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Background Mutations in the CACNA1A gene, encoding the pore-forming CaV2.1 (P/Q-type) channel α1A subunit, localized at presynaptic terminals of brain and cerebellar neurons, result in clinically variable neurological disorders including hemiplegic migraine (HM) and episodic or progressive adult-onset ataxia (EA2, SCA6). Most recently, CACNA1A mutations have been identified in patients with nonprogressive congenital ataxia (NPCA). Methods We performed targeted resequencing of known genes involved in cerebellar dysfunction, in 48 patients with congenital or early onset ataxia associated with cerebellar and/or vermis atrophy. Results De novo missense mutations of CACNA1A were found in four patients (4/48, ∼8.3%). Three of them developed migraine before or after the onset of ataxia. Seizures were present in half of the cases. Conclusion Our results expand the clinical and mutational spectrum of CACNA1A -related phenotype in childhood and suggest that CACNA1A screening should be implemented in this subgroup of ataxias.

Purpose The literature on the efficacy and safety of rufinamide in childhood-onset epilepsy syndromes currently includes approximately 600 paediatric patients. This paper summarizes the views of a panel of experienced European epileptologists with regard to the current role of rufinamide in the treatment of childhood epilepsies. Results Rufinamide is effective in decreasing the seizure frequency in the Lennox-Gastaut syndrome (LGS), especially tonic and atonic seizures. It might consequently be preferred to other drugs as a second-line treatment for LGS when drop-attacks are frequent. The mean responder rate in the published studies is 38% with seizure freedom achieved in 2.4% of patients. Rufinamide has shown some efficacy in epileptic encephalopathies other than LGS. It can be also effective as adjunctive therapy in children and adolescents with drug-resistant partial seizures. The available data suggest that rufinamide has an acceptable risk/benefit ratio with quite a low risk of aggravating seizures. Common adverse effects (somnolence, nausea and vomiting) are usually mild and self-limiting; they are more frequently observed during titration than in the maintenance phase, suggesting that low escalation rates might be associated with fewer adverse effects. Rufinamide appears to have a favourable cognitive profile compared with other antiepileptic drugs. Conclusion Rufinamide is only approved for adjunctive treatment of seizures associated with LGS in children 4 years of age and older. There are very few data on rufinamide treatment at the onset of LGS or early in the course of the disorder; whether early treatment will improve outcome has yet to be determined.

Background Mutations of protein-rich transmembrane protein 2 ( PRRT2 ) were recently associated to benign familial infantile seizures (BFIS) (MIM 605751 ) and paroxysmal kinesigenic dyskinesias (PKD) (MIM12800). Aims To report mutations of PRRT2 in BFIS, infantile convulsions and choreoathetosis (ICCA), and in sporadic cases affected by benign infantile epilepsy (BIE). Methods A mutational screening of PRRT2 was performed in 5 families, and in 7 sporadic cases affected by BIE. All clinical and neurophysiological details were reviewed. Results Thirty-three members among 5 families were collected. Fifteen individuals had infantile seizures and one had infantile seizures followed by paroxysmal kinesigenic dyskinesia (PKD). We found the c.649_650InsC PRRT2 mutation in all tested patients (13 out of 15). Age at onset ranged from 3.5 to 10 months. Focal seizures, with or without secondary generalization, occurred mainly in cluster. One patient at the age of 11 years presented with PKD successfully treated with carbamazepine. All patients had a normal cognitive development. Two out of 7 non-familial cases (28.5%) carried a de novo PRRT2 mutation: the c.649_650InsC mutation in one with clustered seizures at the age of 5 months and an unreported c.718C-T p.R240X mutation in the other who, after cluster focal seizures at the age of 5 months, experienced absences at the age of 5 years. Conclusion Our findings emphasize that PRRT2 mutations might be responsible of both BFIS and ICCA, but might be causative also for sporadic cases of benign infantile seizures. The phenotypic spectrum comprises BFIS, ICCA, and PKD.

Non ketotic hyperglycinemia is a rare inborn error of glycine metabolism due to deficient activity of glycine cleavage system, a multienzymatic complex consisting of four protein subunits: the P-protein, the H-protein, the T-protein and the L-protein. The neonatal form of non ketotic hyperglycinemia presents in the first days of life with encephalopathy, seizures, multifocal myoclonus and characteristic "hiccups". Rapid progression may lead to intractable seizures, coma and respiratory failure requiring mechanical ventilation. Clinical trial with scavenges drugs decreasing glycine levels such as sodium benzoate, and with drugs reducing NMDA receptors excitatory properties, such as ketamine and dextromethorphan, have been tried but the outcome is usually poor; antiepileptic therapy, moreover, is unable to control epileptic seizures. Ketogenic diet has been successfully tried for refractory epilepsy in pediatric patients. We report three cases affected by neonatal non ketotic hyperglycinemia and early myoclonic encephalopathy treated with ketogenic diet. In our patients ketogenic diet, in association with standard pharmacological therapy, determined dramatic reduction of seizures and improved quality of life.