Objective: This study aims to describe the associations between genetic polymorphisms and therapeutic effect of valproic acid (VPA) in children with focal seizures.
Methods: Eighty-nine children with focal seizures on VPA therapy were enrolled. Patients' basic information, dosage regimens, and plasma concentrations were recorded. A 1-year follow-up was performed to evaluate the treatment response. Sixty-six single nucleotide polymorphisms involved in the metabolism, transport, and target receptor of VPA were identified, and their associations with VPA response were analyzed using logistic regression adjusted by various influence factors. Selected polymorphisms involved in the metabolism, transport, and target receptor of VPA were not associated with treatment effect in children with focal seizures.
Results: Three variants, rs9313892 (GABRA6, G > A, OR = 2.73, 95% CI 1.00 to 7.48, P = 0.051), rs4921195 (GABRA6, T > C, OR = 2.71, 95% CI 0.99 to 7.42, P = 0.053), and rs424740 (GABRG2, A > T, OR = 0.39, 95% CI 0.15 to 1.01, P = 0.053) had the potential to be associated with the VPA response.
Conclusion: Selected genetic polymorphisms were not significantly associated with VPA response in children with focal seizures. However, three GABR variants showed potential to be associated with the response to VPA. Further and larger studies are warranted to confirm the results.
Keywords: Children; Drug-resistant epilepsy; Focal seizures; Genetic polymorphisms; Valproic acid.