NMDA receptors and brain malformations: GRIN1-associated polymicrogyria

Ion channels and brain malformations. When the “channelopathy” concept first emerged – the idea that dysfunction of neuronal ion channels leads to neurological disease including epilepsy – it seemed implausible that such dysfunction could lead to malformations of cortical development. However, recent research has suggested that ion channel dysfunction may indeed be linked with brain malformations. In 2017, we saw convincing evidence that germline de novo variants in GRIN2B can cause malformations of cortical development. Some suggestive, but less conclusive, evidence has also linked SCN1A and SCN2A to brain malformations. Now Fry and collaborators demonstrate that de novo pathogenic variants in GRIN1 can also cause significant polymicrogyria, expanding the phenotypic spectrum of GRIN1-related disorders. As a disclaimer, I am also a co-author on the publication by Fry and collaborators. Continue reading

The genetic sibling of NMDA receptor encephalitis

GRIN1 encephalopathy. In the early 2000s Dalmau and collaborators observed a condition in women with ovarian teratoma who presented with psychosis or memory problems and rapidly progressing neurological deficits that required prolonged intensive care support. Auto-antibodies against the NR1 subunit of the NMDA receptor were found to be the causative agent. The clinical spectrum of anti-NMDA-receptor encephalitis has since expanded significantly and this initial discovery fueled the discovery of an entirely disease mechanism, the concept of the autoimmune encephalitis. In a recent publication in Neurology, we describe a novel neurodevelopmental syndrome affecting the gene for the NR1 receptor, the genetic sibling of NMDAR encephalitis. This blog post is about the unexpected overlap of autoimmune disorders with the genetic epilepsies and the spectrum of GRIN1-related genetic encephalopathies. Continue reading

Speech dyspraxia and dysarthria – the other side of GRIN2A

GRIN2A. Mutations in several genes coding for NMDA receptor subunits have recently been found in various neurodevelopmental disorders. Amongst the different genes, GRIN2A is one of the most prominent ones and mutations in this gene are found in patients with epilepsy-aphasia syndromes. So far, we have mainly looked at GRIN2A from the epilepsy side. In a recent publication in Neurology, Turner and collaborators now examine the speech phenotype in GRIN2A families. They examine two families where speech issues are a prominent phenotypic feature. It turns out that GRIN2A mutations may predispose to a distinct speech phenotype. Continue reading

Beyond the Ion Channel – and back

Where do all the ion channels come from? I would like to start off with a brief commentary about the current state of gene discovery in human epilepsy. Some of our readers rightfully took offense to my previous statement that gene discovery in epilepsy it over – quite the contrary is true, and I apologize for any confusion that I may have caused. Gene discovery in epilepsy is one of the few areas of human genetics with an ongoing, rapid sequence of gene discovery with a tremendous translational potential. But we also need to reconsider the name of this blog – we are far from being beyond the ion channel. The ion channel concept has made a remarkable return in human epilepsy genetics. Let’s find out why. Continue reading