Sensitivity and specificity of induction of psychogenic non-epileptic seizures in children and adolescents.

Purpose: The purpose of this study was to investigate the sensitivity and specificity of a standardized placebo protocol using a moist swab pad application in children and adolescents with psychogenic seizures vs epileptic seizures.

Methods: We retrospectively reviewed clinical data and video-EEG monitoring records with the standardized placebo protocol of 408 patients. Video -EEG diagnosis with PNES-consistent semiology was made in the context of clinical data by a two-certified epileptologist.

Lipofuscin-mediated photodynamic stress induces adverse changes in nanomechanical properties of retinal pigment epithelium cells.

Retinal pigment epithelium (RPE) is an important part of the blood-retina barrier (BRB) that separates the retina from the choroid. Although melanin granules contribute to the mechanical stability of the BRB complex, it is unknown if the age pigment lipofuscin affects mechanical properties of the tissue. To address this issue the effect of sub-lethal photic stress mediated by phagocytized lipofuscin granules, isolated from RPE of human donors, on morphology and mechanical properties of ARPE-19 cells was investigated.