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Aschner A, Keller A, Williams A, Whitney R, Cunningham K, Hamilton RM, Pollanen M, Donner E. Cardiac arrhythmia and epilepsy genetic variants in sudden unexpected death in epilepsy. Front Neurol 2024; 15:1386730. [PMID: 38756210 PMCID: PMC11097959 DOI: 10.3389/fneur.2024.1386730] [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: 02/15/2024] [Accepted: 03/29/2024] [Indexed: 05/18/2024] Open
Abstract
Introduction Sudden Unexpected Death in Epilepsy (SUDEP) is the leading epilepsy-related cause of death, affecting approximately 1 per 1,000 individuals with epilepsy per year. Genetic variants that affect autonomic function, such as genes associated with cardiac arrhythmias, may predispose people with epilepsy to greater risk of both sudden cardiac death and SUDEP. Advances in next generation sequencing allow for the exploration of gene variants as potential biomarkers. Methods Genetic testing for the presence of cardiac arrhythmia and epilepsy gene variants was performed via genetic panels in 39 cases of SUDEP identified via autopsy by the Ontario Forensic Pathology Service. Variants were summarized by in-silico evidence for pathogenicity from 4 algorithms (SIFT, PolyPhen-2, PROVEAN, Mutation Taster) and allele frequencies in the general population (GnomAD). A maximum credible population allele frequency of 0.00004 was calculated based on epilepsy prevalence and SUDEP incidence to assess whether a variant was compatible with a pathogenic interpretation. Results Median age at the time of death was 33.3 years (range: 2, 60). Fifty-nine percent (n=23) were male. Gene panels detected 62 unique variants in 45 genes: 19 on the arrhythmia panel and 26 on the epilepsy panel. At least one variant was identified in 28 (72%) of decedents. Missense mutations comprised 57 (92%) of the observed variants. At least three in silico models predicted 12 (46%) cardiac arrhythmia panel missense variants and 20 (65%) epilepsy panel missense variants were pathogenic. Population allele frequencies were <0.00004 for 11 (42%) of the cardiac variants and 10 (32%) of the epilepsy variants. Together, these metrics identified 13 SUDEP variants of interest. Discussion Nearly three-quarters of decedents in this SUDEP cohort carried variants in comprehensive epilepsy or cardiac arrhythmia gene panels, with more than a third having variants in both panels. The proportion of decedents with cardiac variants aligns with recent studies of the disproportionate cardiac burden the epilepsy community faces compared to the general population and suggests a possible cardiac contribution to epilepsy mortality. These results identified 13 priority targets for future functional studies of these genes potential role in sudden death and demonstrates the necessity for further exploration of potential genetic contributions to SUDEP.
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Affiliation(s)
- Amir Aschner
- Division of Neurology, Hospital for Sick Children, University of Toronto, Toronto, ON, Canada
| | - Anne Keller
- Division of Neurology, Hospital for Sick Children, University of Toronto, Toronto, ON, Canada
| | - Andrew Williams
- Department of Laboratory Medicine and Pathobiology, Temerty Faculty of Medicine, University of Toronto, Toronto, ON, Canada
| | - Robyn Whitney
- McMaster Children’s Hospital, McMaster University, Hamilton, ON, Canada
| | - Kris Cunningham
- Department of Pathology and Molecular Medicine, School of Medicine, Faculty of Health Sciences, Queen’s University, Kingston, ON, Canada
| | - Robert M. Hamilton
- Division of Cardiology, Hospital for Sick Children, University of Toronto, Toronto, ON, Canada
| | - Michael Pollanen
- Department of Laboratory Medicine and Pathobiology, Temerty Faculty of Medicine, University of Toronto, Toronto, ON, Canada
| | - Elizabeth Donner
- Division of Neurology, Hospital for Sick Children, University of Toronto, Toronto, ON, Canada
- Department of Pediatrics, Faculty of Medicine, University of Toronto, Toronto, ON, Canada
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Sridech W, Intamul K, Saengsin K, Wiwattanadittakul N, Sittiwangkul R, Katanyuwong K, Silvilairat S, Sanguansermsri C. Cardiac dysfunctions in children with drug-resistant epilepsy. Front Neurol 2024; 15:1381293. [PMID: 38689875 PMCID: PMC11058992 DOI: 10.3389/fneur.2024.1381293] [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: 02/03/2024] [Accepted: 04/02/2024] [Indexed: 05/02/2024] Open
Abstract
Objective There were reports of cardiac dysfunction that led to sudden unexpected death in epilepsy (SUDEP) in patients with epilepsy. Early detection of cardiac dysfunction can lead to early management to prevent sudden cardiac death in these patients. The objective of our study is to assess cardiac functions in children with drug-resistant epilepsy (DRE) compared with the normal population by using a standard echocardiogram (SE), tissue Doppler imaging (TDI) and myocardial strain evaluations (MSE). Method Twenty-seven children who have been diagnosed with DRE based on the International League against Epilepsy (ILAE) were included in the study, along with 27 children whose ages match those of the normal control group. Results Seventeen children, median age 12 years old, were using more than four anti-seizure medications. Structural brain lesions were the most common cause of epilepsy, 55.6% (15). Generalized tonic-clonic seizures were the most common seizure type, 55.6% (15). Children with DRE had a lower early mitral valve E wave inflow velocity compared with the control group (p < 0.05). They also had lowered early diastolic velocities (e') and myocardial performance index (MPI) when compared with the control group (p < 0.05). There was a statistically significant difference in left ventricular myocardial strain in children with DRE, with an average of -21.1 (IQR -23.5 and -19.4) and control, -25.5 (IQR -27.3 and -24.2). Significance Children with DRE have an impairment of left ventricular diastolic function and myocardial strain, which could indicate decreased myocardial deformation and contraction compared with controls. These cardiological assessments can be used to evaluate children with DRE for early diagnosis and management of their cardiac dysfunction.
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Affiliation(s)
- Watthana Sridech
- Department of Pediatrics, Faculty of Medicine, Chiang Mai University, Chiang Mai, Thailand
| | - Kamonchanok Intamul
- Cardiology Division, Department of Pediatrics, Faculty of Medicine, Chiang Mai University, Chiang Mai, Thailand
| | - Kwannapas Saengsin
- Cardiology Division, Department of Pediatrics, Faculty of Medicine, Chiang Mai University, Chiang Mai, Thailand
| | | | - Rekwan Sittiwangkul
- Cardiology Division, Department of Pediatrics, Faculty of Medicine, Chiang Mai University, Chiang Mai, Thailand
| | - Kamornwan Katanyuwong
- Neurology Division, Department of Pediatrics, Faculty of Medicine, Chiang Mai University, Chiang Mai, Thailand
| | - Suchaya Silvilairat
- Cardiology Division, Department of Pediatrics, Faculty of Medicine, Chiang Mai University, Chiang Mai, Thailand
| | - Chinnuwat Sanguansermsri
- Neurology Division, Department of Pediatrics, Faculty of Medicine, Chiang Mai University, Chiang Mai, Thailand
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Buerki SE, Haas C, Neubauer J. Exome analysis focusing on epilepsy-related genes in children and adults with sudden unexplained death. Seizure 2023; 113:66-75. [PMID: 37995443 DOI: 10.1016/j.seizure.2023.11.002] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/23/2023] [Revised: 10/31/2023] [Accepted: 11/01/2023] [Indexed: 11/25/2023] Open
Abstract
PURPOSE Genetic studies in sudden infant death syndrome (SIDS) and sudden unexplained death (SUD) cohorts have indicated that cardiovascular diseases might have contributed to sudden unexpected death in 20-35 % of autopsy-negative cases. Sudden unexpected death can also occur in people with epilepsy, termed as sudden unexpected death in epilepsy (SUDEP). The pathophysiological mechanisms of SUDEP are not well understood, but are likely multifactorial, including seizure-induced hypoventilation and arrhythmias as well as genetic risk factors. The sudden death of some of the SIDS/SUD victims might also be explained by genetic epilepsy, therefore this study aimed to expand the post-mortem genetic analysis of SIDS/SUD cases to epilepsy-related genes. METHODS Existing whole-exome sequencing data from our 155 SIDS and 45 SUD cases were analyzed, with a focus on 365 epilepsy-related genes. Nine of the SUD victims had a known medical history of epilepsy, seizures or other underlying neurological conditions and were therefore classified as SUDEP cases. RESULTS In our SIDS and SUD cohorts, we found epilepsy-related pathogenic/likely pathogenic variants in the genes OPA1, RAI1, SCN3A, SCN5A and TSC2. CONCLUSION Post-mortem analysis of epilepsy-related genes identified potentially disease-causing variants that might have contributed to the sudden death events in our SIDS/SUD cases. However, the interpretation of identified variants remains challenging and often changes over time as more data is gathered. Overall, this study contributes insight in potentially pathophysiological epilepsy-related mechanisms in SIDS, SUD and SUDEP victims and underlines the importance of sensible counselling on the risk and preventive measures in genetic epilepsy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sarah E Buerki
- Department of Neuropediatrics, University Children's Hospital Zurich, Switzerland
| | - Cordula Haas
- Zurich Institute of Forensic Medicine, University of Zurich, Switzerland.
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Giussani G, Falcicchio G, La Neve A, Costagliola G, Striano P, Scarabello A, Mostacci B, Beghi E. Sudden unexpected death in epilepsy: A critical view of the literature. Epilepsia Open 2023; 8:728-757. [PMID: 36896633 PMCID: PMC10472423 DOI: 10.1002/epi4.12722] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/17/2022] [Accepted: 03/04/2023] [Indexed: 03/11/2023] Open
Abstract
Sudden unexpected death in epilepsy (SUDEP) is a sudden, unexpected, witnessed or unwitnessed, non-traumatic and non-drowning death, occurring in benign circumstances, in an individual with epilepsy, with or without evidence for a seizure and excluding documented status epilepticus in which postmortem examination does not reveal other causes of death. Lower diagnostic levels are assigned when cases met most or all of these criteria, but data suggested more than one possible cause of death. The incidence of SUDEP ranged from 0.09 to 2.4 per 1000 person-years. Differences can be attributed to the age of the study populations (with peaks in the 20-40-year age group) and the severity of the disease. Young age, disease severity (in particular, a history of generalized TCS), having symptomatic epilepsy, and the response to antiseizure medications (ASMs) are possible independent predictors of SUDEP. The pathophysiological mechanisms are not fully known due to the limited data available and because SUDEP is not always witnessed and has been electrophysiologically monitored only in a few cases with simultaneous assessment of respiratory, cardiac, and brain activity. The pathophysiological basis of SUDEP may vary according to different circumstances that make that particular seizure, in that specific moment and in that patient, a fatal event. The main hypothesized mechanisms, which could contribute to a cascade of events, are cardiac dysfunction (included potential effects of ASMs, genetically determined channelopathies, acquired heart diseases), respiratory dysfunction (included postictal arousal deficit for the respiratory mechanism, acquired respiratory diseases), neuromodulator dysfunction, postictal EEG depression and genetic factors.
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Affiliation(s)
- Giorgia Giussani
- Laboratory of Neurological Disorders, Mario Negri Institute for Pharmacological Research IRCCSMilanItaly
| | - Giovanni Falcicchio
- Department of Basic Medical Sciences, Neurosciences and Sense OrgansUniversity of BariBariItaly
| | - Angela La Neve
- Department of Basic Medical Sciences, Neurosciences and Sense OrgansUniversity of BariBariItaly
| | | | - Pasquale Striano
- IRCCS Istituto “Giannina Gaslini”GenovaItaly
- Department of Neurosciences, Rehabilitation, Ophthalmology, Genetics, Maternal and Child HealthUniversity of GenovaGenovaItaly
| | - Anna Scarabello
- IRCCS Istituto delle Scienze Neurologiche di BolognaBolognaItaly
| | - Barbara Mostacci
- IRCCS Istituto delle Scienze Neurologiche di BolognaBolognaItaly
| | - Ettore Beghi
- Laboratory of Neurological Disorders, Mario Negri Institute for Pharmacological Research IRCCSMilanItaly
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Bagnall RD, Perucca P. ILAE Genetic Literacy Series: Postmortem Genetic Testing in Sudden Unexpected Death in Epilepsy. Epileptic Disord 2023; 25:472-479. [PMID: 37340991 DOI: 10.1002/epd2.20090] [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: 03/15/2023] [Revised: 05/31/2023] [Accepted: 06/17/2023] [Indexed: 06/22/2023]
Abstract
A 24-year-old man with non-lesional bitemporal lobe epilepsy since age 16 years was found dead in bed around midday. He was last seen the previous night when he was witnessed to have a tonic-clonic seizure. Before his death, he was experiencing weekly focal impaired awareness seizures and up to two focal-to-bilateral tonic-clonic seizures each year. He had trialed several antiseizure medications and was on levetiracetam 1500 mg/day, lamotrigine 400 mg/day, and clobazam 10 mg/day at the time of death. Other than epilepsy, his medical history was unremarkable. Of note, he had an older brother with a history of febrile seizures and a paternal first cousin with epilepsy. No cause of death was identified following a comprehensive postmortem investigation. The coroner classified the death as "sudden unexpected death in epilepsy" (SUDEP), and it would qualify as "definite SUDEP" using the current definitions.1 This left the family with many questions unanswered; in particular, they wish to know what caused the death and whether it could happen to other family members. Could postmortem genetic testing identify a cause of death, provide closure to the family, and facilitate cascade genetic testing of first-degree family members who may be at risk of sudden death? While grieving family members struggle with uncertainty about the cause of death, we as clinicians also face similar uncertainties about genetic contributions to SUDEP, especially when the literature is sparse, and the utility of genetic testing is still being worked out. We aim to shed some light on this topic, highlighting areas where data is emerging but also areas where uncertainty remains, keeping our case in mind as we examine this clinically important area.
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Affiliation(s)
- Richard D Bagnall
- Agnes Ginges Centre for Molecular Cardiology at Centenary Institute, University of Sydney, Sydney, New South Wales, Australia
- Faculty of Medicine and Health, University of Sydney, Sydney, New South Wales, Australia
| | - Piero Perucca
- Department of Medicine (Austin Health), Epilepsy Research Centre, The University of Melbourne, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia
- Bladin-Berkovic Comprehensive Epilepsy Program, Department of Neurology, Austin Health, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia
- Department of Neuroscience, Central Clinical School, Monash University, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia
- Department of Neurology, Alfred Health, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia
- Department of Neurology, The Royal Melbourne Hospital, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia
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Cardiac Functional and Structural Abnormalities in a Mouse Model of CDKL5 Deficiency Disorder. Int J Mol Sci 2023; 24:ijms24065552. [PMID: 36982627 PMCID: PMC10059787 DOI: 10.3390/ijms24065552] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/08/2023] [Revised: 03/02/2023] [Accepted: 03/11/2023] [Indexed: 03/15/2023] Open
Abstract
CDKL5 (cyclin-dependent kinase-like 5) deficiency disorder (CDD) is a severe neurodevelopmental disease that mostly affects girls, who are heterozygous for mutations in the X-linked CDKL5 gene. Mutations in the CDKL5 gene lead to a lack of CDKL5 protein expression or function and cause numerous clinical features, including early-onset seizures, marked hypotonia, autistic features, gastrointestinal problems, and severe neurodevelopmental impairment. Mouse models of CDD recapitulate several aspects of CDD symptomology, including cognitive impairments, motor deficits, and autistic-like features, and have been useful to dissect the role of CDKL5 in brain development and function. However, our current knowledge of the function of CDKL5 in other organs/tissues besides the brain is still quite limited, reducing the possibility of broad-spectrum interventions. Here, for the first time, we report the presence of cardiac function/structure alterations in heterozygous Cdkl5 +/− female mice. We found a prolonged QT interval (corrected for the heart rate, QTc) and increased heart rate in Cdkl5 +/− mice. These changes correlate with a marked decrease in parasympathetic activity to the heart and in the expression of the Scn5a and Hcn4 voltage-gated channels. Interestingly, Cdkl5 +/− hearts showed increased fibrosis, altered gap junction organization and connexin-43 expression, mitochondrial dysfunction, and increased ROS production. Together, these findings not only contribute to our understanding of the role of CDKL5 in heart structure/function but also document a novel preclinical phenotype for future therapeutic investigation.
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Yu C, Deng XJ, Xu D. Gene mutations in comorbidity of epilepsy and arrhythmia. J Neurol 2023; 270:1229-1248. [PMID: 36376730 DOI: 10.1007/s00415-022-11430-2] [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: 07/31/2022] [Revised: 10/14/2022] [Accepted: 10/15/2022] [Indexed: 11/16/2022]
Abstract
Epilepsy is one of the most common neurological disorders, and sudden unexpected death in epilepsy (SUDEP) is the most severe outcome of refractory epilepsy. Arrhythmia is one of the heterogeneous factors in the pathophysiological mechanism of SUDEP with a high incidence in patients with refractory epilepsy, increasing the risk of premature death. The gene co-expressed in the brain and heart is supposed to be the genetic basis between epilepsy and arrhythmia, among which the gene encoding ion channel contributes to the prevalence of "cardiocerebral channelopathy" theory. Nevertheless, this theory could only explain the molecular mechanism of comorbid arrhythmia in part of patients with epilepsy (PWE). Therefore, we summarized the mutant genes that can induce comorbidity of epilepsy and arrhythmia and the possible corresponding treatments. These variants involved the genes encoding sodium, potassium, calcium and HCN channels, as well as some non-ion channel coding genes such as CHD4, PKP2, FHF1, GNB5, and mitochondrial genes. The relationship between genotype and clinical phenotype was not simple linear. Indeed, genes co-expressed in the brain and heart could independently induce epilepsy and/or arrhythmia. Mutant genes in brain could affect cardiac rhythm through central or peripheral regulation, while in the heart it could also affect cerebral electrical activity by changing the hemodynamics or internal environment. Analysis of mutations in comorbidity of epilepsy and arrhythmia could refine and expand the theory of "cardiocerebral channelopathy" and provide new insights for risk stratification of premature death and corresponding precision therapy in PWE.
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Affiliation(s)
- Cheng Yu
- Department of Neurology, Union Hospital, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, 1277 Jiefang Avenue, Wuhan, 430022, Hubei Province, China
| | - Xue-Jun Deng
- Department of Neurology, Union Hospital, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, 1277 Jiefang Avenue, Wuhan, 430022, Hubei Province, China
| | - Da Xu
- Department of Neurology, Union Hospital, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, 1277 Jiefang Avenue, Wuhan, 430022, Hubei Province, China.
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Leng X, Zhang T, Guan Y, Tang M. Genotype and phenotype analysis of epilepsy caused by ADGRV1 mutations in Chinese children. Seizure 2022; 103:108-114. [DOI: 10.1016/j.seizure.2022.11.005] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/31/2022] [Revised: 11/07/2022] [Accepted: 11/10/2022] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
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Omer H, Omer MH, Alyousef AR, Alzammam AM, Ahmad O, Alanazi HA. Unmasking of Brugada syndrome by lamotrigine in a patient with pre-existing epilepsy: A case report with review of the literature. Front Cardiovasc Med 2022; 9:1005952. [PMID: 36407465 PMCID: PMC9673589 DOI: 10.3389/fcvm.2022.1005952] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/28/2022] [Accepted: 10/10/2022] [Indexed: 11/26/2022] Open
Abstract
Brugada syndrome is an inherited cardiac channelopathy arising from mutations in voltage-gated cardiac sodium channels. Idiopathic epilepsy portrays a coalescent underlying pathophysiological mechanism pertaining to the premature excitation of neuronal voltage-gated ion channels resulting in the disruption of presynaptic neurons and the unregulated release of excitatory neurotransmitters. The coexistence of epilepsy and Brugada syndrome may be explained by mutations in voltage-gated ion channels, which are coexpressed in cardiac and neural tissue. Moreover, the incidence of sudden unexpected death in epilepsy has been associated with malignant cardiac arrhythmias in the presence of mutations in voltage-gated ion channels. Lamotrigine is an antiepileptic drug that inhibits neuronal voltage-gated sodium channels, thus stabilizing neural impulse propagation and controlling seizure activity in the brain. However, lamotrigine has been shown to inhibit cardiac voltage-gated sodium channels resulting in a potential arrhythmogenic effect and the ability to unmask Brugada syndrome in genetically susceptible individuals. We are reporting a case of a 27-year-old male patient with a background of presumed idiopathic epilepsy who was initiated on lamotrigine therapy resulting in the unmasking of Brugada syndrome and the onset of syncopal episodes. This case provides further evidence for the arrhythmogenic capacity of lamotrigine and highlights the relationship between epilepsy and Brugada syndrome. In this report, we aim to review the current literature regarding the associations between epilepsy and Brugada syndrome and the impact of lamotrigine therapy on such patients.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hafiz Omer
- Department of Adult Cardiology, King Abdulaziz Medical City, Riyadh, Saudi Arabia
- College of Medicine, King Saud Bin Abdulaziz University for Health Sciences, Riyadh, Saudi Arabia
- *Correspondence: Hafiz Omer,
| | - Mohamed H. Omer
- School of Medicine, Cardiff University, Cardiff, United Kingdom
| | | | - Ali M. Alzammam
- Department of Internal Medicine, King Abdulaziz Medical City, Riyadh, Saudi Arabia
| | - Omar Ahmad
- College of Medicine, Alfaisal University, Riyadh, Saudi Arabia
| | - Haitham A. Alanazi
- Department of Adult Cardiology, King Abdulaziz Medical City, Riyadh, Saudi Arabia
- College of Medicine, King Saud Bin Abdulaziz University for Health Sciences, Riyadh, Saudi Arabia
- King Abdullah International Medical Research Center, Riyadh, Saudi Arabia
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Martínez-Barrios E, Cesar S, Cruzalegui J, Hernandez C, Arbelo E, Fiol V, Brugada J, Brugada R, Campuzano O, Sarquella-Brugada G. Clinical Genetics of Inherited Arrhythmogenic Disease in the Pediatric Population. Biomedicines 2022; 10:106. [PMID: 35052786 PMCID: PMC8773373 DOI: 10.3390/biomedicines10010106] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/03/2021] [Revised: 12/27/2021] [Accepted: 12/31/2021] [Indexed: 12/19/2022] Open
Abstract
Sudden death is a rare event in the pediatric population but with a social shock due to its presentation as the first symptom in previously healthy children. Comprehensive autopsy in pediatric cases identify an inconclusive cause in 40-50% of cases. In such cases, a diagnosis of sudden arrhythmic death syndrome is suggested as the main potential cause of death. Molecular autopsy identifies nearly 30% of cases under 16 years of age carrying a pathogenic/potentially pathogenic alteration in genes associated with any inherited arrhythmogenic disease. In the last few years, despite the increasing rate of post-mortem genetic diagnosis, many families still remain without a conclusive genetic cause of the unexpected death. Current challenges in genetic diagnosis are the establishment of a correct genotype-phenotype association between genes and inherited arrhythmogenic disease, as well as the classification of variants of uncertain significance. In this review, we provide an update on the state of the art in the genetic diagnosis of inherited arrhythmogenic disease in the pediatric population. We focus on emerging publications on gene curation for genotype-phenotype associations, cases of genetic overlap and advances in the classification of variants of uncertain significance. Our goal is to facilitate the translation of genetic diagnosis to the clinical area, helping risk stratification, treatment and the genetic counselling of families.
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Affiliation(s)
- Estefanía Martínez-Barrios
- Arrhythmias Unit, Hospital Sant Joan de Déu, University of Barcelona, 08007 Barcelona, Spain; (E.M.-B.); (S.C.); (J.C.); (C.H.); (V.F.); (J.B.)
| | - Sergi Cesar
- Arrhythmias Unit, Hospital Sant Joan de Déu, University of Barcelona, 08007 Barcelona, Spain; (E.M.-B.); (S.C.); (J.C.); (C.H.); (V.F.); (J.B.)
| | - José Cruzalegui
- Arrhythmias Unit, Hospital Sant Joan de Déu, University of Barcelona, 08007 Barcelona, Spain; (E.M.-B.); (S.C.); (J.C.); (C.H.); (V.F.); (J.B.)
| | - Clara Hernandez
- Arrhythmias Unit, Hospital Sant Joan de Déu, University of Barcelona, 08007 Barcelona, Spain; (E.M.-B.); (S.C.); (J.C.); (C.H.); (V.F.); (J.B.)
| | - Elena Arbelo
- Centro de Investigación Biomédica en Red, Enfermedades Cardiovasculares (CIBERCV), 28029 Madrid, Spain; (E.A.); (R.B.)
- Arrhythmias Unit, Hospital Clinic, University of Barcelona-IDIBAPS, 08036 Barcelona, Spain
| | - Victoria Fiol
- Arrhythmias Unit, Hospital Sant Joan de Déu, University of Barcelona, 08007 Barcelona, Spain; (E.M.-B.); (S.C.); (J.C.); (C.H.); (V.F.); (J.B.)
| | - Josep Brugada
- Arrhythmias Unit, Hospital Sant Joan de Déu, University of Barcelona, 08007 Barcelona, Spain; (E.M.-B.); (S.C.); (J.C.); (C.H.); (V.F.); (J.B.)
- Centro de Investigación Biomédica en Red, Enfermedades Cardiovasculares (CIBERCV), 28029 Madrid, Spain; (E.A.); (R.B.)
- Arrhythmias Unit, Hospital Clinic, University of Barcelona-IDIBAPS, 08036 Barcelona, Spain
| | - Ramon Brugada
- Centro de Investigación Biomédica en Red, Enfermedades Cardiovasculares (CIBERCV), 28029 Madrid, Spain; (E.A.); (R.B.)
- Medical Science Department, School of Medicine, University of Girona, 17004 Girona, Spain
- Cardiovascular Genetics Center, University of Girona-IDIBGI, 17190 Girona, Spain
- Cardiology Service, Hospital Josep Trueta, University of Girona, 17007 Girona, Spain
| | - Oscar Campuzano
- Centro de Investigación Biomédica en Red, Enfermedades Cardiovasculares (CIBERCV), 28029 Madrid, Spain; (E.A.); (R.B.)
- Medical Science Department, School of Medicine, University of Girona, 17004 Girona, Spain
- Cardiovascular Genetics Center, University of Girona-IDIBGI, 17190 Girona, Spain
| | - Georgia Sarquella-Brugada
- Arrhythmias Unit, Hospital Sant Joan de Déu, University of Barcelona, 08007 Barcelona, Spain; (E.M.-B.); (S.C.); (J.C.); (C.H.); (V.F.); (J.B.)
- Medical Science Department, School of Medicine, University of Girona, 17004 Girona, Spain
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Autonomic manifestations of epilepsy: emerging pathways to sudden death? Nat Rev Neurol 2021; 17:774-788. [PMID: 34716432 DOI: 10.1038/s41582-021-00574-w] [Citation(s) in RCA: 37] [Impact Index Per Article: 12.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 09/24/2021] [Indexed: 12/24/2022]
Abstract
Epileptic networks are intimately connected with the autonomic nervous system, as exemplified by a plethora of ictal (during a seizure) autonomic manifestations, including epigastric sensations, palpitations, goosebumps and syncope (fainting). Ictal autonomic changes might serve as diagnostic clues, provide targets for seizure detection and help us to understand the mechanisms that underlie sudden unexpected death in epilepsy (SUDEP). Autonomic alterations are generally more prominent in focal seizures originating from the temporal lobe, demonstrating the importance of limbic structures to the autonomic nervous system, and are particularly pronounced in focal-to-bilateral and generalized tonic-clonic seizures. The presence, type and severity of autonomic features are determined by the seizure onset zone, propagation pathways, lateralization and timing of the seizures, and the presence of interictal autonomic dysfunction. Evidence is mounting that not all autonomic manifestations are linked to SUDEP. In addition, experimental and clinical data emphasize the heterogeneity of SUDEP and its infrequent overlap with sudden cardiac death. Here, we review the spectrum and diagnostic value of the mostly benign and self-limiting autonomic manifestations of epilepsy. In particular, we focus on presentations that are likely to contribute to SUDEP and discuss how wearable devices might help to prevent SUDEP.
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Dahawi M, Elmagzoub MS, A. Ahmed E, Baldassari S, Achaz G, Elmugadam FA, Abdelgadir WA, Baulac S, Buratti J, Abdalla O, Gamil S, Alzubeir M, Abubaker R, Noé E, Elsayed L, Ahmed AE, Leguern E. Involvement of ADGRV1 Gene in Familial Forms of Genetic Generalized Epilepsy. Front Neurol 2021; 12:738272. [PMID: 34744978 PMCID: PMC8567843 DOI: 10.3389/fneur.2021.738272] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/08/2021] [Accepted: 09/13/2021] [Indexed: 11/21/2022] Open
Abstract
Background: Genetic generalized epilepsies (GGE) including childhood absence epilepsy (CAE), juvenile absence epilepsy (JAE), juvenile myoclonic epilepsy (JME), and GGE with tonic-clonic seizures alone (GGE-TCS), are common types of epilepsy mostly determined by a polygenic mode of inheritance. Recent studies showed that susceptibility genes for GGE are numerous, and their variants rare, challenging their identification. In this study, we aimed to assess GGE genetic etiology in a Sudanese population. Methods: We performed whole-exome sequencing (WES) on DNA of 40 patients from 20 Sudanese families with GGE searching for candidate susceptibility variants, which were prioritized by CADD software and functional features of the corresponding gene. We assessed their segregation in 138 individuals and performed genotype-phenotype correlations. Results: In a family including three sibs with GGE-TCS, we identified a rare missense variant in ADGRV1 encoding an adhesion G protein-coupled receptor V1, which was already involved in the autosomal recessive Usher type C syndrome. In addition, five other ADGRV1 rare missense variants were identified in four additional families and absent from 119 Sudanese controls. In one of these families, an ADGRV1 variant was found at a homozygous state, in a female more severely affected than her heterozygous brother, suggesting a gene dosage effect. In the five families, GGE phenotype was statistically associated with ADGRV1 variants (0R = 0.9 103). Conclusion: This study highly supports, for the first time, the involvement of ADGRV1 missense variants in familial GGE and that ADGRV1 is a susceptibility gene for CAE/JAE and GGE-TCS phenotypes.
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Affiliation(s)
- Maha Dahawi
- Sorbonne Université, Institut du Cerveau - Paris Brain Institute - ICM, Inserm, CNRS, Paris, France
- Department of Physiology, Faculty of Medicine, University of Khartoum, Khartoum, Sudan
| | - Mohamed S. Elmagzoub
- Faculty of Medicine, National Ribat University, Khartoum, Sudan
- Neuroscience Department, College of Applied Medical Sciences, Imam Abdulrahman bin Faisal University, Dammam, Saudi Arabia
| | - Elhami A. Ahmed
- UNESCO Chair on Bioethics, Faculty of Medicine, University of Khartoum, Khartoum, Sudan
- Faculty of Medicine, University of Khartoum, Khartoum, Sudan
| | - Sara Baldassari
- Sorbonne Université, Institut du Cerveau - Paris Brain Institute - ICM, Inserm, CNRS, Paris, France
| | - Guillaume Achaz
- Institut Systématique Evolution Biodiversité, Muséum National d'Histoire Naturelle, CNRS, Sorbonne Université, EPHE, Université des Antilles, Paris, France
- SMILE Group, CIRB, Collège de France, CNRS, INSERM, Paris, France
- Éco-anthropologie, Muséum National d'Histoire Naturelle, Université de Paris, Paris, France
| | | | - Wasma A. Abdelgadir
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Faculty of Sciences and Technology, Al-Neelain University, Khartoum, Sudan
| | - Stéphanie Baulac
- Sorbonne Université, Institut du Cerveau - Paris Brain Institute - ICM, Inserm, CNRS, Paris, France
| | - Julien Buratti
- Department of Medical Genetics, AP-HP Sorbonne Université, Sorbonne Université, Paris, France
| | - Omer Abdalla
- Department of Physiology, Faculty of Medicine, University of Khartoum, Khartoum, Sudan
| | - Sahar Gamil
- Department of Biochemistry, Faculty of Medicine, University of Khartoum, Khartoum, Sudan
| | - Maha Alzubeir
- Faculty of Medicine, University of Khartoum, Khartoum, Sudan
- Neurology, Sudan Medical Council, Khartoum, Sudan
| | - Rayan Abubaker
- Faculty of Medicine, University of Khartoum, Khartoum, Sudan
| | - Eric Noé
- Sorbonne Université, Institut du Cerveau - Paris Brain Institute - ICM, Inserm, CNRS, Paris, France
- Sorbonne Université, Paris, France
| | - Liena Elsayed
- Faculty of Medicine, University of Khartoum, Khartoum, Sudan
- Department of Basic Sciences, College of Medicine, Princess Nourah Bint Abdulrahman University, Riyadh, Saudi Arabia
| | - Ammar E. Ahmed
- Department of Physiology, Faculty of Medicine, University of Khartoum, Khartoum, Sudan
- Neurology, Sudan Medical Council, Khartoum, Sudan
| | - Eric Leguern
- Sorbonne Université, Institut du Cerveau - Paris Brain Institute - ICM, Inserm, CNRS, Paris, France
- Department of Medical Genetics, AP-HP Sorbonne Université, Sorbonne Université, Paris, France
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13
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Costagliola G, Orsini A, Coll M, Brugada R, Parisi P, Striano P. The brain-heart interaction in epilepsy: implications for diagnosis, therapy, and SUDEP prevention. Ann Clin Transl Neurol 2021; 8:1557-1568. [PMID: 34047488 PMCID: PMC8283165 DOI: 10.1002/acn3.51382] [Citation(s) in RCA: 33] [Impact Index Per Article: 11.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/22/2021] [Revised: 04/15/2021] [Accepted: 04/27/2021] [Indexed: 12/17/2022] Open
Abstract
The influence of the central nervous system and autonomic system on cardiac activity is being intensively studied, as it contributes to the high rate of cardiologic comorbidities observed in people with epilepsy. Indeed, neuroanatomic connections between the brain and the heart provide links that allow cardiac arrhythmias to occur in response to brain activation, have been shown to produce arrhythmia both experimentally and clinically. Moreover, seizures may induce a variety of transient cardiac effects, which include changes in heart rate, heart rate variability, arrhythmias, asystole, and other ECG abnormalities, and can trigger the development of Takotsubo syndrome. People with epilepsy are at a higher risk of death than the general population, and sudden unexpected death in epilepsy (SUDEP) is the most important direct epilepsy-related cause of death. Although the cause of SUDEP is still unknown, cardiac abnormalities during and between seizures could play a significant role in its pathogenesis, as highlighted by studies on animal models of SUDEP and registration of SUDEP events. Recently, genetic mutations in genes co-expressed in the heart and brain, which may result in epilepsy and cardiac comorbidity/increased risk for SUDEP, have been described. Recognition and a better understanding of brain-heart interactions, together with new advances in sequencing techniques, may provide new insights into future novel therapies and help in the prevention of cardiac dysfunction and sudden death in epileptic individuals.
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Affiliation(s)
- Giorgio Costagliola
- Pediatric Clinic, Santa Chiara's University Hospital, Azienda Ospedaliero-Universitaria Pisana, Pisa, Italy
| | - Alessandro Orsini
- Pediatric Clinic, Santa Chiara's University Hospital, Azienda Ospedaliero-Universitaria Pisana, Pisa, Italy
| | - Monica Coll
- Cardiovascular Genetics Center, Institut d'Investigació Biomèdica de Girona (IDIBGI), Girona, Spain
| | - Ramon Brugada
- Cardiovascular Genetics Center, Institut d'Investigació Biomèdica de Girona (IDIBGI), Girona, Spain.,Medical Science Department, School of Medicine, University of Girona, Girona, Spain.,Centro de Investigación Biomédica en Red de Enfermedades Cardiovasculares (CIBERCV), Madrid, Spain.,Cardiology Service, Hospital Josep Trueta, Girona, Spain
| | - Pasquale Parisi
- Chair of Pediatrics, NESMOS Department, Faculty of Medicine and Psychology, Sapienza University, Sant' Andrea Hospital, Rome, Italy
| | - Pasquale Striano
- IRCCS Istituto Giannina Gaslini, Genova, Italy.,Department of Neuroscience, Rehabilitation, Ophthalmology, Genetics, Maternal and Child Health, University of Genova, Genova, Italy
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14
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Ma MG, Liu XR, Wu Y, Wang J, Li BM, Shi YW, Su T, Li B, Liu DT, Yi YH, Liao WP. RYR2 Mutations Are Associated With Benign Epilepsy of Childhood With Centrotemporal Spikes With or Without Arrhythmia. Front Neurosci 2021; 15:629610. [PMID: 33897349 PMCID: PMC8058200 DOI: 10.3389/fnins.2021.629610] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/15/2020] [Accepted: 02/19/2021] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Abstract
RYR2 encodes ryanodine receptor 2 protein (RYR-2) that is mainly located on endoplasmic reticulum membrane and regulates intracellular calcium concentration. The RYR-2 protein is ubiquitously distributed and highly expressed in the heart and brain. Previous studies have identified the RYR2 mutations in the etiology of arrhythmogenic right ventricular dysplasia 2 and catecholaminergic polymorphic ventricular tachycardia. However, the relationship between RYR2 gene and epilepsy is not determined. In this study, we screened for novel genetic variants in a group of 292 cases (families) with benign epilepsy of childhood with centrotemporal spikes (BECTS) by trio-based whole-exome sequencing. RYR2 mutations were identified in five cases with BECTS, including one heterozygous frameshift mutation (c.14361dup/p.Arg4790Pro fs∗6), two heterozygous missense mutations (c.2353G > A/p.Asp785Asn and c.8574G > A/p.Met2858Ile), and two pairs of compound heterozygous mutations (c.4652A > G/p.Asn1551Ser and c.11693T > C/p.Ile3898Thr, c.7469T > C/p.Val2490Ala and c.12770G > A/p.Arg4257Gln, respectively). Asp785Asn was a de novo missense mutation. All the missense mutations were suggested to be damaging by at least three web-based prediction tools. These mutations do not present or at low minor allele frequency in gnomAD database and present statistically higher frequency in the cohort of BECTS than in the control populations of gnomAD. Asp785Asn, Asn1551Ser, and Ile3898Thr were predicted to affect hydrogen bonds with surrounding amino acids. Three affected individuals had arrhythmia (sinus arrhythmia and occasional atrial premature). The two probands with compound heterozygous missense mutations presented mild cardiac structural abnormalities. Strong evidence from ClinGen Clinical Validity Framework suggested an association between RYR2 variants and epilepsy. This study suggests that RYR2 gene is potentially a candidate pathogenic gene of BECTS. More attention should be paid to epilepsy patients with RYR2 mutations, which were associated with arrhythmia and sudden unexpected death in previous reports.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mei-Gang Ma
- Institute of Neuroscience and Department of Neurology of the Second Affiliated Hospital of Guangzhou Medical University, Key Laboratory of Neurogenetics and Channelopathies of Guangdong Province and the Ministry of Education of China, Guangzhou, China.,Department of Neurology, The First Affiliated Hospital of Guangxi Medical University, Nanning, China
| | - Xiao-Rong Liu
- Institute of Neuroscience and Department of Neurology of the Second Affiliated Hospital of Guangzhou Medical University, Key Laboratory of Neurogenetics and Channelopathies of Guangdong Province and the Ministry of Education of China, Guangzhou, China
| | - Yuan Wu
- Department of Neurology, The First Affiliated Hospital of Guangxi Medical University, Nanning, China
| | - Jie Wang
- Institute of Neuroscience and Department of Neurology of the Second Affiliated Hospital of Guangzhou Medical University, Key Laboratory of Neurogenetics and Channelopathies of Guangdong Province and the Ministry of Education of China, Guangzhou, China
| | - Bing-Mei Li
- Institute of Neuroscience and Department of Neurology of the Second Affiliated Hospital of Guangzhou Medical University, Key Laboratory of Neurogenetics and Channelopathies of Guangdong Province and the Ministry of Education of China, Guangzhou, China
| | - Yi-Wu Shi
- Institute of Neuroscience and Department of Neurology of the Second Affiliated Hospital of Guangzhou Medical University, Key Laboratory of Neurogenetics and Channelopathies of Guangdong Province and the Ministry of Education of China, Guangzhou, China
| | - Tao Su
- Institute of Neuroscience and Department of Neurology of the Second Affiliated Hospital of Guangzhou Medical University, Key Laboratory of Neurogenetics and Channelopathies of Guangdong Province and the Ministry of Education of China, Guangzhou, China
| | - Bin Li
- Institute of Neuroscience and Department of Neurology of the Second Affiliated Hospital of Guangzhou Medical University, Key Laboratory of Neurogenetics and Channelopathies of Guangdong Province and the Ministry of Education of China, Guangzhou, China
| | - De-Tian Liu
- Institute of Neuroscience and Department of Neurology of the Second Affiliated Hospital of Guangzhou Medical University, Key Laboratory of Neurogenetics and Channelopathies of Guangdong Province and the Ministry of Education of China, Guangzhou, China
| | - Yong-Hong Yi
- Institute of Neuroscience and Department of Neurology of the Second Affiliated Hospital of Guangzhou Medical University, Key Laboratory of Neurogenetics and Channelopathies of Guangdong Province and the Ministry of Education of China, Guangzhou, China
| | - Wei-Ping Liao
- Institute of Neuroscience and Department of Neurology of the Second Affiliated Hospital of Guangzhou Medical University, Key Laboratory of Neurogenetics and Channelopathies of Guangdong Province and the Ministry of Education of China, Guangzhou, China
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15
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Yucel A, Tanacan A, Atalay F, Altinboga O, Koksal Z, Baydilli MB, Esen M, Karabacak Y, Ongun VD, Sahlar TE, Keskinkilic B, Kara F. Maternal deaths with epilepsy: A population-based study in Turkey. Eur J Obstet Gynecol Reprod Biol 2020; 258:33-37. [PMID: 33401066 DOI: 10.1016/j.ejogrb.2020.12.045] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/08/2020] [Revised: 12/19/2020] [Accepted: 12/24/2020] [Indexed: 11/29/2022]
Abstract
OBJECTIVE To evaluate the clinical characteristics of maternal deaths with epilepsy in Turkey. STUDY DESIGN This epidemiological population-based study was conducted on all consecutive early maternal deaths with epilepsy in Turkey from 2012 to 2019. Maternal deaths accompanied by epilepsy as a comorbidity (n = 13) were evaluated separately. Epilepsy related maternal deaths were divided into two groups: 1) status epilepticus (n = 19) and 2) Sudden unexpected death in epilepsy (n = 19). Two groups were compared in terms of demographic features and clinical characteristics. RESULTS Maternal deaths with epilepsy ranged between 2.5 % and 5.3 % among total maternal deaths. Pulmonary embolism (32 %), cerebrovascular event (23 %), and cerebral vein thrombosis (15.4 %) were the leading mortality reasons in maternal deaths accompanied by epilepsy. Epilepsy duration, the time interval between pregnancy and the last epileptic seizure, compatibility with medication, rates of preconceptional counseling, and regular antenatal follow-up were all significantly higher in the sudden unexpected death in epilepsy group. The perinatal complication rate was significantly higher in the status epilepticus group (p > 0.05). CONCLUSION Physicians who deal with pregnant women with epilepsy should be attentive for severe complications and the increased risk of maternal mortality in these cases should be kept in mind.
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Affiliation(s)
- Aykan Yucel
- Turkish Public Health Agency, Preliminary Investigation Committee for Maternal Deaths, Turkish Ministry of Health, Ankara, Turkey; University of Health Sciences, Turkish Ministry of Health Ankara City Hospital, Ankara, Turkey
| | - Atakan Tanacan
- Turkish Public Health Agency, Preliminary Investigation Committee for Maternal Deaths, Turkish Ministry of Health, Ankara, Turkey.
| | - Funda Atalay
- Turkish Public Health Agency, Preliminary Investigation Committee for Maternal Deaths, Turkish Ministry of Health, Ankara, Turkey
| | - Orhan Altinboga
- Turkish Public Health Agency, Preliminary Investigation Committee for Maternal Deaths, Turkish Ministry of Health, Ankara, Turkey
| | - Zuhal Koksal
- Turkish Public Health Agency, Preliminary Investigation Committee for Maternal Deaths, Turkish Ministry of Health, Ankara, Turkey
| | - Meltem Buz Baydilli
- Turkish Public Health Agency, Preliminary Investigation Committee for Maternal Deaths, Turkish Ministry of Health, Ankara, Turkey
| | - Meral Esen
- Turkish Public Health Agency, Preliminary Investigation Committee for Maternal Deaths, Turkish Ministry of Health, Ankara, Turkey
| | - Yurdum Karabacak
- Turkish Public Health Agency, Preliminary Investigation Committee for Maternal Deaths, Turkish Ministry of Health, Ankara, Turkey
| | - Veli Dundar Ongun
- Turkish Public Health Agency, Preliminary Investigation Committee for Maternal Deaths, Turkish Ministry of Health, Ankara, Turkey
| | - Tuba Esra Sahlar
- Turkish Public Health Agency, Preliminary Investigation Committee for Maternal Deaths, Turkish Ministry of Health, Ankara, Turkey
| | - Bekir Keskinkilic
- Turkish Public Health Agency, Preliminary Investigation Committee for Maternal Deaths, Turkish Ministry of Health, Ankara, Turkey
| | - Fatih Kara
- Turkish Public Health Agency, Preliminary Investigation Committee for Maternal Deaths, Turkish Ministry of Health, Ankara, Turkey
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16
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Schreiber JM, Frank LH, Kroner BL, Bumbut A, Ismail MO, Gaillard WD. Children with refractory epilepsy demonstrate alterations in myocardial strain. Epilepsia 2020; 61:2234-2243. [PMID: 33053223 DOI: 10.1111/epi.16652] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/23/2019] [Revised: 06/18/2020] [Accepted: 07/24/2020] [Indexed: 11/30/2022]
Abstract
OBJECTIVE To test whether children with epilepsy have impairments in myocardial mechanics compared to controls without epilepsy. METHODS Children with refractory epilepsy with epilepsy duration of at least 3 years underwent echocardiography including conventional measurements and speckle tracking to assess longitudinal and circumferential strain. Parent-completed surveys, capturing critical aspects of the children's seizure history and cardiac risk factors, complemented retrospective chart reviews, which also included antiepileptic drug history. Normal echocardiograms from controls, matched for age and gender, were obtained from our institutional database and evaluated for strain. RESULTS Forty-one patients (median age = 10 years, interquartile range [IQR] = 5-15; 58.5% male) were enrolled. Epilepsy etiology included genetic (n = 26), structural (n = 6), genetic and structural (n = 5), infection (n = 3), and unknown (n = 1). No cardiac structural abnormalities were identified. Both longitudinal and circumferential strain were impaired (P < .03) in patients compared to controls (median [IQR] = 22.7% [21.2-24.2] vs 23.6% [22.2-26.1] and 22.0% [20.3-25.4] vs 24.5% [22.3-27.0], respectively), indicating decreased myocardial deformation/contraction. Shortening fraction was higher in patients (37.6% [35.7-39.7] vs 34.9% [32.5-38.7], P = .009); mitral valve E wave inflow velocity (84.8 cm/s [78.4-92.8] vs 97.2 cm/s [85.9-105.8], P = .005) and tissue Doppler lateral E' wave (13.9 cm/s [12.3-16.1] vs 17.3 cm/s [15.4-18.5], P < .001) were decreased compared to controls. Findings were similar in the pairs with epilepsy patients distinguished by the ability to independently ambulate. There was no difference between patients and controls in ejection fraction. Among the epilepsy patients, there were no associations between cardiac measurements and epilepsy characteristics, including seizure type and frequency and cardiotoxic antiseizure medication exposure after correction for multiple comparisons. SIGNIFICANCE Children with refractory epilepsy had impaired systolic ventricular strain compared to controls, not correlated with epilepsy history. Further studies are needed to determine the significance of these changes.
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Affiliation(s)
- John M Schreiber
- Department of Neurology, Children's National Hospital, Washington, District of Columbia, USA
| | - Lowell H Frank
- Department of Cardiology, Children's National Hospital, Washington, District of Columbia, USA
| | - Barbara L Kroner
- Division of Biostatistics and Epidemiology, RTI International, Rockville, Maryland, USA
| | - Adrian Bumbut
- Department of Neurology, Children's National Hospital, Washington, District of Columbia, USA
| | - Moussa O Ismail
- Department of Cardiology, Children's National Hospital, Washington, District of Columbia, USA
| | - William D Gaillard
- Department of Neurology, Children's National Hospital, Washington, District of Columbia, USA
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17
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Banfi P, Coll M, Oliva A, Alcalde M, Striano P, Mauri M, Princiotta L, Campuzano O, Versino M, Brugada R. Lamotrigine induced Brugada-pattern in a patient with genetic epilepsy associated with a novel variant in SCN9A. Gene 2020; 754:144847. [PMID: 32531456 DOI: 10.1016/j.gene.2020.144847] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/07/2020] [Revised: 05/22/2020] [Accepted: 06/02/2020] [Indexed: 01/28/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND A 30-year-old man presented with intellectual disability associated with epilepsy. The epilepsy was initially treated with sodium valproate and since he was 28 years-old with lamotrigine. With the addition of lamotrigine, a pattern of Brugada syndrome appeared on the electrocardiogram. The family history was positive for epilepsy from the motheŕs side, who had never been treated with lamotrigine. OBJECTIVE Determine the genetic cause of the intellectual disability, epilepsy and Brugada syndrome of the patient and try to establish a possible correlation between the genetic background and the Brugada syndrome pattern under lamotrigine treatment. METHODS A standard karyotype, array comparative genomic hybridization and two different NGS panels have done to the index case to identify the genetic causes of the intellectual disability, epilepsy and Brugada syndrome pattern. RESULTS Genetic analyses in the family identified a de novo duplication of 1.3 Mb in 8p21.3 as well as two novel heterozygous rare variants in SCN9A and AKAP9 genes, both inherited from the mother. CONCLUSION We hypothesize that in this family the SCN9A variant was responsible for the epileptic syndrome. In addition, given that SCN9A is lightly expressed in the heart tissue, we postulate that this SCN9A variant, alone or in combination with AKAP9 variant, might be responsible for the Brugada pattern when challenged by lamotrigine.
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Affiliation(s)
- P Banfi
- Neurology and Stroke Unit Divison, Circolo Hospital ASST Settelaghi University of Insubria Varese, Italy
| | - M Coll
- Cardiovascular Genetics Center, University of Girona-IDIBGI, Girona, Spain
| | - A Oliva
- Institute of Public Health, Section of Legal Medicine, Catholic University, Rome, Italy
| | - M Alcalde
- Cardiovascular Genetics Center, University of Girona-IDIBGI, Girona, Spain
| | - P Striano
- Pediatric Neurology and Muscular Diseases Unit, Department of Neurosciences, Rehabilitation, Ophthalmology, Genetics, Maternal and Child Health, University of Genoa, "G. Gaslini" Institute, Genova, Italy
| | - M Mauri
- Neurology and Stroke Unit Divison, Circolo Hospital ASST Settelaghi University of Insubria Varese, Italy
| | - L Princiotta
- Neurology and Stroke Unit Divison, Circolo Hospital ASST Settelaghi University of Insubria Varese, Italy
| | - O Campuzano
- Cardiovascular Genetics Center, University of Girona-IDIBGI, Girona, Spain; Centro de Investigación Biomédica en Red de Enfermedades Cardiovasculares (CIBERCV), Madrid, Spain; Medical Science Department, School of Medicine, University of Girona, Girona, Spain
| | - M Versino
- Neurology and Stroke Unit Divison, Circolo Hospital ASST Settelaghi University of Insubria Varese, Italy
| | - R Brugada
- Cardiovascular Genetics Center, University of Girona-IDIBGI, Girona, Spain; Centro de Investigación Biomédica en Red de Enfermedades Cardiovasculares (CIBERCV), Madrid, Spain; Medical Science Department, School of Medicine, University of Girona, Girona, Spain; Cardiology Service, Hospital JosepTrueta, University of Girona, Girona, Spain.
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18
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Geng Y, Hou X. KCNQ2-Neonatal Epileptic Encephalopathy Complicated by Ventricular Tachycardia: A Case Report. Front Neurol 2020; 11:263. [PMID: 32362866 PMCID: PMC7180217 DOI: 10.3389/fneur.2020.00263] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/18/2019] [Accepted: 03/20/2020] [Indexed: 12/29/2022] Open
Abstract
Introduction: Mutations in KCNQ2 are related to a spectrum of neonatal epileptic phenotypes. Here we report a case of KCNQ2-related neonatal epileptic encephalopathy (KCNQ2-NEE) that is complicated by an incidentally found ventricular tachycardia. Case Presentation: An infant boy presented with very early onset refractory focal tonic seizures and developmental delay, and was diagnosed with epilepsy. Trio-whole exome sequencing identified a previously reported de novo mutation in KCNQ2 [c.794C>T; p. (Ala265Val)], a known pathogenic variant for KCNQ2-NEE. Interestingly, ventricular tachycardia was incidentally found on electrocardiography. Conclusions: We here suggest the possibility of a potential electrophysiologic link between the two phenotypes and that they may be attributable to the same de novo mutation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yuehang Geng
- Department of Pediatrics, Peking University First Hospital, Beijing, China
| | - Xinlin Hou
- Department of Pediatrics, Peking University First Hospital, Beijing, China
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19
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Ge Y, Ding D, Zhu G, Kwan P, Wang W, Hong Z, Sander JW. Genetic variants in incident SUDEP cases from a community-based prospective cohort with epilepsy. J Neurol Neurosurg Psychiatry 2020; 91:126-131. [PMID: 31776209 DOI: 10.1136/jnnp-2019-321983] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/04/2019] [Revised: 10/21/2019] [Accepted: 11/05/2019] [Indexed: 11/03/2022]
Abstract
OBJECTIVE Sudden unexpected death in epilepsy (SUDEP) is a leading cause of epilepsy-related mortality in young adults. It has been suggested that SUDEP may kill over 20 000 people with epilepsy in China yearly. The aetiology of SUDEP is unclear. Little is known about candidate genes for SUDEP in people of Chinese origin as most studies have ascertained this in Caucasians. No candidate genes for SUDEP in Chinese people have been identified. METHODS We performed whole exome sequencing (WES) in DNA samples collected from five incident cases of SUDEP identified in a large epilepsy cohort in rural China. We filtered rare variants identified from these cases as well as screened for SUDEP, epilepsy, heart disease or respiratory disease-related genes from previous published reports and compared them with publicly available data, living epilepsy controls and ethnicity-match non-epilepsy controls, to identify potential candidate genes for SUDEP. RESULTS After the filtering process, the five cases carried 168 qualified mutations in 167 genes. Among these genetic anomalies, we identified rare variants in SCN5A (1/5:20% in our cases), KIF6 (1/5:20% in our cases) and TBX18 (1/5:20% in our cases) which were absent in 330 living epilepsy control alleles from the same original cohort and 320 ethnicity-match non-epilepsy control alleles. CONCLUSIONS These three genes were previously related to heart disease, providing support to the hypothesis that underlying heart disorder may be a driver of SUDEP risk.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yan Ge
- Department of Neurology, Huashan Hospital, Fudan University, Shanghai, China
| | - Ding Ding
- Institute of Neurology, WHO Collaborating Center for Research and Training in Neurosciences, Huashan Hospital, Fudan University, Shanghai, China
| | - Guoxing Zhu
- Department of Neurology, Huashan Hospital, Fudan University, Shanghai, China
| | - Patrick Kwan
- Department of Neuroscience, Central Clinical School, Monash University, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia
| | - Wenzhi Wang
- Beijing Neurosurgical Institute, Capital Medical University, Beijing, China
| | - Zhen Hong
- Institute of Neurology, WHO Collaborating Center for Research and Training in Neurosciences, Huashan Hospital, Fudan University, Shanghai, China
| | - Josemir W Sander
- NIHR University College London Hospitals Biomedical Research Centre, UCL Queen Square Institute of Neurology, London, United Kingdom.,Stichting Epilepsie Instellingen Nederland (SEIN), Heemstede, the Netherlands
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20
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Yang BZ, Zhou H, Cheng Z, Kranzler HR, Gelernter J. Genomewide Gene-by-Sex Interaction Scans Identify ADGRV1 for Sex Differences in Opioid Dependent African Americans. Sci Rep 2019; 9:18070. [PMID: 31792237 PMCID: PMC6889277 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-019-53560-0] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/20/2019] [Accepted: 10/31/2019] [Indexed: 12/17/2022] Open
Abstract
Sex differences in opioid dependence (OD) are genetically influenced. We conducted genomewide gene-by-sex interaction scans for the DSM-IV diagnosis of OD in 8,387 African-American (AA) or European-American subjects (43.6% women; 4,715 OD subjects). Among AAs, 9 SNPs were genome-wide significant at ADGRV1 (adhesion G-protein-coupled receptor V1, lead-SNP rs2366929*(C/T), p = 1.5 × 10-9) for sex-different risk of OD, with the rs2366929*C-allele increasing OD risk only for men. The top co-expressions in brain were between ADGRV1 and GRIK2 in substantia nigra and medullary inferior olivary nucleus, and between ADGRV1 and EFHC2 in frontal cortex and putamen. Significant sex-differential ADGRV1 expression from GTEx was detected in breast (Bonferroni-corrected-p < 0.002) and in heart (p < 0.0125), with nominal significance identified in brain, thyroid, lung, and stomach (p < 0.05). ADGRV1 co-expression and disease-enrichment analysis identifying the top 10 diseases showed strikingly sexually dimorphic risks. The enrichment and transcriptome analyses provided convergent support that ADGRV1 exerts a sex-different effect on OD risk. This is the first study to identify genetic variants contributing to sex differences in OD. It shows that ADGRV1 contributes to OD risk only in AA men, a finding that warrants further study.
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Affiliation(s)
- Bao-Zhu Yang
- Yale University School of Medicine, Department of Psychiatry, New Haven, CT, USA
- VA Connecticut Healthcare System, Department of Psychiatry, West Haven, CT, USA
| | - Hang Zhou
- Yale University School of Medicine, Department of Psychiatry, New Haven, CT, USA
- VA Connecticut Healthcare System, Department of Psychiatry, West Haven, CT, USA
| | - Zhongshan Cheng
- Yale University School of Medicine, Department of Psychiatry, New Haven, CT, USA
- VA Connecticut Healthcare System, Department of Psychiatry, West Haven, CT, USA
| | - Henry R Kranzler
- University of Pennsylvania Perelman School of Medicine, Department of Psychiatry, Philadelphia, PA, USA
- VISN 4 MIRECC, Crescenz Philadelphia VAMC, Philadelphia, PA, USA
| | - Joel Gelernter
- Yale University School of Medicine, Department of Psychiatry, New Haven, CT, USA.
- VA Connecticut Healthcare System, Department of Psychiatry, West Haven, CT, USA.
- Yale University School of Medicine, Departments of Genetics and Neuroscience, New Haven, CT, USA.
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Prüss H, Gessner G, Heinemann SH, Rüschendorf F, Ruppert AK, Schulz H, Sander T, Rimpau W. Linkage Evidence for a Two-Locus Inheritance of LQT-Associated Seizures in a Multigenerational LQT Family With a Novel KCNQ1 Loss-of-Function Mutation. Front Neurol 2019; 10:648. [PMID: 31293497 PMCID: PMC6603176 DOI: 10.3389/fneur.2019.00648] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/15/2018] [Accepted: 06/03/2019] [Indexed: 12/21/2022] Open
Abstract
Mutations in several genes encoding ion channels can cause the long-QT (LQT) syndrome with cardiac arrhythmias, syncope and sudden death. Recently, mutations in some of these genes were also identified to cause epileptic seizures in these patients, and the sudden unexplained death in epilepsy (SUDEP) was considered to be the pathologic overlap between the two clinical conditions. For LQT-associated KCNQ1 mutations, only few investigations reported the coincidence of cardiac dysfunction and epileptic seizures. Clinical, electrophysiological and genetic characterization of a large pedigree (n = 241 family members) with LQT syndrome caused by a 12-base-pair duplication in exon 8 of the KCNQ1 gene duplicating four amino acids in the carboxyterminal KCNQ1 domain (KCNQ1dup12; p.R360_Q361dupQKQR, NM_000218.2, hg19). Electrophysiological recordings revealed no substantial KCNQ1-like currents. The mutation did not exhibit a dominant negative effect on wild-type KCNQ1 channel function. Most likely, the mutant protein was not functionally expressed and thus not incorporated into a heteromeric channel tetramer. Many LQT family members suffered from syncopes or developed sudden death, often after physical activity. Of 26 family members with LQT, seizures were present in 14 (LQTplus seizure trait). Molecular genetic analyses confirmed a causative role of the novel KCNQ1dup12 mutation for the LQT trait and revealed a strong link also with the LQTplus seizure trait. Genome-wide parametric multipoint linkage analyses identified a second strong genetic modifier locus for the LQTplus seizure trait in the chromosomal region 10p14. The linkage results suggest a two-locus inheritance model for the LQTplus seizure trait in which both the KCNQ1dup12 mutation and the 10p14 risk haplotype are necessary for the occurrence of LQT-associated seizures. The data strongly support emerging concepts that KCNQ1 mutations may increase the risk of epilepsy, but additional genetic modifiers are necessary for the clinical manifestation of epileptic seizures.
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Affiliation(s)
- Harald Prüss
- Department of Neurology and Experimental Neurology, Charité - Universitätsmedizin Berlin, Berlin, Germany.,German Center for Neurodegenerative Diseases (DZNE) Berlin, Bonn, Germany
| | - Guido Gessner
- Department of Biophysics, Center for Molecular Biomedicine, Friedrich Schiller University Jena & Jena University Hospital, Jena, Germany
| | - Stefan H Heinemann
- Department of Biophysics, Center for Molecular Biomedicine, Friedrich Schiller University Jena & Jena University Hospital, Jena, Germany
| | | | | | - Herbert Schulz
- Cologne Center for Genomics, University of Cologne, Cologne, Germany
| | - Thomas Sander
- Cologne Center for Genomics, University of Cologne, Cologne, Germany
| | - Wilhelm Rimpau
- Department of Neurology and Experimental Neurology, Charité - Universitätsmedizin Berlin, Berlin, Germany
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22
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Sanchez-Larsen A, Fernandez-Perez I, Principe A, Ley M, Rocamora R. SUDEP in Spain: An Epilepsy Monitoring Unit based case series. Seizure 2019; 69:258-264. [DOI: 10.1016/j.seizure.2019.05.014] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/14/2019] [Revised: 05/13/2019] [Accepted: 05/15/2019] [Indexed: 11/28/2022] Open
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23
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Coll M, Oliva A, Grassi S, Brugada R, Campuzano O. Update on the Genetic Basis of Sudden Unexpected Death in Epilepsy. Int J Mol Sci 2019; 20:ijms20081979. [PMID: 31018519 PMCID: PMC6515014 DOI: 10.3390/ijms20081979] [Citation(s) in RCA: 26] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/21/2019] [Revised: 04/16/2019] [Accepted: 04/17/2019] [Indexed: 12/16/2022] Open
Abstract
Epilepsy is a common neurological disorder associated with increased morbidity and mortality. Sudden unexpected death in epilepsy, also known as SUDEP, is the main cause of death in patients with epilepsy. SUDEP has an incidence of 1.2 per 1000 person-years in adults and 0.2 per 1000 person-years in children. SUDEP accounts for 8-17% of deaths in patients with epilepsy. It is commonly associated with a history of generalized tonic-clonic seizures, and its risk may be increased by other factors such as postictal electroencephalographic suppression, prone sleeping position, altered heart rate variability, conduction abnormalities, gender, or antiepileptic medications. Recently, electrocardiograms, electroencephalograms, and imaging markers have helped clinicians stratify SUDEP risk and identify patients in need of close monitoring. However, the pathophysiology of SUDEP is likely multifactorial and still unknown. Improving the knowledge of SUDEP incidence, risk factors, and biomarkers can help design and implement effective prevention strategies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Monica Coll
- Cardiovascular Genetics Center, University of Girona-IDIBGI, 17003 Salt, Spain.
| | - Antonio Oliva
- Section of Legal Medicine, Institute of Public Health, Catholic University, Fondazione Policlinico A. Gemelli, Istituto di Ricovero e Cura a Carattere Scientifico, 00168 Rome, Italy.
| | - Simone Grassi
- Section of Legal Medicine, Institute of Public Health, Catholic University, Fondazione Policlinico A. Gemelli, Istituto di Ricovero e Cura a Carattere Scientifico, 00168 Rome, Italy.
| | - Ramon Brugada
- Cardiovascular Genetics Center, University of Girona-IDIBGI, 17003 Salt, Spain.
- Centro de Investigación Biomédica en Red de Enfermedades Cardiovasculares (CIBERCV), 28029 Madrid, Spain.
- Medical Science Department, School of Medicine, University of Girona, 17071 Girona, Spain.
- Cardiology Service, Hospital Josep Trueta, University of Girona, 17007 Girona, Spain.
| | - Oscar Campuzano
- Cardiovascular Genetics Center, University of Girona-IDIBGI, 17003 Salt, Spain.
- Centro de Investigación Biomédica en Red de Enfermedades Cardiovasculares (CIBERCV), 28029 Madrid, Spain.
- Medical Science Department, School of Medicine, University of Girona, 17071 Girona, Spain.
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24
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Scheiper S, Ramos-Luis E, Blanco-Verea A, Niess C, Beckmann BM, Schmidt U, Kettner M, Geisen C, Verhoff MA, Brion M, Kauferstein S. Sudden unexpected death in the young - Value of massive parallel sequencing in postmortem genetic analyses. Forensic Sci Int 2018; 293:70-76. [PMID: 30415094 DOI: 10.1016/j.forsciint.2018.09.034] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/16/2018] [Revised: 09/27/2018] [Accepted: 09/29/2018] [Indexed: 01/22/2023]
Abstract
Cases of sudden cardiac death (SCD) in young and apparently healthy individuals represent a devastating event in affected families. Hereditary arrhythmia syndromes, which include primary electrical heart disorders as well as cardiomyopathies, are known to contribute to a significant number of these sudden death cases. We performed postmortem genetic analyses in young sudden death cases (aged <45years) by means of a defined gene panel using massive parallel sequencing (MPS). The data were evaluated bioinformatically and detected sequence variants were assessed using common databases and applying in silico prediction tools. In this study, we identified variants with likely pathogenic effect in 6 of 9 sudden unexpected death (SUD) cases. Due to the detection of numerous unknown and unclassified variants, interpretation of the results proved to be challenging. However, by means of an appropriate evaluation of the findings, MPS represents an important tool to support the forensic investigation and implies great progress for relatives of young SCD victims facilitating adequate risk stratification and genetic counseling.
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Affiliation(s)
- Stefanie Scheiper
- Institute of Legal Medicine, University Hospital Frankfurt, Goethe University, Frankfurt, Germany; German Red Cross Blood Center, Institute of Transfusion Medicine and Immunohaematology, University Hospital Frankfurt, Frankfurt, Germany.
| | - Eva Ramos-Luis
- Xenética Cardiovascular, Instituto de Investigación Sanitaria de Santiago de Compostela, Complexo Hospitalario Universitario de Santiago de Compostela, Santiago de Compostela (A Coruña), Spain; Medicina Xenómica, Universidade de Santiago de Compostela-Fundación Pública Galega de Medicina Xenómica, Santiago de Compostela (A Coruña), Spain
| | - Alejandro Blanco-Verea
- Xenética Cardiovascular, Instituto de Investigación Sanitaria de Santiago de Compostela, Complexo Hospitalario Universitario de Santiago de Compostela, Santiago de Compostela (A Coruña), Spain; Medicina Xenómica, Universidade de Santiago de Compostela-Fundación Pública Galega de Medicina Xenómica, Santiago de Compostela (A Coruña), Spain
| | - Constanze Niess
- Institute of Legal Medicine, University Hospital Frankfurt, Goethe University, Frankfurt, Germany
| | - Britt-Maria Beckmann
- Department of Medicine I, University Hospital Munich, Ludwig Maximilians University, Munich, Germany
| | - Ulrike Schmidt
- Institute of Legal Medicine, Faculty of Medicine, University of Freiburg, Freiburg, Germany
| | - Mattias Kettner
- Institute of Legal Medicine, University Hospital Frankfurt, Goethe University, Frankfurt, Germany
| | - Christof Geisen
- German Red Cross Blood Center, Institute of Transfusion Medicine and Immunohaematology, University Hospital Frankfurt, Frankfurt, Germany
| | - Marcel A Verhoff
- Institute of Legal Medicine, University Hospital Frankfurt, Goethe University, Frankfurt, Germany
| | - Maria Brion
- Xenética Cardiovascular, Instituto de Investigación Sanitaria de Santiago de Compostela, Complexo Hospitalario Universitario de Santiago de Compostela, Santiago de Compostela (A Coruña), Spain; Medicina Xenómica, Universidade de Santiago de Compostela-Fundación Pública Galega de Medicina Xenómica, Santiago de Compostela (A Coruña), Spain
| | - Silke Kauferstein
- Institute of Legal Medicine, University Hospital Frankfurt, Goethe University, Frankfurt, Germany
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