Schutte SS, Schutte RJ, Barragan EV, O'Dowd DK. Model systems for studying cellular mechanisms of SCN1A-related epilepsy.
J Neurophysiol 2016;
115:1755-66. [PMID:
26843603 DOI:
10.1152/jn.00824.2015]
[Citation(s) in RCA: 35] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/24/2015] [Accepted: 01/22/2016] [Indexed: 11/22/2022] Open
Abstract
Mutations in SCN1A, the gene encoding voltage-gated sodium channel NaV1.1, cause a spectrum of epilepsy disorders that range from genetic epilepsy with febrile seizures plus to catastrophic disorders such as Dravet syndrome. To date, more than 1,250 mutations in SCN1A have been linked to epilepsy. Distinct effects of individual SCN1A mutations on neuronal function are likely to contribute to variation in disease severity and response to treatment in patients. Several model systems have been used to explore seizure genesis in SCN1A epilepsies. In this article we review what has been learned about cellular mechanisms and potential new therapies from these model systems, with a particular emphasis on the novel model system of knock in Drosophila and a look toward the future with expanded use of patient-specific induced pluripotent stem cell-derived neurons.
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