[Progress in molecular genetics of generalized epilepsy with febrile seizures plus].

Generalized epilepsy with febrile seizures plus (GEFS+) is a familial inherited epileptic syndrome characterized by phenotypic heterogeneity from the milder febrile seizures to the severest epileptic encephalopathy such as severe myoclonic epilepsy in infancy (SMEI). GEFS+ is a disorder with a genetic heterogeneity. Molecular genetics have revealed that four genes are associated with the pathogenesis of GEFS+. These include mutations in genes encoding subunits of neuronal voltage-gated sodium channels (SCN1A, SCN1B, SCN2A) and gamma(2) subunit of the gamma amino-butyric acid (GABA)(A) receptor (GABRG2). These genes have been confirmed as having a role in autosomal dominant GEFS+ families. In addition, the phenotypes of the affected members may depend on the types and locations of these gene mutations. This review states the molecular genetic progress of GEFS+ in brief.