Journal Article DZNE-2026-00984

http://join2-wiki.gsi.de/foswiki/pub/Main/Artwork/join2_logo100x88.png
Neuroradiologic Findings in Patients With SCN2A Disease: A Systematic Review and Retrospective Multicenter Cohort Study.

 ;  ;  ;  ;  ;  ;  ;  ;  ;  ;  ;  ;  ;  ;

2026
Wolters Kluwer Philadelphia, Pa.

Neurology 107(7), e218541 () [10.1212/WNL.0000000000218541]

This record in other databases:    

Please use a persistent id in citations: doi:

Abstract: SCN2A disease spans a broad clinical spectrum from self-limited (familial) neonatal-infantile epilepsy to severe developmental and epileptic encephalopathies. Systematic characterization of the spectrum of neuroradiologic abnormalities in SCN2A disease has not been performed. This study aimed to delineate MRI findings across SCN2A phenotypes, their frequency and evolution, and their relevance for prognosis and clinical trials.This retrospective multicenter cohort study recruited individuals with (likely) pathogenic SCN2A variants and available MRI data from the SCN2A Natural History Study (Bonn/Melbourne) and an international research network ('novel cohort'). Two blinded pediatric neuroradiologists evaluated all brain MRIs. In addition, we performed a systematic literature review (PubMed, search term 'SCN2A,' last updated January 31, 2026) including patients with available data on SCN2A variants, MRI findings, and phenotype. MRI findings were categorized by predefined criteria, and patients were assigned to phenotypic subgroups based on seizure onset and developmental outcomes.A total of 354 individuals with SCN2A disease were included (novel cohort n = 46; literature cohort n = 308). In the novel cohort, the median age was 6 years, and 54% were female. MRI abnormalities were present in 41% (19/46) of the novel cohort and 45% (139/308) of published cases. The most frequent overall findings were supratentorial atrophy (15%), white matter changes (17%), and corpus callosum thinning (10%). Findings differed significantly between phenotypic subgroups. Atrophy occurred mainly in early-onset severe and later-onset infantile phenotypic subgroups, on MRIs performed ≥4 weeks after seizure onset. White matter changes were often transient and nonspecific. Cortical malformations, especially polymicrogyria, were found in 5% (19/354) of patients. Hippocampal alterations were more frequent in the novel cohort (7/46, 15%) than in published cases (5/308, 2%). In episodic ataxia, isolated cerebellar atrophy was occasionally observed (4/23, 17%).This comprehensive characterization of brain MRI abnormalities in SCN2A disease revealed distinct imaging patterns across phenotypic subgroups. Atrophy was typically absent at seizure onset, highlighting progressive disease impact over time. These findings highlight the importance of early seizure control, guide counselling of patients and families, and inform MRI interpretation and biomarker research for future clinical trials. The retrospective design and heterogeneous imaging data represent important limitations.

Keyword(s): Humans (MeSH) ; NAV1.2 Voltage-Gated Sodium Channel: genetics (MeSH) ; Retrospective Studies (MeSH) ; Female (MeSH) ; Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MeSH) ; Male (MeSH) ; Child (MeSH) ; Brain: diagnostic imaging (MeSH) ; Brain: pathology (MeSH) ; Child, Preschool (MeSH) ; Infant (MeSH) ; Adolescent (MeSH) ; Epilepsy: genetics (MeSH) ; Epilepsy: diagnostic imaging (MeSH) ; Cohort Studies (MeSH) ; Phenotype (MeSH) ; NAV1.2 Voltage-Gated Sodium Channel ; SCN2A protein, human

Classification:

Contributing Institute(s):
  1. Clinical Neuroimaging (AG Radbruch)
Research Program(s):
  1. 353 - Clinical and Health Care Research (POF4-353) (POF4-353)

Appears in the scientific report 2026
Database coverage:
Medline ; Allianz-Lizenz ; BIOSIS Previews ; Biological Abstracts ; Clarivate Analytics Master Journal List ; Current Contents - Clinical Medicine ; Current Contents - Life Sciences ; Essential Science Indicators ; IF >= 5 ; JCR ; PubMed Central ; SCOPUS ; Science Citation Index Expanded ; Web of Science Core Collection
Click to display QR Code for this record

The record appears in these collections:
Document types > Articles > Journal Article
Institute Collections > BN DZNE > BN DZNE-AG Radbruch
Public records
Publications Database

 Record created 2026-09-21, last modified 2026-09-21



Rate this document:

Rate this document:
1
2
3
 
(Not yet reviewed)