SEROLOGIC HLA TYPING IN CRYPTOGENIC LENNOX-GASTAUT SYNDROME

Serologic HLA typing was performed on 12 patients with cryptogenic Lennox-Gastaut syndrome and compared to a normal control group of 1661 Caucasians, In the Lennox-Gastaut group we found a significant increase in the frequency of DR5 antigen (55%, chi(2) = 5.6), and an indication of a decrease in the frequency of DR4 antigen (0%, chi(2) = 3.0) as compared with controls (20% and 28%, respectively). No significant differences existed in the frequencies of HLA-A, B, and C antigens between the Lennox-Gastaut group and the controls. These findings contribute to the hypothesis that immunogenetic mechanisms may play a role in triggering or maintaining cryptogenic Lennox-Gastaut syndrome.