Publications by authors named "Gambardella A"

We aim to understand whether tremor may be an intrinsic feature of juvenile myoclonic epilepsy (JME) and whether individuals with JME plus tremor experience a different disease course. Thirty-one individuals with JME plus tremor (17 females, mean age = 33.9 ± 13.

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Protein-activated kinases mediate spine morphogenesis and synaptic plasticity. PAK3 is part of the p21-activated kinases (PAKs) family of Ras-signaling serine/threonine kinases. Pathogenic variants in the X-linked gene PAK3 have been described in patients with neurodevelopmental syndromes.

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Pathogenic variants are associated with neonatal epilepsies, ranging from self-limited neonatal epilepsy to -developmental and epileptic encephalopathy (DEE). In this study, next-generation sequencing was performed, applying a panel of 142 epilepsy genes on three unrelated individuals and affected family members, showing a wide variability in the epileptic spectrum. The genetic analysis revealed two likely pathogenic missense variants (c.

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Objective: This study was undertaken to characterize the clinical and genetic features of patients with 22q11.2 deletion syndrome (22q11.2DS) and generalized epilepsy compared with 22q11.

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Taking the structural information into account, we were able to tune the TEAD selectivity for a specific chemotype. However, different TEAD selectivity profiles did not affect the compound potency or efficacy in the NCI-H226 viability assay. Amides based on or analogues showed improved viability efficacy compared with the corresponding acids.

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Background: We aimed to estimate real-world evidence of the prevalence rate of genetic developmental and epileptic encephalopathies (DEEs) in the Italian population over a 11-year period.

Methods: Fifteen paediatric and adult tertiary Italian epilepsy centres participated in a survey related to 98 genes included in the molecular diagnostic workflows of most centres. We included patients with a clinical diagnosis of DEE, caused by a pathogenic or likely pathogenic variant in one of the selected genes, with a molecular diagnosis established between 2012 and 2022.

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Background: Febrile seizures (FSs) are the most common form of epilepsy in children aged between six months and five years. The exact cause is unknown, but several studies have demonstrated the importance of genetic predisposition, with increasing involvement of receptors and ion channels. The present study aims to identify novel pathogenic variants in Italian patients with FSs.

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Myoclonus has multiple clinical manifestations and heterogeneous generators and etiologies, encompassing a spectrum of disorders and even physiological events. This paper, developed from a teaching course conducted by the Neurophysiology Commission of the Italian League against Epilepsy, aims to delineate the main types of myoclonus, identify potential underlying neurological disorders, outline diagnostic procedures, elucidate pathophysiological mechanisms, and discuss appropriate treatments. Neurophysiological techniques play a crucial role in accurately classifying myoclonic phenomena, by means of simple methods such as EEG plus polymyography (EEG + Polymyography), evoked potentials, examination of long-loop reflexes, and often more complex protocols to study intra-cortical inhibition-facilitation In clinical practice, EEG + Polymyography often represents the first step to identify myoclonus, acquire signals for off-line studies and plan the diagnostic work-up.

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Objective: Diagnosing autoimmune limbic encephalitis (ALE) in adults with new-onset seizures can be challenging, especially when seizures represent the predominant manifestation and MRI findings are not straightforward. By comparison with mesial temporal lobe epilepsy with hippocampal sclerosis (MTLE-HS), this study aimed to identify ictal electro-clinical features that might help clinicians recognize ALE-related seizures.

Methods: This retrospective, multi-centre study analysed the ictal semiology and EEG correlate of 116 video-EEG-captured seizures in 40 ALE patients and 45 ones recorded in 21 MTLE-HS subjects.

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Blood and airway eosinophilia represent markers for the endotype-driven treatment of allergic asthma. Little is known on mechanisms that link eosinophils and airway epithelial cells before and after these cells are infiltrated by eosinophils during allergic response. Given that innate immune mechanisms, mainly mediated by epithelial-derived cytokines (IL-33, IL-25, TSLP), induce eosinophil-maturing/attractive substances, we thought to evaluate the crosstalk between eosinophils and airway epithelial cells in the context of IL-33-mediated allergic inflammation.

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Objective: Temporal lobe epilepsy (TLE) is the most common form of refractory focal epilepsy, and the current clinical diagnosis is based on EEG, clinical neurological history and neuroimaging findings.

Methods: So far, there are no blood-based molecular biomarkers of TLE to support clinical diagnosis, despite the pathogenic mechanisms underlying TLE involving defects in the regulation of gene expression. MicroRNAs (miRNAs) have emerged as important post-transcriptional regulators of gene expression.

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Article Synopsis
  • Small cell lung cancer (SCLC) is a fast-growing lung cancer type that responds well to certain treatments, but not all patients benefit, highlighting a need for new therapies and biomarkers.
  • The study investigated how exosomes from the blood of SCLC patients can influence responses to chemoimmunotherapy by examining immune and tumor markers.
  • Results showed that exosomes from patients who responded well to treatment significantly increased cancer cell death in lab tests, suggesting they could help understand the interaction between cancer and the immune system.
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Objective: Rare and complex epilepsies encompass a diverse range of disorders characterized by seizures. We aimed to establish a consensus on key issues related to these conditions through collaboration among experienced neurologists, neuropediatricians, and patient advocacy representatives.

Methods: Employing a modified Delphi method, a scientific board comprising 20 physicians and 4 patient advocacy representatives synthesized existing literature with their expertise to formulate statements on contentious topics.

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Unlabelled: Functional seizures (FS) are classified as conversion disorders in the DSM-5 and dissociative disorders in the ICD-11, showing a multifactorial psychopathology with various psychiatric comorbidities, such as depression and anxiety. Several studies have found a correlation between FS and personality disorders, mainly those in cluster B. Within this cluster, borderline personality disorder (BPD) or borderline personality traits are the most prevalent in FS.

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Article Synopsis
  • * A multicenter study reanalyzed the effectiveness of LEV vs. LTG, revealing that LTG had significantly lower treatment failure rates and better medication retention than LEV.
  • * Both medications had similar safety profiles, and while there were no notable differences in achieving total seizure freedom, LTG showed a strong likelihood of being superior for overall treatment effectiveness.
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  • Eosinophils, when activated by the alarmin IL-33, produce extracellular vesicles (EV) that show potential anti-tumor effects, contrasting with those activated by IL-5.
  • Incorporating these IL-33-activated eosinophil-derived EV (Eo33-EV) into tumor cells leads to increased expression of genes that promote cell cycle arrest and reduces tumor growth and metastasis.
  • RNA sequencing highlights that Eo33-EV are enriched with tumor suppressor genes and pathways that enhance an epithelial phenotype, indicating their potential role in cancer therapy through cell reprogramming.
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Objective: Functional seizures (FS) are brief, involuntary changes in behaviour or consciousness, distinct from epileptic seizures, potentially associated with psychological dissociation. Binge eating disorder (BED) was linked to psychological and somatic dissociation also. However, any connection between FS and BED is insufficiently explored.

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Introduction: Post-stroke epilepsy (PSE) is one of the most common causes of acquired epilepsy. Nevertheless, there is limited evidence regarding the clinical profile of antiseizure medications (ASMs) in PSE. This study aims to evaluate the 12-month effectiveness and tolerability of perampanel (PER) used as only add-on treatment in patients with PSE in a real-world setting.

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Introduction: Despite new anti-seizure medications (ASMs) being introduced into clinical practice, about one-third of people with epilepsy do not reach seizure control. Cenobamate is a novel tetrazole-derived carbamate compound with a dual mechanism of action. In randomized controlled trials, adjunctive cenobamate reduced the frequency of focal seizures in people with uncontrolled epilepsy.

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Background And Purpose: Glucose transporter-1 (GLUT1) deficiency syndrome (GLUT1-DS) is a metabolic disorder due to reduced expression of GLUT1, a glucose transporter of the central nervous system. GLUT1-DS is caused by heterozygous SLC2A1 variants that mostly arise de novo. Here, we report a large family with heterogeneous phenotypes related to a novel SLC2A1 variant.

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In the development of bone graft substitutes, a fundamental step is the use of scaffolds with adequate composition and architecture capable of providing support in regenerative processes both on the tissue scale, where adequate resistance to mechanical stress is required, as well as at the cellular level where compliant chemical-physical and mechanical properties can promote cellular activity. In this study, based on a previous optimization study of this group, the potential of a three-dimensional construct based on polycaprolactone (PCL) and a novel biocompatible Mg- and Sr-containing glass named BGMS10 was explored. Fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy and scanning electron microscopy showed the inclusion of BGMS10 in the scaffold structure.

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Doublecortin, encoded by the gene, plays a crucial role in the neuronal migration process during brain development. Pathogenic variants of the gene are the major causes of the "lissencephaly (LIS) spectrum", which comprehends a milder phenotype like Subcortical Band Heterotopia (SBH) in heterozygous female subjects. We performed targeted sequencing in three unrelated female cases with SBH.

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Article Synopsis
  • The study aimed to identify factors that predict seizure recurrence in women of childbearing age with idiopathic generalized epilepsy (IGE) who switched from valproate (VPA) to alternative antiseizure medications (ASMs) like levetiracetam (LEV) and lamotrigine (LTG).
  • Researchers evaluated data from 426 women across 16 epilepsy centers, finding that common reasons for switching medications included concerns about teratogenicity and that around a quarter of the women experienced worsening or recurrence of seizures within 12 and 24 months.
  • The analysis revealed that LEV was associated with a lower risk of seizure recurrence or worsening compared to LTG, providing potential guidance for treatment options after VPA discontinuation.
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