Epilepsy as a multifaceted neurological disease: insights from a genetic study of novel gene variants

Abstract

Background

Epilepsy, a neurological disease characterized by recurrent seizures, is highly heterogeneous in nature. The objective is to demonstrate that epilepsy is a complex neurodisorder influenced by multiple gene mutations and to advance genetic therapies through the discovery of novel variants.

Methods

In our study, 89 people with epilepsy of unknown cause were examined using the Sophia DDM® data analysis platform. Pepper®, Sophia Genetics' proprietary foundation algorithm, was used for alignment and variation detection in accordance with the hg19 human genome reference.

Results

A total of 97 epilepsy-related gene variants were identified, which correlated well with the phenotypes. Eleven (13 %) pathogenic and likely pathogenic variants, including those in the DEPDC5, OPHN1, SHANK3, DYNC1H1, KCNQ1, ADGRV1, CHD2, GNB1, PDHX, and SCARB2 genes, were detected. 5 (6 %) of patients carried new variants. Two new variants in the ADGRV1 gene were c.14662-2A>G splicing heterozygous variants. The other two were in genes DEPDC5, c.2319_2320del (p.Cys774Leufs*2) frameshift heterozygous, and CHD2 c.1957del (p.Leu653Serfs*41) frameshift heterozygous variants. The last PDHX c.1159C>T (p.Gln387*) nonsense homozygous variant was confirmed by Sanger sequencing, and a family segregation study was performed and observed as heterozygous in the parents. It was not previously described in the literature and was defined as a new variant. The other 86 were detected as variants of uncertain significance (VUS).

Conclusions

We identified several novel and pathogenic variants across multiple genes associated with epilepsy, highlighting the genetic diversity and complexity of this condition. These findings underscore the importance of integrating genetic analysis into clinical practice for tailored interventions.