Genetics of Movement Disorders


Book Description

Hereditary or genetic diseases featuring involuntary movements constitute a major aspect of the practice of neurology, functional neurosurgery, genetics, and many areas of basic and applied neuroscience research. Describing the current knowledge on these disorders, Genetics of Movement Disorders brings together information essential for clinicians, geneticists, and neuroscientists in one source. Utilizing a convenient and accessible format, the book is designed to allow easy identification of relevant information, with the overall organization of topics following established phenotypic classifications of movement disorders such as Parkinsonian syndromes, chorea, ataxia, and major categories of diseases grouped by gene locus. This book broadly appeals to neurologists, neuroscientists, geneticists, as well as cell and molecular biologists and hematologists. - Consistently formatted to present a clinical description of the disorder, followed by an in-depth analysis of the mutation and function of the mutated gene including cellular and animal models - Emphasizes the use of DNA tests for each respective disorder - Provides up-to-date, easily accessible information for clinicians, geneticists, and neuroscientists




Neurogenetics


Book Description

Neurogenetics is intended for any physician or scientist who manages patients with inherited diseases of the nervous system. It presents the clinical phenotypes of the most commonly inherited neurologic diseases, and their molecular pathogenesis, followed by a description of the appropriate tests to be used in diagnosis. Two introductory chapters familiarize the nongeneticist with medical genetic terminology and molecular genetic techniques useful in the analysis of genetic disease and genetic testing. Subsequent chapters examine major neurologic disorders caused by single defects, as well as disease phenotypes such as Alzheimer disease or amyotrophic lateral sclerosis which may be caused by defects in single genes, but may also be seen as sporadic diseases. The genetic components of other common neurologic disorders, such as epilepsy, multiple sclerosis, migraine, and stroke are all covered in detail. The final chapter discusses genetic counseling of symptomatic and pre-symptomatic individuals. Throughout, chapters discuss genotype/phenotype correlations and, where appropriate, animal models for inherited human neurologic diseases. Several chapters are devoted to recently discovered diseases caused by unstable DNA repeats. Special emphasis is placed on conveying how DNA testing can be applied to the daily practice of geneticists and neurologists.




Cerebellar Disorders


Book Description

During the last three decades, many laboratories worldwide have dedicated their research activities to understanding the roles of the cerebellum in motor control, cognitive processes and the biology of mental processes, behavioral symptoms and emotion. These advances have been associated with discoveries of new clinical disorders, in particular in the field of genetic ataxias, and the growing number of diseases presents a source of difficulty for clinicians during daily practice. This practical guide summarizes and evaluates current knowledge in the field of cerebellar disorders. Encompassing details of both common and uncommon cerebellar ataxias, including vascular, immune, neoplastic, infectious, traumatic, toxic and inherited disorders, this book will assist clinicians in the diagnosis and management of the full spectrum of cerebellar ataxias encountered in daily practice. Essential reading for clinicians, including general practitioners, neurologists, pediatricians, radiologists, psychiatrists and neuropsychologists, this will also prove a valuable tool for students, trainees and researchers.




Inherited Chorioretinal Dystrophies


Book Description

This lavishly illustrated atlas provides indispensable information to clinicians, geneticists and visual scientists working with inherited retinal diseases. It is filled with high-quality images, up-to-date genetic information and comprehensive electrophysiology. The data for each individual disorder have been summarised in an accessible, reader-friendly format for easy reference. The illustrations include colour fundus photographs, fluorescein angiograms, OCT scans, electrophysiological studies and pedigrees. The editors and authors are well-known experts in the field and have drawn upon their extensive experience to produce this unique atlas.




Polyglutamine Disorders


Book Description

This book provides a cutting-edge review of polyglutamine disorders. It primarily focuses on two main aspects: (1) the mechanisms underlying the pathologies’ development and progression, and (2) the therapeutic strategies that are currently being explored to stop or delay disease progression. Polyglutamine (polyQ) disorders are a group of inherited neurodegenerative diseases with a fatal outcome that are caused by an abnormal expansion of a coding trinucleotide repeat (CAG), which is then translated in an abnormal protein with an elongated glutamine tract (Q). To date, nine polyQ disorders have been identified and described: dentatorubral-pallidoluysian atrophy (DRPLA); Huntington’s disease (HD); spinal–bulbar muscular atrophy (SBMA); and six spinocerebellar ataxias (SCA 1, 2, 3, 6, 7, and 17). The genetic basis of polyQ disorders is well established and described, and despite important advances that have opened up the possibility of generating genetic models of the disease, the mechanisms that cause neuronal degeneration are still largely unknown and there is currently no treatment available for these disorders. Further, it is believed that the different polyQ may share some mechanisms and pathways contributing to neurodegeneration and disease progression.




Encyclopedia of Movement Disorders


Book Description

The Encyclopedia of Movement Disorders is a comprehensive reference work on movement disorders, encompassing a wide variety of topics in neurology, neurosurgery, psychiatry and pharmacology. This compilation will feature more than 300 focused entries, including sections on different disease states, pathophysiology, epidemiology, genetics, clinical presentation, diagnostic tools, as well as discussions on relevant basic science topics. This Encyclopedia is an essential addition to any collection, written to be accessible for both the clinical and non-clinical reader. Academic clinicians, translational researchers and basic scientists are brought together to connect experimental findings made in the laboratory to the clinical features, pathophysiology and treatment of movement disorders. The Encyclopedia targets a broad readership, ranging from students to general physicians, basic scientists and Movement Disorder specialists. Published both in print and via Elsevier’s online platform of Science Direct, this Encyclopedia will have the enhanced option of integrating traditional print with online multimedia. Connects experimental findings made in the laboratory to the clinical features, pathophysiology, and treatment of movement disorders Encompasses a wide variety of topics in neurology neurosurgery, psychiatry, and pharmacology Written for a broad readership ranging from students to general physicians, basic scientists, and movement disorder specialists




Handbook of Ataxia Disorders


Book Description

This timely reference presents, for the first time, new findings in molecular genetics that are applicable to the epidemiology, pathogenesis, neuropathology, clinical features, and management of ataxia-bridging the gap between scientific and clinical practice. Organized by the distinctive ataxia disorders, their pathogenesis, and management-facilitating quick and efficient diagnoses! Providing complementary sections on the anatomy of the spinocerebellar system, its normal function, and a history of ataxia research and management, the Handbook of Ataxia Disorders clarifies the impact of identifying the molecular causes of ataxia offers in-depth analysis of dominant and recessive and nonhereditary ataxia disorders explores the vital connection between the genotypes and phenotypes of various degenerative ataxia disorders and more! Written by more than 60 international experts and supplemented with over 2600 literature references, photographs, micrographs, drawings, and tables, the Handbook of Ataxia Disorders is an essential and useful reference for clinical neurologists and neuropathologists, neuropediatricians, geneticists, physiatrists, and medical school students in these disciplines.




My Thirty-Five Years with Ataxia


Book Description

My name is Patricia Birdsong Hamilton. I was born and grew up in Atlanta, Georgia, graduated from Spelman College in Atlanta in 1974, and received my MBA from Atlanta University (now Clark - Atlanta University) in 1975. I am one of seven children born to Annie and R.C. Birdsong, am married and am the proud mother of one son and one daughter. I was diagnosed with Spinocerebellar Ataxia at the age of thirty-four. Because I was unable to find a book that could provide me with some insight into the way the disease may affect me, I decided to write my own. My objective was to learn how to live with my medical condition. The books I wrote are about my personal experiences before and after my diagnosis. I discovered ways to cope with the disease, the way I came to grips with my situation and how I developed an attitude that enabled me to move on with my life. "My Thirty Five Years with Ataxia" is a book that chronologically describes the challenges I have experienced over the years. I define ataxia and reveal some family history concerning ataxia. Through out the book one has to keep in mind that we are chemically and biologically different and we react differently to medication. With A positive attitude, the support of God's blessings, family and friends. I meet each hardship head on. Other books published by the author are: A Balancing Act: Living with Spinal Cerebellar Ataxia Coping Skills for the Ataxia Individual Broken Shell Not, a Broken Sprit Stretching Toward a Healthier You! A Balancing Act: Walking What's UP? Why do You Walk Funny?




A Family Disease


Book Description

Dana Creighton and her mother both were affected by the same inherited cerebellar degeneration, known as ataxia--a loss of control over body movements. Both were treated by a healthcare system that failed them in different ways. Yet their experiences were disparate. Creighton eventually found the right tools to piece together meaning in her life; her mother resisted accepting her condition, in part because doctors repeatedly said nothing was wrong with her. Twenty-five years after her mother's suicide, Creighton's memoir finds striking similarities and differences in their lives and traces a lineage of family trauma. Drawing on research in neuroplasticity, medical records, personal correspondence and genealogy, the author highlights the gap between the lived experience of a debilitating ailment and the impersonal aims of clinicians. She shows how the stories parents tell themselves about living with a genetic disorder influences how they communicate it to their children.




Syndromes: Rapid Recognition and Perioperative Implications


Book Description

Essential medical facts on over 2,000 genetic syndromes. Organized alphabetically, this book provides comprehensive medical coverage for each syndrome, from genetic basis to manifestations to related medical considerations.