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Donnellan EP, Kehoe C, Moran A, Ni Chollatain M, Hynes Y, Hennessy M, Reade E, Allen NM. The 2017 and 2022 ILAE epilepsy classification systems identify needs and opportunities in care: A paediatric hospital-based study. Epilepsy Behav 2024; 157:109804. [PMID: 38861909 DOI: 10.1016/j.yebeh.2024.109804] [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: 12/31/2023] [Revised: 03/08/2024] [Accepted: 04/17/2024] [Indexed: 06/13/2024]
Abstract
OBJECTIVES There is a paucity of studies reporting the epilepsy spectrum using the 2017 and 2022 ILAE classification systems in everyday clinical practice. To identify gaps and opportunities in care we evaluated a hospital-based cohort applying these epilepsy classification systems, including aetiology and co-morbidity, and the utility of molecular genetic diagnosis to identify available precision therapies. METHODS Cross sectional retrospective study of all children with epilepsy (≤16 years) attending University Hospital Galway (2017-2022). Data collection and analysis of each case was standardised to ensure a systematic approach and application of the recent ILAE categorisation and terminology (2017 and 2022). Ethics approval was obtained. RESULTS Among 356 children, epilepsy was classified as focal (46.1 %), generalised (38.8 %), combined (6.2 %), and unknown (9 %). Epilepsy syndrome was determined in 145/356 (40.7 %), comprising 24 different syndromes, most commonly SeLECTS (9 %), CAE (7 %), JAE (6.2 %) and IESS (5.9 %). New aetiology-specific syndromes were identified (e.g. CDKL5-DEE). Molecular diagnosis was confirmed in 19.9 % (n = 71) which encompassed monogenic (13.8 %) and chromosomopathy/CNV (6.2 %). There was an additional 35.7 % (n = 127) of patients who had a presumed genetic aetiology of epilepsy. Remaining aetiology included structural (18.8 %, n = 67), infectious (2 %, n = 7), metabolic (1.7 %, n = 6) and unknown (30.3 %, n = 108). Encephalopathy categorisation was determined in 182 patients (DE in 38.8 %; DEE in a further 11.8 %) associated with a range of co-morbidities categorised as global delay (29.2 %, n = 104), severe neurological impairment (16.3 %, n = 58), and ASD (14.6 %, n = 52). Molecular-based "precision therapy" was deemed available in 21/356 (5.9 %) patients, with "molecular precision" approach utilised in 13/356 (3.7 %), and some benefit noted in 6/356 (1.7 %) of overall cohort or 6/71 (8.5 %) of the molecular cohort. CONCLUSION Applying the latest ILAE epilepsy classification systems allow comparison across settings and identifies a major neuro-developmental co-morbidity rate and a large genetic aetiology. We identified very few meaningful molecular-based disease modifying "precision therapies". There is a monumental gap between aetiological identification, and impact of meaningful therapies, thus the new 2017/2022 classification clearly identifies the major challenges in the provision of routine epilepsy care.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Caroline Kehoe
- Department of Paediatrics, Galway University Hospital, Ireland
| | - Ailbhe Moran
- Department of Paediatrics, Galway University Hospital, Ireland
| | | | - Yvonne Hynes
- Department of Paediatrics, Galway University Hospital, Ireland
| | | | - Elaine Reade
- Department of Paediatrics, Galway University Hospital, Ireland
| | - Nicholas M Allen
- Department of Paediatrics, Galway University Hospital, Ireland; Department of Paediatrics, School of Medicine, University of Galway, Ireland
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Majethia P, Kaur N, Mascarenhas S, Rao LP, Pande S, Narayanan DL, Bhat V, Nayak SS, Nair KV, Prasannakumar AP, Chaurasia A, Hunakunti B, Jadhav N, Farooqui S, Yeole M, Kothiwale V, Naik R, Bhat V, Aroor S, Lewis L, Purkayastha J, Bhat YR, Praveen BK, Yatheesha BL, Patil SJ, Nampoothiri S, Kamath N, Siddiqui S, Bielas S, Girisha KM, Sharma S, Shukla A. Genetic and phenotypic landscape of pediatric-onset epilepsy in 142 Indian families: Counseling and therapeutic implications. Clin Genet 2024; 105:639-654. [PMID: 38374498 PMCID: PMC7615923 DOI: 10.1111/cge.14495] [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: 11/13/2023] [Revised: 01/13/2024] [Accepted: 01/23/2024] [Indexed: 02/21/2024]
Abstract
The application of genomic technologies has led to unraveling of the complex genetic landscape of disorders of epilepsy, gaining insights into their underlying disease mechanisms, aiding precision medicine, and providing informed genetic counseling. We herein present the phenotypic and genotypic insights from 142 Indian families with epilepsy with or without comorbidities. Based on the electroclinical findings, epilepsy syndrome diagnosis could be made in 44% (63/142) of the families adopting the latest proposal for the classification by the ILAE task force (2022). Of these, 95% (60/63) of the families exhibited syndromes with developmental epileptic encephalopathy or progressive neurological deterioration. A definitive molecular diagnosis was achieved in 74 of 142 (52%) families. Infantile-onset epilepsy was noted in 81% of these families (61/74). Fifty-five monogenic, four chromosomal, and one imprinting disorder were identified in 74 families. The genetic variants included 65 (96%) single-nucleotide variants/small insertion-deletions, 1 (2%) copy-number variant, and 1 (2%) triplet-repeat expansion in 53 epilepsy-associated genes causing monogenic disorders. Of these, 35 (52%) variants were novel. Therapeutic implications were noted in 51% of families (38/74) with definitive diagnosis. Forty-one out of 66 families with monogenic disorders exhibited autosomal recessive and inherited autosomal dominant disorders with high risk of recurrence.
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Affiliation(s)
- Purvi Majethia
- Department of Medical Genetics, Kasturba Medical College, Manipal, Manipal Academy of Higher Education, Manipal, India
| | - Namanpreet Kaur
- Department of Medical Genetics, Kasturba Medical College, Manipal, Manipal Academy of Higher Education, Manipal, India
| | - Selinda Mascarenhas
- Department of Medical Genetics, Kasturba Medical College, Manipal, Manipal Academy of Higher Education, Manipal, India
| | - Lakshmi Priya Rao
- Department of Medical Genetics, Kasturba Medical College, Manipal, Manipal Academy of Higher Education, Manipal, India
| | - Shruti Pande
- Department of Medical Genetics, Kasturba Medical College, Manipal, Manipal Academy of Higher Education, Manipal, India
| | - Dhanya Lakshmi Narayanan
- Department of Medical Genetics, Kasturba Medical College, Manipal, Manipal Academy of Higher Education, Manipal, India
| | - Vivekananda Bhat
- Department of Medical Genetics, Kasturba Medical College, Manipal, Manipal Academy of Higher Education, Manipal, India
| | - Shalini S. Nayak
- Department of Medical Genetics, Kasturba Medical College, Manipal, Manipal Academy of Higher Education, Manipal, India
| | - Karthik Vijay Nair
- Department of Medical Genetics, Kasturba Medical College, Manipal, Manipal Academy of Higher Education, Manipal, India
| | - Adarsh Pooradan Prasannakumar
- Department of Medical Genetics, Kasturba Medical College, Manipal, Manipal Academy of Higher Education, Manipal, India
| | - Ankur Chaurasia
- Department of Medical Genetics, Kasturba Medical College, Manipal, Manipal Academy of Higher Education, Manipal, India
- Division of Evolution, Infection and Genomics, School of Biological Sciences, Faculty of Biology, Medicine and Health, University of Manchester, Manchester, UK
| | - Bhagesh Hunakunti
- Department of Medical Genetics, Kasturba Medical College, Manipal, Manipal Academy of Higher Education, Manipal, India
| | - Nalesh Jadhav
- Department of Medical Genetics, Kasturba Medical College, Manipal, Manipal Academy of Higher Education, Manipal, India
| | - Sheeba Farooqui
- Department of Medical Genetics, Kasturba Medical College, Manipal, Manipal Academy of Higher Education, Manipal, India
| | - Mayuri Yeole
- Department of Medical Genetics, Kasturba Medical College, Manipal, Manipal Academy of Higher Education, Manipal, India
| | - Vishaka Kothiwale
- Department of Medical Genetics, Kasturba Medical College, Manipal, Manipal Academy of Higher Education, Manipal, India
| | - Rohit Naik
- Department of Medical Genetics, Kasturba Medical College, Manipal, Manipal Academy of Higher Education, Manipal, India
| | - Veena Bhat
- Department of Medical Genetics, Kasturba Medical College, Manipal, Manipal Academy of Higher Education, Manipal, India
| | - Shrikiran Aroor
- Department of Paediatrics, Kasturba Medical College, Manipal, Manipal Academy of Higher Education, Manipal, India
| | - Leslie Lewis
- Department of Paediatrics, Kasturba Medical College, Manipal, Manipal Academy of Higher Education, Manipal, India
| | - Jayashree Purkayastha
- Department of Paediatrics, Kasturba Medical College, Manipal, Manipal Academy of Higher Education, Manipal, India
| | - Y. Ramesh Bhat
- Department of Paediatrics, Kasturba Medical College, Manipal, Manipal Academy of Higher Education, Manipal, India
| | - B. K. Praveen
- Department of Pediatrics, Father Muller Medical College Hospital, Mangalore, India
| | - B. L. Yatheesha
- Paediatric neurology, Dheemahi Child Neurology and Development Center, Shimoga, India
| | - Siddaramappa J. Patil
- Division of Medical Genetics, Narayana Hrudayalaya Hospitals/Mazumdar-Shaw Medical Center, Bangalore, India
| | - Sheela Nampoothiri
- Department of Pediatric Genetics, Amrita Institute of Medical Sciences & Research Centre, Cochin, India
| | - Nutan Kamath
- Department of Paediatrics, Kasturba Medical College, Mangalore, Manipal Academy of Higher Education, Manipal, India
| | - Shahyan Siddiqui
- Department of Neuro and Vascular Interventional Radiology, Yashoda Hospitals, Hyderabad, India
| | - Stephanie Bielas
- Department of Human Genetics, University of Michigan Medical School, Ann Arbor, Michigan, USA
| | - Katta Mohan Girisha
- Department of Medical Genetics, Kasturba Medical College, Manipal, Manipal Academy of Higher Education, Manipal, India
- Suma Genomics Private Limited, Manipal Center for Biotherapeutics Research, Manipal Academy of Higher Education, Manipal, India
- Department of Genetics, College of Medicine & Health Sciences, Sultan Qaboos University, Muscat, Oman
| | - Suvasini Sharma
- Neurology Division, Department of Pediatrics, Lady Hardinge Medical College and Associated Kalawati Saran Children’s Hospital, New Delhi, India
| | - Anju Shukla
- Department of Medical Genetics, Kasturba Medical College, Manipal, Manipal Academy of Higher Education, Manipal, India
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Luiza Benevides M, de Moraes HT, Granados DMM, Bonadia LC, Sauma L, Augusta Montenegro M, Guerreiro MM, Lopes-Cendes Í, Carolina Coan A. Predictors of genetic diagnosis in individuals with developmental and epileptic encephalopathies. Epilepsy Behav 2024; 155:109762. [PMID: 38636144 DOI: 10.1016/j.yebeh.2024.109762] [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: 08/02/2023] [Revised: 11/29/2023] [Accepted: 03/23/2024] [Indexed: 04/20/2024]
Abstract
OBJECTIVE To evaluate the clinical predictors of positive genetic investigation in developmental and epileptic encephalopathies, beyond the influence of Dravet Syndrome. METHODS The study included 98 patients diagnosed with developmental and epileptic encephalopathies. The patients underwent Sanger sequencing of SCN1A, Chromosomal Microarray Analysis, and Whole Exome Sequencing. The association of clinical variables with a positive genetic test was investigated using univariate and multivariate analysis. RESULTS Genetic diagnosis was identified in 47 (48 %) patients with developmental and epileptic encephalopathies. Beyond Dravet Syndrome influence, first seizure in the context of fever (p < 0.01), seizures precipitated by temperature (p = 0.04), cognitive regression (p = 0.04), hypotonia (p < 0.01), and focal seizures (p = 0.03) increased the chances of a positive genetic investigation. In contrast, atonic seizures (p = 0.01) and generalized discharges on electroencephalogram (p = 0.02) decreased the chances. Dravet Syndrome was positively associated with a genetic developmental and epileptic encephalopathies etiology (p < 0.01), whereas epilepsy with myoclonic-atonic seizures (p = 0.01), developmental and epileptic encephalopathies with spike-wave activation in sleep (p = 0.04), and Lennox-Gastaut syndrome (p = 0.03) were negatively associated. In multivariate analysis, the first seizure in the context of fever (p < 0.01) and hypotonia (p = 0.02) were positively, and atonic seizures (p = 0.01) were negatively and independently associated with a genetic etiology. CONCLUSION The predictive variables of genetic investigation in developmental and epileptic encephalopathies are first seizure in the context of fever and hypotonia, whereas atonic seizures decrease the chances of finding a genetic cause for developmental and epileptic encephalopathies. Regarding epileptic syndromes, Dravet Syndrome is highly associated with a positive genetic test, whereas epilepsy with myoclonic-atonic seizures, developmental and epileptic encephalopathies with spike-wave activation in sleep, and Lennox-Gastaut syndrome are rarely associated with a positive genetic investigation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Maria Luiza Benevides
- Child Neurology Service, Department of Neurology, University of Campinas (UNICAMP), Campinas - São Paulo (SP), Brazil.
| | | | | | - Luciana C Bonadia
- Department of Translational Medicine, UNICAMP, Campinas - SP, Brazil.
| | - Letícia Sauma
- Child Neurology Service, Department of Neurology, University of Campinas (UNICAMP), Campinas - São Paulo (SP), Brazil.
| | | | - Marilisa M Guerreiro
- Child Neurology Service, Department of Neurology, University of Campinas (UNICAMP), Campinas - São Paulo (SP), Brazil; Brazilian Institute of Neuroscience and Neurotechnology, BRAINN, at UNICAMP, Campinas, SP, Brazil.
| | - Íscia Lopes-Cendes
- Department of Translational Medicine, UNICAMP, Campinas - SP, Brazil; Brazilian Institute of Neuroscience and Neurotechnology, BRAINN, at UNICAMP, Campinas, SP, Brazil.
| | - Ana Carolina Coan
- Child Neurology Service, Department of Neurology, University of Campinas (UNICAMP), Campinas - São Paulo (SP), Brazil; Brazilian Institute of Neuroscience and Neurotechnology, BRAINN, at UNICAMP, Campinas, SP, Brazil; Neuroimaging Laboratory, UNICAMP, Campinas, SP, Brazil.
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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 2024:10.1038/s41431-024-01582-2. [PMID: 38702429 DOI: 10.1038/s41431-024-01582-2] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [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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Zhang J, Liu X, Zhu G, Wan L, Liang Y, Li N, Huang M, Yang G. Expanding the clinical phenotype and genetic spectrum of GEMIN5 disorders: Early-infantile developmental and epileptic encephalopathies. Brain Behav 2024; 14:e3535. [PMID: 38773790 PMCID: PMC11109505 DOI: 10.1002/brb3.3535] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/20/2023] [Revised: 04/17/2024] [Accepted: 04/20/2024] [Indexed: 05/24/2024] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Several biallelic truncating and missense variants of the gem nuclear organelle-associated protein 5 (GEMIN5) gene have been reported to cause neurodevelopmental disorders characterized by cerebellar atrophy, intellectual disability, and motor dysfunction. However, the association between biallelic GEMIN5 variants and early-infantile developmental and epileptic encephalopathies (EIDEEs) has not been reported. PURPOSE This study aimed to expand the phenotypic spectrum of GEMIN5 and explore the correlations between epilepsy and molecular sub-regional locations. METHODS We performed whole-exome sequencing in two patients with EIDEE with unexplained etiologies. The damaging effects of variants were predicted using multiple in silico tools and modeling. All reported patients with GEMIN5 pathogenic variants and detailed neurological phenotypes were analyzed to evaluate the genotype-phenotype relationship. RESULTS Novel biallelic GEMIN5 variants were identified in two unrelated female patients with EIDEE, including a frameshift variant (Hg19, chr5:154284147-154284148delCT: NM_015465: c.2551_c.2552delCT: p.(Leu851fs*30)), a nonsense mutation (Hg19, chr5:154299603-154299603delTinsAGA: NM_015465: c.1523delTinsAGA: p.(Leu508*)), and two missense variants (Hg19, chr5:154282663T > A: NM_015465: c.2705T > A: p.(Leu902Gln) and Hg19, chr5:154281002C > G: NM_015465: c.2911C > G: p.(Gln971Glu)), which were inherited from asymptomatic parents and predicted to be damaging or probably damaging using in silico tools. Except p.Leu508*, all these mutations are located in tetratricopeptide repeat (TPR) domain. Our two female patients presented with seizures less than 1 month after birth, followed by clusters of spasms. Brain magnetic resonance imaging suggests dysgenesis of the corpus callosum and cerebellar hypoplasia. Video electroencephalogram showed suppression-bursts. Through a literature review, we found 5 published papers reporting 48 patients with biallelic variants in GEMIN5. Eight of 48 patients have epilepsy, and 5 patients started before 1 year old, which reminds us of the relevance between GEMIN5 variants and EIDEE. Further analysis of the 49 GEMIN5 variants in those 50 patients demonstrated that variants in TPR-like domain or RBS domain were more likely to be associated with epilepsy. CONCLUSIONS We found novel biallelic variants of GEMIN5 in two individuals with EIDEE and expanded the clinical phenotypes of GEMIN5 variants. It is suggested that the GEMIN5 gene should be added to the EIDEE gene panel to aid in the clinical diagnosis of EIDEE and to help determine patient prognosis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jing Zhang
- Senior Department of Pediatrics, The Seventh Medical Center of Chinese PLA General HospitalBeijingChina
- Department of Pediatrics, The First Medical Center of Chinese PLA General HospitalBeijingChina
- Medical School of Chinese People's Liberation ArmyBeijingChina
| | - Xinting Liu
- Senior Department of Pediatrics, The Seventh Medical Center of Chinese PLA General HospitalBeijingChina
- Department of Pediatrics, The First Medical Center of Chinese PLA General HospitalBeijingChina
- Medical School of Chinese People's Liberation ArmyBeijingChina
| | - Gang Zhu
- Senior Department of Pediatrics, The Seventh Medical Center of Chinese PLA General HospitalBeijingChina
- Department of Pediatrics, The First Medical Center of Chinese PLA General HospitalBeijingChina
- Medical School of Chinese People's Liberation ArmyBeijingChina
| | - Lin Wan
- Senior Department of Pediatrics, The Seventh Medical Center of Chinese PLA General HospitalBeijingChina
- Department of Pediatrics, The First Medical Center of Chinese PLA General HospitalBeijingChina
- Medical School of Chinese People's Liberation ArmyBeijingChina
| | - Yan Liang
- Senior Department of Pediatrics, The Seventh Medical Center of Chinese PLA General HospitalBeijingChina
- Department of Pediatrics, The First Medical Center of Chinese PLA General HospitalBeijingChina
- Medical School of Chinese People's Liberation ArmyBeijingChina
| | - Nannan Li
- Aegicare (Shenzhen) Technology Co., LtdShenzhenChina
| | - Mingwei Huang
- Aegicare (Shenzhen) Technology Co., LtdShenzhenChina
| | - Guang Yang
- Senior Department of Pediatrics, The Seventh Medical Center of Chinese PLA General HospitalBeijingChina
- Department of Pediatrics, The First Medical Center of Chinese PLA General HospitalBeijingChina
- Medical School of Chinese People's Liberation ArmyBeijingChina
- The Second School of Clinical MedicineSouthern Medical UniversityGuangzhouChina
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Zaker E, Nouri N, Movahedinia M, Dadbinpour A, Vahidi Mehrjardi MY. Type 1 early infantile epileptic encephalopathy: A case report and literature review. Mol Genet Genomic Med 2024; 12:e2412. [PMID: 38400608 PMCID: PMC10891437 DOI: 10.1002/mgg3.2412] [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: 04/08/2023] [Revised: 02/09/2024] [Accepted: 02/13/2024] [Indexed: 02/25/2024] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Variants in the Aristaless-related homeobox (ARX) gene lead to a variety of phenotypes, with intellectual disability being a steady feature. Other features can include severe epilepsy, spasticity, movement disorders, hydranencephaly, and ambiguous genitalia in males. X-linked Ohtahara syndrome or Type 1 early infantile epileptic encephalopathy (EIEE1) is a severe early-onset epileptic encephalopathy with arrested psychomotor development caused by hemizygous mutations in the ARX gene, which encodes a transcription factor in fundamental brain developmental processes. METHODS We presented a case report of a 2-year-old boy who exhibited symptoms such as microcephaly, seizures, and severe multifocal epileptic abnormalities, and genetic techniques such as autozygosity mapping, Sanger sequencing, and whole-exome sequencing. RESULTS We confirmed that the patient had the NM_139058.3:c.84C>A; p.(Cys28Ter) mutation in the ARX gene. CONCLUSION The patient with EIEE1 had physical symptoms and hypsarrhythmia on electroencephalogram. Genetic testing identified a causative mutation in the ARX gene, emphasizing the role of genetic testing in EIEE diagnosis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Erfan Zaker
- Department of Medical Genetics, Faculty of MedicineShahid Sadoughi University of Medical SciencesYazdIran
| | - Negar Nouri
- Department of Medical Genetics, Faculty of MedicineShahid Sadoughi University of Medical SciencesYazdIran
| | - Mojtaba Movahedinia
- Department of Children Growth Disorder Research CenterShahid Sadoughi University of Medical SciencesYazdIran
| | - Ali Dadbinpour
- Department of Medical GeneticsSchool of MedicineShahid Sadoughi University of Medical SciencesYazdIran
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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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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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9
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LaFlamme CW, Rastin C, Sengupta S, Pennington HE, Russ-Hall SJ, Schneider AL, Bonkowski ES, Almanza Fuerte EP, Galey M, Goffena J, Gibson SB, Allan TJ, Nyaga DM, Lieffering N, Hebbar M, Walker EV, Darnell D, Olsen SR, Kolekar P, Djekidel N, Rosikiewicz W, McConkey H, Kerkhof J, Levy MA, Relator R, Lev D, Lerman-Sagie T, Park KL, Alders M, Cappuccio G, Chatron N, Demain L, Genevieve D, Lesca G, Roscioli T, Sanlaville D, Tedder ML, Hubshman MW, Ketkar S, Dai H, Worley KC, Rosenfeld JA, Chao HT, Neale G, Carvill GL, Wang Z, Berkovic SF, Sadleir LG, Miller DE, Scheffer IE, Sadikovic B, Mefford HC. Diagnostic Utility of Genome-wide DNA Methylation Analysis in Genetically Unsolved Developmental and Epileptic Encephalopathies and Refinement of a CHD2 Episignature. MEDRXIV : THE PREPRINT SERVER FOR HEALTH SCIENCES 2023:2023.10.11.23296741. [PMID: 37873138 PMCID: PMC10592992 DOI: 10.1101/2023.10.11.23296741] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/25/2023]
Abstract
Sequence-based genetic testing currently identifies causative genetic variants in ∼50% of individuals with developmental and epileptic encephalopathies (DEEs). Aberrant changes in DNA methylation are implicated in various neurodevelopmental disorders but remain unstudied in DEEs. Rare epigenetic variations ("epivariants") can drive disease by modulating gene expression at single loci, whereas genome-wide DNA methylation changes can result in distinct "episignature" biomarkers for monogenic disorders in a growing number of rare diseases. Here, we interrogate the diagnostic utility of genome-wide DNA methylation array analysis on peripheral blood samples from 516 individuals with genetically unsolved DEEs who had previously undergone extensive genetic testing. We identified rare differentially methylated regions (DMRs) and explanatory episignatures to discover causative and candidate genetic etiologies in 10 individuals. We then used long-read sequencing to identify DNA variants underlying rare DMRs, including one balanced translocation, three CG-rich repeat expansions, and two copy number variants. We also identify pathogenic sequence variants associated with episignatures; some had been missed by previous exome sequencing. Although most DEE genes lack known episignatures, the increase in diagnostic yield for DNA methylation analysis in DEEs is comparable to the added yield of genome sequencing. Finally, we refine an episignature for CHD2 using an 850K methylation array which was further refined at higher CpG resolution using bisulfite sequencing to investigate potential insights into CHD2 pathophysiology. Our study demonstrates the diagnostic yield of genome-wide DNA methylation analysis to identify causal and candidate genetic causes as ∼2% (10/516) for unsolved DEE cases.
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Pinto GMDMMF, Fidalski SZK, Santos MLSF, de Souza J, do Valle DA. Predictive factors of genetic diagnosis and real-life impact of next-generation sequencing for children with epilepsy. Epileptic Disord 2023; 25:724-730. [PMID: 37518897 DOI: 10.1002/epd2.20131] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/25/2023] [Revised: 07/10/2023] [Accepted: 07/12/2023] [Indexed: 08/01/2023]
Abstract
OBJECTIVE Identify the predictive variables of genetic pathogenic results and the impact of test results on epilepsy diagnosis and management. METHODS Analytical observational design evaluated 130 patients with epilepsy that had performed genetic testing over January 2017 to July 2022. RESULTS There was a gradual increase in the number of exams performed over the years. The frequency of pathogenic results was 34% (n = 44/130), 8 altered genes with 54% (n = 24/44) of the results. The tests were more positive in patients with developmental delay and/or regression (p = .01). None of the other factors analyzed were associated with higher diagnostic yield. The age at onset of epilepsy brought diagnostic yield to the test (p = .041). Patients with negative genetic test had a reduction in the number of electroencephalograms performed before and after the test (respectively, 3.80 ± 6.37 and .84 ± 1.67; p < .001). SIGNIFICANCE Facing a large proportion of patients with unexplained epilepsy have a genetic cause a genetic test has the potential to reduce the use of unnecessary diagnostic tests, improve patient outcomes by identifying targeted treatments, and provide families with genetic counseling and risk assessment. But an early genetic testing can be crucial to reach these goals. Even in cases where the genetic test is negative, the study suggests that it still has important implications for patient care and management.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | | | - Josiane de Souza
- Department of Clinical Genetics, Hospital Pequeno Principe, Curitiba, Brazil
| | - Daniel Almeida do Valle
- Department of Pediatric Neurology, Hospital Pequeno Principe, Curitiba, Brazil
- Universidade Positivo, Curitiba, Brazil
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11
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Rastin C, Schenkel LC, Sadikovic B. Complexity in Genetic Epilepsies: A Comprehensive Review. Int J Mol Sci 2023; 24:14606. [PMID: 37834053 PMCID: PMC10572646 DOI: 10.3390/ijms241914606] [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: 07/27/2023] [Revised: 09/22/2023] [Accepted: 09/25/2023] [Indexed: 10/15/2023] Open
Abstract
Epilepsy is a highly prevalent neurological disorder, affecting between 5-8 per 1000 individuals and is associated with a lifetime risk of up to 3%. In addition to high incidence, epilepsy is a highly heterogeneous disorder, with variation including, but not limited to the following: severity, age of onset, type of seizure, developmental delay, drug responsiveness, and other comorbidities. Variable phenotypes are reflected in a range of etiologies including genetic, infectious, metabolic, immune, acquired/structural (resulting from, for example, a severe head injury or stroke), or idiopathic. This review will focus specifically on epilepsies with a genetic cause, genetic testing, and biomarkers in epilepsy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Cassandra Rastin
- Molecular Genetics Laboratory, Molecular Diagnostics Division, London Health Sciences Centre, London, ON N6A 5W9, Canada
- Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine, Western University, London, ON N6A 3K7, Canada
| | - Laila C. Schenkel
- Molecular Genetics Laboratory, Molecular Diagnostics Division, London Health Sciences Centre, London, ON N6A 5W9, Canada
- Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine, Western University, London, ON N6A 3K7, Canada
| | - Bekim Sadikovic
- Molecular Genetics Laboratory, Molecular Diagnostics Division, London Health Sciences Centre, London, ON N6A 5W9, Canada
- Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine, Western University, London, ON N6A 3K7, Canada
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Asadi-Pooya AA. Precision Medicine in Epilepsy Management; GET Application (Gene, Epilepsy, Treatment). Clin Neuropharmacol 2023; 46:95-97. [PMID: 37191562 DOI: 10.1097/wnf.0000000000000549] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 04/12/2023]
Abstract
OBJECTIVES The aim was to develop a prototype of an application (app) that identifies the significance of discovered genes for further consideration in the treatment plan of patients with epilepsy (precision medicine). METHODS MEDLINE was systematically searched for related publications from inception to April 1, 2022. The following search strategy was implemented (title/abstract): "epilepsy" AND "precision" AND "medicine." The following data were extracted: genes, phenotypes associated with those genes, and the recommended treatments. Two other databases were searched to cross-check the retrieved data and add to the data: https://www.genecards.org and https://medlineplus.gov/genetics. Also, the original articles of the identified genes were retrieved. Genes with specific treatment strategies (ie, any specific drug to be selected or to be avoided and also any other specific therapies [eg, diets, supplements, etc]) were selected. RESULTS A database of 93 genes, which are associated with various epilepsy syndromes and for which specific treatment strategies have been suggested, was developed. CONCLUSIONS A Web-based app (a search engine) was developed accordingly that is freely available at http://get.yektaparnian.ir/, GET (Gene, Epilepsy, Treatment). When a patient comes to the clinic with a genetic diagnosis and a specific gene is identified, the physician enters the gene name into the search box, and the app shows whether this genetic epilepsy needs a specific treatment. This endeavor would benefit from input by experts in the field, and the Web site should be developed more comprehensively.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ali A Asadi-Pooya
- Shiraz University of Medical Sciences, Shiraz, Iran; and Thomas Jefferson University, Philadelphia, PA
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Chang YT, Hong SY, Lin WD, Lin CH, Lin SS, Tsai FJ, Chou IC. Genetic Testing in Children with Developmental and Epileptic Encephalopathies: A Review of Advances in Epilepsy Genomics. CHILDREN 2023; 10:children10030556. [PMID: 36980114 PMCID: PMC10047509 DOI: 10.3390/children10030556] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/21/2023] [Revised: 03/11/2023] [Accepted: 03/13/2023] [Indexed: 03/17/2023]
Abstract
Advances in disease-related gene discovery have led to tremendous innovations in the field of epilepsy genetics. Identification of genetic mutations that cause epileptic encephalopathies has opened new avenues for the development of targeted therapies. Clinical testing using extensive gene panels, exomes, and genomes is currently accessible and has resulted in higher rates of diagnosis and better comprehension of the disease mechanisms underlying the condition. Children with developmental disabilities have a higher risk of developing epilepsy. As our understanding of the mechanisms underlying encephalopathies and epilepsies improves, there may be greater potential to develop innovative therapies tailored to an individual’s genotype. This article provides an overview of the significant progress in epilepsy genomics in recent years, with a focus on developmental and epileptic encephalopathies in children. The aim of this review is to enhance comprehension of the clinical utilization of genetic testing in this particular patient population. The development of effective and precise therapeutic strategies for epileptic encephalopathies may be facilitated by a comprehensive understanding of their molecular pathogenesis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yu-Tzu Chang
- School of Post Baccalaureate Chinese Medicine, China Medical University, Taichung 40447, Taiwan; (Y.-T.C.)
- Division of Pediatric Neurology, China Medical University Children’s Hospital, Taichung 40447, Taiwan
| | - Syuan-Yu Hong
- Division of Pediatric Neurology, China Medical University Children’s Hospital, Taichung 40447, Taiwan
- Department of Medicine, School of Medicine, China Medical University, Taichung 40447, Taiwan
- Graduate Institute of Biomedical Sciences, China Medical University, Taichung 40447, Taiwan
| | - Wei-De Lin
- School of Post Baccalaureate Chinese Medicine, China Medical University, Taichung 40447, Taiwan; (Y.-T.C.)
- Department of Medical Research, China Medical University Hospital, Taichung 40447, Taiwan
| | - Chien-Heng Lin
- Division of Pediatric Pulmonology, China Medical University Children’s Hospital, Taichung 40447, Taiwan
- Department of Biomedical Imaging and Radiological Science, College of Medicine, China Medial University, Taichung 40447, Taiwan
| | - Sheng-Shing Lin
- School of Post Baccalaureate Chinese Medicine, China Medical University, Taichung 40447, Taiwan; (Y.-T.C.)
- Division of Pediatric Neurology, China Medical University Children’s Hospital, Taichung 40447, Taiwan
| | - Fuu-Jen Tsai
- Department of Medical Research, China Medical University Hospital, Taichung 40447, Taiwan
- Division of Genetics and Metabolism, China Medical University Children’s Hospital, Taichung 40447, Taiwan
- Department of Medical Genetics, China Medical University Hospital, Taichung 40447, Taiwan
- School of Chinese Medicine, China Medical University, Taichung 40447, Taiwan
- Department of Medical Laboratory Science and Biotechnology, Asia University, Taichung 40447, Taiwan
| | - I-Ching Chou
- Division of Pediatric Neurology, China Medical University Children’s Hospital, Taichung 40447, Taiwan
- Graduate Institute of Integrated Medicine, China Medical University, Taichung 40447, Taiwan
- Correspondence: ; Tel.: +886-4-22052121
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Lee J, Kim YO, Lim BC, Lee J. PRRT2-positive self-limited infantile epilepsy: Initial seizure characteristics and response to sodium channel blockers. Epilepsia Open 2023. [PMID: 36775847 DOI: 10.1002/epi4.12708] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/27/2022] [Accepted: 02/04/2023] [Indexed: 02/14/2023] Open
Abstract
OBJECTIVE Self-limited infantile epilepsy (SeLIE) has distinctive clinical features, and the PRRT2 gene is known to be a considerable genetic cause. There have been a few studies on PRRT2-positive SeLIE only, and anti-seizure medications are often required due to frequent seizures at initial seizure onset. This study aimed to provide clinical information for the early recognition of patients with PRRT2-positive SeLIE and to propose effective anti-seizure medications for seizure control. METHODS We retrospectively reviewed 36 patients diagnosed with SeLIE with genetically confirmed pathogenic variants of PRRT2. In addition, six atypical cases with neonatal-onset seizures and unremitting after 3 years of age were included to understand the expanded clinical spectrum of PRRT2-related epilepsy. We analyzed the initial presentation, clinical course, and seizure control response to anti-seizure medications. RESULTS Patients with PRRT2-related epilepsy had characteristic seizure semiology at the initial presentation, including all afebrile, clustered (n = 23, 63.9%), short-duration (n = 33, 91.7%), and bilateral tonic-clonic seizures (n = 26, 72.2%). Genetic analysis revealed that c. 649dupC was the most common variant, and six patients had a 16p11.2 microdeletion containing the PRRT2 gene. One-third of the patients were sporadic cases without a family history of epilepsy or paroxysmal movement disorders. In the 33 patients treated with anti-seizure medications, sodium channel blockers, such as carbamazepine, were the most effective in seizure control. SIGNIFICANCE Our results delineated the clinical characteristics of PRRT2-positive SeLIE, differentiating it from other genetic infantile epilepsies and discovered the effective anti-seizure medications for initial clustered seizure control. If afebrile bilateral tonic-clonic seizures develop in a normally developed infant as a clustered pattern, PRRT2-positive SeLIE should be considered as a possible diagnosis, and sodium channel blockers should be administered as the first medication for seizure control.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jiwon Lee
- Department of Pediatrics, Samsung Medical Center, Sungkyunkwan University School of Medicine, Seoul, South Korea
| | - Young Ok Kim
- Department of Pediatrics, Chonnam National University Medical School, Gwangju, South Korea
| | - Byung Chan Lim
- Department of Pediatrics, Seoul National University Children's Hospital, Seoul National University College of Medicine, Seoul, South Korea
| | - Jeehun Lee
- Department of Pediatrics, Samsung Medical Center, Sungkyunkwan University School of Medicine, Seoul, South Korea
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15
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Esterhuizen AI, Tiffin N, Riordan G, Wessels M, Burman RJ, Aziz MC, Calhoun JD, Gunti J, Amiri EE, Ramamurthy A, Bamshad MJ, Mefford HC, Ramesar R, Wilmshurst JM, Carvill GL, Leal SM, Nickerson DA, Anderson P, Bacus TJ, Blue EE, Brower K, Buckingham KJ, Chong JX, Cornejo Sánchez D, Davis CP, Davis CJ, Frazar CD, Gomeztagle-Burgess K, Gordon WW, Horike-Pyne M, Hurless JR, Jarvik GP, Johanson E, Thomas Kolar J, Marvin CT, McGee S, McGoldrick DJ, Mekonnen B, Nielsen PM, Patterson K, Radhakrishnan A, Richardson MA, Roote GT, Ryke EL, Schrauwen I, Shively KM, Smith JD, Tackett M, Wang G, Weiss JM, Wheeler MM, Yi Q, Zhang X. Precision medicine for developmental and epileptic encephalopathies in Africa-strategies for a resource-limited setting. Genet Med 2023; 25:100333. [PMID: 36480001 DOI: 10.1016/j.gim.2022.11.002] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/20/2022] [Revised: 10/31/2022] [Accepted: 11/01/2022] [Indexed: 12/13/2022] Open
Abstract
PURPOSE Sub-Saharan Africa bears the highest burden of epilepsy worldwide. A presumed proportion is genetic, but this etiology is buried under the burden of infections and perinatal insults in a setting of limited awareness and few options for testing. Children with developmental and epileptic encephalopathies (DEEs) are most severely affected by this diagnostic gap in Africa, because the rate of actionable findings is highest in DEE-associated genes. METHODS We tested 234 genetically naive South African children diagnosed with/possible DEE using gene panels, exome sequencing, and chromosomal microarray. Statistical comparison of electroclinical features in children with and children without candidate variants was performed to identify characteristics most likely predictive of a positive genetic finding. RESULTS Of the 41 (of 234) children with likely/pathogenic variants, 26 had variants supporting precision therapy. Multivariate regression modeling highlighted neonatal or infantile-onset seizures and movement abnormalities as predictive of a positive genetic finding. We used this, coupled with an emphasis on precision medicine outcomes, to propose the pragmatic "Think-Genetics" strategy for early recognition of a possible genetic etiology. CONCLUSION Our findings emphasize the importance of an early genetic diagnosis in DEE. We designed the Think-Genetics strategy for early recognition, appropriate interim management, and genetic testing for DEE in resource-constrained settings.
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Affiliation(s)
- Alina I Esterhuizen
- The South African MRC/UCT Genomic and Precision Medicine Research Unit, Division of Human Genetics, Institute of Infectious Diseases and Molecular Medicine, Department of Pathology, Faculty of Health Sciences, University of Cape Town, Cape Town, South Africa; National Health Laboratory Service, Groote Schuur Hospital, Cape Town, South Africa
| | - Nicki Tiffin
- South African National Bioinformatics Institute, University of the Western Cape, Bellville, Western Cape, South Africa
| | - Gillian Riordan
- Department of Paediatric Neurology, Red Cross War Memorial Children's Hospital, Neuroscience Institute, University of Cape Town, Cape Town, South Africa
| | - Marie Wessels
- Department of Paediatric Neurology, Red Cross War Memorial Children's Hospital, Neuroscience Institute, University of Cape Town, Cape Town, South Africa
| | - Richard J Burman
- Division of Clinical Neurology, Nuffield Department of Clinical Neurosciences, John Radcliffe Hospital, University of Oxford, Oxford, United Kingdom
| | - Miriam C Aziz
- Ken and Ruth Davee Department of Neurology, Northwestern University Feinberg School of Medicine, Northwestern University, Chicago, IL
| | - Jeffrey D Calhoun
- Ken and Ruth Davee Department of Neurology, Northwestern University Feinberg School of Medicine, Northwestern University, Chicago, IL
| | - Jonathan Gunti
- Ken and Ruth Davee Department of Neurology, Northwestern University Feinberg School of Medicine, Northwestern University, Chicago, IL
| | - Ezra E Amiri
- Ken and Ruth Davee Department of Neurology, Northwestern University Feinberg School of Medicine, Northwestern University, Chicago, IL
| | - Aishwarya Ramamurthy
- Ken and Ruth Davee Department of Neurology, Northwestern University Feinberg School of Medicine, Northwestern University, Chicago, IL
| | - Michael J Bamshad
- Department of Pediatrics, University of Washington, Seattle, WA; Department of Genome Sciences, University of Washington, Seattle, WA; Brotman Baty Institute, Seattle, WA
| | | | - Heather C Mefford
- Centre for Pediatric Neurological Disease Research, St. Jude Children's Research Hospital, Memphis, TN
| | - Raj Ramesar
- The South African MRC/UCT Genomic and Precision Medicine Research Unit, Division of Human Genetics, Institute of Infectious Diseases and Molecular Medicine, Department of Pathology, Faculty of Health Sciences, University of Cape Town, Cape Town, South Africa; National Health Laboratory Service, Groote Schuur Hospital, Cape Town, South Africa
| | - Jo M Wilmshurst
- Department of Paediatric Neurology, Red Cross War Memorial Children's Hospital, Neuroscience Institute, University of Cape Town, Cape Town, South Africa.
| | - Gemma L Carvill
- Ken and Ruth Davee Department of Neurology, Northwestern University Feinberg School of Medicine, Northwestern University, Chicago, IL; Department of Pharmacology, Northwestern University Feinberg School of Medicine, Northwestern University, Chicago, IL; Department of Pediatrics, Northwestern University Feinberg School of Medicine, Northwestern University, Chicago, IL.
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Bertocchi I, Cambiaghi M, Hasan MT. Advances toward precision therapeutics for developmental and epileptic encephalopathies. Front Neurosci 2023; 17:1140679. [PMID: 37090807 PMCID: PMC10115946 DOI: 10.3389/fnins.2023.1140679] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/09/2023] [Accepted: 03/16/2023] [Indexed: 04/25/2023] Open
Abstract
Developmental and epileptic encephalopathies are childhood syndromes of severe epilepsy associated with cognitive and behavioral disorders. Of note, epileptic seizures represent only a part, although substantial, of the clinical spectrum. Whether the epileptiform activity per se accounts for developmental and intellectual disabilities is still unclear. In a few cases, seizures can be alleviated by antiseizure medication (ASM). However, the major comorbid features associated remain unsolved, including psychiatric disorders such as autism-like and attention deficit hyperactivity disorder-like behavior. Not surprisingly, the number of genes known to be involved is continuously growing, and genetically engineered rodent models are valuable tools for investigating the impact of gene mutations on local and distributed brain circuits. Despite the inconsistencies and problems arising in the generation and validation of the different preclinical models, those are unique and precious tools to identify new molecular targets, and essential to provide prospects for effective therapeutics.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ilaria Bertocchi
- Laboratory of Neuropsychopharmacology, Department of Neuroscience Rita Levi Montalcini, Institute of Neuroscience Cavalieri Ottolenghi (NICO), University of Turin, Torino, Italy
- Department of Neuroscience Rita Levi Montalcini, Neuroscience Institute of Turin (NIT), Torino, Italy
- *Correspondence: Ilaria Bertocchi,
| | - Marco Cambiaghi
- Department Neuroscience, Biomedicine and Movement Sciences, University of Verona, Verona, Italy
| | - Mazahir T. Hasan
- Laboratory of Brain Circuits Therapeutics, Achucarro Basque Center for Neuroscience, Leioa, Spain
- Ikerbasque – Basque Foundation for Science, Bilbao, Spain
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Ramasubramanian B, Reddy VS, Chellappan V, Ramakrishna S. Emerging Materials, Wearables, and Diagnostic Advancements in Therapeutic Treatment of Brain Diseases. BIOSENSORS 2022; 12:1176. [PMID: 36551143 PMCID: PMC9775999 DOI: 10.3390/bios12121176] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/09/2022] [Revised: 12/07/2022] [Accepted: 12/07/2022] [Indexed: 06/17/2023]
Abstract
Among the most critical health issues, brain illnesses, such as neurodegenerative conditions and tumors, lower quality of life and have a significant economic impact. Implantable technology and nano-drug carriers have enormous promise for cerebral brain activity sensing and regulated therapeutic application in the treatment and detection of brain illnesses. Flexible materials are chosen for implantable devices because they help reduce biomechanical mismatch between the implanted device and brain tissue. Additionally, implanted biodegradable devices might lessen any autoimmune negative effects. The onerous subsequent operation for removing the implanted device is further lessened with biodegradability. This review expands on current developments in diagnostic technologies such as magnetic resonance imaging, computed tomography, mass spectroscopy, infrared spectroscopy, angiography, and electroencephalogram while providing an overview of prevalent brain diseases. As far as we are aware, there hasn't been a single review article that addresses all the prevalent brain illnesses. The reviewer also looks into the prospects for the future and offers suggestions for the direction of future developments in the treatment of brain diseases.
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Affiliation(s)
- Brindha Ramasubramanian
- Department of Mechanical Engineering, Center for Nanofibers & Nanotechnology, National University of Singapore, Singapore 117574, Singapore
- Institute of Materials Research and Engineering (IMRE), Agency for Science, Technology and Research (A*STAR), #08-03, 2 Fusionopolis Way, Innovis, Singapore 138634, Singapore
| | - Vundrala Sumedha Reddy
- Department of Mechanical Engineering, Center for Nanofibers & Nanotechnology, National University of Singapore, Singapore 117574, Singapore
| | - Vijila Chellappan
- Institute of Materials Research and Engineering (IMRE), Agency for Science, Technology and Research (A*STAR), #08-03, 2 Fusionopolis Way, Innovis, Singapore 138634, Singapore
| | - Seeram Ramakrishna
- Department of Mechanical Engineering, Center for Nanofibers & Nanotechnology, National University of Singapore, Singapore 117574, Singapore
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Kuanyshbek A, Wang M, Andersson Å, Tuifua M, Palmer EE, Sachdev RK, Mu TW, Vetter I, Keramidas A. Anti-seizure mechanisms of midazolam and valproate at the β2(L51M) variant of the GABA A receptor. Neuropharmacology 2022; 221:109295. [PMID: 36257447 PMCID: PMC9981329 DOI: 10.1016/j.neuropharm.2022.109295] [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: 02/13/2022] [Revised: 10/07/2022] [Accepted: 10/11/2022] [Indexed: 11/05/2022]
Abstract
Genetic sequencing is identifying an expanding number of variants of GABAA receptors associated with human epilepsies. We identified a new de novo variant of the β2 subunit (β2L51M) of the inhibitory GABAA receptor associated with seizures. Our analysis determined the pathogenicity of the variant and the effects of anti-seizure medications. Our data demonstrates that the variant reduced cell surface trafficking and peak GABA-gated currents. Synaptic currents mediated by variant-containing receptors decayed faster than wild-type and single receptor currents showed that the variant shortened the duration of receptor activity by decreasing receptor open times. We tested the effects of the anti-seizure medications, midazolam, carbamazepine and valproate and found that all three enhance variant receptor surface expression. Additionally, midazolam restored receptor function by increasing single receptor active periods and synaptic current decay times towards wild-type levels. By contrast, valproate increased synaptic peak currents, event frequency and promoted synaptic bursting. Our study identifies a new disease-causing variant to the GABAA receptor, profiles its pathogenic effects and demonstrates how anti-seizure drugs correct its functional deficits.
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Affiliation(s)
- Alibek Kuanyshbek
- Institute for Molecular Bioscience, The University of Queensland, Brisbane, Australia
| | - Meng Wang
- Department of Physiology and Biophysics, Case Western Reserve University School of Medicine, Cleveland, OH, 44106, USA
| | - Åsa Andersson
- Institute for Molecular Bioscience, The University of Queensland, Brisbane, Australia
| | - Marie Tuifua
- Institute for Molecular Bioscience, The University of Queensland, Brisbane, Australia
| | - Elizabeth E Palmer
- Sydney Children's Hospital Network, Randwick Sydney Australia and School of Women's and Children's Health, UNSW Medicine, The University of New South Wales, Sydney, NSW, Australia
| | - Rani K Sachdev
- Sydney Children's Hospital Network, Randwick Sydney Australia and School of Women's and Children's Health, UNSW Medicine, The University of New South Wales, Sydney, NSW, Australia
| | - Ting-Wei Mu
- Department of Physiology and Biophysics, Case Western Reserve University School of Medicine, Cleveland, OH, 44106, USA
| | - Irina Vetter
- Institute for Molecular Bioscience, The University of Queensland, Brisbane, Australia; School of Pharmacy, The University of Queensland, Woolloongabba, Queensland, 4102, Australia
| | - Angelo Keramidas
- Institute for Molecular Bioscience, The University of Queensland, Brisbane, Australia.
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19
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McKnight D, Morales A, Hatchell KE, Bristow SL, Bonkowsky JL, Perry MS, Berg AT, Borlot F, Esplin ED, Moretz C, Angione K, Ríos-Pohl L, Nussbaum RL, Aradhya S, Levy RJ, Parachuri VG, Lay-Son G, de Montellano DJDO, Ramirez-Garcia MA, Benítez Alonso EO, Ziobro J, Chirita-Emandi A, Felix TM, Kulasa-Luke D, Megarbane A, Karkare S, Chagnon SL, Humberson JB, Assaf MJ, Silva S, Zarroli K, Boyarchuk O, Nelson GR, Palmquist R, Hammond KC, Hwang ST, Boutlier SB, Nolan M, Batley KY, Chavda D, Reyes-Silva CA, Miroshnikov O, Zuccarelli B, Amlie-Wolf L, Wheless JW, Seinfeld S, Kanhangad M, Freeman JL, Monroy-Santoyo S, Rodriguez-Vazquez N, Ryan MM, Machie M, Guerra P, Hassan MJ, Candee MS, Bupp CP, Park KL, Muller E, Lupo P, Pedersen RC, Arain AM, Murphy A, Schatz K, Mu W, Kalika PM, Plaza L, Kellogg MA, Lora EG, Carson RP, Svystilnyk V, Venegas V, Luke RR, Jiang H, Stetsenko T, Dueñas-Roque MM, Trasmonte J, Burke RJ, Hurst AC, Smith DM, Massingham LJ, Pisani L, Costin CE, Ostrander B, Filloux FM, Ananth AL, Mohamed IS, Nechai A, Dao JM, Fahey MC, Aliu E, Falchek S, Press CA, Treat L, Eschbach K, Starks A, Kammeyer R, Bear JJ, Jacobson M, Chernuha V, Meibos B, Wong K, Sweney MT, Espinoza AC, Van Orman CB, Weinstock A, Kumar A, Soler-Alfonso C, Nolan DA, Raza M, Rojas Carrion MD, Chari G, Marsh ED, Shiloh-Malawsky Y, Parikh S, Gonzalez-Giraldo E, Fulton S, Sogawa Y, Burns K, Malets M, Montiel Blanco JD, Habela CW, Wilson CA, Guzmán GG, Pavliuk M. Genetic Testing to Inform Epilepsy Treatment Management From an International Study of Clinical Practice. JAMA Neurol 2022; 79:1267-1276. [PMID: 36315135 PMCID: PMC9623482 DOI: 10.1001/jamaneurol.2022.3651] [Citation(s) in RCA: 19] [Impact Index Per Article: 9.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/07/2022]
Abstract
Importance It is currently unknown how often and in which ways a genetic diagnosis given to a patient with epilepsy is associated with clinical management and outcomes. Objective To evaluate how genetic diagnoses in patients with epilepsy are associated with clinical management and outcomes. Design, Setting, and Participants This was a retrospective cross-sectional study of patients referred for multigene panel testing between March 18, 2016, and August 3, 2020, with outcomes reported between May and November 2020. The study setting included a commercial genetic testing laboratory and multicenter clinical practices. Patients with epilepsy, regardless of sociodemographic features, who received a pathogenic/likely pathogenic (P/LP) variant were included in the study. Case report forms were completed by all health care professionals. Exposures Genetic test results. Main Outcomes and Measures Clinical management changes after a genetic diagnosis (ie, 1 P/LP variant in autosomal dominant and X-linked diseases; 2 P/LP variants in autosomal recessive diseases) and subsequent patient outcomes as reported by health care professionals on case report forms. Results Among 418 patients, median (IQR) age at the time of testing was 4 (1-10) years, with an age range of 0 to 52 years, and 53.8% (n = 225) were female individuals. The mean (SD) time from a genetic test order to case report form completion was 595 (368) days (range, 27-1673 days). A genetic diagnosis was associated with changes in clinical management for 208 patients (49.8%) and usually (81.7% of the time) within 3 months of receiving the result. The most common clinical management changes were the addition of a new medication (78 [21.7%]), the initiation of medication (51 [14.2%]), the referral of a patient to a specialist (48 [13.4%]), vigilance for subclinical or extraneurological disease features (46 [12.8%]), and the cessation of a medication (42 [11.7%]). Among 167 patients with follow-up clinical information available (mean [SD] time, 584 [365] days), 125 (74.9%) reported positive outcomes, 108 (64.7%) reported reduction or elimination of seizures, 37 (22.2%) had decreases in the severity of other clinical signs, and 11 (6.6%) had reduced medication adverse effects. A few patients reported worsening of outcomes, including a decline in their condition (20 [12.0%]), increased seizure frequency (6 [3.6%]), and adverse medication effects (3 [1.8%]). No clinical management changes were reported for 178 patients (42.6%). Conclusions and Relevance Results of this cross-sectional study suggest that genetic testing of individuals with epilepsy may be materially associated with clinical decision-making and improved patient outcomes.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | | | | | - Joshua L. Bonkowsky
- Division of Pediatric Neurology, Department of Pediatrics, University of Utah School of Medicine, Salt Lake City,Center for Personalized Medicine, Primary Children’s Hospital, Salt Lake City, Utah
| | - Michael Scott Perry
- Jane and John Justin Neuroscience Center, Cook Children’s Medical Center, Fort Worth, Texas
| | - Anne T. Berg
- Department of Neurology, Northwestern University—Feinberg School of Medicine, Chicago, Illinois,COMBINEDBrain, Brentwood, Tennessee
| | - Felippe Borlot
- Section of Neurology, Department of Internal Medicine, University of Manitoba, Winnipeg, Manitoba, Canada,Alberta Children’s Hospital Research Institute, Cumming School of Medicine, University of Calgary, Calgary, Alberta, Canada
| | | | | | - Katie Angione
- Children’s Hospital Colorado, Aurora,Department of Pediatrics, University of Colorado School of Medicine, Aurora
| | - Loreto Ríos-Pohl
- Clinical Integral de Epilepsia, Facultad de Medicina, Universidad Finis Terrae, Santiago, Chile
| | | | | | | | - Rebecca J. Levy
- Division of Medical Genetics, Lucile Packard Children’s Hospital at Stanford University, Stanford, California
- Division of Child Neurology, Lucile Packard Children’s Hospital at Stanford University, Stanford, California
| | | | - Guillermo Lay-Son
- Genetic Unit, Pediatrics Division, Faculty of Medicine, Pontificia Universidad Católica de Chile, Santiago, Chile
| | | | - Miguel Angel Ramirez-Garcia
- Genetics Department, National Institute of Neurology and Neurosurgery, “Manuel Velasco Suárez,” Mexico City, Mexico
| | - Edmar O. Benítez Alonso
- Genetics Department, National Institute of Neurology and Neurosurgery, “Manuel Velasco Suárez,” Mexico City, Mexico
| | - Julie Ziobro
- Department of Pediatrics, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor
| | - Adela Chirita-Emandi
- Genetic Discipline, Center of Genomic Medicine, University of Medicine and Pharmacy “Victor Babes” Timisoara, Timis, Romania
- Regional Center of Medical Genetics Timis, Clinical Emergency Hospital for Children “Louis Turcanu” Timisoara, Timis, Romania
| | - Temis M. Felix
- Medical Genetics Service, Hospital de Clínicas de Porto Alegre, Porto Alegre, Brazil
| | - Dianne Kulasa-Luke
- NeuroDevelopmental Science Center, Akron Children’s Hospital, Akron, Ohio
| | - Andre Megarbane
- Department of Human Genetics, Gilbert and Rose-Marie Chagoury School of Medicine, Lebanese American University, Byblos, Lebanon
- Institut Jerome Lejeune, Paris, France
| | | | | | | | | | - Sebastian Silva
- Child Neurology Service, Hospital de Puerto Montt, Puerto Montt, Chile
| | | | - Oksana Boyarchuk
- I.Horbachevsky Ternopil National Medical University, Ternopil, Ukraine
| | - Gary R. Nelson
- Division of Pediatric Neurology, Department of Pediatrics, University of Utah School of Medicine, Salt Lake City
| | - Rachel Palmquist
- Division of Pediatric Neurology, Department of Pediatrics, University of Utah School of Medicine, Salt Lake City
| | - Katherine C. Hammond
- Department of Pediatric Neurology, University of Alabama at Birmingham, Birmingham
| | - Sean T. Hwang
- Zucker School of Medicine, Hofstra Northwell, Hempstead, New York
| | - Susan B. Boutlier
- ECU Physician Internal Medicine Pediatric Neurology, Greenville, North Carolina
| | | | - Kaitlin Y. Batley
- Department of Pediatrics and Neurology, UT Southwestern, Dallas, Texas
| | - Devraj Chavda
- SUNY Downstate Health Sciences University, Brooklyn, New York
| | | | | | | | | | - James W. Wheless
- Pediatric Neurology, University of Tennessee Health Science Center, Memphis
- Le Bonheur Comprehensive Epilepsy Program & Neuroscience Institute, Le Bonheur Children’s Hospital, Memphis, Tennessee
| | | | - Manoj Kanhangad
- Department of Paediatrics, Monash University, Clayton, Australia
| | | | | | | | - Monique M. Ryan
- The Royal Children’s Hospital Melbourne, Melbourne, Australia
- Murdoch Children’s Research Institute, Melbourne, Australia
- University of Melbourne, Melbourne, Australia
| | - Michelle Machie
- Department of Pediatrics and Neurology, UT Southwestern, Dallas, Texas
| | - Patricio Guerra
- Universidad San Sebastián, Department of Pediatrics, Medicine School, Patagonia Campus, Puerto Montt, Chile
| | - Muhammad Jawad Hassan
- Department of Biological Sciences, National University of Medical Sciences, Rawalpindi, Pakistan
| | - Meghan S. Candee
- Division of Pediatric Neurology, Department of Pediatrics, University of Utah School of Medicine, Salt Lake City
| | - Caleb P. Bupp
- Spectrum Health, West Michigan Helen DeVos Children’s Hospital, Grand Rapids, Michigan
| | - Kristen L. Park
- Children’s Hospital Colorado, Aurora
- Department of Pediatrics, University of Colorado School of Medicine, Aurora
- Department of Neurology, University of Colorado School of Medicine, Aurora
| | - Eric Muller
- Clinical Genetics, Stanford Children’s Health Specialty Services, San Francisco, California
| | - Pamela Lupo
- Division of Neurology, Department of Pediatrics, University of Texas Medical Branch, League City
| | | | - Amir M. Arain
- Division of Epilepsy, Department of Neurology, University of Utah School of Medicine, Salt Lake City
| | - Andrea Murphy
- Mary Bird Perkins Cancer Center, Baton Rouge, Louisiana
| | | | - Weiyi Mu
- Johns Hopkins University, Baltimore, Maryland
| | | | - Lautaro Plaza
- Hospital Materno Perinatal “Mónica Pretelini Sáenz,” Toluca, México
| | | | - Evelyn G. Lora
- Dominican Neurological and Neurosurgical Society, Santo Domingo, Dominican Republic
| | | | | | - Viviana Venegas
- Clínica Alemana de Santiago, Universidad del Desarrollo, Pediatric Neurology Unit, Santiago, Chile
| | - Rebecca R. Luke
- Jane and John Justin Neuroscience Center, Cook Children’s Medical Center, Fort Worth, Texas
| | | | | | | | | | - Rebecca J. Burke
- Division of Medical Genetics, Department of Pediatrics, West Virginia University School of Medicine, Morgantown
- Division of Neonatology, Department of Pediatrics, West Virginia University School of Medicine, Morgantown
| | - Anna C.E. Hurst
- Department of Genetics, University of Alabama at Birmingham, Birmingham
| | | | - Lauren J. Massingham
- Hasbro Children’s Hospital, Providence, Rhode Island
- Alpert Medical School, Brown University, Providence, Rhode Island
| | - Laura Pisani
- Zucker School of Medicine, Hofstra Northwell, Hempstead, New York
- Northwell Health, Medical Genetics, Great Neck, New York
| | | | - Betsy Ostrander
- Division of Pediatric Neurology, Department of Pediatrics, University of Utah School of Medicine, Salt Lake City
| | - Francis M. Filloux
- Division of Pediatric Neurology, Department of Pediatrics, University of Utah School of Medicine, Salt Lake City
| | - Amitha L. Ananth
- Department of Pediatric Neurology, University of Alabama at Birmingham, Birmingham
| | - Ismail S. Mohamed
- Department of Pediatric Neurology, University of Alabama at Birmingham, Birmingham
| | - Alla Nechai
- Neurology Department, Kiev City Children Clinical Hospital No. 1, Kyiv City, Ukraine
| | - Jasmin M. Dao
- Adult and Child Neurology Medical Associates, Long Beach, California
- Miller Children’s Hospital, Long Beach, California
| | - Michael C. Fahey
- Department of Paediatrics, Monash University, Clayton, Australia
| | - Ermal Aliu
- Department of Genetics, Penn State Health Milton S. Hershey Medical Center, Hershey, Pennsylvania
| | - Stephen Falchek
- Nemours Children’s Hospital, Wilmington, Delaware
- Thomas Jefferson University, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
| | - Craig A. Press
- Children’s Hospital Colorado, Aurora
- Department of Pediatrics, University of Colorado School of Medicine, Aurora
- Department of Neurology, University of Colorado School of Medicine, Aurora
| | - Lauren Treat
- Children’s Hospital Colorado, Aurora
- Department of Pediatrics, University of Colorado School of Medicine, Aurora
- Department of Neurology, University of Colorado School of Medicine, Aurora
| | - Krista Eschbach
- Children’s Hospital Colorado, Aurora
- Department of Pediatrics, University of Colorado School of Medicine, Aurora
- Department of Neurology, University of Colorado School of Medicine, Aurora
| | - Angela Starks
- Children’s Hospital Colorado, Aurora
- Department of Pediatrics, University of Colorado School of Medicine, Aurora
- Department of Neurology, University of Colorado School of Medicine, Aurora
| | - Ryan Kammeyer
- Children’s Hospital Colorado, Aurora
- Department of Pediatrics, University of Colorado School of Medicine, Aurora
- Department of Neurology, University of Colorado School of Medicine, Aurora
| | - Joshua J. Bear
- Children’s Hospital Colorado, Aurora
- Department of Pediatrics, University of Colorado School of Medicine, Aurora
- Department of Neurology, University of Colorado School of Medicine, Aurora
| | - Mona Jacobson
- Children’s Hospital Colorado, Aurora
- Department of Pediatrics, University of Colorado School of Medicine, Aurora
- Department of Neurology, University of Colorado School of Medicine, Aurora
| | - Veronika Chernuha
- Pediatric Neurology Institute, “Dana-Dwek” Children’s Hospital, Tel Aviv Sourasky Medical Center, Tel Aviv, Israel
| | | | - Kristen Wong
- Division of Pediatric Neurology, Department of Pediatrics, University of Utah School of Medicine, Salt Lake City
| | - Matthew T. Sweney
- Division of Pediatric Neurology, Department of Pediatrics, University of Utah School of Medicine, Salt Lake City
| | - A. Chris Espinoza
- Division of Pediatric Neurology, Department of Pediatrics, University of Utah School of Medicine, Salt Lake City
| | - Colin B. Van Orman
- Division of Pediatric Neurology, Department of Pediatrics, University of Utah School of Medicine, Salt Lake City
| | - Arie Weinstock
- Division of Child Neurology, Department of Neurology, University at Buffalo, Buffalo, New York
- Oishei Children’s Hospital, Buffalo, New York
| | - Ashutosh Kumar
- Department of Pediatrics and Neurology, Penn State Health Milton S. Hershey Medical Center, Hershey, Pennsylvania
| | - Claudia Soler-Alfonso
- Department of Molecular and Human Genetics, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, Texas
| | | | - Muhammad Raza
- Nishtar Medical University, Multan, Punjab, Pakistan
| | | | - Geetha Chari
- SUNY Downstate Health Sciences University, Brooklyn, New York
- Kings County Hospital Center, Brooklyn, New York
| | - Eric D. Marsh
- Division of Child Neurology, Departments of Neurology and Pediatrics, Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
- University of Pennsylvania Perelman School of Medicine, Philadelphia
| | | | - Sumit Parikh
- Neurogenetics, Cleveland Clinic, Cleveland, Ohio
| | | | - Stephen Fulton
- Pediatric Neurology, University of Tennessee Health Science Center, Memphis
- Le Bonheur Comprehensive Epilepsy Program & Neuroscience Institute, Le Bonheur Children’s Hospital, Memphis, Tennessee
| | - Yoshimi Sogawa
- UPMC Children’s Hospital of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania
| | | | | | | | | | - Carey A. Wilson
- Division of Pediatric Neurology, Department of Pediatrics, University of Utah School of Medicine, Salt Lake City
| | - Guillermo G. Guzmán
- Servicio Neuropsiquiatria Infantil, Hospital San Borja Arriarán, Santiago, Chile
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20
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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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21
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Abstract
Genetic diseases disrupt the functionality of an infant's genome during fetal-neonatal adaptation and represent a leading cause of neonatal and infant mortality in the United States. Due to disease acuity, gene locus and allelic heterogeneity, and overlapping and diverse clinical phenotypes, diagnostic genome sequencing in neonatal intensive care units has required the development of methods to shorten turnaround times and improve genomic interpretation. From 2012 to 2021, 31 clinical studies documented the diagnostic and clinical utility of first-tier rapid or ultrarapid whole-genome sequencing through cost-effective identification of pathogenic genomic variants that change medical management, suggest new therapeutic strategies, and refine prognoses. Genomic diagnosis also permits prediction of reproductive recurrence risk for parents and surviving probands. Using implementation science and quality improvement, deployment of a genomic learning healthcare system will contribute to a reduction of neonatal and infant mortality through the integration of genome sequencing into best-practice neonatal intensive care.
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Affiliation(s)
- Stephen F. Kingsmore
- Rady Children’s Hospital Institute for Genomic Medicine, Rady Children’s Hospital-San Diego
| | - F. Sessions Cole
- Division of Newborn Medicine, Edward Mallinckrodt Department of Pediatrics, Washington University School of Medicine in St. Louis
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22
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Platzer K, Sticht H, Bupp C, Ganapathi M, Pereira EM, Le Guyader G, Bilan F, Henderson LB, Lemke JR, Taschenberger H, Brose N, Jamra RA, Wojcik SM. De novo missense variants in
SLC32A1
cause a developmental and epileptic encephalopathy due to impaired
GABAergic
neurotransmission. Ann Neurol 2022; 92:958-973. [DOI: 10.1002/ana.26485] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/01/2022] [Revised: 08/16/2022] [Accepted: 08/17/2022] [Indexed: 11/06/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Konrad Platzer
- Institute of Human Genetics University of Leipzig Medical Center Leipzig Germany
| | - Heinrich Sticht
- Institute of Biochemistry, Friedrich‐Alexander‐Universität Erlangen‐Nürnberg Erlangen Germany
| | - Caleb Bupp
- Spectrum Health Medical Genetics Grand Rapids MI USA
| | - Mythily Ganapathi
- Department of Pathology and Cell Biology Columbia University Medical Center New York NY USA
| | - Elaine M. Pereira
- Department of Pediatrics Columbia University Irving Medical Center New York NY USA
| | - Gwenaël Le Guyader
- Department of Genetics Poitiers University Hospital Center Poitiers Cedex France
| | - Frederic Bilan
- Department of Genetics Poitiers University Hospital Center Poitiers Cedex France
- Laboratoire de Neurosciences Expérimentales et Cliniques (LNEC) INSERM U1084 University of Poitiers Poitiers France
| | | | - Johannes R. Lemke
- Institute of Human Genetics University of Leipzig Medical Center Leipzig Germany
- Center for Rare Diseases University of Leipzig Medical Center Leipzig Germany
| | - Holger Taschenberger
- Department of Molecular Neurobiology Max Planck Institute for Multidisciplinary Sciences City Campus, Göttingen Germany
| | - Nils Brose
- Department of Molecular Neurobiology Max Planck Institute for Multidisciplinary Sciences City Campus, Göttingen Germany
| | - Rami Abou Jamra
- Institute of Human Genetics University of Leipzig Medical Center Leipzig Germany
| | - Sonja M. Wojcik
- Department of Molecular Neurobiology Max Planck Institute for Multidisciplinary Sciences City Campus, Göttingen Germany
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23
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Yang S, Yang LM, Liao HM, Fang HJ, Ning ZS, Liao CS, Wu LW. Genetic analysis of developmental and epileptic encephalopathy caused by novel biallelic SZT2 gene mutations in three Chinese Han infants: a case series and literature review. Neurol Sci 2022; 43:5039-5048. [DOI: 10.1007/s10072-022-06038-3] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/29/2021] [Accepted: 03/21/2022] [Indexed: 11/28/2022]
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24
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Genetic Testing and Hospital Length of Stay in Neonates With Epilepsy. Pediatr Neurol 2022; 133:30-33. [PMID: 35751960 PMCID: PMC9484310 DOI: 10.1016/j.pediatrneurol.2022.05.011] [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: 01/25/2022] [Accepted: 05/25/2022] [Indexed: 11/22/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND We evaluated changes in genetic testing for neonatal-onset epilepsy and associated short-term outcomes over an 8-year period among a cohort of patients in the neonatal intensive care unit (NICU) at a single institution before and after the introduction of sponsored genetic epilepsy testing in January 2018. METHODS Our primary outcome was a change in length of stay (LOS) after 2018. We also ascertained severity of illness with the Neonatal Sequential Organ Failure Assessment (nSOFA), type and result of genetic testing, turnaround time to molecular diagnosis (TAT), LOS, antiseizure medications (ASMs), and use of technology at discharge. We compared outcomes using nonparametric tests and difference-in-difference analysis. RESULTS Fifty-three infants with genetic testing were included; 20 infants were tested after 2018. A total of 4160 infants in the NICU without genetic testing were used as reference. In the genetic testing group, LOS was 25 days (interquartile range [IQR] 5, 49) pre-2018 and 19 days (IQR 6, 19) post-2018 (P < 0.001 when compared with the reference population in the difference-in-difference analysis). TAT decreased from 51 days to 17 days after 2018 (P = 0.003). ASM number decreased from 4 (IQR 2, 5) to 2 post-2018 (IQR 1, 3) (P = 0.02). Over the same time periods there was no significant change in birth weight, maximum nSOFA score, or technology dependence. CONCLUSIONS In this cohort, changes in genetic testing for neonatal-onset epilepsy were associated with shorter LOS that was not explained by changes in severity of illness, birth weight, or the average LOS in the NICU over time. Validation of these results in a larger, multicenter sample size is warranted.
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25
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Bayat A, Fenger CD, Techlo TR, Højte AF, Nørgaard I, Hansen TF, Rubboli G, Møller RS, Group DCCRS. Impact of Genetic Testing on Therapeutic Decision-Making in Childhood-Onset Epilepsies-a Study in a Tertiary Epilepsy Center. Neurotherapeutics 2022; 19:1353-1367. [PMID: 35723786 PMCID: PMC9587146 DOI: 10.1007/s13311-022-01264-1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 06/08/2022] [Indexed: 12/13/2022] Open
Abstract
We assessed the frequency of pediatric monogenic epilepsies and precision therapies at a tertiary epilepsy center. We analyzed medical records of children, born in 2006-2011 and followed at the Danish Epilepsy Center from January to December 2015; 357 patients were identified, of whom 27 without epilepsy and 35 with acquired brain damage were excluded. Of the remaining 295 children, 188 were consented for study inclusion and genetic testing. At inclusion, 86/188 had a preexisting genetic diagnosis and did not undergo further genetic testing. The 102 genetically unsolved patients underwent WES, which identified a (likely) pathogenic variant in eight patients and a highly relevant variant of unknown significance (VUS) in seven additional patients. Single nucleotide polymorphism array was performed in the remaining 87 patients and revealed no (likely) pathogenic copy number variants (CNVs). Patients with a genetic diagnosis had a significantly lower median age at seizure onset and more often had febrile seizures, status epilepticus, or neurodevelopmental impairment compared to those who remained genetically unsolved. Most common epilepsies were focal or multifocal epilepsies and developmental and epileptic encephalopathies (DDEs). Fifty-three patients, with a putative genetic diagnosis, were potentially eligible for precision therapy approaches. Indeed, genetic diagnosis enabled treatment adjustment in 32/53 (60%); 30/32 (93%) patients experienced at least a 50% reduction in seizure burden while only 4/32 (12.5%) became seizure-free. In summary, a genetic diagnosis was achieved in approximately 50% of patients with non-acquired epilepsy enabling precision therapy approaches in half of the patients, a strategy that results in > 50% reduction in seizure burden, in the majority of the treated patients.
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Affiliation(s)
- Allan Bayat
- Department of Epilepsy Genetics and Personalized Medicine, Danish Epilepsy Center, Filadelfia, Dianalund, Denmark.
- Department of Regional Health Research, University of Southern Denmark, Odense, Denmark.
| | - Christina D Fenger
- Department of Epilepsy Genetics and Personalized Medicine, Danish Epilepsy Center, Filadelfia, Dianalund, Denmark
- Amplexa Genetics A/S, Odense, Denmark
| | - Tanya R Techlo
- Department of Neurology, Danish Headache Center, Copenhagen University Hospital, Glostrup, Denmark
| | - Anne F Højte
- Department of Epilepsy Genetics and Personalized Medicine, Danish Epilepsy Center, Filadelfia, Dianalund, Denmark
| | | | - Thomas F Hansen
- Department of Neurology, Danish Headache Center, Copenhagen University Hospital, Glostrup, Denmark
- Novo Nordic Foundation Center for Protein Research, Copenhagen University, Copenhagen, Denmark
| | - Guido Rubboli
- Department of Epilepsy Genetics and Personalized Medicine, Danish Epilepsy Center, Filadelfia, Dianalund, Denmark
- Copenhagen University, Copenhagen, Denmark
| | - Rikke S Møller
- Department of Epilepsy Genetics and Personalized Medicine, Danish Epilepsy Center, Filadelfia, Dianalund, Denmark
- Department of Regional Health Research, University of Southern Denmark, Odense, Denmark
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Türkyılmaz A, Tekin E, Yaralı O, Çebi AH. Genetic Landscape of SCN1A Variants in a Turkish Cohort with GEFS+ Spectrum and Dravet Syndrome. Mol Syndromol 2022; 13:270-281. [PMID: 36158059 PMCID: PMC9421706 DOI: 10.1159/000521330] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/08/2021] [Accepted: 12/03/2021] [Indexed: 01/03/2023] Open
Abstract
Introduction The α subunit of voltage-gated sodium channels in mammals is encoded by 9 different genes, and variations in the SCN1A, SCN2A, SCN3A, and SCN8A genes highly expressed in the CNS have been associated with epilepsy phenotypes. This study aimed at investigating the frequency of SCN1A gene variations in Dravet syndrome (DS) and GEFS+ spectrum phenotype cases and discussing the molecular results in the context of genotype-phenotype correlation. Methods Fifteen patients diagnosed with DS and 54 patients meeting the GEFS+ spectrum criteria were included in this study. All patients were evaluated by next-generation sequencing and multiplex ligation-dependent probe amplification using an SCN1A gene commercial kit. Results A total of 17 different variants were detected in 18 index cases (26%), of which 7 were novel variations (p.M1R, p.M147T, p.I767L, p.N1391Ifs*5, p.R1886G, p.E1915G, p.R1933Q). Of the 18 cases with variation in the SCN1A gene, 12 had DS and 6 had GEFS+ phenotype. The variations were de novo in all DS cases and in 1 case with a GEFS+ phenotype; in 5 GEFS+ cases, the variant was inherited from the affected parent. Discussion This study contributes to the variation spectrum in cases with DS and GEFS+ phenotype with the novel variants detected. SCN1A genetic analysis can help in determining whether antiseizure medication should be selected or avoided in cases with variations. The elucidation of the molecular etiology makes it possible to provide the family with effective genetic counseling for future pregnancies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ayberk Türkyılmaz
- Department of Medical Genetics, Faculty of Medicine, Karadeniz Technical University, Trabzon, Turkey,*Ayberk Türkyılmaz,
| | - Emine Tekin
- Department of Pediatric Neurology, Faculty of Medicine, Giresun University, Giresun, Turkey
| | - Oğuzhan Yaralı
- Clinic of Medical Genetics, Erzurum Training and Research Hospital, Erzurum, Turkey
| | - Alper Han Çebi
- Department of Medical Genetics, Faculty of Medicine, Karadeniz Technical University, Trabzon, Turkey
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Yang H, Yang X, Cai F, Gan S, Yang S, Wu L. Analysis of clinical phenotypic and genotypic spectra in 36 children patients with Epilepsy of Infancy with Migrating Focal Seizures. Sci Rep 2022; 12:10187. [PMID: 35715422 PMCID: PMC9205988 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-022-13974-9] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/25/2021] [Accepted: 05/31/2022] [Indexed: 01/01/2023] Open
Abstract
Epilepsy of Infancy with Migrating Focal Seizures (EIMFS) is a rare developmental and epileptic encephalopathy (DEEs) with unknown etiology, and poor prognosis. In order to explore new genetic etiology of EIMFS and new precision medicine treatment strategies, 36 children with EIMFS were enrolled in this study. 17/36 cases had causative variants across 11 genes, including 6 novel EIMFS genes: PCDH19, ALDH7A1, DOCK6, PRRT2, ALG1 and ATP7A. 13/36 patients had ineffective seizure control, 14/36 patients had severe retardation and 6/36 patients died. Of them, the genes for ineffective seizure control, severe retardation or death include KCNT1, SCN2A, SCN1A, ALG1, ATP7A and WWOX. 17 patients had abnormal MRI, of which 8 had ineffective seizure control, 7 had severe retardation and 4 died. 13 patients had hypsarrhythmia, of which 6 had ineffective seizure control, 6 had severe retardation and 2 died. Also, 7 patients had burst suppression, of which 1 had ineffective seizure control, 3 had severe retardation and 3 died. This study is the first to report that ALDH7A1, ATP7A, DOCK6, PRRT2, ALG1, and PCDH19 mutations cause the phenotypic spectrum of EIMFS to expand the genotypic spectrum. The genes KCNT1, SCN2A, SCN1A, ALG1, ATP7A and WWOX may be associated with poor prognosis. The patients presenting with MRI abnormalities, hypsarrhythmia and burst suppression in EEG may be associated with poor prognosis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Haiyan Yang
- Department of Neurology, Hunan Children's Hospital, Ziyuan Road 86th, Changsha, 410007, Hunan, People's Republic of China
| | - Xiaofan Yang
- Department of Pediatrics, Qilu Hospital of Shangdong University, Jinan, People's Republic of China
| | - Fang Cai
- Department of Neurology, Chenzhou No 1 People's Hospital, Chenzhou, People's Republic of China
| | - Siyi Gan
- Department of Neurology, Hunan Children's Hospital, Ziyuan Road 86th, Changsha, 410007, Hunan, People's Republic of China
| | - Sai Yang
- Department of Neurology, Hunan Children's Hospital, Ziyuan Road 86th, Changsha, 410007, Hunan, People's Republic of China
| | - Liwen Wu
- Department of Neurology, Hunan Children's Hospital, Ziyuan Road 86th, Changsha, 410007, Hunan, People's Republic of China.
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Luo S, Liu ZG, Wang J, Luo JX, Ye XG, Li X, Zhai QX, Liu XR, Wang J, Gao LD, Liu FL, Ye ZL, Li H, Gao ZF, Guo QH, Li BM, Yi YH, Liao WP. Recessive LAMA5 Variants Associated With Partial Epilepsy and Spasms in Infancy. Front Mol Neurosci 2022; 15:825390. [PMID: 35663266 PMCID: PMC9162154 DOI: 10.3389/fnmol.2022.825390] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/30/2021] [Accepted: 04/19/2022] [Indexed: 12/23/2022] Open
Abstract
Objective The LAMA5 gene encodes the laminin subunit α5, the most abundant laminin α subunit in the human brain. It forms heterotrimers with the subunit β1/β2 and γ1/γ3 and regulates neurodevelopmental processes. Genes encoding subunits of the laminin heterotrimers containing subunit α5 have been reported to be associated with human diseases. Among LAMAs encoding the laminin α subunit, LAMA1-4 have also been reported to be associated with human disease. In this study, we investigated the association between LAMA5 and epilepsy. Methods Trios-based whole-exome sequencing was performed in a cohort of 118 infants suffering from focal seizures with or without spasms. Protein modeling was used to assess the damaging effects of variations. The LAMAs expression was analyzed with data from the GTEX and VarCards databases. Results Six pairs of compound heterozygous missense variants in LAMA5 were identified in six unrelated patients. All affected individuals suffered from focal seizures with mild developmental delay, and three patients presented also spasms. These variants had no or low allele frequencies in controls and presented statistically higher frequency in the case cohort than in controls. The recessive burden analysis showed that recessive LAMA5 variants identified in this cohort were significantly more than the expected number in the East Asian population. Protein modeling showed that at least one variant in each pair of biallelic variants affected hydrogen bonds with surrounding amino acids. Among the biallelic variants in cases with only focal seizures, two variants of each pair were located in different structural domains or domains/links, whereas in the cases with spasms, the biallelic variants were constituted by two variants in the identical functional domains or both with hydrogen bond changes. Conclusion Recessive LAMA5 variants were potentially associated with infant epilepsy. The establishment of the association between LAMA5 and epilepsy will facilitate the genetic diagnosis and management in patients with infant epilepsy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sheng Luo
- Key Laboratory of Neurogenetics and Channelopathies of Guangdong Province and the Ministry of Education of China, Department of Neurology, Institute of Neuroscience, Second Affiliated Hospital of Guangzhou Medical University, Guangzhou, China
| | - Zhi-Gang Liu
- The Second School of Clinical Medicine, Southern Medical University, Guangzhou, China
- Department of Pediatrics, Affiliated Foshan Maternity & Child Healthcare Hospital, Southern Medical University, Foshan, China
| | - Juan Wang
- Key Laboratory of Neurogenetics and Channelopathies of Guangdong Province and the Ministry of Education of China, Department of Neurology, Institute of Neuroscience, Second Affiliated Hospital of Guangzhou Medical University, Guangzhou, China
| | - Jun-Xia Luo
- Epilepsy Center, Qilu Children’s Hospital of Shandong University, Jinan, China
| | - Xing-Guang Ye
- The Second School of Clinical Medicine, Southern Medical University, Guangzhou, China
- Department of Pediatrics, Affiliated Foshan Maternity & Child Healthcare Hospital, Southern Medical University, Foshan, China
| | - Xin Li
- Department of Pediatrics, The Second Hospital, Cheeloo College of Medicine, Shandong University, Jinan, China
| | - Qiong-Xiang Zhai
- Department of Neurology, Guangdong General Hospital, Guangdong Academy of Medical Sciences, Guangzhou, China
| | - Xiao-Rong Liu
- Key Laboratory of Neurogenetics and Channelopathies of Guangdong Province and the Ministry of Education of China, Department of Neurology, Institute of Neuroscience, Second Affiliated Hospital of Guangzhou Medical University, Guangzhou, China
| | - Jie Wang
- Key Laboratory of Neurogenetics and Channelopathies of Guangdong Province and the Ministry of Education of China, Department of Neurology, Institute of Neuroscience, Second Affiliated Hospital of Guangzhou Medical University, Guangzhou, China
| | - Liang-Di Gao
- Key Laboratory of Neurogenetics and Channelopathies of Guangdong Province and the Ministry of Education of China, Department of Neurology, Institute of Neuroscience, Second Affiliated Hospital of Guangzhou Medical University, Guangzhou, China
| | - Fu-Li Liu
- Department of Neurology, The First People’s Hospital of Foshan, Foshan, China
| | - Zi-Long Ye
- Key Laboratory of Neurogenetics and Channelopathies of Guangdong Province and the Ministry of Education of China, Department of Neurology, Institute of Neuroscience, Second Affiliated Hospital of Guangzhou Medical University, Guangzhou, China
| | - Huan Li
- Key Laboratory of Neurogenetics and Channelopathies of Guangdong Province and the Ministry of Education of China, Department of Neurology, Institute of Neuroscience, Second Affiliated Hospital of Guangzhou Medical University, Guangzhou, China
| | - Zai-Fen Gao
- Epilepsy Center, Qilu Children’s Hospital of Shandong University, Jinan, China
| | - Qing-Hui Guo
- Department of Pediatrics, The Second Hospital, Cheeloo College of Medicine, Shandong University, Jinan, China
| | - Bing-Mei Li
- Key Laboratory of Neurogenetics and Channelopathies of Guangdong Province and the Ministry of Education of China, Department of Neurology, Institute of Neuroscience, Second Affiliated Hospital of Guangzhou Medical University, Guangzhou, China
| | - Yong-Hong Yi
- Key Laboratory of Neurogenetics and Channelopathies of Guangdong Province and the Ministry of Education of China, Department of Neurology, Institute of Neuroscience, Second Affiliated Hospital of Guangzhou Medical University, Guangzhou, China
| | - Wei-Ping Liao
- Key Laboratory of Neurogenetics and Channelopathies of Guangdong Province and the Ministry of Education of China, Department of Neurology, Institute of Neuroscience, Second Affiliated Hospital of Guangzhou Medical University, Guangzhou, China
- *Correspondence: Wei-Ping Liao,
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Ji X, Gao Y, Zhang P, Jin Z, Zhang Y, Yang M, Zhang X, Chen Q. Generation of a human iPSC line CIPi001-A from a benign familial infantile epilepsy patient related 16p11.2 deletion. Stem Cell Res 2022; 59:102634. [PMID: 34995844 DOI: 10.1016/j.scr.2021.102634] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/30/2021] [Revised: 11/29/2021] [Accepted: 12/19/2021] [Indexed: 11/23/2022] Open
Abstract
The features of 16p11.2 deletion phenotype is developmental delay, intellectual disability, and autism spectrum disorder. Seizures are observed in approximately 20% of individuals with the microdeletion. Induced pluripotent stem cells (iPSCs) were generated from erythroblasts obtained from a child diagnosed with benign familial infantile epilepsy, caused by 16p11.2 deletion. These iPSCs exhibited stable amplification, expressed pluripotent markers, and differentiated spontaneously into three germ layers in vitro.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xinna Ji
- Department of Neurology, Capital Institute of Pediatrics, China
| | - Yanyan Gao
- Department of Neurology, Capital Institute of Pediatrics, China
| | - Pingping Zhang
- Department of Neurology, Capital Institute of Pediatrics, China
| | - Ziqi Jin
- Department of Neurology, Capital Institute of Pediatrics, China
| | - Yan Zhang
- Department of Neurology, Capital Institute of Pediatrics, China
| | - Minna Yang
- Department of Neurology, Capital Institute of Pediatrics, China
| | | | - Qian Chen
- Department of Neurology, Capital Institute of Pediatrics, China.
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30
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Beltrán-Corbellini Á, Aledo-Serrano Á, Møller RS, Pérez-Palma E, García-Morales I, Toledano R, Gil-Nagel A. Epilepsy Genetics and Precision Medicine in Adults: A New Landscape for Developmental and Epileptic Encephalopathies. Front Neurol 2022; 13:777115. [PMID: 35250806 PMCID: PMC8891166 DOI: 10.3389/fneur.2022.777115] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/14/2021] [Accepted: 01/27/2022] [Indexed: 12/14/2022] Open
Abstract
This review aims to provide an updated perspective of epilepsy genetics and precision medicine in adult patients, with special focus on developmental and epileptic encephalopathies (DEEs), covering relevant and controversial issues, such as defining candidates for genetic testing, which genetic tests to request and how to interpret them. A literature review was conducted, including findings in the discussion and recommendations. DEEs are wide and phenotypically heterogeneous electroclinical syndromes. They generally have a pediatric presentation, but patients frequently reach adulthood still undiagnosed. Identifying the etiology is essential, because there lies the key for precision medicine. Phenotypes modify according to age, and although deep phenotyping has allowed to outline certain entities, genotype-phenotype correlations are still poor, commonly leading to long-lasting diagnostic odysseys and ineffective therapies. Recent adult series show that the target patients to be identified for genetic testing are those with epilepsy and different risk factors. The clinician should take active part in the assessment of the pathogenicity of the variants detected, especially concerning variants of uncertain significance. An accurate diagnosis implies precision medicine, meaning genetic counseling, prognosis, possible future therapies, and a reduction of iatrogeny. Up to date, there are a few tens of gene mutations with additional concrete treatments, including those with restrictive/substitutive therapies, those with therapies modifying signaling pathways, and channelopathies, that are worth to be assessed in adults. Further research is needed regarding phenotyping of adult syndromes, early diagnosis, and the development of targeted therapies.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Ángel Aledo-Serrano
- Epilepsy Program, Neurology Department, Hospital Ruber Internacional, Madrid, Spain
- *Correspondence: Ángel Aledo-Serrano
| | - Rikke S. Møller
- Department of Epilepsy Genetics and Personalized Treatment, The Danish Epilepsy Centre, Dianalund, Denmark
| | - Eduardo Pérez-Palma
- Universidad del Desarrollo, Centro de Genética y Genómica, Facultad de Medicina Clínica Alemana, Santiago, Chile
| | - Irene García-Morales
- Epilepsy Program, Neurology Department, Hospital Ruber Internacional, Madrid, Spain
- Epilepsy Unit, Neurology Department, Clínico San Carlos University Hospital, Madrid, Spain
| | - Rafael Toledano
- Epilepsy Program, Neurology Department, Hospital Ruber Internacional, Madrid, Spain
- Epilepsy Unit, Neurology Department, Ramón y Cajal University Hospital, Madrid, Spain
| | - Antonio Gil-Nagel
- Epilepsy Program, Neurology Department, Hospital Ruber Internacional, Madrid, Spain
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Das S, Paramita P, Swain N, Roy R, Padhi S, Rath S, Mishra S, Mohakud NK. Hospital-Based Prevalence, Electroencephalogram (EEG), and Neuroimaging Correlation in Seizures Among Children in Odisha, India. Cureus 2022; 14:e21103. [PMID: 35165562 PMCID: PMC8829822 DOI: 10.7759/cureus.21103] [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] [Accepted: 01/11/2022] [Indexed: 11/14/2022] Open
Abstract
Background: Febrile seizures are very common in pediatric practice. We need to differentiate between febrile seizures and other seizures due to central nervous system (CNS) infection by various means of investigation. Though approximately 30% of patients with febrile seizure have later epilepsy and the risk is around 20% even if electroencephalogram (EEG), and neuro-imagings are normal. But data regarding this is laking in developing countries like India. Aim: The primary objective of this study is to determine the hospital-based prevalence among various types and etiologies of seizures in children admitted to the pediatric department in a teaching hospital of a developing country, India. Besides, the different types of seizures were correlated with the EEG and neuroimaging findings along with the acute onset of seizures among children. Methods: In this prospective observational study, children from two months to 15 years of age admitted to the Pediatrics Department, KIMS, Bhubaneswar in India between September 2017 and September 2019 were taken. The patients having seizures were included in the study based on the inclusion criteria. Neurological and systemic examinations of the children were recorded and the neuroimaging reports were analyzed. Results: A total of 19,553 patients aged two months to 15 years were admitted during the study period. Of that, 1,192 cases were diagnosed with febrile and unprovoked seizures. It was observed that the hospital-based prevalence of seizures among children in Odisha was 6%. Besides, it is found that generalized seizure disorder was the most common among the children. It was found that abnormal EEG, magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), and computed tomography (CT) brain in 60% (202/340), 49% (113/230), and 47% (136/288) of cases, respectively. MRI is a better modality of investigation in partial seizure cases 22 (64%) to detect CNS abnormality. Also, MRI of the brain is better in evaluating CNS abnormality in complex febrile cases 4 (31%) than CT brain (0%). Conclusion: The study concluded that EEG must be the standard modality of test for patients' diagnosis of seizure in children with seizures. CT/MRI scan can give a better supplement to the results but MRI findings are more accurate in cases of complex febrile seizures.
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Arnaud L, Abi Warde MT, Barcia G, de Bellescize J, Chatron N, Faoucher M, de Saint Martin A, Héron D, Jedraszak G, Lacoste C, Lèbre AS, Jenneson-Lyver M, Labalme A, Leguern E, Mignot C, Milh M, Nabbout R, Nava C, Panagiotakaki E, Piton A, Schaefer E, Thevenon J, Villard L, Ville D, Lesca G. The EPIGENE network: A French initiative to harmonize and improve the nationwide diagnosis of monogenic epilepsies. Eur J Med Genet 2022; 65:104445. [DOI: 10.1016/j.ejmg.2022.104445] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/05/2021] [Revised: 01/17/2022] [Accepted: 01/22/2022] [Indexed: 11/03/2022]
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Salinas V, Martínez N, Maturo JP, Rodriguez-Quiroga SA, Zavala L, Medina N, Amartino H, Sfaello I, Agosta G, Serafín EM, Morón DG, Kauffman MA, Vega P. Clinical next generation sequencing in developmental and epileptic encephalopathies: Diagnostic relevance of data re-analysis and variants re-interpretation. Eur J Med Genet 2021; 64:104363. [PMID: 34673242 DOI: 10.1016/j.ejmg.2021.104363] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/11/2020] [Revised: 09/24/2021] [Accepted: 10/08/2021] [Indexed: 11/26/2022]
Abstract
Developmental and epileptic encephalopathies (DEE) are complex pediatric epilepsies, in which heterogeneous pathogenic factors play an important role. Next-generation-sequencing based tools have shown excellent effectiveness. The constant increase in the number of new genotype-phenotype associations suggests the periodic need for re-interpretation and re-analysis of genetic studies without positive results. In this study, we report the diagnostic utility of targeted gene panel sequencing and whole exome sequencing in 55 Argentine subjects with DEE, focusing on the utility of re-interpretation and re-analysis of undetermined and negative genetic diagnoses. The new information in biomedical literature and databases was used for the re-interpretation. For re-analysis, sequencing data processing was repeated using updated bioinformatics tools. Initially, pathogenic variants were detected in 21 subjects (38%). After an average time of 29 months, 25% of the subjects without a genetic diagnosis were re-categorized as diagnosed. Finally, the overall diagnostic yield increased to 53% (29 subjects). In consequence of the re-interpretation and re-analysis, we identified novel variants in the genes: CHD2, COL4A1, FOXG1, GABRA1, GRIN2B, HNRNPU, KCNQ2, MECP2, PCDH19, SCN1A, SCN2A, SCN8A, SLC6A1, STXBP1 and WWOX. Our results expand the diagnostic yield of this subgroup of infantile and childhood seizures and demonstrate the importance of re-evaluation of genetic tests in subjects without an identified causative etiology.
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Affiliation(s)
- Valeria Salinas
- Neurogenetics Unit, Hospital JM Ramos Mejía, Buenos Aires, Argentina; Precision Medicine and Clinical Genomics Group, Translational Medicine Research Institute-CONICET, Faculty of Biomedical Sciences, Universidad Austral, Buenos Aires, Argentina.
| | - Nerina Martínez
- Neurogenetics Unit, Hospital JM Ramos Mejía, Buenos Aires, Argentina.
| | - Josefina Pérez Maturo
- Neurogenetics Unit, Hospital JM Ramos Mejía, Buenos Aires, Argentina; Precision Medicine and Clinical Genomics Group, Translational Medicine Research Institute-CONICET, Faculty of Biomedical Sciences, Universidad Austral, Buenos Aires, Argentina.
| | | | - Lucia Zavala
- Neurogenetics Unit, Hospital JM Ramos Mejía, Buenos Aires, Argentina.
| | - Nancy Medina
- Neurogenetics Unit, Hospital JM Ramos Mejía, Buenos Aires, Argentina.
| | - Hernán Amartino
- Paediatric Neurology Unit, Hospital Universitario Austral, Buenos Aires, Argentina.
| | - Ignacio Sfaello
- CETES, Instituto de Neurología Infanto-Juvenil, Córdoba, Argentina.
| | - Guillermo Agosta
- Paediatric Neurology Unit, Hospital Italiano de Buenos Aires, Buenos Aires, Argentina.
| | | | | | - Marcelo A Kauffman
- Neurogenetics Unit, Hospital JM Ramos Mejía, Buenos Aires, Argentina; Precision Medicine and Clinical Genomics Group, Translational Medicine Research Institute-CONICET, Faculty of Biomedical Sciences, Universidad Austral, Buenos Aires, Argentina.
| | - Patricia Vega
- Neurogenetics Unit, Hospital JM Ramos Mejía, Buenos Aires, Argentina.
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Spoto G, Saia MC, Amore G, Gitto E, Loddo G, Mainieri G, Nicotera AG, Di Rosa G. Neonatal Seizures: An Overview of Genetic Causes and Treatment Options. Brain Sci 2021; 11:brainsci11101295. [PMID: 34679360 PMCID: PMC8534058 DOI: 10.3390/brainsci11101295] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/10/2021] [Revised: 09/16/2021] [Accepted: 09/26/2021] [Indexed: 01/04/2023] Open
Abstract
Seizures are the most frequent neurological clinical symptoms of the central nervous system (CNS) during the neonatal period. Neonatal seizures may be ascribed to an acute event or symptomatic conditions determined by genetic, metabolic or structural causes, outlining the so-called 'Neonatal Epilepsies'. To date, three main groups of neonatal epilepsies are recognised during the neonatal period: benign familial neonatal epilepsy (BFNE), early myoclonic encephalopathy (EME) and 'Ohtahara syndrome' (OS). Recent advances showed the role of several genes in the pathogenesis of these conditions, such as KCNQ2, KCNQ3, ARX, STXBP1, SLC25A22, CDKL5, KCNT1, SCN2A and SCN8A. Herein, we reviewed the current knowledge regarding the pathogenic variants most frequently associated with neonatal seizures, which should be considered when approaching newborns affected by these disorders. In addition, we considered the new possible therapeutic strategies reported in these conditions.
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Affiliation(s)
- Giulia Spoto
- Unit of Child Neurology and Psychiatry, Department of Human Pathology of the Adult and Developmental Age “Gaetano Barresi”, University of Messina, 98125 Messina, Italy; (G.S.); (M.C.S.); (G.A.); (G.D.R.)
| | - Maria Concetta Saia
- Unit of Child Neurology and Psychiatry, Department of Human Pathology of the Adult and Developmental Age “Gaetano Barresi”, University of Messina, 98125 Messina, Italy; (G.S.); (M.C.S.); (G.A.); (G.D.R.)
| | - Greta Amore
- Unit of Child Neurology and Psychiatry, Department of Human Pathology of the Adult and Developmental Age “Gaetano Barresi”, University of Messina, 98125 Messina, Italy; (G.S.); (M.C.S.); (G.A.); (G.D.R.)
| | - Eloisa Gitto
- Unit of Neonatal Intensive Care, Department of Human Pathology of the Adult and Developmental Age “Gaetano Barresi”, University of Messina, 98125 Messina, Italy;
| | | | - Greta Mainieri
- Department of Biomedical and NeuroMotor Sciences, University of Bologna, 40138 Bologna, Italy;
| | - Antonio Gennaro Nicotera
- Unit of Child Neurology and Psychiatry, Department of Human Pathology of the Adult and Developmental Age “Gaetano Barresi”, University of Messina, 98125 Messina, Italy; (G.S.); (M.C.S.); (G.A.); (G.D.R.)
- Correspondence: ; Tel.: +39-090-221-2911
| | - Gabriella Di Rosa
- Unit of Child Neurology and Psychiatry, Department of Human Pathology of the Adult and Developmental Age “Gaetano Barresi”, University of Messina, 98125 Messina, Italy; (G.S.); (M.C.S.); (G.A.); (G.D.R.)
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Palmer EE, Howell K, Scheffer IE. Natural History Studies and Clinical Trial Readiness for Genetic Developmental and Epileptic Encephalopathies. Neurotherapeutics 2021; 18:1432-1444. [PMID: 34708325 PMCID: PMC8608984 DOI: 10.1007/s13311-021-01133-3] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 09/27/2021] [Indexed: 02/04/2023] Open
Abstract
The developmental and epileptic encephalopathies (DEEs) are the most severe group of epilepsies. They usually begin in infancy or childhood with drug-resistant seizures, epileptiform EEG patterns, developmental slowing or regression, and cognitive impairment. DEEs have a high mortality and profound morbidity; comorbidities are common including autism spectrum disorders. With advances in genetic sequencing, over 400 genes have been implicated in DEEs, with a genetic cause now identified in over 50% patients. Each genetic DEE typically has a broad genotypic-phenotypic spectrum, based on the underlying pathophysiology. There is a pressing need to improve health outcomes by developing novel targeted therapies for specific genetic DEE phenotypes that not only improve seizure control, but also developmental outcomes and comorbidities. Clinical trial readiness relies firstly on a deep understanding of phenotype-genotype correlation and evolution of a condition over time, in order to select appropriate patients for clinical trials. Understanding the natural history of the disorder informs assessment of treatment efficacy in terms of both clinical outcome and biomarker utility. Natural history studies (NHS) provide a high quality, integrated, comprehensive approach to understanding a complex disease and underpin clinical trial design for novel therapies. NHS are pre-planned observational studies designed to track the course of a disease and identify demographic, genetic, environmental, and other variables, including biomarkers, that correlate with the disease's evolution and outcomes. Due to the rarity of individual genetic DEEs, appropriately funded high-quality DEE NHS will be required, with sustainable frameworks and equitable access to affected individuals globally.
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Affiliation(s)
- Elizabeth E Palmer
- School of Women's and Children's Health, UNSW, Sydney, NSW, Australia
- Sydney Children's Hospital Network, Sydney, NSW, Australia
| | - Katherine Howell
- Department of Neurology, Royal Children's Hospital, Parkville, VIC, Australia
- Murdoch Children's Research Institute, Melbourne, VIC, Australia
- Department of Paediatrics, University of Melbourne, Melbourne, VIC, Australia
- Florey Institute for Neuroscience and Mental Health, Melbourne, VIC, Australia
| | - Ingrid E Scheffer
- Department of Neurology, Royal Children's Hospital, Parkville, VIC, Australia.
- Murdoch Children's Research Institute, Melbourne, VIC, Australia.
- Department of Paediatrics, University of Melbourne, Melbourne, VIC, Australia.
- Epilepsy Research Centre, Department of Medicine, University of Melbourne, Austin Health, Melbourne, VIC, Australia.
- Florey Institute for Neuroscience and Mental Health, Melbourne, VIC, Australia.
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