Abstract Elevated impulsivity is a key component of attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD), bipolar disorder and juvenile myoclonic epilepsy (JME). We performed a genome-wide association, colocalization, polygenic risk score, and pathway analysis of impulsivity in JME ( n = 381). Results were followed up with functional characterisation using a drosophila model. We identified genome-wide associated SNPs at 8q13.3 ( P = 7.5 × 10 −9 ) and 10p11.21 ( P = 3.6 × 10 −8 ). The 8q13.3 locus colocalizes with SLCO5A1 expression quantitative trait loci in cerebral cortex ( P = 9.5 × 10 −3 ). SLCO5A1 codes for an organic anion transporter and upregulates synapse assembly/organisation genes. Pathway analysis demonstrates 12.7-fold enrichment for presynaptic membrane assembly genes ( P = 0.0005) and 14.3-fold enrichment for presynaptic organisation genes ( P = 0.0005) including NLGN1 and PTPRD . RNAi knockdown of Oatp30B , the Drosophila polypeptide with the highest homology to SLCO5A1 , causes over-reactive startling behaviour ( P = 8.7 × 10 −3 ) and increased seizure-like events ( P = 6.8 × 10 −7 ). Polygenic risk score for ADHD genetically correlates with impulsivity scores in JME ( P = 1.60 × 10 −3 ). SLCO5A1 loss-of-function represents an impulsivity and seizure mechanism. Synaptic assembly genes may inform the aetiology of impulsivity in health and disease.
The role of the sympathetic nervous system (SNS) in tumor development, progression and metastasis is studied for more than half a century and is attracting more attention during the last years. In this narrative review, we aim to a chronological and methodological presentation of the most interesting and pioneering studies on the subject.The complexity of the autonomic nervous system's interaction with the immune system, its direct and indirect effects on tumors and their surrounding tissues, plus the diversity and heterogeneity in the design and methodology of the studies, provide hard-to-interpret data and, at times, controversial findings. Studies are categorized into four main groups regarding the distribution of sympathetic nerve fibers inside the tumor, the effect of sympathectomy on cancer progression, the role of neurotransmitters on tumor growth and the impact of sympathetic adrenergic signaling on the anti-tumor immune response.Studies from all four categories converge to a common point. There is strong evidence that SNS function plays a role in the development and progression of tumors and subsequently the modification of SNS function, locally or diffusely, can affect the course of tumor growth.The impact of SNS function on cancer behavior may be exerted in two ways, directly via the sympathetic nerve fibers or through widely distributed neurotransmitters. Modification of them, combined or not with treatments altering the immune function, could be the target for future therapeutic implications.
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Summary: Status epilepticus (SE) is a severe condition that needs immediate pharmacological treatment to tackle brain damage and related side effects. In approximately 20% of cases, the standard treatment for SE does not control seizures, and the condition evolves to refractory SE. If refractory status epilepticus lasts more than 24 hours despite the use of anesthetic treatment, the condition is redefined as super-refractory SE (srSE). sRSE is a destructive condition, potentially to cause severe brain damage. In this review, we discuss the clinical neuromodulation techniques for controlling srSE when conventional treatments have failed: electroconvulsive therapy, vagus nerve stimulation, transcranial magnetic stimulation, and deep brain stimulation. Data show that neuromodulation therapies can abort srSE in >80% of patients. However, no randomized, prospective, and controlled trials have been completed, and data are provided only by retrospective small case series and case reports with obvious inclination to publication bias. There is a need for further investigation into the use of neuromodulation techniques as an early treatment of srSE and to address whether an earlier intervention can prevent long-term complications.