Myotonic dystrophy type 1 with anterior temporal white matter changes mimicking cerebral autosomal dominant arteriopathy with subcortical infarcts and leukoencephalopathy

@#Myotonic dystrophy type 1 is the most common type of muscular dystrophy in adults characterized by progressive myopathy, myotonia, and occasional systemic involvement. This is a case of myotonic dystrophy type 1 with cognitive decline showing brain magnetic resonance image abnormality mimicking cerebral autosomal dominant arteriopathy with subcortical infarcts and leukoencephalopathy (CADASIL).

Relationship between clinical phenotype and NOTCH3 genotype in patients with cerebral autosomal dominant arteriopathy with subcortical infarcts and leukoencephalopathy / 第二军医大学学报

Objective To explore the relationship between exon mutations of NOTCH3 gene and clinical phenotype in patients with cerebral autosomal dominant arteriopathy with subcortical infarcts and leukoencephalopathy (CADASIL). Methods We consecutively included 30 CADASIL patients with clinical symptoms in 15 pedigrees, who visited Shanghai Ninth People’s Hospital, Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine from May 2015 to Dec. 2017, and collected the clinical data and genetic analysis results. Furthermore, we analyzed the relationship between the exon mutations of NOTCH3 gene and clinical phenotypes, including age at onset, first clinical symptoms and frequency of symptomatic ischemic stroke. Results Twelve mutation sites of NOTCH3 gene were detected in the 15 pedigrees. Seven of them were located in exon 4, 3 in exon 11, 1 in exon 19, and 1 in exon 20. The onset age of the patients carrying exon 11 mutations was the latest ([53.6±13.3] years, n＝7), followed by the patients carrying exon 4 mutations ([42.7±5.7] years, n＝15). The onset age of 8 patients with mutations in other exons (exon 19 and 20) was (33.5±7.5) years, which was significantly earlier compared with the patients with exon 4 and 11 mutation (P0.01 and P0.05). Most of the patients with mutations of exon 4 had motor and speech disorders (11/15, 73.3%), while ones with mutations of exon 19 and 20 had cognitive impairment (7/8, 87.5%). Most of the patients (11/15, 73.3%) carrying mutations in exon 4 had motor and speech disorders at onset, while 7 of 8 patients (87.5%) with mutations in exon 19 and exon 20 had impaired cognition at onset. The times of symptomatic ischemic stroke in patients with mutations in exon 4 was 3 (median) and in patients with mutations in exon 11 was 2 (median), and no symptomatic ischemic stroke occurred in the patients with mutations in exon 19 and 20. Conclusion Exon 4 and exon 11 of NOTCH3 gene are hotspots of mutations in the cohort of CADASIL cases, and the mutations in different exons are associated with onset age, first symptoms and symptomatic ischemic stroke.

CADASIL with clinical manifestations of lumbago, hunchback and Parkinson’s syndrome / 中华医学遗传学杂志

Objective@#To report a patient with cerebral autosomal dominant arteriopathy with subcortical infarcts and leukoencephalopathy (CADASIL) manifesting as lumbago, hunchback and Parkinson’s syndrome.@*Methods@#A 49-years-old male CADASIL patient was reported. Results of clinical examination, neuroimaging and genetic testing were analyzed. His family members were also subjected to genetic testing. Related literature was reviewed.@*Results@#The patient had no typical symptoms of CADASIL such as headache, repeated stroke, dementia and emotional disorders, but progressive Parkinson’s syndrome, late onset lumbago, hunchback, dysphagia, and diplopia. Brain MRI showed left basal ganglia and external capsule lacunar infarction. Genetic testing revealed a point mutation c. 1630C>T (p.R544C) in exon 11 of the NOTCH3 gene. A heterozygous mutation was detected in the same gene in his mother, elder sister and younger brother, all of whom showed different clinical phenotypes.@*Conclusion@#The clinical features of CADASIL are heterogeneous. Lumbago, humpback, and Parkinson’s syndrome may be a rare clinical phenotype of CADASIL.

Phenotypic Features of Cerebral Autosomal-Dominant Arteriopathy with Subcortical Infarcts and Leukoencephalopathy Subjects with R544C Mutation

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE: Cerebral autosomal-dominant arteriopathy with subcortical infarcts and leukoencephalopathy (CADASIL) is the most-common single gene disorder of cerebral small vessel disease. There is no definite evidence of genotype-phenotype correlation in CADASIL. However, recent studies have shown the unique phenotypic feature of NOTCH3 R544C mutation. METHODS: We investigated the phenotypic spectrum of NOTCH3 R544C mutation in 73 CADASIL patients in Jeju between April 2012 and January 2014. RESULTS: Of the 73 subjects from 60 unrelated families included in this study, 40 (55%) were men. The mean age of the subjects was 62.2±12.2 (range 34-86 years). Cerebral infarction was the most frequent manifestation (37%), followed by cognitive impairment (32%), headache (17%), psychiatric symptom (16%), intracerebral hemorrhage (12%), transient ischemic attack (7%), and seizure (1%). The mean age of the subjects with ischemic or hemorrhagic episodes was 64.9±10.9 (range 41-86 years). A diagnosis of dementia was made in 12 subjects (16%). The mean age of the subjects with dementia was 75.6±6.5 (range 62-86 years). About 3% of subjects were unable to walk without assistance at assessment. Only one subject had developed chronic headache before the 40s. CONCLUSIONS: Our data support the hypothesis that CADASIL patients with R544C mutation in Jeju have relatively late onset disease.

Possible Role of a Missense Mutation of p.P167S on NOTCH3 Gene Associated with Cerebral Autosomal Dominant Arteriopathy with Subcortical Infarcts and Leukoencephalopathy

BACKGROUND: Cerebral autosomal dominant arteriopathy with subcortical infarcts and leukoencephalopathy (CADASIL) is a single-gene disorder caused by mutations in the NOTCH3 gene, located on chromosome 19p13. NOTCH3 encodes a transmembrane receptor which plays a role in cellular differentiation and cell cycle regulation. CASE REPORT: A 71-year-old female showing headache and memory impairment, familial history of stroke and having a missense mutation from proline to serine at codon 167 in the exon 4 on NOTCH3 gene. Five family members revealed the same mutation (c.499C>T), who presented migrainous headache and stroke. In this study, we have uncovered a novel NOTCH3 mutation at the nucleotide position 499 (c.499C>T; p.P167S) in a family with CADASIL. CONCLUSIONS: We suggested a missense mutation of proline to serine at codon 167 in exon 4 of the NOTCH3 gene, which resulted in the substitution of cytosine to thymine (c.499C>T) resulting migraine, stroke and vascular cognitive impairment.

Neuroimaging study of CADASIL pedigree with performance of familial migraine / 中国神经精神疾病杂志

Objective To analysis the MRI features of cerebral autosomal dominant arteriopathy with subcortical infarcts and leukoencephalopathy (CADASIL), to improve the understanding of MRI manifestations of this disease. Meth?ods The clinical manifestations, neuroimaging analysis and genetic analysis were performed in the CADASIL pedigree proband and his families. Results Five of six cases were confirmed with C2182T mutation on exon 14 of the NOTCH3, of which three cases were diagnosed by MRI. Brain MRI findings included bilateral symmetric distributed confluent lesions in the subcortical and periventricular white matter in the frontal lobe, hypointensity on T1WI and hyperintensity on both T2WI and T2 FLAIR imaging in four cases. The external capsule was involved in three cases, with hyperintensity on T2WI. Subcortical lacunar lesions (SLLs) were shown in three cases. Lacunar infarction in the basal ganglia and thalamus were presented in four cases. T2WI hyperintensity at the brain stem was found in two cases. Cerebral microbleeds were re?vealed in three cases. There was no O’Sullivan sign in all the six cases. Conclusions There is characteristic change of MRI in CADASIL patients, which may play a very important role in screening these cases.

Topographical Distribution of Lacunes and Cerebral Microbleeds in CADASIL Affected by Hypertension

BACKGROUND: Cerebral autosomal-dominant arteriopathy with subcortical infarcts and leukoencephalopathy (CADASIL) is an inherited small vessel disease caused by mutations in the Notch3 gene. Lacunes may reflect occlusive type microangiopathy. However, cerebral microbleeds (CMBs) may reflect bleeding-prone microangiopathy. In the present study, we aimed to determine whether hypertension influence the distribution and severity of lacunes and CMBs in patients with CADASIL. METHODS: The study population comprised 85 patients who underwent brain MRI, including T1-weighted image, susceptibility weighted image (SWI), and fluid attenuated inversion recovery (FLAIR) image. The patients were divided into two groups depending on the presence or absence of hypertension. In the first, demographic factors, and MRI findings were compared between CADASIL patients with and without hypertension. In the second, we undertook a region by region comparison of number of patients with lacunes or CMBs. RESULTS: The hypertensive group showed a higher incidence of CMBs in lobar area (p<0.001) and basal ganglia (p=0.014). CMBs tend to be observed more frequently in the thalamus (p=0.058), brainstem (p=0.057), and cerebellum (p=0.052) in the hypertensive group. However, hypertensive group demonstrated a higher incidence of lacunes just in lobar area (p=0.040). CONCLUSIONS: Our findings suggest that CMBs may be a more sensitive neuroimaging marker of hypertensive arteriopathy in patients with CADASIL.

The Association Between Hypertension and Cerebral Microbleeds in Patients With CADASIL

BACKGROUND: Cerebral autosomal-dominant arteriopathy with subcortical infarcts and leukoencephalopathy (CADASIL) is an inherited microangiopathy that is caused by mutations in the Notch3 gene. Typical findings from magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) include multiple subcortical lacunae, extensive white-matter change, and multiple cerebral microbleeds (CMBs). CMBs are indicative of bleeding-prone microangiopathy. The rate of intracerebral hemorrhage in CADASIL is higher in Asian patients than in Caucasian patients. However, CMBs have not been thoroughly evaluated in Asian patients. We performed a detailed analysis of the frequency and distribution pattern of CMBs and assessed whether vascular risk factors exert an independent effect on CMBs in Asian CADASIL patients. METHODS: The study population comprised 60 patients who underwent brain MRI, including T2*-weighted gradient-echo sequences. Demographic factors, vascular risk factors, and MRI findings were compared between CADASIL patients with and without CMBs. The impact of vascular risk factors on CMBs, lacunae, and white-matter hyperintensities (WMHs) was assessed by logistic regression analysis. RESULTS: CMBs, which were detected in 34 (56.7%) patients, exhibited a significant predilection for the thalamus (46.7%), subcortical-cortical region (35.0%), and basal ganglia (31.7%). Hypertension, lacunae, and white-matter lesions were more common in patients with CMBs. Hypertension was an independent risk factor for CMBs, lacunae, and WMHs in patients with CADASIL. CONCLUSIONS: This study found that CMBs tended to occur in hypertensive patients with CADASIL. Further studies should focus on elucidating the association between reduced blood pressure and the number of CMBs.

Clinical and MRI Profiles Predicting Clinical Overt Stroke in Patients with CADASIL

BACKGROUND: Cerebral autosomal dominant arteriopathy with subcortical infarcts and leukoencephalopathy (CADASIL) is an inherited arteriopathy caused by mutation in the Notch 3 gene. Cognitive impairment, which is the second most frequent clinical manifestation, worsens with recurrent stroke. Comparison studies between the pre- and poststroke phases in CADASIL have not yet been performed in Asia. Here we describe the clinical characteristics of both the preand poststroke phases and identified the risk factors for stroke in CADASIL. METHODS: Fifty-three consecutive patients were investigated. Patients were divided into two groups depending on the presence (poststroke group; n=31) or absence (prestroke group; n=22) of clinically overt stroke. All patients underwent an MRI scan with the same protocol. Cognition was assessed by applying detailed neuropsychological tests. RESULTS: The poststroke group exhibited an increase in lacunae and cerebral microbleeds. The memory scores on the Alzheimer's Dementia Assessment Scale cognitive subscale and the number of correct Stroop color-naming scores were lower in the poststroke group than in the prestroke group. Hypertension was more prevalent in the poststroke group, while chronic headache was more prevalent in the prestroke group. CONCLUSIONS: These findings suggest that cerebral microbleeds as well as lacunae predict the risk of clinically overt stroke, which leads to a worsening of frontal-lobe function in CADASIL.

Effects of Lacunar Infarctions on Cognitive Impairment in Patients with Cerebral Autosomal-Dominant Arteriopathy with Subcortical Infarcts and Leukoencephalopathy

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE: Cerebral autosomal-dominant arteriopathy with subcortical infarcts and leukoencephalopathy (CADASIL) is an inherited microangiopathy caused by mutations in the Notch3 gene. Although previous studies have shown an association between lacunar infarction and cognitive impairment, the relationship between MRI parameters and cognition remains unclear. In this study we investigated the influence of MRI parameters on cognitive impairment in CADASIL. METHODS: We applied a prospective protocol to 40 patients. MRI analysis included the normalized volume of white-matter hyperintensities (nWMHs), number of lacunes, and number of cerebral microbleeds. Cognition was assessed with the aid of psychometric tests [Mini-Mental State Examination (MMSE), Alzheimer's Disease Assessment Scale-cognition (ADAS-cog), Trail-Making Test, and Stroop interference (Stroop IF)]. RESULTS: A multivariate regression analysis revealed that the total number of lacunes influenced the performance in the MMSE, ADAS-cog, and Stroop IF, while nWMHs had a strong univariate association with ADAS-cog and Stroop IF scores. However, this association disappeared in the multivariate analysis. CONCLUSIONS: These findings demonstrate that the number of lacunes is the main predictive factor of cognitive impairment in CADASIL.

Cerebral Autosomal Dominant Arteriopathy with Subcortical Infarcts and Leukoencephalopathy: A Genetic Cause of Cerebral Small Vessel Disease

Cerebral autosomal dominant arteriopathy with subcortical infarcts and leukoencephalopathy (CADASIL) is a single-gene disorder of the cerebral small blood vessels caused by mutations in the Notch3 gene. The exact prevalence of this disorder was unknown currently, and the number of reported CADASIL families is steadily increasing as the clinical picture and diagnostic examinations are becoming more widely known. The main clinical manifestations are recurrent stroke, migraine, psychiatric symptoms, and progressive cognitive impairment. The clinical course of CADASIL is highly variable, even within families. The involvement of the anterior temporal lobe and the external capsule on brain magnetic resonance imaging was found to have high sensitivity and specificity in differentiating CADASIL from the much more common sporadic cerebral small-vessel disease (SVD). The pathologic hallmark of the disease is the presence of granular osmiophilic material in the walls of affected vessels. CADASIL is a prototype single-gene disorder that has evolved as a unique model for studying the mechanisms underlying cerebral SVD. At present, the incidence and prevalence of CADASIL seem to be underestimated due to limitations in clinical, neuroradiological, and genetic diagnoses of this disorder.

Cerebral autosomal dominant arteriopathy with subcortical infarcts and leukoencephalopathy / 国际脑血管病杂志

Studies in recent years have suggested that the basic characteristics of the identified cerebral autosomal dominant arteriopathy with subeortical infarcts and leukoencepha-lopathy (CADASIL) are the onset of the disorder with a form of familial hereditary, middle-age onset with progressive ischemic stroke-like course and multiple diffuse white matter lesions, the identified MRI abnormal white matter signals and pathology. Molecular genetic studies have suggested that the multiple mutations of the Notch3 gene are associated with CADASIL. The combination of gene diagnosis with peripheral tissue biopsy may be the most valuable diagnostic means before death. To study CADASIL from the aspects of pathogenesis and clinical manifestations contributes to improve clinical diagnosis rate.

NOTCH3 gene diagnosis in cerebral autosomal dominant arteriopathy with subcortical infarcts and leukoencephalopathy / 临床神经病学杂志

Objective To analyse the mutation types of the NOTCH3 gene with cerebral autosomal dominant arteriopathy with subcortical infarcts and leukoencephalopathy(CADASIL). Methods Including 4 probands of CADASIL,10 cases of CADASIL and 4 normal members from 3 CADASIL families and 100 healthy controls were recruited. Genomic DNA was extracted from white blood cell. The amplicons were analyzed by the denaturing high-performance liquid chromatography (DHPLC) technique. The positive samples which identified by the DHPLC were sequenced to determine the specific mutation or polymorphism, respectively. Results Three heterozygous missense mutations including Cys90Arg, Arg141Cys, Cys134Tyr located in the exon3 and exon4 were found in the 4 probands and 10 cases of CADASIL among the 3 families. 15 polymorphisms were also found. 2 members individual from family 1 and 2 were found to carry the same pathological mutations as in their proband but without clinical symptoms. They were identified as preclinical patients. Conclusions Mutation detection of NOTCH3 is the molecular genetic mechanical for CADASIL. The exon3 and exon4 are possible hot mutation spots in Chinese patients. The mutation of Cys134Tyr in exon4 is a novel mutation which has not been reported previously in China.