Movement disorders in hereditary spastic paraplegias / Distúrbios de movimento em paraplegia espástica hereditária

Abstract Background Hereditary or familial spastic paraplegias (SPG) comprise a group of genetically and phenotypically heterogeneous diseases characterized by progressive degeneration of the corticospinal tracts. The complicated forms evolve with other various neurological signs and symptoms, including movement disorders and ataxia. Objective To summarize the clinical descriptions of SPG that manifest with movement disorders or ataxias to assist the clinician in the task of diagnosing these diseases. Methods We conducted a narrative review of the literature, including case reports, case series, review articles and observational studies published in English until December 2022. Results Juvenile or early-onset parkinsonism with variable levodopa-responsiveness have been reported, mainly in SPG7 and SPG11. Dystonia can be observed in patients with SPG7, SPG11, SPG22, SPG26, SPG35, SPG48, SPG49, SPG58, SPG64 and SPG76. Tremor is not a frequent finding in patients with SPG, but it is described in different types of SPG, including SPG7, SPG9, SPG11, SPG15, and SPG76. Myoclonus is rarely described in SPG, affecting patients with SPG4, SPG7, SPG35, SPG48, and SPOAN (spastic paraplegia, optic atrophy, and neuropathy). SPG4, SPG6, SPG10, SPG27, SPG30 and SPG31 may rarely present with ataxia with cerebellar atrophy. And autosomal recessive SPG such as SPG7 and SPG11 can also present with ataxia. Conclusion Patients with SPG may present with different forms of movement disorders such as parkinsonism, dystonia, tremor, myoclonus and ataxia. The specific movement disorder in the clinical manifestation of a patient with SPG may be a clinical clue for the diagnosis.

Resumo Antecedentes As paraplegias espásticas hereditárias ou familiares (SPG) compreendem um grupo de doenças geneticamente e fenotipicamente heterogêneas caracterizadas por degeneração progressiva dos tratos corticospinais. As formas complicadas evoluem com vários outros sinais e sintomas neurológicos, incluindo distúrbios do movimento e ataxia. Objetivo Resumir as descrições clínicas de SPG que se manifestam com distúrbios do movimento ou ataxias para auxiliar o clínico na tarefa de diagnosticar essas doenças. Métodos Realizamos uma revisão da literatura, incluindo relatos de casos, séries de casos, artigos de revisão e estudos observacionais publicados em inglês até dezembro de 2022. Resultados O parkinsonismo juvenil ou de início precoce com resposta variável à levodopa foi relatado principalmente em SPG7 e SPG11. A distonia pode ser observada em pacientes com SPG7, SPG11, SPG22, SPG26, SPG35, SPG48, SPG49, SPG58, SPG64 e SPG76. O tremor não é um achado frequente em pacientes com SPG, mas é descrito em diferentes tipos de SPG, incluindo SPG7, SPG9, SPG11, SPG15 e SPG76. A mioclonia é raramente descrita em SPG, afetando pacientes com SPG4, SPG7, SPG35, SPG48 e SPOAN (paraplegia espástica, atrofia óptica e neuropatia). SPG4, SPG6, SPG10, SPG27, SPG30 e SPG31 podem raramente apresentar ataxia com atrofia cerebelar. E SPG autossômico recessivo, como SPG7 e SPG11, também pode apresentar ataxia. Conclusão Indivíduos com SPG podem apresentar diferentes formas de distúrbios do movimento, como parkinsonismo, distonia, tremor, mioclonia e ataxia. O distúrbio específico do movimento na manifestação clínica de um paciente com SPG pode ser uma pista clínica para o diagnóstico.

Dysarthria in hereditary spastic paraplegia type 4

Abstract Objective: To describe the speech pattern of patients with hereditary Spastic Paraplegia type 4 (SPG4) and correlated it with their clinical data. Methods: Cross-sectional study was carried out in two university hospitals in Brazil. Two groups participated in the study: the case group (n = 28) with a confirmed genetic diagnosis for SPG4 and a control group (n = 17) matched for sex and age. The speech assessment of both groups included: speech task recording, acoustic analysis, and auditory-perceptual analysis. In addition, disease severity was assessed with the Spastic Paraplegia Rating Scale (SPRS). Results: In the auditory-perceptual analysis, 53.5% (n = 15) of individuals with SPG4 were dysarthric, with mild to moderate changes in the subsystems of phonation and articulation. On acoustic analysis, SPG4 subjects' performances were worse in measurements related to breathing (maximum phonation time) and articulation (speech rate, articulation rate). The articulation variables (speech rate, articulation rate) are related to the age of onset of the first motor symptom. Conclusion: Dysarthria in SPG4 is frequent and mild, and it did not evolve in conjunction with more advanced motor diseases. This data suggest that diagnosed patients should be screened and referred for speech therapy evaluation and those pathophysiological mechanisms of speech involvement may differ from the length-dependent degeneration of the corticospinal tract.

Clinical phenotype and genotype analysis of hereditary spastic paraplegia type 35 / 中华神经科杂志

Objective:To report 8 cases of hereditary spastic paraplegia type 35 (SPG35) in Chinese mainland, summarize the clinical and genetic features of this disease.Methods:Eight probands with SPG35, admitted in Shanghai Jiao Tong University Affiliated Sixth People′s Hospital and Ruijin Hospital, Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine from September 2006 to June 2021, were collected in detail. Physical examination, cranial imaging examination and whole exome sequencing were conducted, followed by Sanger sequencing and family co-segregation. In addition, the recent advances in clinical, genetic and pathogenesis studies of the disease were also reviewed.Results:Among all of the 8 patients, 7 had juvenile-onset and 1 was adult-onset. The clinical phenotype of 2 cases was pure spastic paraplegia. The other 6 cases presented with complicated form, which was characterized by not only motor dysfunction, but also cognitive impairment and dysphagia, etc. Genetic testing revealed a total of 13 fatty acid 2-hydroxylase (FA2H) gene (NM_024306) mutations, of which 6 were reported and 7 were newly reported in this study.Conclusions:SPG35 is an autosomal recessive neurodegenerative disease with highly phenotypic heterogeneity, with the causative gene as FA2H. The genotype-phenotype correlations in SPG35 are not clear.

A novel mutation of SPAST gene in a hereditary spastic paraplegia type 4 family / 中华内科杂志

Objective:To clarify the pathogenicity and further explore the association between genotype and clinical phenotype of this variant, analyzing a novel variation of SPAST gene in hereditary spastic paraplegia (HSP) family from Changzhi city, Shanxi Province.Methods:A family with HSP was tracked and collected in Neurology Department of Heping Hospital Affiliated to Changzhi Medical College in October 2019. Peripheral venous blood of 2 ml was extracted from the proband and 8 other members of the family, genomic DNA was extracted from the blood samples, and the genes of spastic paraplegia were screened by next-generation sequencing (NGS). HGMD, 1000G, OMIM databases and PolyPhen2, SIFT and other software were used for bioinformatics analysis of suspected mutations. Multiplex ligation-dependent probe amplification (MLPA) was used to further screen for total deletions/duplications in patients who remained negative after targeting NGS, and Sanger sequencing was performed to verify the suspected pathogenic mutation sites in the family to determine co-isolation of the mutation sites in the family members. Finally, it is necessary to refer to the latest version of The American College of Medical Genetics and Genomics (ACMG) sequence variation interpretation guidelines to interpret the mutation sites to determine pathogenicity.Results:The HSP family consist 47 members of 4 generations and 10 patients, with onset ages ranging from 2 to 44 years. The proband′s daughter only showed positive bilateral Babbitt signs on physical examination, and the rest of the patients showed spasticity and weakness of lower limbs with varying severity on this basis. Preliminary screening by next-generation sequencing technology showed that the proband had frame-shift variation of SPAST gene c.1057_1058insCC (p.Leu354HisfsTer11) and missense variation of DCTN1 gene c.2213A>G (p.Gln738Arg). Then, Sanger sequencing was used for in-family verification, which showed SPAST gene c.1057_1058insCC (p.Leu354HisfsTer11) was detected in the affected members include father, brother, son and daughter, and not detected in the unaffected normal members, the proband′s wife, mother, sister and sister-in-law. However, the unaffected of mother detected missense variation of DCTN1 gene c.2213A>G (p.Gln738Arg), while the remaining members did not detect this variation. The results of MLPA showed that no large fragment variation was found.Conclusions:The genetic pattern of the HSP family was autosomal dominant, and the clinical characteristics were consistent with hereditary spastic paraplegia type 4 (SPG4). Co-segregation of SPAST gene c.1057_1058insCC (p.Leu354HisfsTer11) was found in the HSP family and was the pathogenicity cause of this SPG4 family, and it was a newly discovered mutation locus.

A case report of hereditary spastic paraplegia type 58 / 中华神经科杂志

Hereditary spastic paraplegia type 58 is rare, caused by pathogenic variations in KIF1C gene. Here, a case diagnosed in Qilu Hospital, Shandong University, was reported. The 15-year-old female suffered tremor in bilateral upper limbs which was aggravated gradually since age 8. Cerebellar ataxia, positive pyramidal tract sign and dystonic tremor were prominent on physical examination. The brain magnetic resonance imaging showed T 2-hyperintense signals in bilateral pyramidal tracts, optic radiations and superior cerebellar peduncles, with mild cerebellar atrophy. Whole exon sequencing revealed the unreported homozygous c.425_426delTG (p.V142Gfs*10) mutation which was presumed pathogenic.

Prevalence of oropharyngeal dysphagia in hereditary spastic paraplegias / Prevalência de disfagia orofaríngea nas paraparesias espásticas hereditárias

ABSTRACT Hereditary spastic paraplegias (HSP) are a group of genetic diseases characterized by lower limb spasticity with or without additional neurological features. Swallowing dysfunction is poorly studied in HSP and its presence can lead to significant respiratory and nutritional complications. Objectives: The aim of this study was to evaluate the frequency and clinical characteristics of dysphagia in different types of HSP. Methods: A two-center cross-sectional prevalence study was performed. Genetically confirmed HSP patients were evaluated using the Northwestern Dysphagia Patient Check Sheet and the Functional Oral Intake Scale. In addition, self-perception of dysphagia was assessed by the Eat Assessment Tool-10 and the Swallowing Disturbance Questionnaire. Results: Thirty-six patients with spastic paraplegia type 4 (SPG4), five with SPG11, four with SPG5, four with cerebrotendinous xanthomatosis (CTX), three with SPG7, and two with SPG3A were evaluated. Mild to moderate oropharyngeal dysphagia was present in 3/5 (60%) of SPG11 and 2/4 (50%) of CTX patients. A single SPG4 (2%) and a single SPG7 (33%) patient had mild oropharyngeal dysphagia. All other evaluated patients presented with normal or functional swallowing. Conclusions: Clinically significant oropharyngeal dysphagia was only present in complicated forms of HSP Patients with SPG11 and CTX had the highest risks for dysphagia, suggesting that surveillance of swallowing function should be part of the management of patients with these disorders.

RESUMO As paraparesias espásticas hereditárias (PEH) são um grupo de doenças genéticas caracterizado por espasticidade dos membros inferiores com ou sem características neurológicas adicionais. A disfunção da deglutição é pouco estudada nas PEH e sua presença pode levar a complicações respiratórias e nutricionais significativas. Objetivo: O objetivo deste estudo foi avaliar a frequência e a caracterização clínica da disfagia em diferentes tipos de PEH. Métodos: Foi realizado um estudo transversal em dois centros. Os pacientes com PEH confirmados geneticamente foram avaliados pelo Northwestern Dysphagia Patient Check Sheet e pela Escala Funcional de Ingestão Oral. Além disso, a autopercepção da disfagia foi avaliada pelo Eat Assessment Tool-10 e pelo Swallowing Disturbance Questionnaire. Resultados: Trinta e seis pacientes com paraplegia espástica tipo 4 (SPG4), cinco com SPG11, quatro com SPG5, quatro com xantomatose cerebrotendinosa (CTX), três com SPG7 e dois com SPG3A foram avaliados. Disfagia orofaríngea leve a moderada estava presente em 3/5 (60%) dos pacientes com SPG11 e 2/4 (50%) dos pacientes com CTX. Um único SPG4 (2%) e um único SPG7 (33%) apresentaram disfagia orofaríngea leve. Todos os outros pacientes avaliados apresentaram deglutição normal ou funcional. Conclusão: Disfagia orofaríngea clinicamente significativa estava presente apenas nas formas complicadas de PEH. A SPG11 e CTX apresentaram maiores riscos de disfagia, sugerindo que a avaliação da deglutição deve fazer parte do manejo dos pacientes com essas condições.

Macular dystrophy associated with Kjellin’s syndrome: a case report / Distrofia macular associada à síndrome de Kjellin: um relato de caso

Hereditary spastic paraplegia (HSP) is characterized by weakness and spasticity of the lower extremities. Kjellin’s syndrome is a rare syndrome associated with HSP. The syndrome is characterized by the presence of bilateral retinal flecks, similar to the findings in Stargardt disease and fundus flavimaculatus. We report the case of a 34-year-old male who presented with complete features of Kjellin’s syndrome, with typical retinal findings observed on multimodal imaging (spectral domain optical coherence tomography [SD-OCT], near-infrared reflectance and autofluorescence imaging). The ophthalmological changes at early stages of the disease may not impair visual acuity. Therefore, the detection of central retinal degeneration requires thorough fundus examination.

A paralisia espástica hereditária (HSP) é caracterizada por fraqueza e espasticidade das extremidades inferiores. A síndrome de Kjellin é uma rara associação de HSP com a presença de flecks retinianos similares aos encontrados em pacientes com doença de Stargardt ou fundus flavimaculatus. Descrevemos os achados em imagens multimodais da retina (tomografia de coerência óptica de domínio espectral [SD-OCT], reflectância próxima ao infravermelho e autofluorescência) em um paciente de 34 anos que apresenta conjunto completo de sinais e sintomas da síndrome de Kjellin. As alterações retinianas em estágios iniciais da doença podem aparecer, mesmo sem redução da acuidade visual, e por isso, para detecção da degeneração central da retina, é necessário exame minucioso do fundo de olho.

Uso de sugamadex em doença de Strumpell-Lorrain: relato de dois casos / Use of sugammadex in Strumpell-Lorrain disease: a report of two cases / Uso de sugamadex en enfermedad de Strumpell-Lorrain: relato de dos casos

CONTEÚDO: A doença de Strumpell-Lorrain, ou paraparesia espástica familiar (PEF), é uma doença hereditária neurológica rara, caracterizada principalmente por graus variáveis de rigidez e enfraquecimento dos músculos, com comprometimento cognitivo, surdez e ataxia nos casos mais graves. Descrevemos os casos de duas irmãs com PEF, agendadas para colecistectomia e colectomia subtotal, respectivamente. Também descrevemos o manejo anestésico em ambos os casos e revisamos a literatura sobre essa doença em relação à anestesia.

CONTENT: Strumpell-Lorrain disease - or familial spastic paraplegia (FSP) - is a rare hereditary neurological disorder, mainly characterized by variable degrees of stiffness and weakening of the muscles, with cognitive impairment, deafness, and ataxia in the more severe cases. We describe two female siblings with FSP programmed for cholecystectomy and subtotal colectomy, respectively, and also how we dealt with the anesthetic management in both cases and review the literature on this disease in relation to anesthesia.

CONTENIDO: La enfermedad de Strumpell-Lorrain, o paraparesia espástica familiar (PEF), es una enfermedad hereditaria neurológica rara, caracterizada principalmente por grados variables de rigidez y debilitamiento de los músculos, con el compromiso cognitivo, la sordera y la ataxia en los casos más graves. Describimos aquí dos casos de dos hermanas con PEF, citadas para colecistectomía y colectomía subtotal respectivamente. Describimos también el manejo anestésico en ambos casos y revisamos la literatura sobre esa enfermedad con relación a la anestesia.

Striatal Dopaminergic Functioning in Patients with Sporadic and Hereditary Spastic Paraplegias with Parkinsonism

Sporadic spastic paraplegia (SSP) and hereditary spastic paraplegia (HSP) belong to a clinical and genetically heterogeneous group of disorders characterized by progressive spasticity and weakness in the lower extremities. The symptoms are associated with pyramidal tract dysfunction and degeneration of the corticospinal tracts. Parkinsonism is uncommon in SSP/HSP patients. However, both disorders are associated with damage to the nigrostriatal dopaminergic system. In the present study, the clinical features of patients with SSP/HSP were investigated, and nigrostriatal dopaminergic binding potential was assessed using dopamine transporter (DAT) single-photon emission computer tomography (SPECT). Nine patients with spastic paraplegia participated in the present study. The subjects underwent DAT SPECT using the agent [2-[[2-[[[3-(4-chlorophenyl)-8-methyl-8-azabicyclo[3,2,1]oct-2-yl]methyl](2-mercaptoethyl)amino]ethyl]amino]ethanethiolato (3-)-N2,N20,S2,S20]oxo-[IR-(exo-exo)])-[99mTc]technetium ([99mTc]TRODAT-1). The [99mTc]TRODAT-1 SPECT images of five patients appeared normal, whereas the images of four patients revealed reduced striatal ligand uptake. Among the four patients with reduced uptake, two had parkinsonism, and one exhibited periodic limb movements and restless leg syndrome. Our DAT SPECT imaging study shows that reduced DAT density may be observed in patients with parkinsonism. The results of the present study offer an explanation for the spectrum of spastic paraplegia symptoms and the progression of the disorder.

Mutations analysis of SPG11 gene in Chinese Han patients with hereditary spastic paraplegia / 中华神经科杂志

Objective To identify disease-causing mutations in a large panel of Chinese Han patients with hereditary spastic paraplegia(HSP).Methods The coding sequence of the SPG11 gene in the probands of 28 families with ARHSP and 14 sporadic HSP patients was analyzed,and the identified changes in the sequence were tested to exclude being a benign polymorphism by sequencing 200 chromosomes from normal controls.Results Identified 13 causative mutations in SPG11 gene in 7 ARHSP and 3 sporadic HSP The mutations were:c.5977C>T/p.Q1993X、c.4668T>A/p.Y1556X、c.6898_6899delCT/p.L2300AfsX23.38、c.3719_3720delTA/p.11240VfsX263、c.733_734delAT/p.M245VfsX246、c.7088_7089insATTA/p.Y2363X、c.2163_2164insT/p.1722Yfsx731、c.7101-7102insT/p.K2368X、c.6790_6791insC/p.12264PfsX2339、c.654_655delinsG/p.S218RfsX219、c.7151+4_7151+7delAGTA/p.K2384fsX2386、c.6355-21_6355-18delTCT、c.3004C>T/p.G1002X.Among them,12 were novel mutations.The rate of mutation in the SPG11 gene was 25.0%(7/28)in ARHSP,6/6 in ARHSP-TCC and 3/14 in sporadic cases.Conclusions In Chinese Han population,patients with ARHSP-TCC and sporadic HSP-TCC should be screened for SPG11.Sequencing of the SPG11 gene in these patients with is valuable for clinical diagnostic testing.

Analyses of clinical and genetic characteristics of 179 patients with hereditary spastic paraplegia / 中华神经科杂志

Objective To investigate clinical and genetic characteristics of Chinese patients with hereditary spastic paraplegia (HSP).Methods To perform retrospective analyses of clinical data from 179 HSP Han Chinese patients from Xiangya Hospital and National Laboratory of Medical Genetics of China.Results The 179 patients comprised of 114 familial cases (from 41 families with AD inheritance and 37 families with AR inheritance ) and 65 sporadic cases.Genetic anticipation was not found, and nonpenetrance was observed in some HSP families.Male to female ratio was 1.84 to 1.The mean age of onset was ( 18.1 ± 14.0) years, and the mcan duration of disease was ( 12.3 ± 11.5) years.AD-HSP patients had an older age of onset ( ( 19.7 ± 14.0) years) and a longer duration ( ( 17.9 ± 14.4) years) than ARHSP patients (t =2.196 and 4.404, P value were less than 0.05 and 0.01 respectively).Most AD patients manifested as "pure" form, while "complicated" form occurred more frequently in AR patients (F =19.322, P ＜ 0.01 ).Leg stiffness and clumsiness were often the early symptoms at the beginning of the disease, and the most common leg signs were hypertonia, hyperreflexia and pathological reflexes.Other signs included ankle clonus (46.9% ), weakness (42.5% ) and deformities (30.7% ).Ataxia, dysarthria,mental retardation, and foot deformity were more frequently seen in AR-HSP patients than AD-HSP patients,but the frequency of urinary symptoms was higher in AD-HSP patients.Among 65 patients with MRI examination of the head, 13 cases and 9 cases showed corpus callosal dysplasia and cerebellar atrophy,respectively.In addition, spinal cord atrophy was found in 7 of 45 patients undergone MRI examination of the spine.Conclusions Adolescent onset of HSP is common, and more males than females are affected.When compared with AR-HSP, AD-HSP patients have an older age of onset, a longer duration, and more marked urinary symptoms.Most AD-HSP cases are of "pure" form, while most AR-HSP cases manifest as "complicated" form with ataxia, dysarthria, and mental retardation.Dysplasia of corpus callosum is commonly seen in AR-HSP individuals than AD-HSP.HSP manifest gender-related clinical heterogeneity,illustrating the phenomenon of "female protection".

Mutation and polymorphism analysis of SPG4 and SPG3A in Chinese patients with hereditary spastic paraplegia / 中华神经科杂志

Objective To screen the mutation and analysis its characteristics of SPG4 and SPG3A in Chinese patients with hereditary spastic paraplegia (HSP).Methods Mutation and polymorphism of the SPG4 and SPG3A were screened in the index eases of 26 autesomal dominant families (AD-HSP) and 30 sporadic cases by combination of DHPLC and sequencing analysis, then the index cases of 26 AD-HSP were further confirmed with direct sequencing.Results One novel mutation of SPG4, 1616 + 1g→t, was identified in the index ease from an AD-HSP family.Three symptomatic patients and 2 pre-symptomatic patients were found in this family by sequencing analysis.No mutation of SPG3A was detected.In addition, 8 novel SPG4 polymorphisms and 3 novel SPG3A polymorphisms were identified.Conclusions The study has broadened the mutation and polymorphism spectrums of SPG4 and SPG3A.Mutation of these two genes is less common in this group of patients.

Clinical and magnetic resonance imaging findings in a family with hereditary spastic paraplegia with mutation in NIPA1 / 中华神经科杂志

Objective To study features of the MRI and clinic in a family with pure hereditary spastic paraplegia (PHSPG) type 6.Methods Target loci (SPG3, 4, 6, 8 10 and 12) linkage analysis was performed in a SPG pedigree having 6 affected individuals using microsatellite markers and NIPA1 gene was screened for mutation by PCR-amplification and sequencing. MRI of brain and cervical and thoracic spinal cord were examined in these 6 patients and 6 normal controls matched for age and sex by two independent radiologists blinded to the clinical diagnosis. Cross-sectional areas and anteroposterior and transverse diameters of the spinal cord at the levels of C2～3, C7, T1～4, T9 were measured and data was statistically analyzed using the student's t test. Results A missense mutation of 316g→c in NIPA1 was identified in the affected subjects, presumably resulting in substitution of glutamic acid for arginine in residue 106. Evaluation of the brain MRI images revealed non-specific brain abnormalities. All patients presented thinning of cervical and upper thoracic spine with atrophy in both gray and white matter and enlarged subarachnoid cavity. In severe atrophic segments, a distinct boundary between grey and white matter was observed and the lesions in grey matter presented literal high intensity spots or patches with clear boundary on transaxial T2-weighted images (T2WI) and high signal intensity longitudinal strip on the sagittal T2WI. Cross-sectional areas and anteroposterior and transverse diameters of the spinal cord at C2～3, C7, T1～4 were significantly smaller in patients than in controls, while at the T9 level only transverse diameter showed significant difference (7.22±0.08 vs 8.17±0.41, t=2.870, P=0.046). Conclusions These findings indicate that the disease process in patients with SPG6 might be confined to the cervical and thoracic spinal cord, with atrophy in both white and grey matter having a distinct boundary.

Hereditary spastic paraplegia with simultaneous mutations of Atlastin and Nipa1 genes in one family / 中华神经科杂志

Objective To analyze the simultaneous mutations in Atlastin and Nipa1 gene carried by a family with dominantly inherited HSP.Methods The Atlastin exons and Nipa1 exons were analyzed for the family members by ABI 3100 Genetic Analyzer.Results Genetics analysis revealed that both probands and her daughter were heterozygous for disease-specific missense mutations in both SPG3A/Atlastin(SPG3A P344L)and SPG6/Nipa1 genes(SPG6 T100A).Neither of the proband's parents had the SPG3A/Atlastin mutation.But the proband's father was heterozygous for the SPG6/Nipa1 gene mutation.Conclusion The simuhaneous mutations in both SPG3A/Atlastin and SPG6/Nipa1 are coexistent in the patients of this family.SPG3A/Atlastin is the de novo non-inherited mutation.

Hereditary pyramidal tract, corpus callosum and peripheral degeneration, one family report / 中华神经科杂志

Objective To report on an autosomal recessive pyramidal tract, corpus callosum and peripheral nerve degeneration in a family and to study its relationship with other complicated hereditary spastic paraparesis. Methods Neurological examination revealed the following findings. Proband was a 20 year old man who spoke slowly and developed mental retardation in his childhood. Gait disturbance with pyramidal signs and mild cerebellar ataxia were found when the patient was 16. Slight sensory disturbance was present in the lower extremities. His 23 year old sister had similar symptoms at beginning of disease when she was 17. Their clinical courses were bad progressively. Electromyogram showed nerve conduction velocity decrease in the nerve medianus and neurogenic process in the muscle tibialis anterior. Cranial MRI, muscle and nerve suralis biopsies were examined in proband patients. Results MRI showed thin corpus callosum with cerebral and cerebellar atrophy as well as enlargement of ventricle system. Myopathological findings were characterized by angular atrophy fibers in small groups with appearance of hypertrophy fibers. The nerve suralis biopsy showed degeneration and regeneration of myelinated axons. Conclusion Our study confirms that this family is hereditary spastic paraparesis with mental retardation, thin corpus callosum and polyneuropathy reported mostly in Japan. Axonal polyneuropathy is a common pathological feature of this disease.