Generalized epilepsy with febrile seizures plus: novel SCN1A mutation

Pediatr Neurol. 2010 Feb;42(2):137-40. doi: 10.1016/j.pediatrneurol.2009.09.007.

Abstract

Genetic generalized epilepsy with febrile seizures plus (GEFS+) is an idiopathic generalized epileptic syndrome of heterogeneous phenotype. The cases described here are of two brothers, one with severe myoclonic epilepsy of infancy (Dravet syndrome) and the other myoclonic-astatic epilepsy. Their father experienced one simple febrile seizure in infancy and two generalized tonic-clonic seizures after head trauma in adulthood, and had generalized epileptiform activity in the electroencephalogram. He died in a severe sport accident before genetic testing could be performed. In both siblings, but not in their healthy mother, DNA analysis identified an unreported point mutation (c.3925 C>T) in exon 20 of the SCN1A gene. The missense mutation was therefore assumed to be inherited from the father, who had a very mild clinical picture, with a single febrile seizure and only occasional generalized tonic-clonic seizures. The offspring have GEFS+ phenotypes with opposite severity, an illustration of the broad intrafamilial variability of SCN1A gene mutations.

Publication types

  • Case Reports

MeSH terms

  • Adolescent
  • Child
  • Electroencephalography
  • Epilepsy, Generalized / complications
  • Epilepsy, Generalized / diagnosis
  • Epilepsy, Generalized / genetics*
  • Humans
  • Male
  • NAV1.1 Voltage-Gated Sodium Channel
  • Nerve Tissue Proteins / genetics*
  • Point Mutation / genetics*
  • Seizures, Febrile / complications
  • Seizures, Febrile / diagnosis
  • Seizures, Febrile / genetics*
  • Sodium Channels / genetics*

Substances

  • NAV1.1 Voltage-Gated Sodium Channel
  • Nerve Tissue Proteins
  • SCN1A protein, human
  • Sodium Channels