This study aims to investigate the effects of the three potassium channel genes KCNA1, KCNA2, and KCNV2 on increased susceptibility to epilepsy as well as on responsiveness to antiepileptic drugs (AEDs). The pharmacogenetic and case-control cohort (n = 595) consisted of 296 epileptic patients and 299 healthy individuals. Epileptic patients were recruited from the Pediatric Neurology clinic at the Queen Rania Al Abdullah Hospital (QRAH) in Amman, Jordan. A custom platform array search for genetic association in Jordanian-Arab epileptic patients was undertaken. The MassARRAY system (iPLEX GOLD) was used to genotype seven single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) within three candidate genes (KCNA1, KCNA2, and KCNV2). Only one SNP in KCNA2, rs3887820, showed significant association with increased risk of susceptibility to generalized myoclonic seizure (p-value < 0.001). Notably, the rs112561866 polymorphism of the KCNA1 gene was non-polymorphic, but no significant association was found between the KCNA1 (rs2227910, rs112561866, and rs7974459) and KCNV2 (rs7029012, rs10967705, and rs10967728) polymorphisms and disease susceptibility or drug responsiveness among Jordanian patients. This study suggests that a significant association exists between the KCNA2 SNP rs3887820 and increased susceptibility to generalized myoclonic seizure. However, the present findings indicate that the KCNA1 and KCNV2 SNPs do not influence disease susceptibility and drug responsiveness in epileptic patients. Pharmacogenetic and case-control studies involving a multicenter and multiethnic approach are needed to confirm our results. To improve the efficacy and safety of epilepsy treatment, further studies are required to identify other genetic factors that contribute to susceptibility and treatment outcome.
Keywords: antiepileptic drug; epilepsy; pharmacogenetics; potassium channels.