KCNA2 Epilepsy

This article or area is currently under construction and may only be partially complete. Please come back soon to see the finished work! (27/06/2023)

Original Editor - User Name
Top Contributors - Lauren Heydenrych and Lucinda hampton

Introduction[edit | edit source]

KCNA2 is a potassium (K+) channel located in the brain. KCNA2 epilepsy is caused by a variation (described as a mutation) in the KCNA2 gene (on chromosome 1p13) leading to a malfunction in the K+ channel.[1][2]

This malfunction can be seen as:[1]

  1. A gain of function - where the channel does not close properly. This leads to an increased amount of K+ in the brain.
  2. A loss of function - where the channel does not open properly. This leads to a low amount of K+ in the brain.
  3. A mix of functions - Where the K+ channel does both.

In all three malfunctions, epilepsy may be observed.

Clinically Relevant Anatomy
[edit | edit source]

add text here relating to clinically relevant anatomy of the condition

Mechanism of Injury / Pathological Process
[edit | edit source]

Epileptic encephalopathy[3]

A definition of encephalopathy is "Encephalopathy refers to dysfunction of the level or contents of consciousness due to brain dysfunction and can result from global brain insults or focal lesions." [4]

Clinical Presentation[edit | edit source]

add text here relating to the clinical presentation of the condition

Diagnostic Procedures[edit | edit source]

add text here relating to diagnostic tests for the condition

Outcome Measures[edit | edit source]

add links to outcome measures here (see Outcome Measures Database)

Management / Interventions
[edit | edit source]

add text here relating to management approaches to the condition

Differential Diagnosis
[edit | edit source]

add text here relating to the differential diagnosis of this condition

Resources
[edit | edit source]

add appropriate resources here

References[edit | edit source]

  1. 1.0 1.1 KCNA2 Epilepsy Organisation. What is KCNA2 Epilepsy. Available from: https://www.kcna2epilepsy.org/kcna2-epilepsy/what-is-kcna2-epilepsy/ (accessed 26 June 2023).
  2. McGinn RJ, Von Stein EL, Stromberg JE, Li Y. Precision medicine in epilepsy. Progress in Molecular Biology and Translational Science. 2022 Jan 1;190(1):147-88.
  3. Syrbe S, Hedrich U, Riesch E, Djémié T, Müller S, Møller RS, Maher B, Hernandez-Hernandez L, Synofzik M, Caglayan HS, Arslan M. De novo loss-or gain-of-function mutations in KCNA2 cause epileptic encephalopathy. Nature genetics. 2015 Apr;47(4):393-9.
  4. Erkkinen MG, Berkowitz AL. A clinical approach to diagnosing encephalopathy. The American Journal of Medicine. 2019 Oct 1;132(10):1142-7.