RELN gene polymorphisms and susceptibility to epilepsy and schizophrenia

2^nd International Conference on Epilepsy & Treatment

October 20-21, 2016 Rome, Italy

Amina Chentouf, Aicha Dahdouh, Mohand Laid Oubaich and Malika Chaouch

Oran University Hospital, Algeria

Posters & Accepted Abstracts: J Neurol Disord

Abstract :

Several studies have shown a strong relationship between schizophrenia and epilepsy. This association implies a common genetic vulnerability for both conditions. Among the candidate genes for both diseases, the Reelin gene (RELN [OMIM] 600514) has been one of the most studied. It encodes Reelin, a gigantic glycoprotein involved in neuronal migration and different functions of brain development. Furthermore, several studies have demonstrated an increased level of methylation of the gene promoter RELN in individuals with temporal lobe epilepsy and schizophrenia. In this study, we report a family with two brothers suffering from temporal lobe epilepsy with schizophrenia in one, and recurrent depressive disorder in the other. Exome sequencing identified homozygous single nucleotide variant in the RELN gene (rs55689103) in individual with schizophrenia. His brother was heterozygous for the same variant. This variant could be involved in schizophrenic phenotype in this family, but not in the epilepsy phenotype. Further investigations of blood Reelin level and RELN promoter methylation are key components to interpreting the results of this study.

Biography :

Amina Chentouf has completed her MD in Neurology (2006) at Oran University of Medicine. She is the Head of Epilepsy Unit at Oran University Hospital in Algeria since 2014; and MD PhD in Epilepsy Genetics since April 2016. She is a Reviewer and Editorial Board Member in many journals. She had many publications in international peer reviewed journals. Currently, she leads research projects in the field of Genetics of Epilepsy. She is also interested in Epidemiology of Epilepsy.

Email: amina.chentouf@yahoo.com