1. de Breet LHM, Townend GS, Curfs LMG, Kingma H, Smeets EEJ, Lucieer F, Widdershoven J, van de Berg R. {{Challenges in evaluating the oculomotor function in individuals with Rett syndrome using electronystagmography}}. {European journal of paediatric neurology : EJPN : official journal of the European Paediatric Neurology Society}. 2018.
BACKGROUND: Rett syndrome (RTT) is a neurological disorder characterized by a broad spectrum of symptoms. Communication is a major area of difficulty. Use of eye tracking technology offers a potentially effective method of communication when underpinned by intact oculomotor function. In this study, oculomotor function was assessed using electronystagmography (ENG). However, challenges were encountered when examining individuals with RTT. PURPOSE: To improve oculomotor examination in individuals with RTT by evaluating the challenges encountered during ENG examination. MATERIAL AND METHODS: Oculomotor function was examined in 17 girls and young women with RTT and 16 typically developing (TD) individuals using ENG. Observational analysis of both performance and results indicated that challenges in examination were mainly related to quality of attention and quality of signals. Subsequently these outcome values were explored quantitatively according to percentage looking time for attention and drift for signal quality. RESULTS: A significantly reduced level of attention and suboptimal electrode signals were evident in the RTT group when compared with the TD group for all tests except torsion swing. CONCLUSION: The challenges in testing confirm that regular oculomotor examination should be adjusted to meet the needs of individuals with RTT. It is hypothesized that the RTT group’s higher quality of attention on the torsion swing can be explained by the more forceful vestibular rather than visual-ocular stimulus operating in this test. Suggested adaptations include reducing the number of electrodes, changing the picture stimuli and bringing them closer, performing observational assessments rather than ENG, and using virtual reality goggles.
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2. Li Z, Jagadapillai R, Gozal E, Barnes G. {{Deletion of Semaphorin 3F in Interneurons Is Associated with Decreased GABAergic Neurons, Autism-like Behavior, and Increased Oxidative Stress Cascades}}. {Mol Neurobiol}. 2019.
Autism and epilepsy are diseases which have complex genetic inheritance. Genome-wide association and other genetic studies have implicated at least 500+ genes associated with the occurrence of autism spectrum disorders (ASD) including the human semaphorin 3F (Sema 3F) and neuropilin 2 (NRP2) genes. However, the genetic basis of the comorbid occurrence of autism and epilepsy is unknown. The aberrant development of GABAergic circuitry is a possible risk factor in autism and epilepsy. Molecular biological approaches were used to test the hypothesis that cell-specific genetic variation in mouse homologs affects the formation and function of GABAergic circuitry. The empirical analysis with mice homozygous null for one of these genes, Sema 3F, in GABAergic neurons substantiated these predictions. Notably, deletion of Sema 3F in interneurons but not excitatory neurons during early development decreased the number of interneurons/neurites and mRNAs for cell-specific GABAergic markers and increased epileptogenesis and autistic behaviors. Studies of interneuron cell-specific knockout of Sema 3F signaling suggest that deficient Sema 3F signaling may lead to neuroinflammation and oxidative stress. Further studies of mouse KO models of ASD genes such as Sema 3F or NRP2 may be informative to clinical phenotypes contributing to the pathogenesis in autism and epilepsy patients.
