Beta-3. Even though the gene for the beta-3 subunit of the GABA-A receptor (GABRB3) has not been mentioned frequently in the context of epilepsy genes, it is a gene that is frequently involved in genetic changed that give rise to epilepsy. Given that GABRB3 is one of the genes found within copy number changes on chromosome 15, it may predispose to human epilepsies through various genetic mechanisms including copy number variations and de novo mutations. In a recent publication in Neurology, we reviewed the phenotypes of patients with GABRB3 variants and found an unusual complexity of sporadic and familial cases. Here are three things that I have learned about GABRB3. Continue reading →