A novel nonsense autosomal dominant mutation in the GLRA1 gene causing hyperekplexia

We present a family with two members affected by hyperekplexia and two unaffected members. All exons in the glycine receptor alpha 1 subunit gene (GLRA1) were sequenced in all four family members. Our index patient harbored a novel nonsense mutation (p.Trp314*; rs867618642) in the transmembrane domain three of the GLRA1 and a novel missense variant in the NH₂-terminal part (p.Val67Met; rs142888296). After development of tolerance for the effective treatment with clobazam a drug holiday led to a sustained restoration of the treatment response.