Types of Attack
Affected patients typically present in the context of an acute onset of paroxysmal, episodic neurological symptoms ranging from oculomotor abnormalities, hypotonia, paralysis, dystonia, ataxia, seizure-like episodes, or encephalopathy. Neurodevelopmental delays or persistence of dystonia, chorea, or ataxia after resolution of an initial episode are common, providing important clues for diagnosis.
A European study of 157 patients found all patients experienced hemiplegic attacks; 86.5% reported episodes of bilateral weakness, 88% dystonic attacks, 53% epileptic seizures. With so many attacks occurring, delineating the evolution of non-epileptic and epileptic paroxysmal events in AHC is difficult.
Paralysis on one side of the body can present differently with each attack, or in each patient.
Epilepsy in patients with AHC was characterized by multiple seizure types and localizations, drug resistance, and high frequency and high recurrence rate of refractory status epilepticus (SE). Regression after SE is not uncommon. Studies have reported a 15% to 77% range of occurrence of epilepsy in AHC. Of note, a higher incidence of epilepsy and SE in the patients with E815K is observed.
We think that ATP1A3 mutations may disrupt the balance of excitation and inhibition in the brain, which could contribute to epilepsy in other ATP1A3-related conditions.
Dystonic movements describe those where the muscles contract involuntarily. This can cause repetitive or twisting movements. The condition can affect one part of your body (focal dystonia), two or more adjacent parts (segmental dystonia), or all parts of your body (general dystonia).
Triggers
Onset of AHC symptoms are usually triggered by physiological or psychological stressors. The triggers may include:
- psychological stress / excitement
- environmental stressors (e.g., bright light, excessive heat or cold, excessive sound, crowds)
- water exposure (e.g., bathing, swimming)
- certain foods or odors (e.g., chocolate, food dyes)
- missed meals
- excessive or atypically strenuous exercise
- illness
- irregular sleep (missing a nap, delayed bedtime)
