Although many genes that predispose for epilepsy in humans have been determined, those
that underlie the classical syndromes of idiopathic generalized epilepsy (IGE) have yet to be …

Mutations were identified in the Cu/Zn superoxide dismutase gene (SOD1) in ∼15% of patients
with familial amyotrophic lateral sclerosis. Transgenic animals expressing mutant SOD1 …

Spinocerebellar ataxia type 2 (SCA2) is an autosomal dominant disorder caused by the
expansion of a polymorphic (CAG) n tract, which is translated into an expanded polyglutamine …

Although genes play a major role in the etiology of schizophrenia, no major genes involved
in this disease have been identified. However, several genes with small effect have been …

Background Genes are involved in the etiology of restless legs syndrome, a common
sensorimotor disorder. Objectives To replicate and to further characterize our previously reported …

Study Objectives: A relatively high prevalence of restless legs syndrome symptoms has been
recently reported in a substantial proportion of patients affected with spinocerebellar ataxia …

Genetic anticipation, a phenomenon characterized by increased severity of symptoms and
earlier age at onset of a disease in successive generations, is believed to be present in …

… my first steps in the lab; to Janet Laganière for assistance and advice in immunocytochemistry
and microscopy; to Julie Roussel, Katéri Brisebois and Claude Marineau for lending a …

INFORMATION TO USERS Page 1 INFORMATION TO USERS This manuscript has been
reproduced from the microfilm master. UMI films the text directly from the original or copy …

This thesis is composed of three papers that are included almost entirely in the form in which
they are or will be submitted for publication. The structure of this manuscript-based thesis …