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[ADCY5-associated dyskinesia in young children: a case report of a family and an updated review].
Aguilera-Nieto, L, Ferrero-Turrión, J, Mora-Ramírez, MD, Calvo-Medina, R, Ruiz-García, C, Ramos-Fernández, JM
Revista de neurologia. 2020;(2):69-73
Abstract
INTRODUCTION Dyskinesia of the ADCY5 mutation is a rare movement-onset disorder in childhood. It is characterized by isolated chorea movements or associated with myoclonus and dystonia affecting the limbs, neck and face. The low number of patients and families still does not allow an adequate genotype-phenotype relationship. AIMS The case of a child with movement disorders of early onset is presented in a family with three generations of affected members. An updated review of the casuistry and management of this rare disease is made. CASE REPORT A 6-year-old boy referred for language delay and hyperactivity. After six months of follow-up he begins to show chorea movements of predominantly facial and limb roots, especially when waking up. At one year of follow-up, generalized chorea at rest with orofacial involvement and awkward gait begins to show. His family history includes his mother, grandfather, maternal uncle and cousin, who were diagnosed with Meige's syndrome (oromandibular dystonia and periorbital muscles) with choreiform-like movement disorders without affiliation since childhood. The brain study by MRI showed no alterations. A clinical exome targeting movement disorders was performed that discovered the pathogenic mutation in the ADCY5 gene causing autosomal familial dyskinesia. CONCLUSION The c.1126G>A p.A376T mutation shows a natural history with a non-progressive clinical phenotype in three generations of affected members, with childhood debut and response to guanfacine treatment.
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Movement Disorders in Metabolic Disorders.
Pedroso, JL, Barsottini, OG, Espay, AJ
Current neurology and neuroscience reports. 2019;(2):7
Abstract
PURPOSE OF REVIEW We provide a review of the movement disorders that complicate selected metabolic disorders, including the abnormal movements that may appear during or after their treatment. RECENT FINDINGS Movement disorders may be underrecognized when arising in the context of a broad range of metabolic disorders. Abnormal movements may occur as the initial manifestation of a systemic disease, at any time during its course, or as a result of the medical interventions required for its management. Ascertaining movement phenomenology in acute and subacute presentations may assist in the determination of the specific underlying metabolic disorder. The management of movement disorders associated with metabolic disorders depends on the underlying pathophysiology.
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Motor function and the probability of prodromal Parkinson's disease in older adults.
Maraki, MI, Stefanis, L, Yannakoulia, M, Kosmidis, MH, Xiromerisiou, G, Dardiotis, E, Hadjigeorgiou, GM, Sakka, P, Scarmeas, N, Stamelou, M
Movement disorders : official journal of the Movement Disorder Society. 2019;(9):1345-1353
Abstract
BACKGROUND Identification and characterization of Parkinson's disease (PD) in its prodromal stage is crucial. OBJECTIVE The objective of this study was to investigate the association between motor function and the probability of prodromal PD in a community-dwelling older population. METHODS We used data from a population-based cohort of older adults (HELIAD study). Subjective motor function was evaluated with a 12-item motor symptoms questionnaire and objective motor function indirectly with a physical activity questionnaire and two gait speed tests. The probability of prodromal PD was calculated according to the Movement Disorder Society research criteria for n = 1731 without PD. Regression multiadjusted models were used to investigate the associations between each motor measure and prodromal PD probability. RESULTS For each unit increase in motor symptoms score and for each kcal/kg/day lower energy expenditure (corresponding to 20 minutes of light walking/day for a 75-kg man) there was a 27% and 3% higher probability for prodromal PD, respectively (P < 0.001). Having at least one subjective motor symptom increased the odds of having possible/probable prodromal PD (n = 49; P < 0.05). Including subjective and indirect motor variables in the same model showed that both (symptoms and physical activity) contributed significantly to the model (P < 0.01). Excluding subthreshold parkinsonism from the calculation showed that gait speed less than 0.8 m/s was also associated with a higher prodromal PD probability score (P < 0.001). CONCLUSIONS Subjective motor symptoms as well as simple objective motor measures of physical activity or gait speed are associated with a higher probability of prodromal PD in older adults. These data may serve to enable the early identification of prodromal PD cohorts, particularly if they are confirmed in longitudinal studies. © 2019 International Parkinson and Movement Disorder Society.
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Scurvy: still a threat in the well-fed first world?
Ceglie, G, Macchiarulo, G, Marchili, MR, Marchesi, A, Rotondi Aufiero, L, Di Camillo, C, Villani, A
Archives of disease in childhood. 2019;(4):381-383
Abstract
We report three cases of scurvy in previously healthy children referred to us for leg pain and refusal to walk. All children had no significant medical history, symptoms had started months before and subtly advanced. Two of them presented with gingival hyperplasia and petechiae, another one reported night sweats and gingival bleeding in the past few weeks. Two had vitamin D deficiency, and all had microcytic anaemia (in one case requiring transfusional support). A nutritional screening revealed low or undetectable levels of ascorbic acid. This, along with the clinical and radiological findings, led to a diagnosis of scurvy. Vitamin C supplementation was started with rapid improvement of the children's clinical condition. Scurvy is a rare disease in the 'first world', but there are anecdotal reports of scurvy in children without any of the known risk factors for this condition. In our cases, a selective diet was the only risk factor.
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MRI-based neuroimaging: atypical parkinsonisms and other movement disorders.
Kassubek, J
Current opinion in neurology. 2018;(4):425-430
Abstract
PURPOSE OF REVIEW MRI has become a well established technical tool for parkinsonism both in the diagnostic work-up to differentiate between causes and to serve as a neurobiological marker. This review summarizes current developments in the advanced MRI-based assessment of brain structure and function in atypical parkinsonian syndromes and explores their potential in a clinical and neuroscientific setting. RECENT FINDINGS Computer-based unbiased quantitative MRI analyses were demonstrated to guide in the discrimination of parkinsonian syndromes at single-patient level, with major contributions when combined with machine-learning techniques/support vector machine classification. These techniques have shown their potential in tracking the disease progression, perhaps also as a read-out in clinical trials. The characterization of different brain compartments at various levels of structural and functional alterations can be provided by multiparametric MRI, including a growing variety of diffusion-weighted imaging approaches and potentially iron-sensitive and functional MRI. SUMMARY In case that the recent advances in the MRI-based assessment of atypical parkinsonism will lead to standardized protocols for image acquisition and analysis after the confirmation in large-scale multicenter studies, these approaches may constitute a great achievement in the (operator-independent) detection, discrimination and characterization of degenerative parkinsonian disorders at an individual basis.
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Use of active video gaming in children with neuromotor dysfunction: a systematic review.
Hickman, R, Popescu, L, Manzanares, R, Morris, B, Lee, SP, Dufek, JS
Developmental medicine and child neurology. 2017;(9):903-911
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Abstract
AIM: To examine current evidence on use of active video gaming (AVG) to improve motor function in children with movement disorders including cerebral palsy, developmental coordination disorder, and Down syndrome. METHOD Scopus, MEDLINE, Cochrane Library, EMBASE, and CINAHL were searched. Included papers studied the use of AVG for improving movement-related outcomes in these populations. Parameters studied included health condition, strength of evidence, AVG delivery methods, capacity for individualizing play, outcomes addressed, effectiveness for achieving outcomes, and challenges/limitations. RESULTS The 20 extracted articles varied in quality. Studies involved children with six different conditions using AVG in clinical, home, or school settings for 49 different motor outcomes. Dosage varied in frequency and duration. Choice of games played and difficulty level were therapist determined (n=6) or child controlled (n=14). The most common study limitations were small sample sizes and difficulty individualizing treatment. All articles showed improvement in outcomes with AVG, although differences were not consistently significant compared with conventional therapy. INTERPRETATION Heterogeneity of measurement tools and target outcomes prevented meta-analysis or development of formal recommendations. However, AVG is feasible and shows potential for improving outcomes in this population. Additional investigations of dosing variables, utility as a home supplement to clinical care, and outcomes with larger sample sizes are merited.
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Restless Legs Syndrome and Sleep-Related Movement Disorders.
Trotti, LM
Continuum (Minneapolis, Minn.). 2017;(4, Sleep Neurology):1005-1016
Abstract
PURPOSE OF REVIEW This article provides an update on six sleep-related movement disorders: restless legs syndrome (RLS), periodic limb movement disorder, sleep-related leg cramps, bruxism, rhythmic movement disorder, and propriospinal myoclonus, with an emphasis on RLS. RECENT FINDINGS RLS is a common sensorimotor disorder that impairs quality of life. RLS is frequently comorbid to neurologic, psychiatric, vascular, and inflammatory diseases. Accumulating evidence implicates the pathophysiology of RLS as a state of dopamine dysfunction and iron deficiency that occurs on a background of genetic susceptibility conferred by 6 gene polymorphisms. Multiple treatments approved by the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) are available. Dopamine agonists and α2δ calcium channel ligands are considered first-line treatments, but these treatments have very different side effect profiles that should be taken into consideration. SUMMARY Sleep-related movement disorders are frequently encountered in clinical practice. For some disorders, particularly RLS and periodic limb movement disorder, our understanding of biology, epidemiology, and treatment is advanced. For others, much work is needed to determine optimal treatment strategies.
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Experimentally induced central sensitization in the cervical spine evokes postural stiffening strategies in healthy young adults.
Huntley, AH, Srbely, JZ, Zettel, JL
Gait & posture. 2015;(2):652-7
Abstract
Dysequilibrium of cervicogenic origin can result from pain and injury to cervical paraspinal tissues post-whiplash; however, the specific physiological mechanisms still remain unclear. Central sensitization is a neuradaptive process which has been clinically associated with conditions of chronic pain and hypersensitivity. Strong links have been demonstrated between pain hypersensitivity and postural deficits post-whiplash; however, the precise mechanisms are still poorly understood. The purpose of this study was to explore the mechanisms of cervicogenic disequilibrium by investigating the effect of experimentally induced central sensitization in the cervical spine on postural stability in young healthy adults. Sixteen healthy young adults (7 males (22.6±1.13 years) and 9 females (22±2.69 years)) performed 30-s full-tandem stance trials on an AMTI force plate under normal and centrally sensitized conditions. The primary outcome variables included the standard deviation of the center of pressure (COP) position in medio-lateral (M-L) and antero-posterior (A-P) directions; sway range of the COP in M-L and A-P directions and the mean power frequency (MPF) of the COP and horizontal ground shear forces. Variability and sway range of the COP decreased with experimental induction of central sensitization, accompanied by an increase in MPF of COP displacement in both M-L and A-P directions, suggesting an increase in postural stiffening post-sensitization versus non-sensitized controls. Future studies need to further explore this relationship in clinical (whiplash, chronic pain) populations.
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Meta-Analyses of Manganese Superoxide Dismutase Activity, Gene Ala-9Val Polymorphism, and the Risk of Schizophrenia.
Wang, DF, Cao, B, Xu, MY, Liu, YQ, Yan, LL, Liu, R, Wang, JY, Lu, QB
Medicine. 2015;(36):e1507
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Abstract
Schizophrenia is a complex and disabling psychiatric disorder, and tardive dyskinesia (TD) is a severe adverse drug effect occurring in 20% to 40% of schizophrenic patients chronically treated with typical neuroleptics. Previous studies suggested that the manganese superoxide dismutase (MnSOD) activity was associated with the development of schizophrenia. Ala-9Val polymorphism, a functional polymorphism of MnSOD gene, has been reported to be related to the risk of schizophrenia and TD. However, these studies did not lead to consistent results. We performed meta-analyses aiming to assess the association between MnSOD activity and schizophrenia, as well as the association of MnSOD Ala-9Val polymorphism with schizophrenia and TD in schizophrenic patients.We search for the literature on MnSOD and schizophrenia in English or Chinese published up to May 1, 2015 on PubMed, EMBASE, the Cochrane Databases, Chinese National Knowledge Infrastructure, China Biology Medical and Wanfang databases. Two investigators independently reviewed retrieved literature and evaluated eligibility. Discrepancy was resolved by consensus with a third reviewer. Data were pooled using fixed-effect or random-effect models. The standardized mean difference (SMD) and 95% confidence interval (CI) were calculated for the MnSOD activity. Pooled odds ratio (OR) and 95% CI were calculated for Ala-9Val genotype and allele frequencies.There were 6, 6, and 10 studies entering 3 parts of meta-analyses, respectively. The MnSOD activity of patients was significantly lower than that of controls (SMD = -0.94; 95% CI: -1.76, -0.12; P = 0.025). No significant associations of Ala-9Val genotypes (OR = 1.14; 95% CI: 0.97, 1.33; P = 0.109) and alleles (OR = 1.06; 95% CI: 0.94, 1.20; P = 0.361) with the risk of schizophrenia were observed. We also did not reveal significant associations of the genotypes (OR = 0.82; 95% CI: 0.66, 1.02; P = 0.075) and alleles (OR = 0.90; 95% CI: 0.76, 1.06; P = 0.215) with the risk of TD in schizophrenia.The decreased MnSOD activity may be associated with the risk of chronic schizophrenia in Chinese population, while MnSOD Ala-9Val polymorphism may not play a significant role in the development of schizophrenia and TD. Longitudinal studies with larger sample sizes and different ethnicities are needed to confirm the association of the MnSOD Ala-9Val variants with schizophrenia and TD.
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Brain: positron emission tomography tracers beyond [¹⁸F]fluorodeoxyglucose.
Singhal, T, Alavi, A, Kim, CK
PET clinics. 2014;(3):267-76
Abstract
Several PET radiopharmaceuticals beyond FDG have been used to study the physiology and pathophysiology in neurosciences. This article provides a broad overview of some of the commonly studied radiopharmaceuticals for PET imaging in selected neurologic conditions, particularly attempting to study their clinical relevance. Future studies on the use of advanced PET imaging in delineating neural pathophysiology, drug development, and altering patient management and outcomes across the disciplines of neurosciences are needed.