Journal
CURRENT OPINION IN NEUROLOGY
Volume 24, Issue 2, Pages 154-158Publisher
LIPPINCOTT WILLIAMS & WILKINS
DOI: 10.1097/WCO.0b013e3283444c70
Keywords
astrocytes; genome-wide array comparative genomic hybridization; Rett syndrome
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Funding
- Cambridgeshire CLAHRC (Collaboration for Leadership in Applied Health Research and Care)
- Peterborough CLAHRC (Collaboration for Leadership in Applied Health Research and Care)
- National Institutes of Health Research (NIHR) [PB-PG-0706-10051] Funding Source: National Institutes of Health Research (NIHR)
- National Institute for Health Research [PB-PG-0706-10051] Funding Source: researchfish
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Purpose of review Although the association between learning disability and epilepsy is well known, until relatively recently specific processes underlying this association were relatively poorly understood. However, scientific advances in molecular biology are starting to guide researchers towards descriptions of genetic and pathophysiological processes that may explain why syndromes of epilepsy and learning disability often co-exist. Recent findings This article will focus largely on three areas of advancing knowledge: insights gained from wider use of genome-wide array comparative genomic hybridization (aCGH), specific insights gained from detailed study of Rett syndrome and the role of abnormalities of astrocytic function in predisposing to both epilepsy and learning disability. Summary The enormous complexity of the biological underpinnings of the co-occurrence of epilepsy and learning disability are becoming apparent. In the future it is likely that research into therapeutic approaches will include, amongst other approaches, investigations of gene structure and expression, the role of astrocytes and the stability of dendritic spines.
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