Movement Disorders in Patients With Genetic Developmental and Epileptic Encephalopathies

Overview

Journal Neurology

Specialty Neurology

Date 2023 Sep 25

PMID 37748886

Authors

Sterre van der Veen

Gabrielle T W Tse

Alessandro Ferretti

Giacomo Garone

Bart Post

Nicola Specchio

Victor S C Fung

Marina Trivisano

Ingrid E Scheffer

Affiliations

Soon will be listed here.

Abstract

Background And Objectives: Movement disorders (MDs) are underrecognized in the developmental and epileptic encephalopathies (DEEs). There are now more than 800 genes implicated in causing the DEEs; relatively few of these rare genetic diseases are known to be associated with MDs. We identified patients with genetic DEEs who had MDs, classified the nature of their MDs, and asked whether specific patterns correlated with the underlying mechanism.

Methods: We classified the type of MDs associated with specific genetic DEEs in a large international cohort of patients and analyzed whether specific patterns of MDs reflected the underlying biological dysfunction.

Results: Our cohort comprised 77 patients with a genetic DEE with a median age of 9 (range 1-38) years. Stereotypies (37/77, 48%) and dystonia (34/77, 44%) were the most frequent MDs, followed by chorea (18/77, 23%), myoclonus (14/77, 18%), ataxia (9/77, 12%), tremor (7/77, 9%), and hypokinesia (6/77, 8%). In 47% of patients, a combination of MDs was seen. The MDs were first observed at a median age of 18 months (range day 2-35 years). Dystonia was more likely to be observed in nonambulatory patients, while ataxia was less likely. In 46% of patients, therapy was initiated with medication (34/77, 44%), deep brain stimulation (1/77, 1%), or intrathecal baclofen (1/77, 1%). We found that patients with channelopathies or synaptic vesicle trafficking defects were more likely to experience dystonia; whereas, stereotypies were most frequent in individuals with transcriptional defects.

Discussion: MDs are often underrecognized in patients with genetic DEEs, but recognition is critical for the management of these complex neurologic diseases. Distinguishing MDs from epileptic seizures is important in tailoring patient treatment. Understanding which MDs occur with different biological mechanisms will inform early diagnosis and management.

Citing Articles

Developmental and epileptic encephalopathies.

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Describing Clinical Features of Movement Disorders for Effective Research Reporting.

Fasano A, Jinnah H Mov Disord Clin Pract. 2024; 11 Suppl 3:S8-S14.

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Channelopathies in epilepsy: an overview of clinical presentations, pathogenic mechanisms, and therapeutic insights.

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