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A group of neurological and neurodevelopmental disorders caused by pathogenic variants in genes encoding subunits of the N-methyl-D-aspartate (NMDA) receptor, including GRIN1, GRIN2A, GRIN2B, and GRIN2D. These disorders are associated with a spectrum of symptoms such as developmental delay, intellectual disability, epilepsy, movement disorders, speech and language impairment, and neuropsychiatric features. The clinical presentation and severity vary depending on the specific gene and mutation involved.
No HPO annotations are available for this condition.
GRIN2D-related developmental and epileptic encephalopathy (GRIN2D-related DEE) is characterized by mild-to-profound developmental delay or intellectual disability, epilepsy, abnormal muscle tone (hypotonia and spasticity), movement disorders (dystonia, dyskinesia, chorea), autism spectrum disorder, and cortical visual impairment. Additional findings can include sleep disorders and feeding difficulties. To date, a pathogenic missense variant in GRIN2D has been identified in 22 individuals [, , , , , ] and an additional four unpublished individuals enrolled in the GRIN Portal/Registry. The following description of the phenotypic features associated with this condition is based on these reports. Developmental delay / intellectual disability.
No consensus clinical diagnostic criteria for GRIN2D-related developmental and epileptic encephalopathy (GRIN2D-related DEE) have been published.
GRIN2D-related DEE should be considered in individuals with the following clinical and/or brain MRI findings.
Clinical findings
Mild-to-profound developmental delay (DD) or intellectual disability (ID); AND
No approved treatments are currently available for GRIN-related complex neurodevelopmental disorder. The disease remains an area of unmet medical need.
No clinical practice guidelines for GRIN2D-related DEE have been published. Evaluations Following Initial Diagnosis To establish the extent of disease and needs in an individual diagnosed with GRIN2D-related DEE, the evaluations summarized (if not performed as part of the evaluation that led to the diagnosis) are recommended. Table 2. Recommended Evaluations Following Initial Diagnosis in Individuals with GRIN2D-Related DEE
Table 4. Recommended Surveillance for Individuals with GRIN2D-Related DEE
System/Concern |
|---|
No clinical trials have been registered for GRIN-related complex neurodevelopmental disorder.
2 publications have been identified in PubMed for GRIN-related complex neurodevelopmental disorder. Research spans Basic Science / Preclinical (100%).
Yam M (2026). [PMID: 40277233](https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/40277233/). *Brain : a journal of neurology*. [Basic Science / Preclinical]
Li C (2025). [PMID: 40423426](https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/40423426/). *Toxics*. [Basic Science / Preclinical]
Data assembled from 3 of 12 sources · Last updated Sep 20, 2026, 3:03 PM UTC
Common questions about GRIN-related complex neurodevelopmental disorder
Source: GeneReviews — "GRIN2D-Related Developmental and Epileptic Encephalopathy"
Any of the following presenting in infancy or childhood:
Epilepsy
Muscular tone abnormalities such as hypotonia and spasticity
Dystonic, dyskinetic, or choreiform movement disorder
Autism spectrum disorder
Cortical visual impairment
Imaging findings. Brain MRI can show generalized volume loss as a sign of cerebral atrophy.
The diagnosis of GRIN2D-related DEE is established in a proband with suggestive fi...
Source: GeneReviews — "GRIN2D-Related Developmental and Epileptic Encephalopathy"
Because the phenotypic features associated with GRIN2D-related developmental and epileptic encephalopathy (GRIN2D-related DEE) are not sufficient to diagnose this condition, all disorders with the following features should be considered in the differential diagnosis:
Intellectual disability without other distinctive findings: see OMIM Autosomal Dominant,
Autosomal Recessive, Nonsyndromic X-Linked, and Syndromic X-linked Intellectual Developmental Disorder Phenotypic Series.
Developmental and epileptic encephalopathy: see OMIM Developmental and Epileptic Encephalopathy Phenotypic Series.
Of note, malformation of cortical development – described in some individuals with GRIN1- or GRIN2B-related neurodevelopmental disorder – has not been observed in GRIN2D-related DEE.
Source: GeneReviews — "GRIN2D-Related Developmental and Epileptic Encephalopathy"
System/Concern | Evaluation | Comment |
|---|---|---|
Neurologic | Neurologic eval | Incl: clinical eval for mvmt disorders, seizures; EEG, brain MRI |
Vision | Ophthalmologic eval | To assess for vision, abnormal ocular mvmt, best corrected visual acuity, refractive errors, strabismus Gastrointestinal/ |
Feeding | Gastroenterology / nutrition / feeding team eval | To incl eval of aspiration risk nutritional status, weight gain, constipation GERD; Consider eval for gastric tube placement in those w/dysphagia /or aspiration risk. |
Musculoskeletal | Orthopedics / physical medicine rehab / PT/OT eval | Exam for muscular hypotonia, spasticity, scoliosis; to incl assessment of:; Gross motor fine motor skills; Contractures, clubfoot, kyphoscoliosis; Mobility, ADL, need for adaptive devices; Need for PT (to improve gross motor skills) /or OT (to improve fine motor skills) |
Development | Developmental assessment | To incl motor, adaptive, cognitive speech/language eval; Eval for early intervention / special education Psychiatric/ |
Behavioral | Neuropsychiatric eval | In persons age 12 mos: screen for presence of behavioral problems incl sleep disturbances, ADHD, anxiety, /or traits suggestive of ASD. Ethics |
consultation | Clinical ethics services | Assess healthcare decisions in context of best interest of child family's values preferences. Genetic |
counseling | By genetics professionals1 | To inform affected persons their families re nature, MOI, implications of GRIN2D-DEE in order to facilitate medical personal decision making Family support resources |
Treatment of Manifestations in Individuals with GRIN2D-Related DEE Manifestation/Concern | Treatment | Considerations/Other |
DD/ID | See . | — |
Central visual impairment | No specific treatment; early intervention w/vision therapy may help to stimulate visual development. | — |
Epilepsy | Standardized treatment w/ASM by experienced neurologist | Many ASMs may be effective; no ASM has been demonstrated effective specifically for this disorder.; Education of parents / care givers1 |
Poor weight gain | Feeding therapy; gastrostomy tube placement may be required for persistent feeding issues. | Low threshold for clinical feeding eval /or radiographic swallowing study if clinical signs of dysphagia |
Muscular hypotonia, spasticity, movement disorder | Orthopedics / physical medicine rehab / PT/OT incl stretching to help avoid contractures falls. | Consider need for positioning mobility devices, disability parking placard. ASM = anti-seizure medication; OT = occupational therapy; PT = physical therapy Education of parents regarding common seizure presentations is appropriate. |
Source: GeneReviews — "GRIN2D-Related Developmental and Epileptic Encephalopathy"
Given the understanding of the drug memantine on GRIN2D function , anti-convulsant effects in animal models , and safety profile in children , memantine was tried in three affected individuals. While one showed a beneficial response, two did not . Due to the varying success of treatment with memantine, a targeted treatment recommendation cannot be given at this point. Search ClinicalTrials.gov in the US and EU Clinical Trials Register in Europe for access to information on clinical studies for a wide range of diseases and conditions. Note: There may not be clinical trials for this disorder.
Source: GeneReviews — "GRIN2D-Related Developmental and Epileptic Encephalopathy"
View trials for GRIN-related complex neurodevelopmental disorder
Evaluation
Frequency |
|---|
impairment | Ophthalmologic eval | As clinically indicated |
Gastrointestinal | Feeding, nutrition status, weight gain | As clinically indicated; for severely impaired patients: at every visit. |
Musculoskeletal | Exam for spasticity scoliosis by treating orthopedics / physical medicine rehab / PT/OT | Per treating clinicians Neurologic |
Psychiatric | Behavioral assessment for anxiety, attention, aggressive or self-injurious behavior | As clinically indicated |
Development | Monitor developmental progress educational needs. | At each visit Miscellaneous/ Other |
Community | Assess family need for social work support (e.g., palliative/respite care, home nursing, other local resources) care coordination, or follow-up genetic counseling if new questions arise (e.g., family planning). | At each visit OT = occupational therapy; PT = physical therapy |
Source: GeneReviews — "GRIN2D-Related Developmental and Epileptic Encephalopathy"