Neurogenomics

Cracking
the Code

Identifying the cause of neurological disorders and early intervention are key to reducing the devastating brain damage that can occur. 

Neurological disorders can be caused both by inherited and random gene variations. Often, the first sign of a disorder in a newborn is unexplained seizures. 

RCIGM is involved in both foundational and translational research.

Neurodevelopmental Genetics

RCIGM investigations into inherited brain disorders focus on poorly understood conditions in neuronal development where the application of human genetics, wet-lab disease modeling and cell biology can be used to develop new treatments.
190227RadySeminar

Joseph Gleeson, MD

RCIGM Director of Neurodevelopmental Genetics Endowed Chair

Joseph Gleeson, MD, is the RCIGM Director of Neurodevelopmental Genetics Endowed Chair. Among his current research projects is a genetic investigation of the genetic mechanisms underlying spina bifida, the most common structural defect of the central nervous system.

In 2020 Dr. Gleeson along with other researchers at UC San Diego School of Medicine, in collaboration with Rady Children’s Institute for Genomic Medicine, were awarded an $8.3 million grant from the National Institutes of Health’s Eunice Kennedy Shriver National Institute of Child Health and Human Development to further illuminate the causes of spina bifida.

Dr. Gleeson also heads the Neurogenetics Laboratory at UC San Diego and is the Director of the Center for Brain Development. He is the 2020 recipient of the Bernard Sachs Award from the Child Neurology Society. In 2017, he was the first recipient of the Constance Lieber Prize for Innovation in Developmental Neuroscience.

Publications

The contribution of de novo coding mutations to meningomyelocele

medRxiv, March 2, 2024.

ABSTRACT
Meningomyelocele (MM) is considered a genetically complex disease resulting from failure of neural tube closure (NTD). Patients display neuromotor disability and frequent hydrocephalus requiring ventricular shunting. A few proposed genes contribute to disease susceptibility, but most risk remains unexplained. We postulated that de novo mutations (DNMs) under purifying selection contribute to MM risk. Here we recruited a cohort of 851 MM trios requiring shunting at birth, compared with 732 control trios, and found that de novo likely gene disrupting or damaging missense mutations occur in approximately 22.3% of subjects, 28% of which are estimated to contribute to disease risk. The 187 genes with damaging DNMs collectively define networks including actin cytoskeleton and microtubule-based processes, axon guidance, and histone modification. Gene validation demonstrates partial or complete loss of function, impaired signaling and defective neural tube closure in Xenopus embryos. Our results suggest DNMs make key contributions to MM risk, and highlight critical pathways required for neural tube closure in human embryogenesis.

DOI:10.1101/2024.02.28.24303390

medRxiv. 2024 Jan 31:2022.08.23.22278845. doi: 10.1101/2022.08.23.22278845. Preprint.

ABSTRACT

Developmental and epileptic encephalopathies (DEEs) are a heterogenous group of epilepsies in which altered brain development leads to developmental delay and seizures, with the epileptic activity further negatively impacting neurodevelopment. Identifying the underlying cause of DEEs is essential for progress toward precision therapies. Here we describe a group of individuals with biallelic variants in DENND5A and determine that variant type is correlated with disease severity. We demonstrate that DENND5A interacts with MUPP1 and PALS1, components of the Crumbs apical polarity complex, which is required for both neural progenitor cell identity and the ability of these stem cells to divide symmetrically. Induced pluripotent stem cells lacking DENND5A fail to undergo symmetric cell division during neural induction and have an inherent propensity to differentiate into neurons, and transgenic DENND5A mice, with phenotypes like the human syndrome, have an increased number of neurons in the adult subventricular zone. Disruption of symmetric cell division following loss of DENND5A results from misalignment of the mitotic spindle in apical neural progenitors. A subset of DENND5A is localized to centrosomes, which define the spindle poles during mitosis. Cells lacking DENND5A orient away from the proliferative apical domain surrounding the ventricles, biasing daughter cells towards a more fate-committed state and ultimately shortening the period of neurogenesis. This study provides a mechanism behind DENND5A -related DEE that may be generalizable to other developmental conditions and provides variant-specific clinical information for physicians and families.

PMID:38352438 | PMC:PMC10863025 | DOI:10.1101/2022.08.23.22278845

Clin Genet. 2024 Jan 14. doi: 10.1111/cge.14481. Online ahead of print.

ABSTRACT

Developmental and epileptic encephalopathies (DEEs) are a heterogeneous group of epilepsies characterized by early-onset, refractory seizures associated with developmental regression or impairment, with a heterogeneous genetic landscape including genes implicated in various pathways and mechanisms. We retrospectively studied the clinical and genetic data of patients with genetic DEE who presented at two tertiary centers in Egypt over a 10-year period. Exome sequencing was used for genetic testing. We report 74 patients from 63 unrelated Egyptian families, with a high rate of consanguinity (58%). The most common seizure type was generalized tonic-clonic (58%) and multiple seizure types were common (55%). The most common epilepsy syndrome was early infantile DEE (50%). All patients showed variable degrees of developmental impairment. Microcephaly, hypotonia, ophthalmological involvement and neuroimaging abnormalities were common. Eighteen novel variants were identified and the phenotypes of five DEE genes were expanded with novel phenotype-genotype associations. Obtaining a genetic diagnosis had implications on epilepsy management in 17 patients with variants in 12 genes. In this study, we expand the phenotype and genotype spectrum of DEE in a large single ethnic cohort of patients. Reaching a genetic diagnosis guided precision management of epilepsy in a significant proportion of patients.

PMID:38221827 | DOI:10.1111/cge.14481

News

Genetic Neurologic Disease

Neurologic Movement Disorders

RCIGM focuses on translational research in pediatric neurologic movement disorders, particularly those resulting from genetic or metabolic conditions. 

Investigations into genetic underpinnings of neurologic movement disorders is led by Jennifer Friedman, MD. Her work involves sequencing children with unexplained neurologic disease to identify diagnosis and treatment options.

Dr. Friedman’s research is aimed at ending the diagnostic odyssey by bringing diagnoses to patients and families; shortening the therapeutic odyssey by delivering precision neurologic care and identifying novel genes for rare neurologic disorders.

headshot of Dr. Jenni Friedman

Jennifer Friedman, MD

Dr. Jennifer Friedman is the Translational Medicine Director for the Precision Medicine Clinic at Rady Children’s Hospital, where she is also a senior staff neurologist. In addition, she serves as clinical professor in the UC San Diego Departments of Neurosciences and Pediatrics. 

Dr. Friedman is a diplomate of the American Board of Psychiatry and Neurology. She is a member of the American Academy of Neurology, the Movement Disorder Society, the Tourette Syndrome Association, and the Phi Beta Kappa National Honor Society. 

Publications

Pediatr Neurol. 2023 Nov 30;152:177-183. doi: 10.1016/j.pediatrneurol.2023.11.013. Online ahead of print.

ABSTRACT

BACKGROUND: Sunflower syndrome is a rare photosensitive pediatric epilepsy characterized by stereotyped hand-waving in response to bright lights. These stereotyped movements with maintained awareness can be mistaken for a movement disorder. This study assessed neurology providers’ diagnostic reasoning, evaluation, and treatment of Sunflower syndrome.

METHODS: A 32-question anonymized electronic survey, including a clinical vignette and video of hand-waving in sunlight, was distributed to child neurology providers to assess (1) initial diagnosis and evaluation based on clinical information, (2) updated diagnosis and management after electroencephalography (EEG), and (3) prior experience with Sunflower syndrome.

RESULTS: Among 277 viewed surveys, 211 respondents provided information about initial diagnosis and evaluation, 200 about updated diagnosis, 191 about management, and 189 about prior clinical experience. Most providers (135, 64%) suspected seizure, whereas fewer suspected movement disorders (29, 14%) or were unsure of the diagnosis (37, 22%). EEG was recommended by 180 (85%). After EEG, 189 (95%) diagnosed epilepsy, 111 of whom specifically diagnosed Sunflower syndrome. The majority (149, 78%) recommended antiseizure medications (ASMs) and sun avoidance (181, 95%). Only 103 (55%) had managed Sunflower syndrome. Epileptologists and those with prior clinical experience were more likely to suspect a seizure, order an EEG, and offer ASMs than those without prior experience.

CONCLUSIONS: Although many providers had not managed Sunflower syndrome, the majority recognized this presentation as concerning for epilepsy. Epilepsy training and prior clinical experience are associated with improved recognition and appropriate treatment. Educational initiatives that increase awareness of Sunflower syndrome may improve patient care.

PMID:38295719 | DOI:10.1016/j.pediatrneurol.2023.11.013

J Med Genet. 2023 Apr 25:jmg-2022-108803. doi: 10.1136/jmg-2022-108803. Online ahead of print.

ABSTRACT

PURPOSE: ARF1 was previously implicated in periventricular nodular heterotopia (PVNH) in only five individuals and systematic clinical characterisation was not available. The aim of this study is to provide a comprehensive description of the phenotypic and genotypic spectrum of ARF1-related neurodevelopmental disorder.

METHODS: We collected detailed phenotypes of an international cohort of individuals (n=17) with ARF1 variants assembled through the GeneMatcher platform. Missense variants were structurally modelled, and the impact of several were functionally validated.

RESULTS: De novo variants (10 missense, 1 frameshift, 1 splice altering resulting in 9 residues insertion) in ARF1 were identified among 17 unrelated individuals. Detailed phenotypes included intellectual disability (ID), microcephaly, seizures and PVNH. No specific facial characteristics were consistent across all cases, however microretrognathia was common. Various hearing and visual defects were recurrent, and interestingly, some inflammatory features were reported. MRI of the brain frequently showed abnormalities consistent with a neuronal migration disorder.

CONCLUSION: We confirm the role of ARF1 in an autosomal dominant syndrome with a phenotypic spectrum including severe ID, microcephaly, seizures and PVNH due to impaired neuronal migration.

PMID:37185208 DOI:10.1136/jmg-2022-108803

Mov Disord Clin Pract. 2023 Apr 4;10(5):748-755. doi: 10.1002/mdc3.13728. eCollection 2023 May.

ABSTRACT

BACKGROUND: The International Parkinson and Movement Disorders Society (MDS) set up a working group on pediatric movement disorders (MDS Task Force on Pediatrics) to generate recommendations to guide the transition process from pediatrics to adult health care systems in patients with childhood-onset movement disorders.

METHODS: To develop recommendations for transitional care for childhood onset movement disorders, we used a formal consensus development process, using a multi-round, web-based Delphi survey. The Delphi survey was based on the results of the scoping review of the literature and the results of a survey of MDS members on transition practices. Through iterative discussions, we generated the recommendations included in the survey. The MDS Task Force on Pediatrics were the voting members for the Delphi survey. The task force members comprise 23 child and adult neurologists with expertise in the field of movement disorders and from all regions of the world.

RESULTS: Fifteen recommendations divided across four different areas were made pertaining to: (1) team composition and structure, (2) planning and readiness, (3) goals of care, and (4) administration and research. All recommendations achieved consensus with a median score of 7 or greater.

CONCLUSION: Recommendations on providing transitional care for patients with childhood onset movement disorders are provided. Nevertheless several challenges remain in the implementation of these recommendations, related to health infrastructure and the distribution of health resources, and the availability of knowledgeable and interested practitioners. Research on the influence of transitional care programs on outcomes in childhood onset movement disorders is much needed.

PMID:37205244 PMC:PMC10186998

News

In a study published in the October 2022 issue of BRAIN, researchers from Rady Children’s Institute for Genomic Medicine (RCIGM®) and the University of California San Diego School of Medicine describe their discovery of a new clinical syndrome, Neuro-Ocular DAGLA-related Syndrome (NODRS), in children with termination variants in the diacylglycerol lipase alpha (DAGLA) gene which encodes an enzyme in the brain that is involved in the signaling pathway of the endocannabinoid (eCB) system.

Want to Learn More?

Contact Us About BeginNGS