title: Nodding syndrome in northern Uganda: overview and community perspectives.
abstract: The increasing prevalence of nodding syndrome in northern Uganda has generated a wide range of speculations with respect to etiology and natural history of and best possible medical treatment for this mysterious seizure disorder. Despite in-depth investigations by the United States Centers for Disease Control and Prevention and the Ministry of Health in Uganda, no clear causal factors have emerged. At the same time, northern Uganda communities are voicing concern for their lack of knowledge about nodding syndrome. The purpose of this commentary is to summarize northern Uganda community perceptions of this syndrome. These reflections demonstrate the need for larger investigations into the impact of nodding syndrome and other seizure disorders on local communities both in northern Uganda and throughout the world, in particular rural areas of resource poor countries.
authors.affiliation: Department of Surgery, New York Presbyterian Hospital-Weill Cornell Medical College, USA. Kbm9002@nyp.org
authors.forename: Katrina B
authors.initials: KB
authors.lastname: Mitchell
authors.forename: Julie
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Kornfeld
authors.forename: Joseph
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Adiama
authors.forename: Andrew
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Mugenyi
authors.forename: Erich
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Schmutzhard
authors.forename: Emilio
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Ovuga
authors.forename: Jesse
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Kamstra
authors.forename: Andrea Sylvia
authors.initials: AS
authors.lastname: Winkler
mesh_terms: D002487:Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, U.S.; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D009069:Movement Disorders / Q000150:complications / Q000453:epidemiology*; D015995:Prevalence; D012111:Residence Characteristics; D012640:Seizures / Q000150:complications / Q000453:epidemiology*; D014454:Uganda / Q000453:epidemiology; D014481:United States