ADNFLE

Version	Summary	Created by	Modification	Content Size	Created at	Operation
1		Peter Tang	+ 698 word(s)	698	2020-12-15 07:16:48

This entry is adapted from the peer-reviewed paper https://medlineplus.gov/genetics/condition/autosomal-dominant-nocturnal-frontal-lobe-epilepsy

Autosomal dominant nocturnal frontal lobe epilepsy (ADNFLE) is an uncommon form of epilepsy that runs in families. This disorder causes seizures that usually occur at night (nocturnally) while an affected person is sleeping. Some people with ADNFLE also have seizures during the day.

genetic conditions

1. Introduction

The seizures characteristic of ADNFLE tend to occur in clusters, with each one lasting from a few seconds to a few minutes. Some people have mild seizures that simply cause them to wake up from sleep. Others have more severe episodes that can include sudden, repetitive movements such as flinging or throwing motions of the arms and bicycling movements of the legs. The person may get out of bed and wander around, which can be mistaken for sleepwalking. The person may also cry out or make moaning, gasping, or grunting sounds. These episodes are sometimes misdiagnosed as nightmares, night terrors, or panic attacks.

In some types of epilepsy, including ADNFLE, a pattern of neurological symptoms called an aura often precedes a seizure. The most common symptoms associated with an aura in people with ADNFLE are tingling, shivering, a sense of fear, dizziness (vertigo), and a feeling of falling or being pushed. Some affected people have also reported a feeling of breathlessness, overly fast breathing (hyperventilation), or choking. It is unclear what brings on seizures in people with ADNFLE. Episodes may be triggered by stress or fatigue, but in most cases the seizures do not have any recognized triggers.

The seizures associated with ADNFLE can begin anytime from infancy to mid-adulthood, but most begin in childhood. The episodes tend to become milder and less frequent with age. In most affected people, the seizures can be effectively controlled with medication.

Most people with ADNFLE are intellectually normal, and there are no problems with their brain function between seizures. However, some people with ADNFLE have experienced psychiatric disorders (such as schizophrenia), behavioral problems, or intellectual disability. It is unclear whether these additional features are directly related to epilepsy in these individuals.

2. Frequency

ADNFLE appears to be an uncommon form of epilepsy; its prevalence is unknown. This condition has been reported in more than 100 families worldwide.

3. Causes

Mutations in the CHRNA2, CHRNA4, and CHRNB2 genes can cause ADNFLE. These genes provide instructions for making different parts (subunits) of a larger molecule called a neuronal nicotinic acetylcholine receptor (nAChR). This receptor plays an important role in chemical signaling between nerve cells (neurons) in the brain.

Communication between neurons depends on chemicals called neurotransmitters, which are released from one neuron and taken up by neighboring neurons. Researchers believe that mutations in the CHRNA2, CHRNA4, and CHRNB2 genes affect the normal release and uptake of certain neurotransmitters in the brain. The resulting changes in signaling between neurons likely trigger the abnormal brain activity associated with seizures.

The seizures associated with ADNFLE begin in areas of the brain called the frontal lobes. These regions of the brain are involved in many critical functions, including reasoning, planning, judgment, and problem-solving. It is unclear why mutations in the CHRNA2, CHRNA4, and CHRNB2 genes cause seizures in the frontal lobes rather than elsewhere in the brain. Researchers are also working to determine why these seizures occur most often during sleep.

The genetic cause of ADNFLE has been identified in only a small percentage of affected families. In some cases, a gene other than those that make up the nAChR are involved. In the remaining families, the cause of the condition is unknown. Researchers are searching for other genetic changes, including mutations in other subunits of nAChR, that may underlie the condition.

4. Inheritance

This condition is inherited in an autosomal dominant pattern, which means one copy of the altered gene in each cell is sufficient to raise the risk of developing epilepsy. About 70 percent of people who inherit a mutation in the CHRNA2, CHRNA4, or CHRNB2 gene will develop seizures. In most cases, an affected person has one affected parent and other relatives with the condition. Other cases are described as sporadic, which means an affected person has no family history of the disorder.

5. Other Names for This Condition

ADNFLE

References

Combi R, Dalprà L, Tenchini ML, Ferini-Strambi L. Autosomal dominant nocturnalfrontal lobe epilepsy--a critical overview. J Neurol. 2004 Aug;251(8):923-34.Review.
De Marco EV, Gambardella A, Annesi F, Labate A, Carrideo S, Forabosco P,Civitelli D, Candiano IC, Tarantino P, Annesi G, Quattrone A. Further evidence ofgenetic heterogeneity in families with autosomal dominant nocturnal frontal lobe epilepsy. Epilepsy Res. 2007 Apr;74(1):70-3.
di Corcia G, Blasetti A, De Simone M, Verrotti A, Chiarelli F. Recent advanceson autosomal dominant nocturnal frontal lobe epilepsy: "understanding thenicotinic acetylcholine receptor (nAChR)". Eur J Paediatr Neurol.2005;9(2):59-66. Review.
Hayman M, Scheffer IE, Chinvarun Y, Berlangieri SU, Berkovic SF. Autosomaldominant nocturnal frontal lobe epilepsy: demonstration of focal frontal onsetand intrafamilial variation. Neurology. 1997 Oct;49(4):969-75.
Kurahashi H, Hirose S. Autosomal Dominant Nocturnal Frontal Lobe Epilepsy.2002 May 16 [updated 2018 Mar 15]. In: Adam MP, Ardinger HH, Pagon RA, WallaceSE, Bean LJH, Stephens K, Amemiya A, editors. GeneReviews® [Internet]. Seattle(WA): University of Washington, Seattle; 1993-2020. Available fromhttp://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK1169/
Marini C, Guerrini R. The role of the nicotinic acetylcholine receptors insleep-related epilepsy. Biochem Pharmacol. 2007 Oct 15;74(8):1308-14.
Oldani A, Zucconi M, Asselta R, Modugno M, Bonati MT, Dalprà L, Malcovati M,Tenchini ML, Smirne S, Ferini-Strambi L. Autosomal dominant nocturnal frontallobe epilepsy. A video-polysomnographic and genetic appraisal of 40 patients and delineation of the epileptic syndrome. Brain. 1998 Feb;121 ( Pt 2):205-23.
Provini F, Plazzi G, Tinuper P, Vandi S, Lugaresi E, Montagna P. Nocturnalfrontal lobe epilepsy. A clinical and polygraphic overview of 100 consecutivecases. Brain. 1999 Jun;122 ( Pt 6):1017-31.
Scheffer IE, Bhatia KP, Lopes-Cendes I, Fish DR, Marsden CD, Andermann E,Andermann F, Desbiens R, Keene D, Cendes F, et al. Autosomal dominant nocturnalfrontal lobe epilepsy. A distinctive clinical disorder. Brain. 1995 Feb;118 ( Pt 1):61-73.

©Text is available under the terms and conditions of the Creative Commons-Attribution ShareAlike (CC BY-SA) license; additional terms may apply. By using this site, you agree to the Terms and Conditions and Privacy Policy.

Upload a video for this entry

Information

Subjects: Genetics & Heredity

Contributor MDPI registered users' name will be linked to their SciProfiles pages. To register with us, please refer to https://encyclopedia.pub/register :

Peter Tang

View Times: 873

Entry Collection: MedlinePlus

Update Date: 04 Jan 2021

Table of Contents

Video Upload Options

Confirm

1. Introduction

2. Frequency

3. Causes

4. Inheritance

5. Other Names for This Condition

References

Video Upload Options

Confirm

1. Introduction

2. Frequency

3. Causes

3.1. The genes associated with Autosomal dominant nocturnal frontal lobe epilepsy

4. Inheritance

5. Other Names for This Condition

References