Id.yamagata-u.ac.jp
Expansion of the first PolyA tract ofARX causes infantile spasms andstatus dystonicus
ABSTRACT Background: ARX is a paired-type homeobox gene located on the X chromosome that
contains five exons with four polyalanine (PolyA) tracts, a homeodomain, and a conserved
C-terminal aristaless domain. Studies in humans have demonstrated remarkable pleiotropy: mal-
A.J. Barkovich, MD
formation phenotypes are associated with protein truncation mutations and missense mutations
in the homeobox; nonmalformation phenotypes, including X-linked infantile spasms (ISS), are as-
sociated with missense mutations outside of the homeobox and expansion of the PolyA tracts.
Objective: To investigate the role of ARX, we performed mutation analysis in 115 boys with
cryptogenic ISS. This included two pairs of brothers. Results: We found an expansion of the trinu-
cleotide repeat that codes for the first PolyA tract from 10 to 17 GCG repeats (c.333_334ins[GCG]7)
in six boys (5.2%) ages 2 to 14, from four families, including the two pairs of brothers. In addition to
ISS, all six boys had severe mental retardation and generalized dystonia that appeared around the age
U.J. Kang, MD, PhD
of 6 months and worsened, eventually leading to stable severe quadriplegic dyskinesia within age 2
years. Three children experienced recurrent, life-threatening status dystonicus. In four children brain
MRI showed multiple small foci of abnormal cavitation on T1 and increased signal intensity on T2 in
the putamina, possibly reflecting progressive multifocal loss of tissue. Conclusion: The phenotype of
infantile spasms with severe dyskinetic quadriparesis increases the number of human disorders
that result from the pathologic expansion of single alanine repeats. ARX gene testing should be
considered in boys with infantile spasms and dyskinetic cerebral palsy in the absence of a consis-
tent perinatal history. NEUROLOGY 2007;69:427–433
Address correspondence andreprint requests to Dr. R.
Guerrini, Clinical Pediatric
ARX (aristaless-related homeobox) is a paired-class homeobox gene comprising five ex-
Neurology, Department of
ons that contains highly conserved octapeptide, homeobox, and C-terminal domains as
Pediatric Neurosciences,University of Florence, and
well as four PolyA tracts.1 It is expressed in embryonic brain, endocrine pancreas, testes,
Pediatric Hospital A Meyer,via Bonvicini 62,
and probably other tissues as well as in adult brain, heart, skeletal muscle, and liver.1-4
50132 Firenze- Italy
Studies in humans have demonstrated remarkable pleiotropy, as several apparently unre-
lated disease phenotypes have been associated with mutations of this gene, includingsyndromes with and without brain malformations. The former include X-linked lissen-cephaly with abnormal genitalia (XLAG), severe hydrocephalus, and Proud syndrome(agenesis of the corpus callosum with abnormal genitalia), whereas the latter includeX-linked infantile spasms (ISS), Partington syndrome, which consists of mental retarda-tion with mild distal dystonia, and nonspecific X-linked mental retardation.3,5-10 In gen-eral, the malformation phenotypes are associated with protein truncation mutations andmissense mutations in the homeobox, whereas the nonmalformation phenotypes are as-sociated with missense mutations outside of the homeobox and expansion of the PolyA
Editorial, see page 421
While investigating the role of ARX as the causative gene for cryptogenic infantile
spasms, we found an expansion of the trinucleotide repeat that codes for the first PolyA
From the Department of Pediatric Neuroscience (R.G., V.N.), Pediatric Hospital A. Meyer and University of Florence, Research InstituteI.R.C.C.S. Stella Maris Foundation (R.G., F.M.), Pisa, and Azienda Ospedaliera G. Brotzu (M.L.), Servizio di Neuropsichiatria Infantile,Cagliari, Italy; Department of Pediatrics (M.K., T.S., J.T., K.H.), Yamagata University School of Medicine, Japan; Department of Radiology(A.J.B.), University of California, San Francisco, and Departments of Neurology and Neurobiology, Pharmacology, and Physiology (U.J.K.)and Human Genetics (S.D., W.B.D.), University of Chicago, IL; and Paediatric Neurology (M.A.McS.), Oxford Radcliffe Hospitals, andDepartment of Clinical Genetics (J.H.), Churchill Hospital, Oxford, UK.
Funded partly by the Italian League Against Epilepsy (to R. Guerrini) and by a collaborative study group for West syndrome in Japan andsupported by a grant from the Ministry of Education, Science, Sports, and Culture of Japan and by a grant from the Japan Epilepsy ResearchFoundation (to M. Kato).
Disclosure: The authors report no conflicts of interest.
Copyright 2007 by AAN Enterprises, Inc.
in 115 boys (68 from Pisa, 31 from Yamagata, and 16 from
Pedigrees, schematic representation of genomic structure, and
Chicago) with ISS and developmental delay, all of whom had
normal brain imaging and no recognized etiology. This in-cluded two pairs of brothers. We defined ISS as an electro-clinical syndrome of flexor, extensor, or flexor– extensorspasms, appearing in clusters and accompanied on the EEGby a bilateral electrodecremental event or biphasic slowwave with superimposed low voltage fast rhythms, with orwithout interictal hypsarrhythmia.12 We found a (GCG)10 ⫹ 7PolyA expansion of the ARX gene in six boys (5.2%). One-third of the patients, including all six described here, wereclinically examined; for the remaining patients, clinical in-formation was obtained from the referring physiciansthrough a standard questionnaire. For all six boys, informedparental consent was obtained for videotaping.
After noticing that all six boys carrying the (GCG)10 ⫹ 7
PolyA expansion had severe dystonia and that three of themhad experienced status dystonicus, we decided to investigatewhether ARX mutations might be a frequent cause of statusdystonicus. However, we found no ARX gene mutations inseven additional boys who had had status dystonicus of un-known etiology that had not been preceded by ISS.
DNA extraction, PCR amplification, and mutation
analysis. Blood or DNA samples were obtained from all
patients after informed parental consent. Genomic DNA
was extracted from blood samples using standard proto-
cols.13 PCR amplification was performed with 50 ng of
genomic DNA template using Taq Gold DNA polymerase
(Applied Biosystems). The primers used to amplify the cod-
ing and flanking noncoding regions of ARX (GenBank no.
AY038071.1) were designed using Primer 3 software (http://
www-genome.wi.mit.edu/cgi-bin/primer/
primer3_www.cgi). PCR primer sequences are described in
table E-1 on the Neurology Web site (www.neurology.org).
Because of the high GC content of exon 2, we optimized the
(A and B) Pedigrees of the Italian and Japanese families. A-III:1 ⫽ Patient 1; A-III:2 ⫽ Patient
amplification conditions using KOD-Plus-DNA polymerase
2; B-II:1 ⫽ Patient 5; B-II:2 ⫽ Patient 6. Squares ⫽ males; circles ⫽ females, arrows ⫽
(TOYOBO-Novagen). PCR products were analyzed using
probands; filled black symbols ⫽ patients with infantile spasms and dyskinetic quadriparesis;
denaturing high performance liquid chromatography (DH-
right side quarter-filled symbols ⫽ early seizures and severe neurologic impairment; dotted
PLC), followed by direct sequencing of PCR fragments that
circles ⫽ carriers of ARX mutation; white symbols ⫽ unaffected individuals; dashed
showed abnormal DHPLC profiles on automated capillary
symbols ⫽ deceased individuals. (C) Schematic representation of the genomic structure of
sequencer (ABI Prism 310; Applied Biosystems). DHPLC
ARX and DNA sequence electropherograms showing the (c.333_334ins[GCG]7) mutation
conditions were chosen according to the Wavemaker pro-
located in the first PolyA tract. The electropherograms show the sequence of the first
gram (Transgenomic). With the exception of exon 2, primers
PolyA tract (black lines) in a wild-type (WT) individual and the sequence with the expansion
used for PCR and sequencing were the same.
(black arrow) in the probands. This mutation introduces seven extra alanine (A)
residues in the ARX protein.
Clinical reports. Patient 1. This 15-year-old boy from a
Sardinian family was born after a normal pregnancy with
tract in the protein from 10 to 17 GCG re-
birth head circumference 34 cm (50th percentile) (figure 1,
peats (c.333_334ins[GCG]7) in six boys
AIII:1). Two maternal uncles and two aunts who had diedbetween the 16th and 20th months of life were reported to
from four families. All shared a severe clin-
have severe developmental delay and intractable seizures.
ical picture of early infantile spasms with
Delayed milestones were noticed in the first months of
generalized dystonia that appeared around
life. He had onset of ISS with hypsarrhythmia at 3 months,
age 6 months and worsened, eventually
which proved refractory to treatment. The spasms ceased by8 months, but generalized dystonia and chorea appeared and
leading to severe quadriplegic dyskinesia
progressed in severity until 2 years. Exam demonstrated in-
within age 2 years, accompanied in three
creased tone and brisk tendon reflexes. He began to have
by relentless episodes of devastating gener-
prolonged episodes of status dystonicus lasting days at atime, with worsening of his dyskinesia, dyspnea, and inabil-
ity to swallow that prompted frequent hospital admissions.
These were treated with anticholinergic drugs with no bene-fit and with apomorphine and benzodiazepines with limited
METHODS Patients. To investigate the role of ARX mu-
benefit. He also had infrequent focal seizures. EEG showed
tations in cryptogenic ISS, we performed mutation analysis
multifocal epileptiform abnormalities. Brain MRI at age 10
nia, coagulopathy, and elevated creatinine and creatine
Imaging features in Patients 3 and 4
kinase levels (52,590 U/dL). Treatment with haloperidol andtetrabenazine probably triggered malignant neuroleptic syn-drome, with life-threatening acidosis, disseminated intravas-cular coagulation, and renal failure. His course remainedstormy with recurrent episodes of status dystonicus. Treat-ment with carbamazepine, baclofen, diazepam, morphine,nasal midazolam, and deep brain stimulation were of limitedbenefit. Head circumference at birth and afterward was al-ways at the 50th centile.
Patient 4. This 14-year-old boy has severe mental retar-
dation, dyskinetic movements, and intractable epilepsy.
Family history is negative. He was born at term with normalhead circumference. Perinatal history was unrevealing. Hehad the onset of ISS at 2 months when an EEG showed mul-tifocal spike or polyspike and wave activity, followed byelectrodecremental responses. He was started on adrenocor-ticotropic hormone (ACTH) in addition to phenobarbitaland clonazepam. Spasms were transiently controlled but re-lapsed at 6 months after stopping ACTH, and he was treatedwith phenytoin. Over the next several months, the ISS finally
(A) Axial T1-weighted
showed multiple small areas of high T2 signal in the poste-
stopped, and his EEG improved; however, he went on to
inversion recovery image of
rior inferior regions of both basal ganglia that appeared to be
have drug-resistant focal seizures and since age 12 he has had
Patient 3 shows lucencies(arrows) in the posterior
of CSF intensity on T1-weighted spin echo and inversion re-
multiple seizure types per day. During infancy and early
lentiform nuclei. Foci of
covery (IR) sequences, as well as mildly enlarged ventricles.
childhood, continuous choreoathetotic and dystonic move-
Biochemical screening for a wide range of metabolic disor-
ments developed. He learned to walk on his knees, but al-
are seen in the cerebral
ders and muscle biopsy were normal. At age 15, he had mild
most constant twisting or writhing movements largely
peduncles; these are of
microcephaly (–2 SD), severe mental retardation with absent
prevent normal hand use (see video 4). MRI scan at 5 years
unknown significance. (B)
speech, and severe dystonia (see video 1 on the Neurology
showed multiple small areas of high T2 signal in both basal
Axial T2-weighted image of
Web site). He was assigned the diagnostic label of "dyski-
ganglia that appear to be small cysts based on T1-weighted
Patient 4 shows multiple
netic cerebral palsy." Brain MRI in his mother and maternal
spin echo and IR sequences, as well as mildly enlarged ven-
hyperintense foci
aunt were normal.
tricles (figure 2B). His head circumference was 54.6 cm (50th
(arrowheads) in the
Patient 2. The 9-year-old brother of Patient 1 had a sim-
percentile) at 14 years.
posterior putamina. There isoverall increase in the size
ilar clinical history with onset of infantile spasms at 3
Patient 5. This 3-year 6-month-old Japanese boy was
of ventricles and cisterns,
months and onset of generalized dystonia and chorea at 5
born at term as the first child of healthy and unrelated par-
suggesting cerebral volume
months that progressed in severity until 2 years (figure 1,
ents (figure 1B, II:1). Head circumference at birth was 33.0
AIII:2). Recurrent status dystonicus was also observed. Brain
cm (about 10th percentile). His early development was
MRI at 5 years demonstrated multiple small cystic areas in
mildly delayed with visual tracking and smiling noted at 2
the basal ganglia as well as mildly enlarged ventricles. At age
months, but he never acquired good head control. He had
9 he had continuous severe dystonia (see video 2). His head
the onset of brief clonic seizures at 3 months, followed by ISS
circumference was 47 cm (50th percentile) at 1 year and 52
several weeks later that were associated with loss of develop-
cm (25th to 50th percentile) at 9 years.
mental milestones. An EEG showed hypsarrhythmia,
Patient 3. This 8-year-old British boy was first brought
whereas brain MRI at 4 months was normal. After treatment
to medical attention at 5 months with motor delay, fisting,
with several antiepileptic drugs was ineffective, ACTH con-
and ISS. Family and perinatal history were negative. He was
trolled the spasms at age 8 months, but they relapsed at 11
born at term with normal head circumference. By 1 year,
months, at which time generalized dystonic movements first
dystonic posturing was noted that progressed to generalized
appeared. A second cycle of ACTH was effective in control-
dyskinesia over the following months, and a tentative diag-
ling the spasms. At age 2 years, he had microcephaly (–2.4
nosis of "dyskinetic cerebral palsy" was assigned. At 3 years,
SD), poor head control, axial hypotonia, spasticity, and se-
he experienced his first episode of status dystonicus, lasting
vere dystonic movements. He was not able to roll, and his
several days. Baclofen, benxhezol, benzodiazepines, and tet-
development was estimated at a 5 months' level.
rabenazine were of little benefit. Focal seizures appeared at
Patient 6. This 2-year-old boy is the younger brother of
this time and were treated with valproate and subsequently
Patient 5 (figure 1B, II:2) . He was delivered by cesarean sec-
carbamazepine monotherapy, which slightly improved the
tion at 38 weeks' gestation. His birth weight was 2.858 kg
involuntary movements. Brain MRI at 6 years showed small
and head circumference was 34.0 cm (50th percentile). He
areas of T1 hyperintensity in the mesencephalon (figure 2A)
smiled at 2 months but had poor head control. Tonic sei-
as well as multiple small areas of high T2 signal in both basal
zures began at 4 months and were temporarily controlled by
ganglia (not shown) that appeared to be small cysts on T1
phenobarbital. His EEG and brain MRI at age 6 months
and IR sequences (figure 2A) and mild ventricular enlarge-
were normal. He had axial hypotonia, limb spasticity, and
ment. The nature of these is uncertain, but possibilities in-
diffuse dystonia most prominent in the neck (see video 5). At
clude foci of calcification, lipid, and proteinaceous fluid.
16 months, his head circumference was 48 cm (50th percen-
After 4 years of clinical stability, involuntary movements
tile). He had the onset of ISS at 17 months. His EEG showed
evolved again into status dystonicus (see video 3) with hyper-
thermia, acidosis, hypernatremia, uremia, thrombocytope-
Neurology 69 July 31, 2007
Phenotypes and genotypes associated with ARX mutations
Phenotype (gender)
ARX genotypes
XLAG with HYD (M)
Proud syndrome (ACC-AG) (M)
Large intragenic deletions,frameshifts or null mutations(exons 1–4), nonconservativemissense mutations in homeobox
ACC with MR, seizures (F)
ACC with normal intelligence (F)
Syndromes without
PolyA expansion (1st PolyA tract [GCG]7)
encephalopathy (this report) (M)
Infantile spasms (M)
PolyA expansion (1st [GCG]7 and 2ndPolyA tracts), deletion of exon 5
Rarely, conservative missense mutationsin homeobox
Partington syndrome (XLMR,
PolyA expansion (2nd PolyA tract)
seizures, mild distal dystonia) (M)
XLMR with or without seizures (M)
PolyA expansion (1st [GCG]1, 2, 3 and2nd PolyA tracts), missense mutations outsidehomeobox
PolyA expansion, missense mutation
ACC ⫽ agenesis of the corpus callosum; AG ⫽ abnormal genitalia; HYD ⫽ hydrocephalus; XLMR ⫽ X-linked mental retarda-tion; XLAG ⫽ X-linked lissencephaly with abnormal genitalia; XMESID ⫽ X-linked myoclonic epilepsy with spasticity and in-tellectual disability.
RESULTS Mutation analysis of ARX gene. DH-
most severe in the neck and arms, whereas three
PLC analysis of the ARX gene in Patients 1 to 3
(Patients 1 to 3) had recurrent status dystonicus.
showed an altered profile in exon 2, promptingdirect DNA sequencing of the PCR product. Pa-
DISCUSSION Previous reports have described re-
tient 4 to 6 were sequenced directly. In all six
markable pleiotropy among the phenotypes asso-
boys, sequencing demonstrated an insertion of
ciated with mutations of ARX, including several
seven tandem GCG repeats within the normal
syndromes with and without malformations of
stretch of 10 GCG triplet repeats in the 5= end of
the brain and introducing interneuronopathies as
exon 2 (c.333_334ins[GCG]7) (figure 1C). This
a new class of developmental disorders.14,15 Here
insertion results in expansion of the first PolyA
we extend the pleiotropy by demonstrating a con-
tract (amino acids [aa] 100 to 115) from 16 to 23
sistent phenotype among males with expansion of
residues. This change is not present in the control
the first PolyA tract, which consists of severe
population9 and was not found in a total of 300
mental retardation, early-onset ISS, and a severe
controls, 100 of which were tested in each of three
form of generalized dystonia that has a progres-
laboratories (Pisa, Chicago, Yamagata). Sequenc-
sive course in the first years of life before reaching
ing of ARX exon 2 in the mother and maternal
a plateau and that may be associated with recur-
aunt of Patients 1 and 2 and the mother of Pa-
rent life-threatening status dystonicus. We desig-
tients 5 and 6 revealed that they were heterozy-
gous carriers of the expansion; mutation analysis
encephalopathy. This appears to be the most se-
in the mothers of Patients 3 and 4 were normal.
vere of the nonmalformation phenotypes recog-
The maternal aunt of Patients 1 and 2 gave birth
nized to date, as we will review below, although
to an healthy boy after prenatal testing on amnio-
one could argue that the basal ganglia cysts ob-
cytes had ruled out the (c.333_334ins[GCG]7)
served in some patients represent a subtle
Phenotype summary. All six boys in this study had
Including our report, about 10 different syn-
ISS and severe mental retardation. In four of six,
dromes have been associated with mutations of
onset of ISS was at 2 to 3 months of age, which is
ARX, divided into syndromes with and without
earlier than usual for this type of seizure. All six
brain malformations that differ between males
had severe, generalized dystonia that seemed
and females (table). Males with less severe muta-
tions have one of several overlapping nonmalfor-
companied in two by ISS, other types of epilepsy,
spastic quadriparesis, and dystonic movements.22
retardation, epilepsy, especially ISS or myoclonic
Our observations contribute to delineating a
seizures, and sometimes dyskinesia, as identified
particularly severe phenotype that is associated
previously.9 Expansions of the first (aa 100 to 115)
with the A16¡A23/PolyA expansion, including
or second (aa 144 to 155) of the four PolyA tracts
frequent early lethality, profound delay, and epi-
have proved to be the most common ARX muta-
lepsy in all patients, infantile spasms in most, and
tions.5,6,9,13,16,17 The first reports in multiplex fam-
dystonia with an initially progressive course lead-
ilies suggested that duplication of the second
ing to a severe dyskinetic syndrome in those who
PolyA tract was the most common mutation of
survive beyond infancy. The observation that
the gene,5,9 but our experience suggests that ex-
small in-frame insertion c.333_334(GCG) muta-
pansion of the first PolyA tract may be more com-
tions leading to one to three amino acid expan-
mon in sporadic patients. We report details of a
sions of the first PolyA tract caused only mild to
series of males with expansion of the first PolyA
moderate nonsyndromic mental retardation with
tract. In contrast to the more severe malformation
no neurologic signs5,23 suggests that the longer the
syndromes, all female heterozygotes for less se-
PolyA expansion, the earlier the onset and sever-
vere mutations have had a normal phenotype.
ity of clinical manifestations. The fact that none
Expansions of the second PolyA tract cause a
of the carrier women recognized so far, including
variable phenotype but are not associated with
three women in our study, had any clinical signsuggests loss of function resulting from the PolyA
brain abnormalities on neuroimaging. In particu-
lar, the 24-bp duplication (c.428_451dup) that re-
Similarities between the phenotypes of PolyA
sults in the expansion of 12 alanine residues to 20
expansion mutations and null alleles suggest that
(A155_W156insAAAAAAAA) is considered a
the PolyA-expanded proteins are at least partial
mutational hotspot as it was identified in 24 of 59
loss of function mutations.24 An Arx construct
families with any mutation of ARX.14 To date, 89
that contains the 16¡23 expansion correspond-
patients have been described having this muta-
ing to that found in our patients forms intranu-
tion, most from multiplex families. Phenotypes
clear aggregation of mutant protein and causes
included familial nonsyndromic X-linked mental
cell death in cultured cortical neurons.25 In oculo-
pharyngeal muscular dystrophy, PolyA expan-
(ISSX),9,17,18 familial mental retardation with hyp-
sions result in nuclear inclusions of mutant
sarrhythmia,9 and Partington syndrome.7,19,20 The
protein with an increase in cell death.26
latter syndrome is characterized by mild to mod-
Status dystonicus is a rare condition with vari-
erate mental retardation in boys, of which about
ous etiologies.11 Infections and drug treatments
60% also have episodic dystonic movements of
that produce inhibition of GABAergic transmis-
the hands, which become more prominent in
sion in the basal ganglia are potential precipitants
childhood.7,19,20 Mild dystonia was also reported
in patients with pre-existing dystonia.11 Urgent
in some members of two additional families with
hospital admission is mandatory as the risk of
syndromic and nonsyndromic X-linked mental
mortality is high mainly due to bulbar and respi-
retardation, and the c.428_451dup mutation.10
ratory complications, exhaustion, pain, and rhab-
Altogether, dystonia has never comprised a severe
domyolysis with subsequent acute renal failure.
clinical feature in patients with expansion of the
Management is difficult. Benzhexol, tetrabena-
second PolyA tract.
zine, haloperidol, baclofen, and benzodiazepines
The A16¡A23/PolyA expansion of the first
were not effective in our patients. We observed
PolyA tract that we found in our patients was pre-
only mild and transient improvement of dystonia
viously reported in three families. In two families,
in Patients 1 and 2 after apomorphine infusion
11 boys had ISSX and severe mental retarda-
and in Patient 3 with carbamazepine treatment.
tion.10,18,21 Six of the 11 boys died early in life and
ARX mutation analysis in our patients was
for the remaining boys, data were either missing
prompted by a study investigating the role of this
or reported at a very early age, when severe dysto-
gene in infantile spasms; the correlation with se-
nia might not have been manifest yet, although
vere dystonic quadriparesis would have otherwise
"roving eye movements," "bilateral hand fisting,"
and "spastic jerking movements" of the hands
workup for inborn errors of metabolism that may
were reported in some children.18 In the third
be accompanied by dyskinetic movements start-
family, three males had mental retardation, ac-
ing in infancy was unrevealing, and arrest of pro-
Neurology 69 July 31, 2007
gression was at odds with the usually inexorably
death of interneurons in the striata, due to the
progressive course of such disorders. A tentative
formation of intranuclear aggregates.25
diagnosis of cerebral palsy was assigned indepen-dently in various centers, although without clini-
cal or neuroimaging evidence of perinatal injury.
The authors thank A. Ramazzotti for carrying some of the sequences
Indeed, appearance of abnormal movements even
of the ARX gene and T. Pisano for retrieving early clinical informa-
tion for Patients 1 and 2.
several months or years after birth with subse-quent partial progression is not unusual in dyski-
Received December 7, 2006. Accepted in final form March
netic cerebral palsy.27 One possible explanation
for this is that involuntary movements require ananatomic substrate that may not be sufficiently
developed at birth to cause symptoms. The same
Miura H, Yanazawa M, Kato K, Kitamura K. Expres-
likely applies to our patients, in whom cellular
sion of a novel aristaless related homeobox gene ‘Arx'
neuropathology caused by the PolyA expansion is
in the vertebrate telencephalon, diencephalon and floorplate. Mech Dev 1997;65:99–109.
presumably present at birth and causes early in-
Colombo E, Galli R, Cossu G, Gecz J, Broccoli V.
fantile spasms but only produces dyskinesia later,
Mouse orthologue of ARX, a gene mutated in several
when the anatomic substrate becomes function-
X-linked forms of mental retardation and epilepsy, is a
ally expressed.
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The ARX gene is highly expressed in the devel-
GABAergic neurons. Dev Dyn 2004;231:631–639.
Kitamura K, Yanazawa M, Sugiyama N, et al. Muta-
oping cerebral cortex and ganglionic eminence
tion of ARX causes abnormal development of fore-
where it regulates proliferation and migration of
brain and testes in mice and X-linked lissencephaly
GABAergic interneurons.3 Arx-deficient mice
with abnormal genitalia in humans. Nat Genet 2002;
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with PolyA expansion mutation of ARX has been
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Report on Quality Measures to Earn 1.5% Bonus
Medicare will pay a 1.5% bonus to physicians who report their data from July 1, 2007, toDecember 31, 2007, through the Physician Quality Reporting Initiative (PQRI). Physicianreporting thresholds apply to qualify for the bonus. The program currently includesneurology-specific measures in stroke (8) and for risk of falls (1). Visit www.aan.com/njp4pfor more information.
Neurology 69 July 31, 2007
Expansion of the first PolyA tract of
causes infantile spasms and status
dystonicus
R. Guerrini, F. Moro, M. Kato, A. J. Barkovich, T. Shiihara, M. A. McShane, J. Hurst,
M. Loi, J. Tohyama, V. Norci, K. Hayasaka, U. J. Kang, S. Das and W. B. Dobyns
2007;69;427-433
DOI: 10.1212/01.wnl.0000266594.16202.c1
This information is current as of August 1, 2007
The online version of this article, along with updated information and services, is
located on the World Wide Web at:
® is the official journal of the American Academy of Neurology. Published continuously
Neurologysince 1951, it is now a weekly with 48 issues per year. Copyright 2007 by AAN Enterprises, Inc. All rights reserved. Print ISSN: 0028-3878. Online ISSN: 1526-632X.
Expansion of the first PolyA tract of
causes infantile spasms and status
dystonicus
R. Guerrini, F. Moro, M. Kato, A. J. Barkovich, T. Shiihara, M. A. McShane, J. Hurst,
M. Loi, J. Tohyama, V. Norci, K. Hayasaka, U. J. Kang, S. Das and W. B. Dobyns
2007;69;427-433
DOI: 10.1212/01.wnl.0000266594.16202.c1
This information is current as of August 1, 2007
including high-resolution figures, can be found at:
& Services
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Palliative Care Guidelines: Introduction Introduction: Palliative Care Guidelines Third Edition Palliative care• aims to improve the quality of life of patients and their families facing the problems associated with any life limiting illness. • provides relief from pain and other distressing symptoms. • integrates the psychological and spiritual aspects of patient care. • offers a support system to help patients live as actively as possible until death. • offers a support system to help the family cope during the patient's illness and in their own
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