Evidence map›Paper›PMID 39981956›Full record

ArticleAnnals of neurology2025

Fluoxetine Treatment in Epilepsy of Infancy with Migrating Focal Seizures Due to KCNT1 Variants: An Open Label Study.

Marina Trivisano, Ilaria Mosca, Licia Salimbene, Angela De Dominicis, Paolo Ambrosino, Deborah Puzo, Ilenio Servettini, Cinzia Correale, Chiara Falamesca, Cristina Filosomi and 4 more

Abstract read
In one paragraph

Article in Annals of neurology, 2025. The graph could read no effect estimate from its abstract, so it casts no vote on the map. Cited by 2 papers.

0numbers the graph read from it
0cells of the map it votes in
2citing papers in PubMed
–field-weighted citation impact
1 · What the graph read from it

What it found

Each row is one number read from the abstract, on the scale the paper reported it, with its interval. Left of the dashed line favours the treatment, right favours the comparator. Under each row is the sentence it came from. New to these charts? A ten-minute tutorial.

The abstract states no effect estimate the extractor could read, or names no intervention and outcome on the map, so this paper lights no cell and moves no belief. It is still indexed, cited and linked below.

2 · The registry

The trial behind it

Trials whose registry record cites this paper, or whose number appears in the abstract. A trial that started after this paper was published is citing it as background, not reporting it.

Neither the registry nor the abstract names a trial number. If this is a trial report, that itself is worth knowing.

3 · Its place in the literature

Who cites it

2 citing papers in PubMed.

  1. Article
  2. Article
4 · The record

Corrections and comments

PubMed lists nothing against this paper. Absence here is not a guarantee, only a check that was made.

5 · Who and what money

Authors and funding

14 authors.

Marina TrivisanoNeurology, Epilepsy and Movement Disorders Unit, Bambino Gesù Children's Hospital, IRCCS, Full Member of European Reference Network EpiCARE, Rome, Italy.ORCID 0000-0002-9841-8581
Ilaria MoscaDepartment of Medicine and Health Science "V. Tiberio", University of Molise, Campobasso, Italy.
Licia SalimbeneNeurology, Epilepsy and Movement Disorders Unit, Bambino Gesù Children's Hospital, IRCCS, Full Member of European Reference Network EpiCARE, Rome, Italy.
Angela De DominicisNeurology, Epilepsy and Movement Disorders Unit, Bambino Gesù Children's Hospital, IRCCS, Full Member of European Reference Network EpiCARE, Rome, Italy.
Paolo AmbrosinoDepartment of Science and Technology, University of Sannio, Benevento, Italy.
Deborah PuzoDepartment of Medicine and Health Science "V. Tiberio", University of Molise, Campobasso, Italy.
Ilenio ServettiniDepartment of Medicine and Health Science "V. Tiberio", University of Molise, Campobasso, Italy.
Cinzia CorrealeNeurology, Epilepsy and Movement Disorders Unit, Bambino Gesù Children's Hospital, IRCCS, Full Member of European Reference Network EpiCARE, Rome, Italy.
Chiara FalamescaNeurology, Epilepsy and Movement Disorders Unit, Bambino Gesù Children's Hospital, IRCCS, Full Member of European Reference Network EpiCARE, Rome, Italy.
Cristina FilosomiNeurology, Epilepsy and Movement Disorders Unit, Bambino Gesù Children's Hospital, IRCCS, Full Member of European Reference Network EpiCARE, Rome, Italy.
Bianca GoffredoDivision of Metabolic Diseases and Drug Biology, Bambino Gesù Children's Hospital, IRCCS, Rome, Italy.
Maria Virginia SoldovieriDepartment of Medicine and Health Science "V. Tiberio", University of Molise, Campobasso, Italy.ORCID 0000-0002-3601-9374
Maurizio TaglialatelaDepartment of Neuroscience, Section of Pharmacology, University of Naples "Federico II", Naples, Italy.ORCID 0000-0002-8202-0560
Nicola SpecchioNeurology, Epilepsy and Movement Disorders Unit, Bambino Gesù Children's Hospital, IRCCS, Full Member of European Reference Network EpiCARE, Rome, Italy.

Funding

Italian Ministry for University and Research PNRR-MR1-2022-12376528Italian Ministry for University and Research PRIN-PNRR 2022 P2022FJXY5NEXTGENERATIONEU (NGEU), National Recovery and Resilience Plan (NRRP), - A Multiscale integrated approach to the study of the nervous system in health and disease project MNESYS (PE0000006)
6 · The paper itself

Abstract

objectiveGain-of-function (GoF) variants in KCNT1 encoding for potassium channels are associated with different epilepsy phenotypes, including epilepsy of infancy with migrating focal seizures (EIMFS), other early infantile developmental and epileptic encephalopathies, and focal epilepsy. Fluoxetine blocks currents from both wild-type (WT) and mutant KCNT1 channels with GoF in vitro features. In this study, we tested the hypothesis that treatment with fluoxetine might improve clinical outcome in patients with EIMFS carrying GoF variants in KCNT1 channels showing in vitro sensitivity to fluoxetine blockade.

methodsWe enrolled three pediatric patients carring de novo KCNT1 genetic variants linked to EIMFS. Functional and pharmacological studies to assess fluoxetine's ability to counteract in vitro variant-induced functional effects were performed with patch-clamp electrophysiology on heterologous channel expression in mammalian Chinese hamster ovary cells. Neuropsychological assessment, electroencephalogram and seizure diary were evaluated at baseline and every 3 months during the study. Electrocardiography and blood levels of medications were monitored for safety.

resultsAll 3 KCNT1 variants displayed GoF effects in vitro. Exposure to fluoxetine (10μM) blocked both WT and mutant KCNT1 channels, therefore, counteracting variant-induced functional effects. Treatment with fluoxetine caused a variable reduction of seizure frequency (25-75%). Improvement in visual attention, participation, and muscle tone was also reported. No adverse events were reported except for transient dyskinesia in 1 patient, which was probably related to an increase in fluoxetine plasma level.

interpretationFluoxetine may be a potential targeted medication in EIMFS caused by KCNT1 GoF variants. Further research is needed to assess its long-term efficacy and safety. ANN NEUROL 2025;98:48-61.

Indexed as

AnticonvulsantsEpilepsies, PartialFluoxetineNerve Tissue ProteinsPotassium ChannelsSeizuresSelective Serotonin Reuptake InhibitorsAnimalsChild, PreschoolCHO CellsCricetinaeCricetulusElectroencephalographyFemaleGain of Function MutationHumansAnticonvulsantsFluoxetineKCNT1 protein, humanNerve Tissue ProteinsPotassium ChannelsPotassium Channels, Sodium-ActivatedSelective Serotonin Reuptake Inhibitors

Identifiers

PMID39981956
PMCPMC12174750

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Registered trials

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Read under generation 80e0d062 · epoch 390. Bibliography from PubMed, PubMed Central and OpenAlex; grants from NIH RePORTER; trial links from ClinicalTrials.gov; estimates, votes and beliefs from the OpenQuestion graph.