Familial classic trigeminal neuralgia.

Area of Science:

• Neurology
• Genetics

Background:

• Trigeminal neuralgia (TN) is typically sporadic, but familial cases occur in approximately 2% of instances.
• Understanding familial TN is crucial for diagnosing the condition and elucidating the causes of sporadic forms.
• This study details 11 cases across 5 families with classic TN.

Purpose of the Study:

• To describe familial cases of classic trigeminal neuralgia.
• To investigate the potential genetic underpinnings of trigeminal neuralgia.
• To identify patterns and characteristics of familial trigeminal neuralgia.

Main Methods:

• A systematic review of patients diagnosed with trigeminal neuralgia was conducted.
• Data was collected through outpatient interviews between March 2014 and March 2015.
• Focus was on identifying families with at least two affected members.

Main Results:

• Familial trigeminal neuralgia predominantly affected women.
• The mean age of onset was approximately 63 years, with a trend towards earlier onset in successive generations.
• The V2 (maxillary) branch was most commonly involved, and while medical treatment was often effective, surgical outcomes varied.

Conclusions:

• Observed family clusters support a genetic etiology for classic trigeminal neuralgia.
• Potential genetic factors include inherited anatomical abnormalities, familial arteriovenous malformations (AHT), and calcium channel gene mutations.
• Classic trigeminal neuralgia may present as an autosomal dominant disorder with evidence of genetic anticipation.