Whole genome sequencing robustly detects the most common inherited neurological diseases and is adopted by healthcare

The study – published today in The Lancet Neurology – was led by Queen Mary University of London, Illumina, University College London and Genomics England, in conjunction with NHS England – and assessed the diagnostic accuracy of WGS against the test used as standard across the NHS.

This study evaluated the role of WGS in the commonest causes of inherited neurological diseases that usually require multiple tests, a process that results in a long diagnostic odyssey. These repeat expansion disorders have short repetitive DNA sequences that cause disorders such as Fragile X syndrome (intellectual disability), Huntington’s disease, Friedreich's ataxia (FA) and some forms of amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) and frontal lobe – or frontotemporal – dementia (FTD).

The study first analysed the accuracy of WGS to detect repeat expansion disorders by comparing the test currently in use, PCR (polymerase chain reaction), with WGS from 404 patients previously tested in the NHS. The findings highlighted the accuracy and sensitivity of WGS in detecting these kinds of conditions was equivalent to using PCR tests.

Then, the study used WGS from 11,631 undiagnosed people who had clinical features associated with a repeat expansion disorder who are participants in the 100,000 Genomes Project. Among the 68 people who benefited from a diagnosis were six children, some of whom did not have a reported family history of repeat expansion disorders and who previously did not have receive a diagnosis, including a 10-year-old girl with an intellectual disability and an 18-year-old teenager with dementia.

The study demonstrated a quicker and more efficient diagnosis can be achieved through whole genome analysis for those patients who have not previously received a diagnosis replacing multiple tests over months or years.

This is because PCR tests are often locus-specific, meaning only one gene is looked at each time. The process is time-consuming and results in the underdiagnosis of people who have atypical clinical presentations, especially children without a previous positive family history. By contrast, a single WGS test can diagnose many disorders.

The findings support using whole genome sequencing within the NHS to diagnose patients whose doctors believe may have a repeat expansion disorder. The benefits of doing so would include:

- supplying an answer for a previously undiagnosed condition

- relatives knowing that the genetic condition runs in the family

- improved understanding of how frequently a genetic mutation appears in the population

- an increase in clinical drug / treatment trials

Professor Sir Mark Caulfield from Queen Mary University of London and former Chief Scientist at Genomics England, said: “This represents a major advance in the application of whole genomes enabling detection of previously unexpected inherited neurological disorders. At the moment, diagnosing this type of neurological disorder often depends on people having a family history of the disease or specific clinical symptoms, using WGS we can detect these and new repeat expansion disorders.”

Dr Arianna Tucci, Medical Research Council Clinician Scientist fellow at Queen Mary University of London and University College London, said: “Repeat expansion disorders are estimated to affect 1/3000 people. Before this study, it was thought to be difficult to diagnose them using whole genome sequencing. Our study validates the use of whole genome sequencing, a newly introduced genetic test in the National Health Service, to diagnose the commonest form of inherited neurological diseases.”

Dr Richard Scott, Chief Medical Officer at Genomics England, said: “This is a clear example of the sort of innovation that we are proud to have helped accelerate and of the impact the UK has been able to have by linking research with routine care in genomics. This work has allowed us to deploy new tools that can detect variation in the genome that more targeted sequencing misses. This has already led to diagnoses and better care for the families with rare disease in the 100,000 Genomes Project and is being used to support diagnosis in the NHS Genomic Medicine Service.”

Dr Ryan Taft, Vice President of Scientific Research at Illumina, said: “This study demonstrates that whole genome sequencing can be used in clinical laboratories for the diagnosis of patients who have a neurological disorder, such as Huntington’s disease. For the large percentage of patients with suspected repeat expansion disorders who remain undiagnosed, this should bring hope that a diagnosis may soon be possible.”

Professor Dame Sue Hill, Chief Scientific Officer for England, said: “This research demonstrated the power of whole genome sequencing in helping to detect common neurological conditions and how it can lead to faster and more accurate diagnoses. We are already seeing the benefit of WGS in a clinical setting through the NHS Genomic Medicine Service and this research further proves the benefits of this kind of testing.”

Eileen, a patient at The Ataxia Centre in London and who was diagnosed with Friedreich's ataxia through the study, said: “Having Friedreich ataxia has taken away everything I’ve loved. Over the last 15 years I’ve gone from someone who was confident, loved to dance and socialise to now using a walker and having slurred speech. Now when I meet people, I immediately think that they might be judging me.

“Before my diagnosis, I thought it would be better if I had cancer as there’s usually a clear path of action to help you fight the disease. Having a diagnosis isn’t a cure, but at last I knew what was happening and to understand what I needed to do to delay the inevitable for as long as possible. I do Pilates and work with a personal trainer twice week to maximise my strength and fitness to combat the progression. I am grateful to the London Specialist Ataxia Centre whose research programme allowed me to have a definitive genetic diagnosis, that otherwise would have taken many years to be made, if at all. I feel it is beneficial for patients with rare diseases to go to specialist centres where research is ongoing.

“Just as importantly, getting definitively diagnosed meant my family could also have a genetic test. Sadly, the Ataxia Centre could swiftly confirm that my younger sister also has FRDA so she’s doing everything to combat progressions.

“There are currently no cures for FRDA but I’m looking to the future with much more optimism – hopefully there will be a treatment in the not-so-distant future.”

Professor Patrick Chinnery, Clinical Director at the Medical Research Council, said: “Many patients with neurological disorders never receive a precise diagnosis. This new study shows how whole genome sequencing can address this challenge through a genuinely national programme, taking world-leading research to patients across the whole of England and improving their health care.”