Background: Segawa syndrome due to GTP cyclohydrolase deficiency is an autosomal dominant disorder with variable expression, that is clinically characterised by L-dopa responsive, diurnally fluctuating dystonia and pa...Background: Segawa syndrome due to GTP cyclohydrolase deficiency is an autosomal dominant disorder with variable expression, that is clinically characterised by L-dopa responsive, diurnally fluctuating dystonia and parkinsonian symptoms. Objective: To delineate the neurological and psychiatric phenotype in all affected individuals of three extended families. Methods: GTP cyclohydrolase deficiency was documented by biochemical analyses, enzymatic measurements in fibroblasts, and molecular investigations. All affected individuals were examined neurologically, and psychiatric data were systematically reviewed. Results: Eighteen affected patients from three families with proven GTP cyclohydrolase deficiency were identified. Eight patients presenting at less than 20 years of age had typical motor symptoms of dystonia with diurnal variation. Five family members had late-presenting mild dopa-responsive symptoms of rigidity, frequent falls, and tendonitis. Among mutation carriers older than 20 years of age, major depressive disorder, often recurrent, and obsessive-compulsive disorder were strikingly more frequent than observed in the general population. Patients responded well to medication increasing serotonergic neurotransmission and to L-dopa substitution. Sleep disorders including difficulty in sleep onset and maintenance, excessive sleepiness, and frequent disturbing nightmares were present in 55% of patients. Conclusion: Physicians should be aware of this expanded phenotype in affected members of families with GTP cyclohydrolase deficiency.展开更多
Spinocerebellar ataxia type 6 (SCA6) is an autosomal dominantly inherited disorder characterized by cerebellar ataxia, dysarthria and nystagmus. The molecular background for the disorder is a CAG repeat expansion in t...Spinocerebellar ataxia type 6 (SCA6) is an autosomal dominantly inherited disorder characterized by cerebellar ataxia, dysarthria and nystagmus. The molecular background for the disorder is a CAG repeat expansion in the CACNA1A gene located on chromosome 19. The size of SCA6 expanded alleles is usually stable, and variation in repeat size over successive generations is rare. We report a Danish family with one case of SCA6 resembling a sporadic case of spinocerebellar ataxia. Analysis of the CACNA1A gene showed meiotic CAG repeat instability in the transmission from a 70- year-old woman with no subjective symptoms to her symptomatic son. The CAG repeat size expanded from 22 repeats in the mother to 23 repeats in the proband. This case demonstrates maternal repeat instability and clinical anticipation in a family with SCA6.展开更多
文摘Background: Segawa syndrome due to GTP cyclohydrolase deficiency is an autosomal dominant disorder with variable expression, that is clinically characterised by L-dopa responsive, diurnally fluctuating dystonia and parkinsonian symptoms. Objective: To delineate the neurological and psychiatric phenotype in all affected individuals of three extended families. Methods: GTP cyclohydrolase deficiency was documented by biochemical analyses, enzymatic measurements in fibroblasts, and molecular investigations. All affected individuals were examined neurologically, and psychiatric data were systematically reviewed. Results: Eighteen affected patients from three families with proven GTP cyclohydrolase deficiency were identified. Eight patients presenting at less than 20 years of age had typical motor symptoms of dystonia with diurnal variation. Five family members had late-presenting mild dopa-responsive symptoms of rigidity, frequent falls, and tendonitis. Among mutation carriers older than 20 years of age, major depressive disorder, often recurrent, and obsessive-compulsive disorder were strikingly more frequent than observed in the general population. Patients responded well to medication increasing serotonergic neurotransmission and to L-dopa substitution. Sleep disorders including difficulty in sleep onset and maintenance, excessive sleepiness, and frequent disturbing nightmares were present in 55% of patients. Conclusion: Physicians should be aware of this expanded phenotype in affected members of families with GTP cyclohydrolase deficiency.
文摘Spinocerebellar ataxia type 6 (SCA6) is an autosomal dominantly inherited disorder characterized by cerebellar ataxia, dysarthria and nystagmus. The molecular background for the disorder is a CAG repeat expansion in the CACNA1A gene located on chromosome 19. The size of SCA6 expanded alleles is usually stable, and variation in repeat size over successive generations is rare. We report a Danish family with one case of SCA6 resembling a sporadic case of spinocerebellar ataxia. Analysis of the CACNA1A gene showed meiotic CAG repeat instability in the transmission from a 70- year-old woman with no subjective symptoms to her symptomatic son. The CAG repeat size expanded from 22 repeats in the mother to 23 repeats in the proband. This case demonstrates maternal repeat instability and clinical anticipation in a family with SCA6.