The Role of Deep Phenotyping of Precision Medicine for Rare Bone Diseases / 罕见病研究

Deep phenotyping is a precise and comprehensive approach used for the precise analysis and comprehensive assessment of multi-system phenotypes of the patients. The approach uses symptoms, signs, various medical examination and laboratory results, and other relevant medical information. In the clinical diagnosis and medical research of rare bone diseases, deep phenotyping plays a pivotal role. The realization of precision medicine primarily comprises three key dimensions: deep phenotyping, stratified medicine, and targeted therapy. The deep phenotyping is the basis for the latter two. Deep phenotyping not only facilitates fine subtyping of diseases, but also allows for the in-depth understanding of genetic data. The use of deep phenotyping requires stand- ardized terminology and specific procedures. Moreover, deep phenotyping shows substantial potential using the application of artificial intelligence technology particularly when combining with multi-omics techniques.

Genes Involved in Neurodevelopment, Neuroplasticity and Major Depression: No Association for CACNA1C, CHRNA7 and MAPK1

OBJECTIVE: Genetics factors are likely to play a role in the risk, clinical presentation and treatment outcome in major depressive disorder (MDD). In this study, we investigated the role of three candidate genes for MDD; calcium voltage-gated channel subunit alpha1 C (CACNA1C), cholinergic receptor nicotinic alpha 7 subunit (CHRNA7), and mitogen-activated protein kinase 1 (MAPK1). METHODS: Two-hundred forty-two MDD patients and 326 healthy controls of Korean ancestry served as samples for the analyses. Thirty-nine single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) within CACNA1C, CHRNA7, and MAPK1 genes were genotyped and subsequently tested for association with MDD (primary analysis) and other clinical features (symptoms’ severity, age of onset, history of suicide attempt, treatment outcome) (secondary analyses). Single SNPs, haplotypes and epistatic analyses were performed. RESULTS: Single SNPs were not associated with disease risk and clinical features. However, a combination of alleles (haplotype) within MAPK1 was found associated with MDD-status. Secondary analyses detected a possible involvement of CACNA1C haplotype in resistance to antidepressant treatment. CONCLUSION: These data suggest a role for MAPK1 and CACNA1C in MDD risk and treatment resistance, respectively. However, since many limitations characterize the analysis, the results must be considered with great caution and verified.

Familiar Hyperekplexia, a Potential Cause of Cautious Gait: A New Korean Case and a Systematic Review of Phenotypes

Familial hyperekplexia, also called startle disease, is a rare neurological disorder characterized by excessive startle responses to noise or touch. It can be associated with serious injury from frequent falls, apnea spells, and aspiration pneumonia. Familial hyperekplexia has a heterogeneous genetic background with several identified causative genes; it demonstrates both dominant and recessive inheritance in the α1 subunit of the glycine receptor (GLRA1), the β subunit of the glycine receptor and the presynaptic sodium and chloride-dependent glycine transporter 2 genes. Clonazepam is an effective medical treatment for hyperekplexia. Here, we report genetically confirmed familial hyperekplexia patients presenting early adult cautious gait. Additionally, we review clinical features, mode of inheritance, ethnicity and the types and locations of mutations of previously reported hyperekplexia cases with a GLRA1 gene mutation.