Lack of SCN1A Mutations in Familial Febrile Seizures

Summary:  Purpose: Mutations in the voltage-gated sodium channel subunit gene SCN1A have been associated with febrile seizures (FSs) in autosomal dominant generalized epilepsy with febrile seizures plus (GEFS+) families and severe myoclonic epilepsy of infancy. The present study assessed the role of SCN1A in familial typical FSs. Methods: FS families were selected throughout a collaborative study of the Italian League Against Epilepsy. For each index case, the entire coding region of SCN1A was screened by denaturant high-performance liquid chromatography. DNA fragments showing variant chromatograms were subsequently sequenced. Results: Thirty-two FS families accounting for 91 affected indiv…