Abstract
The cyclin-dependent kinase-like 5 gene (CDKL5) plays a crucial role in brain development. Diseases related to mutations in the
CDKL5 gene are considered relatively new disorders. Patients with CDKL5-related disease
usually present with early-onset refractory epilepsy and severe global developmental
delay. Epilepsy is severe and poorly responsive to conventional medical treatment
in most of these patients. Other neurological problems include movement disorder,
autonomic symptoms, and sleep problems. In addition to neurological problems, patients
may have orthopedic and gastrointestinal disease. Arrhythmia and other heart diseases
are uncommon, though more information is needed. Management of patients affected with
these diseases requires a multidisciplinary team. Seizures in CDKL5-related disease
are very refractory, and treatment with antiseizure medications often fails. Some
new drugs currently in clinical trials may show benefit. This article reviews the
current status of CDKL5 research, highlighting the pathophysiology, clinical presentation,
developmental prognosis, and treatment of CDKL5-related diseases, with the goal of
increasing disease recognition.
Keywords
CDKL5 gene - epileptic encephalopathy - refractory epilepsy