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Any alternating hemiplegia of childhood in which the cause of the disease is a mutation in the ATP1A3 gene.
Features include: Hemiplegia, Status epilepticus, Abnormal eye movements (abnormality of eye movement), and Choreoathetosis and 10 more.
Organ System | Phenotype Count | Example Features |
|---|---|---|
Brain and nerves | 10 | Hemiplegia, Status epilepticus, Dystonia |
Eyes | 2 | Abnormal eye movements (abnormality of eye movement), Nystagmus |
Following the initial description of rapid-onset dystonia-parkinsonism (RDP) by prior to knowledge of its genetic cause, the understanding of the scope of ATP1A3-related disorder subsequently expanded to include four historically defined phenotypes: alternating hemiplegia of childhood (AHC); cerebellar ataxia, areflexia, pes cavus, optic atrophy, sensorineural hearing loss (CAPOS) syndrome; relapsing encephalopathy with cerebellar ataxia (RECA)/ fever-induced paroxysmal weakness and encephalopathy (FIPWE); and RDP. The widespread use of exome and genome sequencing (i.e., non-hypothesis-driven molecular genetic testing) led to conceptualize ATP1A3-related disorder as encompassing "a broadly heterogeneous continuum of features" shared among the historical clinically defined phenotypes .
Source: GeneReviews — "ATP1A3-Related Disorder"
ATP1A3 encodes ATPase Na+/K+ transporting subunit alpha 3 (1,013 aa). This is the catalytic component of the active enzyme, which catalyzes the hydrolysis of ATP coupled with the exchange of sodium and potassium ions across the plasma membrane. Highest expression in Brain Frontal Cortex BA9 (367.7 TPM) and Brain Cerebellar Hemisphere (349.7 TPM).
Alternating hemiplegia of childhood 2 is associated with mutations in the ATP1A3 gene on chromosome 19.
The ATP1A3 protein participates in ATP1A:ATP1B:FXYD exchanges 3Na+ for 2K+ pathway.
ATP1A3 is classified as a druggable target (Druggable Genome, Enzyme, Ion Channel, and Transporter categories) with score 3.3.
Although ATP1A3-related disorder is a continuum of neurologic manifestations, genotype-phenotype correlations for several ATP1A3 pathogenic variants have been reported . Phenotypes associated with certain pathogenic variants in multiple individuals include the following:
AHC.
ATP1A3 pathogenic variant p.Asp801Asn is the most common variant, followed by pathogenic variants p.Glu815Lys and p.Gly947Arg . Individuals with the recurrent pathogenic variant p.Glu815Lys may have earlier onset of manifestations, more seizures, greater motor and cognitive impairment, and more rapid progression, including status epilepticus and respiratory paralysis, especially when compared to individuals with the other most common AHC pathogenic variant, p.Asp801Asn [, , , ].
Source: GeneReviews — "ATP1A3-Related Disorder"
AHC and FIPWE. Penetrance is uncertain, as to date most individuals with these phenotypes have a de novo ATP1A3 pathogenic variant. CAPOS syndrome. There is no evidence of reduced penetrance in the families/individuals reported to date [, , , ]. At current writing more than half of CAPOS syndrome case reports include families with more than one affected member. RDP. The small number of families with RDP studied to date limits the estimate of penetrance; however, several members of larger reported families have had a heterozygous ATP1A3 pathogenic variant but no clinical manifestations .
Source: GeneReviews — "ATP1A3-Related Disorder"
No consensus diagnostic criteria for ATP1A3-related disorder have been published.
ATP1A3-related disorder should be considered in individuals with features in any of the following four clinical categories .
Clinical category
• Paroxysmal neurologic episodes
Hemiplegic events
Dystonic episodes, usually with no or minimal response to an adequate trial of levodopa therapy
Seizures
Abnormal eye movements
Apnea
Autonomic episodes
• Movement disorder
Dystonia and/or chorea
Ataxia
Cognitive impairment. Mild to severe
• Neurobehavioral/psychiatric manifestations
Behavioral difficulties
Attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder
Autism spectrum disorder
Childhood-onset schizophrenia
Source: GeneReviews — "ATP1A3-Related Disorder"
Given the early onset and protean neurologic manifestations in affected infants and young children, the differential diagnosis of alternating hemiplegia of childhood (AHC) is unavoidably broad. It is particularly important early in the diagnostic evaluation of an individual suspected of having AHC to exclude metabolic disorders or vascular syndromes that could benefit from specific therapeutic approaches, including moyamoya disease (OMIM PS252350); mitochondrial disorders such as pyruvate dehydrogenase deficiency (in which spells are typically accompanied by lactic acidosis; see Primary Pyruvate Dehydrogenase Complex Deficiency Overview); and glucose transporter type 1 deficiency syndrome, in which seizures tend to respond to a ketogenic diet.
Source: GeneReviews — "ATP1A3-Related Disorder"
Genetic testing for ATP1A3 is available. Testing is considered confirmatory for diagnosis.
No approved treatments are currently available for alternating hemiplegia of childhood 2. The disease remains an area of unmet medical need.
No clinical practice guidelines for ATP1A3-related disorder have been published. In the absence of established clinical practice guidelines, the authors offer the recommendations discussed in this section based on their collective experience in working with more than 20 families over more than 15 years.
To establish the extent of disease and needs in an individual diagnosed with ATP1A3-related disorder, the evaluations summarized (if not performed as part of the evaluation that led to diagnosis) are recommended.
Table 6.
ATP1A3-Related Disorder: Recommended Evaluations Following Initial Diagnosis
System/Concern | Evaluation | Comment
| Neurologic eval by neurologist experienced in movement disorders | Assess for:
Episodic or persistent weakness;
Movement disorders (e.g., dystonia, chorea, ataxia);
Dysfunctions of speech swallowing;
Hypo- or hypertonia;
Cognitive manifestations (e.g., apraxia, frontal lobe dysfunction).
Obtain history of:
Seizures;
Headaches.
| Orthopedics/ physical medicine rehab/ PT OT eval | Assess for:
Gross motor fine motor skills;
Contractures, pes cavus, kyphoscoliosis;
Mobility, ADL, need for adaptive devices;
Need for PT (to improve gross motor skills) /or OT (to improve fine motor skills).
| Eval by speech-language pathologist | Assess for speech dyspraxia, dysphonia, /or dysarthria
| Gastroenterology/ nutrition/ feeding team eval | • To incl eval of aspiration...
Source: GeneReviews — "ATP1A3-Related Disorder"
To the extent possible, individuals who are heterozygous for an ATP1A3 pathogenic variant should avoid agents/circumstances known to trigger onset of ATP1A3-related disorder manifestations and/or episodes , including the following:
Physical, psychological (e.g., missed meals, sleep deprivation), and emotional stress (e.g., excitement, fear)
Environmental stress (e.g., bright sunlight or fluorescent lighting, heat/cold, excessive noise, crowds)
Excessive or atypically strenuous exercise (e.g., walking farther than usual)
Alcohol binges
Illness, infections, and fever are common triggers. While practical preventive strategies are lacking, unnecessary exposure should be avoided. Helmets and protective devices to prevent head injuries should be worn when participating in activities with risk of fall. There is no known reason to avoid vaccinations.
Source: GeneReviews — "ATP1A3-Related Disorder"
A clinical trial studying the variable phenotypic presentations of ATP1A3-related disorder is recruiting (NCT00682513). Search ClinicalTrials.gov in the US and EU Clinical Trials Register in Europe for information on clinical studies for a wide range of diseases and conditions.
Source: GeneReviews — "ATP1A3-Related Disorder"
View trials for alternating hemiplegia of childhood 2
To monitor existing manifestations, the individual's response to supportive care, and the emergence of new manifestations, the evaluations summarized in are recommended. Table 8. ATP1A3-Related Disorder: Recommended Surveillance
System/Concern | Evaluation | Frequency |
|---|---|---|
Paretic events | Neurologic exam, imaging, further workup as appropriate | At initial eval; then 1x or 2x/yr or as needed Dystonia |
Seizures | Neurologic exam, imaging, further workup as appropriate incl at least 1 EEG of typical spell | At initial onset; then per treating neurologist |
Sleep apnea | Sleep study | At initial eval; then 1x or 2x/yr or as needed Autonomic episodes |
Musculoskeletal/ADL | Physical medicine, OT/PT: assessment of mobility, self-help skills, assessment for prevention of contractures, need for durable medical equipment | Per treating clinicians Dysarthria |
Dysphagia/ Feeding difficulties | Eval of nutritional status safety of oral intake | At each visit Development (young children) |
Source: GeneReviews — "ATP1A3-Related Disorder"
No clinical trials have been registered for alternating hemiplegia of childhood 2.
36 publications have been identified in PubMed for alternating hemiplegia of childhood 2. Research spans Case Report / Case Series (36%), Basic Science / Preclinical (31%), and Review / Meta-Analysis (14%).
Research Type | Count | % of Total |
|---|---|---|
Patient case studies | 13 | 36% |
Laboratory research | 11 | 31% |
Research summaries | 5 | 14% |
Disease patterns and progression | 5 | 14% |
Other research | 1 | 3% |
New treatment approaches | 1 | 3% |
Kravljanac R (2026). [PMID: 42187878](https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/42187878/). *Diseases*. [Review / Meta-Analysis]
Bel Lassen P (2026). [PMID: 40996949](https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/40996949/). *Obes Facts*. [Other]
Bidzimou MK (2026). [PMID: 41948929](https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/41948929/). *JCI Insight*. [Basic Science / Preclinical]
Roze E (2026). [PMID: 42127934](https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/42127934/). *Lancet Neurol*. [Review / Meta-Analysis]
Wall DA (2026). [PMID: 42079228](https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/42079228/). *bioRxiv*. [Basic Science / Preclinical]
Leite JA (2026). [PMID: 41634807](https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/41634807/). *Orphanet journal of rare diseases*. [Basic Science / Preclinical]
Wall DA (2026). [PMID: 42063340](https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/42063340/). *Dis Model Mech*. [Basic Science / Preclinical]
Bernardi K (2026). [PMID: 41850905](https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/41850905/). *Movement disorders : official journal of the Movement Disorder Society*. [Epidemiology / Natural History]
Errichiello G (2026). [PMID: 42151635](https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/42151635/). *Neurol Sci*. [Case Report / Case Series]
Satake S (2025). [PMID: 40465487](https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/40465487/). *Journal of neurophysiology*. [Case Report / Case Series]
Data assembled from 6 of 12 sources · Last updated Sep 20, 2026, 8:49 PM UTC
Online Mendelian Inheritance in Man
Genetic and Rare Diseases Info Center
AI-curated news mentioning alternating hemiplegia of childhood 2
Updated Feb 3, 2026
Research highlights parallels between bipolar disorder and ATP1A3-related diseases, suggesting potential for lithium treatment in alternating hemiplegia of childhood. This investigation opens avenues for further exploration of lithium's efficacy in rare neurological conditions.