bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
A cortico-cortical mechanism mediating object-driven grasp in humans
Authors: Cattaneo L. , Voss M. , Brochier T. , Prabhu G. , Wolpert D. M. , Lemon R. N.
Published: January 2005

Humans and other primates demonstrate an exquisite ability to precisely shape their hand when reaching out to grasp an object. Here we used a recently developed transcranial magnetic stimulation paradigm to examine how information about an object's geometric properties is transformed into specific motor programs. Pairs of transcranial magnetic stimulation pulses were delivered at precise intervals to detect changes in the excitability of cortico-cortical inputs to motor cortex when subjects prepared to grasp different objects. We show that at least 600 ms before movement, there is an enhancement in the excitability of these inputs to the corticospinal neurons projecting from motor cortex to the specific muscles that will be used for the grasp. These changes were object- and muscle-specific, and the degree of modulation in the inputs was correlated with the pattern of muscular activity used later by individual subjects to grasp the objects. In a number of control experiments, we demonstrated that no change in excitability was observed during object presentation alone, under conditions in which subjects imagined grasping the object, or before movements involving the same muscles but without an object. This finding demonstrates a cortico-cortical mechanism subserving the transformation from the geometrical properties of an object to the outputs from motor cortex before grasp that is specific for object-driven movements.
Old-Fashioned Responses in an Updating Memory Task
Authors: Ruiz M. , Elosúa M. R. , Lechuga M. T.
Published: January 2005

Errors in a running memory task are analysed. Participants were presented with a variable-length list of items and were asked to report the last four items. It has been proposed (Morris & Jones, 1990) that this task requires two mechanisms: the temporal storage of the target set by the articulatory loop and its updating by the central executive. Two implicit assumptions in this proposal are (a) the preservation of serial order, and (b) participants’ capacity to discard earlier items from the target subset as list presentation is running, and new items are appended. Order preservation within the updated target list and the inhibition of the outdated list items should imply a relatively higher rate of location errors for items from the medial positions of the target list and a lower rate of intrusion errors from the outdated and inhibited items from the pretarget positions. Contrary to these expectations, for both consonants (Experiment 1) and words (Experiment 2) we found recency effects and a relatively high rate of intrusions from the final pretarget positions, most of them from the very last. Similar effects were apparent with the embedded four-item lists for catch trials. These results are clearly at odds with the presumed updating by the central executive.
Stimulus-Specific Sequence Representation in Serial Reaction Time Tasks
Authors: Clegg Benjamin A.
Published: January 2005

Some recent evidence has favoured purely response-based implicit representation of sequences in serial reaction time tasks. Three experiments were conducted using serial reaction time tasks featuring four spatial stimuli mapped in categories to two responses. Deviant items from the expected sequence that required the expected response resulted in increased response latencies. The findings demonstrated a stimulus-specific form of representation that operates in the serial reaction time task. No evidence was found to suggest that the stimulus-specific learning was contingent on explicit knowledge of the sequence. Such stimulus-based learning would be congruent with a shortcut within an information-processing framework and, combined with other research findings, suggests that there are multiple loci for learning effects.
The Role of Familiarity in a Face Classification Task Using Thatcherized Faces
Authors: Stevenage Sarah V. , Lee Elizabeth A. , Donnelly Nick
Published: January 2005

Two experiments are reported to test the proposition that facial familiarity influences processing on a face classification task. Thatcherization was used to generate distorted versions of familiar and unfamiliar individuals. Using both a 2AFC (which is “odd”?) task to pairs of images (Experiment 1) and an “odd/normal” task to single images (Experiment 2), results were consistent and indicated that familiarity with the target face facilitated the face classification decision. These results accord with the proposal that familiarity influences the early visual processing of faces. Results are evaluated with respect to four theoretical developments of Valentine's (1991) face-space model, and can be accommodated with the two models that assume familiarity to be encoded within a region of face space.
Negative Priming with Numbers: No Evidence for a Semantic Locus
Authors: Lammertyn Jan , Fias Wim
Published: January 2005

Selective attention has been studied extensively using the negative priming (NP) paradigm. An important issue regards the representational level at which NP occurs. We investigated this issue by using numbers as stimuli. Because numbers have a well-defined semantic organization, which can be clearly measured by means of the distance effect, they are very suitable for testing the assumption that NP is situated at a central semantic level. Four experiments are presented in which the numerical distance between prime distractor and probe target was manipulated. The task was magnitude comparison. Target and distractor were defined on the basis of colour. In Experiment 1, all numbers were presented in Arabic format; NP was observed only with identical prime distractor and probe target, and no distance-related NP was observed. This could not be explained by a decay of inhibition since in Experiment 2 similar results were obtained with a shortened response-to-stimulus interval. Experiment 3 showed that these observations also hold for numbers presented verbally. Nevertheless, a cross-notational experiment with Arabic prime and verbal probe (Experiment 4) revealed no NP whatsoever and excluded the possibility that the absence of distance-related negative priming was the result of a fine-tuned inhibitory mechanism operating at the semantic level. The results are considered in the light of current theories of negative priming.
Priming of Emotion Recognition
Authors: Carroll Naomi C. , Young Andrew W.
Published: January 2005

Four experiments investigated priming of emotion recognition using a range of emotional stimuli, including facial expressions, words, pictures, and nonverbal sounds. In each experiment, a prime–target paradigm was used with related, neutral, and unrelated pairs. In Experiment 1, facial expression primes preceded word targets in an emotion classification task. A pattern of priming of emotional word targets by related primes with no inhibition of unrelated primes was found. Experiment 2 reversed these primes and targets and found the same pattern of results, demonstrating bidirectional priming between facial expressions and words. Experiment 2 also found priming of facial expression targets by picture primes. Experiment 3 demonstrated that priming occurs not just between pairs of stimuli that have a high co-occurrence in the environment (for example, nonverbal sounds and facial expressions), but with stimuli that co-occur less frequently and are linked mainly by their emotional category (for example, nonverbal sounds and printed words). This shows the importance of the prime and target sharing a common emotional category, rather than their previous co-occurrence. Experiment 4 extended the findings by showing that there are category-based effects as well as valence effects in emotional priming, supporting a categorical view of emotion recognition.
Shifts of spatial attention in perceived 3-D space
Authors: Han Shihui , Wan Xiaoang , Humphreys Glyn W.
Published: January 2005

Previous studies have shown that spatial attention can shift in three-dimensional (3-D) space determined by binocular disparity. Using Posner′s precueing paradigm, the current work examined whether attentional selection occurs in perceived 3-D space defined by occlusion. Experiment 1 showed that shifts of spatial attention induced by central cues between two surfaces in the left and right visual fields did not differ between the conditions when the two surfaces were located at the same or different perceptual depth. In contrast, Experiment 2 found that peripheral cues generated a stronger cue validity effect when the two surfaces were perceived at a different rather than at the same perceptual depth. The results suggest that exogenous but not endogenous attention operates in perceived 3-D space.
Effects of Directionality in Deductive Reasoning: II. Premise Integration and Conclusion Evaluation
Authors: Oberauer Klaus , Hörnig Robin , Weidenfeld Andrea , Wilhelm Oliver
Published: January 2005

Previous research (Oberauer & Wilhelm, 2000) has shown an inherent directionality between the two terms linked in premises of typical deductive reasoning tasks. With three experiments we investigated the effect of inherent directionality on the time to integrate two premises and for the derivation of a conclusion. We varied figure (i.e., order of terms in the premises) and direction of inference (i.e., order of terms in the conclusion) in deduction tasks from various domains (propositional reasoning, syllogisms, spatial, temporal, and linear order reasoning). Effects of figure on premise reading times varied with the directionality of the relations. Effects of direction of inference reflected the same directionality for a subset of relations. We propose that two factors are jointly responsible for a large part of observed directionality effects in premise integration: the inherent directionality of relational statements and a general advantage for a given–new order of terms in the second premise. Difficulty of deriving a conclusion is affected by the directionality or relations if and only if the relation is semantically asymmetric, so that the directionality must be preserved in the integrated mental model.
The Preparation of Reach-To-Grasp Movements in Adults, Children, and Children with Movement Problems
Authors: Mon-williams M. , Tresilian J. R. , Bell V. E. , Coppard V. L. , Nixdorf M. , Carson R. G.
Published: January 2005

This study explored the use of advance information in the control of reach-to-grasp movements. The paradigm required participants to reach and grasp illuminated blocks with their right hand. Four target blocks were positioned on a table surface, two each side of the mid-saggital plane. In the complete precue condition, advance information precisely specified target location. In the partial precue condition, advance information indicated target location relative to the midsaggital plane (left or right). In the null condition, the advance information was entirely ambiguous. Participants produced fastest responses in the complete precue condition, intermediate response times in the partial condition, and the slowest responses in the null condition. This result was observed in adults and four groups of children including a group aged 4–6 years. In contrast, children with Developmental Coordination Disorder (DCD, n = 11, aged 7–13 years) showed no advantage of partial precueing. Movement duration was determined by target location but was unaffected by precue condition. Movement duration was a clear function of age apart from children in the DCD group who showed equivalent movement times to those of the youngest children. These findings provide important insights into the control of reach-to-grasp movements and highlight that partial cues are exploited by children as young as 4 years but are not used in situations of abnormal development.
The Strategic use of Alternative Representations in Arithmetic Word Problem Solving
Authors: Thevenot Catherine , Oakhill Jane
Published: January 2005

Multiple-step arithmetic problems can be solved by diverse strategies depending on the mental representation constructed by individuals from the situation described in the text of the problem. This representation will indeed determine the organization of subgoals to be reached or in other words the order of completion of calculations. This study aims at determining the conditions under which specific strategies are set up by adults. Using a paradigm that allows us to assess when calculations are performed, we show that adults usually organize their subgoals as they are explicitly mentioned in the problem, even though a strategy that is less demanding on working memory could have been used. However, we show that increasing the difficulty of the problem leads individuals to set up more economic strategies. Moreover, these economic strategies are even more likely to be used when the cognitive cost of the construction of the representation they rely on is low.
Repetition priming: Is music special?
Authors: Bigand E. , Tillmann B. , Poulin-Charronnat B. , Manderlier D.
Published: January 2005

Using short and long contexts, the present study investigated musical priming effects that are based on chord repetition and harmonic relatedness. A musical target (a chord) was preceded by either an identical prime or a different but harmonically related prime. In contrast to words, pictures, and environmental sounds, chord processing was not facilitated by repetition. Experiments 1 and 2 using single-chord primes showed either no significant difference between chord repetition and harmonic relatedness or facilitated processing for harmonically related targets. Experiment 3 using longer prime contexts showed that musical priming depended more on the musical function of the target in the preceding context than on target repetition. The effect of musical function was decreased, but not qualitatively changed, by chord repetition. The outcome of this study challenges predictions of sensory approaches and supports a cognitive approach of musical priming.
The offloading model for dynein function
Authors: Lee Wei-Lih , Kaiser Michelle A. , Cooper John A.
Published: January 2005

During mitosis in budding yeast, dynein moves the mitotic spindle into the mother-bud neck. We have proposed an offloading model to explain how dynein works. Dynein is targeted to the dynamic plus end of a cytoplasmic microtubule, offloads to the cortex, becomes anchored and activated, and then pulls on the microtubule. Here, we perform functional studies of dynein intermediate chain (IC) and light intermediate chain (LIC). IC/Pac11 and LIC/Dyn3 are both essential for dynein function, similar to the heavy chain (HC/Dyn1). IC and LIC are targeted to the distal plus ends of dynamic cytoplasmic microtubules, as is HC, and their targeting depends on HC. Targeting of HC to the plus end depends on IC, but not LIC. IC also localizes as stationary dots at the cell cortex, the presumed result of offloading in our model, as does HC, but not LIC. Localization of HC to cortical dots depends on both IC and LIC. Thus, the IC and LIC accessory chains have different but essential roles in dynein function, providing new insight into the offloading model.
Gp135/podocalyxin and NHERF-2 participate in the formation of a preapical domain during polarization of MDCK cells
Authors: Meder Doris , Shevchenko Anna , Simons Kai , Füllekrug Joachim
Published: January 2005

Epithelial polarization involves the segregation of apical and basolateral membrane domains, which are stabilized and maintained by tight junctions and membrane traffic. We report that unlike most apical and basolateral proteins in MDCK cells, which separate only after junctions have formed, the apical marker gp135 signifies an early level of polarized membrane organization established already in single cells. We identified gp135 as the dog orthologue of podocalyxin. With a series of domain mutants we show that the COOH-terminal PSD-95/Dlg/ZO-1 (PDZ)–binding motif is targeting podocalyxin to the free surface of single cells as well as to a subdomain of the terminally polarized apical membrane. This special localization of podocalyxin is shared by the cytoplasmic PDZ-protein Na+/H+ exchanger regulatory factor (NHERF)-2. Depleting podocalyxin by RNA interference caused defects in epithelial polarization. Together, our data suggest that podocalyxin and NHERF-2 function in epithelial polarization by contributing to an early apical scaffold based on PDZ domain-mediated interactions.
The Pim kinases control rapamycin-resistant T cell survival and activation
Authors: Fox Casey J. , Hammerman Peter S. , Thompson Craig B.
Published: January 2005

Although Pim-1 or Pim-2 can contribute to lymphoid transformation when overexpressed, the physiologic role of these kinases in the immune response is uncertain. We now report that T cells from Pim-1−/−Pim-2−/− animals display an unexpected sensitivity to the immunosuppressant rapamycin. Cytokine-induced Pim-1 and Pim-2 promote the rapamycin-resistant survival of lymphocytes. The endogenous function of the Pim kinases was not restricted to the regulation of cell survival. Like the rapamycin target TOR, the Pim kinases also contribute to the regulation of lymphocyte growth and proliferation. Although rapamycin has a minimal effect on wild-type T cell expansion in vitro and in vivo, it completely suppresses the response of Pim-1−/−Pim-2−/− cells. Thus, endogenous levels of the Pim kinases are required for T cells to mount an immune response in the presence of rapamycin. The existence of a rapamycin-insensitive pathway that regulates T cell growth and survival has important implications for understanding how rapamycin functions as an immunomodulatory drug and for the development of complementary immunotherapeutics.
An Inducible Targeted Tagging System for Localized Saturation Mutagenesis in Arabidopsis
Authors: Nishal Bindu , Tantikanjana Titima , Sundaresan Venkatesan
Published: January 2005

We describe a system of inducible insertional mutagenesis based on the Ac-Ds family of transposons for targeted tagging in Arabidopsis (Arabidopsis thaliana). In this system, the Ac and Ds elements are carried within the same T-DNA and a heat shock-inducible transposase fusion is utilized to control the levels of transposase gene expression, generating transpositions that can be subsequently stabilized without requiring crossing or segregation. We have mapped 40 single-copy lines by thermal asymmetric interlaced-PCR, which can be used as potential launch pads for heat shock mutagenesis. Using a starter line selected for detailed analysis, the efficiency of tagging over a 50-kb region in the genome was examined. Hits were obtained in the targeted genes with multiple alleles for most genes, with approximately equal numbers of hits detected in genes on either side of the T-DNA. These results establish the feasibility of our approach for localized saturation mutagenesis in Arabidopsis. This system is very efficient and much less laborious as compared to conventional crossing schemes and may be generally applicable to other plant species for which large-scale T-DNA tagging is not currently feasible.
Functional Analysis of the RING-Type Ubiquitin Ligase Family of Arabidopsis
Authors: Stone Sophia L. , Hauksdóttir Herborg , Troy Andrew , Herschleb Jill , Kraft Edward , Callis Judy
Published: January 2005

Approximately 5% of the Arabidopsis (Arabidopsis thaliana) proteome is predicted to be involved in the ubiquitination/26S proteasome pathway. The majority of these predicted proteins have identity to conserved domains found in E3 ligases, of which there are multiple types. The RING-type E3 is characterized by the presence of a cysteine-rich domain that coordinates two zinc atoms. Database searches followed by extensive manual curation identified 469 predicted Arabidopsis RING domain-containing proteins. In addition to the two canonical RING types (C3H2C3 or C3HC4), additional types of modified RING domains, named RING-v, RING-D, RING-S/T, RING-G, and RING-C2, were identified. The modified RINGs differ in either the spacing between metal ligands or have substitutions at one or more of the metal ligand positions. The majority of the canonical and modified RING domain-containing proteins analyzed were active in in vitro ubiquitination assays, catalyzing polyubiquitination with the E2 AtUBC8. To help identity regions of the proteins that may interact with substrates, domain analyses of the amino acids outside the RING domain classified RING proteins into 30 different groups. Several characterized protein-protein interaction domains were identified, as well as additional conserved domains not described previously. The two largest classes of RING proteins contain either no identifiable domain or a transmembrane domain. The presence of such a large and diverse number of RING domain-containing proteins that function as ubiquitin E3 ligases suggests that target-specific proteolysis by these E3 ligases is a complex and important part of cellular regulation in Arabidopsis.
Epilepsy in Wolf‐Hirschhorn Syndrome (4p‐)
Authors: Kagitani‐Shimono Kuriko , Imai Katsumi , Otani Kazumasa , Kamio Noriko , Okinaga Takeshi , Toribe Yasuhisa , Suzuki Yasuhiro , Ozono Keiichi
Published: January 2005

Summary: Purpose:We investigated the evolution of epilepsy, seizure types, and effective drugs in Wolf‐Hirschhorn syndrome, which is a malformation syndrome often with refractory seizures and status epilepticus.

Methods:We reviewed 11 cases of Wolf‐Hirschhorn syndrome (age range, 2–25 years; SD, 7.2 years) and who were treated in Osaka University or Osaka Medical Center of Research Institute for Maternal and Child Health.

Results:In all patients, febrile or afebrile convulsions had developed. Epileptic seizures included alternative hemiconvulsions, generalized tonic–clonic seizures, focal clonic seizures, tonic seizures, and epileptic spasms. Seizures were often induced by a high fever or a hot bath. Status epilepticus occurred in all patients, including one patient who died at the first status epilepticus. In some cases, intratracheal intubation was needed because of respiratory insufficiency. The effective antiepileptic drugs for long‐term use were sodium bromide (four of four), followed by clorazepate (CLP; one of two), and nitrazepam (NZP; two of four). Sodium bromide was particularly effective for preventing status epilepticus. The mean age of last status epilepticus in patients receiving sodium bromide (1 year 8 months) was significantly younger than that in those not treated with sodium bromide (3 year 4 months).

Conclusions:We identified that, in most patients of Wolf‐Hirschhorn syndrome, the frequency of both seizures and status epilepticus decreased gradually after age 5 years. However, during infancy, status epilepticus sometimes resulted in permanent disability or even death. We propose that sodium bromide should be used as the initial treatment for the prevention of the development of status epilepticus associated with Wolf‐Hirschhorn syndrome.
Sleep Architecture in Children with Idiopathic Generalized Epilepsy
Authors: Maganti Rama , Sheth Raj D. , Hermann Bruce P. , Weber Steven , Gidal Barry E. , Fine Jason
Published: January 2005

Summary:  Purpose: Children with epilepsy experience sleep disturbances, behavioral and attentional problems at higher rates than their peers. However, the relation between sleep disturbances and the observed behavioral and attentional abnormalities is poorly defined.

Methods: Children with primary generalized epilepsy who were seizure free and between the ages of 5 and 18 years were matched with age‐ and gender‐matched healthy controls and underwent two consecutive nights of nocturnal polysomnography with extended electroencephalography. Connor's Continuous Performance Test (CPT) was administered to assess daytime attentional function. Parents completed the Child Behavior Checklist (CBCL) to assess their emotional‐behavioral status. Two sample t tests were used to examine group differences. Spearman correlations were used to examine the relation between sleep variables and behavior and attention variables. Multiple regression analysis was used to identify independent predictors of abnormal behavior and attention among patients.

Results: Eleven children with primary generalized epilepsy and eight age‐ and sex‐matched controls participated in the study. Children with epilepsy had longer stage 1 sleep percentage (7.19 ± 3.2 vs. 4.8 ± 3.5; p = 0.05) and latency to rapid‐eye‐movement (REM) sleep (123.5 ± 40.1 vs. 101.75 ± 24.3; p = 0.018) compared with controls. Children with epilepsy had worse attention (CPT index, 10.94 ± 6.55 vs. 3.42 ± 4.04; p = 0.004) and exhibited significantly higher CBCL Total Behavior and Internalizing Behavior Problem scales. Whereas regression analysis showed no independent predictors of abnormal behavior and attention, a tendency toward association between CBCL total behavior scale and REM percentage (r= 0.55; p = 0.07), and between CPT overall index and stage 1 sleep percentage (r= 0.40; p = 0.10) was noted.

Conclusions: Sleep architecture is abnormal in children with primary generalized epilepsy. Further studies are needed to determine whether abnormalities in sleep architecture contribute to poor daytime behavior and attention.
Hyperventilation Revisited: Physiological Effects and Efficacy on Focal Seizure Activation in the Era of Video‐EEG Monitoring
Authors: Guaranha Mirian S. B. , Garzon Eliana , Buchpiguel Carlos A. , Tazima Sérgio , Yacubian Elza M. T. , Sakamoto Américo C.
Published: January 2005

Summary:  Purpose: Hyperventilation is an activation method that provokes physiological slowing of brain rhythms, interictal discharges, and seizures, especially in generalized idiopathic epilepsies. In this study we assessed its effectiveness in inducing focal seizures during video‐EEG monitoring.

Methods: We analyzed the effects of hyperventilation (HV) during video‐EEG monitoring (video‐EEG) of patients with medically intractable focal epilepsies. We excluded children younger than 10 years, mentally retarded patients, and individuals with frequent seizures.

Results: We analyzed 97 patients; 24 had positive seizure activation (PSA), and 73 had negative seizure activation (NSA). No differences were found between groups regarding sex, age, age at epilepsy onset, duration of epilepsy, frequency of seizures, and etiology. Temporal lobe epilepsies were significantly more activated than frontal lobe epilepsies. Spontaneous and activated seizures did not differ in terms of their clinical characteristics, and the activation did not affect the performance of ictal single‐photon emission computed tomography (SPECT).

Conclusions: HV is a safe and effective method of seizure activation during monitoring. It does not modify any of the characteristics of the seizures and allows the obtaining of valuable ictal SPECTs. This observation is clinically relevant and suggests the effectiveness and the potential of HV in shortening the presurgical evaluation, especially of temporal lobe epilepsy patients, consequently reducing its costs and increasing the number of candidates for epilepsy surgery.
Prevalence, Incidence, and Etiology of Epilepsies in Rural Honduras: The Salamá Study
Authors: Medina Marco T. , Durón Reyna M. , Martínez Lisandro , Osorio Juan Ramón , Estrada Ana L. , Zúniga Concepción , Cartagena Dora , Collins Julianne S. , Holden Kenton R.
Published: January 2005

Summary: Purpose:Determination of epilepsy etiology in population‐based studies is difficult because of the high cost of diagnostic tests. However, cost‐effectiveness may be proven if preventive public‐health strategies can be established from the test results. We report an epilepsy population‐based study using clinical and laboratory techniques.

Methods:A medical team administered an epilepsy survey to 88% of the residents by census in the rural county of Salamá, Honduras. Ninety of 100 participants identified with active epilepsy underwent a neurologic examination, video‐electroencephalography (video‐EEG), brain computed tomography (CT) scan, and serum enzyme‐linked immunoelectrotransfer blot (EITB) for cysticercosis. Final diagnoses were based on the International League Against Epilepsy classifications for seizures and epilepsy syndromes. Combined epidemiologic, clinical, video‐EEG, neuroimaging, and serum EITB assays were used for the diagnosis of epilepsy etiologies.

Results:Among 6,473 residents surveyed, 151 persons with epilepsy (prevalence rate, 23.3/1,000) were identified, 100 of whom had active epilepsy (15.4/1,000) on the prevalence day. Incidence was determined to be 92.7/100,000. Partial seizures with or without secondary generalization were common (92.2%). Symptomatic epilepsy (62%) was primarily due to neurocysticercosis (37%), perinatal brain damage (8%), post‐traumatic (3%), and poststroke (2%). Eight percent were idiopathic, and 30% were cryptogenic (unknown cause).

Conclusions:Symptomatic epilepsies primarily explained the high prevalence and incidence of epilepsy in Salamá. Integration of video‐EEG and brain CT scan with clinical‐epidemiologic evaluation was critical for determination of epilepsy etiology. Establishment of specific programs for continuation of epidemiologic surveillance, education, intervention, and long‐term follow‐up will benefit the Salamá region.
Dose‐dependent Safety and Efficacy of Zonisamide: A Randomized, Double‐blind, Placebo‐controlled Study in Patients with Refractory Partial Seizures
Authors: Brodie Martin J. , Duncan Roderick , Vespignani Herve , Solyom Andras , Bitenskyy Valeriy , Lucas Cherry
Published: January 2005

Summary:  Purpose: To evaluate the safety and efficacy of zonisamide (ZNS) as adjunctive treatment in patients with refractory localization‐related epilepsy.

Methods: This was a double‐blind, placebo‐controlled study of adjunctive ZNS in 351 patients with refractory partial seizures receiving a stable regimen of one to three antiepileptic drugs (AEDs). Patients were randomized to placebo or ZNS, 100 mg, 300 mg, or 500 mg/day (2:1:1:2) after a 12‐week baseline. Dose titration was undertaken over a 6‐week titration phase, which was followed by an 18‐week fixed‐dose assessment phase. Primary efficacy parameters were the differences between ZNS, 500 mg/day, and placebo in the change from baseline in frequency of complex partial (CP) seizures during the fixed‐dose assessment phase and in the proportion of CP responders (≥50% decrease from baseline in seizure frequency). Safety and tolerability also were assessed.

Results: Compared with placebo, the highest dose of ZNS (500 mg/day) resulted in a significantly greater decrease in CP seizure frequency from baseline (51.2% vs. 16.3%; p < 0.0001) and a significantly higher proportion of CP responders (52.3% vs. 21.3%; p < 0.001). Both ZNS, 500 mg/day, and 300 mg/day were statistically superior to placebo in reducing the frequency of “all seizures” and simple partial (SP) + CP seizures. For all seizures, a significant dose–response relation was observed (p < 0.0001).The most common adverse events were somnolence, headache, dizziness, and nausea during the titration phase and headache and pharyngitis during the fixed‐dose assessment phase.

Conclusions: ZNS provides dose‐dependent, effective, and generally well‐tolerated adjunctive therapy in patients with partial seizures.
Quality of Life of People with Epilepsy in Iran, the Gulf, and Near East
Authors: Baker Gus A. , Jacoby Ann , Gorry Joanne , Doughty Julie , Ellina Veronica ,   SIGN Group
Published: January 2005

Summary:  Purpose: To study the impact of epilepsy and its treatment on the quality of life of people living in Iran and in countries in the Gulf and Near East.

Methods: Clinical, demographic, and psychosocial details were collected through the use of a self‐completed questionnaire distributed to patients attending hospital outpatient clinics.

Results: Data were collected from 3,889 people with epilepsy from 10 countries. More than 40% of all respondents had frequent seizures, and reported levels of side effects from medication were high, the most commonly reported being nervousness, headaches, and tiredness. A significant number of respondents reported changing their medications because of side effects or poor seizure control. Respondents reported that epilepsy and its treatment had a significant impact on a number of different aspects of their daily lives. A significant number of respondents felt stigmatized by their epilepsy. Reported health status was reduced when compared with that of people without epilepsy, particularly for physical and social functioning and energy and vitality, as assessed by using a generic health status measure, the SF‐36.

Conclusions: This is the largest study to date documenting the impact of epilepsy and its treatment in Iran, the Gulf, and Near East regions. Differences were found between the quality‐of‐life profiles of respondents in this study and those who participated in an earlier parallel study in Europe.
Abnormal Phonologic Processing in Familial Lateral Temporal Lobe Epilepsy Due to a NewLGI1Mutation
Authors: Pisano Tiziana , Marini Carla , Brovedani Paola , Brizzolara Daniela , Pruna Dario , Mei Davide , Moro Francesca , Cianchetti Carlo , Guerrini Renzo
Published: January 2005

Summary: Purpose:Autosomal dominant lateral temporal lobe epilepsy (ADLTLE) is a rare familial epilepsy with onset in adolescence or early adulthood, associated with mutations ofLGI1in most families. We describe the clinical, neuropsychological, and molecular genetic study of a new ADLTLE Italian family.

Methods:A four‐generation family from Sardinia was studied. Clinical, neuropsychological, and genetic analysis were performed in eight living affected family members.

Results:Nine family members had seizures over four generations; four of them had auditory auras and aphasia followed by secondarily generalized tonic–clonic seizures (SGTCs). One individual in addition had visual symptoms, and one family member had only vertigo followed by SGTCs. The side of seizure onset could not be determined in these five patients with focal seizures. The proband had febrile and afebrile tonic–clonic seizures. Two family members had only febrile seizures. Inheritance was autosomal dominant with 59% penetrance. Genetic molecular analysis showed a newLGI1missense mutation causing a Leu154Pro substitution in six affected and one unaffected individuals. Dichotic listening performance was abnormal in four affected individuals compared with controls. Fluency and lexical abilities also were pathological in three patients. These findings showed that in patients, the left temporal lobe was less specialized in the auditory processing function than in controls.

Conclusions:In this ADLTLE family, both seizure semiology and neuropsychological findings point to a lateral temporal lobe dysfunction. The newly identifiedLGI1mutation might underlie both the seizure disorder and the neuropsychological deficits.
Cortical Resection with Electrocorticography for Intractable Porencephaly‐related Partial Epilepsy
Authors: Iida Koji , Otsubo Hiroshi , Arita Kazunori , Andermann Frederick , Olivier Andre
Published: January 2005

Summary:  Purpose: We evaluated the results of cortical resection of epileptogenic tissue for treatment of intractable porencephaly‐related epilepsy.

Methods: We examined clinical features, electrophysiological data, surgical findings, and seizure outcomes after cortical resection in eight patients with intractable epilepsy related to porencephalic cysts.

Results: All eight patients had hemiparesis. Five retained motor function in the hemiparetic extremities; six retained visual fields. All had partial seizures, six with secondary generalization. Seven patients had simple and three had complex partial seizures (CPSs); two also had drop attacks. Four patients had multiple seizure types. Long‐term scalp video‐EEG (LVEEG) localized interictal epileptic abnormalities that anatomically corresponded to the cyst location in three patients. LVEEG recorded ictal‐onset zones in five; these anatomically corresponded to the cyst location in three of the five. EEG recorded generalized seizures in two patients, hemispheric in one, and multifocal in two. Intraoperative electrocorticography (ECoG) revealed interictal epileptic areas extending beyond the margins of the cyst in seven patients. We resected ECoG‐localized interictal epileptic areas completely in five patients and partially in two. Cortical resection was based on seizure semiology and LVEEG in one patient whose ECoG showed no epileptiform discharges. After a minimum follow‐up of 1 year, six patients had excellent seizure outcome (Engel class I), and two had a >90% seizure reduction (Engel class III) without complications.

Conclusions: Cortical resection guided by ECoG allows preservation of motor function and visual field and provides an effective surgical procedure for treatment of intractable epilepsy secondary to porencephaly.
Seizure Clustering: Risks and Outcomes
Authors: Haut Sheryl R. , Shinnar Shlomo , Moshé Solomon L.
Published: January 2005

Summary:  Purpose: Patients with epilepsy often experience seizures in clusters. In this preliminary study, we examined the prevalence of self‐reported clustering and identified potential risk factors and outcomes associated with reported clustering for further analysis in an ongoing prospective diary study.

Methods: Detailed intake questionnaires were administered. Subjects reporting their typical seizure pattern to be three or more seizures within a 24‐h period were classified as clusterers. Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) and EEG data were obtained, and epilepsy was classified by International League Against Epilepsy (ILAE) criteria. All subjects completed Beck Anxiety and Depression Inventories, and Quality of Life in Epilepsy testing.

Results: Overall, 29% of subjects reported typical seizure clustering. Extratemporal lobe epilepsy [p = 0.02; OR, 3.0 (1.1–7.8)] was significantly associated with reported seizure clustering. Remote symptomatic epilepsy was associated with clustering [p = 0.03; OR, 2.3 (1.1–4.3)], particularly in association with a history of head trauma with loss of consciousness before epilepsy onset [p = 0.003; OR, 4.2 (1.6–11.1)], although this analysis was limited. Reported clustering was significantly associated with a history of convulsive status epilepticus (SE) [p = 0.029; OR, 3.0 (1.1–8.3)], other seizure‐related hospitalization [p = 0.006; OR, 5.3 (1.5–17.6)], and worse seizure control (p = 0.004). Quality‐of‐life measures were not significantly associated with reported clustering.

Conclusions: These preliminary results identify extratemporal epilepsy and possibly head trauma as potential risk factors for reported seizure clustering and indicate a significant association between reported clustering and convulsive SE. Additionally, seizure clustering appears to be a marker for more intractable epilepsy. The ongoing diary study will refine the definition of seizure clustering and further evaluate specific predictors of poor and favorable outcomes of clustering.
Evidence for a Role of the Parafascicular Nucleus of the Thalamus in the Control of Epileptic Seizures by the Superior Colliculus
Authors: Nail‐Boucherie Karine , Lê‐Pham Bich‐Thuy , Gobaille Serge , Maitre Michel , Aunis Dominique , Depaulis Antoine
Published: January 2005

Summary:  Purpose: The aim of this study was to investigate whether the nucleus parafascicularis (Pf) of the thalamus could be a relay of the control of epileptic seizures by the superior colliculus (SC). The Pf is one of the main ascending projections of the SC, the disinhibition of which has been shown to suppress seizures in different animal models and has been proposed as the main relay of the nigral control of epilepsy.

Methods: Rats with genetic absence seizures (generalized absence epilepsy rat from Strasbourg or GAERS) were used in this study. The effect of bilateral microinjection of picrotoxin, a γ‐aminobutyric acid (GABA) antagonist, in the SC on the glutamate and GABA extracellular concentration within the Pf was first investigated by using microdialysis. In a second experiment, the effect of direct activation of Pf neurons on the occurrence of absence seizures was examined with microinjection of low doses of kainate, a glutamate agonist.

Results: Bilateral injection of picrotoxin (33 pmol/side) in the SC suppressed spike‐and‐wave discharges for 20 min. This treatment resulted in an increase of glutamate but not GABA levels in the Pf during the same time course. Bilateral injection of kainate (35 pmol/side) into the Pf significantly suppressed spike‐and‐wave discharges for 20 min, whereas such injections were without effects when at least one site was located outside the Pf.

Conclusions: These data suggest that glutamatergic projections to the Pf could be involved in the control of seizures by the SC. Disinhibition of these neurons could lead to seizure suppression and may be involved in the nigral control of epilepsy.
Anticonvulsant Activity of Ginseng on Seizures Induced by Chemical Convulsants
Authors: Lian Xiao‐Yuan , Zhang Zhi‐Zhen , Stringer Janet L.
Published: January 2005

Summary:  Purpose: To test the anticonvulsant activity of three preparations of American ginseng: whole root extract, whole leaves/stems extract, and a partially purified extract that concentrates the Rb ginsenosides (Rb extract).

Methods: One hour after treatment with normal saline, or one of the three ginseng preparations, seizures were induced in adult, male, Sprague–Dawley rats with kainic acid (KA; 10 mg/kg), pilocarpine (300 mg/kg, preceded by methylscopolamine, 1 mg/kg, s.c.), or pentylenetetrazol (PTZ, 50 mg/kg). Time to onset of seizure activity, duration of seizure activity for PTZ, seizure severity, and weight change for KA and pilocarpine were determined for each animal. The brains from animals who had received KA or pilocarpine were examined for severe neuronal stress, by using immunoreactivity for heat‐shock protein (HSP)72.

Results: The Rb extract had a dose‐dependent anticonvulsant effect in all three models of chemically induced seizures: increasing the latency to the seizures; decreasing the seizure score, weight loss, and subsequent neuronal damage after pilocarpine; and shortening the seizure duration and reducing mortality after PTZ. The Rb extract also significantly reduced the effects of KA, including completely blocking behavioral seizures. The root preparation increased the mortality rate after administration of pilocarpine, but had no other significant effects. The leaves/stems preparation, at 120 mg/kg, reduced the weight loss after pilocarpine, but had no other significant effects.

Conclusions: Ginseng extract made from either the root or leaves/stems is ineffective against chemically induced seizures. A partial purification of the whole extract that concentrates the Rb1 and Rb3 ginsenosides has significant anticonvulsant properties.
Prediction of Verbal Memory Decline after Epilepsy Surgery in Children: Effectiveness of Wada Memory Asymmetries
Authors: Lee Gregory P. , Westerveld Michael , Blackburn Lynn B. , Park Yong D. , Loring David W.
Published: January 2005

Summary:  Purpose: Differences in Wada memory performance after left and right amobarbital injection are powerful predictors of pre‐ to postoperative memory change among adult epilepsy patients after anterior temporal lobectomy. It is unknown, however, whether these Wada memory asymmetries apply to children who undergo focal cortical resection or to epilepsy surgery patients who undergo resection outside the temporal lobes.

Methods: To investigate these issues, Wada memory asymmetries and pre‐ to postoperative neuropsychological memory test performances were examined in 132 children who underwent some form of resective epilepsy surgery. Ninety‐three (70%) children showed Wada memory asymmetries in the predicted direction (memory after injection ipsilateral to side of surgery better than memory after contralateral injection), and 39 (30%) did not.

Results: Children with Wada memory asymmetries showed significant improvement in verbal memory after surgery as compared with children without Wada memory asymmetries who showed significant verbal memory decline. This result was also obtained when individual cases were examined: 77% of children with Wada memory asymmetries in predicted direction showed no verbal memory decline after surgery, whereas 80% of children without asymmetries had lower postoperative verbal memory (passage recall) test scores. Wada memory asymmetries had no value in predicting postoperative changes in visual‐spatial memory.

Conclusions: Wada memory asymmetries may be used as one of the factors to assess risk for verbal memory decline after epilepsy surgery in children.
Hypothalamic Hamartomas and Seizures: Distinct Natural History of Isolated and Pallister‐Hall Syndrome Cases
Authors: Boudreau Eilis A. , Liow Kore , Frattali Carol M. , Wiggs Edith , Turner Joyce T. , Feuillan Penelope , Sato Susumu , Patsalides Athos , Patronas Nicholas , Biesecker Leslie G. , Theodore William H.
Published: January 2005

Summary: Purpose:Hypothalamic hamartomas (HHs) have been associated with uncontrolled seizures, and aggressive therapy including surgery is often recommended. However, some patients, particularly those with other findings associated with Pallister‐Hall syndrome (PHS), have a more benign course.

Methods:Thirty‐seven of 40 PHS patients and 16 of 16 patients with isolated HH had a lesion confirmed on magnetic resonance imaging (MRI). Records for all patients were reviewed for the following information: presence of seizures, age at seizure onset, seizure type, seizure frequency, number of antiepileptic medications (AEDs) at the time of evaluation, past AEDs, MRI characteristics of the HH, presence of endocrine dysfunction, and presence of developmental and behavioral problems.

Results:All isolated HH patients had a history of seizures, compared with 13 of 40 PHS patients (all PHS patients with seizures had hamartomas). In isolated HH, seizures started earlier in life, occurred more frequently, and were harder to control than those in patients with PHS. Isolated HH patients were more likely to have behavioral and developmental problems than were PHS patients. The T2signal of the hamartoma was isointense to gray matter in the majority of PHS patients, but showed a significant increase in all but one patient with isolated HH.

Conclusions:Patients with isolated HH have a distinct clinical phenotype, showing more severe seizures and neurologic dysfunction, HH showing increased T2signal, and are more likely to have precocious puberty. In contrast, PHS patients usually have well‐controlled seizures and other endocrine disturbances than precocious puberty. Patients with HH with or without seizures should be evaluated carefully for other clinical manifestations of PHS, particularly before surgery is considered.
Growth rate and mortality of Australian bass, Macquaria novemaculeata, in four freshwater impoundments in south‐eastern Queensland, Australia
Authors: WILDE G. R. , SAWYNOK W.
Published: January 2005

Abstract  Growth and total mortality of Australian bass, Macquaria novemaculeata Steindachner, were studied in four freshwater impoundments using data from a cooperative angler tagging programme. Growth was modelled using the computer program GROTAG. Annual growth increments varied among impoundments, ranging from 5.0 to 7.8 cm yr−1 among fish 20‐cm total length (TL) and 1.7 to 4.9 cm yr−1 among fish 30 cm TL, but exceeded previous estimates for the species. Annual total mortality rates, based on the decrease in recapture rate with time, ranged from 0.03 to 0.07 and were lower than for other comparable species, presumably because of the prevalence of catch and release fishing in the impoundments studied.