Search

Interstitial microdeletions in the proximal region of the long arm of chromosome 6 are rare. Herein we have reported 12 patients with developmental delays associated with interstitial microdeletions in 6q ranging from q12 to q22. The microdeletions were detected by chromosomal microarray testing. To confirm the clinical significance of these deletions, genotype-phenotype correlation analysis was performed using genetic and predicted loss-of-function data. SIM1 was recognized as the gene responsible for developmental delay, particularly in Prader-Willi syndrome-like phenotypes. Other genes possibly related to developmental delay were ZNF292, PHIP, KCNQ5, and NUS1. To further establish the correlation between the genotype and phenotype, more patient information is required.

Background Arterial spin labeling, a magnetic resonance imaging modality that can evaluate cerebral perfusion without using a contrast material or ionizing radiation, is becoming increasingly accessible. However, only a few reports have used this method to assess the perfusion abnormalities observed in acute encephalopathy with biphasic seizures and late reduced diffusion. Patient description A 10-month-old Japanese girl presented with febrile status epilepticus (early seizures). Her convulsions ceased after the administration of intravenous phenobarbital, although her impaired consciousness was protracted. Five days later, diffusion-weighted imaging revealed slightly high signal intensity lesions in the bilateral posterior frontal areas. Arterial spin labeling revealed bilateral frontal-dominant hypoperfusion and posterior frontal hyperperfusion. On day 6, she had three convulsions (late seizures) and was diagnosed with acute encephalopathy with biphasic seizures and late reduced diffusion. She received treatment accordingly and recovered eventually. Discussion Based on previous reports, hypoperfusion within 1–2 days of early seizures and hyperperfusion accompanied by bright tree appearance on diffusion-weighted imaging within 1–2 days of late seizures are typical in acute encephalopathy with biphasic seizures and late reduced diffusion. In our patient, the first magnetic resonance imaging scan was performed one day prior to the onset of late seizures. We observed posterior frontal hyperperfusion accompanied by high signals on diffusion-weighted imaging, which leads us to speculate that this could be a predictive marker of late seizures.

Background: Hospital ethics committees have gained importance in Japan. But there is no current status report for the last decade. Aim: To ascertain the status of Japanese hospital ethics committees, to clarify whether the prevalence of such committees differs based on the number of hospital beds, and to identify the requirements for sustaining such committees in practice. Subjects and Methods: A questionnaire survey was sent to 2,433 hospitals accredited by the Japan Council for Quality Health Care. Results: Of the 472 participating hospitals (19.4% response rate), 394 (83.5%) had established/were establishing their hospital ethics committee at the time of the study. The main reason for this was the evaluation of hospital functions by the Japan Council for Quality Health Care. Clinical ethics consultations were performed in 239 out of 394 hospitals (60.6%). A full ethics committee was adopted by 149 out of 239 hospitals (62.3%). Conclusion: Full ethics committees are common in Japan. Clinical ethics consultations have not yet been recognized as an activity for hospital ethics committees to carry out.

Objectives Acute encephalopathy is an acute brain dysfunction after preceding infection, consisting of multiple syndromes. Some syndromes, such as acute encephalopathy with biphasic seizures and late reduced diffusion (AESD), are severe with poor outcome, whereas others, such as clinically mild encephalitis/encephalopathy with reversible splenial lesion (MERS), are mild with favorable outcome. Previous study reported the association of the thermolabile polymorphism in Carnitine Palmitoyltransferase 2 (CPT2) gene and severe syndromes of acute encephalopathy. To further explore the pathogenetic role of CPT2 in acute encephalopathy, we conducted a case-control association study of a typical thermolabile CPT2 polymorphism, rs2229291, in 416 patients of acute encephalopathy, including both severe and mild syndromes. Methods The case cohort consisted of 416 patients, including AESD, MERS, and other syndromes. The control subjects were 100 healthy Japanese. rs2229291 was genotyped by Sanger sequencing. Genetic distribution was compared between the patients and controls using Cochran-Armitage trend test. Results Minor allele frequency of rs2229291 was significantly higher in AESD (p = 0.044), MERS (p = 0.015) and entire acute encephalopathy (p = 0.044) compared to the controls. The polymorphism showed no significant association with influenza virus, or with outcome. Conclusions This study provided evidence that CPT2 is a susceptibility gene for overall acute encephalopathy, including both severe and mild syndromes, and suggested that impairment of mitochondrial metabolism is common to various syndromes of acute encephalopathy.

ObjectiveWe examined the clinical manifestations of acute encephalopathy (AE) and identify risk factors for AE in children with tuberous sclerosis complex (TSC).MethodsThe clinical data of 11 children with clinically diagnosed TSC associated with AE and 109 children with clinically diagnosed TSC alone aged 4 years or older were collected from 13 hospitals.ResultsOf the 11 children with AE, 5 had histories of febrile seizures (FS), and all had histories of febrile status epilepticus (FSE). AE developed within 24 h after fever onset in all children with seizures lasting 30 min or longer. All children developed coma after seizure cessation. Head magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) revealed widespread abnormalities in the cerebral cortex, subcortical white matter, corpus callosum, basal ganglia, and thalamus. One child died; seven had severe neurological sequelae; and the other three, mild sequelae. Logistic regression analysis revealed that a history of FSE was correlated with the development of AE.SignificanceAE in children with TSC was characterized by sudden onset after fever, followed by coma, widespread brain edema evident on MRI, and poor outcomes. A history of FSE was a risk factor for the development of AE.

Background Tuberous sclerosis complex (TSC)-associated neuropsychiatric disorders (TAND) have a large impact on patients and their families. Improving intellectual ability outcomes using preventive vigabatrin (VGB) treatment has recently been reported. Aim The aim of this study was to investigate the severity of behavioral problems and degree of distress among families of patients with TSC with and without a history of VGB treatment. Method The study enrolled 21 children and adolescents who were patients with TSC from four hospitals: 14 in the VGB group and 7 in the no-VGB group. To evaluate patients' psychiatric and neurological symptoms, we used the TAND Checklist, Aberrant Behavior Checklist (ABC), Social Communication Questionnaire (SCQ), and Social Responsive Scale–2nd edition (SRS-2). Results All VGB-group patients were administered VGB after the onset of epileptic seizures. No obvious differences were observed between the VGB and no-VGB groups in behavioral problem scores on the TAND Checklist, or on the ABC, SCQ, and SRS-2 total scores. Behavioral problem scores were lower in patients with normal intelligence than in those with mild intellectual disability (ID; P = 0.042). Degrees of family distress assessed with the TAND Checklist were not correlated with the intelligence quotient/developmental quotient (IQ/DQ) or seizure frequency but were correlated with the total SRS-2 scores (P = 0.022). For several patients, there were large discrepancies between familial and physician ratings of the TAND impact score. Conclusion Children and adolescents with TSC may present with significant behavioral difficulties and family distress, regardless of whether they were treated with VGB or not after the onset of seizures. Difficulties in social communication may have the strongest “TAND impact” on families.

Pyridoxine-dependent epilepsy (PDE) is a rare autosomal-recessive disorder typically presenting with neonatal seizures and is sometimes difficult to diagnose, because the clinical features mimic those of birth asphyxia. A Japanese newborn boy presented with pulmonary haemorrhage and convulsions on the day of birth. Brain computed tomography showed diffuse, but mild, low-density cerebral white matter and a thin subdural hematoma in the posterior fossa. He did not have thrombocytopenia or coagulopathy. His respiratory status improved with conservative treatment, but his convulsions were persistent even after prescription of several antiepileptic drugs. His serum and cerebrospinal fluid showed decreased vitamin B6 vitamers and increased upstream metabolites of α-aminoadipic semialdehyde dehydrogenase, strongly suggesting a diagnosis of PDE; the epileptic spasms ceased after administration of intravenous pyridoxal phosphate hydrate. Gene analysis revealed novel compound heterozygous mutations in ALDH7A1 that included NM_001182.4:[c.1196G > T] and [c.1200 + 1G > A]. Atypical birth asphyxia with persistent neonatal seizure should prompt vitamin B6/metabolite screening.

Pyridoxine-dependent epilepsy (PDE) is a rare autosomal-recessive disorder typically presenting with neonatal seizures and is sometimes difficult to diagnose, because the clinical features mimic those of birth asphyxia. A Japanese newborn boy presented with pulmonary haemorrhage and convulsions on the day of birth. Brain computed tomography showed diffuse, but mild, low-density cerebral white matter and a thin subdural hematoma in the posterior fossa. He did not have thrombocytopenia or coagulopathy. His respiratory status improved with conservative treatment, but his convulsions were persistent even after prescription of several antiepileptic drugs. His serum and cerebrospinal fluid showed decreased vitamin B6 vitamers and increased upstream metabolites of α-aminoadipic semialdehyde dehydrogenase, strongly suggesting a diagnosis of PDE; the epileptic spasms ceased after administration of intravenous pyridoxal phosphate hydrate. Gene analysis revealed novel compound heterozygous mutations in ALDH7A1 that included NM_001182.4:[c.1196G > T] and [c.1200 + 1G > A]. Atypical birth asphyxia with persistent neonatal seizure should prompt vitamin B6/metabolite screening.

Although there are many known Mendelian genes linked to epileptic or developmental and epileptic encephalopathy (EE/DEE), its genetic architecture is not fully explained. Here, we address this incompleteness by analyzing exomes of 743 EE/DEE cases and 2366 controls. We observe that damaging ultra-rare variants (dURVs) unique to an individual are significantly overrepresented in EE/DEE, both in known EE/DEE genes and the other non-EE/DEE genes. Importantly, enrichment of dURVs in non-EE/DEE genes is significant, even in the subset of cases with diagnostic dURVs (P = 0.000215), suggesting oligogenic contribution of non-EE/DEE gene dURVs. Gene-based analysis identifies exome-wide significant (P = 2.04 × 10−6) enrichment of damaging de novo mutations in NF1, a gene primarily linked to neurofibromatosis, in infantile spasm. Together with accumulating evidence for roles of oligogenic or modifier variants in severe neurodevelopmental disorders, our results highlight genetic complexity in EE/DEE, and indicate that EE/DEE is not an aggregate of simple Mendelian disorders., Many causative genes are known for epileptic or developmental and epileptic encephalopathies (EE/DEE) yet a genetic diagnosis cannot be made for many patients. Here, the authors analyse whole exome sequencing data from a Japanese case−control cohort to identify common, rare and ultra-rare coding variants associated with EE/DEE.

Background Mucolipidosis IV (MLIV; OMIM #252650) is an autosomal recessive lysosomal storage disorder, frequently observed in the Ashkenazi Jewish population. MLIV typically results in intellectual disability, corneal opacities, and delayed motor milestones during infancy, with a relatively static course. To date, reports of MLIV in other ethnic groups have been sparse. Patient The present study is a case report of a 9-year-old Japanese boy, diagnosed via whole-exome sequencing, with compound heterozygous mutations of MCOLN1 (OMIM * 605248): c.410T>C (p.Leu137Pro) and c.802_803delAG (p.Ser268Trpfs*17). Although his clinical course was mild (due to a lack of corneal clouding), other relevant features were present. These included strabismus, white matter signal abnormalities, and a hypoplastic corpus callosum at 2years of age. After a molecular diagnosis, a markedly elevated serum gastrin level (which is also common in MLIV) was confirmed. Discussion The present results suggest that MLIV could be added as a differential diagnosis for white matter disorders, regardless of ethnicity. Beyond neurological or ophthalmologic findings, serum gastrin could be a useful diagnostic marker for MLIV.

Febrile infection-related epilepsy syndrome (FIRES), or acute encephalitis with refractory, repetitive partial seizures (AERRPS), is an epileptic encephalopathy beginning with fever-mediated seizures. The etiology remains unclear. To elucidate the genetic background of FIRES/AERRPS (hereafter FIRES), we recruited 19 Japanese patients, genotyped polymorphisms of the IL1B , IL6 , IL10 , TNFA , IL1RN , SCN1A and SCN2A genes, and compared their frequency between the patients and controls. For IL1RN , the frequency of a variable number of tandem repeat (VNTR) allele, RN2, was significantly higher in the patients than in controls ( p =0.0067), and A allele at rs4251981 in 5′ upstream of IL1RN with borderline significance (p =0.015). Haplotype containing RN2 was associated with an increased risk of FIRES (OR 3.88, 95%CI 1.40–10.8, p =0.0057). For SCN1A , no polymorphisms showed a significant association, whereas a missense mutation, R1575C, was found in two patients. For SCN2A , the minor allele frequency of G allele at rs1864885 was higher in patients with borderline significance ( p =0.011). We demonstrated the association of IL1RN haplotype containing RN2 with FIRES, and showed a possible association of IL1RN rs4251981 G>A and SCN2A rs1864885 A>G, in Japanese patients. These preliminary findings suggest the involvement of multiple genetic factors in FIRES, which needs to be confirmed by future studies in a larger number of FIRES cases.

Background Mumps is a common childhood viral disease characterized by fever and swelling of the parotid gland. The prognosis is generally good, although some complications, such as encephalitis (0.1%), exist. Acute encephalopathy with biphasic seizures and late reduced diffusion is the most common type of acute encephalopathy. However, this type of encephalopathy has not been reported in association with mumps infection. Patient A previously healthy 3-year-old Japanese boy had a brief convulsion after fever for 3 days, and then had conscious disturbance and parotitis. After several days, he had a second brief convulsion and was admitted. Increased serum amylase levels and presence of anti-mumps immunoglobulin M antibody confirmed mumps parotitis. The patient had another brief seizure later the day of admission. He did not have status or cluster seizures, although the biphasic nature of his seizures, conscious disturbance between the seizures, no pleocytosis in cerebrospinal fluid, and brain magnetic resonance images were consistent with acute encephalopathy with biphasic seizures and late reduced diffusion. Discussion In Japan, the mumps vaccine is not administered as a part of routine immunizations. It thus has low coverage (30–40%), and as a result, mumps infections are still common. However, this is the first case of mumps-related acute encephalopathy with biphasic seizures and late reduced diffusion. This case may be representative of only a minority of patients with mumps-associated central nervous system involvement. Nevertheless, this diagnostic possibility may be considered. In order to prevent mumps-related complications, routine mumps vaccination might be warranted.

Sweet potato may contain furanoterpenoids, including ipomeamarone, which cause lung edema.A 10-year-old schoolgirl was hospitalized with asthma exacerbation and acute pneumonia. Chest radiographs showed a diffuse opacity of the left lung and hyperpermeability of the right lung. Computed tomography indicated foreign-body aspiration. Flexible bronchoscopy revealed an inhaled piece of sweet potato obstructing the left main bronchus. Although the patient's dyspnea worsened after removal of the sweet potato, she recovered with the treatment based on the 2014 Japanese Childhood Asthma Guidelines.Cases of sweet potato aspiration need careful treatment after removal of the foreign body.

Galloway-Mowat syndrome (GAMOS) is a severe autosomal-recessive disease characterized by the combination of early-onset steroid-resistant nephrotic syndrome (SRNS) and microcephaly with brain anomalies. To date, mutations of WDR73 are the only known monogenic cause of GAMOS and in most affected individuals the molecular diagnosis remains elusive. We here identify recessive mutations of OSGEP, TP53RK, TPRKB, or LAGE3, encoding the 4 subunits of the KEOPS complex in 33 individuals of 30 families with GAMOS. CRISPR/Cas9 knockout in zebrafish and mice recapitulates the human phenotype of microcephaly and results in early lethality. Knockdown of OSGEP, TP53RK, or TPRKB inhibits cell proliferation, which human mutations fail to rescue, and knockdown of either gene activates DNA damage response signaling and induces apoptosis. OSGEP and TP53RK molecularly interact and co-localize with the actin-regulating ARP2/3 complex. Furthermore, knockdown of OSGEP and TP53RK induces defects of the actin cytoskeleton and reduces migration rate of human podocytes, an established intermediate phenotype of SRNS. We thus identify 4 novel monogenic causes of GAMOS, describe the first link between KEOPS function and human disease, and delineate potential pathogenic mechanisms.

Background: There have been numerous reports regarding serum or cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) biomarkers in various disorders; however, the validities of such biomarkers for more precise diagnoses and prognosis estimates remain to be determined, especially in pediatric patients with neurological disorders. Methods: Serum/CSF S100B, neuron-specific enolase, and total tau (tTau) were measured in various acute pediatric neurological disorders, and their usefulness for diagnostic and prognostic predictions was validated using receiver operating characteristic curves and area under the curve (AUC) analysis. Results: A total of 336 serum and 200 CSF specimens from 313 patients were examined, and we identified statistically significant differences that were relevant from diagnostic and prognostic viewpoints. CSF and serum tTau levels could be good predictors for diagnosis (CSF tTau; AUC = 0.76) and prognosis (serum tTau; AUC = 0.78). Conclusions: Both CSF and serum tTau levels could be useful for precise diagnostic and prognostic estimations in acute pediatric neurological disorders. Further studies are needed to clarify the clinical significance of such biomarkers.

Introduction The ketogenic diet is a valuable therapy for patients with intractable epilepsy, but it can result in a variety of complications that sometimes limits its usefulness. Hypoproteinemia is one of the common adverse effects of this diet, although the underling mechanism is largely unknown except for the diet's reduced protein intake. Only one case of protein-losing enteropathy during the ketogenic diet has been reported. Patient Description A previously healthy 9-year-old girl experienced fever for 5 days then suddenly developed convulsive seizures that subsequently evolved to severe refractory status epilepticus. After multiple antiepileptic drugs failed to improve the patient's condition, we introduced the ketogenic diet. Although her seizures diminished, her course was complicated by hypoproteinemia. An abdominal dynamic scintigraphy and colonoscopy findings indicated protein-losing enteropathy with nonspecific mucosal inflammation. Her nutritional status deteriorated; thus, we discontinued the ketogenic diet. Her nutritional status gradually improved, whereas her seizures increased. Discussion Hypoproteinemia during the ketogenic diet is common, but the underlying etiologies are not well understood. Abdominal dynamic scintigraphy could be valuable for clarifying the etiology of hypoproteinemia during the ketogenic diet.

Heterotrimeric G proteins, composed of α, β, and γ subunits, can transduce a variety of signals from seven-transmembrane-type receptors to intracellular effectors. By whole-exome sequencing and subsequent mutation screening, we identified de novo heterozygous mutations in GNAO1, which encodes a Gαo subunit of heterotrimeric G proteins, in four individuals with epileptic encephalopathy. Two of the affected individuals also showed involuntary movements. Somatic mosaicism (approximately 35% to 50% of cells, distributed across multiple cell types, harbored the mutation) was shown in one individual. By mapping the mutation onto three-dimensional models of the Gα subunit in three different complexed states, we found that the three mutants (c.521A>G [p.Asp174Gly], c.836T>A [p.Ile279Asn], and c.572_592del [p.Thr191_Phe197del]) are predicted to destabilize the Gα subunit fold. A fourth mutant (c.607G>A), in which the Gly203 residue located within the highly conserved switch II region is substituted to Arg, is predicted to impair GTP binding and/or activation of downstream effectors, although the p.Gly203Arg substitution might not interfere with Gα binding to G-protein-coupled receptors. Transient-expression experiments suggested that localization to the plasma membrane was variably impaired in the three putatively destabilized mutants. Electrophysiological analysis showed that Gαo-mediated inhibition of calcium currents by norepinephrine tended to be lower in three of the four Gαo mutants. These data suggest that aberrant Gαo signaling can cause multiple neurodevelopmental phenotypes, including epileptic encephalopathy and involuntary movements.

Objective: Acute encephalopathy with biphasic seizures and late reduced diffusion (AESD) is a childhood encephalopathy following severe febrile seizures, leaving neurologic sequelae in many patients. However, its pathogenesis remains unclear. In this study, we clarified that genetic variation in the adenosine A2A receptor ( ADORA2A ), whose activation is involved in excitotoxicity, may be a predisposing factor of AESD. Methods: We analyzed 4 ADORA2A single nucleotide polymorphisms in 85 patients with AESD. The mRNA expression in brain samples, mRNA and protein expression in lymphoblasts, as well as the production of cyclic adenosine monophosphate (cAMP) by lymphoblasts in response to adenosine were compared among ADORA2A diplotypes. Results: Four single nucleotide polymorphisms were completely linked, which resulted in 2 haplotypes, A and B. Haplotype A (C at rs2298383, T at rs5751876, deletion at rs35320474, and C at rs4822492) frequency in patients was significantly higher than in controls ( p = 0.005). Homozygous haplotype A (AA diplotype) had a higher risk of developing AESD (odds ratio 2.32, 95% confidence interval 1.32–4.08; p = 0.003) via a recessive model. mRNA expression was significantly higher in AA than AB and BB diplotypes, both in the brain ( p = 0.003 and 0.002, respectively) and lymphoblasts ( p = 0.035 and 0.003, respectively). In lymphoblasts, ADORA2A protein expression ( p = 0.024), as well as cellular cAMP production ( p = 0.0006), was significantly higher in AA than BB diplotype. Conclusions: AA diplotype of ADORA2A is associated with AESD and may alter the intracellular adenosine/cAMP cascade, thereby promoting seizures and excitotoxic brain damage in patients.

The present study aimed to evaluate the efficacy of surgical treatment for intractable aspiration in patients with severe motor and intellectual disabilities (SMID) and neuromuscular diseases (NMD).A retrospective analysis was performed of 20 patients who underwent laryngotracheal separation (LTS) or the tracheal flap method (TFM) between 2003 and 2012 at Gunma Children's Medical Center.All patients were bedridden and fed either through a naso-gastric or naso-esophageal tube or via a gastric fistula. Of the 20 participants, 60% underwent surgical treatment before 3 years of age. The incidence of aspiration pneumonia decreased after surgery, and 8 of 10 patients, who were previously hospitalized for a long duration, were discharged. The most frequent complications observed were granulation around the tracheostomy stoma and endotracheal granuloma. Two patients presented with a tracheal fistula.LTS and TFM can be used as treatment modalities for patients with intractable aspiration along with SMID and NMD. In patients with intractable aspiration, after considering their underlying conditions, adaptation and type of operative procedures should be determined.

We describe a boy with Fisher syndrome. He presented the typical symptoms of Fisher syndrome, including external ophthalmoplegia, abnormality of convergence, and areflexia, after an episode of Campylobacter enterocolitis. Atypically, however, anti-GA1 antibody was detected in his serum, though anti-GQ1b and anti-GT1a antibodies were not. In addition, the tau protein level in his cerebrospinal fluid was elevated. Generally, Fisher syndrome is a self-limiting disease and has a good prognosis. In our patient, however, mild diplopia and areflexia persisted 6 months after their onset. Here, we report on the first Fisher syndrome patient with anti-GA1 antibody in the serum and elevated tau protein in the cerebrospinal fluid.

Background Congenital cytomegalovirus (CMV) infection causes various neurological sequelae. However, most infected infants are asymptomatic at birth, and retrospective diagnosis is difficult beyond the neonatal period. Objective This study aimed to investigate the aspects of neurological sequelae associated with asymptomatic congenital CMV infection. Methods We retrospectively analyzed 182 patients who were suspected of having asymptomatic congenital CMV infection with neurological symptoms in Japan. Congenital CMV infection was diagnosed by quantitative polymerase chain reaction amplification of CMV from dried umbilical cord DNA. Results Fifty-nine patients (32.4%) who tested positive for CMV were confirmed as having congenital CMV infection. Among 54 congenital CMV patients, major neurological symptoms included intellectual disability (n = 51, 94.4%), hearing impairment (n = 36, 66.7%) and cerebral palsy (n = 21, 38.9%), while microcephaly (n = 16, 29.6%) and epilepsy (n = 14, 25.9%) were less common. In a brain magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) study, cortical dysplasia was observed in 27 CMV-positive patients (50.0%), and all patients (100%) had cerebral white matter (WM) abnormality. Intracranial calcification was detected by CT in 16 (48.5%) of 33 CMV-positive patients. Cerebral palsy, cortical dysplasia and a WM abnormality with a diffuse pattern were associated with marked intellectual disability. Conclusions Brain MRI investigations are important for making a diagnosis and formulating an intellectual prognosis. Analysis of umbilical cord tissue represents a unique and useful way to retrospectively diagnose congenital CMV infection.

Background: Acute encephalopathy with biphasic seizures and late reduced diffusion (AESD) is characterized clini- cally by biphasic seizures and late magnetic resonance imaging abnormalities, such as reduced subcortical diffusion from day 3 onwards, often accompanied with some neurological sequelae. In the early stages of the disease, AESD closely resembles its far more prevalent and relatively benign counterpart, febrile seizure (FS). Methods: We measured and compared the serum or cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) levels of S100B, neuron-specific enolase (NSE), and total tau protein in 43 patients with FS and 18 patients withAESD, at any point during the disease. To assess early diagnostic validity, we compared these biomarkers in 43 FS and eight AESD patients, with whom the day 0-2 samples were available. We used the receiver-operator characteristic curve to evaluate the diagnostic values of these markers. Results: The levels of all biomarkers were significantly higher in AESD than FS patients. When only day 0-2 samples from AESD patients were used, the levels of all the measured biomarkers, except serum NSE, were still significantly higher in patients with AESD than in FS, suggesting that AESD could damage astrocytes, neurons, and axons, even in the early stages of the disease. According to the receiver-operator characteristic curve analyses, CSF S100B (cut-off value, 100 pg/mL) and CSF total tau protein (cut-off value, 100 pg/mL) were better predictors of AESD than other biomarkers. Conclusion: The combination of CSF S100B and CSF total tau protein resulted in a positive predictive value of AESD 83.3%, which could be helpful for early diagnosis, facilitating early therapeutic interventions.

Alexander disease is a major entity of leukodystrophy; magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) studies of the brain typically show extensive changes in the cerebral white matter with frontal predominance. Heterozygous missense mutations of GFAP are thought to be sufficient for the molecular diagnosis, which has widened the Alexander disease entity beyond the classical one. We report the patient, a 16-year-old Japanese boy, with infantile-onset Alexander disease, showing striking MRI findings; extreme white matter loss of cerebrum through cerebellum, severe atrophy of basal ganglia, cerebellum, brain stem, and cervical spinal cord. Molecular analysis showed a heterozygous mutation R239L (c.730G > T) in GFAP. A relative long disease course, over 15 years, with the help of mechanical ventilation revealed the striking MRI progression.

Objective: To clarify the immune pathophysiology of West syndrome (WS). Study design: We measured peripheral blood lymphocyte subset and serum cytokine profiles in 76 WS patients and 26 age-matched controls. Adrenocorticotropic hormone (ACTH) is one of the most effective therapy for WS and presumably immune-modulating; therefore, we compared the measured parameters between before ACTH (pre-ACTH) WS patients and controls, between cryptogenic and symptomatic WS patients before ACTH (pre-ACTH), and between before (pre-ACTH) and after (post-ACTH) ACTH WS patients. The post-ACTH group included those who received the last ACTH dose within 1 month of sampling. Results: CD3+ CD25+, CD19+, and CD19+ CD95+ cells were found to be significantly lower in the pre-ACTH group than in the controls. Interleukin (IL)-1 receptor antagonist (RA), 5, 6, and 15; eotaxin; basic fibroblast growth factor (bFGF); and interferon γ-inducible protein (IP)-10 levels were higher in pre-ACTH group than in the controls. No significant differences were found between the pre-ACTH cryptogenic and symptomatic groups. CD4+ cells, CD3+ cells, CD4+/8+ ratio, IL-1β, IL-12, and macrophage inflammatory protein (MIP)-1β were significantly higher in pre-ACTH group than in the post-ACTH group. Conclusions: Our study revealed immunological alterations in WS patients, and these responses were modified by ACTH therapy. Further study is needed to elucidate whether or how the immune system alteration is involved in the pathophysiology of WS.

We report sibling cases of aromatic L-amino acid decarboxylase (AADC) deficiency, which is a very rare congenital metabolic disorder. These patients were born to healthy and non-consanguineous parents, and presented oculogyric crises, paroxysmal dystonic attacks, and severe psychomotor retardation since early infancy. In cerebrospinal fluid the levels of homovanilic acid and 5-hydroxyindoleacetic acid were very low and the level of L-dopa was very high. The diagnosis was confirmed by the lack of AADC activity in plasma, and a point mutation in the AADC gene. MRI revealed a slightly small volume of the prefrontal areas and normal myelination in both patients. Positron emission tomography using 2-deoxy-2[(18)F] fluoro-D-glucose was performed in one patient, which revealed hypometabolism in the prefrontal cortex and bilateral basal ganglia with a little laterality. These findings suggested that the severe dystonic features were caused by abnormal function of bilateral basal ganglia and severe psychomotor retardation could be due to abnormalities in prefrontal cortical activity.

We report on a girl with early onset Huntington disease (HD). Her initial symptoms at 2 years of age included oral motor dysfunction and gait disturbance. Magnetic resonance imaging of the head revealed severe atrophy of both the vermis and the cerebellar cortex in addition to the common findings of basal ganglia including the caudate nuclei, putamen, and globus pallidus. Molecular analysis showed 160 CAG repeats in the HD gene. This mutation was inherited from her mother who was also affected, with a HD CAG expansion of 60 repeats. Cerebellar symptoms should be considered as a manifestation of early onset HD.

It is known that rotavirus gastroenteritis can accompany some neurological manifestations, including encephalitis/encephalopathy or seizures. However, the detailed pathogenesis involved has not been fully understood. To date, acute cerebellitis associated rotavirus gastroenteritis has not been previously reported, except for one case. Herein, we describe two cases of acute encephalitis/encephalopathy and concurrent cerebellitis, associated rotavirus gastroenteritis. Following vomiting and diarrhea, case 1 experienced convulsions and consciousness disturbance and case 2, transient loss of consciousness with eye deviation. After these symptoms subsided, cerebellar signs became evident and a brain MRI showed cerebellar involvement in both cases. Both cases showed speech disturbances, such as mutism, slow speech and dysarthria. In this report, we will discuss the possible pathogenesis of rotavirus associated acute encephalitis/encephalopathy and concurrent cerebellitis.

Background: ARX is a paired-type homeobox gene located on the X chromosome that contains five exons with four polyalanine (PolyA) tracts, a homeodomain, and a conserved C-terminal aristaless domain. Studies in humans have demonstrated remarkable pleiotropy: malformation phenotypes are associated with protein truncation mutations and missense mutations in the homeobox; nonmalformation phenotypes, including X-linked infantile spasms (ISS), are associated with missense mutations outside of the homeobox and expansion of the PolyA tracts. Objective: To investigate the role of ARX , we performed mutation analysis in 115 boys with cryptogenic ISS. This included two pairs of brothers. Results: We found an expansion of the trinucleotide repeat that codes for the first PolyA tract from 10 to 17 GCG repeats (c.333_334ins[GCG]7) in six boys (5.2%) ages 2 to 14, from four families, including the two pairs of brothers. In addition to ISS, all six boys had severe mental retardation and generalized dystonia that appeared around the age of 6 months and worsened, eventually leading to stable severe quadriplegic dyskinesia within age 2 years. Three children experienced recurrent, life-threatening status dystonicus. In four children brain MRI showed multiple small foci of abnormal cavitation on T1 and increased signal intensity on T2 in the putamina, possibly reflecting progressive multifocal loss of tissue. Conclusion: The phenotype of infantile spasms with severe dyskinetic quadriparesis increases the number of human disorders that result from the pathologic expansion of single alanine repeats. ARX gene testing should be considered in boys with infantile spasms and dyskinetic cerebral palsy in the absence of a consistent perinatal history.

Summary KCNT1 mutations have been found in epilepsy of infancy with migrating focal seizures (EIMFS; also known as migrating partial seizures in infancy), autosomal dominant nocturnal frontal lobe epilepsy, and other types of early onset epileptic encephalopathies (EOEEs). We performed KCNT1-targeted next-generation sequencing (207 samples) and/or whole-exome sequencing (229 samples) in a total of 362 patients with Ohtahara syndrome, West syndrome, EIMFS, or unclassified EOEEs. We identified nine heterozygous KCNT1 mutations in 11 patients: nine of 18 EIMFS cases (50%) in whom migrating foci were observed, one of 180 West syndrome cases (0.56%), and one of 66 unclassified EOEE cases (1.52%). KCNT1 mutations occurred de novo in 10 patients, and one was transmitted from the patient's mother who carried a somatic mosaic mutation. The mutations accumulated in transmembrane segment 5 (2/9, 22.2%) and regulators of K+ conductance domains (7/9, 77.8%). Five of nine mutations were recurrent. Onset ages ranged from the neonatal period (

An 11-year-old boy presented with progressive walking disturbances. He exhibited severe equinovarus feet that together presented with hyperreflexia of the patellar tendon and extensor plantar, resembling spastic paraplegia or upper neuron disease. He showed mild distal muscle atrophy, as well. We did not observe signs of cognitive impairment, cerebellar signs, or brain magnetic resonance imaging abnormalities. Nerve biopsy showed giant axon swellings filled with neurofilaments. Gene analysis revealed novel compound heterozygous missense mutations in the gigaxonin gene, c.808G>A (p.G270S) and c.1727C>A (p.A576E). He was diagnosed with mild giant axonal neuropathy (GAN) without apparent central nervous system involvement. Patients with classical GAN manifest their symptoms during early childhood. Mild GAN, particularly in early stages, can be misdiagnosed because of lack of typical hair features and incomplete or indistinct peripheral and central nervous system symptoms. This case is important since it can aid to identify atypical and milder clinical courses of GAN. This report widens the mild GAN clinical spectrum, alerting physicians for correct diagnosis.

Acute encephalopathy with biphasic seizures and late reduced diffusion (AESD) at onset manifests an early seizure (ES) usually lasting more than 30 min. Following ES, some patients exhibit almost clear consciousness with no neurological symptoms, and no MRI abnormality for a few days, which may lead to an initial misdiagnosis of prolonged febrile seizures (PFS). To allow an early diagnosis of AESD, we retrospectively analyzed clinical manifestations, laboratory data, and radiologic and EEG findings in patients with AESD (n=62) having ES of over 30 min, and ones with PFS (n=54), using logistic regression analyses. Multivariate logistic regression analysis revealed that an age below 1.5 years and a Glasgow Coma Scale score of 14 or less than 14 (Japan Coma Scale score of 1 or higher) were high risk factors of developing AESD. We proposed an AESD prediction score system consisting of consciousness level, age, duration of convulsions, enforcement of mechanical intubation, and aspartate aminotransferase, blood glucose and creatinine levels (full score: 9), the mean scores in AESD and PFS being 5.9 and 1.8, which were significantly different (p

We describe a 5-year-old boy and a 33-year-old woman with spondyloepimetaphyseal dysplasia with joint laxity leptodactylic form (spondyloepimetaphyseal dysplasia with multiple dislocations) (MIM 6003546), and two 12-year-old girls with the disorder who were previously reported as examples of a variant of sponatrime dysplasia. Their clinical manifestations included midface hypoplasia, micromelic short stature, and generalized joint laxity that caused multiple joint problems, including thoracolumbar scoliosis, hip subluxation, progressive genu valgum with knee and patellar subluxation, elbow subluxation, and malalignment of the wrist. Laryngotracheomalacia was present in two individuals, and myopathy was noted in one. The radiological findings in the four individuals included mild platyspondyly most conspicuous in infancy, narrow interpediculate distances of the lumbar spine evident in infancy, retarded epiphyseal ossification that evolved to epiphyseal dysplasia and later to degenerative joint disease, metaphyseal irregularities and striations present in early childhood, and leptodactylic appearance (slender short tubular bones) of the hand. © 2002 Wiley-Liss, Inc.

We retrospectively collected three patients with clinically mild encephalitis with a reversible splenial lesion (MERS) after mumps vaccination, and reviewed five patients, including two patients previously reported. The five patients (all males, aged 1 to 9) presented with fever, vomiting, or headache as the initial symptoms (day 0), suggesting meningitis, at 13 to 21 days after mumps vaccination. Consciousness disturbance, delirious behavior, seizures, or dysarthria was observed on days 1 to 3, which had completely resolved before day 11. Hyponatremia was observed in all patients. A cerebrospinal fluid study showed pleocytosis, and confirmed the vaccine strain genome. MRI revealed reduced diffusion in the splenium of the corpus callosum on days 2 to 4, which had completely disappeared on the follow-up studies performed on days 7-15. EEG showed high voltage slow wave in three patients, which later normalized. These findings led to a diagnosis of MERS after mumps vaccination. MERS after mumps vaccination may be more common than previously considered. MERS is suspected when a male patient after mumps vaccination presents with neurological symptoms with hyponatremia, following symptoms of aseptic meningitis, and MRI would be performed to examine the splenium of the corpus callosum.

Background Pelizaeus–Merzbacher disease (PMD), a hypomyelinating leukodystrophy, and the related but less severe allelic spastic paraplegia 2 (SPG2) are caused by mutations in the proteolipid protein 1 (PLP1) gene. Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) is pivotal for diagnosing these disorders. The severity of PMD/SPG2 varies, and for a milder form of PMD, there have been some reports of near-normal findings in T1-weighted images but abnormal findings in T2-weighted images. Patient We report the case of a 5-year-old boy diagnosed with a milder form of PMD caused by a novel PLP1 mutation in exon 3: c.300delC (p.I100IfsX13). He had delayed development from several months of age and was able to walk with support at 19 months in spite of the spasticity in his lower extremities. Hypomyelination was noted at 12 months by brain MRI. Motor nerve conduction studies showed decreased velocities with reduced amplitudes. Follow-up MRI at 1-year intervals from 18 months until 55 months of age showed gradual myelination progress. Discussion The single nucleotide deletion identified in this patient can cause a frameshift and premature termination of PLP1. Via the nonsense-mediated mRNA decay mechanism of this mutation will result in loss-of-function, leading to a milder form of PMD. The present case is compatible with previously reported cases of milder form of PMD. We incidentally identified progressive myelination in this patient by T1-weighted images obtained by serial MRI. This finding adds to our understanding of the pathological stages of a milder form of PMD.

This report describes a patient with Costello syndrome associated with moyamoya-like vasculopathy. His clinical findings were sparse, thin, and light-colored hair, bilateral ptosis, low-set ears, depressed nasal bridge, bulbous nose, short neck, loose pigmented skin with deep palmar and plantar creases, bilateral cryptorchidism, and delays in growth and development. Brain magnetic resonance imaging and cerebral angiography revealed moyamoya-like vasculopathy. A skin biopsy from the extensor surface of the right thigh revealed shortening and rupture of elastic fibers. Electron microscopy indicated reduced depositions of elastin. Formation of a stable elastic fiber system may be impaired in patients with Costello syndrome, and brain magnetic resonance imaging and magnetic resonance angiography would be recommended for these patients.

Acute encephalopathy with biphasic seizures and late reduced diffusion (AESD) is characterized clinically by biphasic seizures and late magnetic resonance imaging abnormalities, such as reduced subcortical diffusion from day 3 onwards, often accompanied with some neurological sequelae. In the early stages of the disease, AESD closely resembles its far more prevalent and relatively benign counterpart, febrile seizure (FS).We measured and compared the serum or cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) levels of S100B, neuron-specific enolase (NSE), and total tau protein in 43 patients with FS and 18 patients with AESD, at any point during the disease. To assess early diagnostic validity, we compared these biomarkers in 43 FS and eight AESD patients, with whom the day 0-2 samples were available. We used the receiver-operator characteristic curve to evaluate the diagnostic values of these markers.The levels of all biomarkers were significantly higher in AESD than FS patients. When only day 0-2 samples from AESD patients were used, the levels of all the measured biomarkers, except serum NSE, were still significantly higher in patients with AESD than in FS, suggesting that AESD could damage astrocytes, neurons, and axons, even in the early stages of the disease. According to the receiver-operator characteristic curve analyses, CSF S100B (cut-off value, 100 pg/mL) and CSF total tau protein (cut-off value, 100 pg/mL) were better predictors of AESD than other biomarkers.The combination of CSF S100B and CSF total tau protein resulted in a positive predictive value of AESD 83.3%, which could be helpful for early diagnosis, facilitating early therapeutic interventions.

Division of Medical Genetics, Division of Neurology, Gunma Children’s Medical Center, Shibukawa, Department of Medical Genetics, Shinshu University School of Medicine, Matsumoto, Department of Pediatrics, Dokkyo Medical University Koshigaya Hospital, Koshigaya, Department of Human Genetics, Yokohama City University Graduate School of Medicine, Yokohama, Japan and Department of Child Neurology, VU University Medical Center, Amsterdam, The Netherlands Correspondence to Yoko Narumi, MD, PhD, Department of Medical Genetics, Shinshu University School of Medicine, 3-1-1 Asahi, Matsumoto 390-8621, Japan Tel: + 81 263 37 2618; fax: + 81 263 37 2619; e-mail: ynarumi@shinshu-u.ac.jp

The high incidence of acute encephalopathy in East Asia suggests the role of genetic factors in its pathogenesis. It has recently been reported that variations of the CPT II (carnitine palmitoyl transferase II) gene may be associated with fatal or severe cases of influenza-associated encephalopathy. In the present study, we examined the genotype of CPT II in cases of acute encephalopathy associated with various preceding infections. Twenty-nine Japanese patients with acute encephalopathy with biphasic seizures and late reduced diffusion (AESD) or acute necrotizing encephalopathy (ANE) were studied. The frequency of F352C of CPT II exon 4 was significantly higher in patients than in controls. All patients who had allele C in F352C had allele I in V368I and allele M in M647V (CIM haplotype), which reportedly decreases CPT II activity to one third of that with FIM or FVM haplotype. The frequency of CIM haplotype was significantly different between patients and controls, but not between AESD and ANE. Our results revealed that having at least one CIM allele is a risk factor for the onset of acute encephalopathy, regardless of its antecedent infections.

We investigated the molecular basis of holoprosencephaly in a sporadic patient and identified a novel missense mutation in the signal sequence of the sonic hedgehog (Shh) gene. Magnetic resonance imaging of the head showed a lobar type of holoprosencephaly and partial agenesis of the anterior corpus callosum. He was treated for craniosynostosis at 7 months of age. All three exons of the Shh gene were amplified by polymerase chain reaction from genomic DNA of the patient and controls. Sequencing analysis of the polymerase chain reaction fragments, screened by single-strand conformation polymorphism analysis, revealed a heterozygous mutation of a T-to-C substitution at nucleotide position 50. This mutation predicted an amino acid replacement of leucine to proline at codon 17 located in the signal peptide of SHH protein. It probably disturbs the translocation of the protein into the endoplasmic reticulum and may lead to holoprosencephaly because of haploinsufficiency of Shh.

Osteoporosis-pseudoglioma syndrome (OPS; OMIM 259770) is an autosomal-recessive genetic disorder characterized by severe osteoporosis and visual disturbance from childhood. Biallelic mutations in the low-density lipoprotein receptor-related protein 5 gene (LRP5) have been frequently detected, while a subset of patients had only one or no detectable mutation. We report on the clinical and molecular findings of four unrelated Japanese patients with the syndrome. The four patients had typical skeletal and ocular phenotypes of OPS, namely severe juvenile osteoporosis and early-onset visual disturbance, with or without mental retardation. We undertook standard PCR-based sequencing for LRP5 and found four missense mutations (p.L145F, p.T244M, p.P382L, and p.T552M), one nonsense mutation (p.R1534X), and one splice site mutation (c.1584+1G>A) among four OPS patients. Although three patients had two heterozygous mutations, one had only one heterozygous splice site mutation. In this patient, RT-PCR from lymphocytic RNA demonstrated splice error resulting in 63-bp insertion between exons 7 and 8. Furthermore, the patient was found to have only mutated RT-PCR fragment, implying that a seemingly normal allele did not express LRP5 mRNA. We then conducted custom- designed oligonucleotide tiling microarray analyses targeted to a 600-kb genome region harboring LRP5 and discovered a 7.2-kb microdeletion encompassing exons 22 and 23 of LRP5. We found various types of LRP5 mutations, including an exon-level deletion that is undetectable by standard PCR-based mutation screening. Oligonucleotide tiling microarray seems to be a powerful tool in identifying cryptic structural mutations.

Baraitser-Winter syndrome (BaWS) is characterized by iris coloboma, ptosis, hypertelorism, and mental retardation; it is a rare multiple congenital anomaly or a mental-retardation syndrome of unknown etiology. Patients suffering from this syndrome have been also found to show brain anomalies such as pachygyria, subcortical-band heterotopia (SBH), and hippocampal malformations; therefore, these anomalies have been included in the phenotypic spectrum of this syndrome. We report the case of a Japanese boy suffering from BaWS; the patient's brain magnetic resonance imaging scan revealed pachygyria, SBH, and periventricular heterotopia. However, the results of the genome-wide array comparative genomic hybridization did not reveal any chromosomal rearrangements.

Galloway-Mowat syndrome (GMS) is a rare autosomal recessive disorder characterized by early onset nephrotic syndrome and microcephaly with various anomalies of the central nervous system. GMS likely represents a heterogeneous group of disorders with hitherto unknown genetic etiology. The clinical phenotype to some extent overlaps that of Pierson syndrome (PS), which comprises congenital nephrotic syndrome and distinct ocular abnormalities but which may also include neurodevelopmental deficits and microcephaly. PS is caused by mutations of LAMB2, the gene encoding laminin beta 2. We hypothesized that GMS might be allelic to PS or be caused by defects in proteins that interact with laminin beta 2. In a cohort of 18 patients with GMS or a GMS-like phenotype we therefore analyzed the genes encoding laminin beta 2 (LAMB2), laminin alpha 5 (LAMA5), alpha 3-integrin (ITGA3), beta 1-integrin (ITGB1) and alpha-actinin-4 (ACTN4), but we failed to find causative mutations in these genes. We inferred that LAMA5, ITGA3, ITGB1, and ACTN4 are not directly involved in the pathogenesis of GMS. We excluded LAMB2 as a candidate gene for GMS. Further studies are required, including linkage analysis in families with GMS to identify genes underlying this disease.