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1.
Muscle Nerve ; 67(5): 378-386, 2023 05.
Article in English | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-36840949

ABSTRACT

INTRODUCTION/AIMS: Higher urate levels are associated with improved ALS survival in retrospective studies, however whether raising urate levels confers a survival advantage is unknown. In the Safety of Urate Elevation in Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis (SURE-ALS) trial, inosine raised serum urate and was safe and well-tolerated. The SURE-ALS2 trial was designed to assess longer term safety. Functional outcomes and a smartphone application were also explored. METHODS: Participants were randomized 2:1 to inosine (n = 14) or placebo (n = 9) for 20 weeks, titrated to serum urate of 7-8 mg/dL. Primary outcomes were safety and tolerability. Functional outcomes were measured with the Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis Functional Rating Scale Revised (ALSFRS-R). Mobility and ALSFRS-R were also assessed by a smartphone application. RESULTS: During inosine treatment, mean urate ranged 5.68-6.82 mg/dL. Treatment-emergent adverse event (TEAE) incidence was similar between groups (p > .10). Renal TEAEs occurred in three (21%) and hypertension in one (7%) of participants randomized to inosine. Inosine was tolerated in 71% of participants versus placebo 67%. Two participants (14%) in the inosine group experienced TEAEs deemed related to treatment (nephrolithiasis); one was a severe adverse event. Mean ALSFRS-R decline did not differ between groups (p = .69). Change in measured home time was similar between groups. Digital and in-clinic ALSFRS-R correlated well. DISCUSSION: Inosine met pre-specified criteria for safety and tolerability. A functional benefit was not demonstrated in this trial designed for safety and tolerability. Findings suggested potential utility for a smartphone application in ALS clinical and research settings.


Subject(s)
Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis , Humans , Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis/drug therapy , Uric Acid , Retrospective Studies , Inosine/therapeutic use , Double-Blind Method
2.
Article in English | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-35896379

ABSTRACT

BACKGROUND: Valosin-containing protein (VCP) disease, caused by mutations in the VCP gene, results in myopathy, Paget's disease of bone (PBD) and frontotemporal dementia (FTD). Natural history and genotype-phenotype correlation data are limited. This study characterises patients with mutations in VCP gene and investigates genotype-phenotype correlations. METHODS: Descriptive retrospective international study collecting clinical and genetic data of patients with mutations in the VCP gene. RESULTS: Two hundred and fifty-five patients (70.0% males) were included in the study. Mean age was 56.8±9.6 years and mean age of onset 45.6±9.3 years. Mean diagnostic delay was 7.7±6 years. Symmetric lower limb weakness was reported in 50% at onset progressing to generalised muscle weakness. Other common symptoms were ventilatory insufficiency 40.3%, PDB 28.2%, dysautonomia 21.4% and FTD 14.3%. Fifty-seven genetic variants were identified, 18 of these no previously reported. c.464G>A (p.Arg155His) was the most frequent variant, identified in the 28%. Full time wheelchair users accounted for 19.1% with a median time from disease onset to been wheelchair user of 8.5 years. Variant c.463C>T (p.Arg155Cys) showed an earlier onset (37.8±7.6 year) and a higher frequency of axial and upper limb weakness, scapular winging and cognitive impairment. Forced vital capacity (FVC) below 50% was as risk factor for being full-time wheelchair user, while FVC <70% and being a full-time wheelchair user were associated with death. CONCLUSION: This study expands the knowledge on the phenotypic presentation, natural history, genotype-phenotype correlations and risk factors for disease progression of VCP disease and is useful to improve the care provided to patient with this complex disease.

3.
Muscle Nerve ; 66(1): 39-49, 2022 07.
Article in English | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-35098554

ABSTRACT

INTRODUCTION/AIMS: ALS is a heterogeneous disease that may be complicated or in part driven by inflammation. NP001, a regulator of macrophage activation, was associated with slowing disease progression in those with higher levels of the plasma inflammatory marker C-reactive protein (CRP) in phase 2A studies in ALS. Here, we evaluate the effects of NP001 in a phase 2B trial, and perform a post hoc analysis with combined data from the preceding phase 2A trial. METHODS: The phase 2B trial enrolled 138 participants within 3 y of symptom onset and with plasma hs-CRP values >1.13 mg/L. They were randomized 1:1 to receive either placebo or NP001 for 6 mo. Change from baseline ALSFRS-R scores was the primary efficacy endpoint. Secondary endpoints included vital capacity (VC) change from baseline and percentage of participants showing no decline of ALSFRS-R score over 6 mo (non-progressor). RESULTS: The phase 2B study did not show significant differences between placebo and active treatment with respect to change in ALSFRS-R scores, or VC. The drug was safe and well tolerated. A post hoc analysis identified a 40- to 65-y-old subset in which NP001-treated patients demonstrated slower declines in ALSFRS-R score by 36% and VC loss by 51% compared with placebo. A greater number of non-progressors were NP001-treated compared with placebo (p = .004). DISCUSSION: Although the phase 2B trial failed to meet its primary endpoints, post hoc analyses identified a subgroup whose decline in ALSFRS-R and VC scores were significantly slower than placebo. Further studies will be required to validate these findings.


Subject(s)
Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis , Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis/diagnosis , Biomarkers , C-Reactive Protein , Disease Progression , Double-Blind Method , Humans , Vital Capacity/physiology
4.
Muscle Nerve ; 66(1): 50-62, 2022 07.
Article in English | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-35428982

ABSTRACT

INTRODUCTION/AIMS: Facioscapulohumeral muscular dystrophy (FSHD) is a slowly progressive muscular dystrophy without approved therapies. In this study we evaluated whether locally acting ACE-083 could safely increase muscle volume and improve functional outcomes in adults with FSHD. METHODS: Participants were at least 18 years old and had FSHD1/FSHD2. Part 1 was open label, ascending dose, assessing safety and tolerability (primary objective). Part 2 was randomized, double-blind for 6 months, evaluating ACE-083240 mg/muscle vs placebo injected bilaterally every 3 weeks in the biceps brachii (BB) or tibialis anterior (TA) muscles, followed by 6 months of open label. Magnetic resonance imaging measures included total muscle volume (TMV; primary objective), fat fraction (FF), and contractile muscle volume (CMV). Functional measures included 6-minute walk test, 10-meter walk/run, and 4-stair climb (TA group), and performance of upper limb midlevel/elbow score (BB group). Strength, patient-reported outcomes (PROs), and safety were also evaluated. RESULTS: Parts 1 and 2 enrolled 37 and 58 participants, respectively. Among 55 participants evaluable in Part 2, the least-squares mean (90% confidence interval, analysis of covariance) treatment difference for TMV was 16.4% (9.8%-23.0%) in the BB group (P < .0001) and 9.5% (3.2%-15.9%) in the TA group (P = .01). CMV increased significantly in the BB and TA groups and FF decreased in the TA group. There were no consistent improvements in functional or PRO measures in either group. The most common adverse events were mild or moderate injection-site reactions. DISCUSSION: Significant increases in TMV with ACE-083 vs placebo did not result in consistent functional or PRO improvements with up to 12 months of treatment.


Subject(s)
Cytomegalovirus Infections , Muscular Dystrophy, Facioscapulohumeral , Adolescent , Adult , Cytomegalovirus Infections/pathology , Humans , Magnetic Resonance Imaging , Muscle Contraction , Muscle, Skeletal
5.
Muscle Nerve ; 62(3): 369-376, 2020 09.
Article in English | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-32564389

ABSTRACT

We performed an observational, natural history study of males with in-frame dystrophin gene deletions causing Becker muscular dystrophy (BMD). A prospective natural history study collected longitudinal medical, strength, and timed function assessments. Eighty-three participants with genetically confirmed BMD were enrolled (age range 5.6-75.4 years). Lower extremity function and the percentage of participants who retained ambulation declined across the age span. The largest single group of participants had in-frame deletions that corresponded to an out-of-frame deletion treated with an exon 45 skip to restore the reading frame. This group of 54 participants showed similarities in baseline motor functional assessments when compared to the group of all others in the study. A prospective natural history cohort with in-frame dystrophin gene deletions offers the potential to contribute to clinical trial readiness for BMD and to analyze therapeutic benefit of exon skipping for Duchenne muscular dystrophy.


Subject(s)
Dystrophin/genetics , Muscular Dystrophy, Duchenne/diagnosis , Adolescent , Adult , Aged , Child , Child, Preschool , Disease Progression , Gene Deletion , Humans , Longitudinal Studies , Male , Middle Aged , Muscular Dystrophy, Duchenne/genetics , Muscular Dystrophy, Duchenne/physiopathology , Phenotype , Prospective Studies , Symptom Assessment , Young Adult
6.
J Neurol Neurosurg Psychiatry ; 90(3): 294-301, 2019 03.
Article in English | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-30467209

ABSTRACT

OBJECTIVE: To determine whether proton magnetic resonance spectroscopy (1H-MRS) can detect neurochemical changes in amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) associated with heterogeneous functional decline. METHODS: Nineteen participants with early-stage ALS and 18 age-matched and sex ratio-matched controls underwent ultra-high field 1H-MRS scans of the upper limb motor cortex and pons, ALS Functional Rating Scale-Revised (ALSFRS-R total, upper limb and bulbar) and upper motor neuron burden assessments in a longitudinal observational study design with follow-up assessments at 6 and 12 months. Slopes of neurochemical levels over time were compared between patient subgroups classified by the rate of upper limb or bulbar functional decline. 1H-MRS and clinical ratings at baseline were assessed for ability to predict study withdrawal due to disease progression. RESULTS: Motor cortex total N-acetylaspartate to myo-inositol ratio (tNAA:mIns) significantly declined in patients who worsened in upper limb function over the follow-up period (n=9, p=0.002). Pons glutamate + glutamine significantly increased in patients who worsened in bulbar function (n=6, p<0.0001). Neurochemical levels did not change in patients with stable function (n=5-6) or in healthy controls (n=14-16) over time. Motor cortex tNAA:mIns and ALSFRS-R at baseline were significantly lower in patients who withdrew from follow-up due to disease progression (n=6) compared with patients who completed the 12-month scan (n=10) (p<0.001 for tNAA:mIns; p<0.01 for ALSFRS-R), with a substantially larger overlap in ALSFRS-R between groups. CONCLUSION: Neurochemical changes in motor areas of the brain are associated with functional decline in corresponding body regions. 1H-MRS was a better predictor of study withdrawal due to ALS progression than ALSFRS-R.


Subject(s)
Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis/etiology , Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis/metabolism , Adult , Aged , Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis/diagnosis , Aspartic Acid/analogs & derivatives , Aspartic Acid/metabolism , Case-Control Studies , Disease Progression , Female , Glutamic Acid/metabolism , Humans , Longitudinal Studies , Male , Middle Aged , Motor Cortex/metabolism , Motor Neurons/metabolism , Pons/metabolism , Prognosis , Proton Magnetic Resonance Spectroscopy , Upper Extremity
7.
Curr Neurol Neurosci Rep ; 16(6): 53, 2016 Jun.
Article in English | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-27072953

ABSTRACT

Progressive external ophthalmoplegia (PEO), marked by progressive bilateral ptosis and diffuse reduction in ocular motility, represents a finding of mitochondrial myopathy rather than a true diagnosis. PEO often occurs with other systemic features of mitochondrial dysfunction that can cause significant morbidity and mortality. Accurate and early recognition of PEO is paramount for the optimal care of these patients. We present an evidence-based review of the presenting neuro-ophthalmic features, differential diagnosis, diagnostic tools, systemic implications, and treatment options for isolated PEO and other PEO-associated mitochondrial syndromes.


Subject(s)
Ophthalmoplegia, Chronic Progressive External/diagnosis , Biopsy , Diagnosis, Differential , Disease Progression , Genetic Testing , Humans , Ophthalmoplegia, Chronic Progressive External/genetics , Treatment Outcome
8.
J Neuromuscul Dis ; 11(1): 201-212, 2024.
Article in English | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-37980682

ABSTRACT

BACKGROUND: Becker muscular dystrophy is an X-linked, genetic disorder causing progressive degeneration of skeletal and cardiac muscle, with a widely variable phenotype. OBJECTIVE: A 3-year, longitudinal, prospective dataset contributed by patients with confirmed Becker muscular dystrophy was analyzed to characterize the natural history of this disorder. A better understanding of the natural history is crucial to rigorous therapeutic trials. METHODS: A cohort of 83 patients with Becker muscular dystrophy (5-75 years at baseline) were followed for up to 3 years with annual assessments. Muscle and pulmonary function outcomes were analyzed herein. Age-stratified statistical analysis and modeling were conducted to analyze cross-sectional data, time-to-event data, and longitudinal data to characterize these clinical outcomes. RESULTS: Deletion mutations of dystrophin exons 45-47 or 45-48 were most common. Subgroup analysis showed greater pairwise association between motor outcomes at baseline than association between these outcomes and age. Stronger correlations between outcomes for adults than for those under 18 years were also observed. Using cross-sectional binning analysis, a ceiling effect was seen for North Star Ambulatory Assessment but not for other functional outcomes. Longitudinal analysis showed a decline in percentage predicted forced vital capacity over the life span. There was relative stability or improved median function for motor functional outcomes through childhood and adolescence and decreasing function with age thereafter. CONCLUSIONS: There is variable progression of outcomes resulting in significant heterogeneity of the clinical phenotype of Becker muscular dystrophy. Disease progression is largely manifest in adulthood. There are implications for clinical trial design revealed by this longitudinal analysis of a Becker natural history dataset.


Subject(s)
Muscular Dystrophy, Duchenne , Adult , Adolescent , Humans , Child , Muscular Dystrophy, Duchenne/genetics , Prospective Studies , Cross-Sectional Studies , Phenotype , Myocardium
9.
Muscle Nerve ; 48(3): 440-4, 2013 Sep.
Article in English | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-23447136

ABSTRACT

INTRODUCTION: Ipilimumab, a monoclonal anti-CTLA-4 antibody, is used to treat melanoma. Neuromuscular side effects, possibly autoimmune, may occur. METHODS: In this investigation we undertook a retrospective review of patient records. RESULTS: After 3 doses of ipilimumab, a 31-year-old man developed asymmetric, severe weakness involving all limbs, respiration, and cranial nerves, which was progressive over 2 weeks. EMG/NCS showed an axonal polyradiculoneuropathy with multifocal motor conduction blocks. CSF protein was 749 mg/dl. Nerve pathology showed inflammation around the endoneurial microvessels and subperineurial edema and inflammation. Spine MRI showed leptomeningeal and anterior and posterior root enhancement. Strength improved slowly over months after ipilimumab discontinuation and immunomodulating treatment. CONCLUSIONS: Ipilimumab toxicity presented as a monophasic, multifocal, asymmetric polyradiculoneuropathy involving roots and peripheral and cranial nerves. Ipilimumab may produce a polyradiculoneuropathy with disruption of the blood-nerve barrier due to a microvasculopathy.


Subject(s)
Antibodies, Monoclonal/adverse effects , Immunologic Factors/adverse effects , Melanoma/drug therapy , Polyradiculoneuropathy/chemically induced , Skin Neoplasms/drug therapy , Adult , Antigens, CD/metabolism , Antigens, Differentiation, Myelomonocytic/metabolism , Cranial Nerves/pathology , Electromyography , Humans , Ipilimumab , Magnetic Resonance Imaging , Male , Melanoma/pathology , Neural Conduction/drug effects , Receptors, Cell Surface/metabolism , Skin Neoplasms/pathology , Sural Nerve/pathology , Time Factors
10.
Commun Med (Lond) ; 3(1): 84, 2023 Jun 16.
Article in English | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-37328685

ABSTRACT

BACKGROUND: Recent advances in MRI acquisitions and image analysis have increased the utility of neuroimaging in understanding disease-related changes. In this work, we aim to demonstrate increased sensitivity to disease progression as well as improved diagnostic accuracy in Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) with multimodal MRI of the brain and cervical spinal cord. METHODS: We acquired diffusion MRI data from the brain and cervical cord, and T1 data from the brain, of 20 participants with ALS and 20 healthy control participants. Ten ALS and 14 control participants, and 11 ALS and 13 control participants were re-scanned at 6-month and 12-month follow-ups respectively. We estimated cross-sectional differences and longitudinal changes in diffusion metrics, cortical thickness, and fixel-based microstructure measures, i.e. fiber density and fiber cross-section. RESULTS: We demonstrate improved disease diagnostic accuracy and sensitivity through multimodal analysis of brain and spinal cord metrics. The brain metrics also distinguished lower motor neuron-predominant ALS participants from control participants. Fiber density and cross-section provided the greatest sensitivity to longitudinal change. We demonstrate evidence of progression in a cohort of 11 participants with slowly progressive ALS, including in participants with very slow change in ALSFRS-R. More importantly, we demonstrate that longitudinal change is detectable at a six-month follow-up visit. We also report correlations between ALSFRS-R and the fiber density and cross-section metrics. CONCLUSIONS: Our findings suggest that multimodal MRI is useful in improving disease diagnosis, and fixel-based measures may serve as potential biomarkers of disease progression in ALS clinical trials.


ALS is a disease affecting the brain and spinal cord which leads to weakness and muscle wasting. It is important to be able to measure disease-related changes whilst clinical trials are ongoing to assess whether the treatments being tested are working. We imaged the brain and spinal cord of people with and without ALS at 3 time points over a year. We found changes in the brain and spine over time. This study demonstrates that brain imaging could be potentially used to assess changes in disease progression during clinical trials, giving an indication of whether the treatments being tested are having an effect.

11.
Article in English | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-37461167

ABSTRACT

BACKGROUND: Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) is a rare disease with urgent need for improved treatment. Despite the acceleration of research in recent years, there is a need to understand the full natural history of the disease. As only 40% of people living with ALS are eligible for typical clinical trials, clinical trial datasets may not generalize to the full ALS population. While biomarker and cohort studies have more generous inclusion criteria, these too may not represent the full range of phenotypes, particularly if the burden for participation is high. To permit a complete understanding of the heterogeneity of ALS, comprehensive data on the full range of people with ALS is needed. METHODS: The ALS Natural History Consortium (ALS NHC) consists of nine ALS clinics and was created to build a comprehensive dataset reflective of the ALS population. At each clinic, most patients are asked to participate and about 95% do. After obtaining consent, a minimum dataset is abstracted from each participant's electronic health record. Participant burden is therefore minimal. RESULTS: Data on 1925 ALS patients were submitted as of 9 December 2022. ALS NHC participants were more heterogeneous relative to anonymized clinical trial data from the Pooled Resource Open-Access ALS Clinical Trials (PRO-ACT) database. The ALS NHC includes ALS patients of older age of onset and a broader distribution of El Escorial categories, than the PRO-ACT database. CONCLUSIONS: ALS NHC participants had a higher diversity of diagnostic and demographic data compared to ALS clinical trial participants.Key MessagesWhat is already known on this topic: Current knowledge of the natural history of ALS derives largely from regional and national registries that have broad representation of the population of people living with ALS but do not always collect covariates and clinical outcomes. Clinical studies with rich datasets of participant characteristics and validated clinical outcomes have stricter inclusion and exclusion criteria that may not be generalizable to the full ALS population.What this study adds: To bridge this gap, we collected baseline characteristics for a sample of the population of people living with ALS seen at a consortium of ALS clinics that collect extensive, pre-specified participant-level data, including validated outcome measures.How this study might affect research, practice, or policy: A clinic-based longitudinal dataset can improve our understanding of the natural history of ALS and can be used to inform the design and analysis of clinical trials and health economics studies, to help the prediction of clinical course, to find matched controls for open label extension trials and expanded access protocols, and to document real-world evidence of the impact of novel treatments and changes in care practice.

12.
Neurol Genet ; 9(5): e200093, 2023 Oct.
Article in English | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-37588275

ABSTRACT

Background and Objectives: Pathogenic variants in the valosin-containing protein (VCP) gene cause a phenotypically heterogeneous disorder that includes myopathy, motor neuron disease, Paget disease of the bone, frontotemporal dementia, and parkinsonism termed multisystem proteinopathy. This hallmark pleiotropy makes the classification of novel VCP variants challenging. This retrospective study describes and assesses the effect of 19 novel or nonpreviously clinically characterized VCP variants identified in 28 patients (26 unrelated families) in the retrospective VCP International Multicenter Study. Methods: A 6-item clinical score was developed to evaluate the phenotypic level of evidence to support the pathogenicity of the novel variants. Each item is allocated a value, a score ranging from 0.5 to 5.5 points. A receiver-operating characteristic curve was used to identify a cutoff value of 3 to consider a variant as high likelihood disease associated. The scoring system results were confronted with results of in vitro ATPase activity assays and with in silico analysis. Results: All variants were missense, except for one small deletion-insertion, 18 led to amino acid changes within the N and D1 domains, and 13 increased the enzymatic activity. The clinical score coincided with the functional studies in 17 of 19 variants and with the in silico analysis in 12 of 19. For 12 variants, the 3 predictive tools agreed, and for 7 variants, the predictive tools disagreed. The pooled data supported the pathogenicity of 13 of 19 novel VCP variants identified in the study. Discussion: This study provides data to support pathogenicity of 14 of 19 novel VCP variants and provides guidance for clinicians in the evaluation of novel variants in the VCP gene.

13.
J Stroke Cerebrovasc Dis ; 21(8): 906.e1-3, 2012 Nov.
Article in English | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-22001712

ABSTRACT

Cerebral fat embolism is an uncommon but serious complication of long-bone fracture. We report a young adult patient who sustained fat embolism after a femoral fracture. He developed stupor and coma within 24 hours from his injury. His acute recovery was characterized by marked frontal dysfunction. A comprehensive neuropsychological evaluation 4 months later revealed overall normal cognitive function, except for mild residual frontal dysfunction and weakness of verbal memory.


Subject(s)
Cognition Disorders/etiology , Cognition , Embolism, Fat/etiology , Intracranial Embolism/etiology , Accidents, Traffic , Cognition Disorders/diagnosis , Cognition Disorders/physiopathology , Cognition Disorders/psychology , Cognition Disorders/rehabilitation , Coma/etiology , Coma/psychology , Diffusion Magnetic Resonance Imaging , Embolism, Fat/diagnosis , Femoral Fractures/etiology , Frontal Lobe/physiopathology , Humans , Intracranial Embolism/diagnosis , Male , Memory , Neuropsychological Tests , Recovery of Function , Stupor/etiology , Stupor/psychology , Time Factors , Treatment Outcome , Verbal Behavior , Young Adult
14.
Continuum (Minneap Minn) ; 28(6): 1643-1662, 2022 12 01.
Article in English | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-36537973

ABSTRACT

PURPOSE OF REVIEW: This article outlines the salient clinical, serologic, electrophysiologic, imaging, and histopathologic findings and treatment options for the idiopathic inflammatory myopathies, including those related to immune checkpoint inhibitors and SARS-CoV-2. RECENT FINDINGS: The classification of idiopathic inflammatory myopathies has improved with the integration of myositis-specific antibodies and histopathologic findings. Characteristic features of immune checkpoint inhibitor-related myositis have been identified, allowing early recognition and treatment of the syndrome. The COVID-19 pandemic has had a profound impact on the care of patients with idiopathic inflammatory myopathies, and several mechanisms of virus-related muscle injury have been proposed. SUMMARY: A comprehensive evaluation including clinical examination, EMG, imaging, antibody testing, muscle biopsy, and cancer screening, when appropriate, can lead to an earlier accurate diagnosis and an individualized treatment approach for patients with idiopathic inflammatory myopathies.


Subject(s)
COVID-19 , Muscular Diseases , Myositis , Humans , Pandemics , SARS-CoV-2 , Myositis/diagnosis , Myositis/drug therapy , Autoantibodies
15.
Eur Heart J Case Rep ; 6(3): ytac015, 2022 Mar.
Article in English | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-35350724

ABSTRACT

Background: Myotonic dystrophies (DM) are multi-systemic diseases characterized by muscle weakness and myotonia. Despite a growing appreciation for the cardiovascular manifestations in myotonic dystrophy type 1 (DM1), cardiac involvement in myotonic dystrophy type 2 (DM2) has been less well characterized. In patients with DM2, cardiomyopathy has rarely been described. Case summary: This case report describes a rare case of DM2 associated cardiomyopathy. A 56-year-old male with DM2 who presented with palpitations and fatigue. Cardiac magnetic resonance (CMR) imaging confirmed a severely enlarged left ventricular cavity with a left ventricular ejection fraction of 28% consistent with severely reduced global systolic function. The lateral wall epicardium exhibited late gadolinium enhancement in a pattern seen in myotonic dystrophy-related cardiomyopathy. Discussion: This case highlights the potential for significant cardiovascular involvement in DM2, as well as the importance of screening, including CMR imaging, and therapy in the myotonic dystrophy patient population.

16.
eNeurologicalSci ; 22: 100299, 2021 Mar.
Article in English | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-33313429

ABSTRACT

Infection from SARS-CoV-2 virus has developed into a worldwide pandemic. Potential neurological complications include meningitis, encephalitis, Guillain-Barre syndrome, cerebrovascular disease, seizures, and demyelinating disease. In this paper, we describe a case of newly diagnosed multiple sclerosis co-occurring with active COVID-19 infection.

17.
Front Neurol ; 11: 571716, 2020.
Article in English | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-33324322

ABSTRACT

Involvement of cardiac muscle is felt to be very uncommon in anti-HMGCR myopathy, and therefore early cardiac evaluation is not considered a high priority for this condition. We herein present the case of a 72 year-old woman admitted due to dyspnea and orthopnea, who, in retrospect, suffered from proximal more than distal muscle weakness for 3 months prior to admission. She was found to have acute systolic heart failure. Serologic testing showed positive 3-hydroxy-3-methylglutaryl-coenzyme A reductase (HMGCR) IgG antibodies, and muscle biopsy showed necrotizing myopathy. No alternative explanation for heart failure was found. Despite immunotherapy and symptomatic treatment, she died from multiorgan failure. Our study suggests that heart failure in anti HMGCR myopathy may not be as rare as previously thought, and therefore early cardiac evaluation should be considered in patients with this diagnosis, to minimize morbidity and mortality.

18.
J Clin Neuromuscul Dis ; 22(1): 50-52, 2020 Sep.
Article in English | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-32833724

ABSTRACT

Inclusion body myositis (IBM) is the most common acquired myopathy in adults older than 50 years. Muscle biopsy remains the gold standard for diagnosis. Recently described serum antibodies against cytosolic 5-nucleotidase 1A (cN1A) are considered highly specific for IBM. However, positive cN1A antibodies in diseases other than IBM are recently reported. We review 2 cases in which serum antibodies were positive but ancillary testing revealed motor neuron disease. A 68-year-old man presented with asymmetric quadriceps and handgrip weakness prompting concern for IBM. However, electromyography showed purely chronic neurogenic abnormalities, and muscle biopsy was consistent with post-polio syndrome. A 60-year-old woman reported a history of progressive muscle weakness. Despite positive antibodies, examination and electromyography were indicative of amyotrophic lateral sclerosis. Serum cN1A antibodies are not 100% specific for the diagnosis of IBM. Careful clinical, electrophysiologic, and histopathologic correlation is required in workup of individuals with neuromuscular weakness and positive antibodies.


Subject(s)
5'-Nucleotidase/blood , Autoantibodies/blood , Motor Neuron Disease/blood , Aged , Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis/blood , Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis/diagnosis , Electromyography , Female , Hand Strength , Humans , Male , Middle Aged , Motor Neuron Disease/diagnosis , Muscle Weakness/pathology , Muscle, Skeletal/pathology , Myositis, Inclusion Body/blood , Myositis, Inclusion Body/diagnosis , Sensitivity and Specificity
19.
J Clin Neuromuscul Dis ; 22(1): 53-57, 2020 Sep.
Article in English | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-32833725

ABSTRACT

Senile systemic amyloidosis (SSA), or wild-type transthyretin (wtATTR) amyloidosis, is associated most commonly with cardiomyopathy and carpal tunnel syndrome. SSA-associated skeletal myopathy is rare. We describe the case of a patient with SSA who exhibited asymmetric quadriceps and finger flexor weakness, a phenotype usually seen in inclusion body myositis.


Subject(s)
Amyloidosis/diagnosis , Muscle Weakness/diagnosis , Phenotype , Aged , Humans , Magnetic Resonance Imaging , Male , Myositis, Inclusion Body/diagnosis
20.
J Neurol ; 267(11): 3135-3153, 2020 Nov.
Article in English | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-32561990

ABSTRACT

BACKGROUND: In December 2019, unexplained cases of pneumonia emerged in Wuhan, China, which were found to be secondary to the novel coronavirus SARS-CoV-2. On March 11, 2020, the WHO declared the Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-2019) outbreak, a pandemic. OBJECTIVE: To clarify the neurological complications of SARS-CoV-2 infection including the potential mechanisms and therapeutic options. METHODS: We conducted a systematic literature search from December 01, 2019 to May 14, 2020 using multiple combinations of keywords from PubMed and Ovid Medline databases according to the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses guidelines. We included articles with cases of COVID-19 where neurological involvement was evident. RESULTS: We were able to identify 82 cases of COVID-19 with neurological complications. The mean age was 62.3 years. 37.8% of the patients were women (n = 31). 48.8% of the patients (n = 40) had cerebrovascular insults, 28% (n = 23) had neuromuscular disorders, and 23% of the patients (n = 19) had encephalitis or encephalopathy. CONCLUSIONS: Neurological manifestations of COVID-19 are not rare, especially large vessel stroke, Guillain-Barre syndrome, and meningoencephalitis. Moving forward, further studies are needed to clarify the prevalence of the neurological complications of SARS-CoV-2 infection, investigate their biological backgrounds, and test treatment options. Physicians should be cautious not to overlook other neurological diagnoses that can mimic COVID-19 during the pandemic.


Subject(s)
Coronavirus Infections/complications , Nervous System Diseases/epidemiology , Nervous System Diseases/virology , Pneumonia, Viral/complications , Adult , Aged , Betacoronavirus , COVID-19 , Female , Humans , Male , Middle Aged , Pandemics , Prevalence , SARS-CoV-2
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