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Murthy MC, Banerjee B, Shetty M, Mariappan M, Sekhsaria A. A retrospective study of the yield of next-generation sequencing in the diagnosis of developmental and epileptic encephalopathies and epileptic encephalopathies in 0-12 years aged children at a single tertiary care hospital in South India. Epileptic Disord 2024; 26:609-625. [PMID: 38923778 DOI: 10.1002/epd2.20254] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/03/2024] [Revised: 06/02/2024] [Accepted: 06/11/2024] [Indexed: 06/28/2024]
Abstract
OBJECTIVE Studies on the genetic yield of developmental and epileptic encephalopathy and Epileptic encephalopathies using next-generation sequencing techniques are sparse from the Indian subcontinent. Hence, the study was conducted to assess the yield of genetic testing and the proportion of children where a positive genetic yield influenced treatment decisions. METHODS In this retrospective observational study, electronic medical records of children (0-12 years) with suspected genetic epilepsy who underwent genetic testing using whole exome sequencing, focused exome sequencing and epilepsy gene panels were retrieved. Genetic yield was ascertained based on the detection of pathogenic and likely pathogenic variants. RESULTS A total of 100 patients with epilepsy underwent genetic testing. A yield of 53.8% (42/78) was obtained. Pathogenic variants were identified in 18 (42.8%) cases and likely pathogenic variants in 24 (57.1%) cases. Yield was 66.6% each through whole exome sequencing, focused exome sequencing and 40% through Epilepsy gene panels (p = .07). Yield was not statistically significant across different age groups (p = .2). It was however found to significantly vary across different epilepsy syndromes with maximum yield in Epilepsy in infancy with migrating focal seizures in 2 (100%), followed by developmental and epileptic encephalopathy unspecified in 14 (77.7%), Dravet syndrome in 14 (60.8%), early infantile developmental and epileptic encephalopathy in 3 (60%), infantile epileptic spasm syndrome in 5 (35.7%), and other epileptic encephalopathies in 4 (30.7%) cases (p = .04). After genetic diagnosis and drug optimization, drug-refractory proportion reduced from 73.8% to 45.3%. About half of the cases achieved seizure control. SIGNIFICANCE A reasonably high yield of 53.8% was obtained irrespective of the choice of panel or exome or age group using next-generation sequencing-based techniques. Yield was however higher in certain epilepsy syndromes and low in Infantile epileptic spasms syndrome. A specific genetic diagnosis facilitated tailored treatment leading to seizure freedom in 28.6% and marked seizure reduction in 54.7% cases.
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Affiliation(s)
- Manasa C Murthy
- Division of Pediatric Neurology, Department of Pediatrics, Manipal Hospital, Bengaluru, India
| | - Bidisha Banerjee
- Division of Pediatric Neurology, Department of Pediatrics, Manipal Hospital, Bengaluru, India
| | - Mitesh Shetty
- Department of Medical Genetics, Manipal Hospital, Bengaluru, India
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Castellotti B, Ragona F, Freri E, Messina G, Magri S, Previtali R, Solazzi R, Franceschetti S, Taroni F, Canafoglia L, Gellera C, Granata T, DiFrancesco JC. Next-generation sequencing in pediatric-onset epilepsies: Analysis with target panels and personalized therapeutic approach. Epilepsia Open 2024; 9:1922-1930. [PMID: 39215763 PMCID: PMC11450606 DOI: 10.1002/epi4.13039] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/10/2024] [Revised: 08/06/2024] [Accepted: 08/06/2024] [Indexed: 09/04/2024] Open
Abstract
OBJECTIVE The objective of this study is to report the results of the genetic analysis in a large and well-characterized population with pediatric-onset epilepsies and to identify those who could benefit from precision medicine treatments. METHODS In this retrospective observational study, we consecutively recruited patients with pediatric-onset epilepsy observed at a tertiary neurological center over a time span of 7 years, collecting clinical and laboratory findings. Following in-depth diagnostic process to exclude possible structural and metabolic causes of the disease, patients with a suspected genetically determined etiology underwent next-generation sequencing (NGS) screening with panels for the analysis of target genes causative of epilepsy. RESULTS We detected likely pathogenic or pathogenic variants (classes IV and V) in 24% of the 562 patients who underwent genetic investigations. By the evaluation of patients' data, we observed that some features (onset of epilepsy before one year old, presence of neurological deficits, psychomotor delay/cognitive disability, and malformative aspects at brain MRI) were significantly associated with class IV or V variants. Moreover, statistical analysis showed that the diagnostic yield resulted higher for patients affected by Progressive Myoclonic Epilepsy (PME) and with early onset developmental and epileptic encephalopathies (DEE), compared with focal epilepsies, genetic generalized epilepsies, DEE with onset at/after 1 y.o., and unclassified epileptic syndromes. According to the results of the genetic screening, up to 33% of patients carrying class IV or V variants resulted potentially eligible for precision medicine treatments. SIGNIFICANCE The large-scale application of NGS multigene panels of analysis is a useful tool for the molecular diagnosis of patients with pediatric-onset epilepsies, allowing the identification of those who could benefit from a personalized therapeutic approach. PLAIN LANGUAGE SUMMARY The analysis of patients with pediatric-onset epilepsy using advanced technologies for the screening of all the implicated genes allows the identification of the cause of diseases in an ever-increasing number of cases. Understanding the pathogenic mechanisms could, in some cases, guide the selection and optimization of appropriate treatment approaches for patients.
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Affiliation(s)
- Barbara Castellotti
- Unit of Medical Genetics and NeurogeneticsFondazione IRCCS Istituto Neurologico Carlo BestaMilanItaly
| | - Francesca Ragona
- Department of Pediatric NeuroscienceFondazione IRCCS Istituto Neurologico Carlo BestaMilanItaly
| | - Elena Freri
- Department of Pediatric NeuroscienceFondazione IRCCS Istituto Neurologico Carlo BestaMilanItaly
| | - Giuliana Messina
- Unit of Medical Genetics and NeurogeneticsFondazione IRCCS Istituto Neurologico Carlo BestaMilanItaly
| | - Stefania Magri
- Unit of Medical Genetics and NeurogeneticsFondazione IRCCS Istituto Neurologico Carlo BestaMilanItaly
| | - Roberto Previtali
- Pediatric Neurology, Department of Biomedical and Clinical Sciences, Buzzi Children's HospitalUniversity of MilanMilanItaly
| | - Roberta Solazzi
- Department of Pediatric NeuroscienceFondazione IRCCS Istituto Neurologico Carlo BestaMilanItaly
| | - Silvana Franceschetti
- Integrated Diagnostics for EpilepsyFondazione IRCCS Istituto Neurologico Carlo BestaMilanItaly
| | - Franco Taroni
- Unit of Medical Genetics and NeurogeneticsFondazione IRCCS Istituto Neurologico Carlo BestaMilanItaly
| | - Laura Canafoglia
- Integrated Diagnostics for EpilepsyFondazione IRCCS Istituto Neurologico Carlo BestaMilanItaly
| | - Cinzia Gellera
- Unit of Medical Genetics and NeurogeneticsFondazione IRCCS Istituto Neurologico Carlo BestaMilanItaly
| | - Tiziana Granata
- Department of Pediatric NeuroscienceFondazione IRCCS Istituto Neurologico Carlo BestaMilanItaly
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van Niekerk M, Moosa S, van Toorn R, Solomons R. Utility of next generation sequencing in paediatric neurological disorders: experience from South Africa. Eur J Hum Genet 2024; 32:1314-1318. [PMID: 38702429 PMCID: PMC11499987 DOI: 10.1038/s41431-024-01582-2] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/20/2023] [Revised: 02/19/2024] [Accepted: 02/23/2024] [Indexed: 05/06/2024] Open
Abstract
Next generation sequencing (NGS)-based tests have become routine first-line investigative modalities in paediatric neurology clinics in many high-income countries (HICs). Studies from these countries show that these tests are both cost-effective and reliable in diagnosing many complex childhood neurological diseases. However, NGS-based testing in low-and middle-income countries (LMICs) is limited due to affordability constraints. The primary objective of this study was to evaluate the diagnostic yield and impact of targeted gene panel sequencing in a selected paediatric cohort attending a tertiary paediatric neurology clinic in the Western Cape Province of South Africa. This retrospective study included 124 consecutive paediatric patients with neurological disease, aged 6 weeks to 17 years, referred for NGS-based multi-gene panel testing over a 41-month period. Twenty-four different disease group-specific panels were utilized. A caregiver experience questionnaire was administered when a pathogenic variant was identified. The overall study diagnostic yield (DY) was 45% (56/124 patients). The diagnostic yield in this study is similar to previously reported paediatric cohorts in HICs. The high yields for neuromuscular disorders (52%) and early epileptic encephalopathies (41%) suggest that NGS-based panels may be more cost-effective as first-line testing in well-defined phenotypes. The latter finding argues for early inclusion of all children with developmental epileptic encephalopathies (DEE), as early diagnosis leads to better treatment and avoidance of unnecessary investigations.
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Affiliation(s)
- Magriet van Niekerk
- Department of Paediatrics and Child Health, Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences, Stellenbosch University, Cape Town, South Africa
| | - Shahida Moosa
- Division of Molecular Biology and Human Genetics, Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences, Stellenbosch University, Cape Town, South Africa.
- Medical Genetics, Tygerberg Hospital, Cape Town, South Africa.
| | - Ronald van Toorn
- Department of Paediatrics and Child Health, Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences, Stellenbosch University, Cape Town, South Africa
| | - Regan Solomons
- Department of Paediatrics and Child Health, Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences, Stellenbosch University, Cape Town, South Africa
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Chourasia N, Vaidya R, Sengupta S, Mefford HC, Wheless J. A Retrospective Review of Reclassification of Variants of Uncertain Significance in a Pediatric Epilepsy Cohort Undergoing Genetic Panel Testing. Pediatr Neurol 2024; 161:101-107. [PMID: 39357456 DOI: 10.1016/j.pediatrneurol.2024.09.009] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/02/2024] [Revised: 08/08/2024] [Accepted: 09/09/2024] [Indexed: 10/04/2024]
Abstract
BACKGROUND The interpretation and communication of variant of uncertain significance (VUS) genetic results often present a challenge in clinical practice. VUSs can be reclassified over time into benign/likely benign (B/LB) or pathogenic/likely pathogenic (P/LP) based on the availability of updated data. We evaluate the frequency of VUS reclassification in our tertiary care epilepsy cohort undergoing epilepsy genetic panel (EGP) testing. METHODS Patients with established diagnoses of epilepsy (neonates to 18 years of age) who underwent EGP testing between 2017 and 2022 from a single commercial laboratory were evaluated. Patients who had any variant reclassified from their initial EGP report were included. Duration between reclassification of VUSs and types of reclassifications were compared between developmental and epileptic encephalopathy (DEE) versus non-DEE phenotypes. RESULTS Over the five years, 1025 probands were tested using EGP. Eighty-five probands (8%) had at least one genetic variant reclassified. A total of 252 initial VUSs were reported in the 85 probands, of which 113 (45%) VUSs were reclassified. Of 113 reclassification events, 21 (19%) were upgraded to P/LP and 92 (81%) were reclassified to B/LB. The median (interquartile range) duration between variant reinterpretations in the cohort was 12 (14.5) months. There were no significant differences in the duration between reclassification and the likelihood of reclassification of VUSs to B/LB or P/LP between the two groups (DEE versus non-DEE). CONCLUSIONS VUS reclassification over time can lead to clinically significant variant reinterpretation in patients with unknown genetic diagnoses. Periodic genomic test reinterpretation, preferably yearly, is recommended in routine clinical practice.
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Affiliation(s)
- Nitish Chourasia
- Le Bonheur Children's Comprehensive Epilepsy Center, University of Tennessee Health Science Center, Memphis, Tennessee.
| | - Rohan Vaidya
- Le Bonheur Children's Comprehensive Epilepsy Center, University of Tennessee Health Science Center, Memphis, Tennessee
| | - Soham Sengupta
- Center for Pediatric Neurological Disease Research, St. Jude Children's Research Hospital, Memphis, Tennessee
| | - Heather C Mefford
- Center for Pediatric Neurological Disease Research, St. Jude Children's Research Hospital, Memphis, Tennessee
| | - James Wheless
- Le Bonheur Children's Comprehensive Epilepsy Center, University of Tennessee Health Science Center, Memphis, Tennessee
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Karlin A, Ruggiero S, Fitzgerald M. Genetic testing for unexplained epilepsy: A review of diagnostic approach, benefits, and referral algorithm. Curr Probl Pediatr Adolesc Health Care 2024; 54:101579. [PMID: 38480044 DOI: 10.1016/j.cppeds.2024.101579] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 08/03/2024]
Abstract
In the last several decades, advances in genetic testing have transformed the diagnostic and therapeutic approach to pediatric epilepsy. However, the interpretation of these genetic tests often requires expert analysis and counseling. For this reason, as our molecular understanding of the linkages between abnormal cerebral physiology and genetics has grown, so too has the field of clinical epilepsy genetics. Here we explore recent advances in genetic testing, describe the benefits of genetic testing in epilepsy, and provide a practice guideline for testing and referrals to specialized epilepsy genetics centers, highlighting the Epilepsy NeuroGenetics Initiative (ENGIN) Clinic and the Center for Epilepsy and Neurodevelopmental Disorders (ENDD) at the Children's Hospital of Philadelphia as an illustration of such a specialized center.
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Affiliation(s)
- Alexis Karlin
- Division of Child Neurology, Department of Neurology and Pediatrics, Buerger Center for Advanced Pediatric Care, Children's Hospital of Philadelphia, Perelman School of Medicine at the University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA 19104, United States
| | - Sarah Ruggiero
- Division of Child Neurology, Department of Neurology and Pediatrics, Buerger Center for Advanced Pediatric Care, Children's Hospital of Philadelphia, Perelman School of Medicine at the University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA 19104, United States
| | - Mark Fitzgerald
- Division of Child Neurology, Department of Neurology and Pediatrics, Buerger Center for Advanced Pediatric Care, Children's Hospital of Philadelphia, Perelman School of Medicine at the University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA 19104, United States; Perelman School of Medicine at the University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA, United States.
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Jonsson H, Gaily E, Stjerna S, Joensuu T, Johari M, Lehesjoki A, Linnankivi T. Epilepsies with onset during the first year of life: A prospective study on syndromes, etiologies, and outcomes. Epilepsia Open 2024; 9:1393-1405. [PMID: 38785332 PMCID: PMC11296082 DOI: 10.1002/epi4.12966] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/21/2024] [Revised: 04/06/2024] [Accepted: 05/03/2024] [Indexed: 05/25/2024] Open
Abstract
OBJECTIVE Infantile seizures cause great concern for both doctors and parents. In addition to modern neuroimaging and genetics, clinical tools helpful in predicting the course of the disease are needed. We prospectively studied the incidence, electroclinical characteristics and etiologies of epilepsy syndromes with onset before the age of 12 months and looked for prognostic determinants of outcome by age 24 months. METHODS From February 2017 through May 2019, we recruited all eligible infants diagnosed with epilepsy at our unit. Data on electroclinical studies, genetic investigations and drug response were gathered prospectively. The infants were given a structured neurological examination (Hammersmith Infantile Neurological examination [HINE] and Griffiths scales) at predetermined intervals until age 24 months at which age neurocognitive evaluation with Bayley scales was performed. RESULTS Included were 60 infants (27 female). The mean onset age of epilepsy was 5.3 (±2.5 standard deviation) months. The incidence of epilepsy in the population-based cohort was 131 (95% confidence interval 99-172)/100 000. Epilepsy syndrome was identified in 80% and etiology in 58% of infants. Self-limited infantile epilepsy was the second most common syndrome (incidence 18/100 000) after infantile epileptic spasms syndrome. PRRT2 was the most common monogenic cause. At age 24 months, 37% of the infants had drug-resistant epilepsy (DRE) and half had a global developmental delay (GDD). Abnormal first HINE was the strongest predictor of GDD, followed by DRE and identified etiology. DRE was associated with structural etiology and GDD. Those with normal first HINE and good response to treatment had favorable outcomes, irrespective of the identified etiology. SIGNIFICANCE Our results support a high incidence of self-limited epilepsy in infancy and PRRT2 as the genetic cause in the first year of life. Notwithstanding the advances in etiological discovery, we want to highlight the importance of clinical evaluation as standardized neurological examination with HINE proved a valuable tool in prognostication. PLAIN LANGUAGE SUMMARY One in every 700-800 babies develop epilepsy within the first year after birth. Our study identified an epilepsy syndrome in 80% and the cause of epilepsy in 60% of the participants. By age 2 years, over one-third of the children still experienced seizures, and almost half faced significant developmental delay. Structural brain abnormalities increased the likelihood of difficult epilepsy and developmental challenges. Babies whose epilepsy was caused by a gene defect varied widely in development and response to medications. Babies with normal neurological examination at first visit, especially if their seizures stopped quickly, had favorable development.
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Affiliation(s)
- Henna Jonsson
- Epilepsia Helsinki, full member of ERN Epicare and Division of Child Neurology, Children's Hospital and Pediatric Research CenterUniversity of Helsinki and Helsinki University HospitalHelsinkiFinland
| | - Eija Gaily
- Epilepsia Helsinki, full member of ERN Epicare and Division of Child Neurology, Children's Hospital and Pediatric Research CenterUniversity of Helsinki and Helsinki University HospitalHelsinkiFinland
| | - Susanna Stjerna
- BABA Center, Pediatric Research Center, Children's Hospital and Division of Neuropsychology, HUS NeurocenterHelsinki University Hospital and University of HelsinkiHelsinkiFinland
| | - Tarja Joensuu
- Folkhälsan Research CenterHelsinkiFinland
- Department of Medical and Clinical Genetics, MedicumUniversity of HelsinkiHelsinkiFinland
| | - Mridul Johari
- Folkhälsan Research CenterHelsinkiFinland
- Department of Medical and Clinical Genetics, MedicumUniversity of HelsinkiHelsinkiFinland
- Harry Perkins Institute of Medical Research, Centre for Medical ResearchUniversity of Western AustraliaNedlandsWestern AustraliaAustralia
| | - Anna‐Elina Lehesjoki
- Folkhälsan Research CenterHelsinkiFinland
- Department of Medical and Clinical Genetics, MedicumUniversity of HelsinkiHelsinkiFinland
| | - Tarja Linnankivi
- Epilepsia Helsinki, full member of ERN Epicare and Division of Child Neurology, Children's Hospital and Pediatric Research CenterUniversity of Helsinki and Helsinki University HospitalHelsinkiFinland
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Lei W, Xiong Y, Shi Y, Song L, Xiang J, Yang F, Wu X, Wang H, Tian M. ADGRL1 variants: From developmental and epileptic encephalopathy to genetic epilepsy with febrile seizures plus. Dev Med Child Neurol 2024. [PMID: 38927006 DOI: 10.1111/dmcn.16005] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/13/2023] [Revised: 05/20/2024] [Accepted: 05/24/2024] [Indexed: 06/28/2024]
Abstract
AIM To expand the phenotypic spectrum of ADGRL1 and explore the correlation between epilepsy and the ADGRL1 genotype. METHOD We performed whole-exome sequencing in a cohort of 115 families (including 195 males and 150 females) with familial febrile seizure or epilepsy with unexplained aetiology. The damaging effects of variants was predicted using protein modelling and multiple in silico tools. All reported patients with ADGRL1 pathogenic variants were analysed. RESULTS One new ADGRL1 variant (p.Pro753Leu) was identified in one family with genetic epilepsy with febrile seizures. Further analysis of 12 ADGRL1 variants in 16 patients revealed that six patients had epilepsy. Epilepsy types ranged from early-onset epileptic encephalopathy to genetic epilepsy with febrile seizures plus (GEFS+). All four variants associated with epilepsy were located in the non-helix or sheet region of ADGRL1. Three of the four epilepsy-associated variants were missense variants. Thus, all three variants located in the G-protein-coupled receptor autoproteolytic-inducing domain exhibited epilepsy. INTERPRETATION We found one new missense variant of ADGRL1 in one family with GEFS+. ADGRL1 may be a potential candidate or susceptibility gene for epilepsy. ADGRL1-associated epilepsy ranged from benign GEFS+ to severe epileptic encephalopathy; the genotypes and variant locations may help explain the phenotypic heterogeneity of patients with the ADGRL1 variant.
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Affiliation(s)
- Wenting Lei
- Department of Pediatrics, Affiliated Hospital of Zunyi Medical University, Zunyi, China
- Department of Pediatrics, Guizhou Children's Hospital, Zunyi, China
| | - Yurong Xiong
- Department of Pediatrics, Affiliated Hospital of Zunyi Medical University, Zunyi, China
- Department of Pediatrics, Guizhou Children's Hospital, Zunyi, China
| | - Yongyuan Shi
- Department of Pediatrics, Affiliated Hospital of Zunyi Medical University, Zunyi, China
- Department of Pediatrics, Guizhou Children's Hospital, Zunyi, China
| | - Lingling Song
- Department of Pediatrics, Affiliated Hospital of Zunyi Medical University, Zunyi, China
- Department of Pediatrics, Guizhou Children's Hospital, Zunyi, China
| | - Jing Xiang
- Department of Pediatrics, Affiliated Hospital of Zunyi Medical University, Zunyi, China
- Department of Pediatrics, Guizhou Children's Hospital, Zunyi, China
| | | | - Xi Wu
- Department of Pediatrics, Affiliated Hospital of Zunyi Medical University, Zunyi, China
- Department of Pediatrics, Guizhou Children's Hospital, Zunyi, China
| | - Huifeng Wang
- Department of Pediatrics, Affiliated Hospital of Zunyi Medical University, Zunyi, China
- Department of Pediatrics, Guizhou Children's Hospital, Zunyi, China
| | - Maoqiang Tian
- Department of Pediatrics, Affiliated Hospital of Zunyi Medical University, Zunyi, China
- Department of Pediatrics, Guizhou Children's Hospital, Zunyi, China
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Dratch L, Azage M, Baldwin A, Johnson K, Paul RA, Bardakjian TM, Michon SC, Amado DA, Baer M, Deik AF, Elman LB, Gonzalez-Alegre P, Guo MH, Hamedani AG, Irwin DJ, Lasker A, Orthmann-Murphy J, Quinn C, Tropea TF, Scherer SS, Ellis CA. Genetic testing in adults with neurologic disorders: indications, approach, and clinical impacts. J Neurol 2024; 271:733-747. [PMID: 37891417 PMCID: PMC11095966 DOI: 10.1007/s00415-023-12058-6] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/18/2023] [Revised: 10/10/2023] [Accepted: 10/11/2023] [Indexed: 10/29/2023]
Abstract
The role of genetic testing in neurologic clinical practice has increased dramatically in recent years, driven by research on genetic causes of neurologic disease and increased availability of genetic sequencing technology. Genetic testing is now indicated for adults with a wide range of common neurologic conditions. The potential clinical impacts of a genetic diagnosis are also rapidly expanding, with a growing list of gene-specific treatments and clinical trials, in addition to important implications for prognosis, surveillance, family planning, and diagnostic closure. The goals of this review are to provide practical guidance for clinicians about the role of genetics in their practice and to provide the neuroscience research community with a broad survey of current progress in this field. We aim to answer three questions for the neurologist in practice: Which of my patients need genetic testing? What testing should I order? And how will genetic testing help my patient? We focus on common neurologic disorders and presentations to the neurology clinic. For each condition, we review the most current guidelines and evidence regarding indications for genetic testing, expected diagnostic yield, and recommended testing approach. We also focus on clinical impacts of genetic diagnoses, highlighting a number of gene-specific therapies recently approved for clinical use, and a rapidly expanding landscape of gene-specific clinical trials, many using novel nucleotide-based therapeutic modalities like antisense oligonucleotides and gene transfer. We anticipate that more widespread use of genetic testing will help advance therapeutic development and improve the care, and outcomes, of patients with neurologic conditions.
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Affiliation(s)
- Laynie Dratch
- Department of Neurology, University of Pennsylvania Perelman School of Medicine, 3400 Spruce St, 3 West Gates Building, Philadelphia, PA, 19104, USA
| | - Meron Azage
- Department of Neurology, University of Pennsylvania Perelman School of Medicine, 3400 Spruce St, 3 West Gates Building, Philadelphia, PA, 19104, USA
| | - Aaron Baldwin
- Department of Neurology, University of Pennsylvania Perelman School of Medicine, 3400 Spruce St, 3 West Gates Building, Philadelphia, PA, 19104, USA
| | - Kelsey Johnson
- Department of Neurology, University of Pennsylvania Perelman School of Medicine, 3400 Spruce St, 3 West Gates Building, Philadelphia, PA, 19104, USA
| | - Rachel A Paul
- Department of Neurology, University of Pennsylvania Perelman School of Medicine, 3400 Spruce St, 3 West Gates Building, Philadelphia, PA, 19104, USA
| | - Tanya M Bardakjian
- Department of Neurology, University of Pennsylvania Perelman School of Medicine, 3400 Spruce St, 3 West Gates Building, Philadelphia, PA, 19104, USA
- Sarepta Therapeutics Inc, Cambridge, MA, 02142, USA
| | - Sara-Claude Michon
- Department of Neurology, University of Pennsylvania Perelman School of Medicine, 3400 Spruce St, 3 West Gates Building, Philadelphia, PA, 19104, USA
| | - Defne A Amado
- Department of Neurology, University of Pennsylvania Perelman School of Medicine, 3400 Spruce St, 3 West Gates Building, Philadelphia, PA, 19104, USA
| | - Michael Baer
- Department of Neurology, University of Pennsylvania Perelman School of Medicine, 3400 Spruce St, 3 West Gates Building, Philadelphia, PA, 19104, USA
| | - Andres F Deik
- Department of Neurology, University of Pennsylvania Perelman School of Medicine, 3400 Spruce St, 3 West Gates Building, Philadelphia, PA, 19104, USA
| | - Lauren B Elman
- Department of Neurology, University of Pennsylvania Perelman School of Medicine, 3400 Spruce St, 3 West Gates Building, Philadelphia, PA, 19104, USA
| | - Pedro Gonzalez-Alegre
- Department of Neurology, University of Pennsylvania Perelman School of Medicine, 3400 Spruce St, 3 West Gates Building, Philadelphia, PA, 19104, USA
- Spark Therapeutics Inc, Philadelphia, PA, 19104, USA
| | - Michael H Guo
- Department of Neurology, University of Pennsylvania Perelman School of Medicine, 3400 Spruce St, 3 West Gates Building, Philadelphia, PA, 19104, USA
| | - Ali G Hamedani
- Department of Neurology, University of Pennsylvania Perelman School of Medicine, 3400 Spruce St, 3 West Gates Building, Philadelphia, PA, 19104, USA
| | - David J Irwin
- Department of Neurology, University of Pennsylvania Perelman School of Medicine, 3400 Spruce St, 3 West Gates Building, Philadelphia, PA, 19104, USA
| | - Aaron Lasker
- Department of Neurology, University of Pennsylvania Perelman School of Medicine, 3400 Spruce St, 3 West Gates Building, Philadelphia, PA, 19104, USA
| | - Jennifer Orthmann-Murphy
- Department of Neurology, University of Pennsylvania Perelman School of Medicine, 3400 Spruce St, 3 West Gates Building, Philadelphia, PA, 19104, USA
| | - Colin Quinn
- Department of Neurology, University of Pennsylvania Perelman School of Medicine, 3400 Spruce St, 3 West Gates Building, Philadelphia, PA, 19104, USA
| | - Thomas F Tropea
- Department of Neurology, University of Pennsylvania Perelman School of Medicine, 3400 Spruce St, 3 West Gates Building, Philadelphia, PA, 19104, USA
| | - Steven S Scherer
- Department of Neurology, University of Pennsylvania Perelman School of Medicine, 3400 Spruce St, 3 West Gates Building, Philadelphia, PA, 19104, USA
| | - Colin A Ellis
- Department of Neurology, University of Pennsylvania Perelman School of Medicine, 3400 Spruce St, 3 West Gates Building, Philadelphia, PA, 19104, USA.
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Badura-Stronka M, Wołyńska K, Winczewska-Wiktor A, Marcinkowska J, Karolewska D, Tomkowiak-Kędzia D, Piechota M, Przyborska M, Kochalska N, Steinborn B. Validation of targeted next-generation sequencing panels in a cohort of Polish patients with epilepsy: assessing variable performance across clinical endophenotypes and uncovering novel genetic variants. Front Neurol 2024; 14:1316933. [PMID: 38328757 PMCID: PMC10849089 DOI: 10.3389/fneur.2023.1316933] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/10/2023] [Accepted: 12/26/2023] [Indexed: 02/09/2024] Open
Abstract
Introduction Targeted Next-Generation Sequencing Panels (TNGSP) have become a standard in global clinical practice. Instead of questioning the necessity of next-generation sequencing in epilepsy patients, contemporary large-scale research focuses on factors such as the size of TNGSP, the comparative advantages of exome or genome-wide sequencing over TNGSP, and the impact of clinical, electrophysiological, and demographic variables on genetic test performance. This study aims to elucidate the demographic and clinical factors influencing the performance of TNGSP in 138 Polish patients with epilepsy, recognizing the pivotal role of genetic testing in guiding patient management and therapy. Methods A retrospective analysis was conducted on patients from a genetic clinic in Poznań, Poland, who underwent commercial gene panel studies at Invitae Corporation (USA) between 2020 and 2022. Patient groups were defined based on the age of onset of the first epileptic seizures, seizure type, gender, fever dependence of seizures, presence of intellectual disability or developmental delay, abnormalities in MRI, and the presence of dysmorphic features or congenital malformations. Seizure classification followed the 2017 ILAE criteria. Results Among the 138 patients, 30 (21.7%) exhibited a pathogenic or likely pathogenic variant, with a distribution of 20.7% in males and 22.5% in females. Diagnostic performance correlated with the patient's age at the onset of the first seizure and the type of seizure. Predominant variants were identified in the SCN1A, PRRT2, CDKL5, DEPDC5, TSC2, and SLC2A1 genes. Additionally, 12 genes (CACNA1A, SCN2A, GRIN2A, KCNQ2, CHD2, DYNC1H1, NEXMIF, SCN1B, DDX3X, EEF1A2, NPRL3, UBE3A) exhibited single instances of damage. Notably, novel variants were discovered in DEPDC5, SCN1A, TSC2, CDKL5, NPRL3, DYNC1H1, CHD2, and DDX3X. Discussion Identified variants were present in genes previously recognized in both European and non-European populations. A thorough examination of Variants of Uncertain Significance (VUSs), specifically focusing on gene copy number changes, may unveil more extensive chromosomal aberrations. The relatively frequent occurrence of pathological variants in X chromosome-linked genes in girls warrants further investigation, challenging the prevailing notion of male predominance in X-linked epilepsy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Magdalena Badura-Stronka
- Chair and Department of Medical Genetics, Poznan University of Medical Sciences, Poznań, Poland
- Centers for Medical Genetics GENESIS, Poznań, Poland
| | - Katarzyna Wołyńska
- Chair and Department of Medical Genetics, Poznan University of Medical Sciences, Poznań, Poland
| | - Anna Winczewska-Wiktor
- Chair and Department of Developmental Neurology, Poznan University of Medical Sciences, Poznań, Poland
| | - Justyna Marcinkowska
- Chair and Department of Informatics and Statistics, Poznan University of Medical Sciences, Poznań, Poland
| | | | | | | | | | | | - Barbara Steinborn
- Chair and Department of Developmental Neurology, Poznan University of Medical Sciences, Poznań, Poland
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De Wachter M, Schoonjans AS, Weckhuysen S, Van Schil K, Löfgren A, Meuwissen M, Jansen A, Ceulemans B. From diagnosis to treatment in genetic epilepsies: Implementation of precision medicine in real-world clinical practice. Eur J Paediatr Neurol 2024; 48:46-60. [PMID: 38039826 DOI: 10.1016/j.ejpn.2023.11.003] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/30/2022] [Revised: 07/20/2023] [Accepted: 11/11/2023] [Indexed: 12/03/2023]
Abstract
The implementation of whole exome sequencing (WES) has had a major impact on the diagnostic yield of genetic testing in individuals with epilepsy. The identification of a genetic etiology paves the way to precision medicine: an individualized treatment approach, based on the disease pathophysiology. The aim of this retrospective cohort study was to: (1) determine the diagnostic yield of WES in a heterogeneous cohort of individuals with epilepsy referred for genetic testing in a real-world clinical setting, (2) investigate the influence of epilepsy characteristics on the diagnostic yield, (3) determine the theoretical yield of treatment changes based on genetic diagnosis and (4) explore the barriers to implementation of precision medicine. WES was performed in 247 individuals with epilepsy, aged between 7 months and 68 years. In 34/247 (14 %) a (likely) pathogenic variant was identified. In 7/34 (21 %) of these individuals the variant was found using a HPO-based filtering. Diagnostic yield was highest for individuals with an early onset of epilepsy (39 %) or in those with a developmental and epileptic encephalopathy (34 %). Precision medicine was a theoretical possibility in 20/34 (59 %) of the individuals with a (likely) pathogenic variant but implemented in only 11/34 (32 %). The major barrier to implementation of precision treatment was the limited availability or reimbursement of a given drug. These results confirm the potential impact of genetic analysis on treatment choices, but also highlight the hurdles to the implementation of precision medicine. To optimize precision medicine in real-world practice, additional endeavors are needed: unifying definitions of precision medicine, establishment of publicly accessible databases that include data on the functional effect of gene variants, increasing availability and reimbursement of precision therapeutics, and broadening access to innovative clinical trials.
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Affiliation(s)
- Matthias De Wachter
- Department of Pediatric Neurology, Antwerp University Hospital, University of Antwerp, Drie eikenstraat 655, 2650, Edegem, Belgium.
| | - An-Sofie Schoonjans
- Department of Pediatric Neurology, Antwerp University Hospital, University of Antwerp, Drie eikenstraat 655, 2650, Edegem, Belgium
| | - Sarah Weckhuysen
- Department of Neurology, Antwerp University Hospital, University of Antwerp, Drie eikenstraat 655, 2650, Edegem, Belgium; Applied&Translational Neurogenomics Group, VIB-CMN, VIB, UAntwerpen, Universiteitsplein 1, 2610, Wilrijk, Belgium; Translational Neurosciences, University of Antwerp, Universiteitsplein 1, 2610, Wilrijk, Belgium
| | - Kristof Van Schil
- Department of Medical Genetics, Antwerp University Hospital, University of Antwerp, Drie eikenstraat 655, 2650, Edegem, Belgium
| | - Ann Löfgren
- Department of Medical Genetics, Antwerp University Hospital, University of Antwerp, Drie eikenstraat 655, 2650, Edegem, Belgium
| | - Marije Meuwissen
- Department of Medical Genetics, Antwerp University Hospital, University of Antwerp, Drie eikenstraat 655, 2650, Edegem, Belgium
| | - Anna Jansen
- Department of Pediatric Neurology, Antwerp University Hospital, University of Antwerp, Drie eikenstraat 655, 2650, Edegem, Belgium; Translational Neurosciences, University of Antwerp, Universiteitsplein 1, 2610, Wilrijk, Belgium
| | - Berten Ceulemans
- Department of Pediatric Neurology, Antwerp University Hospital, University of Antwerp, Drie eikenstraat 655, 2650, Edegem, Belgium
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Irmak-Yazicioglu MB, Arslan A. Navigating the Intersection of Technology and Depression Precision Medicine. ADVANCES IN EXPERIMENTAL MEDICINE AND BIOLOGY 2024; 1456:401-426. [PMID: 39261440 DOI: 10.1007/978-981-97-4402-2_20] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 09/13/2024]
Abstract
This chapter primarily focuses on the progress in depression precision medicine with specific emphasis on the integrative approaches that include artificial intelligence and other data, tools, and technologies. After the description of the concept of precision medicine and a comparative introduction to depression precision medicine with cancer and epilepsy, new avenues of depression precision medicine derived from integrated artificial intelligence and other sources will be presented. Additionally, less advanced areas, such as comorbidity between depression and cancer, will be examined.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Ayla Arslan
- Department of Molecular Biology and Genetics, Üsküdar University, İstanbul, Türkiye.
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Johannesen KM, Tümer Z, Weckhuysen S, Barakat TS, Bayat A. Solving the unsolved genetic epilepsies: Current and future perspectives. Epilepsia 2023; 64:3143-3154. [PMID: 37750451 DOI: 10.1111/epi.17780] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/30/2023] [Revised: 09/21/2023] [Accepted: 09/22/2023] [Indexed: 09/27/2023]
Abstract
Many patients with epilepsy undergo exome or genome sequencing as part of a diagnostic workup; however, many remain genetically unsolved. There are various factors that account for negative results in exome/genome sequencing for patients with epilepsy: (1) the underlying cause is not genetic; (2) there is a complex polygenic explanation; (3) the illness is monogenic but the causative gene remains to be linked to a human disorder; (4) family segregation with reduced penetrance; (5) somatic mosaicism or the complexity of, for example, a structural rearrangement; or (6) limited knowledge or diagnostic tools that hinder the proper classification of a variant, resulting in its designation as a variant of unknown significance. The objective of this review is to outline some of the diagnostic options that lie beyond the exome/genome, and that might become clinically relevant within the foreseeable future. These options include: (1) re-analysis of older exome/genome data as knowledge increases or symptoms change; (2) looking for somatic mosaicism or long-read sequencing to detect low-complexity repeat variants or specific structural variants missed by traditional exome/genome sequencing; (3) exploration of the non-coding genome including disruption of topologically associated domains, long range non-coding RNA, or other regulatory elements; and finally (4) transcriptomics, DNA methylation signatures, and metabolomics as complementary diagnostic methods that may be used in the assessment of variants of unknown significance. Some of these tools are currently not integrated into standard diagnostic workup. However, it is reasonable to expect that they will become increasingly available and improve current diagnostic capabilities, thereby enabling precision diagnosis in patients who are currently undiagnosed.
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Affiliation(s)
- Katrine M Johannesen
- Department of Genetics, Copenhagen University Hospital, Copenhagen, Denmark
- Department of Epilepsy Genetics and Personalized Medicine, The Danish Epilepsy Center, Dianalund, Denmark
| | - Zeynep Tümer
- Department of Genetics, Copenhagen University Hospital, Copenhagen, Denmark
- Department of Clinical Medicine, Faculty of Health and Medical Sciences, University of Copenhagen, Copenhagen, Denmark
| | - Sarah Weckhuysen
- Applied and Translational Neurogenomics Group, VIB Centre for Molecular Neurology, Antwerp, Belgium
- Translational Neurosciences, Faculty of Medicine and Health Science, University of Antwerp, Antwerp, Belgium
- Department of Neurology, University Hospital Antwerp, Antwerp, Belgium
- μNEURO Research Centre of Excellence, University of Antwerp, Antwerp, Belgium
| | - Tahsin Stefan Barakat
- Department of Clinical Genetics, Erasmus MC University Medical Center, Rotterdam, The Netherlands
- Discovery Unit, Department of Clinical Genetics, Erasmus MC University Medical Center, Rotterdam, The Netherlands
- ENCORE Expertise Center for Neurodevelopmental Disorders, Erasmus Medical Center, Rotterdam, The Netherlands
| | - Allan Bayat
- Department of Epilepsy Genetics and Personalized Medicine, The Danish Epilepsy Center, Dianalund, Denmark
- Department of Regional Health Research, University of Southern Denmark, Odense, Denmark
- Department of Drug Design and Pharmacology, University of Copenhagen, Copenhagen, Denmark
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Arslan A. Pathogenic variants of human GABRA1 gene associated with epilepsy: A computational approach. Heliyon 2023; 9:e20218. [PMID: 37809401 PMCID: PMC10559982 DOI: 10.1016/j.heliyon.2023.e20218] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/25/2023] [Revised: 08/17/2023] [Accepted: 09/13/2023] [Indexed: 10/10/2023] Open
Abstract
Critical for brain development, neurodevelopmental and network disorders, the GABRA1 gene encodes for the α1 subunit, an abundantly and developmentally expressed subunit of heteropentameric gamma-aminobutyric acid A receptors (GABAARs) mediating primary inhibition in the brain. Mutations of the GABAAR subunit genes including GABRA1 gene are associated with epilepsy, a group of syndromes, characterized by unprovoked seizures and diagnosed by integrative approach, that involves genetic testing. Despite the diagnostic use of genetic testing, a large fraction of the GABAAR subunit gene variants including the variants of GABRA1 gene is not known in terms of their molecular consequence, a challenge for precision and personalized medicine. Addressing this, one hundred thirty-seven GABRA1 gene variants of unknown clinical significance have been extracted from the ClinVar database and computationally analyzed for pathogenicity. Eight variants (L49H, P59L, W97R, D99G, G152S, V270G, T294R, P305L) are predicted as pathogenic and mapped to the α1 subunit's extracellular domain (ECD), transmembrane domains (TMDs) and extracellular linker. This is followed by the integration with relevant data for cellular pathology and severity of the epilepsy syndromes retrieved from the literature. Our results suggest that the pathogenic variants in the ECD of GABRA1 (L49H, P59L, W97R, D99G, G152S) will probably manifest decreased surface expression and reduced current with mild epilepsy phenotypes while V270G, T294R in the TMDs and P305L in the linker between the second and the third TMDs will likely cause reduced cell current with severe epilepsy phenotypes. The results presented in this study provides insights for clinical genetics and wet lab experimentation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ayla Arslan
- Department of Molecular Biology and Genetics, Faculty of Engineering and Natural Sciences, Üsküdar University, Istanbul, Turkey
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D'Gama AM, Mulhern S, Sheidley BR, Boodhoo F, Buts S, Chandler NJ, Cobb J, Curtis M, Higginbotham EJ, Holland J, Khan T, Koh J, Liang NSY, McRae L, Nesbitt SE, Oby BT, Paternoster B, Patton A, Rose G, Scotchman E, Valentine R, Wiltrout KN, Hayeems RZ, Jain P, Lunke S, Marshall CR, Rockowitz S, Sebire NJ, Stark Z, White SM, Chitty LS, Cross JH, Scheffer IE, Chau V, Costain G, Poduri A, Howell KB, McTague A. Evaluation of the feasibility, diagnostic yield, and clinical utility of rapid genome sequencing in infantile epilepsy (Gene-STEPS): an international, multicentre, pilot cohort study. Lancet Neurol 2023; 22:812-825. [PMID: 37596007 DOI: 10.1016/s1474-4422(23)00246-6] [Citation(s) in RCA: 17] [Impact Index Per Article: 17.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/29/2023] [Revised: 06/23/2023] [Accepted: 06/28/2023] [Indexed: 08/20/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Most neonatal and infantile-onset epilepsies have presumed genetic aetiologies, and early genetic diagnoses have the potential to inform clinical management and improve outcomes. We therefore aimed to determine the feasibility, diagnostic yield, and clinical utility of rapid genome sequencing in this population. METHODS We conducted an international, multicentre, cohort study (Gene-STEPS), which is a pilot study of the International Precision Child Health Partnership (IPCHiP). IPCHiP is a consortium of four paediatric centres with tertiary-level subspecialty services in Australia, Canada, the UK, and the USA. We recruited infants with new-onset epilepsy or complex febrile seizures from IPCHiP centres, who were younger than 12 months at seizure onset. We excluded infants with simple febrile seizures, acute provoked seizures, known acquired cause, or known genetic cause. Blood samples were collected from probands and available biological parents. Clinical data were collected from medical records, treating clinicians, and parents. Trio genome sequencing was done when both parents were available, and duo or singleton genome sequencing was done when one or neither parent was available. Site-specific protocols were used for DNA extraction and library preparation. Rapid genome sequencing and analysis was done at clinically accredited laboratories, and results were returned to families. We analysed summary statistics for cohort demographic and clinical characteristics and the timing, diagnostic yield, and clinical impact of rapid genome sequencing. FINDINGS Between Sept 1, 2021, and Aug 31, 2022, we enrolled 100 infants with new-onset epilepsy, of whom 41 (41%) were girls and 59 (59%) were boys. Median age of seizure onset was 128 days (IQR 46-192). For 43 (43% [binomial distribution 95% CI 33-53]) of 100 infants, we identified genetic diagnoses, with a median time from seizure onset to rapid genome sequencing result of 37 days (IQR 25-59). Genetic diagnosis was associated with neonatal seizure onset versus infantile seizure onset (14 [74%] of 19 vs 29 [36%] of 81; p=0·0027), referral setting (12 [71%] of 17 for intensive care, 19 [44%] of 43 non-intensive care inpatient, and 12 [28%] of 40 outpatient; p=0·0178), and epilepsy syndrome (13 [87%] of 15 for self-limited epilepsies, 18 [35%] of 51 for developmental and epileptic encephalopathies, 12 [35%] of 34 for other syndromes; p=0·001). Rapid genome sequencing revealed genetic heterogeneity, with 34 unique genes or genomic regions implicated. Genetic diagnoses had immediate clinical utility, informing treatment (24 [56%] of 43), additional evaluation (28 [65%]), prognosis (37 [86%]), and recurrence risk counselling (all cases). INTERPRETATION Our findings support the feasibility of implementation of rapid genome sequencing in the clinical care of infants with new-onset epilepsy. Longitudinal follow-up is needed to further assess the role of rapid genetic diagnosis in improving clinical, quality-of-life, and economic outcomes. FUNDING American Academy of Pediatrics, Boston Children's Hospital Children's Rare Disease Cohorts Initiative, Canadian Institutes of Health Research, Epilepsy Canada, Feiga Bresver Academic Foundation, Great Ormond Street Hospital Charity, Medical Research Council, Murdoch Children's Research Institute, National Institute of Child Health and Human Development, National Institute for Health and Care Research Great Ormond Street Hospital Biomedical Research Centre, One8 Foundation, Ontario Brain Institute, Robinson Family Initiative for Transformational Research, The Royal Children's Hospital Foundation, University of Toronto McLaughlin Centre.
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Affiliation(s)
- Alissa M D'Gama
- Epilepsy Genetics Program, Division of Epilepsy and Neurophysiology, Department of Neurology, Boston Children's Hospital, Boston, MA, USA; Division of Newborn Medicine, Department of Pediatrics, Boston Children's Hospital, Boston, MA, USA; Department of Pediatrics, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Sarah Mulhern
- Victorian Clinical Genetics Service, Melbourne, VIC, Australia; Murdoch Children's Research Institute, Melbourne, VIC, Australia
| | - Beth R Sheidley
- Epilepsy Genetics Program, Division of Epilepsy and Neurophysiology, Department of Neurology, Boston Children's Hospital, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Fadil Boodhoo
- Department of Neurology, Great Ormond Street Hospital, London, UK
| | - Sarah Buts
- Department of Paediatric Neurology, Aachen University Hospital, Germany
| | - Natalie J Chandler
- North Thames Genomic Laboratory Hub, Great Ormond Street NHS Foundation Trust, London, UK
| | - Joanna Cobb
- Murdoch Children's Research Institute, Melbourne, VIC, Australia
| | - Meredith Curtis
- Division of Genome Diagnostics, Hospital for Sick Children, Toronto, ON, Canada
| | | | - Jonathon Holland
- Department of Neurology, Great Ormond Street Hospital, London, UK
| | - Tayyaba Khan
- Program in Genetics and Genome Biology, SickKids Research Institute, Toronto, ON, Canada
| | - Julia Koh
- Epilepsy Genetics Program, Division of Epilepsy and Neurophysiology, Department of Neurology, Boston Children's Hospital, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Nicole S Y Liang
- Department of Genetic Counselling, Hospital for Sick Children, Toronto, ON, Canada; Department of Molecular Genetics, University of Toronto, Toronto, ON, Canada
| | - Lyndsey McRae
- Division of Neurology, Department of Paediatrics, Hospital for Sick Children, Toronto, ON, Canada
| | - Sarah E Nesbitt
- North Thames Genomic Laboratory Hub, Great Ormond Street NHS Foundation Trust, London, UK; Genetics and Genomic Medicine, UCL Great Ormond Street Institute of Child Health, London, UK
| | - Brandon T Oby
- Epilepsy Genetics Program, Division of Epilepsy and Neurophysiology, Department of Neurology, Boston Children's Hospital, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Ben Paternoster
- North Thames Genomic Laboratory Hub, Great Ormond Street NHS Foundation Trust, London, UK
| | - Alistair Patton
- Department of Paediatrics, Frimley Park Hospital, Frimley Health NHS Foundation Trust, Frimley, UK
| | - Graham Rose
- North Thames Genomic Laboratory Hub, Great Ormond Street NHS Foundation Trust, London, UK
| | - Elizabeth Scotchman
- North Thames Genomic Laboratory Hub, Great Ormond Street NHS Foundation Trust, London, UK
| | - Rozalia Valentine
- Epilepsy Genetics Program, Division of Epilepsy and Neurophysiology, Department of Neurology, Boston Children's Hospital, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Kimberly N Wiltrout
- Epilepsy Genetics Program, Division of Epilepsy and Neurophysiology, Department of Neurology, Boston Children's Hospital, Boston, MA, USA; Department of Neurology, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Robin Z Hayeems
- Program in Child Health Evaluative Sciences, SickKids Research Institute, Toronto, ON, Canada; Institute of Health Policy, Management, and Evaluation, University of Toronto, Toronto, ON, Canada
| | - Puneet Jain
- Division of Neurology, Department of Paediatrics, Hospital for Sick Children, Toronto, ON, Canada; Department of Paediatrics, Temerty Faculty of Medicine, University of Toronto, Toronto, ON, Canada
| | - Sebastian Lunke
- Victorian Clinical Genetics Service, Melbourne, VIC, Australia; Murdoch Children's Research Institute, Melbourne, VIC, Australia; Department of Pathology, University of Melbourne, Melbourne, VIC, Australia
| | - Christian R Marshall
- Division of Genome Diagnostics, Hospital for Sick Children, Toronto, ON, Canada; Department of Laboratory Medicine and Pathobiology, University of Toronto, Toronto, ON, Canada
| | - Shira Rockowitz
- The Manton Center for Orphan Disease Research, Division of Genetics and Genomics, Boston Children's Hospital, Boston, MA, USA; Research Computing, Boston Children's Hospital, Boston, MA, USA; Division of Genetics and Genomics, Boston Children's Hospital, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Neil J Sebire
- DRIVE Centre, Great Ormond Street Hospital for Children, London, UK
| | - Zornitza Stark
- Victorian Clinical Genetics Service, Melbourne, VIC, Australia; Department of Paediatrics, University of Melbourne, Melbourne, VIC, Australia
| | - Susan M White
- Victorian Clinical Genetics Service, Melbourne, VIC, Australia; Department of Paediatrics, University of Melbourne, Melbourne, VIC, Australia
| | - Lyn S Chitty
- North Thames Genomic Laboratory Hub, Great Ormond Street NHS Foundation Trust, London, UK; Genetics and Genomic Medicine, UCL Great Ormond Street Institute of Child Health, London, UK
| | - J Helen Cross
- Department of Neurology, Great Ormond Street Hospital, London, UK; Developmental Neurosciences, UCL Great Ormond Street Institute of Child Health, London, UK
| | - Ingrid E Scheffer
- Murdoch Children's Research Institute, Melbourne, VIC, Australia; Department of Paediatrics, University of Melbourne, Melbourne, VIC, Australia; Department of Medicine, University of Melbourne, Melbourne, VIC, Australia; Austin Health, and Florey Institute of Neuroscience and Mental Health, Melbourne, VIC, Australia; Department of Neurology, Royal Children's Hospital, Melbourne, VIC, Australia
| | - Vann Chau
- Division of Neurology, Department of Paediatrics, Hospital for Sick Children, Toronto, ON, Canada; Department of Paediatrics, Temerty Faculty of Medicine, University of Toronto, Toronto, ON, Canada
| | - Gregory Costain
- Program in Genetics and Genome Biology, SickKids Research Institute, Toronto, ON, Canada; Department of Molecular Genetics, University of Toronto, Toronto, ON, Canada; Department of Paediatrics, Temerty Faculty of Medicine, University of Toronto, Toronto, ON, Canada; Division of Clinical and Metabolic Genetics, Department of Paediatrics, Hospital for Sick Children, Toronto, ON, Canada
| | - Annapurna Poduri
- Epilepsy Genetics Program, Division of Epilepsy and Neurophysiology, Department of Neurology, Boston Children's Hospital, Boston, MA, USA; Department of Neurology, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Katherine B Howell
- Murdoch Children's Research Institute, Melbourne, VIC, Australia; Department of Neurology, Royal Children's Hospital, Melbourne, VIC, Australia
| | - Amy McTague
- Department of Neurology, Great Ormond Street Hospital, London, UK; Developmental Neurosciences, Zayed Centre for Research into Rare Disease in Children, UCL Great Ormond Street Institute of Child Health, London, UK.
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deCampo D, Xian J, Karlin A, Sullivan KR, Ruggiero SM, Galer P, Ramos M, Abend NS, Gonzalez A, Helbig I. Investigating the genetic contribution in febrile infection-related epilepsy syndrome and refractory status epilepticus. Front Neurol 2023; 14:1161161. [PMID: 37077567 PMCID: PMC10106651 DOI: 10.3389/fneur.2023.1161161] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/08/2023] [Accepted: 03/10/2023] [Indexed: 04/05/2023] Open
Abstract
IntroductionFebrile infection-related epilepsy syndrome (FIRES) is a severe childhood epilepsy with refractory status epilepticus after a typically mild febrile infection. The etiology of FIRES is largely unknown, and outcomes in most individuals with FIRES are poor.MethodsHere, we reviewed the current state-of-the art genetic testing strategies in individuals with FIRES. We performed a systematic computational analysis to identify individuals with FIRES and characterize the clinical landscape using the Electronic Medical Records (EMR). Among 25 individuals with a confirmed FIRES diagnosis over the last decade, we performed a comprehensive review of genetic testing and other diagnostic testing.ResultsManagement included use of steroids and intravenous immunoglobulin (IVIG) in most individuals, with an increased use of immunomodulatory agents, including IVIG, plasma exchange (PLEX) and immunosuppressants such as cytokine inhibitors, and the ketogenic diet after 2014. Genetic testing was performed on a clinical basis in almost all individuals and was non-diagnostic in all patients. We compared FIRES with both status epilepticus (SE) and refractory status epilepticus (RSE) as a broader comparison cohort and identified genetic causes in 36% of patients with RSE. The difference in genetic signatures between FIRES and RSE suggest distinct underlying etiologies. In summary, despite the absence of any identifiable etiologies in FIRES, we performed an unbiased analysis of the clinical landscape, identifying a heterogeneous range of treatment strategies and characterized real-world clinical practice.DiscussionFIRES remains one of the most enigmatic conditions in child neurology without any known etiologies to date despite significant efforts in the field, suggesting a clear need for further studies and novel diagnostic and treatment approaches.
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Affiliation(s)
- Danielle deCampo
- Division of Neurology, Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia, Philadelphia, PA, United States
- The Epilepsy NeuroGenetics Initiative (ENGIN), Children's Hospital of Philadelphia, Philadelphia, PA, United States
- Department of Biomedical and Health Informatics (DBHi), Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia, Philadelphia, PA, United States
| | - Julie Xian
- Division of Neurology, Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia, Philadelphia, PA, United States
- The Epilepsy NeuroGenetics Initiative (ENGIN), Children's Hospital of Philadelphia, Philadelphia, PA, United States
- Department of Biomedical and Health Informatics (DBHi), Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia, Philadelphia, PA, United States
| | - Alexis Karlin
- Division of Neurology, Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia, Philadelphia, PA, United States
- The Epilepsy NeuroGenetics Initiative (ENGIN), Children's Hospital of Philadelphia, Philadelphia, PA, United States
- Department of Biomedical and Health Informatics (DBHi), Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia, Philadelphia, PA, United States
| | - Katie R. Sullivan
- Division of Neurology, Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia, Philadelphia, PA, United States
- The Epilepsy NeuroGenetics Initiative (ENGIN), Children's Hospital of Philadelphia, Philadelphia, PA, United States
- Department of Biomedical and Health Informatics (DBHi), Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia, Philadelphia, PA, United States
| | - Sarah M. Ruggiero
- Division of Neurology, Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia, Philadelphia, PA, United States
- The Epilepsy NeuroGenetics Initiative (ENGIN), Children's Hospital of Philadelphia, Philadelphia, PA, United States
- Department of Biomedical and Health Informatics (DBHi), Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia, Philadelphia, PA, United States
| | - Peter Galer
- Division of Neurology, Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia, Philadelphia, PA, United States
- The Epilepsy NeuroGenetics Initiative (ENGIN), Children's Hospital of Philadelphia, Philadelphia, PA, United States
- Department of Biomedical and Health Informatics (DBHi), Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia, Philadelphia, PA, United States
| | - Mark Ramos
- Department of Biomedical and Health Informatics (DBHi), Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia, Philadelphia, PA, United States
| | - Nicholas S. Abend
- Division of Neurology, Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia, Philadelphia, PA, United States
- The Epilepsy NeuroGenetics Initiative (ENGIN), Children's Hospital of Philadelphia, Philadelphia, PA, United States
- Department of Biomedical and Health Informatics (DBHi), Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia, Philadelphia, PA, United States
| | - Alex Gonzalez
- Department of Biomedical and Health Informatics (DBHi), Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia, Philadelphia, PA, United States
| | - Ingo Helbig
- Division of Neurology, Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia, Philadelphia, PA, United States
- The Epilepsy NeuroGenetics Initiative (ENGIN), Children's Hospital of Philadelphia, Philadelphia, PA, United States
- Department of Biomedical and Health Informatics (DBHi), Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia, Philadelphia, PA, United States
- Department of Neurology, University of Pennsylvania Perelman School of Medicine, Philadelphia, PA, United States
- *Correspondence: Ingo Helbig,
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Lewis SA, Bakhtiari S, Forstrom J, Bayat A, Bilan F, Le Guyader G, Alkhunaizi E, Vernon H, Padilla-Lopez SR, Kruer MC. AGAP1-associated endolysosomal trafficking abnormalities link gene-environment interactions in a neurodevelopmental disorder. BIORXIV : THE PREPRINT SERVER FOR BIOLOGY 2023:2023.01.31.526497. [PMID: 36778426 PMCID: PMC9915612 DOI: 10.1101/2023.01.31.526497] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/05/2023]
Abstract
AGAP1 is an Arf1 GAP that regulates endolysosomal trafficking. Damaging variants have been linked to cerebral palsy and autism. We report 3 new individuals with microdeletion variants in AGAP1 . Affected individuals have intellectual disability (3/3), autism (3/3), dystonia with axial hypotonia (1/3), abnormalities of brain maturation (1/3), growth impairment (2/3) and facial dysmorphism (2/3). We investigated mechanisms potentially underlying AGAP1 neurodevelopmental impairments using the Drosophila ortholog, CenG1a . We discovered reduced axon terminal size, increased neuronal endosome abundance, and elevated autophagy at baseline. Given potential incomplete penetrance, we assessed gene-environment interactions. We found basal elevation in phosphorylation of the integrated stress-response protein eIF2α and inability to further increase eIF2α-P with subsequent cytotoxic stressors. CenG1a -mutant flies have increased lethality from exposure to environmental insults. We propose a model wherein disruption of AGAP1 function impairs endolysosomal trafficking, chronically activating the integrated stress response, and leaving AGAP1-deficient cells susceptible to a variety of second hit cytotoxic stressors. This model may have broader applicability beyond AGAP1 in instances where both genetic and environmental insults co-occur in individuals with neurodevelopmental disorders. Summary statement We describe 3 additional patients with heterozygous AGAP1 deletion variants and use a loss of function Drosophila model to identify defects in synaptic morphology with increased endosomal sequestration, chronic autophagy induction, basal activation of eIF2α-P, and sensitivity to environmental stressors.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sara A. Lewis
- Pediatric Movement Disorders Program, Barrow Neurological Institute, Phoenix Children’s Hospital, Phoenix, AZ USA
- Departments of Child Health, Neurology, Genetics and Cellular & Molecular Medicine, University of Arizona College of Medicine Phoenix, AZ USA
| | - Somayeh Bakhtiari
- Pediatric Movement Disorders Program, Barrow Neurological Institute, Phoenix Children’s Hospital, Phoenix, AZ USA
- Departments of Child Health, Neurology, Genetics and Cellular & Molecular Medicine, University of Arizona College of Medicine Phoenix, AZ USA
| | - Jacob Forstrom
- Pediatric Movement Disorders Program, Barrow Neurological Institute, Phoenix Children’s Hospital, Phoenix, AZ USA
- Departments of Child Health, Neurology, Genetics and Cellular & Molecular Medicine, University of Arizona College of Medicine Phoenix, AZ USA
| | - Allan Bayat
- Institute for Regional Health Services, University of Southern Denmark, Odense, Denmark
- Department of Epilepsy Genetics and Personalized Medicine, Danish Epilepsy Center, Dianalund, Denmark
| | - Frédéric Bilan
- Service de Génétique, CHU de Poitiers
- Laboratoire de Neurosciences Experimentales et Cliniques, INSERM U1084, Poitiers, France
| | - Gwenaël Le Guyader
- Service de Génétique, CHU de Poitiers
- Laboratoire de Neurosciences Experimentales et Cliniques, INSERM U1084, Poitiers, France
| | - Ebba Alkhunaizi
- Department of Medical Genetics, North York General Hospital, Toronto, Ontario, Canada
- Division of Clinical and Metabolic Genetics, Department of Pediatrics, The Hospital for Sick Children, University of Toronto, Toronto, ON, Canada
| | - Hilary Vernon
- Department of Genetic Medicine, Johns Hopkins University, Baltimore, MD USA
| | - Sergio R. Padilla-Lopez
- Pediatric Movement Disorders Program, Barrow Neurological Institute, Phoenix Children’s Hospital, Phoenix, AZ USA
- Departments of Child Health, Neurology, Genetics and Cellular & Molecular Medicine, University of Arizona College of Medicine Phoenix, AZ USA
| | - Michael C. Kruer
- Pediatric Movement Disorders Program, Barrow Neurological Institute, Phoenix Children’s Hospital, Phoenix, AZ USA
- Departments of Child Health, Neurology, Genetics and Cellular & Molecular Medicine, University of Arizona College of Medicine Phoenix, AZ USA
- Programs in Neuroscience, Molecular & Cellular Biology, and Biomedical Informatics, Arizona State University, Tempe, AZ USA
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Palmer EE, Sachdev R, Beavis E, Macintosh R, Le Marne FA, Nevin SM, Bye AM, Nunn K. Hope in the uncertainties and certainty for parents of children with rare neurological disorders. Part I (of 3): Uncertainty. J Paediatr Child Health 2022; 58:1718-1721. [PMID: 36069374 DOI: 10.1111/jpc.16165] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/31/2022] [Accepted: 08/01/2022] [Indexed: 12/14/2022]
Abstract
This is the first of three articles exploring the aspects of clinical care for children with rare neurological disorders including uncertainties old and new. The disruptive technologies of genomic sequencing and advanced therapeutics such as gene-based therapies offer parents of children with severe but rare neurological conditions for the first-time unprecedented opportunities for 'precision medicine'. At the same time, the realities of limited genomic diagnostic yields and not infrequent detection of variants of uncertain significance, lack of natural history study data and management guidelines for individually rare neurogenetic conditions, means that high pre-genomic test expectations are all too often replaced by an accumulation of new uncertainties. This can add to the chronic traumatic stress experienced by many families but may also have under-recognised impacts for their clinicians, contributing to 'burn-out' and attendant negative psychosocial impacts. This first article aims to address how clinicians might manage the accumulation of uncertainties to be more helpful to patients and their families. Moreover, it seeks to address how clinicians can move forward providing compassionate care to their patients and a little more consideration for themselves.
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Affiliation(s)
- Elizabeth E Palmer
- Discipline of Paediatrics and Child Health, School of Clinical Medicine Randwick Campus, Faculty of Medicine and Health, University of New South Wales, Sydney, New South Wales, Australia.,Centre for Clinical Genetics, Sydney Children's Hospitals Network, Sydney, New South Wales, Australia
| | - Rani Sachdev
- Discipline of Paediatrics and Child Health, School of Clinical Medicine Randwick Campus, Faculty of Medicine and Health, University of New South Wales, Sydney, New South Wales, Australia.,Centre for Clinical Genetics, Sydney Children's Hospitals Network, Sydney, New South Wales, Australia
| | - Erin Beavis
- Discipline of Paediatrics and Child Health, School of Clinical Medicine Randwick Campus, Faculty of Medicine and Health, University of New South Wales, Sydney, New South Wales, Australia.,Department of Neurology, Sydney Children's Hospitals Network, Sydney, New South Wales, Australia
| | - Rebecca Macintosh
- Discipline of Paediatrics and Child Health, School of Clinical Medicine Randwick Campus, Faculty of Medicine and Health, University of New South Wales, Sydney, New South Wales, Australia.,Centre for Clinical Genetics, Sydney Children's Hospitals Network, Sydney, New South Wales, Australia
| | - Fleur A Le Marne
- Discipline of Paediatrics and Child Health, School of Clinical Medicine Randwick Campus, Faculty of Medicine and Health, University of New South Wales, Sydney, New South Wales, Australia.,Department of Neurology, Sydney Children's Hospitals Network, Sydney, New South Wales, Australia
| | - Suzanne M Nevin
- Discipline of Paediatrics and Child Health, School of Clinical Medicine Randwick Campus, Faculty of Medicine and Health, University of New South Wales, Sydney, New South Wales, Australia.,Centre for Clinical Genetics, Sydney Children's Hospitals Network, Sydney, New South Wales, Australia
| | - Ann Me Bye
- Discipline of Paediatrics and Child Health, School of Clinical Medicine Randwick Campus, Faculty of Medicine and Health, University of New South Wales, Sydney, New South Wales, Australia.,Department of Neurology, Sydney Children's Hospitals Network, Sydney, New South Wales, Australia
| | - Kenneth Nunn
- Department of Psychological Medicine, Children's Hospital at Westmead, Sydney, New South Wales, Australia.,Discipline of Psychological Medicine, University of Sydney, Sydney, New South Wales, Australia
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