Clinical and biochemical footprints of inherited metabolic diseases. XV. Epilepsies

Mol Genet Metab. 2023 Nov;140(3):107690. doi: 10.1016/j.ymgme.2023.107690. Epub 2023 Aug 26.

Abstract

We provide a comprehensive overview of inherited metabolic disorders (IMDs) in which epilepsy is a prominent manifestation. Our unique database search has identified 256 IMDs associated with various types of epilepsies, which we classified according to the classic pathophysiology-based classification of IMDs, and according to selected seizure-related factors (neonatal seizures, infantile spasms, myoclonic seizures, and characteristic EEG patterns) and treatability for the underlying metabolic defect. Our findings indicate that inherited metabolic epilepsies are more likely to present in the neonatal period, with infantile spasms or myoclonic seizures. Additionally, the ∼20% of treatable inherited metabolic epilepsies found by our search were mainly associated with the IMD groups of "cofactor and mineral metabolism" and "Intermediary nutrient metabolism." The information provided by this study, including a comprehensive list of IMDs with epilepsy stratified according to age of onset, and seizure type and characteristics, along with an overview of the key clinical features and proposed diagnostic and therapeutic approaches, may benefit any epileptologist and healthcare provider caring for individuals with metabolic conditions.

Keywords: Diagnosis; Epilepsy; Metabolic; Neurometabolic; Seizures; Treatment.

Publication types

  • Review
  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Electroencephalography
  • Epilepsies, Myoclonic*
  • Epilepsy* / complications
  • Epilepsy* / diagnosis
  • Epilepsy* / genetics
  • Humans
  • Infant, Newborn
  • Metabolic Diseases* / complications
  • Seizures / complications
  • Spasms, Infantile* / diagnosis