Nueva mutación en el gen KMT2B como causa de distonía generalizada de inicio temprano: reporte de caso / Early-onset generalized dystonia caused by a new mutation in the KMT2B gene: Case report

La distonía por mutación en el gen KMT2B es un subtipo recientemente descrito del inicio focal de la enfermedad en los miembros inferiores que, posteriormente, evoluciona a una forma generalizada con compromiso cervical y orofaríngeo, disartria, trastorno secundario de la deglución y discapacidad intelectual. Se describe el caso de una escolar de 10 años de edad, sin antecedentes de consanguinidad ni historia familiar de enfermedad neurológica, que presentó alteración de la marcha y distonía de inicio focal, de curso progresivo a una forma generalizada que afectó sus músculos orofaciales y bulbares con alteración significativa del lenguaje y la deglución. Los estudios metabólicos y sistémicos, incluidas las neuroimágenes, no evidenciaron anormalidades. Se hizo una secuenciación genómica completa y se identificó una nueva variante, probablemente patogénica heterocigota, en el gen KMT2B, la c.1205delC, p.(Pro402Hisfs*5), que causa desplazamiento en el marco de lectura. Este hallazgo explica el fenotipo de la paciente y la distonía de inicio temprano autosómica dominante. Se reporta una nueva mutación heterocigota del gen KMT2B como causa de distonía generalizada de inicio temprano, no reportada en la literatura especializada hasta el momento. El diagnóstico de esta afección tiene implicaciones en el tratamiento y el pronóstico de los pacientes, porque las estrategias terapéuticas tempranas pueden prevenir su rápido deterioro y un curso más grave de la enfermedad.

Introduction: KMT2B-related dystonia is a recently described subtype of focal-onset dystonia in the lower limbs, evolving into a generalized form with cervical, oropharyngeal involvement, dysarthria, swallowing disorder and intellectual disability. Clinical case: We describe the case of a 10-year-old female patient, without a history of consanguinity or neurological disease. She manifested abnormal gait and dystonia with focal onset and progressive course with evolution into generalized dystonia, affecting orofacial and bulbar muscles, significant alteration of language and swallowing. Metabolic and systemic studies, including neuroimaging, were found to be normal. A complete genomic sequencing study was performed identifying a new, probably pathogenic, heterozygous variant in the KMT2B gene, c.1205delC, p. (Pro402Hisfs*5), causing displacement in the reading frame, a finding that explains the patient's phenotype and it is associated to autosomal dominant childhood-onset dystonia-28. Conclusion: We report a new heterozygous mutation in the KMT2B gene as a cause of generalized early-onset dystonia not reported in the literature until the date. The diagnosis of this pathology has implications for the treatment and prognosis of patients, given that therapeutic strategies implemented early can prevent the fast deterioration and severe course of this disease.

Tormenta distónica en psiquiatría de enlace: a propósito de un caso / Dystonic storm in consultation-liaison psychiatry

RESUMEN Las distonías son trastornos del movimiento caracterizados por contracciones musculares sostenidas que producen movimientos repetitivos de torsión o posturas anormales. Pueden clasificarse según la etiología como primarias (formas idiopáticas y genéticas) o secundarias. La presentación asociada con episodios generalizados, intensos y con exacerbación de contracturas musculares intensas que suelen ser refractarias a la farmacoterapia tradicional se conoce como status distónico o tormenta distónica. Se presenta el caso de un paciente de 33 arios, con antecedente de sordera congénita, trastorno por consumo de sustancias psicoactivas y tratamiento psicofarmacológico con antipsicóticos, que presentó un cuadro distónico grave que evolucionó a un status distónico.

ABSTRACT Dystonia is a movement disorder characterised by sustained muscle contractions that produce repetitive twisting movements or abnormal postures. It can be classified according to the aetiology as primary (idiopathic and genetic forms), or secondary. The presentation associated with generalised, intense episodes and with exacerbation of severe muscle contractures and usually refractory to traditional pharmacotherapy is known as dystonic status or dystonic storm. In the present article, a case is presented of a 33-year-old patient with a history of congenital deafness, stimulant use disorder and on psychopharmacological treatment with antipsychotics, who presented with a severe dystonic reaction that evolved to a status dystonicus.

Presentación atípica de síndrome de CamuratiEngelmann en una paciente femenina colombiana. Reporte de caso / Atypical presentation of Camurati-Engelmann syndrome in a colombian female patient. Case report

Resumen El síndrome de Camurati-Engelmann, también conocido como displasia diafisaria progresiva, es una enfermedad rara, autosómica dominante y con una prevalencia de uno por cada millón de habitantes. Genera mutaciones del factor de crecimiento transformante beta, que participa en la proliferación ósea. Son frecuentes las manifestaciones osteomusculares y neurológicas, con escasas expresiones de laboratorio. El diagnóstico se basa en la clínica, los hallazgos radiológicos y la confirmación genética; el tratamiento se dirige al control sintomático y el pronóstico es incierto. La presente publicación tiene como objetivo compartir con la comunidad médica el tercer caso de síndrome de Camurati-Engelmann conocido en Colombia. Se trata de una paciente femenina de 33 años con cuadro clínico de distonías intensas y signos y síntomas característicos de este síndrome, cuyo diagnóstico fue confirmado por prueba molecular, encontrando la presencia de la variante patogénica p.Arg156Cys en el gen TGF-β1, con presentación de novo. MÉD.UIS.2021;34(1): 119-27.

Abstract Camurati-Engelmann syndrome, also known as progressive diaphyseal dysplasia, is a rare, autosomal dominant disease with a prevalence of one per million inhabitants. It generates mutations of the transforming growth factor beta, which participates in bone proliferation. Osteomuscular and neurological manifestations are frequent, with few laboratory expressions. The diagnosis is based on the clinic, radiological findings, and genetic confirmation, treatment is aimed at symptom control and prognosis is uncertain. The objective of this publication is to share with the medical community the third case of Camurati-Engelmann syndrome known in Colombia. This is a 33-year- old female patient with a clinical picture of intense dystonia and characteristic signs and symptoms of this syndrome, whose diagnosis was confirmed by molecular testing, finding the presence of the pathogenic variant p.Arg156Cys in the TGF-β1 gene, with de novo presentation. MÉD.UIS.2021;34(1): 119-27.

A family report of myoclonus-dystonia caused by epsilon-sarcoglycan gene mutation / 中华神经科杂志

Objective:To analyze the clinical phenotype and gene mutation characteristics in a family of myoclonus-dystonia caused by epsilon-sarcoglycan (SGCE) gene mutation in order to improve the understanding of the disease.Methods:The clinical data of a family with myoclonus-dystonia from the Shaanxi Provincial People′s Hospital in August 2019 were collected. The proband was confirmed by generation sequencing techniques to detect possible pathogenic mutations and the Sanger test was used in the family members, and the mutation characteristics of SGCE gene were analyzed and the clinical features were summarized.Results:The proband, a 46-year-old man, presented with spasmodic torticollis accompanied with involuntary movements of the extremities (especially on the left). A gene mutation of c.1011delA at the chr7:94229984 was identified by genetic testing in the SGCE gene, which is an unreported frameshift mutation at home and abroad. Sanger sequencing revealed the same mutation site in the proband′s eldest sister, second elder brother and his grandnephew, who pessented similar symptoms as the proband including myoclonus and dystonia. The proband′s younger niece and grandniece were a mutation carrier without obvious symptoms.Conclusions:SGCE myoclonus-dystonia is a rare autosomal dominant inherited disorder characterized by the presentation of both myoclonic jerks and dystonia, which shows clinical heterogeneity and maternal imprinting. Genetic testing confirmed the diagnosis of SGCE myoclonus-dystonia and the pathogenic mutation c.1011delA in the SGCE gene.

Distonía de la embocadura: revisión narrativa de la literatura / Embouchure dystonia: narrative literature review

RESUMEN La ejecución excesiva de instrumentos de viento puede ser un factor causal para el desarrollo de distonía de la embocadura, caracterizada clínicamente por la aparición de contracciones musculares involuntarias, asociadas con la pérdida del control motor. Es importante que los profesionales y especialistas tengan el conocimiento necesario al momento de diagnosticar y tratar a la población que puede presentar este trastorno. El objetivo de esta revisión es examinar la literatura científica disponible en cuanto a la historia, epidemiología, fisiopatología, diagnóstico y tratamiento de la distonía de la embocadura en intérpretes de instrumentos de viento, con el fin de brindar herramientas para la prevención, el diagnóstico y el tratamiento de los músicos potencialmente susceptibles de desarrollar este trastorno.

SUMMARY Excessive practice of musical wind instruments may be a causal factor for the development of embouchure dystonia, clinically characterized by the appearance of involuntary muscle contractions associated with loss of motor control while interpreting a wind instrument. It is important for health professionals to have the necessary knowledge when diagnosing and treating musicians that are at risk or already have this disorder. The purpose of this review is to examine the scientific literature on the history, epidemiology, pathophysiology, diagnosis and treatment of embouchure dystonia in wind instrument interpreters, in order to provide the clinician tools for prevention, diagnosis and treatment in musicians who are susceptible for the development of this disorder.

Estimulación cerebral profunda en distonía primaria: primer niño operado en Uruguay / Deep brain stimulation in primary dystonia: first pediatric surgery carried out in Uruguay / Estimulação cerebral profunda na distonia primária: primeira criança operada no Uruguai

Resumen: Introducción: la distonía es uno de los trastornos neurológicos del movimiento más comunes en la edad pediátrica. Frecuentemente refractario al tratamiento farmacológico, puede tener un fuerte impacto negativo en la calidad de vida del niño y sus cuidadores. Existe, entonces, especial interés en el desarrollo de nuevas herramientas terapéuticas, como la estimulación cerebral profunda. El objetivo de este trabajo es presentar el primer caso en Uruguay de un niño con distonía hereditaria aislada, confirmado genéticamente, sometido a un implante de neuroestimulador cerebral. Caso clínico: se trata de un escolar de 11 años en quien se diagnosticó distonía hereditaria, de inicio precoz (a los 9 años), portador de la mutación DYT1. El cuadro distónico fue catalogado como grave e incapacitante. Dada su refractariedad al tratamiento médico, fue sometido a una estimulación del globo pálido interno (GPi) bilateral. La intervención quirúrgica permitió, a los tres meses de seguimiento, una mejoría de 76% en el score motor de la escala Burke Fahn Marsden Dystonia Rating Scale (BFMDRS-M), 70% en el score de discapacidad (BFMDRS-D) y una mejoría sustancial (72%) en la calidad de vida del niño (cuestionario SF36). Discusión: los cuadros de distonía aislada, de causa hereditaria y sin neurodegeneración o lesiones estructurales del sistema nervioso central, como el de nuestro paciente, son los que mejor responden a este tipo de intervención. La estimulación palidal es un tratamiento realizable en nuestro país, seguro y efectivo, en un grupo de niños distónicos seleccionados cuidadosamente.

Summary: Introduction: dystonia is one of the most common neurological movement disorders in children. Often refractory to pharmacological treatment, it may have a profound negative impact in the quality of life of children and caretakers. Thus, the special interest in developing new therapeutic approaches, such as deep brain stimulation. The aim of this paper is to present the first case in Uruguay of a child who showed isolated hereditary dystonia, confirmed with genetic testing, who underwent surgical placement of a brain neurostimulating device. Clinical case: 11 year-old boy diagnosed with early-onset (at age 9) hereditary dystonia, carrier of DYT1 mutation. The dystonic symptoms were considered severe and disabling. Given his refractoriety to medical treatment, the patient was submitted to bilateral stimulation of the globus pallidus internus (GPi). The surgical intervention, assessed at a 3 month-follow-up, led to a 76% improvement in the Burke Fahn Marsden Dystonia Rating Scale motor score (BFMDRS-M), 70% improvement in the disability score (BFMDRS-D), and substantial improvement (72%) in the child's quality of life (SF36 questionnaire). Discussion: patients suffering from inherited isolated dystonia without neurodegeneration or structural lesions of the central nervous system, as it was the case of our patient, are the best candidates for this type of surgery. Pallidal stimulation is a feasible treatment in our country; it is safe and effective in a group of carefully selected dystonic children.

Resumo: Introdução: a distonia é um dos distúrbios neurológicos mais comuns em crianças. Muitas vezes refratária ao tratamento farmacológico, pode ter um profundo impacto negativo na qualidade de vida de crianças e cuidadores. Porém, existe um interesse especial no desenvolvimento de novas abordagens terapêuticas, como a estimulação cerebral profunda. O objetivo deste artigo é apresentar o primeiro caso no Uruguai de uma criança que apresentou distonia hereditária isolada, confirmada com testes genéticos, e a quem inserimos um neuroestimulador cerebral. Caso clínico: menino de 11 anos diagnosticado com distonia hereditária de início precoce (aos 9 anos de idade) portador da mutação DYT1. Os sintomas distônicos foram considerados graves e incapacitantes. Dada a sua refratariedade ao tratamento médico, o paciente foi submetido à estimulação bilateral do globus pallidus internus (GPi). A intervenção cirúrgica, avaliada aos 3 meses de acompanhamento, levou a uma melhora de 76% no escore motor da Escala de Avaliação de Distúrbio de Burke Fahn Marsden (BFMDRS-M), melhora de 70% no escore de incapacidade (BFMDRS-D) e melhoria substancial (72%) na qualidade de vida da criança (questionário SF36). Discussão: os pacientes que sofrem de distonia isolada hereditária sem neurodegeneração ou lesões estruturais do sistema nervoso central, como foi o caso de nosso paciente, são os melhores candidatos para este tipo de cirurgia. A estimulação palidal é um tratamento viável em nosso país, e sua realização é segura e eficaz num grupo de crianças distônicas cuidadosamente selecionadas.

Transcranial Direct Current Stimulation Combined with Action Observation and Electromyographic Biofeedback Training in a Patient with Writer's Cramp

We present a 47-year-old right-handed woman with a 15-year history of writer's cramp who was provided with six sessions of cathodal transcranial direct current stimulation (tDCS) combined with observation of writing actions performed by a healthy subject and electromyographic (EMG) biofeedback training to decrease EMG activities in her right forehand muscles while writing for 30 min for 4 weeks. She showed improvement in dystonic posture and writing speed after the intervention. The writing movement and writing speed scores on a writer's cramp rating scale decreased, along with writing time. Our findings demonstrated that cathodal tDCS combined with action observation and EMG biofeedback training might improve dystonic writing movements in a patient with writer's cramp.

Status distónico, a propósito de dos casos / Status dystonicus, apropos of two cases

El status distónico (SD) es una emergencia médica infrecuente y sub-diagnosticada, común en distonías secundarias; las infecciones son el factor gatillante más frecuente. Puede ser distonía tónica o fásica. El fenotipo tónico es usual en varones, distonías secundarias y tiene peor pronóstico. Se acompaña de hiperpirexia y rabdomiólisis que puede complicarse con falla renal aguda, insuficiencia respiratoria o la muerte. No hay ensayos clínicos disponibles sobre el tratamiento, aunque las benzodiacepinas, trihexifenidilo, levodopa, tetrabenazina, baclofeno, gabapentina han mostrado diversos grados de control sintomático. Se reporta el caso de dos niños, con parálisis cerebral infantil y antecedente de kernícterus que desarrollaron SD después de un cuadro infeccioso, ambos respondieron favorablemente a benzodiacepinas, Levodopa, baclofeno, bromocriptina y gabapentina. En el Perú correspondería a los primeros casos publicados a la fecha

Status dystonicus (SD) is a rare and underdiagnosed medical emergency, which is usually triggered by infectious conditions. SD may have tonic or phasic dystony. The tonic phenotype is common in men, and those with secondary dystony may have a worse prognosis. The condition is accompanied by hyperpyrexia and rhabdomyolysis that may complicate with acute renal failure, respiratory insufficiency or even death. There are no clinical trials available with respect to its therapy; but drugs such as benzodiazepines, trihexyphenidyl, levodopa, tetrabenazine, baclofen, and gabapentin have shown different degrees of symptomatic control. This article reports two cases of SD in children with cerebral palsy and a past medical history of kernicterus who developed SD after an infectious condition. Both children responded satisfactorily to benzodiazepines, levodopa, baclofen, bromocriptine, and gabapentin. These are the very first cases of SD reported in Peru

A childhood-onset rapid-onset dystonia parkinsonism family with ATP1A3 gene mutation and literatures review / 中华儿科杂志

Objective@#To explore clinical characteristics, treatment, and prognosis of a family with childhood-onset rapid-onset dystonia parkinsonism (RDP) caused by ATP1A3 gene mutation and review literatures.@*Method@#The clinical data of a RDP child, his brother and mother had been analyzed retrospectively. This family was admitted to Xiangya Hospital in January 2016. DNA samples were analyzed by the next-generation sequencing and confirmed by Sanger sequencing. Related literature from PubMed, Online Mendelian Inheritance in Man (OMIM), CNKI and Wanfang databases to date (up to October 2016) with"Rapid-onset dystonia-parkinsonism""RDP""DYT12" as key words was reviewed.@*Result@#The proband boy was three years and four months old (April 2015) when he had the first attack of the disease. After a febricity, he suddenly acquired acute aphasia and limb movement disorder. Rehabilitation therapy and supportive treatment made his speech gradually recovered but still slurred. However, his abnormal walking posture still existed. Nine months later (January 2016, 4 years and one months old), symptoms including aphasia, dysphagia, and weakness with rostrocaudal gradient reoccured after fever. The disease progressed to the critical condition within 24 hours. He"seizured" four times with tonic spasms of limbs but without loss of consciousness. Family history showed his grandparents were consanguineous marriage. His mother and brother also developed abnormal gait and dysarthria after an infection before primary school age. Their symptoms improved gradually without relapsing. However, they did not recover entirely with mild intellectual disability. His mother had a healthy brother and sister. This proband had no other siblings but the brother. Heterozygous missense mutation p. R756H in ATP1A3 gene was detected in this proband, his mother and his brother. This mutation had been reported pathogenically related to RDP, and it located in highly conserved gene region. Benzodiazepine was used for the proband and his brother, with the proband being improved better although not completely. Meanwhile, benzodiazepine had no significant effect on his mother because of poor compliance. This is the first case report of RDP in China. The mutations of ATP1A3 have been previously reported in 51 patients including 6 large families and 16 other unrelated patients. A total of 14 different mutations in ATP1A3 gene with RDP have been reported to date, including 12 missense mutations, a 3-bp in-frame deletion, and a 3-bp in-frame insertion. The sporadic cases all had the typical clinical phenotypes of RDP, such as the abrupt onset of dysarthria, dysphagia, limb dystonia with bradykinesia, and postural instability. The symptoms of bulbar and arms were much more obvious. It was hard to diagnose RDP in a family because some patients had typical symptoms of RDP, while the others might experience from mild symptoms to no symptoms, which might be related to incomplete penetrance of RDP. Two cases carrying the same mutation as our patients also presented some overlapping phenotypes.@*Conclusion@#The p. R756H heterozygous mutation in ATP1A3 gene is the pathogenic mutation of RDP, analysis of genotype-phenotype correlations of RDP will be very important and meaningful.

Delayed Diagnosis of Dopa-responsive Dystonia in Two Siblings.

Background: Dopa responsive dystonia is characterized by progressive disabling dystonia, diurnal variation and a dramatic response to Levodopa. Case characteristics: Two siblings presented with regression of motor milestones and hypertonia in lower limbs. History of diurnal variation was present in elder sibling. Outcome: Both responded dramatically to Levodopa. The genomic DNA analysis of elder sibling revealed a novel mutation. Message: A trial of Levodopa should be considered in a child with motor regression with diurnal variation, in the presence of extrapyramidal features.

Hereditary dopa-responsive dystonia: report of a family / 中华神经科杂志

Objective To evaluate the clinical features and guanosine triphosphate cyclohydrolase 1 (GCH-1) gene mutation in a family with dopa-responsive dystonia (DRD).Methods The clinical features of this family were collected and their peripheral blood samples were screened for mutation in GCH-1 gene using PCR and DNA direct sequencing.Results The clinical features among each patient in this family were different.But all affected family members had quite a good response to levodopa treatment without significant adverse reactions.DNA test showed an AT deletion mutation at point of 631-632 in the 6th exon of GCH-1 gene in 5 affected members and 1 asymptomatic immediate family member.Conclusions Clinical heterogeneity is an important characteristic of DRD and clinical symptoms vary intra-families.Same gene type may cause different phenotype and not all carriers are patients.The deletion mutation at point of 631-632 in the 6th exon of GCH-1 gene should be considered as a pathogenic mutation for DRD.

Clinical analysis of special cases with dopa responsive dystonia confirmed by genetic detection / 中华神经科杂志

Objective To investigate the efficiency of levodopa in dopa responsive dystonia (DRD) patients and drugs safety in pregnancy cases confirmed by genetic detection.Methods The clinical characteristics of two patients were analyzed.Direct sequences were performed in guanosine triphosphate (GTP) cyclohydrolase Ⅰ (GCH1) gene and tyrosine hydroxylase (TH) gene mutation screening.Results Case 1 was a young man exhibiting writer's cramp and dystonia of lower legs with marked diurnal fluctuation.Writer's cramp could not be relieved by treatment of low dose levodopa/benserazide.After increasing dose,the symptom of writer's cramp appeared occasionally.Case 2 was a young woman who experienced gait disorder.The symptom disappeared completely by levodopa treatment.She used levodopa and benzhexol during pregnancy.By 38 gestational weeks,she gave birth to a healthy baby.Sequence analysis of GCH1 gene in case 1 revealed a mutation (c.230C ＞ G p.S77C) that is a novel pathogenic mutation.The confirmed mutation c.628delC (p.His210Thrfs* 5) found in case 2 had been reported previously.No mutations in TH gene were detected in two patients.Condnsions Most of DRD patients have dramatic response to levodopa,but patients exhibited writer' s cramp may respond to levodopa incompletely.The previous reports indicate that no adverse events have been reported in DRD pregnant women with the monotherapy of levodopa.

Distonia focal da mão em músicos: implicações para a reabilitação / Focal Hand Dystonia in Musicians: Implications for Rehabilitation

A profissão do músico exige muito esforço psíquico e físico. Há várias situações em que o músico tem pouco tempo para preparar repertórios de alto nível que exigem muita flexibilidade, coordenação e motricidade fina, aumentando, portanto suas horas de estudo, podendo causar problemas como a distonia. A distonia focal da mão é uma desordem neurológica, geralmente específica da tarefa, frequente nesta população. O quadro clínico consiste em contrações musculares involuntárias com consequentes dificuldades e erros na execução musical. O objetivo deste estudo foi revisar a literatura sobre a distonia focal no músico, abordando causas, quadro clínico, prevenção e tratamentos existentes. A patogênese da distonia é multifatorial e diversas abordagens terapêuticas foram encontradas, incluindo reajuste sensório-motor; reeducação de postura e movimentos; reeducação sensorial; uso de toxina botulínica e reajustes ergonômicos. Para diagnosticar e elaborar um tratamento eficaz para o músico é necessário amplo conhecimento da patogênese e quadro clínico da distonia, do instrumento e técnica musical, postura e situação de trabalho do músico, requerendo uma abordagem individualizada.

The professional musician requires a great mental and physical effort. There are several situations in which the musician has a very short time to prepare high- -level repertoires that require a lot of flexibility, coordination and fine motor skills, thereby increasing their hours of study, may cause problems as focal dystonia. The focal hand dystonia is a neurological disorder, usually specific task, often in musicians. The clinical presentation consists of involuntary muscle contractions with resulting difficulties and errors in performance. The purpose of this study was a bibliographic review on focal dystonia in the musician approaching the causes, clinical features, prevention and treatments. The pathogenesis of dystonia is multifactorial and different therapeutic approaches have been found, including sensorimotor adjustment; rehabilitation of posture and movements; sensory reeducation; botulinum toxin and ergonomic adjustments. To diagnose and develop an effective treatment for the musician is necessary an extensive knowledge of the pathogenesis and clinical features of dystonia, instrument and musical technique, posture and work situation musician, with an individual approach.

Oromandibular dystonia after dental treatments: a report of two cases

Oromandibular dystonia (OMD) is a rare focal form of dystonia caused by prolonged muscles spasms in the mouth, face, and jaw. OMD can develop after dental treatment, as poorly aligned dentures or multiple tooth extraction may cause an impairment of proprioception in the oral cavity, leading to the subsequent development of dystonia. These repetitive involuntary jaw movements may interfere with chewing, swallowing, and speaking. We report here two cases of OMD after dental procedures.

Comparison of clinical characteristics of patients with adductor laryngeal dystonia in the focal and segmental types / Comparação entre características clínicas de pacientes com distonia laríngea de adução nas formas focal e segmentar

Dystonia is a central motor processing neurological disorder characterized by abnormal, often action-induced, involuntary movements or uncontrolled spasms. AIM: To compare patients with the diagnoses of focal and segmental adductor laryngeal dystonia at the Neurolarynx Outpatient Clinic of the Federal University of São Paulo. MATERIALS AND METHODS: A clinical retrospective study of data collected from patient registries from 2003 to 2009. RESULTS: Of 34 patients, 25 presented focal dystonia and 9 presented segmental dystonia. There were 30 females (88. 2 percent) and 4 males (11. 8 percent). A relation with a traumatic event was reported in 11 cases (32. 4 percent). Vocal tremor was observed in 21 patients (61. 8 percent). The mean age at onset, the age at diagnosis, and time between the onset and the diagnosis were respectively 55, 61. 3 and 6. 3 years. There was no statistical difference between patients with focal laryngeal adductor dystonia and segmental dystonia in the study data. CONCLUSIONS: There were no statistical differences among patients with focal adductor laryngeal dystonia and segmental dystonia relating to age of onset, age of diagnosis, gender, time between onset and diagnosis, presence of associated tremor, and relation to trauma.

A distonia é um transtorno neurológico do processamento motor central caracterizado por movimentos involuntários ou espasmos incontroláveis, induzidos por atividade. OBJETIVO: Comparar pacientes com o diagnóstico de distonia laríngea nas formas focal e distonia segmentar do Ambulatório de Neurolaringe. MATERIAL E MÉTODO: Estudo clínico retrospectivo a partir de levantamento dos prontuários entre 2003 e 2009. RESULTADOS: Dos 34 pacientes, 25 apresentaram distonia focal e 9 apresentaram distonia segmentar. Do total da amostra, 30 (88,2 por cento) eram do sexo feminino e 4 (11,8 por cento) do sexo masculino. A relação com situação traumática estava presente em 11 (32,4 por cento). O tremor associado esteve presente em 21 pacientes (61,8 por cento). A média da idade do início das queixas, idade do diagnóstico e do tempo de queixa até o diagnóstico da amostra foi respectivamente de 55 anos, 61,3 anos e 6,3 anos. Não houve diferença estatisticamente significativa entre pacientes com distonia laríngea focal e distonia laríngea nos dados pesquisados. CONCLUSÃO: Não houve diferenças entre pacientes com distonia laríngea focal e distonia laríngea segmentar quanto à idade de início, idade do diagnóstico, gênero, tempo de duração dos sintomas até o diagnóstico, presença de tremor associado e relação com situação traumática.

Influência da toxina botulínica tipo A na função lacrimal de pacientes com distonias faciais / Botulinum toxin type A influence on the lacrimal function of patients with facial dystonia

OBJETIVO: Avaliar a influência da toxina botulínica na função lacrimal de pacientes com distonias faciais. MÉTODOS: Pacientes com diagnóstico de espasmo hemifacial ou blefaroespasmo essencial em atividade foram clinicamente avaliados e responderam questionário de desconforto ocular (OSDI) e foram submetidos aos testes de Schirmer I e basal, tempo de ruptura do filme lacrimal e clearance da lágrima para avaliação da função lacrimal. No dia seguinte, os pacientes receberam tratamento padronizado com toxina botulínica. O questionário e todos os exames iniciais foram repetidos 30 dias após o tratamento pelo mesmo examinador. RESULTADOS: Foram incluídos 26 pacientes no estudo, sendo 15 (57,7 por cento) com espasmo hemifacial e 11(42,3 por cento) com blefaroespasmo essencial. Nos pacientes com espasmo hemifacial a média de idade foi 70,9 ± 13,3 anos e a relação masculino/feminino foi de 1:1,5. Nos pacientes com blefaroespasmo essencial a mé­dia de idade foi 68,9 ± 8,4 anos com predomínio do sexo feminino (90,9 por cento). Após o tratamento o escore do OSDI e os valores dos testes de Schirmer I e basal diminuíram significantemente nos dois grupos. O valor médio da ruptura do filme lacrimal aumentou significantemente nos dois grupos. No teste do clearance da lágrima houve um aumento no número de olhos que apresentaram drenagem completa da lágrima após o tratamento nos dois grupos. CONCLUSÃO: O tratamento com toxina botulínica melhorou os sintomas de olho seco em pacientes com distonias faciais. Apesar da porção aquosa da lágrima ter diminuído, as alterações no piscar aumentaram a estabilidade e melhoraram a drenagem da lágrima.

PURPOSE: To analyze the influence of botulinum toxin on the lacrimal function of patients with facial dystonias. METHODS: Patients with the diagnosis of hemifacial spasm or benign essential blepharospasm were evaluated and invited to answer the Ocular Surface Index Disease (OSID) questionnaire. All patients underwent Schirmer I and basal tests; break-up time (BUT) test and lacrimal clearance evaluation. On the following day, the patients were treated with botulinum toxin. The Ocular Surface Index Disease questionnaire and all the initial tests were reapplied 30 days after the treatment by the same examiner. RESULTS: Twenty-six patients were enrolled in this study, 15 (57.7 percent) with hemifacial spasm and 11 (42.3 percent) with benign essential blepharospasm. The mean age of patients with hemifacial spasm was 70.9 ± 13.3 years and the male:female ratio was 1:1.5. In the group of patients with benign essential blepharospasm, the mean age was 68.9 ± 8.4 years with a female preponderance (90.0 percent). After the treatment, the Ocular Surface Index Disease score, Schirmer I and basal tests score decreased in both groups. The mean of Break-up time test increased significantly in both groups. The lacrimal clearance evaluation showed a greater number of eyes that achieved a complete drainage of the tears after the treatment in both groups. CONCLUSION: The treatment with botulinum toxin improved dry eye symptoms in patients with facial dystonia. Despite of the aqueous portion of tear have decreased, blink modifications improved the tear stability and drainage.

A new therapeutic proposal for writer's cramp: a case report / Nova proposta terapêutica para a câimbra do escrivão: relato de caso

CONTEXT: Writer's cramp is a kind of focal hand dystonia that appears when individuals are writing. Since pharmacological treatment has not shown the desired therapeutic response, a study on immobilization of the damaged musculature was performed on two individuals with writer's cramp, using splints with the objective of reducing the handwriting abnormalities. CASE REPORT: Two patients presenting writer's cramp who had previously undergone different therapies, including botulinum toxin, without an adequate response, participated in a body awareness program, followed by immobilization of the hand musculature damaged by dystonia, by means of splints, with handwriting training. At the end of the procedure, objective and subjective improvements in the motor pattern of writing could be observed. The immobilization of the dystonic musculature of the hand by means of splints and the motor training of handwriting helped to improve and consequently to reduce the dystonic component observed in the writer's cramp.

CONTEXTO: A câimbra do escrivão é um tipo de distonia focal da mão que aparece quando a pessoa escreve. Como o tratamento farmacológico não tem mostrado a resposta terapêutica almejada, um estudo sobre a imobilização da musculatura comprometida foi feito em dois indivíduos com câimbra do escrivão, utilizando órteses com o objetivo de reduzir as alterações da escrita. RELATO DE CASO: Dois pacientes apresentando câimbra do escrivão que haviam sido submetidos previamente a terapêuticas, inclusive toxina botulínica, sem resposta adequada, participaram de um programa de consciência corporal, seguido de imobilização por órteses da musculatura da mão comprometida pela distonia, com treinamento da escrita. Ao término, evidenciaram melhora objetiva e subjetiva no padrão motor da escrita. A imobilização por órteses da musculatura distônica da mão e o treinamento motor da escrita favorecem a melhora e, consequentemente, a redução do componente distônico observado na câimbra do escrivão.

Clinical characteristics and genetic diagnosis of dopa-rcsponsive dystonia / 中华神经科杂志

Objective To investigate the clinical characteristics and mutations of guanosine triphosphate eyclohydrolase (GCH) Ⅰ gene in patients with dopa-responsive dystonia (DRD). Methods Five families with 18 affected family members and 17 patients with sporadic DRD were examined. Patients were allocated into 3 groups according to onset time, either in childhood, or in adolescence or adult. Interview, physical examination, psychologic testings and CT/MR scan were performed. Mutation screening was performed on 26 patients and 1 normal family nember. Thirty-five healthy control subjects were matched for age and sex. Statistical analysis were conducted with the use of SPSS 13.0 computer software. Results(1)Most of patients started with dystonia. The main clinical manifestation was dystonia too. There was no difference among 3 groups.(2) There were significant differences in diurnal fluctuation among 3 groups(15/15,6/6,7/14, χ2=13.125,P=0.001). Diurnal fluctuation negatively correlated with age (r=-0.720, P<0.01).(3)The differences in postural tremor were also found among 3 groups (7/15,5/6,1/14, χ2=8.073, P=0.018). Postural tremor positively correlated with age (r=0.399, P=0.018).(4)There were differences in exaggeration of tendon among three groups(11/15,1/6,4/14, χ2=8.309, P=0.016). Exaggeration of tendon reflexes negatively correlated with age (r=-0.429, P=0.010).(5)The scores of Hamilton Depression Scale and Hamilton Anxiety Scale in patients were higher than those in controls.(6)DNA sequencing revealed a heterozygous A224G missense mutation(Tyr75Cys)located within exon 1 in one autosomal dominant inheritance family. Conclusions The manifestations of DRD varies. The clinical course is closely correlated with age. A missense mutation(A224G)in coding region of the GCH 1 gene probablyleads to the occurrence of DRD.

Predisposition of genetic disease by modestly decreased expression of GCH1 mutant allele

Recently it was shown that single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) can explain individual variation because of the small changes of the gene expression level and that the 50% decreased expression of an allele might even lead to predisposition to cancer. In this study, we found that a decreased expression of an allele might cause predisposition to genetic disease. Dopa responsive dystonia (DRD) is a dominant disease caused by mutations in GCH1 gene. The sequence analysis of the GCH1 in a patient with typical DRD symptoms revealed two novel missense mutations instead of a single dominant mutation. Family members with either of the mutations did not have any symptoms of DRD. The expression level of a R198W mutant allele decreased to about 50%, suggesting that modestly decreased expression caused by an SNP should lead to predisposition of a genetic disease in susceptible individuals.

A functional magnetic resonance imaging study on writer's cramp / 中华神经科杂志

Objective In this study,functional magnetic resonance imaging(fMRI)is performed to visualize what type of brain activity correlates with writer's cramp.Methods Ten patients with writer's cramp and ten age-and gender-matched control subjects participated in this study.fMRI block design is used.Subjects were scanned while performing three visually instructive tasks with MR Vision 2000:(1)suppositional writing;(2)writing with finger;(3)writing with a pencil.Data were analyzed with Analysis of Functional Neuroimaging(AFNI)software for groups of patients versus controls.Results Compared with controls,patients with writer's cramp showed greater activation of contralateral basal ganglion(especially the putamen,864 activated voxels in patients versus 54 in controls),ipsilateral cerebellar hemisphere,and contralateral sensorimotor,supplementary motor,premoter,primary sensory cortex in the task of writing with a pencil.There is no obvious difference in the task of writing compared with finger writing.Furthermore,these differences existed in the subtractive activated maps for “writing with pencil” minus “writing with finger”,while the activation of subcortical area and insula in controls disappeared.Conclusion These results indicate that the dysfunction of basal ganglion and subcortical-cortical loop might play a pathophysiologic role in the writer's cramp.