A De Novo BSCL2 Gene S90L Mutation in a Progressive Tetraparesis with Urinary Dysfunction and Corpus Callosum Involvement.

A Silver syndrome is a rare autosomal dominant spastic paraparesis in which spasticity of the lower limbs is accompanied by amyotrophy of the small hand muscles. The causative gene is the Berardinelli-Seip congenital lipodystrophy 2 ( BSCL2) , which is related to a spectrum of neurological phenotypes. In the current study, we presented a 14-year-old male with a slowly progressive spastic paraparesis with urinary incontinence that later on exhibited atrophy and weakness in the thenar and dorsal interosseous muscles. Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) revealed discrete atrophy of the corpus callosum isthmus and an extended next-generation sequencing panel identified a de novo heterozygous mutation in BSCL2 gene, c.269C > T p.(S90L). Various clinical expression and incomplete penetrance of BSCL2 gene mutations complicate the establishment of a genetic etiology for these cases. Therefore, Silver syndrome should be included in the differential diagnosis if the initial presentation is a spastic paraparesis by urinary involvement with childhood-onset, even with MRI atypical findings. This report described the first Iberian Silver syndrome case carrying a de novo c.269C > T p. (S90L) BSCL2 gene mutation.

Phospholipase A2 and Ischemic Stroke Etiology.

BACKGROUND: Lipoprotein-associated phospholipase A2 (Lp-PLA2), which is involved in the inflammatory atherosclerotic process, has emerged as an independent risk factor for atheromatous vascular events. Its impact on coronary disease has already been demonstrated, however, its influence in cerebrovascular etiology is still unknown. We aimed to observe and describe the potential association between Lp-PLA2 levels and the etiologic subtype of ischemic stroke. METHODS: Unicentric, observational, and prospective cohort study of consecutive patients with acute ischemic stroke, admitted in a comprehensive stroke center. Patients with incomplete investigation or coexisting causes were excluded. Lp-PLA2 was dosed in peripheral blood between day 3 and 14 postevent with "Lp-PLA2-SNIBE" kit. Statistical significance was set for P<0.05. RESULTS: A total of 96 patients were enrolled, with mean age of 75.31±11.88 years, 41 males (42.7%); 12.5% with lacunar stroke, 16.7% atherothrombotic, 46.9% cardioembolic, and 24% embolic stroke of undetermined source (ESUS). The level of Lp-PLA2 was different between etiologies (F=2.982, P=0.035), being lower in ESUS (143.3±42.8 ng/mL). There were no significant associations with previous vascular risk factors, history of ischemic stroke and modified-Rankin scale (mRS) score 3 months postevent. In ESUS patients, Lp-PLA2 was not associated with cervical ultrasound findings or frequent supraventricular extrasystoles. CONCLUSIONS: Lp-PLA2 levels are different between etiologic subtypes of ischemic stroke, being lower in ESUS patients. The results of this study reinforce the existence of distinct pathophysiological mechanisms in patients with ESUS. Multicenter clinical trials with larger sample sizes are needed to clarify the role Lp-PLA2 on the etiology of stroke.

Clinical effectiveness of reduced fingolimod dose in relapsing remitting multiple sclerosis-a Portuguese cohort.

BACKGROUND: Fingolimod is an oral daily treatment for relapsing remitting multiple sclerosis (RRMS). A decrease in lymphocytes count is a common side effect, whereby clinicians occasionally propose a reduced dose rather than its discontinuation. However, current data on the effectiveness of these regimens are scarce and contradictory. Our objective was to investigate if the fingolimod effectiveness is maintained with reduction in dosing frequency. METHODS: Retrospective and observational study of RRMS patients taking fingolimod-nondaily (FTY-ND) for at least 6 months. Propensity score-based matching was performed to select patients taking daily dose (FTY-ED) with comparable baseline characteristics: age, sex, disease duration, annualized relapse rate (ARR), and expanded disability status scale (EDSS). Afterwards, clinical and laboratorial assessment was evaluated in both groups. RESULTS: Thirty-six patients were included in each group (FTY-ED vs. FTY-ND). Decrease in lymphocytes count was the main reason for switching to FTY-ND (88.9%). Previous treatment with natalizumab was inversely associated with risk of reducing dose (OR 0.253, 95%CI = 0.08-0.807, p = 0.016). There were no significant differences in clinical disease activity between patients FTY-ED vs. FTY-ND: mean ARR 0.4 vs. 0.3 (p = 0.247), median EDSS 2.0 vs. 2.0 (p = 0.687), and proportion of patients with EDSS increase 8.3% vs. 13.9% (p = 0.453). FTY-ND was overall well tolerated and was associated with an increase in the mean lymphocytes count (362 ± 103 cells/mm3 to 541 ± 183 cells/mm3, p < 0.001). CONCLUSION: These data suggest that the effectiveness of FTY is maintained despite the reduction of the dose, minimizing the most common adverse events. These findings warrant further confirmation, ideally with randomized clinical trials.

[Acute Generalized Chorea, Dystonia and Brain Calcifications: A Case Report]. / Coreia Aguda Generalizada, Distonia e Calcificações Cerebrais: A Propósito de um Caso Clínico.

Pathological basal ganglia calcification, or Fahr's Syndrome, can be secondary to a variety of diseases, namely parathyroid disturbances. Movement disorders are common clinical features, in which chorea is seen in less than 20% of cases and dystonia just in 8%. We report the clinical case of a 49-year-old male with a history of thyroidectomy, who was admitted in Emergency Service with acute generalized chorea and focal painful feet dystonia. Laboratory analysis showed hypocalcemia and rhabdomyolysis, and computed tomography scan revealed parenchymal calcification with basal ganglia involvement. After complementary studies we established a Fahr's Syndrome diagnosis secondary to an iatrogenic hypoparathyroidism. Clinical management has been successful with stabilized calcium levels, with no more neurologic symptoms. Hypocalcemia should be readily investigated and treated after a thyroidectomy, given the irreversibility of intracerebral calcifications and potential neurological or systemic consequences.

A calcificação dos núcleos da base, ou síndrome de Fahr, pode ser secundária a variadas doenças, nomeadamente as que cursam com envolvimento da paratiróide. Distúrbios do movimento são achados clínicos comuns, mas a coreia é observada em menos de 20% dos casos e a distonia apenas em 8%. Apresentamos o caso de um homem de 49 anos com antecedentes de tiroidectomia, admitido no serviço de urgência com coreia aguda generalizada e distonia focal dolorosa dos pés, cujo estudo laboratorial revelava hipocalcémia e rabdomiólise e a tomografia computorizada crânio-encefálica mostrava calcificações parenquimatosas extensas com envolvimento dos núcleos da base. A alargada investigação complementar permitiu fazer o diagnóstico de síndrome de Fahr secundária a hipoparatiroidismo iatrogénico. Após estabilização da calcémia, a evolução clínica foi favorável com resolução dos sintomasneurológicos. A hipocalcémia deve ser investigada e corrigida depois de tiroidectomias, dada a irreversibilidade das calcificações intracerebrais e as potenciais consequências neurológicas e sistémicas.