Wednesday, August 31, 2016

Autism? Developmental Delay? Epilepsy? When to use Exome Sequencing - Now Official AAN Policy



Emerging in my practice in 2013, exome has now become an everyday child neurology practice tool like MRI.  - JR


Clinical Exome sequencing in neurologic disease

  1. Bruce H. Cohen, MD
  1. Correspondence to:
    bfogel@ucla.edu
  1. Neurol Clin Practvol. 6 no. 2 164-176

ABSTRACT

Purpose of review: The landscape of genetic diagnostic testing has changed dramatically with the introduction of next-generation clinical exome sequencing (CES), which provides an unbiased analysis of all protein-coding sequences in the roughly 21,000 genes in the human genome. Use of this testing, however, is currently limited in clinical neurologic practice by the lack of a framework for appropriate use and payer coverage.
Recent findings: CES can be cost-effective due to its high diagnostic yield in comparison to other genetic tests in current use and should be utilized as a routine diagnostic test in patients with heterogeneous neurologic phenotypes facing a broad genetic differential diagnosis. CES can eliminate the need for escalating sequences of conventional neurodiagnostic tests.
Summary: This review discusses the role of clinical exome sequencing in neurologic disease, including its benefits to patients, limitations, appropriate use, and billing. We also provide a reference template policy for payer use when considering testing requests.
Clinical exome sequencing (CES) is a new state-of-the-art molecular diagnostic genetic test. It has the potential to rapidly and efficiently detect disease-causing genetic mutations within any gene in the human genome and is therefore becoming widely used in clinical practice. This template policy addresses the health benefits, limitations, and appropriate use of this type of testing in patients with neurologic disease.



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