Referenced in: none

Automatically associated channels: Slo2

Title: Quinidine in the treatment of KCNT1-positive epilepsies.

Authors: Mohamad A Mikati, Yong-Hui Jiang, Michael Carboni, Vandana Shashi, Slave Petrovski, Rebecca Spillmann, Carol J Milligan, Melody Li, Annette Grefe, Allyn McConkie, Samuel Berkovic, Ingrid Scheffer, Saul Mullen, Melanie Bonner, Steven Petrou, David Goldstein

Journal, date & volume: Ann. Neurol., 2015 Dec , 78, 995-9

PubMed link: http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/26369628

Abstract
We report 2 patients with drug-resistant epilepsy caused by KCNT1 mutations who were treated with quinidine. Both mutations manifested gain of function in vitro, showing increased current that was reduced by quinidine. One, who had epilepsy of infancy with migrating focal seizures, had 80% reduction in seizure frequency as recorded in seizure diaries, and partially validated by objective seizure evaluation on EEG. The other, who had a novel phenotype, with severe nocturnal focal and secondary generalized seizures starting in early childhood with developmental regression, did not improve. Although quinidine represents an encouraging opportunity for therapeutic benefits, our experience suggests caution in its application and supports the need to identify more targeted drugs for KCNT1 epilepsies.