ABSTRACT
INTRODUCTION/AIMS: Myotonia is a key symptom of myotonic dystrophies (DM), and its quantification is challenging. This exploratory study evaluated the utility of tissue Doppler ultrasound (TDU) to assess myotonia in DM. METHODS: Twelve DM patients (seven type-1 DM [DM1] and five type-2 DM [DM2]) and 20 age-matched healthy subjects were included in this cross-sectional study. After measuring cross-sectional areas of the flexor digitorum superficialis (FDS) and extensor digitorum communis (EDC) muscles in a resting state, muscle contraction/relaxation time, time to peak tissue velocity, peak tissue velocity and velocity gradients of these muscles were measured via TDU while performing forced fist unclenching after fist closure. Additionally, grip strength, Medical Research Council Sum score and patient-reported myotonia severity scores were assessed. RESULTS: DM1 and DM2 patients had a lower grip strength than healthy subjects (p = .0001/p = .002). Patient-reported myotonia did not differ between DM1 and DM2 patients. DM1 patients revealed FDS and EDC atrophy compared to DM2 patients and healthy subjects (p = .003/p = .004). TDU revealed prolonged muscle contraction and relaxation times in both DM subtypes, with prolonged time to reach FDS peak relaxation velocity and altered peak FDS relaxation velocity only in DM1 patients (p = .03/p = .003). Peak FDS relaxation velocity correlated inversely with C(C)TG repeat numbers in DM patients. Sensitivity of TDU parameters to detect myotonic dystrophy varied between 50% and 75%, with a specificity of 95%. DISCUSSION: Our exploratory study suggests that TDU could serve as a novel tool to quantify myotonia in DM patients, but larger follow-up studies are warranted to validate its diagnostic accuracy.
ABSTRACT
Distal hereditary motor neuropathies (HMNs) and axonal Charcot-Marie-Tooth neuropathy (CMT2) are clinically and genetically heterogeneous diseases characterized primarily by motor neuron degeneration and distal weakness. The genetic cause for about half of the individuals affected by HMN/CMT2 remains unknown. Here, we report the identification of pathogenic variants in GBF1 (Golgi brefeldin A-resistant guanine nucleotide exchange factor 1) in four unrelated families with individuals affected by sporadic or dominant HMN/CMT2. Genomic sequencing analyses in seven affected individuals uncovered four distinct heterozygous GBF1 variants, two of which occurred de novo. Other known HMN/CMT2-implicated genes were excluded. Affected individuals show HMN/CMT2 with slowly progressive distal muscle weakness and musculoskeletal deformities. Electrophysiological studies confirmed axonal damage with chronic neurogenic changes. Three individuals had additional distal sensory loss. GBF1 encodes a guanine-nucleotide exchange factor that facilitates the activation of members of the ARF (ADP-ribosylation factor) family of small GTPases. GBF1 is mainly involved in the formation of coatomer protein complex (COPI) vesicles, maintenance and function of the Golgi apparatus, and mitochondria migration and positioning. We demonstrate that GBF1 is present in mouse spinal cord and muscle tissues and is particularly abundant in neuropathologically relevant sites, such as the motor neuron and the growth cone. Consistent with the described role of GBF1 in Golgi function and maintenance, we observed marked increase in Golgi fragmentation in primary fibroblasts derived from all affected individuals in this study. Our results not only reinforce the existing link between Golgi fragmentation and neurodegeneration but also demonstrate that pathogenic variants in GBF1 are associated with HMN/CMT2.
Subject(s)
Axons/metabolism , Charcot-Marie-Tooth Disease/genetics , Guanine Nucleotide Exchange Factors/genetics , Muscle Weakness/genetics , Muscular Atrophy, Spinal/genetics , Musculoskeletal Abnormalities/genetics , Adult , Aged , Aged, 80 and over , Amino Acid Sequence , Animals , Axons/pathology , COP-Coated Vesicles/metabolism , COP-Coated Vesicles/pathology , Charcot-Marie-Tooth Disease/diagnosis , Charcot-Marie-Tooth Disease/metabolism , Charcot-Marie-Tooth Disease/pathology , Female , Fibroblasts/metabolism , Fibroblasts/pathology , Gene Expression , Golgi Apparatus/metabolism , Golgi Apparatus/pathology , Guanine Nucleotide Exchange Factors/metabolism , Heterozygote , Humans , Male , Mice , Middle Aged , Mitochondria/metabolism , Mitochondria/pathology , Motor Neurons/metabolism , Motor Neurons/pathology , Muscle Weakness/diagnosis , Muscle Weakness/metabolism , Muscle Weakness/pathology , Muscular Atrophy, Spinal/diagnosis , Muscular Atrophy, Spinal/metabolism , Muscular Atrophy, Spinal/pathology , Musculoskeletal Abnormalities/diagnosis , Musculoskeletal Abnormalities/metabolism , Musculoskeletal Abnormalities/pathology , Mutation , Pedigree , Primary Cell Culture , Spinal Cord/abnormalities , Spinal Cord/metabolismABSTRACT
INTRODUCTION/AIMS: Nonsystemic vasculitic neuropathy (NSVN) is characterized by a predominant lower limb involvement in many patients. Motor unit changes in upper extremity muscles have not been investigated in this subgroup but may be of interest for improving our understanding of the multifocal nature of the disease and counseling of patients about potential future symptoms. In this study we aimed to better understand subclinical motor involvement in the upper extremity muscles of patients with lower limb-predominant NSVN using the new motor unit number estimation (MUNE) method MScanFit. METHODS: In this single-center, cross-sectional study, 14 patients with biopsy-proven NSVN, with no clinical signs of upper extremity motor involvement, were investigated and compared with 14 age-matched healthy controls. All participants were assessed clinically and by the MUNE method MScanFit to the abductor pollicis brevis muscle. RESULTS: The number of motor units and peak CMAP amplitudes were significantly reduced in patients with NSVN (P = .003 and P = .004, respectively). Absolute median motor unit amplitudes and CMAP discontinuities were not significantly different (P = .246 and P = .1, respectively). CMAP discontinuities were not significantly correlated with motor unit loss (P = .15, rho = 0.4). The number of motor units did not correlate with clinical scores (P = .77, rho = 0.082). DISCUSSION: Both MUNE and CMAP amplitudes showed motor involvement in upper extremity muscles in lower limb-predominant NSVN. Overall, there was no evidence of significant reinnervation. Investigations of the abductor pollicis brevis muscle did not show a correlation with overall functional disability of the patients.
Subject(s)
Hand , Motor Activity , Peripheral Nervous System Diseases , Vasculitis , Peripheral Nervous System Diseases/etiology , Peripheral Nervous System Diseases/physiopathology , Vasculitis/complications , Humans , Male , Female , Hand/physiopathology , Disability EvaluationABSTRACT
Although-considering the risk-benefit ratio-botulinum neurotoxin A (BoNT/A) is unequivocally recommended to treat severe neurological diseases such as dystonia, this has not yet been determined for its endoscopic intragastric injection aimed at weight reduction in obesity. However, severe adverse effects of intragastric BoNT/A had not yet been reported, prompting some European countries to endorse its (off-label) use and treat patients transnationally. We here present three cases of botulism after intragastric BoNT/A injections for obesity treatment in a Turkish hospital. Patients presented with cranial nerve affection, bulbar symptoms, and descending paresis, and benefited from treatment with BoNT antitoxin and pyridostigmine. We assume that iatrogenic botulism was induced by overdosing in combination with toxin spread via the highly vascularized gastric tissue. Of note, within a few weeks, more than 80 cases of iatrogenic botulism were reported across Europe after identical intragastric BoNT/A injections. These cases demonstrate the risks of BoNT/A injections if they are not applied within the limits of evidence-based medicine. There is a need for international guidelines to define the indication and a safe dosing scheme, especially in the context of medical tourism.
Subject(s)
Botulinum Toxins, Type A , Botulism , Humans , Botulism/etiology , Botulism/chemically induced , Botulinum Toxins, Type A/adverse effects , Iatrogenic Disease , Weight Loss , ObesityABSTRACT
BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE: This study assessed the prevalence of anti-SARS-CoV-2 antibodies in therapeutic immunoglobulin and their impact on serological response to COVID-19 mRNA vaccine in patients with intravenous immunoglobulin (IVIg)-treated chronic immune neuropathies. METHODS: Forty-six samples of different brands or lots of IVIg or subcutaneous IgG were analyzed for anti-SARS-CoV-2 IgG using enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay and chemiluminescent microparticle immunoassay. Blood sera from 16 patients with immune neuropathies were prospectively analyzed for anti-SARS-CoV-2 IgA, IgG, and IgM before and 1 week after IVIg infusion subsequent to consecutive COVID-19 mRNA vaccine doses and after 12 weeks. These were compared to 42 healthy subjects. RESULTS: Twenty-four (52%) therapeutic immunoglobulin samples contained anti-SARS-CoV-2 IgG. All patients with immune neuropathies (mean age = 65 ± 16 years, 25% female) were positive for anti-SARS-CoV-2 IgG after COVID-19 vaccination. Anti-SARS-CoV-2 IgA titers significantly decreased 12-14 weeks after vaccination (p = 0.02), whereas IgG titers remained stable (p = 0.2). IVIg did not significantly reduce intraindividual anti-SARS-CoV-2 IgA/IgG serum titers in immune neuropathies (p = 0.69). IVIg-derived anti-SARS-CoV-2 IgG did not alter serum anti-SARS-CoV-2 IgG decrease after IVIg administration (p = 0.67). CONCLUSIONS: Our study indicates that IVIg does not impair the antibody response to COVID-19 mRNA vaccine in a short-term observation, when administered a minimum of 2 weeks after each vaccine dose. The infusion of current IVIg preparations that contain anti-SARS-CoV-2 IgG does not significantly alter serum anti-SARS-CoV-2 IgG titers.
Subject(s)
COVID-19 , Severe acute respiratory syndrome-related coronavirus , Aged , Aged, 80 and over , Antibodies, Viral , Antibody Formation , COVID-19 Vaccines , Female , Humans , Immunoglobulin A , Immunoglobulin G , Immunoglobulin M , Immunoglobulins, Intravenous/therapeutic use , Male , Middle Aged , SARS-CoV-2 , Vaccination , Vaccines, Synthetic , mRNA VaccinesABSTRACT
The extracellular matrix comprises a network of macromolecules such as collagens, proteoglycans and glycoproteins. VWA1 (von Willebrand factor A domain containing 1) encodes a component of the extracellular matrix that interacts with perlecan/collagen VI, appears to be involved in stabilizing extracellular matrix structures, and demonstrates high expression levels in tibial nerve. Vwa1-deficient mice manifest with abnormal peripheral nerve structure/function; however, VWA1 variants have not previously been associated with human disease. By interrogating the genome sequences of 74 180 individuals from the 100K Genomes Project in combination with international gene-matching efforts and targeted sequencing, we identified 17 individuals from 15 families with an autosomal-recessive, non-length dependent, hereditary motor neuropathy and rare biallelic variants in VWA1. A single disease-associated allele p.(G25Rfs*74), a 10-bp repeat expansion, was observed in 14/15 families and was homozygous in 10/15. Given an allele frequency in European populations approaching 1/1000, the seven unrelated homozygote individuals ascertained from the 100K Genomes Project represents a substantial enrichment above expected. Haplotype analysis identified a shared 220 kb region suggesting that this founder mutation arose >7000 years ago. A wide age-range of patients (6-83 years) helped delineate the clinical phenotype over time. The commonest disease presentation in the cohort was an early-onset (mean 2.0 ± 1.4 years) non-length-dependent axonal hereditary motor neuropathy, confirmed on electrophysiology, which will have to be differentiated from other predominantly or pure motor neuropathies and neuronopathies. Because of slow disease progression, ambulation was largely preserved. Neurophysiology, muscle histopathology, and muscle MRI findings typically revealed clear neurogenic changes with single isolated cases displaying additional myopathic process. We speculate that a few findings of myopathic changes might be secondary to chronic denervation rather than indicating an additional myopathic disease process. Duplex reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction and immunoblotting using patient fibroblasts revealed that the founder allele results in partial nonsense mediated decay and an absence of detectable protein. CRISPR and morpholino vwa1 modelling in zebrafish demonstrated reductions in motor neuron axonal growth, synaptic formation in the skeletal muscles and locomotive behaviour. In summary, we estimate that biallelic variants in VWA1 may be responsible for up to 1% of unexplained hereditary motor neuropathy cases in Europeans. The detailed clinical characterization provided here will facilitate targeted testing on suitable patient cohorts. This novel disease gene may have previously evaded detection because of high GC content, consequential low coverage and computational difficulties associated with robustly detecting repeat-expansions. Reviewing previously unsolved exomes using lower QC filters may generate further diagnoses.
Subject(s)
Extracellular Matrix Proteins/genetics , Hereditary Sensory and Motor Neuropathy/genetics , Adult , Aged , Animals , Behavior, Animal/physiology , Child , Female , Hereditary Sensory and Motor Neuropathy/pathology , Humans , Male , Middle Aged , Muscle, Skeletal/pathology , Mutation , Pedigree , Young Adult , ZebrafishABSTRACT
A man in his 20s gave a 9-year history of recurrent muscle pain and weakness, occurring mostly after exercise, and lasting for up to 2 days. There had been one episode of severe rhabdomyolysis after cold exposure. He also had longstanding hypokalaemia, which was key to his correct diagnosis but was not followed. This case highlights the importance of an appropriately methodical investigation of weak hypokalaemic patients, and the relevance of hypokalaemia as a cause of neuromuscular symptoms not related to muscular channelopathies.
Subject(s)
Hypokalemia , Rhabdomyolysis , Male , Humans , Hypokalemia/complications , Muscle Weakness/etiology , Rhabdomyolysis/etiology , ParesisABSTRACT
Hereditary lower motor neuron diseases (LMND) other than 5q-spinal muscular atrophy (5q-SMA) can be classified according to affected muscle groups. Proximal and distal forms of non-5q-SMA represent a clinically and genetically heterogeneous spectrum characterized by significant overlaps with axonal forms of Charcot-Marie-Tooth (CMT) disease. A consensus for the best approach to molecular diagnosis needs to be reached, especially in light of continuous novel gene discovery and falling costs of next-generation sequencing (NGS). We performed exome sequencing (ES) in 41 families presenting with non-5q-SMA or axonal CMT, 25 of which had undergone a previous negative neuromuscular disease (NMD) gene panel analysis. The total diagnostic yield of ES was 41%. Diagnostic success in the cohort with a previous NMD-panel analysis was significantly extended by ES, primarily due to novel gene associated-phenotypes and uncharacteristic phenotypic presentations. We recommend early ES for individuals with hereditary LMND presenting uncharacteristic or significantly overlapping features. As mitochondrial dysfunction was the underlying pathomechanism in 47% of the solved individuals, we highlight the sensitivity of the anterior horn cell and peripheral nerve to mitochondrial imbalance as well as the necessity to screen for mitochondrial disorders in individuals presenting predominant lower motor neuron symptoms.
Subject(s)
Charcot-Marie-Tooth Disease , Muscular Atrophy, Spinal , Charcot-Marie-Tooth Disease/diagnosis , Charcot-Marie-Tooth Disease/genetics , Genomics , High-Throughput Nucleotide Sequencing , Humans , Mitochondria/genetics , Muscular Atrophy, Spinal/diagnosis , Muscular Atrophy, Spinal/geneticsABSTRACT
BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE: The aim was to assess the organization and short-term changes of motor units in adult patients with spinal muscular atrophy (SMA) treated with nusinersen. METHODS: In this single-centre cross-sectional and longitudinal study 15 adult patients with SMA type 3 were assessed and compared to 15 age-matched healthy controls and nine patients with amyotrophic lateral sclerosis. Moreover, 10 patients with SMA were followed up after 4-8 months. All patients were investigated clinically and by the motor unit number estimation method MScanFit of the abductor pollicis brevis muscle. RESULTS: The number of motor units (p < 0.001) was significantly lower in patients with SMA compared to healthy controls at study entry. Mean unit amplitude, median amplitude and largest unit (p < 0.001) were significantly increased in patients with SMA. Patients with amyotrophic lateral sclerosis showed a significant reduction of compound muscle action potential (p = 0.005) and number of motor units (p = 0.03) compared to patients with SMA, accompanied by a larger median amplitude (p = 0.03). A prospective analysis identified patients with the ability to walk to improve the number of motor units (p = 0.046) accompanied by a decreased median amplitude (p = 0.03). Electrophysiological measures showed a moderate to strong correlation with clinical scores. CONCLUSION: Patients with SMA show loss of motor units in distal muscles. MScanFit variables indicate that compound muscle action potential amplitudes are maintained by collateral sprouting. Prospective analyses suggest that milder affected adult patients with SMA preferentially benefit from nusinersen treatment through recovery of smaller motor units. Correlations with clinical scores underline the potential of MScanFit as a surrogate marker.
Subject(s)
Muscular Atrophy, Spinal , Oligonucleotides , Adult , Cross-Sectional Studies , Humans , Longitudinal Studies , Muscular Atrophy, Spinal/drug therapyABSTRACT
In recent months various disorders and diseases of the peripheral nerves (including cranial nerves) and the musculature have been described in association with the pulmonary disease coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) caused by the severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2). In the first part of our review the current knowledge about a potential association of a SARS-CoV2 infection with dysfunction and diseases of cranial and peripheral nerves is discussed. Anosmia, ageusia, motor cranial nerve involvement and Guillain-Barré syndrome (GBS) were described in a temporal association with a SARS-CoV2 infection. Several studies could show that anosmia and ageusia were frequent symptoms of a SARS-CoV2 infection. In contrast the failure of other cranial nerves has so far only been sporadically described. A number of case reports and case series indicate a causal association between a SARS-CoV2 infection and GBS but epidemiological evidence is still lacking.
Subject(s)
Ageusia , COVID-19 , Guillain-Barre Syndrome , Guillain-Barre Syndrome/diagnosis , Humans , Peripheral Nerves , SARS-CoV-2ABSTRACT
Apart from disorders and diseases of the peripheral nerves, symptoms and disorders of the musculature and the neuromuscular transmission have also been described in association with coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19). In the second part of our review we provide an overview about frequently reported symptoms, such as myalgia as well as defined disorders, such as rhabdomyolysis, myositis, myasthenia and intensive care unit (ICU)-acquired weakness, which have been described during severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) infections or COVID-19.Furthermore, the criteria for a causality, such as association strength, plausibility, time course, and experimental evidence for a causal association that should be applied for the COVID-19-asssociated neuromuscular conditions described in the two parts of the review are discussed. At present, in addition to anosmia, which is also known in the lay press, myalgia in particular as a nonspecific symptom are frequent sequelae of a symptomatic SARS-CoV2 infection. Other neuromuscular complications seem to be principally plausible (considering the pathogenesis) but apparently rare consequences of a SARS-CoV2 infection. Prospective or cohort studies are necessary to confirm a causality and assess the risk.
Subject(s)
COVID-19 , Muscular Diseases , Neuromuscular Diseases , Humans , Neuromuscular Diseases/diagnosis , Prospective Studies , SARS-CoV-2ABSTRACT
Rapid progress has recently been made in the elucidation of the genetic basis of childhood-onset inherited generalized dystonia (IGD) due to the implementation of genomic sequencing methodologies. We identified four patients with childhood-onset IGD harboring novel disease-causing mutations in lysine-specific histone methyltransferase 2B gene (KMT2B) by whole-exome sequencing. The main focus of this paper is to gain novel pathophysiological insights through understanding the molecular consequences of these mutations.The disease course is mostly progressive, evolving from lower limbs into generalized dystonia, which could be associated with dysarthria, dysphonia, intellectual disability, orofacial dyskinesia, and sometimes distinct dysmorphic facial features. In two patients, motor performances improved after bilateral implantation of deep brain stimulation in the globus pallidus internus (GPi-DBS). Pharmacotherapy with trihexyphenidyl reduced dystonia in two patients.We discovered three novel KMT2B mutations. Our analyses revealed that the mutation in patient 1 (c.7463 A > G, p.Y2488C) is localized in the highly conserved FYRC domain of KMT2B. This mutation holds the potential to alter the inter-domain FYR interactions, which could lead to KMT2B instability. The mutations in patients 2 and 3 (c.3602dupC, p.M1202Dfs*22; c.4229delA, p.Q1410Rfs*12) lead to predicted unstable transcripts, likely to be subject to degradation by non-sense mediated decay.Childhood-onset progressive dystonia with orofacial involvement is one of the main clinical manifestations of KMT2B mutations. In all, 26% (18/69) of the reported cases have T2 signal alterations of the globus pallidus internus, mostly at a younger age. Anticholinergic medication and GPi-DBS are promising treatment options and shall be considered early.An amendment to this paper has been published and can be accessed via a link at the top of the paper.
ABSTRACT
Rapid progress has recently been made in the elucidation of the genetic basis of childhood-onset inherited generalized dystonia (IGD) due to the implementation of genomic sequencing methodologies. We identified four patients with childhood-onset IGD harboring novel disease-causing mutations in lysine-specific histone methyltransferase 2B gene (KMT2B) by whole-exome sequencing. The main focus of this paper is to gain novel pathophysiological insights through understanding the molecular consequences of these mutations. The disease course is mostly progressive, evolving from lower limbs into generalized dystonia, which could be associated with dysarthria, dysphonia, intellectual disability, orofacial dyskinesia, and sometimes distinct dysmorphic facial features. In two patients, motor performances improved after bilateral implantation of deep brain stimulation in the globus pallidus internus (GPi-DBS). Pharmacotherapy with trihexyphenidyl reduced dystonia in two patients. We discovered three novel KMT2B mutations. Our analyses revealed that the mutation in patient 1 (c.7463A > G, p.Y2488C) is localized in the highly conserved FYRC domain of KMT2B. This mutation holds the potential to alter the inter-domain FYR interactions, which could lead to KMT2B instability. The mutations in patients 2 and 3 (c.3596_3697insC, p.M1202Dfs*22; c.4229delA, p.Q1410Rfs*12) lead to predicted unstable transcripts, likely to be subject to degradation by non-sense-mediated decay. Childhood-onset progressive dystonia with orofacial involvement is one of the main clinical manifestations of KMT2B mutations. In all, 26% (18/69) of the reported cases have T2 signal alterations of the globus pallidus internus, mostly at a younger age. Anticholinergic medication and GPi-DBS are promising treatment options and shall be considered early.
Subject(s)
Dystonia/diagnosis , Dystonia/etiology , Genetic Association Studies , Genetic Predisposition to Disease , Histone-Lysine N-Methyltransferase/genetics , Mutation , Phenotype , Age of Onset , Alleles , Child , Child, Preschool , Disease Progression , Dystonia/therapy , Female , Genetic Association Studies/methods , Genomics/methods , Genotype , Histone-Lysine N-Methyltransferase/chemistry , Humans , Male , Models, Molecular , Neuroimaging/methods , Pedigree , Protein Conformation , Structure-Activity Relationship , Symptom Assessment , Whole Genome SequencingABSTRACT
Spinal muscular atrophies (SMAs) are a heterogeneous group of disorders characterized by muscular atrophy, weakness, and hypotonia due to suspected lower motor neuron degeneration (LMND). In a large cohort of 3,465 individuals suspected with SMA submitted for SMN1 testing to our routine diagnostic laboratory, 48.8% carried a homozygous SMN1 deletion, 2.8% a subtle mutation, and an SMN1 deletion, whereas 48.4% remained undiagnosed. Recently, several other genes implicated in SMA/LMND have been reported. Despite several efforts to establish a diagnostic algorithm for non-5q-SMA (SMA without deletion or point mutations in SMN1 [5q13.2]), data from large-scale studies are not available. We tested the clinical utility of targeted sequencing in non-5q-SMA by developing two different gene panels. We first analyzed 30 individuals with a small panel including 62 genes associated with LMND using IonTorrent-AmpliSeq target enrichment. Then, additional 65 individuals were tested with a broader panel encompassing up to 479 genes implicated in neuromuscular diseases (NMDs) with Agilent-SureSelect target enrichment. The NMD panel provided a higher diagnostic yield (33%) than the restricted LMND panel (13%). Nondiagnosed cases were further subjected to exome or genome sequencing. Our experience supports the use of gene panels covering a broad disease spectrum for diseases that are highly heterogeneous and clinically difficult to differentiate.
Subject(s)
Muscular Atrophy, Spinal/diagnosis , Muscular Atrophy, Spinal/genetics , Neuromuscular Diseases/diagnosis , Pathology, Molecular , Adolescent , Adult , Age of Onset , Child , Child, Preschool , Exons/genetics , Female , High-Throughput Nucleotide Sequencing , Homozygote , Humans , Infant , Male , Middle Aged , Muscular Atrophy, Spinal/pathology , Neuromuscular Diseases/genetics , Neuromuscular Diseases/physiopathology , Point Mutation , Sequence Deletion , Survival of Motor Neuron 1 Protein/genetics , Exome Sequencing , Whole Genome Sequencing , Young AdultABSTRACT
BACKGROUND: Small fiber neuropathy (SFN) is a challenging subtype of peripheral neuropathies. Once the diagnosis has been established, there is an uncertainty how SFN may progress, whether larger fibers will become involved over time, whether quality of life may be compromised, or whether repeated diagnostic workup in patients with unknown underlying cause may increase the yield of treatable causes of SFN. METHODS: We evaluated 16 patients with documented long-time course of idiopathic SFN. RESULTS: Clinical and electrophysiological course remained stable in 75% of the patients, while 25% SFN-patients developed large fiber neuropathies. CONCLUSIONS: Our data suggest that SFN represents a benign disease course in the majority of patients without severely limiting the quality of life.
Subject(s)
Quality of Life , Small Fiber Neuropathy/pathology , Adult , Disease Progression , Female , Humans , Male , Middle Aged , Small Fiber Neuropathy/complicationsABSTRACT
OBJECTIVE: To identify the most relevant antigens for monoclonal antibodies in lymphocytic infiltrates in non-systemic vasculitic neuropathy (NSVN). BACKGROUND: Current immunosuppressive treatment for NSVN is insufficient. Monoclonal antibodies might be a treatment option, but the expression profile for targetable antigens on lymphocytic infiltrates in NSVN is unknown. METHODS: Sural nerve biopsies from a cohort of patients with NSVN were immunohistochemically studied for the expression of potential candidate antigens in perivascular and intramural lymphocytic infiltrates and correlated with neurological and electrophysiological parameters. 20 patients with treatment naïve NSVN and 5 patients with idiopathic axonal neuropathy were included. RESULTS: The CD52, BAFF and CD49d antigens were expressed in epineurial, perivascular or intramural lymphocytes of all (20/20) patients. CD52 was most prominently expressed in 21.49% of all inflammatory infiltrates. BAFF and CD49d were detected in 11.25% and 10.99% of these lymphocytes, respectively. The CD20, CD25 and CD126 antigens were found less frequently and at low levels only (CD20: 10/20 patients, 5.84% of lymphocytes; CD25: 17/20 patients, 5.22% of lymphocytes; CD126: 3/20 patients, 0.15% of lymphocytes). CONCLUSION: This is the first study in NSVN that identifies antigens expressed by pathogenic lymphocytes, which are potential targets for future monoclonal antibody treatment. Our data suggest that NSVN is amenable to monoclonal antibodies and, moreover, that targeting CD52 may be particularly promising. Our results strongly warrant future clinical trials in NSVN with monoclonal antibodies.
Subject(s)
Antibodies, Monoclonal , Peripheral Nervous System Diseases/pathology , Sural Nerve/pathology , Aged , Antigens, CD/analysis , Antigens, Neoplasm/analysis , B-Cell Activating Factor/analysis , CD52 Antigen , Glycoproteins/analysis , Humans , Inflammation/pathology , Integrin alpha4/analysis , Middle Aged , Retrospective Studies , Vasculitis/complications , Vasculitis/pathologySubject(s)
Dystonia , Dystonic Disorders , Dystonia/genetics , Dystonic Disorders/genetics , Humans , Mutation/genetics , PhenotypeABSTRACT
OBJECTIVES: This case series reports clinical features and outcome of four patients with non-systemic vasculitic neuropathy (NSVN) treated with the anti-CD20 agent rituximab. METHODS: Clinical, electrophysiological and biopsy data were retrospectively obtained and evaluated. Only patients with pathological definite or probable NSVN were included. Extensive clinical and laboratory work-up excluded systemic vasculitis. Follow-up data for at least 12 months and up to five years is provided. Outcome of the patients was assessed using the MRC-Sum Score, Prineas Score and Neurological Symptom Score. RESULTS: Two of four patients treated with rituximab achieved disease remission and one patient remained stable under anti-CD20 therapy after a required treatment switch due to toxic side effects of cyclophosphamide. One patient deteriorated under rituximab induction. Rituximab was well tolerated in all patients. DISCUSSION: Anti-CD20 therapy might be an alternative in NSVN patients requiring further treatment escalation or treatment switch due to side effects of corticosteroids or cyclophosphamide.
Subject(s)
Immunologic Factors , Peripheral Nervous System Diseases , Rituximab , Vasculitis , Humans , Rituximab/administration & dosage , Rituximab/pharmacology , Rituximab/therapeutic use , Female , Middle Aged , Male , Peripheral Nervous System Diseases/drug therapy , Vasculitis/drug therapy , Aged , Immunologic Factors/administration & dosage , Immunologic Factors/pharmacology , Retrospective Studies , Adult , Follow-Up StudiesABSTRACT
Tauopathies are a heterogeneous group of neurologic diseases characterized by pathological axodendritic distribution, ectopic expression, and/or phosphorylation and aggregation of the microtubule-associated protein TAU, encoded by the gene MAPT. Neuronal dysfunction, dementia, and neurodegeneration are common features of these often detrimental diseases. A neurodegenerative disease is considered a primary tauopathy when MAPT mutations/haplotypes are its primary cause and/or TAU is the main pathological feature. In case TAU pathology is observed but superimposed by another pathological hallmark, the condition is classified as a secondary tauopathy. In some tauopathies (e.g. MAPT-associated frontotemporal dementia (FTD), progressive supranuclear palsy (PSP), corticobasal degeneration (CBD), and Alzheimer's disease (AD)) TAU is recognized as a significant pathogenic driver of the disease. In many secondary tauopathies, including Parkinson's disease (PD) and Huntington's disease (HD), TAU is suggested to contribute to the development of dementia, but in others (e.g. Niemann-Pick disease (NPC)) TAU may only be a bystander. The genetic and pathological mechanisms underlying TAU pathology are often not fully understood. In this review, the genetic predispositions and variants associated with both primary and secondary tauopathies are examined in detail, assessing evidence for the role of TAU in these conditions. We highlight less common genetic forms of tauopathies to increase awareness for these disorders and the involvement of TAU in their pathology. This approach not only contributes to a deeper understanding of these conditions but may also lay the groundwork for potential TAU-based therapeutic interventions for various tauopathies.