scholarly journals A reflection on the role of genetics in the concept of “epileptic encephalopathy”, as emerged from the most recent ILEA classification of epilepsy

2020 ◽  
Vol 46 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Angelo Russo ◽  
Giuseppe Gobbi

AbstractThe International League Against Epilepsy (ILAE) has been working to standardize the epilepsy classifications for over a hundred years.The latest epilepsy classification has been recently carried out with a careful overview on several topics including the “epileptic encephalopathies” concept and several constructive discussions on this topic have taken place in the international community of epileptologists.Here we wish to share our reflection on a statement of the ILAE commission on the “epileptic encephalopathy” concept, which in our opinion pays less attention to the “electroclinical syndromes” concept in favor of the new and very rapid genetic advances, thus generating confusion.Our aim is both to preserve the role of electroclinical syndromes, while allowing for the association of the phenotype with specific gene mutations, and to underline the importance of bringing electroclinical syndromes back to the forefront of epileptology.We believe the “match” is still open and for this reason we would like to share our considerations and to open a constructive debate on the “epileptic encephalopathy” concept.

2021 ◽  
Vol 4 (2) ◽  
pp. e000196
Author(s):  
Yue Wu ◽  
Xiaosi Jin ◽  
Yuhao Zhang ◽  
Jing Zheng ◽  
Rulai Yang

Congenital heart disease (CHD) is the most common of congenital cardiovascular malformations associated with birth defects, and it results in significant morbidity and mortality worldwide. The classification of CHD is still elusive owing to the complex pathogenesis of CHD. Advances in molecular medicine have revealed the genetic basis of some heart anomalies. Genes associated with CHD might be modulated by various epigenetic factors. Thus, the genetic and epigenetic factors are gradually accepted as important triggers in the pathogenesis of CHD. However, few literatures have comprehensively elaborated the genetic and epigenetic mechanisms of CHD. This review focuses on the etiology of CHD from genetics and epigenetics to discuss the role of these factors in the development of CHD. The interactions between genetic and epigenetic in the pathogenesis of CHD are also elaborated. Chromosome abnormalities and gene mutations in genetics, and DNA methylations, histone modifications and on-coding RNAs in epigenetics are summarized in detail. We hope the summative knowledge of these etiologies may be useful for improved diagnosis and further elucidation of CHD so that morbidity and mortality of children with CHD can be reduced in the near future.


2012 ◽  
Vol 2012 ◽  
pp. 1-8 ◽  
Author(s):  
Sonia Khan ◽  
Raidah Al Baradie

Epileptic encephalopathies are an epileptic condition characterized by epileptiform abnormalities associated with progressive cerebral dysfunction. In the classification of the International League Against Epilepsy eight age-related epileptic encephalopathy syndromes are recognized. These syndromes include early myoclonic encephalopathy and Ohtahara syndrome in the neonatal period, West syndrome and Dravet syndrome in infancy, myoclonic status in nonprogressive encephalopathies, and Lennox-Gastaut syndrome, Landau-Kleffner syndrome, and epilepsy with continuous spike waves during slow wave sleep in childhood and adolescences. Other epileptic syndromes such as migrating partial seizures in infancy and severe epilepsy with multiple independent spike foci may be reasonably added. In this paper, we provide an overview of epileptic encephalopathies including clinical neurophysiological features, cognitive deterioration, and management options especially that these conditions are generally refractory to standard antiepileptic drugs.


2012 ◽  
Vol 2012 ◽  
pp. 1-7 ◽  
Author(s):  
Ali Reza Rezaee ◽  
Mohammad Mehdi Banoei ◽  
Elham Khalili ◽  
Massoud Houshmand

Iran with an area of 1.648 million km2is located between the Caspian Sea and the Persian Gulf. The Iranian population consists of multiethnic groups that have been influenced by various invasions and migration throughout history. Studies have revealed the presence of more than 47 differentβ-globin gene mutations responsible forβ-Thalassemia in Iran. This paper is an attempt to study the origin ofβ-Thalassemia mutations in different parts of Iran. Distribution ofβ-Thalassemia mutations in Iran shows different patterns in different areas.β-Thalassemia mutations have been a reflection of people and area in correlation with migration and origin of ancestors. We compared the frequencies ofβ-globin mutations in different regions of Iran with those derived from neighboring countries. The analysis provided evidence of complementary information about the genetic admixture and migration of some mutations, as well as the remarkable genetic classification of the Iranian people and ethnic groups.


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