Epigenetics explained: a topic "primer" for the epilepsy community by the ILAE Genetics/Epigenetics Task Force.

Epigenetics refers broadly to processes that influence medium to long-term gene expression by changing the readability and accessibility of the genetic code. The Neurobiology Commission of the International League Against Epilepsy (ILAE) recently convened a Task Force to explore and disseminate advances in epigenetics to better understand their role and intersection with genetics and the neurobiology of epilepsies and their co-morbidities, and to accelerate translation of these findings into the development of better therapies. Here, we provide a topic primer on epigenetics, explaining the key processes and findings to date in experimental and human epilepsy.

No association between an intronic polymorphism in the presenilin-1 gene and Alzheimer disease in a Tunisian population.

We examined the potential involvement of the polymorphism in intron 8 of the presenilin-1 (PSEN1) gene as a risk factor for Alzheimer disease (AD), both through independent effect and interaction with the apolipoprotein E (APOE) ε4 allele risk, in 85 patients and 90 controls. We found no significant differences in the distribution of PSEN1 genotype and allele frequency between both groups; and post stratification distribution with APOE ε4 allele. Age of onset suggests that this polymorphism influences AD progression.

[Carpal tunnel syndrome. A Tunisian series].

Background: Carpal tunnel syndrome (CTS) is the most frequent ductal syndrome. Few epidemiological studies in Tunisia exist.

Aim: To describe clinical, biological and electromyographic data of Tunisian patients with CTS METHODS: A retrospective study including 80 patients with CTS, during the period going from 2009 to 2010.

Systemic lupus erythematosus induced by interferon β1 therapy in a patient with multiple sclerosis.

Drug-induced lupus erythematosus is defined as a lupus-like syndrome temporally related to a drug exposure. We report a 34-year-old woman with multiple sclerosis who developed, while being treated with interferon β-1a, myalgia and associated with wrist synovitis. Clinical and immunologic investigations were in favor of systemic lupus erythematosus.

Childhood occipital epilepsy of Gastaut: a case report.

Background: Idiopathic childhood occipital epilepsy of Gastaut is a rare but well defined syndrome within the group of idiopathic focal epilepsies in childhood. Clinical manifestations are characterized by simple partial seizures with mainly visual symptoms followed by secondary generalization.

Aim: Report of a case of Childhood Occipital Epilepsy.

Death in Unverricht-Lundborg disease.

The objective of this study is to report cases of unexpected deaths in Unverricht-Lundborg disease (ULD) patients, a comparatively benign form of progressive myoclonus epilepsy. We performed a multicentric study of the circumstances of death in ULD patients seen in the last 16 years. We assessed age, sex, severity and duration of disease, antiepileptic drugs, circumstances and presumed cause of death.

Epilepsy surgery program in Tunisia, the Charles Nicolle Hospital experience.

Background: Epilepsy surgery is the best treatment in case of intractable epilepsy. However, it is underused in developing countries, creating an enormous treatment gap. On 2006, an epilepsy surgery program was set up in the Neurological Department of Charles Nicolle Hospital, Tunis, Tunisia.