title: A functional polymorphism in the prodynorphin gene promotor is associated with temporal lobe epilepsy.
abstract: The prodynorphin gene (PDYN) encoding the anticonvulsant peptide dynorphin is a strong candidate for a seizure suppressor gene and thus a possible modulator of susceptibility to temporal lobe epilepsy. We performed a case control association study in 155 patients with nonlesional temporal lobe epilepsy and 202 controls and found that PDYN promotor low-expression L-alleles confer an increased risk for temporal lobe epilepsy in patients with a family history for seizures. Irrespective of the familial background, L-homozygotes display a higher risk for secondarily generalized seizures and status epilepticus.
authors.affiliation: Department of Neurology, University Hospital of Vienna, Vienna, Austria.
authors.forename: Elisabeth
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Stögmann
authors.forename: Alexander
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Zimprich
authors.forename: Christoph
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Baumgartner
authors.forename: Susanne
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Aull-Watschinger
authors.forename: Volker
authors.initials: V
authors.lastname: Höllt
authors.forename: Fritz
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Zimprich
mesh_terms: D004745:Enkephalins / Q000235:genetics*; D004833:Epilepsy, Temporal Lobe / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000235:genetics*; D005260:Female; D020022:Genetic Predisposition to Disease; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D011110:Polymorphism, Genetic; D011401:Promoter Regions, Genetic / Q000235:genetics*; D011498:Protein Precursors / Q000235:genetics*; D012307:Risk Factors; D012720:Severity of Illness Index
chemical_list: D004745:Enkephalins; D011498:Protein Precursors; C033660:preproenkephalin