Phenotypic and genetic spectrum of SCN8A‐related disorders,treatment options,and outcomes

Pathogenic variants in SCN8A have originally been described in patients with developmental and epileptic encephalopathy (DEE). However, recent studies have shown that SCN8A variants can be associated with a broader phenotypic spectrum, including the following: (1) Patients with early onset, severe DEE, developing severe cognitive and motor regression, pyramidal/extrapyramidal signs, and cortical blindness. Severe SCN8A‐DEE is characterized by intractable seizures beginning in the first months of life. The seizures are often prolonged focal hypomotor and occur in clusters, with prominent vegetative symptoms (apnea, cyanosis, mydriasis), evolving to clonic or bilateral tonic‐clonic manifestations. Spasm‐like episodes, cortical myoclonus, and recurrent episodes of status epilepticus are also common. Electroencephalograms (EEGs) show progressive background deterioration and multifocal abnormalities, predominant in the posterior regions. (2) Sporadic and familial patients with mild‐to‐moderate intellectual disability, discrete neurological signs, and treatable epilepsy. EEG is abnormal in half of the cases, showing multifocal or diffuse epileptiform abnormalities. (3) Familial cases with benign infantile seizures, sometimes associated with paroxysmal dyskinesia later in life, with no other neurological deficits, normal cognition, and usually normal interictal EEG. (4) Patients without epilepsy but with cognitive and/or behavioral disturbances, or with movement disorders. Extrapyramidal features, such as dyskinesia, ataxia, and choreoathetosis are common in all groups. Early death has been reported in about 5% of the patients, most often in the subgroup of severe DEE. Premature death occurs during early childhood and often for causes other than sudden unexpected death in epilepsy. All epilepsy subgroups exhibit better seizure control with sodium channel blockers, usually at supratherapeutic doses in the severe cases. In severe SCN8A‐DEE, ketogenic diet often has a good effect, whereas levetiracetam has a negative effect, if any. The familial SCN8A‐related epilepsies show an autosomal dominant pattern of inheritance, whereas the vast majority of SCN8A‐DEEs occur de novo.     

SCN2A基因突变所致癫痫的遗传和表型特点

目的 探讨SCN2A(Sodium channel,voltage-gated,type II,alpha)基因突变所致癫痫的遗传及表型特点。方法 收集广东三九脑科医院癫痫中心2016年8至2021年4月收治的癫痫患儿,应用全外显捕获高通量测序技术发现SCN2A基因突变者,回顾性总结分析患儿临床及遗传资料。结果 共收集14例SCN2A基因突变阳性患儿,其中男7例,女7例,起病年龄1 d～6岁,其中3月龄内起病者8例(57.1%),3月龄后起病者6例(42.9%)。共发现13种突变,均为杂合错义突变。2例携带相同母源SCN2A突变,均为良性家族性癫痫; 3例携带父源突变,其中2例发作缓解(66.7%); 9例为新发突变,4例发作缓解(44.4%)。14例SCN2A突变癫痫患儿存在多种发作类型,以局灶性发作(64.3%)、痉挛发作(42.9%)、强直发作(35.7%)为主,其他发作类型较为少见; 8例患者有丛集性发作(57.1%)。14例患儿脑电图可见多种放电模式,以局灶性放电8例(57.1%)、弥漫性放电6例(42.9%)、多灶性放电5例(35.7%)多见。头部磁共振成像(Magnetic resonance imaging,MRI)以大脑发育不良(白质发育不良、白质变性、脑室发育不良、胼胝体发育不良、弥漫性脑萎缩)多见(42.9%)。除2例良性家族性癫痫患儿外,12例发育性/癫痫性脑病患儿,2例大田原综合征,3例韦斯特综合征,3例发育性脑病,3例发育性癫痫性脑病,1例婴儿游走性部分性发作,发育均呈中重度发育迟缓; 其中3月龄前起病者(早发SCN2A相关癫痫)10例,5例发作缓解; 3月龄后起病者(晚发SCN2A相关癫痫)2例,1例发作缓解。14例患儿抗癫痫治疗方案有较大个体差异,2例良性家族性癫痫对德巴金效果佳; 12例发育性/癫痫性脑病患儿中10例早发SCN2A相关癫痫患儿有6例尝试奥卡西平,4例有效(66.7%); 3例晚发患儿,1例应用且无效,但无加重发作。结论 SCN2A基因突变以错义突变为主,新发错义突变较遗传性突变预后差。SCN2A突变导致电压门控钠离子通道(Voltage-gated Na channel,VGNC或Na_v)的Ⅱ型Na_v1.2两种功能改变:获得功能和丧失功能,早发型(起病年龄<3月龄)Na_v1.2以获得功能为主,对钠离子通道阻滞剂(Sodium channel blockers,SCBs)效果佳; 晚发型(起病年龄≥3月龄)Na_v1.2以丧失功能为主,对SCBs效果差,甚至可能加重发作。SCBs首选适量苯妥英钠治疗。其他治疗如奥卡西平、生酮饮食、促肾上腺皮质激素(Adrenocorticotropic horme,ACTH)、氨己烯酸亦可尝试,且应个体化调整治疗方案。     

SCN2A channelopathies: Mechanisms and models

Variants in the SCN2A gene, encoding the voltage‐gated sodium channel Na_V1.2, cause a variety of neuropsychiatric syndromes with different severity ranging from self‐limiting epilepsies with early onset to developmental and epileptic encephalopathy with early or late onset and intellectual disability (ID), as well as ID or autism without seizures. Functional analysis of channel defects demonstrated a genotype‐phenotype correlation and suggested effective treatment options for one group of affected patients carrying gain‐of‐function variants. Here, we sum up the functional mechanisms underlying different phenotypes of patients with SCN2A channelopathies and present currently available models that can help in understanding SCN2A‐related disorders.     

Confirming an expanded spectrum of SCN2A mutations: a case series

Mutations in sodium channel genes are highly associated with epilepsy. Mutation of SCN1A, the gene encoding the voltage gated sodium channel (VGSC) alpha subunit type 1 (Nav1.1), causes Dravet syndrome spectrum disorders. Mutations in SCN2A have been identified in patients with benign familial neonatal‐infantile epilepsy (BFNIE), generalised epilepsy with febrile seizures plus (GEFS+), and a small number of reported cases of other infantile‐onset severe intractable epilepsy. Here, we report three patients with infantile‐onset severe intractable epilepsy found to have de novo mutations in SCN2A. While a causal role for these mutations cannot be directly established, these findings contribute to growing evidence that mutation of SCN2A is associated with a range of epilepsy phenotypes including severe infantile‐onset epilepsy.     

Neonatal tremor episodes and hyperekplexia‐like presentation at onset in a child with SCN8A developmental and epileptic encephalopathy

SCN8A encephalopathy is a newly defined epileptic encephalopathy caused by de novo mutations of the SCN8A gene. We report herein a four‐year‐old boy presenting with severe non‐epileptic abnormal movements, of possibly antenatal onset, progressively associated with pharmacoresistant epilepsy and regression, associated with a de novo heterozygous missense mutation of SCN8A. This case shows that paroxysmal non‐epileptic episodes of severe tremor and hyperekplexia‐like startles and a striking vegetative component can be the first early symptoms of severe SCN8A developmental and epileptic encephalopathy. Clinicians should be aware of these symptoms in order to avoid misdiagnosis and ensure early appropriate therapeutic management. [Published with video sequences on www.epilepticdisorders.com ].     

Neonatal developmental and epileptic encephalopathy with movement disorders and arthrogryposis: A case report with a novel missense variant of SCN1A

Variants of SCN1A represent the archetypal channelopathy associated with several epilepsy syndromes. The clinical phenotypes have recently expanded from Dravet syndrome.Case reportWe present a female patient with the de novo SCN1A missense variant, c.5340G > A (p. Met1780Ile). The patient had various clinical features with neonatal onset SCN1A epileptic encephalopathy, arthrogryposis multiplex congenita, thoracic hypoplasia, thoracic scoliosis, and hyperekplexia.ConclusionOur findings are compatible with neonatal developmental and epileptic encephalopathy with movement disorders and arthrogryposis; the most severe phenotype probably caused by gain-of-function variant of SCN1A. The efficacy of sodium channel blocker was also discussed. Further exploration of the phenotype–genotype relationship of SCN1A variants may lead to better pharmacological treatments and family guidance.     

Generalized epilepsy with febrile seizures plus (GEFS+): clinical spectrum in seven Italian families unrelated to SCN1A, SCN1B, and GABRG2 gene mutations

PURPOSE: We describe seven Italian families with generalized epilepsy with febrile seizures plus (GEFS+), in which mutations of SCN1A, SCN1B, and GABRG2 genes were excluded and compare their clinical spectrum with that of previously reported GEFS+ with known mutations. METHODS: We performed a clinical study of seven families (167 individuals). The molecular study included analysis of polymerase chain reaction (PCR) fragments of SCN1A and SCN1B exons by denaturing high-performance liquid chromatography (DHPLC) and direct sequencing of GABRG2 in all families. We excluded SCN1A, SCN1B, and GABRG2 genes with linkage analysis in a large pedigree and directly sequenced SCN2A in a family with neonatal-infantile seizures onset. We compared the epilepsy phenotypes observed in our families with those of GEFS+ families harboring mutations of SCN1A, SCN1B, and GABRG2 and estimated the percentage of mutations of these genes among GEFS+ cases by reviewing all published studies. RESULTS: Inheritance was autosomal dominant with 69% penetrance. Forty-one individuals had epilepsy: 29 had a phenotype consistent with GEFS+; seven had idiopathic generalized epilepsy (IGE); in three, the epilepsy type could not be classified; and two were considered phenocopies. Clinical phenotypes included FS+ (29.2%), FS (29.2%), IGE (18.2%), FS+ with focal seizures (13%) or absence seizures (2.6%), and FS with absence seizures (2.6%). Molecular study of SCN1A, SCN2A, SCN1B, and GABRG2 did not reveal any mutation. Results of our study and literature review indicate that mutations of SCN1A, SCN2A, SCN1B, and GABRG2 in patients with GEFS+ are rare. CONCLUSIONS: The most frequently observed phenotypes matched those reported in families with mutations of the SCN1A, SCN1B, and GABRG2 genes. IGE and GEFS+ may overlap in some families, suggesting a shared genetic mechanism. The observation that 13% of affected individuals had focal epilepsy confirms previously reported rates and should prompt a reformulation of the "GEFS+" concept to include focal epileptogenesis.     

Clinical evolution and epilepsy outcome in three patients with CDKL5‐related developmental encephalopathy

Aims. To further characterise CDKL5‐related disorder, previously classified as an early‐onset seizure variant of Rett syndrome, which is currently considered a specific and independent early‐infantile epileptic encephalopathy. Methods. We describe the epileptic phenotype and neurocognitive development in three girls with CDKL5 mutations showing severe neurodevelopmental impairment, with different epileptic phenotypes and severity. Results. The patients differed regarding age at epilepsy onset, seizure frequency, duration of “honeymoon periods”, as well as EEG features. The “honeymoon period”, defined as a seizure‐free period longer than two months, represented, in our case series, a good indicator of the epilepsy outcome, but not of the severity of developmental impairment. However, even during the “honeymoon period”, the interictal EEG showed epileptiform abnormalities, slowing, or a disappearance of physiological pattern. The natural history of CDKL5 disorder was compared between the three girls, focusing on the relationship between electroclinical features and neurological development. Conclusion. Our findings suggest that CDKL5 mutations likely play a direct role in psychomotor development, whereas epilepsy is one of the clinical features associated with this complex disorder.     

The incidence of SCN1A‐related Dravet syndrome in Denmark is 1:22,000: A population‐based study from 2004 to 2009

Dravet syndrome is a severe infantile‐onset epileptic encephalopathy associated with mutations in the sodium channel alpha‐1 subunit gene SCN1A. We aimed to describe the incidence of Dravet syndrome in the Danish population. Based on a 6‐year birth cohort from 2004 to 2009, we propose an incidence of 1:22,000, which is higher than what has been established earlier. We identified 17 cases with SCN1A mutation–positive Dravet syndrome. Fifteen patients were found, by conventional Sanger sequencing. Two additional patients with clinical Dravet syndrome, but without a detectable SCN1A mutation by Sanger sequencing, were diagnosed with a SCN1A mutation after using a targeted next‐generation sequencing gene panel.     

Update on the genetics of the epilepsy‐aphasia spectrum and role of GRIN2A mutations

Formerly idiopathic, focal epilepsies (IFE) are self‐limiting, “age‐related” diseases that mainly occur during critical developmental periods. Childhood epilepsy with centrotemporal spikes, or Rolandic epilepsy (RE), is the most frequent form of IFE. Together with the Landau‐Kleffner syndrome and the epileptic Encephalopathy related to Status Epilepticus during slow Sleep syndrome (ESES), RE is part of a single and continuous spectrum of childhood epilepsies and epileptic encephalopathies with acquired cognitive, behavioral and speech and/or language impairment, known as the epilepsy‐aphasia spectrum (EAS). The pathophysiology has long been attributed to an elusive and complex interplay between brain development and maturation processes on the one hand, and susceptibility genes on the other hand. Studies based on the variable combination of molecular cytogenetics, Sanger and next‐generation sequencing tools, and functional assays have led to the identification and validation of genetic mutations in the GRIN2A gene that can directly cause various types of EAS disorders. The recent identification of GRIN2A defects in EAS represents a first and major break‐through in our understanding of the underlying pathophysiological mechanisms. In this review, we describe the current knowledge on the genetic architecture of IFE.     

Emergence of lingual dystonia and strabismus in early-onset SCN8A self-limiting familial infantile epilepsy

Pathogenic variants in SCN8A are associated with a broad phenotypic spectrum, including Self-Limiting Familial Infantile Epilepsy (SeLFIE), characterized by infancy-onset age-related seizures with normal development and cognition. Movement disorders, particularly paroxysmal kinesigenic dyskinesia typically arising after puberty, may represent another core symptom. We present the case of a 1-year-old girl with a familial disposition to self-limiting focal seizures from the maternal side and early-onset orofacial movement disorders associated with SCN8A-SeLFIE. Brain MRI was normal. Genetic testing revealed a maternally inherited SCN8A variant [c.4447G > A; p.(Glu1483Lys)]. After the introduction of valproic acid, she promptly achieved seizure control as well as complete remission of strabismus and a significant decrease in episodes of tongue deviation. Family history, genetic findings, and epilepsy phenotype are consistent with SCN8A-SeLFIE. Movement disorders are an important part of the SCN8A phenotypic spectrum, and this case highlights the novel early-onset orofacial movement disorders associated with this condition. The episodes of tongue deviation and protrusion suggest focal oromandibular (lingual) dystonia. Additionally, while infantile strabismus or esophoria is a common finding in healthy individuals, our case raises the possibility of an ictal origin of the strabismus. This study underscores the importance of recognizing and addressing movement disorders in SCN8A-SeLFIE patients, particularly the rare early-onset orofacial manifestations. It adds to the growing body of knowledge regarding the diverse clinical presentations of SCN8A-associated disorders and suggests potential avenues for clinical management and further research.     

GEFS+ is not related to the most common mutations of SCN1B,SCN1A and GABRG2 in two Tunisian families

The objective was to investigate whether the described mutations of the SCN1A, SCN1B and GABRG2 genes are associated to generalised epilepsy with febrile seizure plus (GEFS+) in two Tunisian families. We performed a genetic study of two multigenerational Tunisian families with GEFS+ spectrum. The molecular analysis included a PCR amplification of SCN1B, SCN1A and GAGRG2 exons, then a screening of the known SCN1B, SCN1A and GABRG2 gene mutations by direct sequencing. The data excluded the involvement of all known published mutations. However, an insertion of a T nucleotide at a heterozygous state within the intron 12 of the SCN1A gene has been identified in two probands and their parents. Our results corroborate the genetic heterogeneity of GEFS+ predominantly in epilepsy patients of different countries and ethnic groups.     

全面性癫(癎)伴热性惊厥附加症一家系的临床特点及SCN2A基因分析

目的 报告一个全面性癫(癎)伴热性惊厥附加症(generlized epilepsy with febrile seizures plus,GEFS+)家系,并探讨其临床及基因特点.方法 对该家系进行全面的调查,对其临床资料进行回顾性分析;采集该家系38名成员的静脉血并抽提其基因组DNA,采用PCR-DNA直接测序和P...