Entry - #614558 - DEVELOPMENTAL AND EPILEPTIC ENCEPHALOPATHY 13; DEE13 - OMIM
# 614558

DEVELOPMENTAL AND EPILEPTIC ENCEPHALOPATHY 13; DEE13


Alternative titles; symbols

EPILEPTIC ENCEPHALOPATHY, EARLY INFANTILE, 13; EIEE13


Phenotype-Gene Relationships

Location Phenotype Phenotype
MIM number
Inheritance Phenotype
mapping key
Gene/Locus Gene/Locus
MIM number
12q13.13 Developmental and epileptic encephalopathy 13 614558 AD 3 SCN8A 600702
Clinical Synopsis
 
Phenotypic Series
 

INHERITANCE
- Autosomal dominant
HEAD & NECK
Head
- Microcephaly, progressive (in some patients)
Eyes
- Poor eye contact
NEUROLOGIC
Central Nervous System
- Seizures, refractory
- Epileptic encephalopathy
- Epileptic spasms
- Delayed psychomotor development
- Psychomotor regression
- Intellectual disability
- Hypotonia
- Impaired coordination
- Impaired balance
- Inability to walk
- Speech and language regression
- Absent speech
- Generalized spike-wave activity seen on EEG
- Diffuse slowing
- Multifocal spikes
- Slow spike-wave discharges
- Cerebral atrophy (in some patients)
Behavioral Psychiatric Manifestations
- Autism
MISCELLANEOUS
- Onset of seizures in infancy (range birth to 7 months)
- Later onset rarely reported
- De novo mutation
MOLECULAR BASIS
- Caused by mutation in the voltage-gated sodium channel, type VIII, alpha subunit gene (SCN8A, 600702.0002)
Developmental and epileptic encephalopathy - PS308350 - 118 Entries
Location Phenotype Inheritance Phenotype
mapping key
Phenotype
MIM number
Gene/Locus Gene/Locus
MIM number
1p34.2 Developmental and epileptic encephalopathy 18 AR 3 615476 SZT2 615463
1p34.1 Developmental and epileptic encephalopathy 15 AR 3 615006 ST3GAL3 606494
1p32.3 Developmental and epileptic encephalopathy 75 AR 3 618437 PARS2 612036
1p31.3 Developmental and epileptic encephalopathy 23 AR 3 615859 DOCK7 615730
1p13.3 Developmental and epileptic encephalopathy 32 AD 3 616366 KCNA2 176262
1q21.2 Developmental and epileptic encephalopathy 113 3 620772 SV2A 185860
1q23.2 Developmental and epileptic encephalopathy 98 AD 3 619605 ATP1A2 182340
1q25.3 Developmental and epileptic encephalopathy 69 AD 3 618285 CACNA1E 601013
1q25.3 Developmental and epileptic encephalopathy 116 3 620806 GLUL 138290
1q31.3 Developmental and epileptic encephalopathy 57 AD 3 617771 KCNT2 610044
1q42.11 Developmental and epileptic encephalopathy 100 AD 3 619777 FBXO28 609100
1q42.2 Developmental and epileptic encephalopathy 38 AR 3 617020 ARV1 611647
1q44 Developmental and epileptic encephalopathy 54 AD 3 617391 HNRNPU 602869
2p23.3 Developmental and epileptic encephalopathy 50 AR 3 616457 CAD 114010
2p15 ?Developmental and epileptic encephalopathy 88 AR 3 618959 MDH1 154200
2p15 Developmental and epileptic encephalopathy 83 AR 3 618744 UGP2 191760
2q24.3 Developmental and epileptic encephalopathy 62 AD 3 617938 SCN3A 182391
2q24.3 Developmental and epileptic encephalopathy 11 AD 3 613721 SCN2A 182390
2q24.3 Dravet syndrome AD 3 607208 SCN1A 182389
2q24.3 Developmental and epileptic encephalopathy 6B, non-Dravet AD 3 619317 SCN1A 182389
2q31.1 Developmental and epileptic encephalopathy 89 AR 3 619124 GAD1 605363
2q31.1 Developmental and epileptic encephalopathy 39 AR 3 612949 SLC25A12 603667
2q32.2 Developmental and epileptic encephalopathy 71 AR 3 618328 GLS 138280
3p22.1 Developmental and epileptic encephalopathy 68 AR 3 618201 TRAK1 608112
3p21.31 ?Developmental and epileptic encephalopathy 86 AR 3 618910 DALRD3 618904
3p21.31 Developmental and epileptic encephalopathy 102 AR 3 619881 SLC38A3 604437
3q13.31 Developmental and epileptic encephalopathy 93 AD 3 618012 ATP6V1A 607027
3q22.1 Developmental and epileptic encephalopathy 44 AR 3 617132 UBA5 610552
3q25.1 Developmental and epileptic encephalopathy 73 AD 3 618379 RNF13 609247
3q28-q29 Developmental and epileptic encephalopathy 47 AD 3 617166 FGF12 601513
4p16.3 Developmental and epileptic encephalopathy 63 AR 3 617976 CPLX1 605032
4p14 Developmental and epileptic encephalopathy 84 AR 3 618792 UGDH 603370
4p12 ?Developmental and epileptic encephalopathy 40 AR 3 617065 GUF1 617064
4p12 Developmental and epileptic encephalopathy 78 AD 3 618557 GABRA2 137140
4p12 Developmental and epileptic encephalopathy 45 AD 3 617153 GABRB1 137190
4q24 Developmental and epileptic encephalopathy 91 AD 3 617711 PPP3CA 114105
4q35.1 Developmental and epileptic encephalopathy 106 AR 3 620028 UFSP2 611482
5p12 Developmental and epileptic encephalopathy 24 AD 3 615871 HCN1 602780
5q33.3 Developmental and epileptic encephalopathy 65 AD 3 618008 CYFIP2 606323
5q34 Developmental and epileptic encephalopathy 92 AD 3 617829 GABRB2 600232
5q34 Developmental and epileptic encephalopathy 19 AD 3 615744 GABRA1 137160
5q34 Developmental and epileptic encephalopathy 74 AD 3 618396 GABRG2 137164
6p24.1 Developmental and epileptic encephalopathy 70 AD 3 618298 PHACTR1 608723
6p21.1 Developmental and epileptic encephalopathy 60 AR 3 617929 CNPY3 610774
6q21 Developmental and epileptic encephalopathy 87 AD 3 618916 CDK19 614720
7q11.23 Developmental and epileptic encephalopathy 51 AR 3 617339 MDH2 154100
7q11.23 Developmental and epileptic encephalopathy 56 AD 3 617665 YWHAG 605356
7q21.11 Developmental and epileptic encephalopathy 110 AR 3 620149 CACNA2 114204
7q21.12 Developmental and epileptic encephalopathy 61 AR 3 617933 ADAM22 603709
7q22.1 Developmental and epileptic encephalopathy 76 AR 3 618468 ACTL6B 612458
8p21.3 Developmental and epileptic encephalopathy 64 AD 3 618004 RHOBTB2 607352
9q21.33 Developmental and epileptic encephalopathy 58 AD 3 617830 NTRK2 600456
9q22.33 Developmental and epileptic encephalopathy 59 AD 3 617904 GABBR2 607340
9q31.3 Developmental and epileptic encephalopathy 37 AR 3 616981 FRRS1L 604574
9q34.11 Developmental and epileptic encephalopathy 4 AD, AR 3 612164 STXBP1 602926
9q34.11 Developmental and epileptic encephalopathy 31B, autosomal recessive AR 3 620352 DNM1 602377
9q34.11 Developmental and epileptic encephalopathy 31A, autosomal dominant AD 3 616346 DNM1 602377
9q34.11 Developmental and epileptic encephalopathy 5 AD 3 613477 SPTAN1 182810
9q34.3 Developmental and epileptic encephalopathy 14 AD 3 614959 KCNT1 608167
9q34.3 Developmental and epileptic encephalopathy 101 AR 3 619814 GRIN1 138249
10p14 Developmental and epileptic encephalopathy 97 AD 3 619561 CELF2 602538
11p15.5 Developmental and epileptic encephalopathy 3 AR 3 609304 SLC25A22 609302
11p15.4 Developmental and epileptic encephalopathy 49 AR 3 617281 DENND5A 617278
11p13 Developmental and epileptic encephalopathy 41 AD 3 617105 SLC1A2 600300
12p13.31 Developmental and epileptic encephalopathy 21 AR 3 615833 NECAP1 611623
12p13.1 Developmental and epileptic encephalopathy 27 AD 3 616139 GRIN2B 138252
12q13.13 Developmental and epileptic encephalopathy 13 AD 3 614558 SCN8A 600702
12q21.1 Developmental and epileptic encephalopathy 103 AD 3 619913 KCNC2 176256
12q24.11-q24.12 Developmental and epileptic encephalopathy 67 AD 3 618141 CUX2 610648
14q23.2 Developmental and epileptic encephalopathy 112 AD 3 620537 KCNH5 605716
14q32.33 Developmental and epileptic encephalopathy 66 AD 3 618067 PACS2 610423
15q12 Developmental and epileptic encephalopathy 43 AD 3 617113 GABRB3 137192
15q12 Developmental and epileptic encephalopathy 79 AD 3 618559 GABRA5 137142
15q21.2 Developmental and epileptic encephalopathy 81 AR 3 618663 DMXL2 612186
15q21.3 Developmental and epileptic encephalopathy 80 AR 3 618580 PIGB 604122
15q25.2 Developmental and epileptic encephalopathy 48 AR 3 617276 AP3B2 602166
15q26.1 Developmental and epileptic encephalopathy 94 AD 3 615369 CHD2 602119
16p13.3 Multiple congenital anomalies-hypotonia-seizures syndrome 4 AR 3 618548 PIGQ 605754
16p13.3 Developmental and epileptic encephalopathy 16 AR 3 615338 TBC1D24 613577
16q13 Developmental and epileptic encephalopathy 17 AD 3 615473 GNAO1 139311
16q21 Developmental and epileptic encephalopathy 82 AR 3 618721 GOT2 138150
16q22.1 Developmental and epileptic encephalopathy 29 AR 3 616339 AARS1 601065
16q23.1-q23.2 Developmental and epileptic encephalopathy 28 AR 3 616211 WWOX 605131
17p13.1 Developmental and epileptic encephalopathy 25, with amelogenesis imperfecta AR 3 615905 SLC13A5 608305
17q11.2 Developmental and epileptic encephalopathy 95 AR 3 618143 PIGS 610271
17q12 Developmental and epileptic encephalopathy 72 AD 3 618374 NEUROD2 601725
17q21.2 Developmental and epileptic encephalopathy 104 AD 3 619970 ATP6V0A1 192130
17q21.31 Developmental and epileptic encephalopathy 96 AD 3 619340 NSF 601633
17q21.32 Developmental and epileptic encephalopathy 115 AR 3 620783 SNF8 610904
17q25.1 Developmental and epileptic encephalopathy 105 with hypopituitarism AR 3 619983 HID1 605752
19p13.3 Developmental and epileptic encephalopathy 109 AD 3 620145 FZR1 603619
19p13.13 Developmental and epileptic encephalopathy 42 AD 3 617106 CACNA1A 601011
19p13.11 Developmental and epileptic encephalopathy 108 AD 3 620115 MAST3 612258
19q13.11 Developmental and epileptic encephalopathy 52 AR 3 617350 SCN1B 600235
19q13.2 Developmental and epileptic encephalopathy 99 AD 3 619606 ATP1A3 182350
19q13.33 Developmental and epileptic encephalopathy 46 AD 3 617162 GRIN2D 602717
19q13.33 Microcephaly, seizures, and developmental delay AR 3 613402 PNKP 605610
20p13 Developmental and epileptic encephalopathy 35 AR 3 616647 ITPA 147520
20p12.3 Developmental and epileptic encephalopathy 12 AR 3 613722 PLCB1 607120
20p11.21 Developmental and epileptic encephalopathy 107 AR 3 620033 NAPB 611270
20q11.23 Developmental and epileptic encephalopathy 114 AD 3 620774 SLC32A1 616440
20q13.12 Developmental and epileptic encephalopathy 34 AR 3 616645 SLC12A5 606726
20q13.13 Developmental and epileptic encephalopathy 26 AD 3 616056 KCNB1 600397
20q13.33 Developmental and epileptic encephalopathy 7 AD 3 613720 KCNQ2 602235
20q13.33 Developmental and epileptic encephalopathy 33 AD 3 616409 EEF1A2 602959
21q22.11 Developmental and epileptic encephalopathy 53 AR 3 617389 SYNJ1 604297
21q22.13 Developmental and epileptic encephalopathy 55 AR 3 617599 PIGP 605938
21q22.3 Developmental and epileptic encephalopathy 30 AD 3 616341 SIK1 605705
22q12.2-q12.3 Developmental and epileptic encephalopathy 111 AR 3 620504 DEPDC5 614191
Xp22.2 Multiple congenital anomalies-hypotonia-seizures syndrome 2 XLR 3 300868 PIGA 311770
Xp22.13 Developmental and epileptic encephalopathy 2 XLD 3 300672 CDKL5 300203
Xp21.3 Developmental and epileptic encephalopathy 1 XLR 3 308350 ARX 300382
Xp11.23 Congenital disorder of glycosylation, type IIm SMo, XLD 3 300896 SLC35A2 314375
Xp11.22 Developmental and epileptic encephalopathy 85, with or without midline brain defects XLD 3 301044 SMC1A 300040
Xq11.1 Developmental and epileptic encephalopathy 8 XL 3 300607 ARHGEF9 300429
Xq22.1 Developmental and epileptic encephalopathy 9 XL 3 300088 PCDH19 300460
Xq23 Developmental and epileptic encephalopathy 36 XL 3 300884 ALG13 300776
Xq26.3-q27.1 Developmental and epileptic encephalopathy 90 XLD, XLR 3 301058 FGF13 300070

TEXT

A number sign (#) is used with this entry because of evidence that developmental and epileptic encephalopathy-13 (DEE13) is caused by heterozygous mutation in the SCN8A gene (600702) on chromosome 12q13.


Description

Developmental and epileptic encephalopathy-13 (DEE13) is a neurologic disorder characterized by the onset of intractable seizures in the first year of life. Some patients may present with seizures in the first days, whereas others present later (between 2 and 7 months of age) after normal or only mild developmental delay. Affected individuals have profoundly impaired development or developmental regression after the onset of seizures, and show severe intellectual disability, poor or absent language, hypotonia, and are usually unable to walk. EEG shows variable abnormalities, including multifocal and generalized spike-wave discharges, sometimes with status epilepticus or hypsarrhythmia. Brain imaging may show cerebral atrophy (summary by Ohba et al., 2014).

For a general phenotypic description and a discussion of genetic heterogeneity of DEE, see 308350.


Clinical Features

Veeramah et al. (2012) reported a 15-year-old girl with onset of refractory generalized seizures at age 6 months. At age 4 years, the seizure phenotype changed to epileptic spasms, followed by regression of speech and language skills. She also had developmental delay, intellectual disability, hypotonia, and difficulties with coordination and balance. The language and communication problems, in combination with regression in social interaction and the development of obsessive-compulsive and repetitive behaviors, led to the classification of autism at age 5 years. Initial electroencephalogram (EEG) showed bifrontal spikes and brief bursts of generalized spike-wave activity. Later EEG showed diffuse slowing, multifocal spikes, and frontally predominant generalized spikes. Brain MRI was normal. The patient died suddenly at age 15 years. There was no family history of a similar disorder.

Ohba et al. (2014) reported 7 unrelated children with DEE13 ranging between 1 and 13 years of age. Five patients were Japanese and 2 were Israeli. Two patients had onset of intractable seizures in the first days of life, and 5 had onset between 3 and 7 months of age. Seizure type was variable and included tonic-clonic, absence, and atonic. All patients had developed delayed psychomotor development with severe to profound intellectual disability; 3 were bedridden at the time of the report. Brain imaging showed mild cerebral atrophy in all but 1 patient. Initial EEG was normal in 4 patients, but most eventually showed some abnormalities. Over time, 1 patient became seizure-free with medication and 3 were controlled with medication.

De Kovel et al. (2014) reported a 3-year-old girl with DEE13 who had onset of intractable seizures at age 6 months. She had slightly delayed development in early infancy, but showed development regression, progressive microcephaly, and severe psychomotor retardation after seizure onset. EEG showed hypsarrhythmia, and seizures continued despite multiple medications. Brain imaging was initially normal but showed diffuse brain atrophy, mild cerebellar atrophy, and interrupted myelination at age 9 months. At age 3 years, she was unable to sit without support and had no speech.


Inheritance

The heterozygous mutations in the SCN8A gene that were identified in patients with DEE13 by Ohba et al. (2014) occurred de novo.


Molecular Genetics

In a girl with DEE13, Veeramah et al. (2012) identified a de novo heterozygous missense mutation in the SCN8A gene (N1768D; 600702.0002). The mutation was identified by whole-genome sequencing. In vitro functional expression studies showed that the mutation caused a dominant gain-of-function effect, with neuronal hyperexcitability, persistent sodium currents, incomplete channel inactivation, increased spontaneous firing, paroxysmal-depolarizing-shift-like complexes, and an increased firing frequency. Whole-genome sequencing also identified putative recessive variants in the NRP2 (602070) and UNC13C (614568) genes in the proband, which may have contributed to the phenotype.

Carvill et al. (2013) identified a heterozygous mutation in the SCN8A gene (L1290V; 600702.0003) in a boy with DEE13. The mutation was inherited from his father, who was found to be somatic mosaic for the mutation. No further clinical information was provided. The patient was part of a cohort of 500 cases of epileptic encephalopathy who underwent sequencing of candidate genes; he was the only patient found to carry an SCN8A mutation.

In 7 unrelated patients with DEE13, Ohba et al. (2014) identified 7 different de novo heterozygous missense mutations in the SCN8A gene (see, e.g., 600702.0004-600702.0006). Whole-exome or targeted capture sequencing detected mutations in 6 (10%) of 60 patients with early-onset epileptic encephalopathy and in 1 (16.7%) of 6 patients diagnosed clinically with malignant migrating partial seizures of infancy (MMPSI). Functional studies of the variants were not performed, but all occurred at highly conserved residues scattered throughout the gene with variable predicted effects. There were no apparent genotype-phenotype correlations.

In a 3-year-old girl with DEE13, de Kovel et al. (2014) identified a de novo heterozygous missense mutation in the SCN8A gene (R223G; 600702.0007). The mutation was found by whole-exome sequencing and confirmed by Sanger sequencing. In vitro cellular functional expression studies showed that the mutant protein had significantly reduced stability (about 20% of wildtype) and that the mutant channel had reduced peak current amplitude (20% of wildtype) at 37 degrees C. There was a 3-fold increase in the ramp current at 30 degrees C, but this was still a significant reduction in terms of absolute current levels. The findings were consistent with a loss-of-function effect. De Kovel et al. (2014) noted that SCN8A is expressed in inhibitory neurons, where a loss of function may yield an epileptic phenotype.


Genotype/Phenotype Correlations

In 2 unrelated patients with DEE13, Blanchard et al. (2015) identified 2 different de novo heterozygous missense mutations in the SCN8A gene (N984K, 600702.0008 and G1451S, 600702.0009). The patients were ascertained from a cohort of 500 patients with intellectual disability and 100 patients with a movement disorder who underwent exome sequencing. In vitro functional expression studies showed that the N984K mutation resulted in increased channel opening and increased neuronal excitability, consistent with a gain of function, whereas the G1451S mutation resulted in decreased current density, consistent with a loss of function. The patient with the N984K mutation had onset of intractable seizures at age 6 weeks and severe developmental delay with no speech and inability to sit independently at age 7 years; the patient with the G1451S mutation had a slightly less severe phenotype, with onset of seizures at age 18 months, moderate to severe developmental delay, spastic tetraplegia, ataxia, and nystagmus with cerebellar atrophy at age 33 years. Blanchard et al. (2015) concluded that SCN8A mutations resulting in a gain of function may result in a more severe phenotype, but noted that the G1451S mutation may also have some gain-of-function effects that were not detected in the cellular assay.


REFERENCES

  1. Blanchard, M. G., Willemsen, M. H., Walker, J. B., Dib-Hajji, S. D., Waxman, S. G., Jongmans, M. C. J., Kleefstra, T., van de Warrenburg, B. P., Praamstra, P., Nicolai, J., Yntema, H. G., Bindels, R. J. M., Meisler, M. H., Kamsteeg, E.-J. De novo gain-of-function and loss-of-function mutations of SCN8A in patients with intellectual disabilities and epilepsy. J. Med. Genet. 52: 330-337, 2015. [PubMed: 25725044, images, related citations] [Full Text]

  2. Carvill, G. L., Heavin, S. B., Yendle, S. C., McMahon, J. M., O'Roak, B. J., Cook, J., Khan, A., Dorschner, M. O., Weaver, M., Calvert, S., Malone, S., Wallace, G., and 22 others. Targeted resequencing in epileptic encephalopathies identifies de novo mutations in CHD2 and SYNGAP1. Nature Genet. 45: 825-830, 2013. [PubMed: 23708187, images, related citations] [Full Text]

  3. de Kovel, C. G. F., Meisler, M. H., Brilstra, E. H., van Berkestijn, F. M. C., van't Slot, R., van Lieshout, S., Nijman, I. J., O'Brien, J. E., Hammer, M. F., Estacion, M., Waxman, S. G., Dib-Hajj, S. D., Koeleman, B. P. C. Characterization of a de novo SCN8A mutation in a patient with epileptic encephalopathy. Epilepsy Res. 108: 1511-1518, 2014. [PubMed: 25239001, images, related citations] [Full Text]

  4. Ohba, C., Kato, M., Takahashi, S., Lerman-Sagie, T., Lev, D., Terashima, H., Kubota, M., Kawawaki, H., Matsufuji, M., Kojima, Y., Tateno, A., Goldberg-Stern, H., and 10 others. Early onset epileptic encephalopathy caused by de novo SCN8A mutations. Epilepsia 55: 994-1000, 2014. [PubMed: 24888894, related citations] [Full Text]

  5. Veeramah, K. R., O'Brien, J. E., Meisler, M. H., Cheng, X., Dib-Hajj, S. D., Waxman, S. G., Talwar, D., Girirajan, S., Eichler, E. E., Restifo, L. L., Erickson, R. P., Hammer, M. F. De novo pathogenic SCN8A mutation identified by whole-genome sequencing of a family quartet affected by infantile epileptic encephalopathy and SUDEP. Am. J. Hum. Genet. 90: 502-512, 2012. [PubMed: 22365152, images, related citations] [Full Text]


Cassandra L. Kniffin - updated : 6/8/2015
Cassandra L. Kniffin - updated : 12/9/2014
Cassandra L. Kniffin - updated : 9/22/2014
Cassandra L. Kniffin - updated : 8/15/2013
Creation Date:
Cassandra L. Kniffin : 3/28/2012
alopez : 10/19/2020
ckniffin : 10/15/2020
joanna : 10/09/2020
carol : 06/10/2015
mcolton : 6/9/2015
ckniffin : 6/8/2015
carol : 12/11/2014
mcolton : 12/10/2014
ckniffin : 12/9/2014
carol : 9/22/2014
ckniffin : 9/22/2014
carol : 8/19/2013
ckniffin : 8/15/2013
mgross : 4/13/2012
terry : 4/3/2012
carol : 4/2/2012
ckniffin : 3/28/2012

# 614558

DEVELOPMENTAL AND EPILEPTIC ENCEPHALOPATHY 13; DEE13


Alternative titles; symbols

EPILEPTIC ENCEPHALOPATHY, EARLY INFANTILE, 13; EIEE13


SNOMEDCT: 765170001;   ORPHA: 442835;   DO: 0080445;  


Phenotype-Gene Relationships

Location Phenotype Phenotype
MIM number
Inheritance Phenotype
mapping key
Gene/Locus Gene/Locus
MIM number
12q13.13 Developmental and epileptic encephalopathy 13 614558 Autosomal dominant 3 SCN8A 600702

TEXT

A number sign (#) is used with this entry because of evidence that developmental and epileptic encephalopathy-13 (DEE13) is caused by heterozygous mutation in the SCN8A gene (600702) on chromosome 12q13.


Description

Developmental and epileptic encephalopathy-13 (DEE13) is a neurologic disorder characterized by the onset of intractable seizures in the first year of life. Some patients may present with seizures in the first days, whereas others present later (between 2 and 7 months of age) after normal or only mild developmental delay. Affected individuals have profoundly impaired development or developmental regression after the onset of seizures, and show severe intellectual disability, poor or absent language, hypotonia, and are usually unable to walk. EEG shows variable abnormalities, including multifocal and generalized spike-wave discharges, sometimes with status epilepticus or hypsarrhythmia. Brain imaging may show cerebral atrophy (summary by Ohba et al., 2014).

For a general phenotypic description and a discussion of genetic heterogeneity of DEE, see 308350.


Clinical Features

Veeramah et al. (2012) reported a 15-year-old girl with onset of refractory generalized seizures at age 6 months. At age 4 years, the seizure phenotype changed to epileptic spasms, followed by regression of speech and language skills. She also had developmental delay, intellectual disability, hypotonia, and difficulties with coordination and balance. The language and communication problems, in combination with regression in social interaction and the development of obsessive-compulsive and repetitive behaviors, led to the classification of autism at age 5 years. Initial electroencephalogram (EEG) showed bifrontal spikes and brief bursts of generalized spike-wave activity. Later EEG showed diffuse slowing, multifocal spikes, and frontally predominant generalized spikes. Brain MRI was normal. The patient died suddenly at age 15 years. There was no family history of a similar disorder.

Ohba et al. (2014) reported 7 unrelated children with DEE13 ranging between 1 and 13 years of age. Five patients were Japanese and 2 were Israeli. Two patients had onset of intractable seizures in the first days of life, and 5 had onset between 3 and 7 months of age. Seizure type was variable and included tonic-clonic, absence, and atonic. All patients had developed delayed psychomotor development with severe to profound intellectual disability; 3 were bedridden at the time of the report. Brain imaging showed mild cerebral atrophy in all but 1 patient. Initial EEG was normal in 4 patients, but most eventually showed some abnormalities. Over time, 1 patient became seizure-free with medication and 3 were controlled with medication.

De Kovel et al. (2014) reported a 3-year-old girl with DEE13 who had onset of intractable seizures at age 6 months. She had slightly delayed development in early infancy, but showed development regression, progressive microcephaly, and severe psychomotor retardation after seizure onset. EEG showed hypsarrhythmia, and seizures continued despite multiple medications. Brain imaging was initially normal but showed diffuse brain atrophy, mild cerebellar atrophy, and interrupted myelination at age 9 months. At age 3 years, she was unable to sit without support and had no speech.


Inheritance

The heterozygous mutations in the SCN8A gene that were identified in patients with DEE13 by Ohba et al. (2014) occurred de novo.


Molecular Genetics

In a girl with DEE13, Veeramah et al. (2012) identified a de novo heterozygous missense mutation in the SCN8A gene (N1768D; 600702.0002). The mutation was identified by whole-genome sequencing. In vitro functional expression studies showed that the mutation caused a dominant gain-of-function effect, with neuronal hyperexcitability, persistent sodium currents, incomplete channel inactivation, increased spontaneous firing, paroxysmal-depolarizing-shift-like complexes, and an increased firing frequency. Whole-genome sequencing also identified putative recessive variants in the NRP2 (602070) and UNC13C (614568) genes in the proband, which may have contributed to the phenotype.

Carvill et al. (2013) identified a heterozygous mutation in the SCN8A gene (L1290V; 600702.0003) in a boy with DEE13. The mutation was inherited from his father, who was found to be somatic mosaic for the mutation. No further clinical information was provided. The patient was part of a cohort of 500 cases of epileptic encephalopathy who underwent sequencing of candidate genes; he was the only patient found to carry an SCN8A mutation.

In 7 unrelated patients with DEE13, Ohba et al. (2014) identified 7 different de novo heterozygous missense mutations in the SCN8A gene (see, e.g., 600702.0004-600702.0006). Whole-exome or targeted capture sequencing detected mutations in 6 (10%) of 60 patients with early-onset epileptic encephalopathy and in 1 (16.7%) of 6 patients diagnosed clinically with malignant migrating partial seizures of infancy (MMPSI). Functional studies of the variants were not performed, but all occurred at highly conserved residues scattered throughout the gene with variable predicted effects. There were no apparent genotype-phenotype correlations.

In a 3-year-old girl with DEE13, de Kovel et al. (2014) identified a de novo heterozygous missense mutation in the SCN8A gene (R223G; 600702.0007). The mutation was found by whole-exome sequencing and confirmed by Sanger sequencing. In vitro cellular functional expression studies showed that the mutant protein had significantly reduced stability (about 20% of wildtype) and that the mutant channel had reduced peak current amplitude (20% of wildtype) at 37 degrees C. There was a 3-fold increase in the ramp current at 30 degrees C, but this was still a significant reduction in terms of absolute current levels. The findings were consistent with a loss-of-function effect. De Kovel et al. (2014) noted that SCN8A is expressed in inhibitory neurons, where a loss of function may yield an epileptic phenotype.


Genotype/Phenotype Correlations

In 2 unrelated patients with DEE13, Blanchard et al. (2015) identified 2 different de novo heterozygous missense mutations in the SCN8A gene (N984K, 600702.0008 and G1451S, 600702.0009). The patients were ascertained from a cohort of 500 patients with intellectual disability and 100 patients with a movement disorder who underwent exome sequencing. In vitro functional expression studies showed that the N984K mutation resulted in increased channel opening and increased neuronal excitability, consistent with a gain of function, whereas the G1451S mutation resulted in decreased current density, consistent with a loss of function. The patient with the N984K mutation had onset of intractable seizures at age 6 weeks and severe developmental delay with no speech and inability to sit independently at age 7 years; the patient with the G1451S mutation had a slightly less severe phenotype, with onset of seizures at age 18 months, moderate to severe developmental delay, spastic tetraplegia, ataxia, and nystagmus with cerebellar atrophy at age 33 years. Blanchard et al. (2015) concluded that SCN8A mutations resulting in a gain of function may result in a more severe phenotype, but noted that the G1451S mutation may also have some gain-of-function effects that were not detected in the cellular assay.


REFERENCES

  1. Blanchard, M. G., Willemsen, M. H., Walker, J. B., Dib-Hajji, S. D., Waxman, S. G., Jongmans, M. C. J., Kleefstra, T., van de Warrenburg, B. P., Praamstra, P., Nicolai, J., Yntema, H. G., Bindels, R. J. M., Meisler, M. H., Kamsteeg, E.-J. De novo gain-of-function and loss-of-function mutations of SCN8A in patients with intellectual disabilities and epilepsy. J. Med. Genet. 52: 330-337, 2015. [PubMed: 25725044] [Full Text: https://doi.org/10.1136/jmedgenet-2014-102813]

  2. Carvill, G. L., Heavin, S. B., Yendle, S. C., McMahon, J. M., O'Roak, B. J., Cook, J., Khan, A., Dorschner, M. O., Weaver, M., Calvert, S., Malone, S., Wallace, G., and 22 others. Targeted resequencing in epileptic encephalopathies identifies de novo mutations in CHD2 and SYNGAP1. Nature Genet. 45: 825-830, 2013. [PubMed: 23708187] [Full Text: https://doi.org/10.1038/ng.2646]

  3. de Kovel, C. G. F., Meisler, M. H., Brilstra, E. H., van Berkestijn, F. M. C., van't Slot, R., van Lieshout, S., Nijman, I. J., O'Brien, J. E., Hammer, M. F., Estacion, M., Waxman, S. G., Dib-Hajj, S. D., Koeleman, B. P. C. Characterization of a de novo SCN8A mutation in a patient with epileptic encephalopathy. Epilepsy Res. 108: 1511-1518, 2014. [PubMed: 25239001] [Full Text: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.eplepsyres.2014.08.020]

  4. Ohba, C., Kato, M., Takahashi, S., Lerman-Sagie, T., Lev, D., Terashima, H., Kubota, M., Kawawaki, H., Matsufuji, M., Kojima, Y., Tateno, A., Goldberg-Stern, H., and 10 others. Early onset epileptic encephalopathy caused by de novo SCN8A mutations. Epilepsia 55: 994-1000, 2014. [PubMed: 24888894] [Full Text: https://doi.org/10.1111/epi.12668]

  5. Veeramah, K. R., O'Brien, J. E., Meisler, M. H., Cheng, X., Dib-Hajj, S. D., Waxman, S. G., Talwar, D., Girirajan, S., Eichler, E. E., Restifo, L. L., Erickson, R. P., Hammer, M. F. De novo pathogenic SCN8A mutation identified by whole-genome sequencing of a family quartet affected by infantile epileptic encephalopathy and SUDEP. Am. J. Hum. Genet. 90: 502-512, 2012. [PubMed: 22365152] [Full Text: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ajhg.2012.01.006]


Contributors:
Cassandra L. Kniffin - updated : 6/8/2015
Cassandra L. Kniffin - updated : 12/9/2014
Cassandra L. Kniffin - updated : 9/22/2014
Cassandra L. Kniffin - updated : 8/15/2013

Creation Date:
Cassandra L. Kniffin : 3/28/2012

Edit History:
alopez : 10/19/2020
ckniffin : 10/15/2020
joanna : 10/09/2020
carol : 06/10/2015
mcolton : 6/9/2015
ckniffin : 6/8/2015
carol : 12/11/2014
mcolton : 12/10/2014
ckniffin : 12/9/2014
carol : 9/22/2014
ckniffin : 9/22/2014
carol : 8/19/2013
ckniffin : 8/15/2013
mgross : 4/13/2012
terry : 4/3/2012
carol : 4/2/2012
ckniffin : 3/28/2012