Cyril Gitiaux1, Nicole Chemaly2, Susana Quijano-Roy2, Christine Barnerias2, Isabelle Desguerre2, Marie Hully2, Catherine Chiron2, Olivier Dulac2, Rima Nabbout2. 1. From the Departments of Pediatric Neurology (C.G., N.C., C.B., I.D., M.H., C.C., R.N.) and Pediatric Neurophysiology (C.G., N.C., S.Q.-R.), and Reference Center for Rare Epilepsies (N.C., C.C., O.D., R.N.), Necker Enfants Malades Hospital, APHP, Paris; INSERM U1129-Infantile Epilepsies and Brain Plasticity (N.C., C.C., O.D., R.N.), Paris; Paris Descartes (N.C., C.C., O.D., R.N.), Sorbonne Paris Cité University; CEA (N.C., C.C., O.D., R.N.), Gif sur Yvette; Department of Pediatric Neurology (S.Q.-R.), Raymond Poincaré Hospital, APHP, Garches; and Paris Descartes University (C.G., I.D., R.N.), France. cyril.gitiaux@aphp.fr. 2. From the Departments of Pediatric Neurology (C.G., N.C., C.B., I.D., M.H., C.C., R.N.) and Pediatric Neurophysiology (C.G., N.C., S.Q.-R.), and Reference Center for Rare Epilepsies (N.C., C.C., O.D., R.N.), Necker Enfants Malades Hospital, APHP, Paris; INSERM U1129-Infantile Epilepsies and Brain Plasticity (N.C., C.C., O.D., R.N.), Paris; Paris Descartes (N.C., C.C., O.D., R.N.), Sorbonne Paris Cité University; CEA (N.C., C.C., O.D., R.N.), Gif sur Yvette; Department of Pediatric Neurology (S.Q.-R.), Raymond Poincaré Hospital, APHP, Garches; and Paris Descartes University (C.G., I.D., R.N.), France.
Abstract
OBJECTIVE: Since SCN1A is expressed in the motor neuron initial segment, we explored whether motor neuron dysfunction could contribute to gait disturbance and orthopedic misalignment in patients with Dravet syndrome due to SCN1A mutations. METHODS: We assessed 12 consecutive patients who presented to our institution between January and March 2013. All of them were older than 2 years and were positive for the SCN1A mutation. We performed nerve conduction velocity studies and needle EMG recordings. RESULTS: We included 4 females and 8 males aged 2 to 17 years (median 7.5 years). All 12 patients showed gait disturbance regardless of age. Tendon reflexes were decreased in 4 of 12 patients. None presented cerebellar signs such as tremor, dysmetria, or adiadochokinesia. Nerve conduction study was normal or nearly normal in all patients, but EMG showed features of chronic denervation. Motor neuropathy/neuronopathy was definite in 7 patients and probable in 3. CONCLUSIONS: SCN1A mutations may alter axonal function, causing motor neuropathy/neuronopathy. This may contribute to gait disturbance and orthopedic misalignment, which is characteristic of patients with Dravet syndrome.
OBJECTIVE: Since SCN1A is expressed in the motor neuron initial segment, we explored whether motor neuron dysfunction could contribute to gait disturbance and orthopedic misalignment in patients with Dravet syndrome due to SCN1A mutations. METHODS: We assessed 12 consecutive patients who presented to our institution between January and March 2013. All of them were older than 2 years and were positive for the SCN1A mutation. We performed nerve conduction velocity studies and needle EMG recordings. RESULTS: We included 4 females and 8 males aged 2 to 17 years (median 7.5 years). All 12 patients showed gait disturbance regardless of age. Tendon reflexes were decreased in 4 of 12 patients. None presented cerebellar signs such as tremor, dysmetria, or adiadochokinesia. Nerve conduction study was normal or nearly normal in all patients, but EMG showed features of chronic denervation. Motor neuropathy/neuronopathy was definite in 7 patients and probable in 3. CONCLUSIONS:SCN1A mutations may alter axonal function, causing motor neuropathy/neuronopathy. This may contribute to gait disturbance and orthopedic misalignment, which is characteristic of patients with Dravet syndrome.
Authors: Lisa Ouss; Dorothee Leunen; Jacques Laschet; Nicole Chemaly; Giulia Barcia; Emma M Losito; Aveline Aouidad; Zoe Barrault; Isabelle Desguerre; Delphine Breuillard; Rima Nabbout Journal: Epilepsia Open Date: 2018-12-20
Authors: Iris M de Lange; Wout Weuring; Ruben van 't Slot; Boudewijn Gunning; Anja C M Sonsma; Mark McCormack; Carolien de Kovel; Lisette J J M van Gemert; Flip Mulder; Marjan J A van Kempen; Nine V A M Knoers; Eva H Brilstra; Bobby P C Koeleman Journal: Mol Genet Genomic Med Date: 2019-05-29 Impact factor: 2.183
Authors: Ángel Aledo-Serrano; Ana Mingorance; Vicente Villanueva; Juan José García-Peñas; Antonio Gil-Nagel; Susana Boronat; JoséÁngel Aibar; Silvia Cámara; María José Yániz; Luis Miguel Aras; Bárbara Blanco; Rocío Sánchez-Carpintero Journal: Front Neurol Date: 2022-09-01 Impact factor: 4.086