Novel SCN2A mutation in a family associated with juvenile-onset myoclonus: Case report

The phenotypic spectrum caused by SCN2A mutations includes benign neonatal/infantile seizures, Ohtahara syndrome, infantile spasms, West syndrome, and other unclassified epileptic phenotypes. Mutations in SCN2A have been implicated in neonatal seizure cases. Here, we described a Chinese family with 2 members having juvenile-onset myoclonus and identified a novel SCN2A point mutation within this family. The 21-year-old male proband suffered from frequent myoclonus at 11 years old with subsequent progressive ataxia. His elder maternal half-sister also experienced myoclonus. Genomic DNA of the patients was extracted from the peripheral blood cells of the proband, elder maternal half-sister, parents, and uncle of the proband. Targeted next-generation sequencing was used to screen gene mutations in the proband. The potential functional effects of mutations within SCN2A were predicted In silico analyses. Genetic testing revealed a novel SCN2A variant, c.T4820C, which contains a highly conserved amino acid substitution within segment S5 (p.V1607A). This mutation was predicted to produce a dysfunctional Nav1.2 protein by Mutation Taster and Protein Variation Effect Analyzer (PROVEAN). Genotype-phenotype correlation showed an incomplete penetrance of p.V1607A. The proband was treated by multiple antiepileptic drugs. These included carbamazepine, oxcarbazepine, valproate, and topiramate. The duration of follow up was 2 years, and the proband developed drug-resistant epilepsy. The case gives us the lesson that SCN2A mutation can contribute to juvenile-onset myoclonus. Our findings extend the spectrums of SCN2A mutations and the clinical features of patients with SCN2A mutations.