Mild malformations of cortical development in sleep-related hypermotor epilepsy due to KCNT1 mutations

Ann Clin Transl Neurol. 2018 Dec 25;6(2):386-391. doi: 10.1002/acn3.708. eCollection 2019 Feb.

Abstract

Mutations in the sodium-activated potassium channel gene KCNT1 have been associated with nonlesional sleep-related hypermotor epilepsy (SHE). We report the co-occurrence of mild malformation of cortical development (mMCD) and KCNT1 mutations in four patients with SHE. Focal cortical dysplasia type I was neuropathologically diagnosed after epilepsy surgery in three unrelated MRI-negative patients, periventricular nodular heterotopia was detected in one patient by MRI. Our findings suggest that KCNT1 epileptogenicity may result not only from dysregulated excitability by controlling Na+K+ transport, but also from mMCD. Therefore, pathogenic variants in KCNT1 may encompass both lesional and nonlesional epilepsies.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Epilepsy, Reflex / genetics
  • Humans
  • Malformations of Cortical Development / genetics
  • Mutation / genetics*
  • Nerve Tissue Proteins / genetics*
  • Neurogenesis / genetics
  • Periventricular Nodular Heterotopia / genetics*
  • Potassium Channels, Sodium-Activated / genetics*

Substances

  • KCNT1 protein, human
  • Nerve Tissue Proteins
  • Potassium Channels, Sodium-Activated