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Three siblings with self-limited familial infantile epilepsy with PRRT2 mutation: A case series
Naoto Iwanami1, Shigeru Nagaki1,2, Aki Gen1
1Department of Pediatrics, Toda Chuo General Hospital, Saitama, Japan.
Insights
A mutation in proline-rich transmembrane protein 2 (PRRT2) causes self-limited familial infantile epilepsy. This study details three sisters with this condition, highlighting variable presentation and treatment responses despite a shared PRRT2 mutation.
Area of Science:
- Genetics
- Neurology
- Epilepsy
Background:
- Self-limited familial infantile epilepsy (SLFIE) is a distinct epileptic syndrome.
- It is characterized by focal seizures with infantile onset, often occurring in clusters.
- Proline-rich transmembrane protein 2 (PRRT2) gene mutations are implicated in various epilepsy syndromes.
Observation:
- Three sisters presented with infantile-onset focal seizures consistent with SLFIE.
- Seizure onset was between 3-5 months, with seizures lasting 1-2 minutes.
- One sister showed interictal spikes and a rash with carbamazepine, requiring treatment adjustment.
Findings:
- All sisters carried the pathogenic PRRT2 variant c.649dup[p.(Arg217Profs*8)].
- This mutation is frequently found in SLFIE, paroxysmal kinesigenic dyskinesia, and infantile choreoathetosis.
- The father also carried the mutation but had no history of epilepsy or dyskinesia, indicating incomplete penetrance or variable expressivity.
Implications:
- The study highlights the genetic basis of SLFIE linked to PRRT2 mutations.
- It demonstrates a lack of clear genotype-phenotype correlation in some cases with the common PRRT2 mutation.
- Understanding these variations is crucial for accurate diagnosis and management of infantile epilepsies.
Abstract:
We report three sisters with self-limited familial infantile epilepsy, caused by a mutation in proline-rich transmembrane protein2. Self-limited familial infantile epilepsy has been established as a distinct epileptic syndrome characterized by focal seizures in clusters of infantile-onset. The seizure types of our cases were focal with or without secondary generalization. The seizures manifested at 3-5 months of age, and each lasted 1-2 min. All three sisters fulfilled the criteria for self-limited familial infantile epilepsy, except in one case who showed interictal spikes in the right central area. The seizures were controlled with carbamazepine. When carbamazepine treatment was started, one case developed a rash, and her treatment was switched to valproic acid. However, the seizures persisted in this case such that carbamazepine was restarted. The rash did not recur. Electroencephalography showed spikes in only one case on interictal electroencephalography. All three sisters were developmentally normal, and no dyskinesia was observed during follow-up. All three sisters and their father, but not their mother, had the following pathogenic variant in proline-rich transmembrane protein2: NM_001256442.2(PRRT2): c.649dup[p.(Arg217Profs*8)]. This mutation has been identified in the majority of families with self-limited familial infantile epilepsy, paroxysmal kinesigenic dyskinesia, and/or infantile convulsion and choreoathetosis. Their father had no history of either self-limited familial infantile epilepsy or paroxysmal kinesigenic dyskinesia. The lack of a clear genotype-phenotype correlation was demonstrated in our cases with this proline-rich transmembrane protein2 mutation.
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