Retinitis Pigmentosa 72

Clinical Characteristics
Ocular Features: 

The history and fundus findings are typical for classic retinitis pigmentosa with onset of symptoms in the 4th and 5th decades or earlier. Salt and pepper pigmentation may also be present. These consist of night blindness, decreased visual acuity, and constriction of visual fields.  The fields are constricted to 10-30 degrees, and vision ranges from 20/25 to 20/40.  Optic pallor is often present, the retinal vessels are narrowed and bone-spicule pigmentation has been described.  Vitreous 'condensation' sufficient to obscure fundus details may be present.  ERG responses are absent or substantially reduced.  Heterozygotes have no symptoms or fundus abnormalities.

Systemic Features: 

No systemic features have been described.

Genetics

Homozygous mutations in the ZNF408 gene (11p11.2) are responsible for this condition.  The product of this gene is a transcription factor highly expressed in fetal and adult retina and plays a role in vasculogenesis.

Heterozygous mutations in the same gene cause familial exudative vitreoretinopathy (FEVR6) (616468) described in one family with significant vitreal and retinal vascular disease.

Treatment
Treatment Options: 

No treatment is available for the basic disease.  Tinted lenses may provide some benefit.

References
Article Title: 

Whole-exome sequencing reveals ZNF408 as a new gene associated with autosomal recessive retinitis pigmentosa with vitreal alterations

Avila-Fernandez A, Perez-Carro R, Corton M, Lopez-Molina MI, Campello L, Garanto A, Fernandez-Sanchez L, Duijkers L, Lopez-Martinez MA, Riveiro-Alvarez R, Da Silva LR, Sanchez-Alcudia R, Martin-Garrido E, Reyes N, Garcia-Garcia F, Dopazo J, Garcia-Sandoval B, Collin RW, Cuenca N, Ayuso C. Whole-exome sequencing reveals ZNF408 as a new gene associated with autosomal recessive retinitis pigmentosa with vitreal alterations. Hum Mol Genet. 2015 Jul 15;24(14):4037-48.

PubMed ID: 
25882705

References

Avila-Fernandez A, Perez-Carro R, Corton M, Lopez-Molina MI, Campello L, Garanto A, Fernandez-Sanchez L, Duijkers L, Lopez-Martinez MA, Riveiro-Alvarez R, Da Silva LR, Sanchez-Alcudia R, Martin-Garrido E, Reyes N, Garcia-Garcia F, Dopazo J, Garcia-Sandoval B, Collin RW, Cuenca N, Ayuso C. Whole-exome sequencing reveals ZNF408 as a new gene associated with autosomal recessive retinitis pigmentosa with vitreal alterations. Hum Mol Genet. 2015 Jul 15;24(14):4037-48.

PubMedID: 25882705