Pharmacological Treatment of Severe Breathing Abnormalities in a Case of HNRNPU Epileptic Encephalopathy

Abstract

Abnormal breathing patterns are a typical feature of Rett and Pitt-Hopkins syndrome and their variants. Their treatment can be challenging, with a risk of long-term detrimental consequences. Early infantile epileptic encephalopathy (EIEE) type 54 is a rare epileptic encephalopathy caused by pathogenic variants in the heterogeneous nuclear ribonucleoprotein U (HNRNPU) gene. Only one case has been described in the literature with episodes of hyperventilation and apnea, but treatment was not discussed. We describe the clinical and genetic features and treatment strategies in a case of EIEE type 54 and severely abnormal breathing pattern. A novel and likely pathogenic c.2277dup, p.(Pro760Serfs*5) variant in the HNRNPU gene was found in a male patient with severe episodes of hyperventilation and apnea, leading to syncope. Combination therapy with acetazolamide, alprazolam and aripiprazole led to significant clinical improvement. Although HNRNPU has not been implicated in breathing control, pathogenic variants in this gene can be associated with the development of abnormal breathing patterns reminiscent of Rett and Pitt-Hopkins syndrome. Its function as a gene expression regulator and its interaction with transcription factors offers a potential pathogenetic link between these 3 disorders. Based on our experience, treatment strategies can be similar to those already applied for patients with Pitt-Hopkins and Rett syndrome.