Scn1a and Cacna1a mutations mutually alter their original phenotypes in rats

This study aimed to examine the effects of Cacna1a mutation on the phenotype of Scn1a-associated epilepsy in rats. We used rats with an N1417H missense mutation in the Scn1a gene and others with an M251K mutation in the Cacna1a gene. Scn1a/Cacna1a double mutant rats were generated by mating both Scn1a and Cacna1a mutants. We investigated general health and the epileptic phenotype in all these genotypes. The onset threshold of hyperthermia-induced seizures was examined at 5 weeks and spontaneous seizures were monitored using video-EEG recordings from 6 to 12 weeks of age. Scn1a/Cacna1a double mutants showed significantly reduced threshold for hyperthermia-sensitive seizures onset compared with the Scn1a mutants and had absence seizures having 6–7 c/s spike-wave bursts with changes in the spike-wave pattern, whereas Cacna1a mutants had regular 6–7 c/s spike-wave bursts. In Scn1a/Cacna1a double mutants, 6–7 c/s spike-wave bursts were accompanied with eyelid myoclonia and continuously shifting generalized clonic seizures, which were not observed in either Scn1a or Cacna1a mutants. Although a curvature of the spine was observed in rats of all these genotypes, the degree of curvature was more pronounced in Scn1a/Cacna1a double mutants, followed by Cacna1a and Scn1a mutants. Our results indicate that Cacna1a and Scn1a mutations mutually alter their original phenotypes in rats. The phenotype of absence seizures with eyelid myoclonia, generalized clonic seizures, and of spine curvature in the Scn1a/Cacna1a double mutants were similar to that observed in patients with Dravet syndrome. •Effects of Cacna1a mutation on Scn1a-associated epilepsy were examined in rats.•Cacna1a mutation lowers hyperthermia-sensitive seizure threshold in Scn1a mutants.•Scn1a mutation adds myoclonic components to absence seizures in Cacna1a mutants.•Absence seizure phenotypes in these double mutants similar to Dravet syndrome.