Solving the Etiology of Developmental and Epileptic Encephalopathy with Spike–Wave Activation in Sleep (D/EE‐SWAS)

Objective To understand the etiological landscape and phenotypic differences between 2 developmental and epileptic encephalopathy (DEE) syndromes: DEE with spike–wave activation in sleep (DEE‐SWAS) and epileptic encephalopathy with spike–wave activation in sleep (EE‐SWAS). Methods All patients fulfilled International League Against Epilepsy (ILAE) DEE‐SWAS or EE‐SWAS criteria with a Core cohort (n = 91) drawn from our Epilepsy Genetics research program, together with 10 etiologically solved patients referred by collaborators in the Expanded cohort (n = 101). Detailed phenotyping and analysis of molecular genetic results were performed. We compared the phenotypic features of individuals with DEE‐SWAS and EE‐SWAS. Brain‐specific gene co‐expression analysis was performed for D/EE‐SWAS genes. Results We identified the etiology in 42/91 (46%) patients in our Core cohort, including 29/44 (66%) with DEE‐SWAS and 13/47 (28%) with EE‐SWAS. A genetic etiology was identified in 31/91 (34%). D/EE‐SWAS genes were highly co‐expressed in brain, highlighting the importance of channelopathies and transcriptional regulators. Structural etiologies were found in 12/91 (13%) individuals. We identified 10 novel D/EE‐SWAS genes with a range of functions: ATP1A2 , CACNA1A , FOXP1 , GRIN1 , KCNMA1 , KCNQ3 , PPFIA3 , PUF60 , SETD1B, and ZBTB18 , and 2 novel copy number variants, 17p11.2 duplication and 5q22 deletion. Although developmental regression patterns were similar in both syndromes, DEE‐SWAS was associated with a longer duration of epilepsy and poorer intellectual outcome than EE‐SWAS. Interpretation DEE‐SWAS and EE‐SWAS have highly heterogeneous genetic and structural etiologies. Phenotypic analysis highlights valuable clinical differences between DEE‐SWAS and EE‐SWAS which inform clinical care and prognostic counseling. Our etiological findings pave the way for the development of precision therapies. ANN NEUROL 2024;96:932–943