cognitive decline

Kufor-Rakeb Syndrome

Clinical Characteristics
Ocular Features: 

Most patients have a supranuclear gaze paresis.  Patients later may have dystonic oculogyric spasms.

Systemic Features: 

This is a rapidly progressive neurodegenerative disorder with juvenile onset.  First signs of Parkinisonism are evident between the ages of 12 and 16 years of age.  Within a year of onset severe motor handicaps develop along with some degree of dementia with aggression and visual hallucinations.  Cognitive decline is often a feature.  Fine tremors in the chin may be seen along with other extrapyramidal signs but these are not prominent in the limbs.  Instead there is often rigidity and bradykinesia.  Dysphagia, dysarthria, and ataxia are features in many patients.  Peripheral sensory neuropathy and anosmia are present in some individuals. 

Brain imaging often reveals generalized atrophy of the cerebellum, cerebral cortex, and brainstem.

Genetics

This condition results from homozygous or compound heterozygous mutations in the ATP13A2 gene (1p36.13).  

Biallelic mutations in the same gene are also responsible for spastic paraplegia 78 (617225) with somewhat similar clinical features except for the general absence of Parkinsonism.

Pedigree: 
Autosomal recessive
Treatment
Treatment Options: 

There may be an initial therapeutic response to L-DOPA but this is often not maintained

References
Article Title: 

Loss-of-function mutations in the ATP13A2/PARK9 gene cause complicated hereditary spastic paraplegia (SPG78)

Estrada-Cuzcano A, Martin S, Chamova T, Synofzik M, Timmann D, Holemans T, Andreeva A, Reichbauer J, De Rycke R, Chang DI, van Veen S, Samuel J, Schols L, Poppel T, Mollerup Sorensen D, Asselbergh B, Klein C, Zuchner S, Jordanova A, Vangheluwe P, Tournev I, Schule R. Loss-of-function mutations in the ATP13A2/PARK9 gene cause complicated hereditary spastic paraplegia (SPG78). Brain. 2017 Feb;140(Pt 2):287-305.

PubMed ID: 
28137957

Neurodegeneration with Ataxia, Dystonia, and Gaze Palsy, Childhood-Onset

Clinical Characteristics
Ocular Features: 

Vertical gaze palsy has its onset between 7 and 15 years of age.   Nystagmus and oculomotor apraxia are often present.

Systemic Features: 

Onset of unsteadiness, gait ataxia, and cognitive decline are evident in the first or second decades of life.  Dysdiadokinesis, dysarthria, dysmetria, dystonia, athetotic movements, signs of Parkinsonism with tremor may also be present.  Some patients have a mild hearing loss.  Tissue from muscle biopsies are normal.  Brain imaging reveals cerebellar atrophy in some families and iron deposition in the basal ganglia in others.

Many patients are wheelchair-bound eventually.

Genetics

Homozygous mutations in the SQSTM1 gene (5q35.3) are responsible for this condition. 

Pedigree: 
Autosomal recessive
Treatment
Treatment Options: 

No treatment has been reported but physical therapy, speech therapy, and special education may be of benefit.

References
Article Title: 

Absence of the Autophagy Adaptor SQSTM1/p62 Causes Childhood-Onset Neurodegeneration with Ataxia, Dystonia, and Gaze Palsy

Haack TB, Ignatius E, Calvo-Garrido J, Iuso A, Isohanni P, Maffezzini C, Lonnqvist T, Suomalainen A, Gorza M, Kremer LS, Graf E, Hartig M, Berutti R, Paucar M, Svenningsson P, Stranneheim H, Brandberg G, Wedell A, Kurian MA, Hayflick SA, Venco P, Tiranti V, Strom TM, Dichgans M, Horvath R, Holinski-Feder E, Freyer C, Meitinger T, Prokisch H, Senderek J, Wredenberg A, Carroll CJ, Klopstock T. Absence of the Autophagy Adaptor SQSTM1/p62 Causes Childhood-Onset Neurodegeneration with Ataxia, Dystonia, and Gaze Palsy. Am J Hum Genet. 2016 Sep 1;99(3):735-43.

PubMed ID: 
27545679

Coats Plus Syndrome

Clinical Characteristics
Ocular Features: 

Retinal telangiectasia and exudates (Coats disease) occur in association with intracranial cysts, calcifications and extraneurologic manifestations in this condition.  Coats disease lesions may also occur in Labrune syndrome (614561) and, of course, in isolation.

Whereas simple Coats disease almost exclusively occurs unilaterally and in males, both sexes and both eyes may have Coats retinal lesions in this syndrome.

Systemic Features: 

As a result of intracranial calcifications, leukodystrophy and brain cysts, patients have a variety of neurologic signs including spasticity, ataxia, dystonia, cognitive decline, and seizures.  Vascular ectasias may also occur throughout the body such as the intestines, stomach, and in the liver increasing the risk of GI bleeding and portal hypertension with anemia and thrombocytopenia.  Some individuals have sparse hair, abnormal pigmentation of the skin, and dysplastic nails as well. 

Some extraretinal features are also found in patients with dyskeratosis congenita (127550), and in Labrune syndrome (614561).

Genetics

This autosomal recessive pleotropic disorder results from compound heterozygous mutations in the CTC1 gene (17p13.1).  Several patients with mutations in STN1 have also been reported.

Most cases of simple Coats disease occur sporadically.  No associated locus or mutation has been found.

Pedigree: 
Autosomal recessive
Treatment
Treatment Options: 

No treatment for the general condition has been reported.  Specific treatment for the retinal vascular and brain lesions might be of benefit.  Physical therapy and special education should be considered in selected patients.

References
Article Title: 

Mutations in STN1 cause Coats plus syndrome and are associated with genomic and telomere defects. J Exp Med. 2016 Jul 25;213(8):1429-40

Simon AJ, Lev A, Zhang Y, Weiss B, Rylova A, Eyal E, Kol N, Barel O, Cesarkas K, Soudack M, Greenberg-Kushnir N, Rhodes M, Wiest DL, Schiby G, Barshack I, Katz S, Pras E, Poran H, Reznik-Wolf H, Ribakovsky E, Simon C, Hazou W, Sidi Y, Lahad A, Katzir H, Sagie S, Aqeilan HA, Glousker G, Amariglio N, Tzfati Y, Selig S, Rechavi G, Somech R. Mutations in STN1 cause Coats plus syndrome and are associated with genomic and telomere defects. J Exp Med. 2016 Jul 25;213(8):1429-40.

PubMed ID: 
27432940

Mutations in CTC1, encoding conserved telomere maintenance component 1, cause Coats plus

Anderson BH, Kasher PR, Mayer J, Szynkiewicz M, Jenkinson EM, Bhaskar SS, Urquhart JE, Daly SB, Dickerson JE, O'Sullivan J, Leibundgut EO, Muter J, Abdel-Salem GM, Babul-Hirji R, Baxter P, Berger A, Bonafe L, Brunstom-Hernandez JE, Buckard JA, Chitayat D, Chong WK, Cordelli DM, Ferreira P, Fluss J, Forrest EH, Franzoni E, Garone C, Hammans SR, Houge G, Hughes I, Jacquemont S, Jeannet PY, Jefferson RJ, Kumar R, Kutschke G, Lundberg S, Lourenco CM, Mehta R, Naidu S, Nischal KK, Nunes L, Ounap K, Philippart M, Prabhakar P, Risen SR, Schiffmann R, Soh C, Stephenson JB, Stewart H, Stone J, Tolmie JL, van der Knaap MS, Vieira JP, Vilain CN, Wakeling EL, Wermenbol V, Whitney A, Lovell SC, Meyer S, Livingston JH, Baerlocher GM, Black GC, Rice GI, Crow YJ. Mutations in CTC1, encoding conserved telomere maintenance component 1, cause Coats plus. Nat Genet. 2012 Jan 22;44(3):338-42.

PubMed ID: 
22267198

Spastic Paraplegia 46

Clinical Characteristics
Ocular Features: 

Congenital cataracts (not further described) have been reported in several individuals with this type of complicated spastic paraplegia.  Optic atrophy and nystagmus have not been reported.

Systemic Features: 

Stiffness and weakness of the lower limbs begins between 2 and 20 years of age.  This is slowly progressive although most individuals are still mobile with mild to moderate handicaps into the 4th decade.  The gait is spastic with weakness, hyperreflexia, and extensor plantar responses in the lower limbs.  The upper limbs are variably involved and movements are dysmetric.  Dysarthria and bladder dysfunction are often present.  Cerebellar ataxia is common and some patients first present with this as a prominent sign in the first and second decades.  Early cognitive development is normal but mild cognitive decline appears eventually.  Pes cavus and scoliosis may occur.

Brain imaging can show thinning of the corpus callosum, with mild cerebellar and cerebral atrophy.

Genetics

Linkage analysis identified a locus at 9p13.3 and sequencing confirmed homozygous or compound heterozygous mutations in GBA2.  The presence of parental consanguinity in some families supports autosomal recessive inheritance.

This database contains two other types of autosomal spastic paraplegia with ocular signs: spastic paraplegia 15 (270700) with a "flecked retina", and spastic paraplegia 7 (607259) with optic atrophy and nystagmus.  Cataracts have not been reported in these two conditions.

Pedigree: 
Autosomal recessive
Treatment
Treatment Options: 

No effective treatment is known for the neurological deficits but cataract surgery may be beneficial for visually significant cataracts.

References
Article Title: 

Mutations in GBA2 cause autosomal-recessive cerebellar ataxia with spasticity

Hammer MB, Eleuch-Fayache G, Schottlaender LV, Nehdi H, Gibbs JR, Arepalli SK, Chong SB, Hernandez DG, Sailer A, Liu G, Mistry PK, Cai H, Shrader G, Sassi C, Bouhlal Y, Houlden H, Hentati F, Amouri R, Singleton AB. Mutations in GBA2 cause autosomal-recessive cerebellar ataxia with spasticity. Am J Hum Genet. 2013 Feb 7;92(2):245-51. PubMed PMID: 23332917.

PubMed ID: 
23332917

Loss of function of glucocerebrosidase GBA2 is responsible for motor neuron defects in hereditary spastic paraplegia

Martin E, Sch?ole R, Smets K, Rastetter A, Boukhris A, Loureiro JL, Gonzalez MA, Mundwiller E, Deconinck T, Wessner M, Jornea L, Oteyza AC, Durr A, Martin JJ, Schols L, Mhiri C, Lamari F, Z?ochner S, De Jonghe P, Kabashi E, Brice A, Stevanin G. Loss of function of glucocerebrosidase GBA2 is responsible for motor neuron defects in hereditary spastic paraplegia. Am J Hum Genet. 2013 Feb 7;92(2):238-44. PubMed PMID: 23332916.

PubMed ID: 
23332916

A new locus (SPG46) maps to 9p21.2-q21.12 in a Tunisian family with a complicated autosomal recessive hereditary spastic paraplegia with mental impairment and thin corpus callosum

Boukhris A, Feki I, Elleuch N, Miladi MI, Boland-Aug?(c) A, Truchetto J, Mundwiller E, Jezequel N, Zelenika D, Mhiri C, Brice A, Stevanin G. A new locus (SPG46) maps to 9p21.2-q21.12 in a Tunisian family with a complicated autosomal recessive hereditary spastic paraplegia with mental impairment and thin corpus callosum. Neurogenetics. 2010 Oct;11(4):441-8.

PubMed ID: 
20593214

Niemann-Pick Disease, Type C2

Clinical Characteristics
Ocular Features: 

The primary ocular feature of type C2 Niemann-Pick disease is supranuclear gaze palsy.  A cherry red spot is rarely seen. 

Systemic Features: 

Neurodegeneration is the outstanding clinical manifestation and often the cause of death.  The onset usually occurs in infancy and the course is rapid with death often in the first year of life.  The clinical disease is similar to that of the more common type C1 (257220) although there is considerable clinical heterogeneity in all types of NPC.  Pulmonary involvement can be a prominent feature of C2 disease.  Other neurologic symptoms include ataxia, facial dyskinesis, bradykinesia, expressive aphasia, dysarthria and cognitive decline.  Visceromegaly seems to be less common than in type C1 (257220).  Cholesterol esterification is impaired with accumulation in intracellular organelles. 

Genetics

Like other types of NPC disease, this disorder follows an autosomal recessive pattern of inheritance.  It results from mutations in the NPC2 gene (14q24.3).  These mutations are far less common than those in the NPC1 (257220)gene.  

Pedigree: 
Autosomal recessive
Treatment
Treatment Options: 

Treatment is available for symptoms such as seizures and dystonia.  Good pulmonary hygiene is important and precautions should be taken to prevent aspiration. 

References
Article Title: 
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