Long-term post-concussion symptoms.

Concussion is common and usually resolves without complications. However, persistent symptoms occur in 10-15 % of patients. These post-concussion symptoms are predominantly somatic, cognitive and emotional.

Genetic and clinical variations in a Norwegian sample diagnosed with Rett syndrome.

Background And Purpose: Rett syndrome (RTT) is a neurodevelopmental disorder mainly caused by mutations in MECP2. The diagnostic criteria of RTT are clinical; mutations in MECP2 are neither diagnostic nor necessary, and a mutation in another gene does not exclude RTT. We attempted to correlate genotype and phenotype to see if there are significant clinical associations.

Medical Issues in Adults with Rett Syndrome - A National Survey.

: To examine main health issues in a population of females with Rett syndrome, with a focus on individuals aged 36 or older. : A national survey including 85 females, divided into a younger (1-20 years), a middle (21-35 years) and an older group (36-66 years). Data include clinical examination, medical records and parental interviews.

De novo mutations in SCN1A are associated with classic Rett syndrome: a case report.

Background: Rett syndrome (RTT) is a neurodevelopmental disorder. In more than 95% of females with classic RTT a pathogenic mutation in MECP2 has been identified. This leaves a small fraction of classic cases with other genetic causes.

Serum Tryptophan, Tryptophan Catabolites and Brain-derived Neurotrophic Factor in Subgroups of Youngsters with Autism Spectrum Disorders.

Background: There is evidence that changes in neuro-immune responses coupled with dysfunctions in serotonin metabolism underpin the pathophysiology of autism spectrum disorders (ASD).

Objective: This study aimed to delineate whether ASD subgroups or characteristics show aberrations in tryptophan and brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) metabolism.

Methods: 65 individuals with ASD (diagnosed according to ICD criteria) and 30 healthy control patients were included.

Role of the Immune System in Autism Spectrum Disorders (ASD).

Background: The evidence based supports that multifactorial and complex immune interactions play a role in autism spectrum disorders (ASD), but contradictory findings are also reported.

Objective: The aim of this selective review was to identify trends in the research literature on this topic, focusing on immunology and other aberrations with respect to the different ASD subtypes.

Methods: This selective review is based on original and review articles written in English and identified in literature searches of PubMed.

Epilepsy in classic Rett syndrome: Course and characteristics in adult age.

Purpose: Rett syndrome (RTT) is a neurodevelopmental disorder that almost exclusively affects females. Epilepsy is a major clinical feature, but its long-term course in RTT has not been sufficiently explored. This study addresses the development of the epilepsy in adults with RTT.

Kynurenine Pathway in Autism Spectrum Disorders in Children.

Background: There is increasing evidence that altered immune responses play a role in the pathogenesis of autism spectrum disorders (ASD), together with dysfunction of the serotonergic and glutamatergic systems. Since the kynurenine (KYN) pathway that degrades tryptophan (TRP) is activated in various neuroinflammatory states, we aimed to determine whether this pathway is activated in ASD.

Methods: Sixty-five pediatric ASD patients (including 52 boys) were enrolled from an epidemiological survey covering 2 counties in Norway; 30 (46.

Cytokine Profile in Autism Spectrum Disorders in Children.

The pathogenesis of autism spectrum disorders (ASD) is not completely understood, but there is evidence of associations with altered immune responses. The aim of this study was to determine the serum levels of various cytokines in children with ASD and in healthy controls, in order to determine their role in ASD and its diagnostic subgroups. Sixty-five ASD patients were enrolled from an epidemiological survey in Norway, of which 30 were diagnosed with childhood autism, 16 with Asperger syndrome, 12 with atypical autism, 1 with Rett syndrome, and 6 with another ASD diagnosis.

Obstetric Outcomes of First- and Second-Generation Pakistani Immigrants: A Comparison Study at a Low-Risk Maternity Ward in Norway.

This population-based study compares obstetric outcomes of first- and second-generation Pakistani immigrants and ethnic Norwegians who gave birth at the low-risk maternity ward in Baerum Hospital in Norway from 2006 to 2013. We hypothesized that second-generation Pakistani immigrants are more similar to the ethnic Norwegians because of increased acculturation. Outcome measures were labor onset, epidural analgesia, labor dystocia, episiotomy, vaginal/operative delivery, postpartum hemorrhage, preterm birth, birth weight, transfer to a neonatal intensive care unit, and neonatal jaundice.

Immigrants from conflict-zone countries: an observational comparison study of obstetric outcomes in a low-risk maternity ward in Norway.

Background: Immigrants have higher risks for some adverse obstetric outcomes. Furthermore, refugees are reported to be the most vulnerable group. This study compared obstetric outcomes between immigrant women originating from conflict-zone countries and ethnic Norwegians who gave birth in a low-risk setting.

Higher risk for adverse obstetric outcomes among immigrants of African and Asian descent: a comparison study at a low-risk maternity hospital in Norway.

Background: Immigrants have higher risks for some adverse obstetric outcomes, and 40 percent of women giving birth at the low-risk maternity ward in Baerum Hospital, Norway, are immigrants. This study compared obstetric outcomes between immigrants and ethnic Norwegians giving birth in a low-risk setting.

Methods: This was a population-based study linking the Medical Birth Registry of Norway to Statistics Norway.

Multiple sclerosis in children and adolescents. An important differential diagnosis of acute neurological disease.

Aim: Multiple sclerosis (MS) has traditionally been considered a disease of adults. However, in recent years, there have been numerous reports about the disease occurring in childhood and adolescence. The purpose of this article is to document Norwegian experience of this population based on clinical observations and neuroradiological findings.

The effect of interventions based on the programs of The Institutes for the Achievement of Human Potential and Family Hope Center.

Objective: To compare the effect of the programs of IAHP and FHC with ordinary community-based programs.

Method: Two-year observational study of two groups of children aged 2-15 years who were following the IAHP and FHC programs (N = 18) or community-based programs (N = 17), with additional material from interviews with parents, and a retrospective study (N = 9) based on file records and parent interviews.

Results: Changes in motor and cognitive function, language and behavior in the IAHP/FHC group well below the claims made by these programs, and few differences between this group and the comparison group.

Autism spectrum disorders--are they really epidemic?

Aim: The aim of this paper is to report on how different external methodological factors influence estimates of ASD prevalence.

Methods: PubMed searches was conducted using the search terms, "Autism", "Autistic Disorder", "Autism Spectrum Disorders", "Asperger", "Prevalence" and "epidemiology", in combination. In total 49 studies were included.

Adrenoleukodystrophy in Norway: high rate of de novo mutations and age-dependent penetrance.

To investigate X-linked adrenoleukodystrophy in an unselected population, we performed a population based, cross-sectional prevalence study, supplemented by a retrospective study of deceased subjects. Sixty-three subjects (34 males, 29 females) belonging to 22 kindreds were included. Thirty-nine subjects (13 males, 26 females) were alive, and 24 (21 males, 3 females) were deceased on the prevalence day.

Screening for X-linked adrenoleukodystrophy among adult men with Addison's disease.

Objectives: X-linked adrenoleukodystrophy is an important cause of Addison's disease in boys, but less is known about its contribution to Addison's disease in adult men. After surveying all known cases of X-linked adrenoleukodystrophy in Norway in a separate study, we aimed to look for any missed cases among the population of adult men with nonautoimmune Addison's disease.

Study Design: Among 153 adult men identified in a National Registry for Addison's Disease (75% of identified male cases of Addison's disease in Norway), those with negative indices for 21-hydroxylase autoantibodies were selected.

Children with autism spectrum disorders - the importance of medical investigations.

Background: Considerable knowledge about medical comorbidity in cases of Autism Spectrum Disorders (ASD) is available, still it is not well established how extensive the medical investigations should be in individual cases. The aim is to explore proportions of possible specific medical conditions in ASD.

Methods: 79 subjects went through extensive medical evaluations according to pre-defined procedures, including medical and developmental history, physical and biomedical investigations.

Parent-reported participation in children with cerebral palsy: the contribution of recurrent musculoskeletal pain and child mental health problems.

Aim: The aim of the study was to explore the contribution of recurrent musculoskeletal pain and mental health to aspects of participation in children with cerebral palsy (CP).

Method: A total of 105 participants (54 males, 51 females); mean age 14 y (SD 3) were assessed by clinical examination, interview, and parental questionnaires. CP type distribution was as follows: spastic unilateral, 37%; spastic bilateral, 56%; and dyskinetic, 7%.

Health services utilization in adult acquired major upper-limb amputees: a population-based survey.

Objective: To increase knowledge of health services utilization and related factors in adult acquired major upper-limb amputees.

Design: Population-based cross-sectional study conducted in Norway.

Subjects: Two hundred and twenty four adult acquired major upper-limb amputees (57.