The TBC1D24 story. Mutations in TBC1D24 were found initially in two recessive families with different types of epilepsy in 2010. This was followed by the identification of mutations in another recessive epilepsy family in 2013, and then by the identification of 9 families with mutations and DOORS syndrome (Deafness, Onycho-Osteodystrophy, mental Retardation and Seizures). Surprisingly, TBC1D24 mutations were then also identified in families with autosomal dominant or recessive non-syndromic deafness without epilepsy. Continue reading
Tag Archives: TBC1D24
Publications of the week – Dravet Syndrome, TBC1D24, and CSTB
Issue 6/2015. Publications from the most recent issue of Epilepsia are very prominent in this week’s selection of publications. We discuss the frequency of Dravet Syndrome, a novel family with a TBC1D24 mutation, and the role of Cystatin B (CSTB) in Juvenile Myoclonic Epilepsy. Continue reading
Publications of the week – ATK3, TBC1D24, and BRAT1
Getting started in 2015. For the first issue of publications of the week this year, we have chosen a few case reports of genetic epilepsies, which expand the spectrum of known syndromes. All three publications highlight important features of rare genetic epilepsies that you might not have been aware of. Continue reading
These are the top 10 epilepsy genes of 2014
Top 10. 2014 has been a very productive year in epilepsy gene discovery and with our final blog post this year, we wanted to provide a brief overview of what has been pertinent this year. From the multitude of novel genes identified this year, here are the 10 most relevant findings – including some genes that you probably didn’t expect. Continue reading
How to find recessive disease genes for epileptic encephalopathies
The E2 story continues. There has been major progress in identifying the role of de novo mutations in infantile spasms and other epileptic encephalopathies. Over the last two years, more than 20 new genes for epileptic encephalopathies were discovered and we have good evidence suggesting that de novo mutations play a major role in these disorders. Moreover, we have gotten a good sense on how complicated it can be to call a de novo mutation pathogenic given the flood of rare genetic variants in the human genome. However, de novo mutations are not what we think about clinically when assessing a patient with new-onset epileptic encephalopathy. In a clinical setting, we are often concerned about underlying metabolic disorders, many of which are recessive. Accordingly, we felt that the next task of the E2 consortium was to assess the role of inherited variants in epileptic encephalopathies. Just to tell you in advance, it is not as easy as it sounds.
The OMIM epileptic encephalopathy genes – a 2014 review
EIEE1-19. Online Mendelian Inheritance in Man (OMIM) is one of the most frequently accessed online databases for information on genetic disorders. Genes for epileptic encephalopathies are organized within a phenotypic series entitled Early Infantile Epileptic Encephalopathy (EIEE). The EIEE phenotypic series currently lists 19 genes (EIEE1-19). Let’s review the evidence for these genes as of 2014. Continue reading
TBC1D24, DOORS Syndrome, and the unexpected heterogeneity of recessive epilepsies
The return of TBC1D24. In 2010, the TBC1D24 gene was the first gene for human epilepsies to be discovered through next generation sequencing techniques. Ever since, this gene has been a mystery, as the phenotypes of the families with recessive mutations in this gene varied widely. Now, a recent paper in Lancet Neurology finds recessive TBC1D24 mutations in a large proportion of patients with DOORS syndrome, a rare distinct autosomal recessive syndrome with deafness, onychodystrophy, osteodystrophy, intellectual disability (mental retardation), and seizures. This finding demonstrates that we have only just scratched the surface of the complicated genetic architecture of human epilepsies. Continue reading
The return of TBC1D24
First of its kind. In 2010, a virtually unknown gene became the first epilepsy gene to be discovered through massive parallel sequencing techniques. This gene, TBC1D24, was found in two recessive families with different types of epilepsy. Afterwards, it became silent around this gene with no further findings. Now, a recent paper reports on a third family with a mutation in this gene with a complex phenotype of epileptic encephalopathy and movement disorders. As the mutation is located in an alternative exon of this gene, this raises important issues on how we identify and interpret mutations. Continue reading
