Movement disorders in Megalencephalic Leukoencephalopathy with subcortical cysts - A case series.

BACKGROUND: Megalencephalic leukoencephalopathy with subcortical cysts (MLC) has been described in the literature mostly as early-onset leukodystrophy with cerebellar ataxia being the main clinical phenotype. However, other associated movement disorders have also been reported discretely. CASES: Here, we present seven cases of MLC. Cerebellar ataxia was common in them, while dystonia was present in six, parkinsonism in one and stereotypy in two. Six of them, belonging to the Agarwal community, had the common c.135dup variant. CONCLUSION: Our observation highlights the presence of movement disorders in MLC beyond cerebellar ataxia and phenotypic variability of the c.135dup variant, prevalent in the Agarwal community.

Non-motor symptoms in patients with Spinocerebellar ataxia type 12.

Introduction: Spinocerebellar ataxia type 12 (SCA12) is a rare autosomal dominant neurodegenerative disorder caused by abnormal CAG repeat expansion in the PPP2R2B gene. This disease is classically characterized by action tremor, dysarthria, ataxia, and hyperreflexia. There are limited reports regarding the non-motor symptoms in patients with SCA 12. We investigated the frequency and factors associated with the selected non-motor symptoms in patients with SCA 12. Methods: Genetically diagnosed (CAG repeats > 43) and symptomatic cases of SCA 12 were included in the study. Motor severity was assessed using the Scale for the Assessment and Rating of Ataxia (SARA) and The Essential Tremor Rating Assessment Scale (TETRAS). Non-motor symptoms such as depression, autonomic function, and cognition were assessed using the Hamilton Depression Rating Scale (HAM-D), the Scales for Outcomes in Parkinson's Disease-Autonomic Dysfunction (SCOPA-AUT), and the Montreal Cognitive Assessment (MoCA), respectively. Results: The mean age of the cohort with 34 SCA12 patients was 64.87 years (standard deviation 6.844). In this study, 21 patients (61.76%) had either mild or moderate cognitive impairment, almost equally frequent in early and advanced cases. Similarly a number of patients demonstrated evidence of moderate and severe depression. The SARA score was strongly associated with the MoCA score, and CAG repeat length could independently predict the MoCA score in this cohort. Autonomic symptoms were commonly present, with the majority of the patients experiencing urinary symptoms. Discussion: Non-motor symptoms are common in SCA12 patients, even in the early stages of the condition. Timely detection and treatment of these symptoms may improve the therapeutic outcome and quality of life for SCA12 patients. The diverse symptoms of SCA12 perhaps indicate a widespread neurodegeneration beyond the cerebellum or its direct connections.

Dynamics of AQP4 upon exposure to seropositive patient serum before and after Rituximab therapy in Neuromyelitis Optica: A cell-based study.

Neuromyelitis Optica (NMO) is an autoimmune inflammatory disease that affects the optic nerves and spinal cord. The autoantibody is generated against the abundant water channel protein of the brain, Aquaporin 4 (AQP4). Of the two isoforms of AQP4, the shorter one (M23) often exists as a supramolecular assembly known as an orthogonal array of particles (OAPs). There have been debates about the fate of these AQP4 clusters upon binding to the antibody, the exact mechanism of its turnover, and the proteins associated with the process. Recently several clinical cases of NMO were reported delineating the effect of Rituximab (RTX) therapy. Extending these reports at the cell signaling level, we developed a glioma based cellular model that mimicked antibody binding and helped us track the subsequent events including a variation of AQP4 levels, alterations in cellular morphology, and the changes in downstream signaling cascades. Our results revealed the extent of perturbations in the signaling pathways related to stress involving ERK, JNK, and AKT1 together with markers for cell death. We could also decipher the possible routes of degradation of AQP4, post-exposure to antibody. We further investigated the effect of autoantibody on AQP4 transcriptional level and involvement of FOXO3a and miRNA-145 in the regulation of transcription. This study highlights the differential outcome at the cellular level when treated with the serum of the same patient pre and post RTX therapy and for the first time mechanistically describes the effect of RTX.

Mutation Location and Cognitive Impairment in Duchenne Muscular Dystrophy.

BACKGROUND: Cognitive impairment is commonly seen in patients with Duchenne muscular dystrophy (DMD). Few studies have shown a correlation between loss of different isoforms of the DMD gene and cognitive impairment. OBJECTIVE: The objective of the study was to determine whether correlation exists in the location of mutation in DMD gene or loss of different isoforms and cognitive impairment in children with DMD in the Indian population. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Ten children were evaluated. Gene mutation analysis was done by multiplex ligation-dependent probe amplification method. The isoforms affected were inferred from mutation location in each of these patients. Binet Kamat Intelligence Test (BKT) and Bender Gestalt test (BGT) were administered. RESULTS: All male patients were aged between 4 and 9 years. Genetic analysis showed deletion in all patients, with seven having deletion in "hotspot" regions (exon 43-52). Psychometric analysis by BGT and BKT showed mean score of 8.6 and mean IQ score of 85.5, respectively. Comparison between patients with hotspot mutations and mutations in other regions, for mean IQ score and BGT score, was statistically significant (P = 0.132 and P = 0.005, respectively). The difference in the IQ score between patients with isolated Dp427 loss (n = 3) and cumulative Dp427/Dp260/Dp140utr loss (n = 6) was statistically significant (P = 0.011). Visuomotor functioning was more impaired in patients with isolated Dp427 loss. CONCLUSION: The role of cumulative loss of isoforms along with importance of loss of Dp140pc isoform was seen in our study. One patient with loss of Dp140utr isoform had intellectual impairment which is not commonly seen. Visuomotor functioning is more affected in more upstream mutations as shown in our study.

White matter changes in Wilson's disease: A radiological enigma.

Wilson's disease is a metabolic disorder which presents with hepatitis or hepatic decompensation commonly. Neurologic manifestations are late and include movement disorders, personality changes, and seizures. Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) brain shows high signal changes in putamen, lentiform nucleus, thalamus, and brainstem. White matter lesions are rare. We report a child of Wilson's disease who presented to us with dystonia, rigidity, myoclonus and had symmetrical white matter changes in the fronto-parietooccipital region. Diffusion restriction in bilateral frontoparietal areas was also seen which is rare in chronic cases like ours. Atypical MRI characteristics should be considered in patients with clinical signs of neurological involvement in Wilson's disease as it is a devastating but treatable disease.