Clinical Application of Epilepsy Genetics in Africa: Is Now the Time?

Frontiers in Neurology
Alina I EsterhuizenJo M Wilmshurst

Abstract

Over 80% of people with epilepsy live in low- to middle-income countries where epilepsy is often undiagnosed and untreated due to limited resources and poor infrastructure. In Africa, the burden of epilepsy is exacerbated by increased risk factors such as central nervous system infections, perinatal insults, and traumatic brain injury. Despite the high incidence of these etiologies, the cause of epilepsy in over 60% of African children is unknown, suggesting a possible genetic origin. Large-scale genetic and genomic research in Europe and North America has revealed new genes and variants underlying disease in a range of epilepsy phenotypes. The relevance of this knowledge to patient care is especially evident among infants with early-onset epilepsies, where early genetic testing can confirm the diagnosis and direct treatment, potentially improving prognosis and quality of life. In Africa, however, genetic epilepsies are among the most under-investigated neurological disorders, and little knowledge currently exists on the genetics of epilepsy among African patients. The increased diversity on the continent may yield unique, important epilepsy-associated genotypes, currently absent from the North American or European diagnostic t...Continue Reading

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Citations

Sep 29, 2020·Journal of Epilepsy Research·Modibo SangareGordon A Awandare
Mar 2, 2021·Frontiers in Neurology·Pauline SamiaSamson Gwer
Apr 13, 2021·Frontiers in Neurology·Ibitayo Abigail AdemuwagunEzekiel Adebiyi

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