Timing of therapy and neurodevelopmental outcomes in 18 families with pyridoxine-dependent epilepsy.

BACKGROUND: Seventy-five percent of patients with pyridoxine-dependent epilepsy due to α-aminoadipic semialdehyde dehydrogenase deficiency (PDE-ALDH7A1) suffer intellectual developmental disability despite pyridoxine treatment. Adjunct lysine reduction therapies (LRT), aimed at lowering putative neurotoxic metabolites, are associated with improved cognitive outcomes. However, possibly due to timing of treatment, not all patients have normal intellectual function. METHODS: This retrospective, multi-center cohort study evaluated the effect of timing of pyridoxine monotherapy and pyridoxine with adjunct LRT on neurodevelopmental outcome. Patients with confirmed PDE-ALDH7A1 with at least one sibling with PDE-ALDH7A1 and a difference in age at treatment initiation were eligible and identified via the international PDE registry, resulting in thirty-seven patients of 18 families. Treatment regimen was pyridoxine monotherapy in ten families and pyridoxine with adjunct LRT in the other eight. Primary endpoints were standardized and clinically assessed neurodevelopmental outcomes. Clinical neurodevelopmental status was subjectively assessed over seven domains: overall neurodevelopment, speech/language, cognition, fine and gross motor skills, activities of daily living and behavioral/psychiatric abnormalities. RESULTS: The majority of early treated siblings on pyridoxine monotherapy performed better than their late treated siblings on the clinically assessed domain of fine motor skills. For siblings on pyridoxine and adjunct LRT, the majority of early treated siblings performed better on clinically assessed overall neurodevelopment, cognition, and behavior/psychiatry. Fourteen percent of the total cohort was assessed as normal on all domains. CONCLUSION: Early treatment with pyridoxine and adjunct LRT may be beneficial for neurodevelopmental outcome. When evaluating a more extensive neurodevelopmental assessment, the actual impairment rate may be higher than the 75% reported in literature. TAKE- HOME MESSAGE: Early initiation of lysine reduction therapies adjunct to pyridoxine treatment in patients with PDE-ALDH7A1 may result in an improved neurodevelopmental outcome.

DTYMK is essential for genome integrity and neuronal survival.

Nucleotide metabolism is a complex pathway regulating crucial cellular processes such as nucleic acid synthesis, DNA repair and proliferation. This study shows that impairment of the biosynthesis of one of the building blocks of DNA, dTTP, causes a severe, early-onset neurodegenerative disease. Here, we describe two unrelated children with bi-allelic variants in DTYMK, encoding dTMPK, which catalyzes the penultimate step in dTTP biosynthesis. The affected children show severe microcephaly and growth retardation with minimal neurodevelopment. Brain imaging revealed severe cerebral atrophy and disappearance of the basal ganglia. In cells of affected individuals, dTMPK enzyme activity was minimal, along with impaired DNA replication. In addition, we generated dtymk mutant zebrafish that replicate this phenotype of microcephaly, neuronal cell death and early lethality. An increase of ribonucleotide incorporation in the genome as well as impaired responses to DNA damage were observed in dtymk mutant zebrafish, providing novel pathophysiological insights. It is highly remarkable that this deficiency is viable as an essential component for DNA cannot be generated, since the metabolic pathway for dTTP synthesis is completely blocked. In summary, by combining genetic and biochemical approaches in multiple models we identified loss-of-function of DTYMK as the cause of a severe postnatal neurodegenerative disease and highlight the essential nature of dTTP synthesis in the maintenance of genome stability and neuronal survival.

Ocular findings in 22q11.2 deletion syndrome: A systematic literature review and results of a Dutch multicenter study.

The 22q11.2 deletion syndrome (22q11.2DS) is a multisystem disorder with an estimated prevalence of 1:3000 live births. Manifestations show a marked variability in expression and include speech- and language delay, intellectual disability, and neuropsychiatric disorders. We aim to provide an overview of ocular findings in 22q11.2DS in order to optimize recommendations for ophthalmic screening. We combined results from a systematic literature review with results from a multicenter cross-sectional study of patients with 22q11.2DS who were assessed by an ophthalmologist. Our systematic literature search yielded four articles, describing 270 patients. We included 132 patients in our cross-sectional study (median age 8.9 [range 0-56] years). Most reported ocular findings were retinal vascular tortuosity (32%-78%), posterior embryotoxon (22%-50%), eye lid hooding (20%-67%), strabismus (12%-36%), amblyopia (2%-11%), ptosis (4%-6%), and refractive errors, of which hyperopia (6%-48%) and astigmatism (3%-23%) were most common. Visual acuity was (near) normal in most patients (91%-94%). Refractive errors, strabismus, and amblyopia are treatable conditions that are frequently present in patients with 22q11.2DS and should be corrected at an early stage. Therefore, in 22q11.2DS, we recommend ophthalmic and orthoptic screening at the age of 3 years or at diagnosis, and a low-threshold referral in adults.

Destination unknown: Parents and healthcare professionals' perspectives on transition from paediatric to adult care in Down syndrome.

BACKGROUND: Transitioning from paediatric medical care to adult care is a challenging process for children, parents and healthcare professionals. The aim of this study was to explore the experiences, concerns and needs of parents of children with Down syndrome and of professionals regarding this transition. METHOD: A qualitative study was performed using semi-structured interviews with 20 parents of children with Down syndrome and six healthcare professionals. RESULTS: We showed that parents and professionals have concerns during each of the three distinct phases of transition (preparation, transfer and integration). Data disclose specific concerns regarding communication, continuity of care and rebuilding trust. We propose a framework for the transition to adult care. CONCLUSIONS: The transition in medical care for children with Down syndrome should be flexible, patient-centred and coordinated together with patients and parents. Only in ensuring continuity of care will individuals with Down syndrome not get lost in transition.

Missense Variants in RHOBTB2 Cause a Developmental and Epileptic Encephalopathy in Humans, and Altered Levels Cause Neurological Defects in Drosophila.

Although the role of typical Rho GTPases and other Rho-linked proteins in synaptic plasticity and cognitive function and dysfunction is widely acknowledged, the role of atypical Rho GTPases (such as RHOBTB2) in neurodevelopment has barely been characterized. We have now identified de novo missense variants clustering in the BTB-domain-encoding region of RHOBTB2 in ten individuals with a similar phenotype, including early-onset epilepsy, severe intellectual disability, postnatal microcephaly, and movement disorders. Three of the variants were recurrent. Upon transfection of HEK293 cells, we found that mutant RHOBTB2 was more abundant than the wild-type, most likely because of impaired degradation in the proteasome. Similarly, elevated amounts of the Drosophila ortholog RhoBTB in vivo were associated with seizure susceptibility and severe locomotor defects. Knockdown of RhoBTB in the Drosophila dendritic arborization neurons resulted in a decreased number of dendrites, thus suggesting a role of RhoBTB in dendritic development. We have established missense variants in the BTB-domain-encoding region of RHOBTB2 as causative for a developmental and epileptic encephalopathy and have elucidated the role of atypical Rho GTPase RhoBTB in Drosophila neurological function and possibly dendrite development.

Consensus guidelines for the diagnosis and management of pyridoxine-dependent epilepsy due to α-aminoadipic semialdehyde dehydrogenase deficiency.

Pyridoxine-dependent epilepsy (PDE-ALDH7A1) is an autosomal recessive condition due to a deficiency of α-aminoadipic semialdehyde dehydrogenase, which is a key enzyme in lysine oxidation. PDE-ALDH7A1 is a developmental and epileptic encephalopathy that was historically and empirically treated with pharmacologic doses of pyridoxine. Despite adequate seizure control, most patients with PDE-ALDH7A1 were reported to have developmental delay and intellectual disability. To improve outcome, a lysine-restricted diet and competitive inhibition of lysine transport through the use of pharmacologic doses of arginine have been recommended as an adjunct therapy. These lysine-reduction therapies have resulted in improved biochemical parameters and cognitive development in many but not all patients. The goal of these consensus guidelines is to re-evaluate and update the two previously published recommendations for diagnosis, treatment, and follow-up of patients with PDE-ALDH7A1. Members of the International PDE Consortium initiated evidence and consensus-based process to review previous recommendations, new research findings, and relevant clinical aspects of PDE-ALDH7A1. The guideline development group included pediatric neurologists, biochemical geneticists, clinical geneticists, laboratory scientists, and metabolic dieticians representing 29 institutions from 16 countries. Consensus guidelines for the diagnosis and management of patients with PDE-ALDH7A1 are provided.

Functional convergence of histone methyltransferases EHMT1 and KMT2C involved in intellectual disability and autism spectrum disorder.

Kleefstra syndrome, caused by haploinsufficiency of euchromatin histone methyltransferase 1 (EHMT1), is characterized by intellectual disability (ID), autism spectrum disorder (ASD), characteristic facial dysmorphisms, and other variable clinical features. In addition to EHMT1 mutations, de novo variants were reported in four additional genes (MBD5, SMARCB1, NR1I3, and KMT2C), in single individuals with clinical characteristics overlapping Kleefstra syndrome. Here, we present a novel cohort of five patients with de novo loss of function mutations affecting the histone methyltransferase KMT2C. Our clinical data delineates the KMT2C phenotypic spectrum and reinforces the phenotypic overlap with Kleefstra syndrome and other related ID disorders. To elucidate the common molecular basis of the neuropathology associated with mutations in KMT2C and EHMT1, we characterized the role of the Drosophila KMT2C ortholog, trithorax related (trr), in the nervous system. Similar to the Drosophila EHMT1 ortholog, G9a, trr is required in the mushroom body for short term memory. Trr ChIP-seq identified 3371 binding sites, mainly in the promoter of genes involved in neuronal processes. Transcriptional profiling of pan-neuronal trr knockdown and G9a null mutant fly heads identified 613 and 1123 misregulated genes, respectively. These gene sets show a significant overlap and are associated with nearly identical gene ontology enrichments. The majority of the observed biological convergence is derived from predicted indirect target genes. However, trr and G9a also have common direct targets, including the Drosophila ortholog of Arc (Arc1), a key regulator of synaptic plasticity. Our data highlight the clinical and molecular convergence between the KMT2 and EHMT protein families, which may contribute to a molecular network underlying a larger group of ID/ASD-related disorders.

The ARID1B spectrum in 143 patients: from nonsyndromic intellectual disability to Coffin-Siris syndrome.

PURPOSE: Pathogenic variants in ARID1B are one of the most frequent causes of intellectual disability (ID) as determined by large-scale exome sequencing studies. Most studies published thus far describe clinically diagnosed Coffin-Siris patients (ARID1B-CSS) and it is unclear whether these data are representative for patients identified through sequencing of unbiased ID cohorts (ARID1B-ID). We therefore sought to determine genotypic and phenotypic differences between ARID1B-ID and ARID1B-CSS. In parallel, we investigated the effect of different methods of phenotype reporting. METHODS: Clinicians entered clinical data in an extensive web-based survey. RESULTS: 79 ARID1B-CSS and 64 ARID1B-ID patients were included. CSS-associated dysmorphic features, such as thick eyebrows, long eyelashes, thick alae nasi, long and/or broad philtrum, small nails and small or absent fifth distal phalanx and hypertrichosis, were observed significantly more often (p < 0.001) in ARID1B-CSS patients. No other significant differences were identified. CONCLUSION: There are only minor differences between ARID1B-ID and ARID1B-CSS patients. ARID1B-related disorders seem to consist of a spectrum, and patients should be managed similarly. We demonstrated that data collection methods without an explicit option to report the absence of a feature (such as most Human Phenotype Ontology-based methods) tended to underestimate gene-related features.

Correction: The ARID1B spectrum in 143 patients: from nonsyndromic intellectual disability to Coffin-Siris syndrome.

The original version of this Article contained an error in the spelling of the author Pleuntje J. van der Sluijs, which was incorrectly given as Eline (P. J.) van der Sluijs. This has now been corrected in both the PDF and HTML versions of the Article.

Developmental dysplasia of the hip in children with Down syndrome: comparison of clinical and radiological examinations in a local cohort.

Guidelines for children with Down syndrome (DS) suggest to perform an annual hip screening to enable early detection of developmental dysplasia of the hip (DDH). How to perform this screening is not described. Delayed detection can result in disabling osteoarthritis of the hip. Therefore, we determined the association between clinical history, physical, and radiological examination in diagnosing DDH in children with DS. Referral centers for children with DS were interviewed to explore variety of hip examination throughout the Netherlands. Clinical features of 96 outclinic children were retrospectively collected. Clinical history was taken, physical examination was performed, and X-ray of the hip was analyzed. All the referral centers performed physical examination and clinical history; however, 20% performed X-ray. Following physical examination according to Galeazzi test 26.9% and to limited abduction 10.8% of the outclinic-studied children were at risk for DDH. Radiological examination showed moderate or severe abnormal deviating migration rate of 14.6% resp. 11.5% in the right and left hip. However, no association between clinical history, physical examination, and radiological examination was found.Conclusion: Clinical history and physical examination are insufficient to timely detect DDH in children with Down syndrome. Thereby regular radiological examination of the hip is advised. What is Known: • Developmental dysplasia of the hip (DDH) in people with Down syndrome (DS) develops during childhood. • Guidelines for medical support of children with DS suggest an annual hip screening to enable early detection of hip damaging. How to perform this annual screening is not described. What is New: • This study shows no association between clinical history, physical and radiological examination of the hip. • We recommend regular radiological examination of the hip in children with DS in order to identify DDH early up to 16 years of age.

PURA syndrome: clinical delineation and genotype-phenotype study in 32 individuals with review of published literature.

BACKGROUND: De novo mutations in PURA have recently been described to cause PURA syndrome, a neurodevelopmental disorder characterised by severe intellectual disability (ID), epilepsy, feeding difficulties and neonatal hypotonia. OBJECTIVES: To delineate the clinical spectrum of PURA syndrome and study genotype-phenotype correlations. METHODS: Diagnostic or research-based exome or Sanger sequencing was performed in individuals with ID. We systematically collected clinical and mutation data on newly ascertained PURA syndrome individuals, evaluated data of previously reported individuals and performed a computational analysis of photographs. We classified mutations based on predicted effect using 3D in silico models of crystal structures of Drosophila-derived Pur-alpha homologues. Finally, we explored genotype-phenotype correlations by analysis of both recurrent mutations as well as mutation classes. RESULTS: We report mutations in PURA (purine-rich element binding protein A) in 32 individuals, the largest cohort described so far. Evaluation of clinical data, including 22 previously published cases, revealed that all have moderate to severe ID and neonatal-onset symptoms, including hypotonia (96%), respiratory problems (57%), feeding difficulties (77%), exaggerated startle response (44%), hypersomnolence (66%) and hypothermia (35%). Epilepsy (54%) and gastrointestinal (69%), ophthalmological (51%) and endocrine problems (42%) were observed frequently. Computational analysis of facial photographs showed subtle facial dysmorphism. No strong genotype-phenotype correlation was identified by subgrouping mutations into functional classes. CONCLUSION: We delineate the clinical spectrum of PURA syndrome with the identification of 32 additional individuals. The identification of one individual through targeted Sanger sequencing points towards the clinical recognisability of the syndrome. Genotype-phenotype analysis showed no significant correlation between mutation classes and disease severity.

GRIN2B encephalopathy: novel findings on phenotype, variant clustering, functional consequences and treatment aspects.

BACKGROUND: We aimed for a comprehensive delineation of genetic, functional and phenotypic aspects of GRIN2B encephalopathy and explored potential prospects of personalised medicine. METHODS: Data of 48 individuals with de novo GRIN2B variants were collected from several diagnostic and research cohorts, as well as from 43 patients from the literature. Functional consequences and response to memantine treatment were investigated in vitro and eventually translated into patient care. RESULTS: Overall, de novo variants in 86 patients were classified as pathogenic/likely pathogenic. Patients presented with neurodevelopmental disorders and a spectrum of hypotonia, movement disorder, cortical visual impairment, cerebral volume loss and epilepsy. Six patients presented with a consistent malformation of cortical development (MCD) intermediate between tubulinopathies and polymicrogyria. Missense variants cluster in transmembrane segments and ligand-binding sites. Functional consequences of variants were diverse, revealing various potential gain-of-function and loss-of-function mechanisms and a retained sensitivity to the use-dependent blocker memantine. However, an objectifiable beneficial treatment response in the respective patients still remains to be demonstrated. CONCLUSIONS: In addition to previously known features of intellectual disability, epilepsy and autism, we found evidence that GRIN2B encephalopathy is also frequently associated with movement disorder, cortical visual impairment and MCD revealing novel phenotypic consequences of channelopathies.

The phenotypic spectrum of Schaaf-Yang syndrome: 18 new affected individuals from 14 families.

PURPOSE: Truncating mutations in the maternally imprinted, paternally expressed gene MAGEL2, which is located in the Prader-Willi critical region 15q11-13, have recently been reported to cause Schaaf-Yang syndrome, a Prader-Willi-like disease that manifests as developmental delay/intellectual disability, hypotonia, feeding difficulties, and autism spectrum disorder. The causality of the reported variants in the context of the patients' phenotypes was questioned, as MAGEL2 whole-gene deletions seem to cause little or no clinical phenotype. METHODS: Here we report a total of 18 newly identified individuals with Schaaf-Yang syndrome from 14 families, including 1 family with 3 individuals found to be affected with a truncating variant of MAGEL2, 11 individuals who are clinically affected but were not tested molecularly, and a presymptomatic fetal sibling carrying the pathogenic MAGEL2 variant. RESULTS: All cases harbor truncating mutations of MAGEL2, and nucleotides c.1990-1996 arise as a mutational hotspot, with 10 individuals and 1 fetus harboring a c.1996dupC (p.Q666fs) mutation and 2 fetuses harboring a c.1996delC (p.Q666fs) mutation. The phenotypic spectrum of Schaaf-Yang syndrome ranges from fetal akinesia to neurobehavioral disease and contractures of the small finger joints. CONCLUSION: This study provides strong evidence for the pathogenicity of truncating mutations of the paternal allele of MAGEL2, refines the associated clinical phenotypes, and highlights implications for genetic counseling for affected families.Genet Med 19 1, 45-52.

The value of plasma vitamin B6 profiles in early onset epileptic encephalopathies.

BACKGROUND: Recent decades have unravelled the molecular background of a number of inborn errors of metabolism (IEM) causing vitamin B6-dependent epilepsy. As these defects interfere with vitamin B6 metabolism by different mechanisms, the plasma vitamin B6 profile can give important clues for further molecular work-up. This has so far been investigated in only a small number of patients. METHODS: We evaluated the vitamin B6 vitamers pyridoxal 5'-phosphate (PLP), pyridoxal (PL), pyridoxamine (PM), pyridoxine (PN) and the catabolite pyridoxic acid (PA) in the so far largest patient cohort: reference (n = 50); pyridox(am)ine 5'-phosphate oxidase (PNPO) deficiency (n = 6); antiquitin (ATQ) deficiency (n = 21); tissue non-specific alkaline phosphatase (TNSALP) deficiency (n = 2) and epileptic encephalopathy (EE) of unknown etiology tested negative for ATQ and PNPO deficiency (n = 64). RESULTS: High plasma PM concentration was found in all patients with PNPO deficiency irrespective of vitamin B6 supplementation. Their PM concentration and the PM/PA ratio was significantly higher (p < 0.0001), compared to any other patients analysed. One patient with TNSALP deficiency and sampling prior to PN supplementation had markedly elevated plasma PLP concentration. On PN supplementation, patients with TNSALP deficiency, ATQ deficiency and patients of the EE cohort had similar plasma vitamin B6 profiles that merely reflect the intake of supra-physiological doses of vitamin B6. The interval of sampling to the last PN intake strongly affected the plasma concentrations of PN, PL and PA. CONCLUSIONS: PM concentrations and the PM/PA ratio clearly separated PNPO-deficient patients from the other cohorts. The plasma PM/PA ratio thus represents a robust biomarker for the selective screening of PNPO deficiency.

Callosal alterations in pyridoxine-dependent epilepsy.

AIM: While there have been isolated reports of callosal morphology differences in pyridoxine-dependent epilepsy (PDE), a rare autosomal disorder caused by ALDH7A1 gene mutations, no study has systematically evaluated callosal features in a large sample of patients. This study sought to overcome this knowledge gap. METHOD: Spanning a wide age range from birth to 48 years, corpus callosum morphology and cross-sectional cerebral area were measured in 30 individuals with PDE (12 males, 18 females, median age 3.92y; 25th centile 0.27, 75th centile 15.25) compared to 30 age-matched comparison individuals (11 males, 19 females, median age 3.85y; 25th centile 0.26, 75th centile 16.00). Individuals with PDE were also divided into age groups to evaluate findings across development. As delay to treatment may modulate clinical severity, groups were stratified by treatment delay (less than or greater than 2wks from birth). RESULTS: Markedly reduced callosal area expressed as a ratio of mid-sagittal cerebral area was observed for the entire group with PDE (p<0.001). Stratifying by age (<1y, 1-10y, >10y) demonstrated posterior abnormalities to be a consistent feature, with anterior regions increasingly involved across the developmental trajectory. Splitting the PDE group by treatment lag did not reveal overall or sub-region callosal differences. INTERPRETATION: Callosal abnormalities are a common feature of PDE not explained by treatment lag. Future work utilizing tract-based approaches to understand inter- and intra-hemispheric connectivity patterns will help in the better understanding the structural aspects of this disease.

Lysine restricted diet for pyridoxine-dependent epilepsy: first evidence and future trials.

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the efficacy and safety of dietary lysine restriction as an adjunct to pyridoxine therapy on biochemical parameters, seizure control, and developmental/cognitive outcomes in children with pyridoxine-dependent epilepsy (PDE) caused by antiquitin (ATQ) deficiency. METHODS: In this observational study, seven children with confirmed ATQ deficiency were started on dietary lysine restriction with regular nutritional monitoring. Biochemical outcomes were evaluated using pipecolic acid and α-aminoadipic semialdehyde (AASA) levels in body fluids; developmental/cognitive outcomes were evaluated using age-appropriate tests and parental observations. RESULTS: Lysine restriction was well tolerated with good compliance; no adverse events were reported. Reduction in biomarker levels (measurement of the last value before and first value after initiation of dietary lysine restriction) ranged from 20 to 67% for plasma pipecolic acid, 13 to 72% for urinary AASA, 45% for plasma AASA and 42% for plasma P6C. For the 1 patient in whom data were available and who showed clinical deterioration upon interruption of diet, cerebrospinal fluid levels decreased by 87.2% for pipecolic acid and 81.7% for AASA. Improvement in age-appropriate skills was observed in 4 out of 5 patients showing pre-diet delays, and seizure control was maintained or improved in 6 out 7 children. CONCLUSIONS: This observational study provides Level 4 evidence that lysine restriction is well tolerated with significant decrease of potentially neurotoxic biomarkers in different body compartments, and with the potential to improve developmental outcomes in children with PDE caused by ATQ deficiency. To generate a strong level of evidence before this potentially burdensome dietary therapy becomes the mainstay treatment, we have established: an international PDE consortium to conduct future studies with an all-inclusive integrated study design; a website containing up-to-date information on PDE; a methodological toolbox; and an online registry to facilitate the participation of interested physicians, scientists, and families in PDE research.

The measurement of urinary Δ¹-piperideine-6-carboxylate, the alter ego of α-aminoadipic semialdehyde, in Antiquitin deficiency.

The assessment of urinary α-aminoadipic semialdehyde (α-AASA) has become the diagnostic laboratory test for pyridoxine dependent seizures (PDS). α-AASA is in spontaneous equilibrium with its cyclic form Δ(1)-piperideine-6-carboxylate (P6C); a molecule with a heterocyclic ring structure. Ongoing diagnostic screening and monitoring revealed that in some individuals with milder ALDH7A1 variants, and patients co-treated with a lysine restricted diet, α-AASA was only modestly increased. This prompted us to investigate the diagnostic power and added value of the assessment of urinary P6C compared to α-AASA. Urine samples were diluted to a creatinine content of 0.1 mmol/L, followed by the addition of 0.01 nmol [(2)H(9)]pipecolic acid as internal standard (IS) and 5 µL was injected onto a Waters C(18) T3 HPLC column. Chromatography was performed using water/methanol 97/3 (v/v) including 0.03 % formic acid by volume with a flow rate of 150 µL/min and detection was accomplished in the multiple reaction monitoring mode: P6C m/z 128.1 > 82.1; [(2)H(9)]pipecolic acid m/z 139.1 > 93.1. Due to the dualistic nature of α-AASA/P6C, and the lack of a proper internal standard, the method is semi quantitative. The intra-assay CVs (n = 10) for two urine samples of proven PDS patients with only modest P6C increases were 4.7% and 8.1%, whereas their inter-assay CVs (n = 10) were 16 and 18% respectively. In all 40 urine samples from 35 individuals with proven PDS, we detected increased levels of P6C. Therefore, we conclude that the diagnostic power of the assessments of urinary P6C and α-AASA is comparable.

Long-term outcome in pyridoxine-dependent epilepsy.

AIM: The long-term outcome of the Dutch pyridoxine-dependent epilepsy cohort and correlations between patient characteristics and follow-up data were retrospectively studied. METHOD: Fourteen patients recruited from a national reference laboratory were included (four males, 10 females, from 11 families; median age at assessment 6y; range 2y 6mo-16y). The following data were retrieved: sex; age at seizure onset; age at the start of pyridoxine therapy; level of urinary alpha-aminoadipic semialdehyde; antiquitin mutations; developmental milestones; evaluation of neurocognitive functioning and school career; magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) and electroencephalography (EEG) assessments. RESULTS: Pyridoxine was started antenatally in two children, in the first week of life in five, in the first month of life in three, or after the first month of life (range 2.5-8mo) in four. No child was physically disabled; however, only five walked at 2 years of age. Mental development was delayed in most: median IQ or developmental index was 72 (SD 19). Pyridoxine monotherapy controlled seizures in 10 of 14 children, whereas four needed additional antiepileptic drugs. Seizure persistence, antiepileptic drugs (other than pyridoxine), EEG background, and epileptiform activity were not associated with outcome. On neonatal MRI, structural and white matter abnormalities occurred in five of eight children; on follow-up, the number of abnormal MRIs was increased. Delayed initiation of pyridoxine medication and corpus callosum abnormalities were significantly associated with unfavourable neurodevelopmental outcome, but normal follow-up imaging did not predict a good outcome. INTERPRETATION: Outcome of patients with pyridoxine-dependent epilepsy remains poor. Individual outcome cannot be predicted by the evaluated characteristics. We suggest that collaborated research in structured settings could help to improve treatment strategies and outcome for pyridoxine-dependent epilepsy.

Association Between Lysine Reduction Therapies and Cognitive Outcomes in Patients With Pyridoxine-Dependent Epilepsy.

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES: Pyridoxine-dependent epilepsy (PDE-ALDH7A1) is a developmental epileptic encephalopathy characterized by seizure improvement after pyridoxine supplementation. Adjunct lysine reduction therapies reduce the accumulation of putative neurotoxic metabolites with the goal to improve developmental outcomes. Our objective was to examine the association between treatment with lysine reduction therapies and cognitive outcomes. METHODS: Participants were recruited from within the International Registry for Patients with Pyridoxine-Dependent Epilepsy from August 2014 through March 2021. The primary outcome was standardized developmental test scores associated with overall cognitive ability. The relationship between test scores and treatment was analyzed with multivariable linear regression using a mixed-effects model. A priori, we hypothesized that treatment in early infancy with pyridoxine and lysine reduction therapies would result in a normal developmental outcome. A sub-analysis was performed to evaluate the association between cognitive outcome and lysine reduction therapies initiated in the first six months of life. RESULTS: A total of 112 test scores from 60 participants were available. On average, treatment with pyridoxine and lysine reduction therapies was associated with a non-significant increase of 6.9 points (95% CI -2.7 to 16.5) on developmental testing compared to treatment with pyridoxine alone. For the sub-analysis, a total of 14 developmental testing scores were available from 8 participants. On average, treatment with pyridoxine and lysine reduction therapies in the first six months of life was associated with a significant increase of 21.9 points (95% CI 1.7 to 42.0) on developmental testing. DISCUSSION: Pyridoxine and lysine reduction therapies at any age was associated with mild improvement in developmental testing and treatment in early infancy was associated with a clinically significant increase in developmental test scores. These results provide insight into the mechanism of intellectual and developmental disability in PDE-ALDH7A1 and emphasize the importance of treatment in early infancy with both pyridoxine and lysine reduction therapies. CLASSIFICATION OF EVIDENCE: This study provides Class IV evidence that in PDE-ALDH7A1, pyridoxine plus lysine reduction therapies compared to pyridoxine alone is not significantly associated with overall higher developmental testing scores, but treatment in the first six months of life is associated with significantly higher developmental testing scores.