Learn About West Syndrome

What is the definition of West Syndrome?
West syndrome is characterized by a specific type of seizure (infantile spasms) seen in infancy and childhood. This syndrome leads to developmental regression and causes a specific pattern, known as hypsarrhythmia (chaotic brain waves), on electroencephalography (EEG) testing. The infantile spasms usually begin in the first year of life, typically between 4-8 months. The seizures primarily consist of a sudden bending forward of the body with stiffening of the arms and legs; some children arch their backs as they extend their arms and legs. Spasms tend to occur upon awakening or after feeding, and often occur in clusters of up to 100 spasms at a time. Infants may have dozens of clusters and several hundred spasms per day. Many disorders leading to brain injury, such as birth problems, cerebral anomalies, metabolic disorders, and genetic disorders can lead to these spasms, making it important to identify the underlying cause. In some children, no cause can be found. Some children have spasms as the result of brain lesions, and surgical removal of these lesions may result in improvement.
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What are the alternative names for West Syndrome?
  • West syndrome
  • IS
  • Infantile spasm
  • Tonic spasms with clustering, arrest of psychomotor development and hypsarrhythmia on EEG
  • West's syndrome
  • X-linked infantile spasm syndrome
  • X-linked infantile spasms
Who are the top West Syndrome Local Doctors?
JF
Jefferson C. Frisbee
Elite
Highly rated in
8
conditions

University Of Western Ontario

Faculty Of Health Sciences, 
London, ON, CA 

Jefferson Frisbee practices in London, Canada. Frisbee is rated as an Elite expert by MediFind in the treatment of West Syndrome. He is also highly rated in 8 other conditions, according to our data. His top areas of expertise are West Syndrome, Metabolic Syndrome, Peripheral Artery Disease, Gastric Bypass, and Oophorectomy.

JM
Dr. John R. Mytinger
Neurology | Child Neurology
Elite
Highly rated in
7
conditions
Neurology
Child Neurology

Nationwide Childrens

Nationwide Childrens Hospital

700 Childrens Dr, 
Columbus, OH 

John Mytinger is a Neurologist and a Child Neurologist in Columbus, Ohio. Mytinger has been practicing medicine for over 18 years and is rated as an Elite expert by MediFind in the treatment of West Syndrome. He is also highly rated in 7 other conditions, according to our data. His top areas of expertise are Spasmus Nutans, West Syndrome, Epilepsy in Children, and Epilepsy. He is licensed to treat patients in Ohio. Mytinger is currently accepting new patients.

 
 
 
 
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KK
Dr. Kelly G. Knupp
Neurology | Pediatrics
Elite
Highly rated in
17
conditions
Neurology
Pediatrics

Childrens Hospital Colorado System

UCHealth At University Of Colorado Anschutz Medical Campus

13001 E 17th Pl, 
Aurora, CO 

Kelly Knupp is a Neurologist and a Pediatrics expert in Aurora, Colorado. Knupp has been practicing medicine for over 26 years and is rated as an Elite expert by MediFind in the treatment of West Syndrome. She is also highly rated in 17 other conditions, according to our data. Her top areas of expertise are Spasmus Nutans, West Syndrome, Epilepsy in Children, and Dravet Syndrome. She is licensed to treat patients in Colorado. Knupp is currently accepting new patients.

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What are the latest West Syndrome Clinical Trials?
A Phase I Open-Label Pilot Study to Investigate the Feasibility, Safety, Tolerability and Efficacy of Daily Administration of Tricaprilin in Subjects With Infantile Spasms
Who is this study for: Patients with infantile spasms
Enrollment Status: Recruiting
Publish Date: December 14, 2022
Intervention Type: Drug
Study Phase: Phase 1

Summary: The purpose of this study is to assess the safety, tolerability, and efficacy of tricaprilin in subjects with infantile spasms. This is a single-arm, open-label, pilot study in up to 10 subjects with infantile spasms.

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A Phase 3, Randomized, Open-Label Study to Evaluate the Efficacy and Safety of AMZ002, Compared to Vigabatrin, in the Treatment of Infantile Spasms
Who is this study for: Patients with Infantile Spasms
Enrollment Status: Not yet recruiting
Publish Date: December 14, 2022
Intervention Type: Drug
Study Drugs: AMZ002 Injectable SolutionVigabatrin
Study Phase: Phase 3

Summary: The main purpose of this study is to evaluate the efficacy of AMZ002 compared to Vigabatrin in participants with newly diagnosed infantile spasms (IS).

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Who are the sources who wrote this article ?

Published Date: May 02, 2022
Published By: Genetic and Rare Diseases Informnation Center

What are the Latest Advances for West Syndrome?
Overview of therapeutic options for epilepsy.
Condition: Epilepsy
Journal: Archives de pediatrie : organe officiel de la Societe francaise de pediatrie
Treatment Used: Vigabatrin, Levetiracetam, Carbamazepine, Cannabidiol, Everolimus, and Surgery
Published: December 30, 2022
Efficacy of pulse intravenous methylprednisolone in epileptic encephalopathy: a randomised controlled trial.
Condition: Epileptic Encephalopathy (EE)
Journal: Journal of neurology, neurosurgery, and psychiatry
Treatment Used: Methylprednisolone
Number of Patients: 80
Published: November 14, 2022
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Case Report: Interventional therapy for portal venous stenosis caused by systemic vasculitis.
Condition: Portal Venous Stenosis Caused by Systemic Vasculitis
Journal: Frontiers in immunology
Treatment Used: Angioplasty with Balloon Dilation and Stent Implantation, Anticoagulation Therapy, and Immunosuppressant
Number of Patients: 1
Published: October 31, 2022
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