Investigation of the Genetic Etiology in Idiopathic Generalized Epileptic Disorders by Targeted Next-generation Sequencing Technique

Background: Idiopathic generalized epilepsy is the most common group of epilepsy disorders in children and adolescents. Various types of genetic abnormality were identified among the hereditary factors that explain epilepsy.
Aims: To determine the variations in the etiopathogenesis, treatment protocol planning, and prognosis of idiopathic generalized epilepsy using the next-generation sequencing method.
Study Design: A cross-sectional study.
Methods: This study included 32 patients with idiopathic generalized epilepsy. Genomic DNA was obtained from peripheral venous blood samples taken from the patients. A total of 18 genes encoding ion channel subunits that are involved in monogenic disorders and are associated with idiopathic generalized epilepsy were included. The targeted custom next-generation sequencing panel was designed to cover all coding exons and all exon/intron splice site regions of 18 genes.
Results: We detected 9 (28%) variations, including 1 likely pathogenic (a variant in the SCN1A gene) and 8 of unknown clinical significance (2 in the CLCN2 genes, GABBR2, SCN1B, SLC2A1, SLC4A10 genes, and 2 in the TBC1D24 gene).
Conclusion: Study results should be supported by functional advanced studies, with increased existing knowledge in the relevant variations.