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Use of lysine reduction therapies in patients with pyridoxine dependent epilepsy due to Antiquitin deficiency – A cohort study

Footitt, Emma J; Millington, Chloe; Newsom-Davis, Imogen; Mills, Philippa; Khalil, Youssef; Clayton, Peter T; Dixon, Marjorie; (2025) Use of lysine reduction therapies in patients with pyridoxine dependent epilepsy due to Antiquitin deficiency – A cohort study. Molecular Genetics and Metabolism , 145 (4) , Article 109170. 10.1016/j.ymgme.2025.109170.

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Abstract

Pyridoxine dependent epilepsy due to Antiquitin deficiency (PDE-ALDH7A1) is a disorder of lysine catabolism that results in accumulation of α- aminoadipic semialdehyde (α-AASA) and Δ1-piperideine 6-carboxylic acid (P6C). It is hypothesised that these metabolites are neurotoxic and that chronic exposure may have detrimental long-term effects, particularly on the young developing brain. Lysine reduction therapies in the form of lysine restricted diet (LRD) and arginine, have been used as an adjunct to pyridoxine for the treatment of PDE-ALDH7A1 for the last 15 years with an aim to improve long-term developmental outcomes by reducing α-AASA and P6C. We present the management and outcomes for a cohort of 17 PDE-ALDH7A1 patients from our centre. In this study we show that LRD leads to a reduction in plasma lysine levels and urine α-AASA concentrations and a correlation between these is seen in individual patients, supporting the treatment hypothesis. LRD alone was shown to be sufficient to reduce plasma lysine into the target treatment range and addition of arginine was not required. Transition to LRD and long-term adherence is easier to achieve in patients under 6 months of age, compared to older patients. Lysine reduction therapies did not offer any additional benefit on seizure control over pyridoxine monotherapy but in keeping with previous studies, this study supports early initiation of LRD in patients under 6 months with cognitive function scores maintained in some, although longer term follow up is required and ongoing.

Type: Article
Title: Use of lysine reduction therapies in patients with pyridoxine dependent epilepsy due to Antiquitin deficiency – A cohort study
DOI: 10.1016/j.ymgme.2025.109170
Publisher version: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ymgme.2025.109170
Language: English
Additional information: This version is the author accepted manuscript. For information on re-use, please refer to the publisher's terms and conditions.
Keywords: Pyridoxine dependent epilepsy, ALDH7A1, Lysine restricted diet
UCL classification: UCL
UCL > Provost and Vice Provost Offices > School of Life and Medical Sciences
UCL > Provost and Vice Provost Offices > School of Life and Medical Sciences > Faculty of Population Health Sciences > UCL GOS Institute of Child Health
UCL > Provost and Vice Provost Offices > School of Life and Medical Sciences > Faculty of Population Health Sciences > UCL GOS Institute of Child Health > Genetics and Genomic Medicine Dept
URI: https://discovery.ucl.ac.uk/id/eprint/10209955
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