodic paralysis (n = 1), and congenital myasthenic syndrome (n = 1). None of the articles provided details on the decision-making process to choose a specific drug/regimen or on follow-up strategies to monitor safety and efficacy. Larger studies showing real-world data would be required to guide consensus-based recommendations, thus improving current standards of care and, ultimately, the quality of life of patients and their families.
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Thangarajh M, Bello L, Gordish-Dressman H. Longitudinal motor function in proximal versus distal DMD pathogenic variants. Muscle Nerve 2021; 64:467-473. [PMID: 34255858 DOI: 10.1002/mus.27371] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/22/2020] [Revised: 07/02/2021] [Accepted: 07/09/2021] [Indexed: 11/08/2022]
Abstract
INTRODUCTION/AIMS There is considerable heterogenicity in clinical outcomes in Duchenne muscular dystrophy (DMD). The aim of this study was to assess whether dystrophin gene (DMD) pathogenic variant location influences upper or lower extremity motor function outcomes in a large prospective cohort. METHODS We used longitudinal timed and quantitative motor function measurements obtained from 154 boys with DMD over a 10-y period by the Cooperative International Neuromuscular Research Group Duchenne Natural History Study (CINRG-DNHS) to understand how the trajectories of motor function differ based on proximal versus distal DMD pathogenic variants. Proximal variants were defined as located proximal to 5' DMD intron 44, and distal variants as those including nucleotides 3' DMD including intron 44. Distal DMD variants are predicted to alter the expression of short dystrophin isoforms (Dp140, Dp116, and Dp71). We compared various upper extremity and lower extremity motor function measures in these two groups, after adjusting for total lifetime corticosteroid use. RESULTS The time to loss-of-ambulation and timed motor function measurements of both upper and lower limbs over a 10-y period were comparable between boys with proximal (n = 53) and distal (n = 101) DMD pathogenic variants. Age had a significant effect on several motor function outcomes. Boys younger than 7 y of age (n = 49) showed gain in function whereas boys 7 y and older (n = 71) declined, regardless of dystrophin pathogenic variant location. DISCUSSION The longitudinal decline in upper and lower motor function is independent of proximal versus distal location of DMD pathogenic variants.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mathula Thangarajh
- Department of Neurology, Virginia Commonwealth University, Richmond, Virginia, USA
| | - Luca Bello
- Department of Neurosciences DNS, University of Padova, Padova, Italy
| | - Heather Gordish-Dressman
- Center for Genetic Medicine, Children's Research Institute, Children's National Health System, Washington, District of Columbia, USA
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Suthar R, Kesavan S, Sharawat I, Malviya M, Sirari T, Sihag B, Saini A, Jyothi V, Sankhyan N. The expanding spectrum of dystrophinopathies: HyperCKemia to manifest female carriers. J Pediatr Neurosci 2021; 16:206-211. [PMID: 36160614 PMCID: PMC9496612 DOI: 10.4103/jpn.jpn_89_20] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/21/2020] [Accepted: 07/07/2020] [Indexed: 11/17/2022] Open
Abstract
Background: X-linked dystrophinopathies have a wide spectrum of manifestation. The most common forms are severe Duchenne muscular dystrophy (DMD) and Becker’s muscular dystrophy (BMD). However, less common manifestations are isolated cardiomyopathy, myalgia, cramps, rhabdomyolysis, hyperCKemia, and manifest female carriers. Materials and Methods: This case series is a part of an ongoing long-term prospective cohort of children with DMD and BMD from the year 2013. The clinical details are maintained in the clinic files and standard management protocols are followed. For this case series, clinical details were collected from the clinic files and recorded on a case record proforma. Details of cardiology, radiology, and genetic investigations were collected. Results: We report cases of classical DMD, BMD, manifest female carrier with proximal pelvic girdle weakness, a female carrier with isolated dilated cardiomyopathy, and infantile-onset asymptomatic hyperCKemia. We also report less common but notable clinical presentations of DMD, autism, intellectual disability, epilepsy, and asymptomatic transaminitis. Conclusions: It is important for clinicians to be aware of these less common clinical presentations for prompt diagnosis, and to avoid unnecessary investigations. Here, we report the clinical spectrum of dystrophinopathies seen in pediatric neuromuscular clinic and emphasize the variability and expanding knowledge about different manifestations of dystrophinopathies.
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Lambert JT, Darmahkasih AJ, Horn PS, Rybalsky I, Shellenbarger KC, Tian C, Wong BL. Neurodevelopmental, behavioral, and emotional symptoms in Becker muscular dystrophy. Muscle Nerve 2019; 61:156-162. [PMID: 31650559 DOI: 10.1002/mus.26750] [Citation(s) in RCA: 19] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/19/2019] [Revised: 10/11/2019] [Accepted: 10/19/2019] [Indexed: 11/10/2022]
Abstract
INTRODUCTION Becker muscular dystrophy (BMD) results in decreased dystrophin with implications for mental health. METHODS This is a retrospective case series of neurodevelopmental, behavioral, and emotional symptoms and respective pharmacotherapies of 70 patients with BMD. RESULTS Fifty-four (77.1%) patients exhibited at least one symptom, and 19 (27.1%) patients exhibited four or more symptoms. The most prevalent symptoms were specific learning disabilities or special education needs (31.4%), inattention/hyperactivity (35.7%), language/speech delays (35.7%), and emotional or behavioral dysregulation (38.6%). Fisher's exact tests indicated that anxiety was more prevalent with mutations upstream of exon 30 (P = .049), but the prevalence of other symptoms did not differ with respect to mutation sites. Similarly, the number of symptoms individual patients with BMD exhibited did not differ with respect to mutation sites. Seventeen (24.3%) patients required pharmacotherapy to manage symptoms. DISCUSSION Neurodevelopmental, behavioral, and emotional symptoms are prevalent in patients with BMD regardless of dystrophin gene mutation site.
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Affiliation(s)
- Joshua T Lambert
- Neurology Division, Cincinnati Children's Hospital Medical Center, Cincinnati, Ohio
| | - Andrew J Darmahkasih
- Pediatric Residency Program, University of California-Irvine/Children's Hospital of Orange County, Orange, California
| | - Paul S Horn
- Division of Neurology, Department of Pediatrics, College of Medicine, University of Cincinnati, Cincinnati, Ohio
| | - Irina Rybalsky
- Neurology Division, Cincinnati Children's Hospital Medical Center, Cincinnati, Ohio
| | - Karen C Shellenbarger
- Department of Pediatrics, University of Massachusetts Medical School, Worcester, Massachusetts
| | - Cuixia Tian
- Division of Neurology, Department of Pediatrics, College of Medicine, University of Cincinnati, Cincinnati, Ohio
| | - Brenda L Wong
- Department of Pediatrics, University of Massachusetts Medical School, Worcester, Massachusetts
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Thangarajh M, Hendriksen J, McDermott MP, Martens W, Hart KA, Griggs RC. Relationships between DMD mutations and neurodevelopment in dystrophinopathy. Neurology 2019; 93:e1597-e1604. [PMID: 31594858 DOI: 10.1212/wnl.0000000000008363] [Citation(s) in RCA: 31] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/20/2018] [Accepted: 05/22/2019] [Indexed: 12/19/2022] Open
Abstract
OBJECTIVE We performed a prospective, cross-sectional analysis of neurodevelopmental concerns and psychosocial adjustment in relation to DMD mutations in young steroid-naive boys with dystrophinopathy. METHODS We evaluated 196 steroid-naive boys with dystrophinopathy who were enrolled in the Finding the Optimal Regimen for Duchenne Muscular Dystrophy trial. The neurodevelopmental concerns and psychosocial adjustment challenges were analyzed in relation to DMD mutation. A parent or legal guardian reported neurodevelopmental concerns in 4 domains (speech, learning and attentional difficulties, and autism spectrum disorder [ASD]) and completed the Personal Adjustment and Role Skills Scale to assess psychosocial adjustment. We also assessed whether boys of DMD carrier mothers were more vulnerable to speech delay and learning difficulties. RESULTS We found that 39% of boys were reported to have speech delay with a mean age of speaking at 28 months (range 7-66 months). Learning difficulties were reported in 28% of participants. Inattentive-overactive and oppositional-defiant behavior was reported in 8% and 5% of participants, respectively. Psychosocial adjustment challenges were reported in 4% of participants. An ASD diagnosis was reported in 3 participants. Speech delay and learning difficulties were more common in boys with mutations downstream of DMD exon 45. Neurodevelopmental concerns were not associated with DMD deletion, duplication, or point mutation subtype. Boys of DMD carrier mothers did not have longer speech delay or more learning difficulties. CONCLUSION Our data support evidence for a relationship between neurodevelopmental concerns and DMD mutation. A longitudinal assessment of developmental trajectory is necessary to evaluate how specific DMD mutations affect brain function.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mathula Thangarajh
- From the Department of Neurology (M.T.), Children's National Health System, Washington, DC; Kempenhaeghe Center for Neurological Learning Disabilities (J.H.), Heeze, the Netherlands; and School of Medicine and Dentistry (M.P.M., W.M., K.A.H., R.C.G.), University of Rochester Medical Center, NY. M.T. is currently affiliated with the Department of Neurology, Virginia Commonwealth University, Richmond.
| | - Jos Hendriksen
- From the Department of Neurology (M.T.), Children's National Health System, Washington, DC; Kempenhaeghe Center for Neurological Learning Disabilities (J.H.), Heeze, the Netherlands; and School of Medicine and Dentistry (M.P.M., W.M., K.A.H., R.C.G.), University of Rochester Medical Center, NY. M.T. is currently affiliated with the Department of Neurology, Virginia Commonwealth University, Richmond
| | - Michael P McDermott
- From the Department of Neurology (M.T.), Children's National Health System, Washington, DC; Kempenhaeghe Center for Neurological Learning Disabilities (J.H.), Heeze, the Netherlands; and School of Medicine and Dentistry (M.P.M., W.M., K.A.H., R.C.G.), University of Rochester Medical Center, NY. M.T. is currently affiliated with the Department of Neurology, Virginia Commonwealth University, Richmond
| | - William Martens
- From the Department of Neurology (M.T.), Children's National Health System, Washington, DC; Kempenhaeghe Center for Neurological Learning Disabilities (J.H.), Heeze, the Netherlands; and School of Medicine and Dentistry (M.P.M., W.M., K.A.H., R.C.G.), University of Rochester Medical Center, NY. M.T. is currently affiliated with the Department of Neurology, Virginia Commonwealth University, Richmond
| | - Kimberly A Hart
- From the Department of Neurology (M.T.), Children's National Health System, Washington, DC; Kempenhaeghe Center for Neurological Learning Disabilities (J.H.), Heeze, the Netherlands; and School of Medicine and Dentistry (M.P.M., W.M., K.A.H., R.C.G.), University of Rochester Medical Center, NY. M.T. is currently affiliated with the Department of Neurology, Virginia Commonwealth University, Richmond
| | - Robert C Griggs
- From the Department of Neurology (M.T.), Children's National Health System, Washington, DC; Kempenhaeghe Center for Neurological Learning Disabilities (J.H.), Heeze, the Netherlands; and School of Medicine and Dentistry (M.P.M., W.M., K.A.H., R.C.G.), University of Rochester Medical Center, NY. M.T. is currently affiliated with the Department of Neurology, Virginia Commonwealth University, Richmond
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