A posiible link between predisposition for epilepsy and mutations in the fragile X mental retardation-1 gene (FMR) was investigated in the Neuropediatric Department, Behandlungszentrum Vogtareuth; and Laboratory of Genetic Diagnostics, Munchen, Germany. EEGs performed on 14 patients with an amplification in the FMR-1 gene showed focal sharp waves and partial seizures in sleep in 8 boys, aged 4-8 years. Of 16 children with rolandic epilepsy (BECT) studied for FMR-1 gene mutations, 1 boy was positive. [1]
COMMENT. A higher incidence of seizures or EEG abnormalities may be expected in boys with fragile X-1 gene mutations.