Abstract Aim Mowat–Wilson Syndrome (MWS) is a genetic rare disease. Epilepsy is present in 70–75% of Patients and an age-dependent electroclinical pattern has been described. Up to date, there are ...studies with overnight sleep EEGs, probably because of the severe intellectual disability (ID) and hyperactivity of these Patients. Our purpose was to verify the hypothesis that MWS Patients might have electrical status epilepticus in slow wave sleep (ESES pattern). Methods A retrospective analysis of anamnestic and electrographic data was performed on 7 consecutive MWS Patients followed between 2007 and 2016. Only Patients with at least one overnight sleep EEG were included in the study. Results Five out of 7 Patients had overnight sleep EEG studies and were included in this study. All of them had an anterior ESES pattern with spike-and-wave index > 85%. The architecture of sleep was abnormal. An ESES related regression of cognitive and motor functions with impact on daily activities (ESES-related syndrome) was demonstrated in 3 out of 5 (60%) Patients. In two Patients marked improvement of cognitive and motor performances was observed when the epileptiform activity during sleep was successfully controlled or it was spontaneously reduced. Conclusions The clinical significance of the ESES pattern is hard to assess in MWS Patients due to severe ID, but changing in behaviour or in motor and cognitive functions should mandate sleep EEG investigation and, if ESES is present, an appropriate treatment should be tried. Furthermore, overnight sleep EEG recordings, if regularly performed in the follow up, might help to understand if ESES pattern hampers the cognitive and communicative profile in MWS.
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GEOZS, IJS, IMTLJ, KILJ, KISLJ, NUK, OILJ, PNG, SAZU, SBCE, SBJE, UL, UM, UPCLJ, UPUK, ZRSKP
•Early seizure onset, clustered seizures and delayed development in both males and females are early clinical markers of the disorder.•The most frequently associated seizure types are generalized ...tonic-clonic and myoclonic seizures.•The severity of neurological impairment is correlated with seizures control.
To better characterize the clinical phenotype of Poirier-Bienvenu neurodevelopmental syndrome (OMIM ID: 618,732) due to pathogenic variants of the CSNK2B gene.
We reviewed the electro-clinical and developmental data of all 14 patients with de novo mutations of the CSNK2B gene reported in the literature and describe a further individual with a novel CSNK2B pathogenic variant.
Clustered generalized tonic-clonic or myoclonic seizures with onset before the age of 18 months and delayed neurodevelopment were present in more than 75% of patients. Epilepsy was pharmaco-resistant in 40%. All the individuals (27%) with normal neurological development had pharmaco-sensitive epilepsy. The severity of cognitive and motor impairments was higher in the group with pharmaco-resistant epilepsy, and a statistically significant correlation between seizure control and the severity of cognitive impairment was documented (χ2(3) = 9.44; p = .024)
Early seizure onset, clustered seizures and delayed development in both males and females were early clinical markers in most patients with CSNK2B mutations. The entity of neurodevelopmental abnormalities was related to epilepsy severity. Prospective studies are required to better assess the relationship between epilepsy and developmental outcomes in this condition.
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GEOZS, IJS, IMTLJ, KILJ, KISLJ, NLZOH, NUK, OILJ, PNG, SAZU, SBCE, SBJE, UILJ, UL, UM, UPCLJ, UPUK, ZAGLJ, ZRSKP
Fragile‐X‐syndrome is the most common cause of inherited intellectual disability. Epilepsy is reported to occur in 10–20% of individuals with Fragile‐X‐syndrome. A frequent ...seizure/electroencephalogram (EEG) pattern resembles that of benign rolandic epilepsy. We describe the clinical features, EEG findings and evolution in three patients affected by Fragile‐X‐syndrome and epilepsy mimicking Panayiotopoulos syndrome. Age at seizure onset was between 4 and about 7 years. Seizures pattern comprised a constellation of autonomic symptoms with unilateral deviation of the eyes and ictal syncope. Duration of the seizures could be brief or lengthy. Interictal EEGs revealed functional multifocal abnormalities. The evolution was benign in all patients with seizures remission before the age of 14. This observation expands the spectrum of benign epileptic phenotypes present in Fragile‐X‐syndrome and may be quite helpful in guiding anticonvulsant management and counseling families as to expectations regarding seizure remission.
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BFBNIB, FZAB, GIS, IJS, KILJ, NLZOH, NUK, OILJ, SBCE, SBMB, UL, UM, UPUK
Intellectual disability (ID) and autism spectrum disorder (ASD) are clinically and genetically heterogeneous diseases. Recent whole exome sequencing studies indicated that genes associated with ...different neurological diseases are shared across disorders and converge on common functional pathways. Using the Ion Torrent platform, we developed a low‐cost next‐generation sequencing gene panel that has been transferred into clinical practice, replacing single disease‐gene analyses for the early diagnosis of individuals with ID/ASD. The gene panel was designed using an innovative in silico approach based on disease networks and mining data from public resources to score disease‐gene associations. We analyzed 150 unrelated individuals with ID and/or ASD and a confident diagnosis has been reached in 26 cases (17%). Likely pathogenic mutations have been identified in another 15 patients, reaching a total diagnostic yield of 27%. Our data also support the pathogenic role of genes recently proposed to be involved in ASD. Although many of the identified variants need further investigation to be considered disease‐causing, our results indicate the efficiency of the targeted gene panel on the identification of novel and rare variants in patients with ID and ASD.
Based on the hypothesis that common functional pathways explain comorbidity between diverse neurodevelopmental disorders, we developed an efficient and cost‐effective amplicon‐based multigene panel to assess the pathogenic role of genes involved in intellectual disability (ID) and autism spectrum disorder (ASD) comorbidity. Here, we present the genetic findings after applying this panel to 150 individuals with ID and/or ASD.
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BFBNIB, FZAB, GIS, IJS, KILJ, NLZOH, NUK, OILJ, SBCE, SBMB, UL, UM, UPUK
Sleep disorders (SD) are very common in childhood, especially in certain genetic syndromes. Tuberous Sclerosis Complex (TSC) is a genetic syndromesassociated with a high rate of SD, although these ...are still under-recognized. The aim of this study was to assess the prevalence of SD in TSC, and to evaluate the relationship between sleep, epilepsy and TSC-associated neuropsychiatric disorders (TAND).
We administered the Sleep Disturbance Scale for Children (SDSC) and the Epworth Sleepiness Scale for Children and Adolescents (ESS-CHAD) to parents of 177 children with TSC referring to different Italian centers. We also collected information on epilepsy and TAND.
SDSC score was positive in 59.3% of patients, being positive in 30.4% of patients without and in 63.6% of those with epilepsy (p = 0.005). However, in a multivariate logistic model considering antiseizure medications and nocturnal seizures, epilepsy ceased to be a significant risk factor for positive SDSC (OR = 2.4; p = 0.17). As for TAND, SDSC was positive in 67.9% of patients with and in 32.5% of those without TAND (p < 0.001). After adding in a multivariate logistic model active epilepsy, age, and pharmacotherapies, TAND continued to be a significant risk factor for positive SDSC (p = 0.01, OR = 1.11).
Our results revealed a high prevalence of SD in children with TSC. Epilepsy didn't increase the risk for SD, while a very strong association was found with TAND. An early detection of SD is of utmost importance in order to plan an individualized treatment, that in some cases might also ameliorate behavior and attention.
•59.3% of children and adolescents with TSC presented a pathologic SDSC total score.•Sleep disorders are more frequent in patients with neuropsychiatric disorders.•Significantly higher prevalence of sleep disorders in ASD and intellectual disability.•Sleep disorders exacerbate cognitive and behavioral difficulties.•High prevalence and burden, so SD are a significant focus for clinical intervention.
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GEOZS, IJS, IMTLJ, KILJ, KISLJ, NLZOH, NUK, OILJ, PNG, SAZU, SBCE, SBJE, UILJ, UL, UM, UPCLJ, UPUK, ZAGLJ, ZRSKP
Background and purpose
Pitt–Hopkins syndrome (PTHS) is a rare neurodevelopmental disorder caused by deletions/variants in the TCF4 gene. Seizures may be present in up to half of the patients, leading ...to a more severe disease burden. This study aims to analyse the electroclinical phenotype, treatment options, and long‐term outcomes of epilepsy in PTHS.
Methods
A multicentre observational cohort study was performed, and the electroclinical data of PTHS individuals affected by epileptic seizures were retrospectively reviewed and analysed.
Results
The series includes 21 patients (11 female) with a median age at seizure onset of 2 years (range = 0.5–8). The median time of follow‐up was 7.9 years (range = 2–27). Both generalized and focal epilepsies were present at the same prevalence (42.8%), whereas a minority of patients presented developmental and epileptic encephalopathies (14.4%). At the long‐term follow‐up, 42.8% achieved seizure freedom, whereas 42.8% developed drug‐resistant epilepsy (DRE). The age at seizure onset was found to be an independent predictor for seizure outcome; in this regard, patients having seizure onset after the age of 2 years were more prone to achieve seizure freedom (odds ratio = 0.04, 95% confidence interval = 0.003–0.53; p = 0.01). During evolution, seizures tended to settle down, and even in patients with DRE, seizures tended to persist at a lower frequency and appeared to be more easily manageable over time.
Conclusions
This study provides new insight into the natural history of epilepsy in PTHS. Better characterization of epileptic phenotype and prompt tailored treatment improve overall management and quality of life.
We report on newly diagnosed patients affected by Pitt–Hopkins syndrome (PTHS) and epilepsy with long‐term follow‐up to highlight the natural history of epilepsy in these patients. Epileptic seizures represent a more severe disease burden, and the careful assessment of the epileptic phenotype and prompt tailored treatment may optimize management and quality of life.
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BFBNIB, FZAB, GIS, IJS, KILJ, NLZOH, NUK, OILJ, SBCE, SBMB, UL, UM, UPUK
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•Epilepsy is hallmark of Mowat Wilson Syndrome occurring in all patients >5 years.•There is an age-dependent pattern, with electroclinical improvement in adolescence.•Focal seizures ...are the first and most prominent seizure type.•Focal seizures are often long-lasting and start with subtle clinical signs.•Valproic acid is the most used and effective antiepileptic drug in MWS, followed by levetiracetam.
Epilepsy is a main feature of Mowat Wilson Syndrome (MWS), a congenital malformation syndrome caused by ZEB2 variants. The aim of this study was to investigate the long-term evolution of the electroclinical phenotype of MWS in a large population.
Forty-individuals with a genetically confirmed diagnosis were enrolled. Three age groups were identified (t1 = 0–4; t2 = 5–12; t3 = >13 years); clinical data and EEG records were collected, analyzed, and compared for age group. Video-EEG recorded seizures were reviewed.
Thirty-six of 40 individuals had epilepsy, of whom 35/35 aged >5 years. Almost all (35/36) presented focal seizures at onset (mean age at onset 3.4 ± 2.3 SD) that persisted, reduced in frequency, in 7/22 individuals after the age of 13. Absences occurred in 22/36 (mean age at onset 7.2 ± 0.9 SD); no one had absences before 6 and over 16 years old. Paroxysmal interictal abnormalities in sleep also followed an age-dependent evolution with a significant increase in frequency at school age (p = 0.002) and a reduction during adolescence (p = 0.008). Electrical Status Epilepticus during Sleep occurred in 14/36 (13/14 aged 5–13 years old at onset). Seven focal seizure ictal video-EEGs were collected: all were long-lasting and more visible clinical signs were often preceded by prolonged electrical and/or subtle (erratic head and eye orientation) seizures.
Valproic acid was confirmed as the most widely used and effective drug, followed by levetiracetam.
Epilepsy is a major sign of MWS with a characteristic, age-dependent, electroclinical pattern. Improvement with adolescence/adulthood is usually observed. Our data strengthen the hypothesis of a GABAergic transmission imbalance underlying ZEB2-related epilepsy.
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GEOZS, IJS, IMTLJ, KILJ, KISLJ, NLZOH, NUK, OILJ, PNG, SAZU, SBCE, SBJE, UILJ, UL, UM, UPCLJ, UPUK, ZAGLJ, ZRSKP
In epileptic encephalopathies (EE), interictal epileptiform discharges (IEDs) contribute to cognitive impairment. The EE process has been studied in a patient affected by epilepsy with occipital ...calcification and celiac disease (CEC syndrome) by combining the administration of brain area stimulus specific (visual and auditory) reaction times (RT) during continuous EEG monitoring with the off-line reconstruction of auditory and visual evoked potentials (EP). Visual RT and VEP were abnormal only if recorded concomitantly to the IEDs. Auditory RT and EP were normal. When the EE process is going on, IEDs transiently disrupt aspects of cortical functioning, contributing to the cognitive impairment.
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BFBNIB, IZUM, KILJ, NUK, PILJ, PNG, SAZU, UL, UM, UPUK
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