Novel compound heterozygous mutation in NPC1 gene cause Niemann–Pick disease type C with juvenile onset

Niemann–Pick disease type C (NPC) is a progressive lysosomal storage disorder caused by mutations in the NPC1 (in 95% of cases) or NPC2 (in *5% of cases) genes, inherited in an autosomal recessive manner. We report the case of a 38-year-old woman with learning disorder from her first year of schooling, and could notice slow progressed cognitive impairment, social withdrawal, apathy, handwriting alterations, deterioration of language skills and dysphagia. Brain magnetic resonance imaging showed severe cerebellar atrophy, hypoplasia of the corpus callosum, asymmetric lateral ventricular enlargement, and severe enlargement of frontal and parietal subarachnoid spaces. Next generation sequencing for NPC genes (NPC1 and NPC2) detected compound heterozygous mutations in NPC1 gene, including c.1553G [A (p.Arg518Gln), paternally inherited, and c.1270C [ T (p.Pro424Ser) maternally inherited. The first mutation has been already described in literature and correlated to NPC, while the second mutation is still unknown. Moreover, filipin test and quantification of plasma oxysterols confirmed NPC diagnosis. We can suggest the missense mutation c.1270C [ T (p.Pro424Ser) as a new causative mutation of NPC

Hyperprolinemia Type IA: Benign Metabolic Anomaly or a Trigger for Brain Dysfunction?

Abstract Objective: Hyperprolinemia type I (HPI) is a rare and inherited autosomal recessive disorder caused by proline oxidase deficiency. Hyperprolinemia type 1 is biochemically defined as high plasma proline levels without urinary ?-1-pyrroline-5-carboxylate excretion. Hyperprolinemia type 1 has been considered a benign metabolic disorder, but a relationship with neurological disorders has recently been suggested. Study Design: We retrospectively analyzed plasma amino acid values obtained by amino acid analysis from 10 030 children admitted for neurological reasons during the years 1996 to 2010 at the Regional Sicilian Centre for Metabolic Diseases. Patients with proline levels above the normal range of 129 to 245 ?M were identified. Results: Only 2 children showed high levels of proline (450-480 ?M and 380-470 ?M, respectively), but their disorders (tubercular neuroencephalitis and progressive mitochondrial encephalopathy) did not seem to be related to hyperprolinemia as a causative factor. Conclusion: The question of HPI as benign metabolic anomaly or as a direct cause of brain damage is still open. Since HPI is rare, other observations on this regard are necessary.