Analysis of EEG patterns and genotypes in patients with Angelman syndrome.

We prospectively analyzed EEGs from participants in the ongoing NIH Rare Diseases Clinical Research Network Angelman Syndrome Natural History Study. Of the one-hundred-sixty enrolled patients (2006-2010), 115 had complete data (58 boys, median age 3.6 years). Distinct EEG findings were intermittent rhythmic delta waves (83.5%), interictal epileptiform discharges (74.2%), intermittent rhythmic theta waves (43.5%), and posterior rhythm slowing (43.5%). Centro-occipital and centro-temporal delta waves decreased with age (p=0.01, p=0.03). There were no specific correlations between EEG patterns and genotypes. A classification tree allowed the prediction of deletions class-1 (5.9 Mb) in patients with intermittent theta waves in <50% of EEG and interictal epileptiform abnormalities; UPD, UBE3A mutation or imprinting defects in patients with intermittent theta in <50% of EEG without interictal epileptiform abnormalities; deletions class-2 (5.0 Mb) in patients with >50% theta and normal posterior rhythm; atypical deletions in patients with >50% theta but abnormal posterior rhythm. EEG patterns are important biomarkers in Angelman syndrome and may suggest the underlying genetic etiology.

Benign rolandic epileptiform discharges are associated with mood and behavior problems.

Children with benign rolandic epilepsy (BRE) experience elevated rates of cognitive, behavioral, and affective problems. Frequent epileptiform spike discharges may impair behavioral functioning. To elucidate this relationship, we evaluated associations between the EEG spike frequency index (SI) and parental ratings of psychosocial adjustment and executive functioning in school-aged children with EEGs typical of BRE. Twenty-one children (6-12 years) participated. Parents completed validated questionnaires at a median of 5 months (range: 1-8) after a routine outpatient EEG. The EEG SI was calculated for wakefulness and sleep. The strength of association between the SI and behavioral variables was evaluated by simple and multivariate correlation. Higher awake and sleep SIs were associated with more symptoms of depression (P<0.001), aggression and conduct problems (P<0.01). Higher sleep SI was associated with executive dysfunction and anxiety (P<0.05). Symptoms of hyperactivity and inattention had no correlation. Increased epileptiform activity in children with BRE may predict higher rates of mood and behavioral problems.

Deletions of NRXN1 (neurexin-1) predispose to a wide spectrum of developmental disorders.

Research has implicated mutations in the gene for neurexin-1 (NRXN1) in a variety of conditions including autism, schizophrenia, and nicotine dependence. To our knowledge, there have been no published reports describing the breadth of the phenotype associated with mutations in NRXN1. We present a medical record review of subjects with deletions involving exonic sequences of NRXN1. We ascertained cases from 3,540 individuals referred clinically for comparative genomic hybridization testing from March 2007 to January 2009. Twelve subjects were identified with exonic deletions. The phenotype of individuals with NRXN1 deletion is variable and includes autism spectrum disorders, mental retardation, language delays, and hypotonia. There was a statistically significant increase in NRXN1 deletion in our clinical sample compared to control populations described in the literature (P = 8.9 x 10(-7)). Three additional subjects with NRXN1 deletions and autism were identified through the Homozygosity Mapping Collaborative for Autism, and this deletion segregated with the phenotype. Our study indicates that deletions of NRXN1 predispose to a wide spectrum of developmental disorders.

Oxcarbazepine in children with nocturnal frontal-lobe epilepsy.

Nocturnal frontal-lobe epilepsy is characterized by paroxysmal arousals, motor seizures with dystonic or hyperkinetic features, and episodic nocturnal wanderings. Carbamazepine is effective for seizure control in some of these patients, but seizures may be refractory to multiple antiepileptic drugs. We report on eight children between ages 4-16 years with nocturnal frontal-lobe epilepsy who had a dramatic response to oxcarbazepine at standard recommended doses, some of whom were refractory to previous antiepileptic medications. Brain magnetic resonance imaging, routine electroencephalogram, and prolonged, continuous video-electroencephalogram telemetry were performed in all children. Nocturnal frontal-lobe epilepsy was diagnosed by demonstrating ictal electroencephalogram changes originating from the frontal lobes. The children were followed for response of seizures to oxcarbazepine, side effects, and routine blood tests, including serum 10-monohydroxide derivative levels. The mean oxcarbazepine dose was 30.4 mg/kg/day +/- 11.7 (mean +/- SD); the mean 10-monohydroxide level was 23.1 microg/mL +/- 8.6 (mean +/- SD). Seizures improved within 4 days of oxcarbazepine initiation in six children, whereas two children required higher doses. Their follow-up has ranged from 12 to 24 months, without seizure recurrence or serious side effects. Our patients demonstrate the efficacy of oxcarbazepine for nocturnal hyperkinetic seizures in children with nocturnal frontal-lobe epilepsy.

DNM1 encephalopathy: A new disease of vesicle fission.

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the phenotypic spectrum caused by mutations in dynamin 1 (DNM1), encoding the presynaptic protein DNM1, and to investigate possible genotype-phenotype correlations and predicted functional consequences based on structural modeling. METHODS: We reviewed phenotypic data of 21 patients (7 previously published) with DNM1 mutations. We compared mutation data to known functional data and undertook biomolecular modeling to assess the effect of the mutations on protein function. RESULTS: We identified 19 patients with de novo mutations in DNM1 and a sibling pair who had an inherited mutation from a mosaic parent. Seven patients (33.3%) carried the recurrent p.Arg237Trp mutation. A common phenotype emerged that included severe to profound intellectual disability and muscular hypotonia in all patients and an epilepsy characterized by infantile spasms in 16 of 21 patients, frequently evolving into Lennox-Gastaut syndrome. Two patients had profound global developmental delay without seizures. In addition, we describe a single patient with normal development before the onset of a catastrophic epilepsy, consistent with febrile infection-related epilepsy syndrome at 4 years. All mutations cluster within the GTPase or middle domains, and structural modeling and existing functional data suggest a dominant-negative effect on DMN1 function. CONCLUSIONS: The phenotypic spectrum of DNM1-related encephalopathy is relatively homogeneous, in contrast to many other genetic epilepsies. Up to one-third of patients carry the recurrent p.Arg237Trp variant, which is now one of the most common recurrent variants in epileptic encephalopathies identified to date. Given the predicted dominant-negative mechanism of this mutation, this variant presents a prime target for therapeutic intervention.

Septo-optic dysplasia complicated by infantile spasms and bilateral choroidal fissure arachnoid cysts.

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE: septo-optic dysplasia (SOD) is the triad of optic nerve hypoplasia, panhypopituitarism, and agenesis of septum pellucidum, and has been described previously to be associated with heterotopias and midline interhemispheric cyst. We describe a case of SOD with arachnoid cysts, persistent primary hyperplastic vitreous, and malformations of cortical development. METHODS: case report and review of literature. RESULTS: our patient was found to have SOD, bilateral ventriculomegaly, pachygyria, gray matter heterotopia, bilateral choroidal cysts near the brainstem, and persistent primary hyperplastic vitreous. She later developed infantile spasms and required enucleation of the abnormal eye and cyst fenestration. CONCLUSION: coincidence of seizures, SOD, bilateral choroid fissure cysts, heterotopias, and persistent primary hyperplastic vitreous is a unique constellation. It is unclear whether this represents a new syndrome or SOD spectrum variation. Patients with SOD and arachnoid cysts should be monitored for signs of herniation.

The safety and tolerability of newer antiepileptic drugs in children and adolescents.

The newer antiepileptic drugs (AEDs) provide more therapeutic options and overall improved safety and tolerability for patients. To provide the best care, physicians must be familiar with the latest tolerability and safety data. This is particularly true in children, given there are relatively fewer studies examining the effects of AEDs in children compared with adults. Since we now have significant paediatric literature on each of these agents, we provide a comprehensive and current literature review of the newer AEDs, focusing on safety and tolerability data in children and adolescents. Because the safety profiles in children differ from those in adults, familiarity with this literature is important for child neurologists and other paediatric caregivers. We have organized the data by organ system for each AED for easier reference.

Electroencephalography in epilepsy surgery planning.

OBJECTIVE: To describe localizing value of surface EEG recording in the presurgical evaluation of medically intractable pediatric epilepsy patients. METHODS: We review the relevant concepts required for understanding the role of surface EEG in the presurgical evaluation and in identifying the epileptogenic zone. The unique features of EEG and its limitations are discussed. CONCLUSION: Despite recent technological advancements, surface EEG continues to play a crucial role in defining the epileptogenic zone, and thus in presurgical planning.