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Objective: This study was undertaken to test the hypothesis that early vigabatrin treatment in tuberous sclerosis complex (TSC) infants improves neurocognitive outcome at 24 months of age. Methods: A phase IIb multicenter randomized double‐blind placebo‐controlled trial was conducted of vigabatrin at first epileptiform electroencephalogram (EEG) versus vigabatrin at seizure onset in infants with TSC. Primary outcome was Bayley Scales of Infant and Toddler Development, Third Edition (Bayley‐III) cognitive assessment score at 24 months. Secondary outcomes were prevalence of drug‐resistant epilepsy, additional developmental outcomes, and safety of vigabatrin. Results: Of 84 infants enrolled, 12 were screen failures, 4 went straight to open label vigabatrin, and 12 were not randomized (normal EEG throughout). Fifty‐six were randomized to early vigabatrin (n = 29) or placebo (n = 27). Nineteen of 27 in the placebo arm transitioned to open label vigabatrin, with a median delay of 44 days after randomization. Bayley‐III cognitive composite scores at 24 months were similar for participants randomized to vigabatrin or placebo. Additionally, no significant differences were found between groups in overall epilepsy incidence and drug‐resistant epilepsy at 24 months, time to first seizure after randomization, and secondary developmental outcomes. Incidence of infantile spasms was lower and time to spasms after randomization was later in the vigabatrin group. Adverse events were similar across groups. Interpretation: Preventative treatment with vigabatrin based on EEG epileptiform activity prior to seizure onset does not improve neurocognitive outcome at 24 months in TSC children, nor does it delay onset or lower the incidence of focal seizures and drug‐resistant epilepsy at 24 months. Preventative vigabatrin was associated with later time to onset and lower incidence of infantile spasms. ANN NEUROL 2024;95:15–26 [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The Revd George Fisher (1794-1873) started his career at an nsurance cornpany, but came to the attention of Royal Society members and studied at Cambridge University. Whilst still a student, he took part in a naval expedition to the island of Spitsbergen, in the Svalbard archipelago. After graduating, he became a naval chaplain and was chaplain and astronomer to Parry's 1821-'23 expedition to find the Northwest Passage, for which he won the Arctic Medal. His career as a chaplain-scientist in the navy continued until 1834, when he retired to become headmaster of the Greenwich Hospital School, where he built an observatory. His retirement was to Rugby, which is how the author (a Rugby resident) came to be interested in him. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The article discusses a solar eclipse that took place in 2024, specifically focusing on the experience of observing the eclipse in central Texas. The author describes the preparations made for the eclipse, including selecting viewing sites and organizing tours. The weather conditions leading up to the eclipse were uncertain, with cloud cover causing concern. However, just before totality, the sun emerged from behind the clouds, allowing for clear viewing of the eclipse. The author concludes by mentioning that another group in Waxahachie, Texas, also had a successful observation of the eclipse. [Extracted from the article]

The University of Warwick recently unveiled the Marsh Observatory, a new campus observatory that took three years to plan and execute. The observatory aims to train students in the operation of modern research-standard telescopes. It features a telescope dome, a control room, a room with an astronomical simulator, and a rooftop terrace. The facility is named after Prof Tom Marsh, who founded the astronomy and astrophysics program at the university. The observatory was officially opened by Dame Jocelyn Bell Burnell, the discoverer of pulsars. [Extracted from the article]

Objective: This study was undertaken to test the hypothesis that early vigabatrin treatment in tuberous sclerosis complex (TSC) infants improves neurocognitive outcome at 24 months of age., Methods: A phase IIb multicenter randomized double-blind placebo-controlled trial was conducted of vigabatrin at first epileptiform electroencephalogram (EEG) versus vigabatrin at seizure onset in infants with TSC. Primary outcome was Bayley Scales of Infant and Toddler Development, Third Edition (Bayley-III) cognitive assessment score at 24 months. Secondary outcomes were prevalence of drug-resistant epilepsy, additional developmental outcomes, and safety of vigabatrin., Results: Of 84 infants enrolled, 12 were screen failures, 4 went straight to open label vigabatrin, and 12 were not randomized (normal EEG throughout). Fifty-six were randomized to early vigabatrin (n = 29) or placebo (n = 27). Nineteen of 27 in the placebo arm transitioned to open label vigabatrin, with a median delay of 44 days after randomization. Bayley-III cognitive composite scores at 24 months were similar for participants randomized to vigabatrin or placebo. Additionally, no significant differences were found between groups in overall epilepsy incidence and drug-resistant epilepsy at 24 months, time to first seizure after randomization, and secondary developmental outcomes. Incidence of infantile spasms was lower and time to spasms after randomization was later in the vigabatrin group. Adverse events were similar across groups., Interpretation: Preventative treatment with vigabatrin based on EEG epileptiform activity prior to seizure onset does not improve neurocognitive outcome at 24 months in TSC children, nor does it delay onset or lower the incidence of focal seizures and drug-resistant epilepsy at 24 months. Preventative vigabatrin was associated with later time to onset and lower incidence of infantile spasms. ANN NEUROL 2023., (© 2023 The Authors. Annals of Neurology published by Wiley Periodicals LLC on behalf of American Neurological Association.)