BackgroundDiseases associated with the germline PIGA gene include multiple congenital anomalies-hypotonia-seizures syndrome 2 (MCAHS2) and neurodevelopmental disorder with epilepsy. The clinical heterogeneity of PIGA-related diseases is extensive, so its diagnosis and treatment remain challenging.MethodsWe identified five germline missense pathogenic/likely pathogenic variants in PIGA across six unrelated families (NM_002641.3, c.130C>T p.P44S, c.368C>T p.T123M, c.241C>T p.R81C, c.751T>C p.C251R, and c.985G>T p.V329L), of which three variants have not been reported previously.ResultsIn all probands, the clinical symptoms included early-onset epilepsy, hypotonia, dysmorphic features, and variable congenital anomalies. A literature review of 107 cases supports reclassification of the phenotypic spectrum into severe (15.9%), intermediate (72.0%), and milder (12.1%) categories. Notably, the phenotypes of the five cases were classified as severe (n = 2) or milder (n = 3), consistent with prior reports, but revealed population-specific traits such as universal febrile sensitivity and normal serum alkaline phosphatase levels that are in contrast to elevated levels often noted in Western cohorts. The three children with the milder phenotype were found to have pathogenic/likely pathogenic variants located in exon 2, while the two severe phenotypes showed these variants located in exons 3 and 5.ConclusionOverall, we report three novel pathogenic/likely pathogenic variants that expand clinicians’ understanding of the genetic diversity within this phenotypic spectrum. These insights are expected to be valuable for future pathogenic/likely pathogenic variant analysis and accurate classification of clinical subtypes, which would help improve the understanding of PIGA-related diseases. In addition, our research contributes to ongoing efforts to elucidate the underlying molecular mechanisms and inform precision medicine approaches for affected individuals.

Background:Microcephaly, seizures and developmental delay, known as MCSZ, is an uncommon autosomal recessive neurodevelopmental disorder linked to a bifunctional enzyme named polynucleotide-kinase-3'-phosphatase (PNKP). Prompt identification and management of the disorder are crucial, as delayed diagnosis or intervention may lead to severe complications or mortality. Case Description:We describe a patient with small anterior fontanelle and head circumference, refractory epilepsy and global developmental delay. He was a baby conceived via in vitro fertilization (IVF). Microcephaly and oligohydramnios were detected at 32 weeks. At 4 months, the patient had recurrent convulsions without fever, presenting with tonic-clonic seizures. He was treated with four anti-seizure medications (ASMs), but did not achieve satisfactory control. At the age of 5 years old, he had not learned to speak and was unable to stand unaided. The patient harbored two novel mutations, c. 1299-1G>A and c.1283_1287dup (p.S430Pfs*39), in the PNKP gene. We confirmed, through RNA-seq, that c. 1299-1G>A results in exon 15 skipping and intron 14 retention. Both variants led to a truncated protein and may affect protein stability and enzyme activity. Conclusions:This is the third report of MCSZ in a non-consanguineous Chinese mainland family. Our results offer additional evidence for clinical variability associated with disorders stemming from mutations in the PNKP gene, which complicates disease diagnosis. This underscores the significance of genetic testing to identify the underlying causes of these conditions. Furthermore, these findings expand the mutation spectrum of the PNKP gene and establish a solid foundation for both clinical and prenatal diagnoses within this family.

Dysferlin protein deficiency can cause neuromuscular dysfunction, resulting in autosomal recessive dysferlinopathy, which is caused by DYSF gene mutation. Dysferlin proteins belongs to the Ferlin1-like protein family and are associated with muscle membrane repair and regeneration. In China, pathogenic mutations of the protein often result in two clinical phenotypes of Miyoshi muscular or limb band muscular dystrophy type 2B. It is clinically characterized by progressive muscle weakness and elevated serum creatine kinase. The data of the child were collected, blood samples of the child and his family members were collected, and whole exome sequencing (WES) was performed. The recombinant expression vector was constructed, the function of the mutation was verified by minigene, and the pathogenicity of the mutation was further analyzed by combining with biological information analysis. The patient initially presented with asymptomatic elevation of serum creatine kinase(CK). Then progressive lower limb weakness, mainly distal limb weakness. Large amounts of scattered necrosis, myogenic lesions, and complete deletion of dysferlin protein were observed under muscle biopsy, which further improved genetic detection. Whole exome sequencing showed compound mutations (c.1397 + 1_1397 + 3del and c.1375dup p.M459Nfs*15) in DYSF gene. c.1375dup p.M459Nfs*15 have been reported. The other mutation is the deletion of c.1397 + 1_1397 + 3 in Intron15, which is an intron mutation that may affect splicing and the pathogenesis is still unknown. Minigene splicing assay verified that c.1397 + 1_1397 + 3del resulted in exon15 skipping and produced a premature termination codon. We report a novel pathogenic mutation in DYSF gene with Miyoshi myopathy and demonstrate this variant causes skipping of exon15 by minigene splicing assay. We point out the need of conducting functional analysis to verify the pathogenicity of intronic mutation. The finding enriches the mutation spectrum of DYSF gene and laid a foundation for future studies on the correlation between genotype and phenotype.

The ARHGAP4 gene(OMIM*300,023),also known as Rho GTPase activating protein 4,encodes a protein that has an essential role in the regulation of small GTP-binding.ARH-GAP4 message RNA(mRNA)is highly expressed during the developing and adult nervous system.

Purpose: Perampanel (PER) and lacosamide (LCM) are the new third-generation anti-seizure medications (ASMs) that were approved for the monotherapy of focal epilepsy in children over four years of age in China, in 2021. Very few studies have analyzed the application of PER monotherapy among pediatric patients aged four years, and no study compared the efficacy and tolerability of PER monotherapy with LCM monotherapy in pediatric patients with focal epilepsy. The present study aimed to investigate the efficacy, tolerability, and effect on behavior and emotion of PER and LCM as monotherapy in pediatric patients with newly diagnosed focal epilepsy, which is beneficial for clinicians to have more choices to treat pediatric patients with focal epilepsy. Methods: This was a prospective, single-center, observational study that involved pediatric patients (disease onset age four years) with newly diagnosed focal epilepsy treated with PER or LCM as primary monotherapy. Outcomes included retention, being responders, and seizure-free rates after 3, 6, and 12 months. Adverse events (AEs) were noticed throughout the follow-up period. Behavioral outcomes were evaluated with Achenbach Child Behavior Checklist (CBCL/4-16) at baseline and after three and six months. Results: Using randomization, 60 patients receiving PER (31 females, 29 males, median age: 7.79 [5.34, 10.16] years, median dose: 3.0 [2.0, 4.0] mg/day) and 60 patients receiving LCM (25 females, 35 males, median age: 7.72 [5.91, 10.72] years, median dose: 150.0 [100.0, 200.0] mg/day) were enrolled in the study. At the 12-month follow-up, the retention rates in the PER and LCM groups, both were 90.4%, and the responder rates were 65.4% and 71.2%, while seizure-free rates were 57.7% and 67.3%, respectively. There were no significant differences in the retention, responder and seizure-free rates between the two groups (P > 0.05). There were no significant differences in the responder rates between patients with BECTS, abnormal brain magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), or types of seizure in the two groups (P > 0.05). In the PER group, 28.8% (15/52) of patients experienced AEs, of which the most frequently reported were irritability (n = 7; 13.5%), dizziness (n = 5; 9.6%), somnolence (n = 3; 5.8%), ataxia (n = 1; 1.9%), headache (n = 1; 1.9%), and rash (n = 1; 1.9%). In the LCM group, 15.4% (8/52) of the patients had AEs, including headache (n = 4; 7.5%), dizziness (n = 4; 7.5%), nausea (n = 2; 3.8%), somnolence (n = 2; 3.8%), irritability (n = 1; 1.9%), stomach ache (n = 1; 1.9%), and vomiting (n = 1; 1.9%). The incidence of irritability was significantly higher in the PER group than in the LCM group (13.5% vs. 1.9%, P = 0.031), which occurred mainly within eight weeks after drug administration. Patients with irritability were not dangerous to surrounding people by the assessment of parental observation in the life. And the symptoms were relieved spontaneously within a few months. The outcomes of total scores, internalizing scores, and externalizing scores of the CBCL did not show statistically significant differences in the PER and LCM groups between baseline and three and six months. Characteristics of behavior and emotion did not have substantial changes in patients treated with PER and LCM monotherapy. Conclusions: The present study documented similar good effectiveness and good tolerance of PER and LCM as monotherapy in pediatric patients with newly diagnosed focal epilepsy and showed no behavioral or emotional impact, as assessed by the CBCL. Though the incidence of irritability with PER monotherapy may be higher than that with LCM monotherapy soon after medication initiation, this side effect appears to resolve spontaneously within a few months. At present, this study was the first research about PER and LCM monotherapy in pediatric patients with newly diagnosed focal epilepsy evaluating efficacy, tolerability, and behavior in China. (c) 2023 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.

Background: This study aimed to assess the effect of perampanel dose, age, sex, and antiseizure medication cotherapy on steady-state free-perampanel concentration in children with refractory epilepsy, as well as the relationship between inflammation and the pharmacokinetics of perampanel. Methods: This prospective study in China included 87 children with refractory epilepsy treated with adjunctive perampanel therapy. Free and total perampanel concentrations in plasma were determined using liquid chromatography–tandem mass spectrometry. Free-perampanel concentration was compared among patients with various potential influencing factors. Results: A total of 87 pediatric patients (44 female children) aged 2–14 years were enrolled. The mean free-perampanel concentration and free concentration-to-dose (CD) ratio in plasma were 5.7 ± 2.7 ng/mL (16.3 ± 7.7 nmol/L) and 45.3 ± 21.0 (ng/mL)/(mg/kg) [129.6 ± 60.1 (nmol/L)/(mg/kg)], respectively. The protein binding of perampanel in plasma was 97.98%. A linear relationship was observed between perampanel dose and free concentration in plasma, and a positive relationship was found between the total and free-perampanel concentrations. Concomitant use of oxcarbazepine reduced the free CD ratio by 37%. Concomitant use of valproic acid increased the free CD ratio by 52%. Five patients had a plasma high-sensitivity C-reactive protein (Hs-CRP) level of >5.0 mg/L (Hs-CRP positive). The total and free CD ratios of perampanel were increased in patients with inflammation. Two patients with inflammation developed adverse events, which disappeared as the Hs-CRP level returned to normal, and neither required perampanel dose reduction. Age and sex did not influence the free-perampanel concentration. Conclusions: This study found complex drug interactions between perampanel and other concomitant antiseizure medications, providing valuable information to enable clinicians to apply perampanel in the future reasonably. In addition, it may be important to quantify both the total and free concentrations of perampanel to assess complex pharmacokinetic interactions.

Objective:To explore the clinical charecteristics, imaging features, therapy and prognosis of stroke in children, and provide help for clinical treatment.Methods:The clinical data of 49 children with stroke were collectedand retrospectively analyzed in the Children′s Hospital of Soochow University from January 1, 2019 to December 31, 2019.Results:A mong the 49 children with stroke, 35 were male and 14 were female, aged 1-178 (65.69 ± 55.22) months; the specific etiologies were cerebrovascular malformation, craniocerebral trauma, tumor, vitamin K deficiencies, infectious diseases, rheumatic immune diseases, hemophilia and congenital heart disease. The first symptoms of stroke were disturbance of consciousness, hemiplegia, convulsions, vomiting and headache. The arterial ischemic stroke (18 cases) were mainly caused by craniocerebral trauma and cerebrovascular malformation. The hemorrhagic stroke (31 cases) were mainly caused by arteriovenous malformation, vitamin K deficiency and tumor. The surgical rate in the arterial stroke group was significantly lower than that in the hemorrhagic stroke group.Conclusions:Traumatic cerebral infarction and intracranial arteriovenous malformation are the main causes of arterial ischemic stroke and hemorrhagic stroke in children. Early diagnosis and treatment can significantly improve prognosis.

Clinical phenotype and gene characteristics of a patient diagnosed with Imerslund-Gr?sbeck syndrome (IGS) in Department of Neurology, Children′s Hospital of Soochow University in December 2018 were analyzed retrospectively, and literature review was conducted.The 16 years and 5 months old boy was admitted to the hospital with symptoms of weakness of lower limbs for 2 weeks.He had a history of megaloblastic anemia and isolated proteinuria.Genetic metabolism of hematuria showed methylmalonic academia.Genetic analysis revealed a compound heterozygous AMN gene mutation[c.742C>T(p.Q248 *) and c. 761G>A(p.G254E)]. These two mutations were derived from his parents respectively, which had been reported before.Symptoms of the patient improved after intramuscular administration of hydroxycobalamin and oral betaine.Review of the literature indicated that the clinical manifestations of AMN gene-related IGS were mostly megaloblastic anemia and isolated proteinuria, and the older children might suffer from neurological symptoms such as movement disorders, dementia, delirium or psychosis.The clinical phenotype of this disease was variable, which might easily lead to misdiagnosis.The patient presented with a special phenotype of mild reversible peripheral neuropathy, which expanded the clinical phenotype of pathogenic genes of AMN gene.In addition, peripheral neuropathy caused by vitamin B 12 metabolic disorders is reversible, and it is suggested to measure vitamin B 12, test related genes and treatment with vitamin B 12 in peripheral neuropathy of unknown etiology.

Background GNAO1 variants have been found to be associated with epileptic encephalopathies, developmental delays (DDs), and movement disorders (MDs). Therapies for patients with GNAO1 variants vary. However, treatments for GNAO1-related diseases are still in their infancy. Previous reports suggest that few pharmacological treatments are effective for patients with GNAO1 variant-related MDs. Deep brain stimulation (DBS) treatment appears to be effective, however surgical procedures and equipment failures pose risks to the patients. Effectiveness for oxcarbazepine (OXC) in GNAO1 variant-related MDs is first reported in our study, and it expand the effective drugs for MD treatment. Case Description We report the case of a 5-year-old male patient with a MD, who suffered from hypotonia and refractory choreoathetosis. The patient was found to have a DD and an intellectual disability. A de-novo variant of the GNAO1 gene (NM_138736: exom6: c.709G>A [p. Glu237Lys]) was identified by whole exome sequencing (WES) when he was 8 months old. The patient visited our hospital at the age of 4 years and 3 months because of fever and recurrent convulsions. Electroencephalogram (EEG) results show abnormal spikes, and magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) showed the enlargement of the lateral ventricles. The administration of tiapride hydrochloride, phenobarbital, midazolam, and hormones had no effect. OXC treatment was then initiated. No MD behaviors, such as rigidity and twisting of the limbs and trunk, or chorea, were observed after 10 days OXC treatment. Eventually, incremental doses of OXC were effective, and our patient achieved good control of his MD. Conclusions We are the first to demonstrate the role of OXC in alleviating MDs associated with GNAO1 mutations. This report provides a novel possibility for the clinical treatment of this rare disease. To manage MDs associated with GNAO1 mutations, we recommend that OXC treatment be attempted before invasive surgical therapy.

Background and purposeThis study aimed to effectively identify children with drug-resistant epilepsy (DRE) in the early stage of epilepsy, and take personalized interventions, to improve patients' prognosis, reduce serious comorbidity, and save social resources. Herein, we developed and validated a nomogram prediction model for children with DRE.MethodsThe training set was patients with epilepsy who visited the Children's Hospital of Soochow University (Suzhou Industrial Park, Jiangsu Province, China) between January 2015 and December 2017. The independent risk factors for DRE were screened by univariate and multivariate logistic regression analyses using SPSS21 software. The nomogram was designed according to the regression coefficient. The nomogram was validated in the training and validation sets. Internal validation was conducted using bootstrapping analyses. We also externally validated this instrument in patients with epilepsy from the Children's Hospital of Soochow University (Gusu District, Jiangsu Province, China) and Yancheng Maternal and Child Health Hospital between January 2018 and December 2018. The nomogram's performance was assessed by concordance (C-index), calibration curves, as well as GiViTI calibration belts.ResultsMultivariate logistic regression analysis of 679 children with epilepsy from the Children's Hospital of Soochow University (Suzhou Industrial Park, Jiangsu Province, China) showed that onset age<1, status epilepticus (SE), focal seizure, > 20 pre-treatment seizures, clear etiology (caused by genetic, structural, metabolic, or infectious), development and epileptic encephalopathy (DEE), and neurological abnormalities were all independent risk factors for DRE. The AUC of 0.92 for the training set compared to that of 0.91 for the validation set suggested a good discrimination ability of the prediction model. The C-index was 0.92 and 0.91 in the training and validation sets. Additionally, both good calibration curves and GiViTI calibration belts (P-value: 0.849 and 0.291, respectively) demonstrated that the predicted risks had strong consistency with the observed outcomes, suggesting that the prediction model in both groups was perfectly calibrated.ConclusionA nomogram prediction model for DRE was developed, with good discrimination and calibration in the training set and the validation set. Furthermore, the model demonstrated great accuracy, consistency, and prediction ability. Therefore, the nomogram prediction model can aid in the timely identification of DRE in children.

OBJECTIVE Pathogenic mutations in refractory childhood epilepsy are being increasingly discovered. In this study, we analysed the efficacy and tolerability of perampanel as treatment for genetically-related refractory childhood epilepsy. METHODS This prospective study, conducted in China, included 50 patients with refractory epilepsy of genetic aetiology, who were treated with adjunctive perampanel therapy. Perampanel treatment was considered effective when the seizure frequency was reduced by >50%. Perampanel treatment was evaluated over at least nine months, from January 2020. RESULTS A total of 184 paediatric patients with refractory epilepsy received addon perampanel therapy, and of these, 128 received treatment for ≥nine months and underwent genetic analysis. Fifty children were identified with pathogenic or likely pathogenic variants. A total of 24 different causative monogenic mutations were found, and the most common causative monogenic variants were observed in the SCN1A gene (n = 15). The mean maximal dose of perampanel was 3.4±1.2 mg/day in responders. The response rates to perampanel in children with genetically-related refractory epilepsy (n=50) were 68.0%, 58.0%, and 46.0% at three, six and nine months post-initiation, respectively. Adverse events were reported in 23 patients (46.0%) with genetic aetiology. Somnolence, ataxia, and irritability were the most common adverse events. The response rates to perampanel in children with pathogenic or likely pathogenic variants associated with Dravet syndrome, tuberous sclerosis, mitochondrial encephalopathy with lactic acidosis and stroke-like episodes, Rett syndrome, and dentatorubral-pallidoluysian atrophy were high. SIGNIFICANCE A low maintenance dose of perampanel may be effective and well-tolerated as adjunctive treatment in children with refractory epilepsy of genetic aetiology.

Progressive myoclonic epilepsy is a group of neurodegenerative diseases with complex clinical and genetic heterogeneity, which is associated with spontaneous or action-induced myoclonus and progressive neurodegeneration. Since 2020, 4 families with progressive myoclonic epilepsy-11 [OMIM#618876] have been reported with a very limited spectrum of SEMA6B pathogenic variants. In our study, whole-exome sequencing was used in a proband from a nonconsanguineous Chinese family presenting with growth retardation and recurrent atonic seizures. A deletion mutation (c.1960_1978del, p.Leu654Argfs*25) in the last exon of SEMA6B was detected, which is a de novo variant and pathogenic. The new genetic evidence we reported here strengthened the gene-disease relationship, and the gene curation level between SEMA6B and progressive myoclonic epilepsy-11 became "strong" following the ClinGen SOP. Therefore, the results of this study broaden the mutation spectrum of SEMA6B in different ethnic groups and strengthen the gene-disease relationship between SEMA6B and progressive myoclonic epilepsy-11.

Background ATP1A2 gene mutation has been indicated to cause alternating hemiplegia of childhood (AHC); however, limited evidence supports this relationship so far. Case presentation We reported two Chinese patients with de novo ATP1A2 variants (c.970G>A and c.889G>A). Both patients presented with episodes of alternating hemiplegia, seizures and mild developmental delay. Brain magnetic resonance imaging revealed abnormal signals in both patients. Conclusions The new genetic evidence we reported here strengthened the gene–disease relationship, and the gene curation level between ATP1A2 and AHC became “Moderate” following the ClinGen Standard Operation Procedure. Consequently, the two variants can be reclassified as likely pathogenic.

AbstactBackground Epilepsy, one of the most common neurological disorders, affects over 70 million people worldwide. Rhynchophylline displays a wide variety of pharmacologic actives. However, the pharmacologic effects of rhynchophylline and its mechanisms against epilepsy have not been systematically elucidated. Methods The oral bioavailability and druglikeness of rhynchophylline were evaluated using the Traditional Chinese Medicine Systems Pharmacology Database. Rhynchophylline target genes to treat epilepsy were identified using PharmMapper, SwissTargetPrediction and DrugBank databases integration. Protein-protein interaction analysis was carried out by utilizing the GeneMANIA database. WebGestalt was employed to perform Gene ontology and Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes pathway enrichment analyses. The drug-disease-target-Gene Ontology-pathway network was constructed using Cytoscape. Results The oral bioavailability and druglikeness of rhynchophylline were calculated to be 41.82% and 0.57, respectively. A total of 20 rhynchophylline target genes related to epilepsy were chosen. Among the 20 genes and their interacting genes, 54.00% shared protein domains and 16.61% displayed co-expression characteristics. Gene ontology, Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes and network analyses illustrate that these targets were significantly enriched in regulation of sensory perception, morphine addiction, neuroactive ligand-receptor interaction and other pathways or biological processes. Conclusion In short, rhynchophylline targets multiple genes or proteins, biological processes and pathways. It shapes a multiple-layer network that exerts systematic pharmacologic activities on epilepsy.