Genetic Link Between Rare Heart Disease and Seizures

A genetic link between a rare heart rhythm disease and an increased risk for seizures proves a clear association between the heart and the brain of such patients.

Long QT syndrome (LQTS) is a rare heart rhythm condition that can potentially cause fast, chaotic heartbeats. These rapid heartbeats might trigger a sudden fainting spell or seizure.

Convulsions / Seizures / Fits - Symptom Evaluation
Seizure or a convulsion is a result of abnormal electrical activity in the brain. If there are two or more unprovoked seizures at an interval of at least 24 hours, it is referred to as epilepsy.

‘patients carrying LQTS genetic mutations were three times more likely to have experienced seizures in their past, compared to their family members who did not carry those mutations.’

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People with LQTS who experience seizures are at greater risk of sudden cardiac death.

"Seizure status is the strongest predictor of cardiac arrhythmias - the abnormal heart rhythms characteristic of LQTS," said lead author David Auerbach from University of Rochester in New York, US.

In fact, about 20 percent of the LQTS patients in the study who had a history of seizures had survived at least one lethal cardiac arrhythmia.

Fits | Epilepsy | Convulsions - Causes Symptoms Diagnosis Treatment FAQs
Fits or convulsions or Epilepsy is characterized by recurrent, involuntary seizures and is described as a chronic neurological disorder

For the study, the team analysed of more than 18,000 people affected with LQTS as well as their affected and unaffected family members, who provide a nearly ideal group of controls.

"In essence, they have the same genetic makeup, except theoretically, the LQTS-causing mutation," Auerbach added.

Fainting / Syncope - Symptom Evaluation
Fainting or syncope is characterized by transient loss of consciousness and a spontaneous recovery.

Analysing patients' genetic information, the team found that among the three different types of LQTS (LQTS1-3) patients with LQTS1 and LQTS2 had much higher prevalence of seizures than LQTS3 or no mutation - with LQTS2 at the greatest risk.

Further investigation of the LQTS-causing mutation showed that the specific location of the mutation greatly affected the risk of cardiac arrhythmias and seizures.

Neurocysticercosis / Cysticercosis of Brain / Pork Tapeworm - Causes Symptoms Diagnosis Treatment FAQs
Neurocysticercosis or Cysticercosis of brain is the most common cause of epilepsy and the most common parasitic infection of the brain. Neurocysticercosis is more common in the developing countries.

In one location on the gene, the mutation protected against these symptoms, but in another location on the same gene, the mutation increased the risk of those symptoms.

Understanding what each of these mutations does may shed new light on a basic mechanism of seizures and may provide viable therapeutic targets to treat LQTS, the researchers cocnluded.

Source-IANS