The clinical spectrum of Alternating Hemiplegia of Childhood (AHC) is wide and characterized by the association of permanent and paroxysmal (palsy, dystonia, ocular, epileptic, dysautonomic events) neurological events, with onset in childhood. Most of AHC patients carry mutations in the ATP1A3 gene. This gene encodes the Na+/K+ ATPase witch is a transmembrane ion pump generating chemical and electrical gradient of sodium and potassium across the plasma membrane. Those paroxystic events in AHC patients with mutations in the ATP1A3 gene could be associated with a glucidic/energetic metabolism or intracerebral excitability disorder.~Triheptanoin is a triglyceride, whose derivatives pass the blood - brain barrier and enhance the Krebs cycle functions. Triheptanoin could therefore allow energy supply to the brain, which is essential for the functioning of the Na+/ K+ ATPase that consumes a significant amount of energy in the brain.~The investigators goal is to do a pilot study to test the effectiveness on paroxystic manifestations and the safety of triheptanoin in a small group of patients with Alternating Hemiplegia of Childhood secondary to ATP1A3 mutations.
The purpose of this project is to study the efficacy of triheptanoin oil in patients with Alternating Hemiplegia of Childhood (AHC) due to ATP1A3 gene mutation.