Search PubMed⌕ Search

Biomedical subjects

M Mikkelsen

Publications and source records attributed to M Mikkelsen.

186 records · Page 11Linked to original sources

Second trimester prenatal diagnosis of the fragile X.

The fra(X) chromosome was detected in 5 samples of amniotic fluid cells in a series of 23 pregnancies at risk. The prenatal results were confirmed in 2 male abortuses, one with a relatively high and one with a very low frequency of expression in both amniocytes and fetal tissue. In a third male fetus with low expression in amniocytes, the fra(X) was not detected in the fetal tissues tested. In another male with low expression in amniocytes the fra(X) was not detected after birth. In one female with a low expression in amniocytes, a very high frequency (28%) was detected in cord blood after birth. Low expression of the fra(X) was found in a 4-year-old normally developed girl, where the prenatal results had been negative. In 4 males and 4 females the negative prenatal diagnoses were confirmed after birth. This study indicates that prenatal diagnosis of the fragile X after amniocentesis may be complicated, either due to technical problems related to the use of amniotic fluid cells, or due to genetic heterogeneity, or both. Part of this heterogeneity could be due to the existence of normal male transmitters. Also, it seems that the frequency of expression in amniocytes from female carriers can not be used for the prediction of the frequency in blood after birth.

Amniocentesis↗

Linkage analysis suggests at least two loci for X-linked non-specific mental retardation.

Epidemiological studies have suggested that non-specific X-linked mental retardation (XLMR) might be at least as frequent as the fragile X syndrome. The identification of all mutations causing XLMR would thus appear of prime importance. In the absence of other clinical signs the problem of genetic heterogeneity is acute. This can be partly overcome by the analysis of large families. We have been able to perform linkage analysis in 3 such families. The condition in family 1 was described as clinically resembling the fra (X) syndrome by Proops et al [1983]: the kindred includes 7 affected males in 3 sibships. Family 2 from Denmark has affected males in 4 generations; however, several affected relatives in this extended pedigree are deceased. Family 3 from France counts 6 affected males in two sibships. The families were analysed with about 25 X-linked markers. Linkage with markers in Xp22.2-p22.3 was found in family 1: z(theta) = 2.62 at theta = 0.06 for DXS85 (probe 782). Suggestion of linkage was found in family 2 with both the Duchenne muscular dystrophy region (DXS164 in Xp21.2) and with DXS1 (Xq11-q12). In family 3, DXS159 (Xq12-q13) gave a lod score of 2.53 at theta = 0; results were compatible with localisation of the putative XLMR locus in this family proximal to DXYS1 (Xq21). These data suggest that at least two non-specific XLMR loci could exist, one in Xp22 and the other in the q12-q13 region.

Chromosome Mapping↗

No influence of the antidepressant paroxetine on carbamazepine, valproate and phenytoin.

A single-blind, placebo-controlled, cross-over trial investigating possible interactions between paroxetine, a serotonin re-uptake inhibitor, and carbamazepine (CBZ), valproate (VPA) and phenytoin (PHT) was carried out in 20 outpatients with epilepsy. Patients on long-term treatment with CBZ, VPA, or PHT were given a 7-day placebo treatment, followed by paroxetine co-treatment for 16 days. Side effects were infrequent and mild. Paroxetine caused no changes in the plasma concentrations and all values were within the recommended ranges. No changes in protein binding were found. Plasma concentrations of paroxetine at steady state (8-147 ng/ml) were in the normal range for a 30-mg daily dosing regimen. None of the patients experienced epileptic seizures during the study.

Adult↗

MPTP-induced Parkinsonism in minipigs: A behavioral, biochemical, and histological study.

Fourteen male Göttingen minipigs were used in this study. Nine were administered N-methyl-4-phenyl-1,2,3,6-tetrahydropyridine (MPTP) at a dosage of 1 mg/kg/day, SC, for 6 days, the last five pigs received saline injections for 6 days. All MPTP-treated animals developed Parkinson symptoms, i.e., muscle rigidity, hypokinesia, and impaired coordination within 5 days. The brain levels of dopamine (DA), and its major metabolites dihydroxyphenylacetic acid (DOPAC) and homovanillic acid (HVA), were determined in caudatum and putamen 2, 14, and 93 days (n = 3/time point) after the last drug administration. In eight of the MPTP-treated animals, striatal DA, DOPAC, and HVA concentrations were reduced from 50 to 95% compared to control animals at all time intervals. Animals with the lowest striatal DA concentrations showed the most severe signs of Parkinsonism. The number of cells in substantia nigra (SN) showed a decline only 3 months after MPTP treatment. The minipigs represent a nonprimate model of MPTP-induced parkinsonism syndromes lasting at least months.

3,4-Dihydroxyphenylacetic Acid↗