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Frequently Asked Questions

Answering your most frequently asked questions

About KCNQ2

KCNQ is shorthand for the category of disorders caused by variants in the KCNQ2 gene. The KCNQ2 gene codes for the potassium channel, a structure on the surface of neurons responsible for regulating the electrical signals sent from the brain throughout the body. A variant in the KCNQ2 gene can cause disorders of varying severity and that are described with various names. This includes KCNQ2 epilepsy (which describes the seizure activity which is associated with the variant), KCNQ2 encephalopathy (which describes the developmental delays associated with the variant), or KCNQ2 developmental and epileptic encephalopathy (which describes both the seizures and developmental delays associated with the variant). The latter term is becoming the accepted name that best describes the characteristics of our community

Learn more about KCNQ2.

What are the different types of KCNQ2?

There are several types of KCNQ2 variants, that are categorized based on both the origin of the variant and the severity of the resulting disease.

De novo variant: a variant that occurs spontaneously in the patient with the disease, and is not inherited from a parent.

De novo KCNQ2 developmental and epileptic encephalopathy: the majority of the more severe cases resulting from KCNQ2 variants are caused by de novo (or “new”) variants in the KCNQ2 gene, not inherited from the patient’s parents.
De novo benign neonatal epilepsy (BNE): a small percentage of the less severe, or benign neonatal epilepsy cases are a result of a de novo (or “new”) variant, and not inherited from the patient’s parents. In these cases, the spontaneous variant is in a location on the gene, or involves a variant, that does not cause significant symptoms beyond seizures during the neonatal period.
De novo mosaic: a small percentage of the less severe patients may have a spontaneously-occurring (not inherited) variant that is associated with severe forms of the disease, as in KCNQ2 developmental and epileptic encephalopathy. However, in this case, the variant is not found in all of the patient’s cells, as the spontaneous error occurred later in the process of cell division and formation of the fetus. When the variant is only in a subset of the cells in the body (and the other cells have normal copies of the gene), the variant is known as mosaic. The result in these individuals is that their disease is less severe than it would be if the same variant were expressed throughout all of the cells. Because these individuals are not severely affected, they may go on to have offspring who inherit the severe variant of the variant from them, expressing it in all of their cells.

Inherited variant:

Benign Familial Neonatal Epilepsy (BFNE) or Benign Familial Neonatal Seizures (BFNS): BFNE (which can also be known as BFNS) is a relatively mild form of the disease that is inherited from a parent. In this case, the variant in the KCNQ2 gene is in a location that does not significantly impact the structure and function of the potassium channel. These cases are referred to as “benign” as the symptoms are typically limited to early life seizures and do not impact cognitive function. In many of these cases the parents of the affected child may have experienced seizures in early life
Inherited KCNQ2 Developmental and Epileptic Encephalopathy: In some, less common, cases the severe form of the disease may be inherited from a parent. In this case, a parent has a severe variant of the variant, but is themselves “mosaic” for the variant. This means the parent has only a subset of their cells affected by the variant, and thus does not display the severe symptoms him or her self. However, the severe variant of the variant may be passed on to the offspring, who may express that severe variant in all of his cells, resulting in a severe form of the disease.

What are the symptoms of KCNQ2?

Not everyone will have all the signs/symptoms listed here, and some may have other symptoms not mentioned.

Seizures, tonic
Seizures, clonic
Multiple seizures daily at onset
Onset of seizures in infancy
Seizure frequency decreases during early childhood (many becoming seizure-free by age 3 or 4 years)
Seizures are often unresponsive to treatment, particularly in early life
Generalized stiffening
EEG shows burst suppression pattern
EEG shows multifocal epileptic activity
Hyperintensities in the basal ganglia and/or thalamus on MRI
Thin corpus callosum (in some patients)
Reduced posterior white matter volume (in some patients)
Automatisms (repetitive actions performed unconsciously)
Delayed development (cognitive and/or motor)
Intellectual disability
Hypotonia (low muscle tone)
Dystonia (abnormal muscle tone)
Spastic quadriparesis
Gastrointestinal issues (such as severe constipation or other distress)
Variants may also occur de novo (not see in either parent)
Variable severity of seizures seen in family members (in cases of inherited KNQ2 variants)

Learn more about the symptoms of KCNQ2

Do all children with KCNQ2 have seizures? What type of seizures are common in KCNQ2?

How is KCNQ2 diagnosed?

KCNQ2 is diagnosed through genetic testing. Early symptoms seen in people with a KCNQ2 variant, such as seizures or particular EEG patterns in the early neonatal period, and global developmental disabilities seen in all ages, typically warrant genetic testing. This can be done with a relatively inexpensive test of seizure-causing genes (a “seizure panel”, which includes the KCNQ2 gene, along with many other seizure-causing genes), or with more comprehensive genetic tests, such as whole exome sequencing (WES) or whole genome sequencing (WGS) which test for variants across nearly all genes.

Learn more about how KCNQ2 is diagnosed

For families

My child was just diagnosed with KCNQ2. What happens now?

We know that a KCNQ2 diagnosis can be overwhelming. You may be confused, scared, frustrated, or uncertain—and your emotions may change from day to day, sometimes even hour to hour. But you are not alone. You are now part of the KCNQ2 Cure community: a network of families, researchers, clinicians, and other professionals who are determined to make a difference.

Learn more about newly diagnosed resources for families dealing with a recent KCNQ2 diagnosis.

What resources does KCNQ2 Cure Alliance offer for families affected by KCNQ2?

Our family support team is committed to offering compassionate and respectful, support to all members of the KCNQ2 community. This includes resources for those who are newly diagnosed, information packets covering many of the issues important to families affected by KCNQ2, the Family and Professional Summit, information on daily life with KCNQ2, and access to a community of parents who have gone before you and are eager to share what they have learned.

Learn more about the support and care resources we offer.

How can I meet other families affected by KCNQ2?

What is the KCNQ2 Cure Summit?

Treatment and research

Is there a FDA approved treatment or cure for KCNQ2?

There is currently no FDA approved treatment for KCNQ2. There are currently two drug programs in development, one of which is being tested in clinical (human) trials. But our work is not done. We know what we need to do to develop and deliver effective therapies. And we are on the verge of further breakthroughs that will continue to change the course of KCNQ2 for everyone affected—from infants to adults—and eventually, lead to a cure.

Learn more about current KCNQ2 research

What is happening in KCNQ2 research?

Today, there are two drug programs in development specifically for KCNQ2, including one now in clinical trials. This means we’re getting closer and closer to an FDA-approved targeted therapy for people affected by KCNQ2. We continue to evaluate and fund research into new treatment approaches that may result in the best outcomes for those affected by KCNQ2 developmental and epileptic encephalopathy.

Learn more about the latest research developments and how the KCNQ2 drug pipeline is taking shape.

Are there any clinical trials or studies that I can participate in?

There not currently any clinical trials accepting enrollment of patients with KCNQ2 developmental and epileptic encephalopathy. However, we anticipate there will be opportunities with treatments under development. Please sign up for our mailing list to keep up with the news about KCNQ2, including opportunities to participate in clinical trials.

Learn more about participating in a clinical trial and how to locate open trials near you.

Are there any research studies that I can participate in?

Research studies help experts better understand KCNQ2 developmental and epileptic encephalopathy. This includes understanding the impact of different variants of the mutation and the significant symptoms of the disease. KCNQ2 developmental and epileptic encephalopathy was discovered relatively recently, and it is critical that our community participates in research studies to support the development of treatments to address the needs of our patients. Ongoing studies include: a Natural History Study at Harvard/Boston Children’s Hospital, the RIKEE database at Baylor College of Medicine, a survey of parent-reported outcomes at Lurie Chicago Children’s Hospital, and a KCNQ2 sleep study at the University of Melbourne in Australia.

Learn more about participating in a research study.

Get involved

How can I donate to KCNQ2 Cure?

KCNQ2 Cure accepts donations online, or via mail.

We’ve already invested over $200,000 in research, and your support will allow us to continue funding the discoveries that will lead to a treatment and cure for KCNQ2. Your gift will also support vital programs for families affected by KCNQ2. There are numerous ways to raise funds for KCNQ2 Cure, including cash donations, donating your birthday as a Facebook fundraiser, hosting an event, or donating a vehicle. KCNQ2 Cure is a 501(c)(3). All contributions are tax-deductible.

Make a donation today.

How can I plan an event to support KCNQ2 Cure?

Our work would not be possible without all the dedicated supporters who raise money and awareness for KCNQ2 Cure. Each year, our families and friends organize and participate in fundraisers that bring the entire KCNQ2 community closer to a treatment and cure. Our development team will provide the logistical and fundraising support you need to make your event successful and meaningful.

Get started by downloading our fundraising toolkit.

I’m an KCNQ2 researcher—how can I get involved?

KCNQ2 Cure has invested over $200,000 in KCNQ2 research. We currently offer funding for research projects in three areas: basic research, drug discovery, and clinical care. We also host the KCNQ2 Professional Roundtable in conjunction with the KCNQ2 Cure Summit. This allows researchers, healthcare providers, and families to interact with and learn from each other in person. When appropriate, KCNQ2 Cure also uses its connections to the KCNQ2 community to help researchers recruit for clinical trials.

Learn about KCNQ2 Cure grant funding for research.

I’m a doctor or nurse or other healthcare provider looking for more information—where should I start?

KCNQ2 Cure’s commitment to the entire KCNQ2 community extends to those charged with providing care—including physicians, specialists, nurse or nurse practitioners, genetic counselors, physical or occupational therapists, nutritionists, social workers, and more. We educate healthcare professionals and the public about KCNQ2 developmental and epileptic encephalopathy, to enhance the quality of care and strengthen the support available to families. We work directly with clinicians, doctors, specialists, and skilled caregivers to ensure that patients have access to the best possible care.

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