Researchers Find Two New Genetic Mutations Connected to Epilepsy
Had never before been linked to the disease
Using new genetic technology, scientists have made a breakthrough discovery in the field of childhood epilepsy research – identifying two new genes linked to severe forms of the seizure-causing condition, Medical News Today reported.
In a study published in the journal Nature, researchers from Duke University Medical Center used exome sequencing to detect mutations in the DNA sequences of 264 children with two forms of childhood epilepsy – infantile spasms and Lennox-Gastaut Syndrome. Exome sequencing is a form of genome sequencing that allows researchers to selectively sequence important sections of the genome, rather than analyze a person's entire genetic makeup.
The children's exome sequences were compared to those of their parents – none of whom suffered from the same neurological condition as their children.
Hide Comments (0)
Editor's Note: As of February 29, 2024, commenting privileges on reason.com posts are limited to Reason Plus subscribers. Past commenters are grandfathered in for a temporary period. Subscribe here to preserve your ability to comment. Your Reason Plus subscription also gives you an ad-free version of reason.com, along with full access to the digital edition and archives of Reason magazine. We request that comments be civil and on-topic. We do not moderate or assume any responsibility for comments, which are owned by the readers who post them. Comments do not represent the views of reason.com or Reason Foundation. We reserve the right to delete any comment and ban commenters for any reason at any time. Comments may only be edited within 5 minutes of posting. Report abuses.
Please
to post commentsMute this user?
Ban this user?
Un-ban this user?
Nuke this user?
Un-nuke this user?
Flag this comment?
Un-flag this comment?