Rare coding variants in genes encoding GABAA receptors in genetic generalised epilepsies: an exome-based case-control study

Publication date: August 2018Source: The Lancet Neurology, Volume 17, Issue 8Author(s): Patrick May, Simon Girard, Merle Harrer, Dheeraj R Bobbili, Julian Schubert, Stefan Wolking, Felicitas Becker, Pamela Lachance-Touchette, Caroline Meloche, Micheline Gravel, Cristina E Niturad, Julia Knaus, Carolien De Kovel, Mohamad Toliat, Anne Polvi, Michele Iacomino, Rosa Guerrero-López, Stéphanie Baulac, Carla Marini, Holger ThieleSummaryBackgroundGenetic generalised epilepsy is the most common type of inherited epilepsy. Despite a high concordance rate of 80% in monozygotic twins, the genetic background is still poorly understood. We aimed to investigate the burden of rare genetic variants in genetic generalised epilepsy.MethodsFor this exome-based case-control study, we used three different genetic generalised epilepsy case cohorts and three independent control cohorts, all of European descent. Cases included in the study were clinically evaluated for genetic generalised epilepsy. Whole-exome sequencing was done for the discovery case cohort, a validation case cohort, and two independent control cohorts. The replication case cohort underwent targeted next-generation sequencing of the 19 known genes encoding subunits of GABAA receptors and was compared to the respective GABAA receptor variants of a third independent control cohort. Functional investigations were done with automated two-microelectrode voltage clamping in Xenopus laevis oocytes.FindingsStatistical comparison of 152 f...
Source: The Lancet Neurology - Category: Neurology Source Type: research