Brain & DevelopmentPub Date : 2025-10-01Epub Date: 2025-07-24DOI: 10.1016/j.braindev.2025.104398
Wenjie Li , Xueqian Xia , Lingyu Zhang , Xiaoling Peng , Li Jiang , Yue Hu
{"title":"Clinical features and prognostic factors of group B Streptococcus Meningitis in infants","authors":"Wenjie Li , Xueqian Xia , Lingyu Zhang , Xiaoling Peng , Li Jiang , Yue Hu","doi":"10.1016/j.braindev.2025.104398","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.braindev.2025.104398","url":null,"abstract":"<div><h3>Purpose</h3><div>To summarize the clinical features of group B streptococcus (GBS) meningitis in infants and identify the risk factors for poor prognosis.</div></div><div><h3>Methods</h3><div>The clinical data of 52 infants with GBS meningitis treated at Children's Hospital of Chongqing Medical University from January 2012 to December 2021 were retrospectively analyzed.</div></div><div><h3>Results</h3><div>A total of 48 infants (48/52, 92.3 %) presented with symptom onset at ≤90 days of age. Among 52 patients, the most prevalent clinical manifestations were fever (98.1 %), altered mental status (84.6 %) and decreased appetite (63.5 %). Subdural effusion (30/52, 57.7 %) was the most common neurological complication. One patient (1.9 %) died from cerebral herniation. Positive blood culture alone was observed in 41 cases (78.8 %), isolated cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) culture positivity in 5 (9.6 %), and dual blood-CSF culture positivity in 6 (11.5 %). The median hospital stay was 33 days. The most frequently administered antibiotic regimens were vancomycin combined with carbapenems (18/52, 34.6 %) and vancomycin plus third-generation cephalosporins (15/52, 28.8 %). Univariate analysis indicated an association between glucocorticoid use and clinical outcomes; however, multivariate analysis yielded no statistically significant variables (<em>P</em> < 0.05).</div></div><div><h3>Conclusions</h3><div>GBS meningitis is most common in infants below 3 months. Both clinical manifestations and ancillary tests may be nonspecific, and definitive diagnosis relies on etiological confirmation. The risk of neurological complications is high.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":56137,"journal":{"name":"Brain & Development","volume":"47 5","pages":"Article 104398"},"PeriodicalIF":1.4,"publicationDate":"2025-10-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"144704646","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":4,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Brain & DevelopmentPub Date : 2025-10-01Epub Date: 2025-08-14DOI: 10.1016/j.braindev.2025.104418
Metin Eser , Gulam Hekimoglu , Busra Kutlubay
{"title":"Epilepsy as a multifaceted neurological disease: insights from a genetic study of novel gene variants","authors":"Metin Eser , Gulam Hekimoglu , Busra Kutlubay","doi":"10.1016/j.braindev.2025.104418","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.braindev.2025.104418","url":null,"abstract":"<div><h3>Background</h3><div>Epilepsy, a neurological disease characterized by recurrent seizures, is highly heterogeneous in nature. The objective is to demonstrate that epilepsy is a complex neurodisorder influenced by multiple gene mutations and to advance genetic therapies through the discovery of novel variants.</div></div><div><h3>Methods</h3><div>In our study, 89 people with epilepsy of unknown cause were examined using the Sophia DDM® data analysis platform. Pepper®, Sophia Genetics' proprietary foundation algorithm, was used for alignment and variation detection in accordance with the hg19 human genome reference.</div></div><div><h3>Results</h3><div>A total of 97 epilepsy-related gene variants were identified, which correlated well with the phenotypes. Eleven (13 %) pathogenic and likely pathogenic variants, including those in the <em>DEPDC5</em>, <em>OPHN1</em>, <em>SHANK3</em>, <em>DYNC1H1</em>, <em>KCNQ1</em>, <em>ADGRV1</em>, <em>CHD2</em>, <em>GNB1</em>, <em>PDHX</em>, and <em>SCARB2</em> genes, were detected. 5 (6 %) of patients carried new variants. Two new variants in the <em>ADGRV1</em> gene were c.14662-2A>G splicing heterozygous variants. The other two were in genes <em>DEPDC5</em>, c.2319_2320del (p.Cys774Leufs*2) frameshift heterozygous, and <em>CHD2</em> c.1957del (p.Leu653Serfs*41) frameshift heterozygous variants. The last <em>PDHX</em> c.1159C>T (p.Gln387*) nonsense homozygous variant was confirmed by Sanger sequencing, and a family segregation study was performed and observed as heterozygous in the parents. It was not previously described in the literature and was defined as a new variant. The other 86 were detected as variants of uncertain significance (VUS).</div></div><div><h3>Conclusions</h3><div>We identified several novel and pathogenic variants across multiple genes associated with epilepsy, highlighting the genetic diversity and complexity of this condition. These findings underscore the importance of integrating genetic analysis into clinical practice for tailored interventions.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":56137,"journal":{"name":"Brain & Development","volume":"47 5","pages":"Article 104418"},"PeriodicalIF":1.3,"publicationDate":"2025-10-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"144841323","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":4,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Brain & DevelopmentPub Date : 2025-10-01Epub Date: 2025-09-30DOI: 10.1016/j.braindev.2025.104457
Yasuhiro Takeshima, Tomoko Lee, Hideki Shimomura
{"title":"Development and future prospects of exon-skipping therapy for Duchenne muscular dystrophy","authors":"Yasuhiro Takeshima, Tomoko Lee, Hideki Shimomura","doi":"10.1016/j.braindev.2025.104457","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.braindev.2025.104457","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>Duchenne muscular dystrophy (DMD) is an inherited progressive muscle disease that is caused by variants in the <em>DMD</em> gene. The development of therapies for DMD that promote dystrophin protein production or ameliorate dystrophin deficiency-induced pathology is currently underway. Therapies that promote dystrophin production are known as disease-modifying therapies, and include exon-skipping therapy using antisense oligonucleotides (AS-oligo). This therapy suppresses the function of a splicing enhancer sequence within an exon using AS-oligo and removes the exon from the mRNA, thereby converting an out-of-frame deletion (as occurs in DMD) to an in-frame deletion and inducing the expression of functional dystrophin protein. In 2016, eteplirsen, which induces exon 51 skipping, received accelerated approval in the United States. AS-oligo that induce the skipping of exons 45 and 53 are also currently being applied in clinical practice. AS-oligo that induce skipping of other exons are expected to be developed in the future, as well as modified nucleic acids that act more potently. Notably, however, the evaluation of the efficacy of these therapies in clinical practice after accelerated approval remains insufficient. In addition, many issues, such as the effectiveness of early treatment and the combination of these therapies with other novel therapeutic agents, need to be considered. It is therefore important to establish a system to follow-up the long-term efficacy and safety of treatment in the future. The establishment of an early diagnostic system may also need to be considered. The present review outlines the development and future challenges of exon-skipping therapy for DMD and the expansion of splice-switching therapy (a therapy that uses AS-oligo to control splicing), including exon-skipping therapy, to other diseases.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":56137,"journal":{"name":"Brain & Development","volume":"47 5","pages":"Article 104457"},"PeriodicalIF":1.3,"publicationDate":"2025-10-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"145208585","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":4,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
{"title":"Association between total hydrocortisone dose and neurodevelopmental outcome at 3 years old in newborns under 28 weeks of gestation","authors":"Toshimitsu Takayanagi, Mizuko Hashimoto , Tada-Aki Shiraishi , Hiroyuki Tomino, Shun Ogiwara, Akinori Shichijo, Masakazu Egashira, Tomoko Mizukami, Tomoko Egashira","doi":"10.1016/j.braindev.2025.104452","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.braindev.2025.104452","url":null,"abstract":"<div><h3>Background</h3><div>Ventilated very-low-birth-weight infants (VLBWIs) frequently receive hydrocortisone (HDC). The HDC dose increases in more serious cases, but the association between the actual HDC dose and neurodevelopmental outcomes is unclear.</div></div><div><h3>Method</h3><div>A total of 274 VLBWIs were divided into four groups according to the total HDC dose: zero (0 mg/kg), low (1–25 mg/kg), moderate (25–75 mg/kg), high (>75 mg/kg). The developmental quotient (DQ) in each group were compared. Using simple and multiple linear regression analyses, we evaluated the presence of a significant relationship between total DQ and total HDC dose in 274 and 153 VLBWIs receiving HDC therapy. In addition, the association between HDC therapy and the total DQ was investigated in 274 VLBWIs.</div></div><div><h3>Results</h3><div>The total DQ in the zero group was significantly higher than that in the moderate and high groups but equivalent to that in the low group. Despite a significant association between total DQ and total HDC dose in the single linear regression analysis, no significant association was found between total DQ and total HDC dose in 274 VLBWIs (<em>p</em> = 0.07) and 153 VLBWIs receiving HDC (<em>p</em> = 0.18) using a multiple linear regression analysis, after adjusting for the days of artificial ventilation, gestational age, and the onset of late-stage circulatory collapse. No significant association was observed between total DQ and HDC therapy (<em>p</em> = 0.58).</div></div><div><h3>Conclusion</h3><div>HDC therapy during NICU admission may not have a significant effect on total DQ at three years old in VLBWIs.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":56137,"journal":{"name":"Brain & Development","volume":"47 5","pages":"Article 104452"},"PeriodicalIF":1.3,"publicationDate":"2025-10-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"145202227","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":4,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
{"title":"Letter to the editor: Immune dysregulation in new-onset refractory status epilepticus (NORSE): current insights and therapeutic perspectives","authors":"Parth Aphale , Shashank Dokania , Himanshu Shekhar","doi":"10.1016/j.braindev.2025.104422","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.braindev.2025.104422","url":null,"abstract":"","PeriodicalId":56137,"journal":{"name":"Brain & Development","volume":"47 5","pages":"Article 104422"},"PeriodicalIF":1.3,"publicationDate":"2025-10-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"144864101","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":4,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
{"title":"Survival motor neuron protein is the optimal biomarker for evaluating the risdiplam treatment","authors":"Tamaki Kato , Noriko Otsuki , Mamoru Yokomura , Naoko Shima , Kota Kajima , Moeka Shioya , Hayato Suzuki , Hidetaka Wakabayshi , Kayoko Saito","doi":"10.1016/j.braindev.2025.104410","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.braindev.2025.104410","url":null,"abstract":"<div><h3>Background</h3><div>The clinical use of three disease-modifying drugs approved in Japan for the treatment of spinal muscle atrophy (SMA) has increased. Therefore, there is an increasing need for biomarkers to evaluate therapeutic interventions.</div></div><div><h3>Methods</h3><div>Individuals were treated with risdiplam (25 patients, male:female =12:13) and evaluated before starting the medication and after 1, 2, 5, 8, and 12 months. Assessments included the Hammersmith Functional Motor Scale Expanded (HFMSE), Revised Upper Limb Module (RULM), compound muscle action potential (CMAP) of the ulnar and peroneal nerves, and spinal muscular atrophy independence scale upper limb module (SMAIS-ULM) questionnaire scores of the patient and caregiver. Blood tests and survival motor neuron (SMN) protein levels were also evaluated.</div></div><div><h3>Results</h3><div>The HFMSE and RULM scores increased significantly at 5 (<em>p</em> = 0.058 and <em>p</em> = 0.003, respectively), 8 (<em>p</em> = 0.024 and <em>p</em> = 0.016, respectively), and 12 months (<em>p</em> = 0.034 and <em>p</em> = 0.046, respectively). Peroneal CMAP scores also increased at eight months (<em>p</em> = 0.038) compared with those before treatment initiation. SMN protein levels were elevated after one month of treatment (<em>p</em> = 0.001) and were maintained throughout the observation period.</div></div><div><h3>Conclusions</h3><div>Median SMN protein levels increased significantly after one month of risdiplam administration with some fluctuations. After five months of treatment, motor function, CMAP, and SMAIS-ULM caregiver scores improved. SMN protein is an appropriate biomarker for monitoring and evaluating the efficacy of risdiplam treatment in SMA.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":56137,"journal":{"name":"Brain & Development","volume":"47 5","pages":"Article 104410"},"PeriodicalIF":1.3,"publicationDate":"2025-10-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"144809972","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":4,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Brain & DevelopmentPub Date : 2025-10-01Epub Date: 2025-08-19DOI: 10.1016/j.braindev.2025.104421
Suyu Chen , Yiping Chen , Min Li , Lin Gao , Sihan Liu , Yongli Li , Chenggui Xu , Yujing Zhang , Cunxiao Guo , Xiantao Tai
{"title":"Spinal Tuina ameliorates cerebral palsy-associated neural impairment in hypoxia-ischemia model rats via BMSC-derived exosomal microRNAs","authors":"Suyu Chen , Yiping Chen , Min Li , Lin Gao , Sihan Liu , Yongli Li , Chenggui Xu , Yujing Zhang , Cunxiao Guo , Xiantao Tai","doi":"10.1016/j.braindev.2025.104421","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.braindev.2025.104421","url":null,"abstract":"<div><h3>Background</h3><div>Spinal Tuina is effective for cerebral palsy (CP), but its molecular mechanism remains unclear. Prior studies indicate that acupoint stimulation regulates miRNAs in bone marrow mesenchymal stem cell-derived exosomes (BMSCs-Exo) to promote brain repair. This study explores whether Spinal Tuina treats CP via a similar mechanism.</div></div><div><h3>Methods</h3><div>A neonatal hypoxic-ischemic (HI) model was established in 3-day-old Sprague-Dawley rats via left common carotid artery ligation and hypoxia, followed by standardized Tuina. BMSCs were extracted via adherence separation, and exosomes were isolated by ultracentrifugation. Tuina's effects on BMSC proliferation (colony formation assay) and exosome release nanoparticle tracking analysis, were assessed. High-throughput miRNA sequencing, qRT-PCR, and bioinformatics identified differentially expressed miRNAs and their regulatory pathways.</div></div><div><h3>Results</h3><div>HI + Tuina rats showed improved affected-limb motor function. BMSCs from the HI + Tuina group exhibited elevated fibroblast colony-forming units and exosome concentrations compared to HI Untreated and Sham groups. Among differentially expressed miRNAs in BMSCs-Exo, 14 were upregulated in HI + Tuina vs. HI Untreated, with mir-150-5p highlighted as a key regulator. Kyoto encyclopedia of genes and genomes analysis revealed target gene enrichment in mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK), tumor necrosis factor (TNF), axon guidance, and Hippo signaling pathways.</div></div><div><h3>Conclusion</h3><div>Spinal Tuina improves motor function in HI rats, enhances BMSC proliferation and exosome release, and regulates exosomal miRNAs. MiR-150-5p is a critical mediator, with differentially expressed miRNAs potentially modulating inflammation, neurodevelopment, and cell survival in HI-induced CP.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":56137,"journal":{"name":"Brain & Development","volume":"47 5","pages":"Article 104421"},"PeriodicalIF":1.3,"publicationDate":"2025-10-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"144864100","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":4,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Brain & DevelopmentPub Date : 2025-10-01Epub Date: 2025-08-09DOI: 10.1016/j.braindev.2025.104399
Hiroshi Kobayashi
{"title":"Gene therapy for lysosomal storage diseases.","authors":"Hiroshi Kobayashi","doi":"10.1016/j.braindev.2025.104399","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.braindev.2025.104399","url":null,"abstract":"<p><p>Lysosomal storage diseases (LSDs) are metabolic disorders caused by the dysfunction of enzymes and other substances localized in lysosomes, known as intracellular organelles. There are many types of LSDs, with a wide range of clinical manifestations. LSDs are highly amenable to gene therapy due to various reasons, including the fact that they are essentially monogenic diseases and existence of cross-correction mechanisms. The only gene therapy product currently approved for lysosomal diseases is one for metachromatic leukodystrophy, but several have progressed to phase III clinical trials such as the products for Mucopolysaccharidosis or Fabry disease. However, serious adverse events have been reported even with gene therapy methods that have been considered safe. Therefore, research on the safety of gene therapy is becoming increasingly important.</p>","PeriodicalId":56137,"journal":{"name":"Brain & Development","volume":"47 5","pages":"104399"},"PeriodicalIF":1.3,"publicationDate":"2025-10-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"144812740","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":4,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Brain & DevelopmentPub Date : 2025-10-01Epub Date: 2025-09-25DOI: 10.1016/j.braindev.2025.104454
Prateek Kumar Panda , Indar Kumar Sharawat , Diksha Gupta , Achanya Palayullakandi , Suthiraj Sopanam , Sarama Saha
{"title":"Efficacy and safety of risperidone and aripiprazole in reducing severity of irritability in children with autism spectrum disorder: A randomized controlled trial","authors":"Prateek Kumar Panda , Indar Kumar Sharawat , Diksha Gupta , Achanya Palayullakandi , Suthiraj Sopanam , Sarama Saha","doi":"10.1016/j.braindev.2025.104454","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.braindev.2025.104454","url":null,"abstract":"<div><h3>Background</h3><div>Both risperidone and aripiprazole are effective in reducing irritability severity in children with autism spectrum disorder (ASD). However, head-to-head comparison trials between these two drugs are scarce in the literature and have shown conflicting results.</div></div><div><h3>Methods</h3><div>This trial compared the efficacy and safety of risperidone and aripiprazole in children and adolescents with ASD, aged 6–18 years. After a two-week placebo trial, placebo responders were excluded. The remaining participants were randomized into two groups. The outcomes were the change in the irritability subscale of the Aberrant Behavior Checklist (ABC-I), Childhood Autism Rating Scale (CARS2), Conners' Parent Rating Scale-Revised (CPRS-R), Children's Sleep Habits Questionnaire (CSHQ), Sensory Profile-2 (SP-2), cognition and the nature and frequency of treatment-emergent adverse events.</div></div><div><h3>Results</h3><div>Seventy-two patients (36 in each group) were recruited. Changes in the ABC-I score (−13.6 ± 4.3 vs. -12.2 ± 3.9, <em>p</em> = 0.15), ABC total score (−27.5 ± 15.9 vs. -26.8 ± 15.7, <em>p</em> = 0.85), CARS score (−2.9 ± 0.7 vs. -2.7 ± 0.8, <em>p</em> = 0.26), CPRS-R Global Index T-score (−10.63 ± 8.54 vs. -9.61 ± 8.92, <em>p</em> = 0.62), number of patients with significant sensory processing abnormalities (18/36 vs. 18/36, <em>p</em> = 1.0), CSHQ score (−4.6 ± 3.8 vs. -3.9 ± 3.1, <em>p</em> = 0.39), and full-scale IQ (1.9 ± 1.6 vs. 1.8 ± 1.5, <em>p</em> = 0.75) were comparable between groups. In multivariate regression analysis, CPRS-R Global Index T-score (<em>p</em> = 0.02) and full-scale intelligence quotient (<em>p</em> = 0.03) were independent predictors of changes in the ABC-I score. The frequency of adverse events was similar in both groups. Serum prolactin levels decreased in the aripiprazole group at 12 weeks but increased in the risperidone group.</div></div><div><h3>Conclusions</h3><div>Risperidone and aripiprazole demonstrate comparable efficacy and safety in managing irritability in children and adolescents with ASD.</div><div><strong>Trial Registry no:</strong> Clinical Trial Registry of India (CTRI/2021/12/038721).</div></div>","PeriodicalId":56137,"journal":{"name":"Brain & Development","volume":"47 5","pages":"Article 104454"},"PeriodicalIF":1.3,"publicationDate":"2025-10-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"145157447","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":4,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}