Encefalopatia toxica secundaria a vigabatrina: Reporte de caso / Toxic encephalopathy secondary to vigabatrin: Case report

El síndrome de West es una encefalopatía epiléptica caracterizada por espasmos en flexión, hipsarritmia en el electroencefalograma y retraso en el neurodesarrollo. Reportamos el caso de una paciente de 11 meses con diagnóstico de Síndrome de West y encefalopatía tóxica secundaria al uso de vigabatrina

West syndrome is an epileptic encephalopathy characterized by flexing spasms, hypsarritmia in the electroencephalogram and delayed neurodevelopment. We report an 11-month-old patient with a diagnosis of West syndrome and toxic encephalopathy secondary to the use of vigabatrin

Factors influencing the efficacy of initial adrenocorticotropic hormone therapy for infantile epileptic spasms syndrome / 中国当代儿科杂志

OBJECTIVES@#To study the factors influencing the short-term (28 days) efficacy of initial adrenocorticotropic hormone (ACTH) therapy for infantile epileptic spasms syndrome (IESS), as well as the factors influencing recurrence and prognosis.@*METHODS@#The clinical data were collected from the children with IESS who received ACTH therapy for the first time in the Department of Pediatric Neurology, Xiangya Hospital of Central South University, from April 2008 to January 2018 and were followed up for ≥2 years. The multivariate logistic regression analysis was used to evaluate the factors influencing the short-term efficacy of ACTH therapy, recurrence, and long-term prognosis.@*RESULTS@#ACTH therapy achieved a control rate of seizures of 55.5% (111/200) on day 28 of treatment. Of the 111 children, 75 (67.6%) had no recurrence of seizures within 12 months of follow-up. The possibility of seizure control on day 28 of ACTH therapy in the children without focal seizures was 2.463 times that in those with focal seizures (P<0.05). The possibility of seizure control on day 28 of ACTH therapy in the children without hypsarrhythmia on electroencephalography on day 14 of ACTH therapy was 2.415 times that in those with hypsarrhythmia (P<0.05). The possibility of recurrence within 12 months after treatment was increased by 11.8% for every 1-month increase in the course of the disease (P<0.05). The possibility of moderate or severe developmental retardation or death in the children without seizure control after 28 days of ACTH therapy was 8.314 times that in those with seizure control (P<0.05). The possibility of moderate or severe developmental retardation or death in the children with structural etiology was 14.448 times that in those with unknown etiology (P<0.05).@*CONCLUSIONS@#Presence or absence of focal seizures and whether hypsarrhythmia disappears after 14 days of treatment can be used as predictors for the short-term efficacy of ACTH therapy, while the course of disease before treatment can be used as the predictor for recurrence after seizure control by ACTH therapy. The prognosis of IESS children is associated with etiology, and early control of seizures after ACTH therapy can improve long-term prognosis.

A rare case of spasmus nutans in an infant

@#We report a case of an otherwise healthy 23-month-old boy who presented with nystagmus, head shaking, and abnormal head posture suggestive of spasmus nutans. Neuro-ophthalmologic exam revealed bilateral, low-amplitude, high-frequency, horizontal, disconjugate nystagmus that was more prominent in one eye along with head shaking and a head tilt or face turn. The rest of the exam and the systemic physical examination were normal. Magnetic resonance imaging of the brain did not disclose optic pathway glioma, which has been reported to cause spasmus nutans-like disease. Electroretinogram (ERG) was also recommended to rule out occult retinopathies. However, it was not done due to unavailability of the appropriate corneal electrode for his age. Instead, close follow-up was advised to monitor spontaneous improvement or resolution, or until the child comes of age that he can undergo ERG. This case highlights the management approach and rationale of patients with presumed spasmus nutans. Recognition of the triad of spasmus nutans allows for quick diagnosis and more focused and efficient investigation.

Vigabatrina comparado con hormona adrenocorticotrópica para el tratamiento de espasmos infantiles y Síndrome de West / Vigabatrin compared with adrenocorticotropic hormone for the treatment of infantile spasms and West Syndrome

OBJETIVO: Determinar los riesgos y beneficios del uso de vigabatrina comparada con hormona adrenocorticotrópica (ACTH) para el tratamiento de espasmos infantiles. MÉTODO: Se realizó una búsqueda en Epistemonikos. Se extrajeron datos desde las revisiones identificadas. Se realizó un metaanálisis a partir de estudios primarios y se utilizó el método GRADE para la presentación de resultados. RESULTADOS: Se identificaron nueve revisiones sistemáticas. Se observó que el uso de vigabatrina en comparación con ACTH disminuye la resolución de espasmos (RR 0,8, IC 95% 0,65 - 0,98) y podría disminuir la resolución de hipsarritmia (RR 0,71, IC 95% 0,48 - 1,05). No fue posible determinar si el uso de vigabatrina disminuye el riesgo de desarrollar efectos adversos (RR 0,75, IC 95% 0,23 - 2,45) por certeza de evidencia muy baja. CONCLUSIONES: La evidencia parece inclinarse a favor del uso de ACTH. Sin embargo debe considerarse la necesidad de nuevas investigaciones para esclarecer su seguridad.

OBJECTIVE: To determine the risks and benefits of the use of vigabatrin compared to ACTH for the treatment of infantile spasms. METHOD: A search in Epistemonikos was performed. Data were extracted from the identified reviews. A meta-analysis was performed from primary studies and the GRADE method was used to present the results. RESULTS: Nine systematic reviews were identified. Vigabatrin use compared to ACTH was found to decrease resolution of spasms (RR 0.8, 95% CI 0.65 - 0.98) and might decrease resolution of hypsarrhythmia (RR 0.71, 95% CI 0 .48 - 1.05). It was not possible to determine whether the use of vigabatrin reduces the risk of developing adverse effects (RR 0.75, 95% CI 0.23 - 2.45) due to very low certainty of evidence. CONCLUSIONS: The evidence seems to lean in favor of the use of ACTH. However, the need for new research should be considered to clarify its safety.

Clinical characteristics and gene analysis of GRIN2B gene related neurological developmental disorders in children / 中华儿科杂志

Objective: To analyse the clinical and gene characteristics of GRIN2B gene related neurological developmental disorders in children. Methods: The data of 11 children with GRIN2B gene related neurological developmental disorders from November 2016 to February 2021 were collected from Department of Neurology, Beijing Children's Hospital, Capital Medical University, National Center for Children's Health and analyzed retrospectively. The clinical features, electroencephalogram (EEG), brain imaging and gene testing results were summarized. Results: Among 11 children 6 were boys and 5 were girls. Two of them were diagnosed with developmental and epileptic encephalopathy. The ages of seizures onset were 3 months and 9 months, respectively. Seizure types included epileptic spasm, tonic seizures, tonic spasm and focal seizures, and 1 patient also had startle attacks. EEG showed interictal multifocal epileptiform discharges. Both of them were added with more than 2 anti-seizure drugs, which were partially effective but could not control. They had moderate to severe mental and motor retardation. The phenotype of 9 cases was developmental delay or intellectual disability without epilepsy, age of visit 1 year to 6 year and 4 months of whom 5 cases had severe developmental delay, 2 cases had moderate and 2 cases had mild delay. Multi-focal epileptiform discharges were observed in 3 cases, no abnormality was found in 3 cases, and the remaining 3 cases did not undergo EEG examination. Ten cases underwent brain magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), 6 cases had nonspecific abnormalities and 4 cases were normal. Nine GRIN2B gene heterozygous variants were detected by next-generation sequencing in these 11 patients, 8 cases had missense variants and 1 case had nonsense variant, all of which were de novo and 3 of which were novel. Missense variants were found in 10 patients, among them 6 cases had severe developmental delay, 3 cases had moderate and 1 case had mild developmental delay, but the patient with nonsense variant showed mild developmental delay without epilepsy. Conclusions: The phenotypes of GRIN2B gene related neurological developmental disorders in children are diverse, ranging from mild intellectual impairment without epilepsy to severe epileptic encephalopathy. Patients with epileptic phenotype usually have an onset age of infancy, and spasm and focal seizures are the most common seizure types. And the epiletice episodes are refractory. Most of the patients with missense variants had severe developmental delay.

Clinical and genetic spectrum of SCN2A gene associated epilepsy and episodic ataxia / 中华儿科杂志

Objective: To explore the clinical manifestations and genetic characteristics of patients with epilepsy and episodic ataxia caused by SCN2A gene variation. Methods: The clinical data of seizure manifestation, imaging examination and genetic results of 5 patients with epilepsy and (or) episodic ataxia because of SCN2A gene variation admitted to the Department of Pediatrics, the Third Affiliated Hospital of Zhengzhou University from July 2017 to January 2021 were analyzed retrospectively. Results: Among 5 patients, 4 were female and 1 was male. The onset age of epilepsy ranged from 4 days to 8 months. There were 2 cases of benign neonatal or infantile epilepsy and 3 cases of epileptic encephalopathy, in whom 1 case had development retardation,1 case transformed from West syndrome to infantile spasm and another one transformed from infantile spasm to Lennox-Gastaut syndrome. One case of benign neonatal-infantile epilepsy was characterized by neonatal onset seizures and episodic ataxia developed at the age of 78 months. Electroencephalograms at first visit of 5 cases showed that 2 cases were normal, 1 case had focal epileptic discharge, and 2 cases had multi-focal abnormal discharge with peak arrhythmia. The brain magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) of 3 cases were nomal, 1 case was abnormal (brain atrophy with decreased white matter) and the results of 1 case was unknown. The follow-up time ranged from 17 months to 89 months. Four cases of epilepsy were controlled and 1 case died at 2 years of age. Two cases had normal intelligence and motor development, 2 had moderate to severe intelligence retardation and motor critical state, and 1 had moderate to severe intelligence and motor development retardation. SCN2A gene variations were identified in all cases. There were 4 missense variations and 1 frameshift variation. Three variations had not been reported so far, including c.4906A>G,c.3643G>T,c.638delT. Conclusions: Variations in SCN2A gene can cause benign neonatal or infantile epilepsy and epileptic encephalopathy. Some children develop episodic ataxia with growing age. The variation of SCN2A gene is mainly missense variation.

Aicardi syndrome with peripapillary staphyloma: A case report and review of literature

@#<p style="text-align: justify;">Aicardi Syndrome (AS) is a rare X-linked congenital disorder traditionally characterized by a triad of dysgenesis of corpus callosum, seizures, and chorioretinal abnormalities. Patients often have severe psychomotor delay and shortened life expectancy. However, Aicardi syndrome is a clinically heterogeneous disorder. We present a case of a 14-year-old with the traditional triad of history of infantile spasm, complete agenesis of the corpus callosum, and chorioretinal abnormality but with peripapillary staphyloma and with no psychomotor delays. Based on the review of literature, this is the first reported case of AS in the Philippines, the first reported case of AS with peripapillary staphyloma, and is one of the 3 reported cases of AS with normal psychomotor development. There remains no factor that can prognosticate cognitive function in AS at present including genetic testing.</p>

Analysis of SCN1A gene variants among patients with Dravet syndrome / 中华医学遗传学杂志

OBJECTIVE@#To analyze the clinical features and genetic variants in two patients with Dravet syndrome (DS).@*METHODS@#Peripheral blood samples of the children and their parents were collected for the extraction of genomic DNA and high-throughput sequencing. Suspected variants were confirmed by Sanger sequencing.@*RESULTS@#By high-throughput sequencing, the two children were found to respectively harbor a c.2135delC frameshifting variant in exon 12 and a c.1522G>T nonsense variant in exon 10 of the SCN1A gene. Both variants were predicted to be pathogenic by bioinformatic analysis. Based on the American College of Medical Genetics and Genomics standards and guidelines, the c.2135delC and c.1522G>A variants of the SCN1A gene were predicted to be pathogenic (PVS1+ PS2+ PM2+ PP3).@*CONCLUSION@#The variants of the SCN1A gene probably underlay the DS in the patients. Above finding has enriched the variant spectrum and enabled genetic counseling for their families.

Clinical manifestation and genetic analysis of a child with early infantile epileptic encephalopathy 42 / 中华医学遗传学杂志

OBJECTIVE@#To analyze the clinical phenotype and genetic characterization of a child with early infantile epileptic encephalopathy.@*METHODS@#The proband was subjected to history taking and was diagnosed based on his clinical manifestation, magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) and whole exome sequencing (WES). Sanger sequencing was carried out to determine the origin of pathogenic variant.@*RESULTS@#The proband unconsciously tilts his head to one side with squint, which revealed an abnormal discharge. MRI indicated suspicious abnormal signal shadow in the left posterior frontal cortex in addition with inflammation signs in the right maxillary sinus and ethmoid sinus. WES revealed that the proband has carried a heterozygous c.5789G>A variant in the CACNAIA gene. The result of Sanger sequencing was in keeping with that of WES. Neither of his parents has carried the same variant.@*CONCLUSION@#The heterozygous c.5789G>A variant of the CACNAIA gene probably underlay the early infantile epileptic encephalopathy 42 in the proband, which has a de novo origin.

Norrie disease caused by a c.361C>T missense variant of the NDP gene in a pedigree / 中华医学遗传学杂志

OBJECTIVE@#To explore the genetic etiology of a pedigree affected with Norrie disease.@*METHODS@#Four individuals from the core family of the proband were subjected to whole exome sequencing in order to identify the pathological variant. Sanger sequencing was used to verify the finding among 7 additional members from the pedigree.@*RESULTS@#The proband and other 3 male patients have all carried a hemizygote c.361C>T (p.Arg121Trp) missense variant of the NDP gene, for which his mother, grandmother and two younger female cousins were heterozygous carriers. The same variant was not detected among unaffected males. Above results conformed to a X-linked recessive pattern of inheritance.@*CONCLUSION@#The missense variant c.361C>T of the NDP gene probably underlies the Norrie disease in this pedigree.

Síndrome de Proteus y síndrome de West en lactante femenina / Proteus Syndrome and West Syndrome in female infant

Introducción: El síndrome de Proteus es un raro síndrome hamartomoso congenito con manifestaciones neuroectodérmicas, de carácter progresivo y grado de severidad variable. Objetivo: Presentar un caso clínico donde se combinan dismorfias faciales, crecimiento excesivo de una hemicara, macrocráneo y manifestaciones neurológicas. Presentación del caso: lactante de 10 meses, femenina, con antecedentes de embarazo de riesgo, hija de madre adolescente, con exposición fetal a tabaco, marihuana y alcohol; nació con macrocefalia, dismorfia facial con hemihipertrofia derecha y nevó hiperpigmentado que comenzó con espasmos infantiles desde el primer mes vida y se diagnosticó síndrome west de etiología estructural con hemimegancefalia derecha. Cumple los criterios clínicos de síndrome de Proteus y tuvo una respuesta favorable con control de los espasmos, mejoría de la hipsarritmia y del desarrollo psicomotor, con tratamiento combinado de hormona adenocorticotrópica y vigabatrina. Conclusiones: el síndrome de Proteus se caracteriza por crecimiento exagerado en varios tejidos (epidérmico, conectivo, óseo, adiposo y endotelial) durante la embriogénesis, por lo que las manifestaciones clínicas suelen ser evidentes desde el nacimiento o en los primeros años de vida, se relaciona con un grupo de casos con malformaciones del sistema nervioso central y síndrome de West(AU)

Introduction: Proteus syndrome is a rare congenital hamartoma syndrome with neuroectodermal manifestations of progressive kind and a degree of variable severity. Objective: To present a clinical case where facial diysmorphias, the excessive growth of a hemicara, a macro-skull, and neurological manifestations are combined. Case presentation: A 10-month-old female infant with a history of risky pregnancy, daughter of a teenage mother, with fetal exposure to tobacco, marijuana and alcohol. She was born with macrocephaly, facial dysmorphia with right hemihypertrophy, hyperpigmented nevus that started with infantile spasms from the first month of life; and West syndrome of structural etiology with right hemimegalencephaly was diagnosed. The patient meets the clinical criteria of Proteus syndrome and she had a favorable response to the combined treatment of adrenocorticotropic hormone and Vigabatrin with control of spasms, improvement of hypsarrhythmia and psychomotor development. Conclusions: Proteus syndrome is characterized by exaggerated growth in various tissues (epidermal, connective, bone, adipose and endothelial) during embryogenesis, so that clinical manifestations are usually evident from birth or in the first years of life. It is related with a group of cases with malformations of the central nervous system and West syndrome(AU)

Encefalopatías epilépticas determinadas genéticamente / Genetically determined epileptic encephalopathies

Las encefalopatías epilépticas es un grupo de síndromes epilépticos caracterizados por el deterioro cognitivo más allá de lo esperado debido a la actividad epiléptica. Se caracterizan por presentar resistencia farmacológica grave, electroencefalogramas profundamente anormales, inicio en la niñez temprana, deterioro neurocognitivo, fenotipo variable y resonancia magnética de cerebro usualmente normal. Frecuentemente estos síndromes están genéticamente determinados. Su diagnóstico correcto y oportuno puede contribuir y guiar el consejo médico y terapia adecuada, influyendo así en el pronóstico a corto, mediano y largo plazo. En este artículo se revisan los hallazgos electroencefalográficos, genéticos y opciones terapéuticas más recomendadas, facilitando así la conducta clínica. Las encefalopatías epilépticas incluidas en este artículos abarcan los síndromes de Ohtahara, encefalopatia mioclónica temprana, epilepsia focal migratoria de la infancia, West, Dravet, estado mioclónico en encefalopatías no progresivas, Doose, Lennox-Gastaut, Landau-Kleffner y epilepsia con espiga-onda continuas durante el sueño de onda lenta.

Epileptic encephalopathies is a group of epileptic syndromes characterized by progressive cognitive impairment beyond the expected for the epilepsy activity. They are characterized by severe pharmaco-resistant epilepsy, severely abnormal electroencephalograms, early-age onset, neurocognitve impairment, variable phenotype and usually normal brain MRI. These syndromes are usually genetically determined. A correct and timely diagnosis could help and guide the medical counselling and the correct therapeutic approach improving the short, medium and long term outcomes. In this article we review the electroencephalographic and genetic findings along with the most recommended therapeutic options facilitating the clinical management. We include the following epileptic encephalopathy syndromes: Ohtahara, early myoclonic encephalopathy, epilepsy of infancy with migrating focal seizures, West, Dravet, non-progressive myoclonic status, Doose, Lennox-Gastaut, Landau-Kleffner and continuous spike-wave during sleep epilepsy.

Lennox-Gastaut Syndrome in Mitochondrial Disease

PURPOSE: Previous studies have shown that neurologic symptoms are dominant in patients with mitochondrial diseases, and most of these patients have seizure-related disorders. The epileptic classification of these patients as Lennox-Gastaut syndrome (LGS) is as high as 25%. This study aimed to investigate the clinical manifestations, diagnoses, treatments, and epilepsy in LGS, which is associated with mitochondrial disease. MATERIALS AND METHODS: A retrospective study was conducted on 372 patients who were diagnosed with mitochondrial disease between 2006 and 2016. Of these 372 patients, 40 patients diagnosed with LGS were selected, and they were classified into two groups based on the history of West syndrome. Patient characteristics were reviewed, and associations between clinical factors and outcomes after the treatment were analyzed. RESULTS: The proportion of individuals with mitochondrial disease with LGS with a history of West syndrome was 32.5%. Among the patients with mitochondrial disease with LGS, neonatal seizure (p=0.029), seizure as the first symptom (p=0.018), and generalized paroxysmal fast activity frequency on electroencephalogram (p=0.018) in the group with a history of West syndrome were statistically significantly high. The first symptom onset (0.6±0.4 yrs vs. 1.6±0.9 yrs, p=0.003) and first seizure onset (0.9±0.7 yrs vs. 3.9±3.1 yrs, p < 0.001) were significantly faster in patients with a history of West syndrome. CONCLUSION: Close monitoring of the medical condition and early intervention might improve the prognosis of individuals with mitochondrial disease with LGS and a history of West syndrome.

Congenital heart disease in a cohort of Sudanese patients with cleft defects

Background and objectives:Cleft defects are among the most visible congenital defects worldwide and congenital heart disease (CHD)being one of the most common associated anomalies. This study aimed to assess the prevalence of CHD among a cohort of Sudanese patients with cleft lip and/or palate.Patients and Methods:All patients who presented to Soba University Hospital with cleft lip and/or palate from March 2009 toMarch 2015 were included.Results:Out of 381 patients included; 168 patients (44%) had cleft lip and palate (CLP), 156 (41%) had cleft lip (CL)and isolated cleft palate (CP) was found in 57 patients (15%). Facial dysmorphic features were identified in 57 (15%) and cardiac defects in 42 (11%) patients. Ventricular septal defect (VSD) was diagnosed in 16 patients (38%), and ASD in 12 (30.9%). Other macroscopic anomalies were identified in 57 patients (15%)and were associated with CHD (P<0.001). Significant association was found between the type of cleft andCHD (P<0.002), as cardiac defects were maximally observed among CP cases (21%) followed by CLP cases (13%) then CL cases (5.12%). Significant association was also found between facial dysmorphicoccurrence and CHD (P < 0.001).Conclusion:CHD is a common anomaly in cleft population. The pattern of CHD is consistent with the literature withVSD being the most frequent. The cardiac defects are most prevalent in CP group. Echocardiography isjustified for screening of CHD due to the relatively higher incidence of CHD among clefts patients than ingeneral population

Effect of prednisolone and adrenocorticotropic hormone in the treatment of infantile spasms: a Meta analysis / 中国当代儿科杂志

OBJECTIVE@#To compare the effect and safety of prednisolone and adrenocorticotropic hormone (ACTH) in the treatment of infantile spasms (IS).@*METHODS@#Cochrane Library, Embase, PubMed, China Biology Medicine Disc, CNKI, and Wanfang Data were searched for clinical studies on the comparison between prednisolone and ACTH in the treatment of IS. Literature screening, data extraction, and quality assessment were performed. Review Manager 5.3 was used for Meta analysis.@*RESULTS@#Five clinical studies were included according to the inclusion criteria and exclusion criteria. Meta analysis showed that there was no significant difference in the spasm remission rate, spasm remission time, complicating infection rate, and irritability rate between the prednisolone and ACTH treatment groups (P>0.05), but the disappearance rate of hypsarrhythmia in the electroencephalogram was higher in the ACTH treatment group than in the prednisolone treatment group (P<0.05).@*CONCLUSIONS@#The available evidence shows no difference in the clinical efficacy of prednisolone versus ACTH in the treatment of IS. However, ACTH is superior to prednisolone in stabilizing EEG. The two therapies have no difference in the incidence of adverse reactions such as infection and irritability.

Factors in first-time adrenocorticotropic hormone therapy and their influence on spasm control time in infantile spasms: a Cox proportional-hazards regression model analysis / 中国当代儿科杂志

OBJECTIVE@#To investigate the factors in first-time adrenocorticotropic hormone (ACTH) therapy and their influence on spasm control time in infants with infantile spasms.@*METHODS@#A total of 72 infants with infantile spasms who were admitted from January 2008 to October 2013 were enrolled. Their clinical data were collected, and the exposure factors for infantile spasms were selected. A Cox proportional-hazards regression model analysis was performed for these factors to analyze their influence on spasm control time.@*RESULTS@#Clarification of the etiology (known or unexplained etiology), frequency of spasms before treatment, and presence or absence of combination therapy (ACTH used alone or in combination with magnesium sulfate) had a significant influence on spasm control time in infants with infantile spasms. The infants with a known etiology had a significantly shorter spasm control time than those with unexplained etiology, and the infants with a low frequency of spasms before treatment and receiving ACTH combined with magnesium sulfate early had a significantly longer spasm control time than their counterparts (P<0.05).@*CONCLUSIONS@#For infants with infantile spasms at initial diagnosis, etiology should be clarified, which may helpful for evaluating prognosis. A combination of ACTH and magnesium sulfate should be given as soon as possible, which may improve their prognosis.

Genetic analysis and prenatal diagnosis for a pedigree affected with X-linked Norrie disease / 中华医学遗传学杂志

OBJECTIVE@#To detect mutation of NDP gene in a pedigree affected with Norrie disease.@*METHODS@#Sanger sequencing was used to analyze the NDP gene at Xp11.3. Prenatal diagnosis was performed on amniotic fluid sample after the causative gene was detected.@*RESULTS@#Sanger sequencing has revealed a c.2T>C (p.M1T) missense mutation of the NDP gene in the proband and the fetus. The same variation was not found in ClinVar and HGMD database.@*CONCLUSION@#The c.2T>C mutation of the NDP gene probably underlies the Norrie disease in this pedigree.

Calpain-2 as a Treatment Target in Prenatal Stress-induced Epileptic Spasms in Infant Rats

Stress can induce a serious epileptic encephalopathy that occurs during early infancy. Recent studies have revealed that prenatal stress exposure is a risk factor for the development of infantile spasms. Our previous work demonstrates that prenatal stress with betamethasone-induced alterations to the expression of the K⁺/Cl⁻ co-transporter (KCC2) in gamma-aminobutyric acid (GABA) interneurons lowers the seizure threshold in exposed animals. Here, we further investigated the mechanisms involved in this KCC2 dysfunction and explored possible treatment options. We stressed Sprague-Dawley rats prenatally and further treated dams with betamethasone on gestational day 15, which increases seizure susceptibility and NMDA (N-Methyl-D-aspartate)-triggered spasms on postnatal day 15. In this animal model, first, we evaluated baseline calpain activity. Second, we examined the cleavage and dephosphorylation of KCC2. Finally, we checked the effect of a calpain inhibitor on seizure occurrence. The phosphorylated-N-methyl-D-aspartate Receptor 2B (NR2B):non-phosphorylated NR2B ratio was found to be higher in the cortex of the prenatally stressed beta-methasone model. We further found that the betamethasone model exhibited increased phosphorylation of calpain-2 and decreased phosphorylation of KCC2 and Glutamic acid decarboxylase 67 (GAD67). After using a calpain inhibitor in prenatal-stress rats, the seizure frequency decreased, while latency increased. GABAergic depolarization was further normalized in prenatal-stress rats treated with the calpain inhibitor. Our study suggests that calpain-dependent cleavage and dephosphorylation of KCC2 decreased the seizure threshold of rats under prenatal stress. Calpain-2 functions might, thus, be targeted in the future for the development of treatments for epileptic spasms.

Aicardi syndrome: a case report / Síndrome de Aicardi: relato de caso

Abstract Introduction: the Aicardi syndrome (SA) is characterized as a rare syndrome identified in the presence of three classic characteristics: corpus callosum agenesis, chorioretinal lacunaeand infantile spasms. Description: data collection involved information reported by the mother and the accompanying physiotherapist describing the patient's clinical history andmajor complications according to clinical evolution, treatment, and therapeutic response. At two months of age, the child presented a delayed neuropsychomotor development and infantile spasms.However,the diagnosis of the syndrome was only performed at six months of life, involving brain magnetic resonance imaging where corneal body agenesis was observed. A multidisciplinary treatment was assembledwith a neuropediatrician, a physiotherapist, a psychologist, a nutritionistand a speech therapist, besides drug treatment with baclofen and phenobarbital. Discussion: through the established treatment, the child displayedmotor gain, cervical control, improvement of the respiratory condition, and no need forhospital admissions;these outcomescharacterizea good clinical evolution associated with the physiotherapeutic intervention focused on prevention and minimization of respiratory alterationsthatare frequently associated with morbidity and mortality in these cases. The results obtained point out the fundamental role of multidisciplinary intervention in coping with this condition.

Resumo Introdução: a Síndrome de Aicardi (SA), caracteriza-se como uma síndrome rara identificada na presença das três características clássicas: agenesia de corpo caloso, lacunas coriorretinianas e espamos infantis. Descrição: a coleta de dados envolveu informações relatadas pela genitora e pelo fisioterapeuta acompanhante da paciente, descrevendo assim a história clínica da paciente, as principais complicações de acordo com a evolução clínica, o tratamento e resposta terapêutica. Aos dois meses de idade a criança apresentou atraso no desenvolvimento neuropsicomotor e espasmos infantis, porém o diagnóstico da síndrome foi realizado somente aos seis meses de vida envolvendo um exame de ressonância magnética de encéfalo onde foi observada agenesia de corpo caloso, iniciando-se tratamento multidisciplinar com neuropediatra, fisioterapeuta, psicólogo, nutricionista e fonoaudiólogo, além do tratamento medicamentoso com baclofeno e fenobarbital. Discussão: através do tratamento estabelecido, a criança obteve ganho motor, controle cervical, melhora da condição respiratória e sem internações hospitalares, caracterizando uma boa evolução associada particularmente à intervenção fisioterapêutica que teve enfoque na prevenção e minimização de alterações respiratórias frequentemente associadas à morbidades e mortalidade nestes casos. Os resultados obtidos apontam o papel fundamental da intervenção multidisciplinar para o enfrentamento desta condição.

Síndrome de West / West Syndrome

El síndrome de West (SW) es una encefalopatía epiléptica de causa aún desconocida que inicia en los primeros 2 años del desarrollo. Se han descrito algunas hipótesis acerca de la causa como: "la reacción de un cerebro inmaduro a un daño" o "el desequilibrio de los neurotransmisores del tallo cerebral". El síndrome de West se caracteriza por la presencia de la triada clásica: espasmos musculares, hipsarritmia y deterioro neurológico. El tratamiento consiste principalmente en la administración de anticonvulsivantes (Ácido Valproico, Vigabatrín, Benzodiacepinas) para evitar mayor daño cerebral. El objetivo de esta revisión es describir el síndrome de West ampliamente. Según varios autores como Ruggieri, Dehli, Pozo, entre otros, señalan que los niños con síndrome de West presentan algún tipo de deterioro neurológico ya sea cognitivo o motor, para lo cual la fisioterapia, terapia ocupacional y la estimulación temprana ayudan a superar el retraso motor o cognitivo y así mejorar la calidad de vida de los niños.La revisión concluye que el síndrome de West no es un síndrome muy común pues afecta a 1 de cada 2000 o 4000 niños, de predominio en varones y representa el 47% de las epilepsias del primer año de vida.

West syndrome is an epileptic encephalopathy, its caused is unknown, and it begins in the 2 first years of development. Some hypotheses about the cause have been described as: "the reaction of an immature brain to damage" or "the imbalance of neurotransmitters in the brain stem ".West syndrome is characterized by the presence of the classic triad: muscle spasms, hypsarrhythmia and neurological impairment. The treatment consists mainly in the administration of anticonvulsants (Valproic acid, Vigabatrin, Benzodiazepines) to prevent further brain damage.The objective of this review is to describe the West syndrome widely. According to several authors such as Ruggieri, Dehli, Pozo, among others, they state that children with West syndrome have some type of neurological impairment either cognitive or motor. Physical therapy, occupational therapy and early stimulation help to overcome motor or cognitive delay and improve the quality of children life.The review concludes that West syndrome is not a very common syndrome since it affects 1 in 2,000 or 4000 children, predominantly in males and represents 47% of the epilepsies of the first year of life.