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Retinal Dystrophy and Obesity

OMIM ID:

autosomal recessive

Retinal Dystrophy and Obesity

Alternate Names

RDOB

Defective Genes

TUB

Clinical Characteristics

Ocular Features

The age of onset of symptoms is unknown but based on the report of a single family with three affected sibs, it may occur early in the second decade. Patients may note some loss of night vision and the visual fields are restricted.  The ERG responses are consistent with a generalized rod-cone dystrophy.  Fundoscopy reveals a generalized RPE atrophy together with arteriolar attenuation, peripheral pigmentary mottling and scattered white dots.  A nonspecific dyschromatopsia can be demonstrated but the fovea is relatively normal and central acuity is remarkably good.  Little is known about disease progression but an 18 year old male reported decreasing vision since the age of 11 years.  

Systemic Features

Obesity and a high BMI may be present.

Genetics

Inheritance

Homozygous mutations in the TUB gene (11p15) segregated with this disorder in a sibship from a consanguineous family.

Pedigree

Autosomal recessive

In order for autosomal recessive disorders to be expressed, offspring generally must inherit two mutations, one from each carrier parent.  Carriers with only one mutation, such as the parents, do not have clinical disease.  Note that carrier parents can expect that 1 in 4 children (25%) will inherit both mutations and have the disorder, 2 in 4 children (50%) will be carriers like their parents, while 1 in 4 children (25%) inherit neither mutation.

Image
Sample pedigree of autosomal recessive inheritance

In order for autosomal recessive disorders to be expressed, offspring generally must inherit two mutations, one from each carrier parent. Carriers with only one mutation, such as the parents, do not have clinical disease. Note that carrier parents can expect that 1 in 4 children (25%) will inherit both mutations and have the disorder, 2 in 4 children (50%) will be carriers like their parents, while 1 in 4 children (25%) inherit neither mutation.

Treatment & Management

No treatment has been reported.

Publications

Displaying 1 - 1 of 1

A Homozygous Mutation in theTUBGene Associated with Retinal Dystrophy and Obesity

PubMedID: 24375934