Newswise — TORONTO,October 15, 2015 - Researchers in the Adult Genetic Epilepsy Program of the Krembil Neuroscience Centre have discovered a gene mutation that increases the risk of sudden unexpected death in epilepsy (SUDEP) in patients with mild forms of the disease.
The study, entitled “Two definite sudden unexpected deaths in epilepsy in a family with a DEPDC5 mutation” and published in the journal Neurology: Genetics, studied a four generation family where nine members had epilepsy caused by a mutation of the DEPDC5 gene. Despite this form of epilepsy being categorized as a mild type, two of the family members passed away from SUDEP – a statistically significant finding for such a small sample size.
“This finding is very important because SUDEP is much more common in patients with very severe forms of epilepsy where they are having seizures almost daily,” says Dr. Danielle Andrade, neurologist and Krembil Neuroscience Director of the Adult Genetic Epilepsy Program who was the principal investigator of the report.
“Now that we have evidence that a particular gene increases the risk of SUDEP in patients with mild epilepsy, we can not only screen them for this mutation but it also helps us better counsel our patients about their risk.”
SUDEP occurs when someone with epilepsy who is otherwise healthy dies unexpectedly without an apparent cause. It is estimated that 1 in 1,000 patients with epilepsy die of SUDEP each year.
Unlike those with severe forms of the disease, patients with mild epilepsy are able to live relatively normal lives while managing their occasional seizures with medication. However, all seizure medications have strong side effects, and some patients who feel their seizures are well controlled are known to occasionally skip taking their medication to avoid side effects.
“This new evidence of the DEPDC5 gene being a risk factor means we may have more patients than we previously thought that are at risk of SUDEP,” explains Dr. Andrade. “So this helps to strengthen a physician’s argument as to why their patients need to stick to their medication regimen even if their seizures are mild and infrequent.”
The DEPDC5 gene was first identified in 2013 and has been found to be involved in many different types of epilepsy thereby furthering researchers’ understanding of the disease.
More research is needed to determine the exact percentage increase risk of SUDEP that can be attributed to the DEPDC5 gene as well as understand how the gene induces SUDEP.
For media interviews, please contact:Alexa GiorgiSenior Public Affairs AdvisorKrembil Neuroscience Centre, Toronto Western Hospital416-603-5800 x6776[email protected]
About Krembil Neuroscience CentreThe Krembil Neuroscience Centre (KNC), located at Toronto Western Hospital, is home to one of the largest combined clinical and research neurological facilities in North America. Since opening in 2001, KNC has been recognized as a world leader through its research achievements, education and exemplary patient care. The centre focuses on the advancement, detection and treatment of neurological diseases and specializes in movement disorders, dementias, stroke, spinal cord injury, blinding eye diseases, epilepsy and cancer-related conditions. For more information, click here.
About University Health Network University Health Network consists of Toronto General and Toronto Western Hospitals, the Princess Margaret Cancer Centre, and Toronto Rehabilitation Institute. The scope of research and complexity of cases at University Health Network has made it a national and international source for discovery, education and patient care. It has the largest hospital-based research program in Canada, with major research in cardiology, transplantation, neurosciences, oncology, surgical innovation, infectious diseases, genomic medicine and rehabilitation medicine. University Health Network is a research hospital affiliated with the University of Toronto. www.uhn.ca
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