In order to provide the highest quality information on Wikidoc, we've had to implement a human verification system called ReCaptcha to combat attempts to deface the website. If the Captcha technology proves difficult to use, please send an email to bugs AT wikidoc.org with your username and we will be happy to lift the Captcha requirement from your account. We apologize for any inconvenience.

Lissencephaly

You don't need to be Editor-In-Chief to add or edit content to WikiDoc. You can begin to add to or edit text on this WikiDoc page by clicking on the edit button at the top of this page. Next enter or edit the information that you would like to appear here. Once you are done editing, scroll down and click the Save page button at the bottom of the page.
Jump to: navigation, search
Lissencephaly
Classification and external resources
ICD-10 Q04.3
ICD-9 742.2
DiseasesDB 29492

WikiDoc Resources for

Lissencephaly

Articles

Most recent articles on Lissencephaly

Most cited articles on Lissencephaly

Review articles on Lissencephaly

Articles on Lissencephaly in N Eng J Med, Lancet, BMJ

Media

Powerpoint slides on Lissencephaly

Images of Lissencephaly

Photos of Lissencephaly

Podcasts & MP3s on Lissencephaly

Videos on Lissencephaly

Evidence Based Medicine

Cochrane Collaboration on Lissencephaly

Bandolier on Lissencephaly

TRIP on Lissencephaly

Clinical Trials

Ongoing Trials on Lissencephaly at Clinical Trials.gov

Trial results on Lissencephaly

Clinical Trials on Lissencephaly at Google

Guidelines / Policies / Govt

US National Guidelines Clearinghouse on Lissencephaly

NICE Guidance on Lissencephaly

NHS PRODIGY Guidance

FDA on Lissencephaly

CDC on Lissencephaly

Books

Books on Lissencephaly

News

Lissencephaly in the news

Be alerted to news on Lissencephaly

News trends on Lissencephaly

Commentary

Blogs on Lissencephaly

Definitions

Definitions of Lissencephaly

Patient Resources / Community

Patient resources on Lissencephaly

Discussion groups on Lissencephaly

Patient Handouts on Lissencephaly

Directions to Hospitals Treating Lissencephaly

Risk calculators and risk factors for Lissencephaly

Healthcare Provider Resources

Symptoms of Lissencephaly

Causes & Risk Factors for Lissencephaly

Diagnostic studies for Lissencephaly

Treatment of Lissencephaly

Continuing Medical Education (CME)

CME Programs on Lissencephaly

International

Lissencephaly en Espanol

Lissencephaly en Francais

Business

Lissencephaly in the Marketplace

Patents on Lissencephaly

Experimental / Informatics

List of terms related to Lissencephaly

Please Take Over This Page and Apply to be Editor-In-Chief for this topic: There can be one or more than one Editor-In-Chief. You may also apply to be an Associate Editor-In-Chief of one of the subtopics below. Please mail us [1] to indicate your interest in serving either as an Editor-In-Chief of the entire topic or as an Associate Editor-In-Chief for a subtopic. Please be sure to attach your CV and or biographical sketch.

Overview

Lissencephaly, which literally means smooth brain, is a rare brain formation disorder characterized by the lack of normal convolutions (folds) in the brain. It is caused by defective neuronal migration, the process in which nerve cells move from their place of origin to their permanent location. It is a form of cephalic disorder.

The surface of a normal brain is formed by a complex series of folds and grooves. The folds are called gyri or convolutions, and the grooves are called sulci. In children with lissencephaly, the normal convolutions are absent or only partly formed, making the surface of the brain smooth. Terms such as 'agyria' (no gyri) or 'pachygyria' (broad gyri) are used to describe the appearance of the surface of the brain.

Symptoms

Symptoms of the disorder may include unusual facial appearance, difficulty swallowing, failure to thrive, and severe psychomotor retardation. Anomalies of the hands, fingers, or toes, muscle spasms, and seizures may also occur.

Diagnosis

Diagnosis of lissencephaly is made at birth or soon after. Diagnosis may be confirmed by ultrasound, computed tomography (CT), or magnetic resonance imaging (MRI).

Causes

Causes of lissencephaly can include viral infections of the uterus or the fetus during the first trimester, or insufficient blood supply to the fetal brain early in pregnancy. There are also a number of genetic causes of lissencephaly, including mutation of the reelin gene (on chromosome 7)[1], as well as other genes on the X chromosome and on chromosome 17. Genetic counseling is usually offered if there is a risk of lissencephaly, and genetic testing, such as amniocentesis, can detect lissencephaly mutations during pregnancy.

Classification

The spectrum of lissencephaly is only now becoming more defined as neuroimaging and genetics has provided more insights into migration disorders. There are around 20 different types of lissencephaly which make up the spectrum. Other causes which have not yet been identified are likely as well.

A consensus has been reached for a classification based on associated malformations and etiologies. On the basis of this classification, five major groups of lissencephalies can be recognized (OMIM numbers are included where available):

  • Classic lissencephalies (previously known as type 1 lissencephalies - 607432), which include :
  • Lissencephaly X-linked with agenesis of the corpus callosum (ARX gene, 300382)
  • Lissencephaly with cerebellar hypoplasia, including

Treatment

Treatment for those with lissencephaly is symptomatic and depends on the severity and locations of the brain malformations. Supportive care may be needed to help with comfort and nursing needs. Seizures may be controlled with medication and hydrocephalus may require shunting. If feeding becomes difficult, a gastrostomy tube may be considered.

The prognosis for children with lissencephaly varies depending on the degree of brain malformation. Many individuals show no significant development beyond a 3- to 5-month-old level. Some may have near-normal development and intelligence. Many will die before the age of 2, but with modern medications and care, children can live into their teens. Respiratory problems are the most common causes of death.

External links

References

  1. Hong SE, Shugart YY, Huang DT, Shahwan SA, Grant PE, Hourihane JO, Martin ND, Walsh CA. (2000) Autosomal recessive lissencephaly with cerebellar hypoplasia is associated with human RELN mutations. Nat Genet. 26(1):93-6. PMID 10973257
  2. http://www.orpha.net/static/GB/microlissencephaly.html
de:Lissenzephaliefi:Lissenkefalia



WikiDoc Help Menu

Quick Start..

Editing basics

Advanced editing

Communicating your edits

Help Videos You Can Watch

[edit] Acknowledgement and Attribution Regarding Sources of Content

Some of the initial content on this page may be incorporated in part from copyleft sources in the public domain including wikis such as Wikipedia and AskDrWiki. Drug information for patients came from the The National Library of Medicine. Infectious disease information may have come from the Centers for Disease Control (CDC). Differential Diagnoses are drawn from clinicians as well as an amalgamation of 3 sources: 1.The Disease Database; 2. Kahan, Scott, Smith, Ellen G. In A Page: Signs and Symptoms. Malden, Massachusetts: Blackwell Publishing, 2004:3; 3. Sailer, Christian, Wasner, Susanne. Differential Diagnosis Pocket. Hermosa Beach, CA: Borm Bruckmeir Publishing LLC, 2002:7 .

Personal tools
Wikidoc Board Review