Objective: Patients with tuberous sclerosis complex (TSC) commonly present with significant neurologic deficits, including seizures, autism, and intellectual disability. Previous evidence suggests that the TSC2 mutation genotype may be associated with a more severe disease phenotype. This study evaluates the association of the TSC1 and TSC2 genotype with patient and disease characteristics in a retrospective review of a large TSC Natural History Database consisting of 919 patients with TSC.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFObjectives: Patients with tuberous sclerosis complex (TSC) frequently have autism spectrum disorders and neuropsychiatric disorders. Subependymal giant cell astrocytomas (SEGAs) have been reported to occur in 5-20% of patients with TSC; however, the relationship between SEGAs and neuropsychiatric disorders in TSC remains unknown. We utilized a large multicenter database to study associations between SEGAs and neuropsychiatric disorders in patients with TSC.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFCongenital lymphedema has been described as a possible rare association of tuberous sclerosis complex (TSC), with only six previous cases reported in the literature. TSC is an autosomal dominant, multisystem disorder connected to aberrant regulation of the mammalian target of rapamycin (mTOR) pathway. The aim of this study is to review cases of lymphedema in a large cohort of TSC patients.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFPatient age can impact selection of the optimal antiepileptic drug for a number of reasons. Changes in brain physiology from neonate to elderly, as well as changes in underlying etiologies of epilepsy, could potentially affect the ability of different drugs to control seizures. Unfortunately, much of this is speculative, as good studies demonstrating differences in efficacy across age ranges do not exist.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFObjective: To describe presenting symptoms and signs according to age group in a cohort of 243 patients with tuberous sclerosis complex (TSC) and identify earlier symptoms and signs that did not lead to immediate diagnosis.
Patients And Methods: We performed a retrospective chart review for 278 patients with TSC who were examined at Children's Hospital Boston in Massachusetts and at the Herscot Center for Tuberous Sclerosis Complex, Massachusetts General Hospital. The presenting symptom or sign was the first symptom or sign to cause suspicion for TSC and lead to diagnosis.
An adult cohort with tuberous sclerosis complex was investigated for the prevalence of sleep disturbances and the relationship with seizure variables, medication, and psychological functioning. Information on 35 adults was gathered using four questionnaires: Epworth Sleepiness Scale (ESS), Sleep and Epilepsy Questionnaire (SEQ), Sleep Diagnosis List (SDL), and Adult Self-Report Scale (ASR). In addition, clinical, genetic and electrophysiological data were collected.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFSelf-injurious behavior (SIB) has been observed in people with tuberous sclerosis complex (TSC), although the frequency of SIB in TSC is largely unknown. SIB is associated with intellectual and developmental disabilities, but there is no single cause of SIB. We retrospectively examined the frequency of SIB in a population of 257 patients with TSC and determined possible associations with SIB.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFBehavioral problems are common in children with tuberous sclerosis complex (TSC) and can be challenging to manage at home. Standardized measures were used to assess behavior in 99 pediatric patients with TSC and to evaluate parenting stress in their parents. About 40% of the pediatric patients presented clinically significant behavioral problems, most frequently involving symptoms of autism spectrum disorder, inattention, and hyperactivity.
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