A novel neurodevelopmental syndrome responsive to 5-hydroxytryptophan and carbidopa.
Mol Genet Metab
; 73(2): 179-87, 2001 Jun.
Article
en En
| MEDLINE
| ID: mdl-11386854
ABSTRACT
Tryptophan hydroxylase (TPH; EC 1.14.16.4) catalyzes the first rate-limiting step of serotonin biosynthesis by converting l-tryptophan to 5-hydroxytryptophan. Serotonin controls multiple vegetative functions and modulates sensory and alpha-motor neurons at the spinal level. We report on five boys with floppiness in infancy followed by motor delay, development of a hypotonic-ataxic syndrome, learning disability, and short attention span. Cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) analysis showed a 51 to 65% reduction of the serotonin end-metabolite 5-hydroxyindoleacetic acid (5HIAA) compared to age-matched median values. In one out of five patients a low CSF 5-methyltetrahydrofolate (MTHF) was present probably due to the common C677T heterozygous mutation of the methylenetetrahydrofolate reductase (MTHFR) gene. Baseline 24-h urinary excretion showed diminished 5HIAA values, not changing after a single oral load with l-tryptophan (50-70 mg/kg), but normalizing after 5-hydroxytryptophan administration (1 mg/kg). Treatment with 5-hydroxytryptophan (4-6 mg/kg) and carbidopa (0.5-1.0 mg/kg) resulted in clinical amelioration and normalization of 5HIAA levels in CSF and urine. In the patient with additional MTHFR heterozygosity, a heterozygous missense mutation within exon 6 (G529A) of the TPH gene caused an exchange of valine by isoleucine at codon 177 (V177I). This has been interpreted as a rare DNA variant because the pedigree analysis did not provide any genotype-phenotype correlation. In the other four patients the TPH gene analysis was normal. In conclusion, this new neurodevelopmental syndrome responsive to treatment with 5-hydroxytryptophan and carbidopa might result from an overall reduced capacity of serotonin production due to a TPH gene regulatory defect, unknown factors inactivating the TPH enzyme, or selective loss of serotonergic neurons.
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Base de datos:
MEDLINE
Asunto principal:
Anomalías Múltiples
/
Carbidopa
/
Discapacidades del Desarrollo
/
5-Hidroxitriptófano
/
Discapacidades para el Aprendizaje
Tipo de estudio:
Clinical_trials
/
Observational_studies
/
Prognostic_studies
/
Risk_factors_studies
Límite:
Child
/
Child, preschool
/
Humans
/
Infant
/
Male
Idioma:
En
Revista:
Mol Genet Metab
Asunto de la revista:
BIOLOGIA MOLECULAR
/
BIOQUIMICA
/
METABOLISMO
Año:
2001
Tipo del documento:
Article
País de afiliación:
Alemania