Brain & development
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Brain & development · Aug 2014
No association between catechol-O-methyltransferase (COMT) genotype and attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) in Japanese children.
This study ascertained the association between attention deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) in Japanese children and a polymorphism of catechol-O-methyltransferase (COMT), a dopamine-control gene. The secondary aim of the study was the evaluation of a putative association between methylphenidate (MPH) effect/adverse effects and the COMT genotype. ⋯ These results showed a lack of association between the COMT Val/Val genotype and ADHD in Japan.
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Brain & development · Aug 2014
Case ReportsCervical spinal cord compression in a child with cervicofacial actinomycosis.
Actinomycosis is a rare, chronic, suppurative, and slowly progressive granulomatous disease caused by a group of filamentous gram-positive anaerobic bacteria belonging to the normal flora of the oral cavity, gastrointestinal, and genitourinary tracts. It may involve several organs; however, spinal cord compression has rarely been reported. ⋯ Since actinomycosis was strongly suspected, she was treated with high dose of parenteral penicillin G followed by oral penicillin with complete recovery. The unusual features of our case suggested that actinomycosis should be considered as a differential diagnosis of neck mass and cervical spinal cord compression.
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Brain & development · Jun 2014
Case ReportsMarked elevation of interleukin-6 in mild encephalopathy with a reversible splenial lesion (MERS) associated with acute focal bacterial nephritis caused by Enterococcus faecalis.
This report describes two cases of mild encephalitis/encephalopathy with reversible splenial lesion (MERS) associated with acute focal bacterial nephritis (AFBN). The patients, who presented with fever and delirious behavior, exhibited hyponatremia and markedly elevated interleukin (IL)-6 in cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) and serum. Enterococcus faecalis was detected in the urine culture. ⋯ Moreover, a diffusion-weighted MRI abnormality, i.e., intensified signals in splenium of the corpus callosum, disappeared. MERS is a possible complication of AFBN. Elevated CSF IL-6 levels suggest that remote activation of intracerebral immune response through the immune-neuroendocrine pathway might play an important role in the pathophysiology of MERS.
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Brain & development · Apr 2014
Observational StudyChildren with psychogenic non-epileptic seizures (PNES): a detailed semiologic analysis and modified new classification.
To analyze children with psychogenic non epileptic seizures and propose a modified new classification. ⋯ Incorrect diagnosis of epilepsy leads to unnecessary drug treatment. A detailed analysis of semiology and classification helps in early diagnosis of PNES. A modified systematic classification of PNES is proposed which would help in better standardization of PNES.