Patient homozygous for a recessive POLG mutation presents with features of MERRF.

Both dominant and recessive missense mutations were recently reported in the gene encoding the mitochondrial DNA polymerase gamma (POLG) in patients with progressive external ophthalmoplegia (PEO). The authors report on a patient homozygous for a recessive missense mutation in POLG who presented with a multisystem disorder without PEO. The most prominent features were myoclonus, seizure, and sensory ataxic neuropathy, so the clinical picture overlapped with the syndrome of myoclonus, epilepsy, and ragged red fibers (MERRF).

Recessive POLG mutations presenting with sensory and ataxic neuropathy in compound heterozygote patients with progressive external ophthalmoplegia.

Autosomal recessive progressive external ophthalmoplegia is a mitochondrial disease characterized by accumulation of multiple large-scale deletions of mitochondrial DNA. We previously reported missense mutations in POLG, the gene encoding the mitochondrial DNA polymerase gamma in two nuclear families compatible with autosomal recessive progressive external ophthalmoplegia. Here, we report a novel POLG missense mutation (R627W) in a sporadic patient and we provide genetic support that all these POLG mutations are actually causal and recessive. The novel patient presented with sensory ataxic neuropathy and has the clinical triad of sensory ataxic neuropathy, dysarthria and ophthalmoparesis (SANDO). This is the first finding of a genetic cause of Sensory Ataxic Neuropathy, Dysarthria and Ophthalmoparesis and it implies that this disorder may actually be a variant of autosomal recessive progressive external ophthalmoplegia. Sensory neuropathy is the initial feature in Belgian compound heterozygote autosomal recessive progressive external ophthalmoplegia patients, all carrying the POLG A467T mutation, which occurs at a frequency of 0.6% in the Belgian population.

Mutations in the neurofilament light chain gene (NEFL) cause early onset severe Charcot-Marie-Tooth disease.

Neurofilament light chain polypeptide (NEFL) is one of the most abundant cytoskeletal components of the neuron. Mutations in the NEFL gene were recently reported as a cause for autosomal dominant Charcot-Marie-Tooth type 2E (CMT2E) linked to chromosome 8p21. In order to investigate the frequency and phenotypic consequences of NEFL mutations, we screened 323 patients with CMT or related peripheral neuropathies. We detected six disease associated missense mutations and one 3-bp in-frame deletion clustered in functionally defined domains of the NEFL protein. Patients have an early onset and often a severe clinical phenotype. Electrophysiological examination shows moderately to severely slowed nerve conduction velocities. We report the first nerve biopsy of a CMT patient with a de novo missense mutation in NEFL, and found an axonal pathology with axonal regeneration clusters and onion bulb formations. Our findings provide further evidence that the clinical variation observed in CMT depends on the gene mutated and the specific type of mutation, and we also suggest that NEFL mutations need to be considered in the molecular evaluation of patients with sporadic or dominantly inherited CMT.

Mutations in GDAP1: autosomal recessive CMT with demyelination and axonopathy.

BACKGROUND: Mutations in the ganglioside-induced differentiation-associated protein 1 gene (GDAP1) were recently shown to be responsible for autosomal recessive (AR) demyelinating Charcot-Marie-Tooth disease (CMT) type 4A (CMT4A) as well as AR axonal CMT with vocal cord paralysis. METHODS: The coding region of GDAP1 was screened for the presence of mutations in seven families with AR CMT in which the patients were homozygous for markers of the CMT4A locus at chromosome 8q21.1. RESULTS: A nonsense mutation was detected in exon 5 (c.581C>G, S194X), a 1-bp deletion in exon 6 (c.786delG, G262fsX284), and a missense mutation in exon 6 (c.844C>T, R282C). CONCLUSIONS: Mutations in GDAP1 are a frequent cause of AR CMT. They result in an early-onset, severe clinical phenotype. The range of nerve conduction velocities (NCV) is variable. Some patients have normal or near normal NCV, suggesting an axonal neuropathy, whereas others have severely slowed NCV compatible with demyelination. The peripheral nerve biopsy findings are equally variable and show features of demyelination and axonal degeneration.

Neuropathology of some hereditary conditions affecting central and peripheral nervous system.

Neuropathology plays a crucial role in the phenotypic individualization of hereditary disorders affecting the central and peripheral nervous system even if molecular genetics represents the most essential step in describing the genotypes. The neuropathological description of phenotypes and genotypes can be used for refining clinical skills and understanding many clinical, neurophysiological and neuroradiological features. It contributes to the diagnosis of such disorders. The use of immunohistochemical techniques in combination with molecular genetics improves also our knowledge of their pathogenesis and might participate to the future development of therapeutic strategies. We discuss new features of spino-cerebellar ataxia (SCA) type 7 and of a recently identified SCA17 in order to illustrate the significance of the neuronal intranuclear inclusions (NIIs) described in various CAG/polyglutamine repeat expansion diseases. In the field of the peripheral neuropathies we present data on a newly described autosomal recessive Charcot-Marie-Tooth disease (CMT4F) with mutations in the periaxin gene. We document a dysjunction between myelin loops and axolemma with disappearance of the septate-like junctions or transverse bands. The significance of this dysjunction is not yet elucidated. We hope to show by these examples that the combination of classical and new neuropathological methods is useful in the study of hereditary disorders of the nervous system.

[Hereditary neuropathy with liability to pressure palsies: study of six Spanish families]. / Neuropathies héréditaires sensibles à la pression: étude de six familles espagnoles.

Hereditary neuropathy with liability to pressure palsies (HNPP) is an autosomal dominant inherited demyelinating neuropathy typically characterized by recurrent episodes of acute painless peripheral nerve palsies often preceded by minor trauma or compression at entrapment sites. However, less classical phenotypes have been reported. A 1.5 Mb deletion in chromosome 17 p11.2 has been shown to be the genetic basis of the disease in the majority of HNPP patients. The few families without this deletion harbored a mutation in the PMP22 gene. We performed a clinical, neurophysiological and molecular genetic study of 6 Spanish HNPP families. Five families (22 individuals) showed the classical chromosome 17 p11.2 deletion and one family (3 individuals) had a novel 3'splice-site mutation in PMP22. Neurophysiological abnormalities were detected in all symptomatic (n=21) and asymptomatic (n=4) deletion or mutation carriers, even in childhood. In addition to the typical presentation we observed other phenotypes: recurrent focal short-term sensory symptoms, a progressive mononeuropathy, a Charcot-Marie-Tooth (CMT) disease-like chronic progressive polyneuropathy, a chronic sensory polyneuropathy and a chronic inflammatory demyelinating polyneuropathy. We report new or very rare phenotypesThese atypical clinical aspects and intrafamilial heterogeneity are present in families with the HNPP deletion as well as in the family with the PMP22 mutation. However, the CMT disease-like chronic polyneuropathy was more common in the PMP22 mutation family. Intrafamilial heterogeneity also seemed to be more pronounced in this kinship. Patients in this family had a mild chronic motor and sensory polyneuropathy neurophysiologically characterized by delayed distal latencies, reduced nerve conduction velocities (NCV) within the demyelinating range, mildly decreased amplitudes of motor and sensory evoked potentials and absence of conduction blocks. In contrast, patients with the common HNPP deletion, regardless of their phenotype, had a diffuse increase in distal motor latencies contrasting with moderately reduced motor NCVs, preserved sensory nerve action potentials, slowing of NCVs at the common entrapment sites and occasionally conduction blocks. In this study we confirm the clinical and molecular heterogeneity of HNPP, emphasizing the need for a mutation analysis of the PMP22 gene when the common 17p11.2 deletion is not found in clinically suspected HNPP patients. We conclude that the 3'splice-site mutation in PMP22 and the common HNPP deletion have largely the same functional consequences although some clinical and neurophysiological differences were observed.

Ultrastructural findings in the peripheral nerve in a family with the intermediate form of Charcot-Marie-Tooth disease.

The authors describe here the ultrastructural findings in peripheral nerve biopsies from two affected members of a family with a previously undescribed intermediate form of Charcot-Marie-Tooth (CMT) disease. We found prevalent demyelinating features such as onion bulbs and myelin splits with uncompacted and irregularly enlarged lamellae, mostly at the Schmidt-Lantermann incisures and in paranodal region. Signs of a chronic axonopathy such as regeneration clusters, large fiber loss, Büngner's bands and unmyelinated fiber involvement were also seen. The presence of both demyelinating and axonal findings, not found in other genetically determined types of CMT disease, confirms the hypothesis of a new nosographic entity of intermediate type.

Caspr1/Paranodin/Neurexin IV is most likely not a common disease-causing gene for inherited peripheral neuropathies.

Contactin associated protein 1 (Caspr1/Paranodin/Neurexin IV) is an axonal transmembrane molecule mainly localised at the paranodal junction. Since molecular alterations in septate-like junctions at the paranodes might have important consequences for the function of the nerve fiber, we considered that Caspr1 could be involved in the pathogenesis of inherited peripheral neuropathies. In this study, we physically mapped the Caspr1 gene on chromosome 17q21.1 and determined its genomic structure. We performed a mutation analysis of the Caspr1 gene in a cohort of 64 unrelated patients afflicted with distinct inherited peripheral neuropathies. Since no disease causing mutations were found, we suggest that Caspr1 is probably not a common cause of inherited peripheral neuropathies.

A novel 3'-splice site mutation in peripheral myelin protein 22 causing hereditary neuropathy with liability to pressure palsies.

Hereditary neuropathy with liability to pressure palsies (HNPP) is an autosomal dominant, demyelinating peripheral neuropathy. Clinical hallmarks are recurrent painless focal neuropathies mostly preceded by minor trauma or compression at entrapment sites of peripheral nerves. In the majority of the patients, HNPP is caused by a 1.5 Mb deletion on chromosome 17p11.2-p12 containing the peripheral myelin protein 22 (PMP22) gene. Point mutations within this gene are reported in only a few families. We report a novel mutation in the PMP22 gene in a Spanish family with HNPP. The mutation is a 3' splice-site mutation, preceding coding exon 3 (c.179-1 G>C), causing a mild HNPP phenotype.

Behavioral disturbances without amyloid deposits in mice overexpressing human amyloid precursor protein with Flemish (A692G) or Dutch (E693Q) mutation.

The contribution of mutations in the amyloid precursor protein (APP) gene known as Flemish (APP/A692G) and Dutch (APP/E693Q) to the pathogenesis of Alzheimer's disease and hereditary cerebral hemorrhage with amyloidosis of the Dutch type, respectively, was studied in transgenic mice that overexpress the mutant APP in brain. These transgenic mice showed the same early behavioral disturbances and defects and increased premature death as the APP/London (APP V717I), APP/Swedish (K670N, M671L), and other APP transgenic mice described previously. Pathological changes included intense glial reaction, extensive microspongiosis in the white matter, and apoptotic neurons in select areas of the brain, while amyloid deposits were absent, even in mice over 18 months of age. This contrasts with extensive amyloid deposition in APP/London transgenic mice and less pronounced amyloid deposition in APP/Swedish transgenic mice generated identically. It demonstrated, however, that the behavioral deficiencies and the pathological changes in brain resulting from an impaired neuronal function are caused directly by APP or its proteolytic derivative(s). These accelerate or impinge on the normal process of aging and amyloid deposits per se are not essential for this phenotype.

Type I sialidosis: a clinical, biochemical and neuroradiological study.

We report biochemical, morphological and neuroradiological findings in a 40-year-old woman affected with type I sialidosis. The clinical symptoms, consisting of a cerebellar syndrome, were first noted at the age of 17 years. The macular cherry-red spot was first observed after 23 years of disease. A CT scan performed at 21 years of age showed enlargement of the fourth ventricle. Nuclear magnetic resonance imaging of the brain performed at the age of 40 showed severe atrophy of the cerebellum and pontine region; atrophy of cerebral hemispheres and of the corpus callosum was also observed. We emphasize the prolonged course of illness in this patient, observed over a long period of time. Of particular interest is the neuroradiological study showing our findings both at the beginning of the disease and after 20 years.

A novel type of hereditary motor and sensory neuropathy characterized by a mild phenotype.

BACKGROUND: Three loci for autosomal dominant hereditary motor and sensory neuropathy type I (HMSN I) or Charcot-Marie-Tooth disease type 1 (CMT1) have been identified on chromosomes 17p11.2 (CMT1A), 1q21-q23 (CMT1B), and 10q21.1-q22.1 (designated here as CMT1D). The genes involved are peripheral myelin protein 22 (PMP22), myelin protein zero (MPZ), and the early growth response element 2 (EGR2), respectively. Probably a fourth locus (CMT1C) exists since some autosomal dominant HMSN I families have been excluded for linkage with the CMT1A and CMT1B loci. Four loci for autosomal dominant hereditary motor and sensory neuropathy type II (HMSN II) or Charcot-Marie-Tooth disease type 2 (CMT2) have been localized on chromosomes 1p35-p36 (CMT2A), 3q13-q22 (CMT2B), 7p14 (CMT2D), and 3p (HMSN-P). OBJECTIVE: To describe the clinical, electrophysiologic, and neuropathological features of a novel type of Charcot-Marie-Tooth disease. PATIENTS AND METHODS: We performed linkage studies with anonymous DNA markers flanking the known CMT1 and CMT2 loci. Patients and their relatives underwent clinical neurologic examination and electrophysiologic testing. In the proband, a sural nerve biopsy specimen was examined. RESULTS: Linkage studies excluded all known CMT1 and CMT2 loci. The clinical phenotype is mild and almost all affected individuals remain asymptomatic. Electrophysiologic and histopathological studies showed signs of a demyelinating neuropathy, but the phenotype is unusual for either autosomal dominant HMSN I or HMSN II. CONCLUSION: Our findings indicate that the HMSN in this family represents a novel clinical and genetic entity.

Detection of beta-A4 amyloid and its precursor protein in the muscle of a patient with juvenile neuronal ceroid lipofuscinosis (Spielmeyer-Vogt-Sjögren).

Muscle biopsy tissue from a patient affected by the juvenile form of neuronal ceroid lipofuscinosis (NCL) was studied immunohistochemically using antibodies to beta-amyloid peptide and amyloid precursor protein. Positive reaction in muscle was specifically localized to autophagic vacuoles and blood vessel walls. Increased acid phosphatase reaction suggested enhanced lysosomal activity. We hypothesize that beta-amyloid is deposited in NCL muscle by a lysosomal mechanism similar to that proposed in other disorders involving beta-amyloid.

Novel missense mutation in the early growth response 2 gene associated with Dejerine-Sottas syndrome phenotype.

BACKGROUND: Mutations in the early growth response 2 (EGR2) gene have recently been found in patients with congenital hypomyelinating neuropathy and Charcot-Marie-Tooth type 1 (CMT1) disease. OBJECTIVE: To determine the frequency of EGR2 mutations in patients with a diagnosis of CMT1, Dejerine-Sottas syndrome (DSS), or unspecified peripheral neuropathies. METHODS: Fifty patients and 70 normal control subjects were screened. RESULTS: A de novo missense mutation (Arg359Trp) in the alpha-helix of the first zinc-finger domain of the EGR2 transcription factor was identified in a patient diagnosed with a clinical phenotype consistent with DSS. This patient had a motor median nerve conduction velocity of 8 m/s. A sural nerve biopsy showed a severe loss of myelinated and unmyelinated fibers, evidence for demyelination, numerous classic onion bulbs, and focally folded myelin sheaths. DSS is a severe, childhood-onset demyelinating peripheral neuropathy initially thought to be inherited as an autosomal recessive trait. However, several dominant heterozygous mutations in the peripheral myelin protein 22 (PMP22) gene and dominant mutations in the peripheral myelin protein zero (MPZ) gene, both in the heterozygous and homozygous state, have been reported in patients with DSS. CONCLUSIONS: Hereditary peripheral neuropathies represent a spectrum of disorders due to underlying defects in myelin structure or formation.

Infantile and juvenile presentations of Alexander's disease: a report of two cases.

We describe 2 new cases of Alexander's disease, the first to be reported in Belgium. The first patient, a 4-year-old girl, presented with progressive megalencephaly, mental retardation, spastic tetraparesis, ataxia and epilepsy: post-mortem examination showed widespread myelin loss with Rosenthal fibers (RFs) accumulation throughout the neuraxis. She was the third of heterozygotic twins, the 2 others having developed normally and being alive at age 5 years. The second patient developed at age 10 years and over a decade spastic paraparesis, palatal myoclonus, nystagmus, thoracic hyperkyphosis and thoraco-lumbar scoliosis with radiological findings of bilateral anterior leukoencephalopathy. Brain stereotactic biopsy at age 16 years demonstrated numerous RFs. With these 2 cases, we review the literature on the various clinico-pathological conditions reported as Alexander's disease. We discuss the nosology of this entity and the pathogeny of RFs formation and dysmyelination. Clues to the diagnosis of this encephalopathy in the living patient are briefly described.

The Thr124Met mutation in the peripheral myelin protein zero (MPZ) gene is associated with a clinically distinct Charcot-Marie-Tooth phenotype.

We observed a missense mutation in the peripheral myelin protein zero gene (MPZ, Thr124Met) in seven Charcot-Marie-Tooth (CMT) families and in two isolated CMT patients of Belgian ancestry. Allele-sharing analysis of markers flanking the MPZ gene indicated that all patients with the Thr124Met mutation have one common ancestor. The mutation is associated with a clinically distinct phenotype characterized by late onset, marked sensory abnormalities and, in some families, deafness and pupillary abnormalities. Nerve conduction velocities of the motor median nerve vary from <38 m/s to normal values in these patients. Clusters of remyelinating axons in a sural nerve biopsy demonstrate an axonal involvement, with axonal regeneration. Phenotype-genotype correlations in 30 patients with the Thr124Met MPZ mutation indicate that, based on nerve conduction velocity criteria, these patients are difficult to classify as CMT1 or CMT2. We therefore conclude that CMT patients with slightly reduced or nearly normal nerve conduction velocity should be screened for MPZ mutations, particularly when additional clinical features such as marked sensory disturbances, pupillary abnormalities or deafness are also present.

Identification and localization of ataxin-7 in brain and retina of a patient with cerebellar ataxia type II using anti-peptide antibody.

Autosomal dominant cerebellar ataxias (ADCAs) are a complex group of neurodegenerative disorders characterized by progressive degeneration of the cerebellum, brain stem and spinal cord. The spinocerebellar ataxia type 7 (SCA7) is associated with pigmentary macular dystrophy and retinal degeneration leading to blindness caused by a CAG/polyglutamine (polyGln) expansion in the coding region of the SCA7 gene/protein. The SCA7 gene codes for ataxin-7, a protein of unknown function. To investigate its cellular and subcellular localization, we have developed a sequence-specific polyclonal antibody against the N-terminal part of the protein. Immunohistochemical analysis indicated that ataxin-7 accumulates as single nuclear inclusion (NI) in the cells of the brain and retina of a SCA7 patient but not of controls. The 1C2 antibody, directed against expanded polyGln, confirmed the aggregation of mutant ataxin-7 in these NIs. Furthermore, ubiquitin was found in these aggregates, suggesting that mutant ataxin-7 is a target for ubiquitin-dependent proteolysis, but resistant to removal. Electron microscopic studies using immunogold labeling showed that ataxin-7 immunoreactive NIs appear as dense aggregates containing a mixture of granular and filamentary structures. Together, these data confirm the presence of NIs in brain and retina of a SCA7 patient, a common characteristic of disorders caused by expanded CAG/polyGln repeats.

Presenile Alzheimer dementia characterized by amyloid angiopathy and large amyloid core type senile plaques in the APP 692Ala-->Gly mutation.

Mutations at codons 717 and 670/671 in the amyloid precursor protein (APP) are rare genetic causes of familial Alzheimer's disease (AD). A mutation at codon 693 of APP has also been described as the genetic defect in hereditary cerebral hemorrhage with amyloidosis of the Dutch type (HCHWA-D). We have reported a APP692Ala-->Gly (Flemish) mutation as a cause of intracerebral hemorrhage and presenile dementia diagnosed as probable AD in a Dutch family. We now describe the post-mortem examination of two demented patients with the APP692 mutation. The neuropathological findings support the diagnosis of AD. Leptomeningial and parenchymal vessels showed extensive deposition of Abeta amyloid protein. Numerous senile plaques consisted of large Abeta amyloid cores, often measuring more than 30 microm in diameter and were surrounded by a fine meshwork of dystrophic neurites. In addition, there were a large number of paired helical filaments in pyramidal neurons and dystrophic neurites. Our findings show that the APP692 mutation leads to morphological abnormalities that are similar to AD, but the morphology of senile plaques is clearly distinct from that described in sporadic and chromosome 14-linked AD patients, in patients with APP717 mutations causing familial, presenile AD and in patients with the APP693 mutation causing HCHWA-D.

Discordant light microscopic, electron microscopic, and in vitro contracture study findings in a family with central core disease.

We report a family that was referred to our laboratory after a fatal malignant hyperthermia (MH) accident during general anesthesia. Postmortem study of different muscles of the proband pointed retrospectively to the presence of central core disease (CCD). Of the 8 family members investigated by histology and in vitro contracture testing (IVCT) 5 were found to be MH-susceptible. Neurological examination was completely normal. Histologically, these 5 patients showed a highly variable proportion (6-89%) of cores in type 1 fibers on light microscopy. In 3 patients definite central cores were found, in 1 patient multicore disease was diagnosed, and 1 patients presented with a mixed central/paracentral form. Electron microscopy could detect cores in only 4 out of 5 patients. These results demonstrate the difficulty to diagnose central or multicore disease and suggest that mixed forms within the same family may occur. The one histologically dubious patient in this family shows that the most sensitive test for the diagnosis of this myopathy might be the IVCT.