Recoverin antibody-associated late-onset ataxia without retinopathy.

Acquired cerebellar ataxia is a rare, in many cases immune-modulated and paraneoplastic illness. Acute and slowly progredient processes are possible. An early treatment is important for a good clinical outcome. Here we present the case of female patient in her 60s with an antirecoverin associated cerebellitis without retinopathia and neoplasia. After an immunosuppressive therapy with steroids and rituximab the symptoms improved, and the progression could be stopped.

Transient Neurological Symptoms Preceding Cerebellar Ataxia with Glutamic Acid Decarboxylase Antibodies.

A prompt diagnosis and treatment of patients with autoimmune cerebellar ataxia (CA) with antibodies against glutamic acid decarboxylase (GAD-Abs) may lead to a better prognosis. Herein, we report prodromal transient neurological symptoms that should raise clinical suspicion of CA with GAD-Abs. We initially identified a 70-year-old man who presented a first acute episode of vertigo, diplopia, and ataxia lasting 2 weeks. Two months later, he experienced a similar episode along with new-onset gaze-evoked nystagmus. After 4 months, downbeat nystagmus, left limb dysmetria, and gait ataxia progressively appeared, and an autoimmune CA was diagnosed based on the positivity of GAD-Abs in serum and cerebrospinal fluid (CSF). We searched retrospectively for similar presentations in a cohort of 31 patients diagnosed with CA and GAD-Abs. We found 11 (35.4%) patients (all women, median age 62 years; 8/11 [72.7%] with autoimmune comorbidities) with transient neurological symptoms antedating CA onset by a median of 3 months, including vertigo in 9 (81.8%; described as paroxysmal in 8) and fluctuating diplopia in 3 (27.3%) patients. The identification of transient neurological symptoms of unknown etiology, such as paroxysmal vertigo and fluctuating diplopia, should lead to GAD-Abs testing in serum and CSF, especially in patients with autoimmune comorbidities.

A man in his sixties with gait ataxia, dysarthria and mild cognitive impairment. / En mann i 60-årene med gangvansker, dysartri og lett kognitiv svikt.

BACKGROUND: Chronic lymphocytic inflammation with pontine perivascular enhancement responsive to steroids (CLIPPERS) syndrome is an immune-mediated, treatable and inflammatory CNS disease first reported by Pittock et al. (2010). CASE PRESENTATION: We describe a 66-year-old man with previous history of diabetes, atrial fibrillation and hypertension, who was admitted to hospital with reduced general condition. He had experienced dizziness and unstable gait for a year, and had been periodically confused, especially in the previous month. MR imaging showed characteristic punctuate and curvilinear gadolinium enhancements in the pons. Our patient was diagnosed with CLIPPERS and was given corticosteroid treatment, initially methylprednisolone intravenously and then prednisone orally. Other differential diagnoses, such as CNS lymphoma, high-grade glioma, CNS vasculitis, neurosarcoidosis, demyelinating disease, Bickerstaff brainstem encephalitis, and acute disseminated encephalomyelitis were ruled out. The patient's condition improved dramatically after corticosteroid treatment. INTERPRETATION: In 2017, the diagnostic criteria for CLIPPERS were published. Based on these criteria we were able to diagnose this patient with possible CLIPPERS, consistent with clinical symptoms, MRI findings, absence of better explanations for the condition, and clinical and radiological improvement after treatment with corticosteroids. An unequivocal diagnosis of CLIPPERS can only be established by characteristic pathological findings.

Drug therapy for chronic idiopathic axonal polyneuropathy.

BACKGROUND: Chronic idiopathic axonal polyneuropathy (CIAP) is an insidiously progressive sensory or sensorimotor polyneuropathy that affects elderly people. Although severe disability or handicap does not occur, CIAP reduces quality of life. CIAP is diagnosed in 10% to 25% of people referred for evaluation of polyneuropathy. There is a need to gather and review emerging evidence on treatments, as the number of people affected is likely to increase in ageing populations. This is an update of a review first published in 2004 and previously updated in 2006, 2008, 2011 and 2013. OBJECTIVES: To assess the effects of drug therapy for chronic idiopathic axonal polyneuropathy for reducing disability and ameliorating neurological symptoms and associated impairments, and to assess any adverse effects of treatment. SEARCH METHODS: In July 2016, we searched Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials and the Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews in the Cochrane Library, MEDLINE, Embase, and the Web of Science. We searched two trials registries for ongoing trials. We also handsearched the reference lists of relevant articles, reviews and textbooks identified electronically, and we would have contacted authors and other experts in the field to identify additional studies if this seemed useful. SELECTION CRITERIA: We sought all randomised or quasi-randomised (alternate or other systematic treatment allocation) trials that examined the effects of any drug therapy in people with CIAP at least one year after the onset of treatment. People with CIAP had to fulfil the following criteria: age 40 years or older, distal sensory or sensorimotor polyneuropathy, absence of systemic or other neurological disease, chronic clinical course not reaching a nadir in less than two months, exclusion of any recognised cause of the polyneuropathy by medical history taking, clinical or laboratory investigations, and electrophysiological studies in agreement with axonal polyneuropathy, without evidence of demyelinating features. The primary outcome was the proportion of participants with a significant improvement in disability. Secondary outcomes were change in the mean disability score, change in the proportion of participants who make use of walking aids, change in the mean Medical Research Council sum score, degree of pain relief and/or reduction of other positive sensory symptoms, change in the proportion of participants with pain or other positive sensory symptoms, and frequency of adverse effects. DATA COLLECTION AND ANALYSIS: Two review authors independently reviewed the results of the literature search and extracted details of trial methodology and outcome data of all potentially relevant trials. MAIN RESULTS: We identified 39 studies and assessed them for possible inclusion in the review, but we excluded all of them because of insufficient quality or lack of relevance. We summarised evidence from non-randomised studies in the Discussion. AUTHORS' CONCLUSIONS: Even though CIAP has been clearly described and delineated, no adequate randomised or quasi-randomised controlled clinical treatment trials have been performed. In their absence there is no proven efficacious drug therapy.

Etifoxine improves sensorimotor deficits and reduces glial activation, neuronal degeneration, and neuroinflammation in a rat model of traumatic brain injury.

BACKGROUND: Traumatic brain injury (TBI) results in important neurological impairments which occur through a cascade of deleterious physiological events over time. There are currently no effective treatments to prevent these consequences. TBI is followed not only by an inflammatory response but also by a profound reorganization of the GABAergic system and a dysregulation of translocator protein 18 kDa (TSPO). Etifoxine is an anxiolytic compound that belongs to the benzoxazine family. It potentiates GABAergic neurotransmission, either through a positive allosteric effect or indirectly, involving the activation of TSPO that leads to an increase in neurosteroids synthesis. In several models of peripheral nerve injury, etifoxine has been demonstrated to display potent regenerative and anti-inflammatory properties and to promote functional recovery. Prior study also showed etifoxine efficacy in reducing brain edema in rats. In light of these positive results, we used a rat model of TBI to explore etifoxine treatment effects in a central nervous system injury, from functional outcomes to the underlying mechanisms. METHODS: Male Sprague-Dawley rats received contusion (n = 18) or sham (n = 19) injuries centered laterally to bregma over the left sensorimotor cortex. They were treated with etifoxine (50 mg/kg, i.p.) or its vehicle 30 min following injury and every day during 7 days. Rats underwent behavioral testing to assess sensorimotor function. In another experiment, injured rats (n = 10) or sham rats (n = 10) received etifoxine (EFX) (50 mg/kg, i.p.) or its vehicle 30 min post-surgery. Brains were then dissected for analysis of neuroinflammation markers, glial activation, and neuronal degeneration. RESULTS: Brain-injured rats exhibited significant sensorimotor function deficits compared to sham-injured rats in the bilateral tactile adhesive removal test, the beam walking test, and the limb-use asymmetry test. After 2 days of etifoxine treatment, behavioral impairments were significantly reduced. Etifoxine treatment reduced pro-inflammatory cytokines levels without affecting anti-inflammatory cytokines levels in injured rats, reduced macrophages and glial activation, and reduced neuronal degeneration. CONCLUSIONS: Our results showed that post-injury treatment with etifoxine improved functional recovery and reduced neuroinflammation in a rat model of TBI. These findings suggest that etifoxine may have a therapeutic potential in the treatment of TBI.

A case considered gluten ataxia with anti-TG6 IgA antibodies.

An 81-year-old woman presented with a chief complaint of gait disturbance. Brain magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) showed mild cerebellar atrophy and cerebral blood flow scintigraphy revealed reduced blood flow in the cerebellum. The patient was diagnosed with cortical cerebellar atrophy, and was given taltirelin hydrate, but symptoms slowly progressed. Thirteen years after onset, a positive result for anti-transglutaminase 6 (TG6) IgA antibodies was identified, and gluten ataxia was diagnosed. Despite steroid therapy and gluten-free diet therapy, no improvements were seen, and independent walking became difficult for the patient. High-dose intravenous immunoglobulin therapy resulted in improvements in the Posture and Gait subscore of the International Cooperative Ataxia Rating Scale (ICARS) from 15 to 11 points, and the patient regained the ability to walk independently. Gluten ataxia are rarely reported in Japan and anti-TG6 antibodies were considered useful for its diagnosis.

[Sensory neuronopathy. Its recognition and early treatment]. / Neuronopatía sensitiva. Su reconocimiento y tratamiento temprano.

Sensory neuronopathies or ganglionopathies, or dorsal root ganglion disorders, represent a subgroup of peripheral nervous system diseases, frequently associated with dysinmune or neoplastic disorders and with toxic agents. A degeneration of both central and peripheral sensory proyections is present. Patients typically show early ataxia, loss of deep tendon reflexes and positive sensory symptoms present both in proximal and distal sites of the body. We retrospectively studied 10 cases with a final diagnosis of sensory neuronopathy. Sensory neuropathy was the presenting symptom and the course was subacute in all cases. Paresthesias in upper limbs were a predominant manifestation (100%). Other manifestations included: hypoesthesia (10/10), gait ataxia (8/10), autonomic symptoms (3/10) and perioral paresthesias (3/10). Electrophysiology showed sensory axonal neuronal pattern, with normal motor responses. Final diagnosis was acquired sensory neuronopathy in all patients, associated with Sjögren's syndrome in 2, with lupus erythematosus in 1, with rheumatoid arthritis in 1, with a cancer in 2 (paraneoplastic) and idiopathic in 4. In paraneoplastic cases, the tumor was small cell lung cancer in 1 (with positive anti-Hu antibodies), and epidermoid lung cancer in the other. Eight patients were treated with immunotherapy, high dose intravenous methylprednisolone and/or intravenous immunoglobulin; with poor response in 4 cases, neurologic improvement in 5, and without any change in 1 patient. The present work shows the typical clinical and electrophysiological pattern of subacute sensory neuronopathy, and the relevance of early treatment.

Neuronopatía sensitiva: Su reconocimiento y tratamiento temprano / Sensory neuronopathy. Its recognition and early treatment

Las neuronopatías o ganglionopatías sensitivas, o enfermedades del ganglio dorsal, representan un subgrupo de enfermedades del sistema nervioso periférico, frecuentemente asociadas a trastornos disinmunes o paraneoplásicos, y a agentes tóxicos. Los pacientes típicamente presentan ataxia temprana, pérdida de los reflejos osteotendinosos y síntomas sensitivos positivos, presentes tanto en partes proximales como distales del cuerpo. Estudiamos retrospectivamente 10 casos con un diagnóstico final de neuronopatía sensitiva. El síntoma de presentación fue el de una neuropatía sensitiva de curso subagudo en todos los casos, con parestesias en el 100% de los casos. Otras manifestaciones fueron: hipoestesia (10/10), ataxia de la marcha (8/10), síntomas autonómicos (3/10) y parestesias periorales (3/10). La electrofisiología mostró un patrón de compromiso sensitivo axonal, con respuestas motoras normales. El diagnóstico final fue neuronopatía sensitiva adquirida en todos, asociada a síndrome de Sjögren en dos, a lupus eritematoso en uno, a artritis reumatoidea en uno, a cáncer en dos (paraneoplásica) e idiopática en cuatro. En los casos paraneoplásicos, los tumores fueron un carcinoma de pulmón de células pequeñas (con anticuerpos anti-Hu positivos) y un carcinoma epidermoide de pulmón. Ocho pacientes fueron tratados con inmunoterapia, con altas dosis de metilprednisolona endovenosa y/o con inmunoglobulina endovenosa; con pobre respuesta en cuatro casos, mejoría neurológica en cinco, y sin cambios en uno. El presente trabajo muestra el patrón clinico y electrofisiológico de las neuronopatías sensitivas subagudas, y la relevancia de un tratamiento temprano.

Sensory neuronopathies or ganglionopathies, or dorsal root ganglion disorders, represent a subgroup of peripheral nervous system diseases, frequently associated with dysinmune or neoplastic disorders and with toxic agents. A degeneration of both central and peripheral sensory proyections is present. Patients typically show early ataxia, loss of deep tendon reflexes and positive sensory symptoms present both in proximal and distal sites of the body. We retrospectively studied 10 cases with a final diagnosis of sensory neuronopathy. Sensory neuropathy was the presenting symptom and the course was subacute in all cases. Paresthesias in upper limbs were a predominant manifestation (100%). Other manifestations included: hypoesthesia (10/10), gait ataxia (8/10), autonomic symptoms (3/10) and perioral paresthesias (3/10). Electrophysiology showed sensory axonal neuronal pattern, with normal motor responses. Final diagnosis was acquired sensory neuronopathy in all patients, associated with Sjögren’s syndrome in 2, with lupus erythematosus in 1, with rheumatoid arthritis in 1, with a cancer in 2 (paraneoplastic) and idiopathic in 4. In paraneoplastic cases, the tumor was small cell lung cancer in 1 (with positive anti-Hu antibodies), and epidermoid lung cancer in the other. Eight patients were treated with immunotherapy, high dose intravenous methylprednisolone and/or intravenous immunoglobulin; with poor response in 4 cases, neurologic improvement in 5, and without any change in 1 patient. The present work shows the typical clinical and electrophysiological pattern of subacute sensory neuronopathy, and the relevance of early treatment.

Sporadic hyperekplexia presenting with an ataxic gait.

We describe a 62-year-old man with a sporadic form of hyperekplexia who presented with an unsteady gait, present since the age of 47. His clinical examination revealed an insecure broad-based gait and difficulty with tandem walking but no other abnormalities. For nearly a decade the patient was misdiagnosed with an idiopathic ataxia. A video electroencephalogram combined with an electromyogram during sudden auditory stimulus demonstrated an excessive startle response. An extensive work-up ruled out all the known causes of symptomatic hyperekplexia including anti-glycine receptor antibodies. Treatment with clonazepam markedly reduced the threshold and intensity of the startle response, enabling him to recover independence. Hyperekplexia is frequently associated with an awkward and hesitating gait, but these gait abnormalities might be confused with other causes of gait disorders if one is not aware of this disease. We report this patient to highlight that a correct diagnosis of hyperekplexia is crucial, because its treatment may change quality of life.

Cerebellar and afferent ataxias.

PURPOSE OF REVIEW: Ataxia is the predominant manifestation of many acquired and inherited neurologic disorders affecting the cerebellum, its connections, and the afferent proprioceptive pathways. This article reviews the phenomenology and etiologies of cerebellar and afferent ataxias and provides indications for a rational approach to diagnosis and management. RECENT FINDINGS: The pathophysiology of ataxia is being progressively understood and linked to the functional organization of the cerebellum. The impact of cerebellar diseases on different neurologic functions has been better defined and shown not to be limited to loss of motor coordination. The role of autoimmunity is increasingly recognized as a cause of sporadic cases of ataxia. Large collaborative studies of long duration are providing crucial information on the clinical spectrum and natural history of both sporadic ataxias (such as the cerebellar form of multiple system atrophy) and inherited ataxias. New dominant and recessive ataxia genes have been identified. On the therapeutic front, progress mostly concerns the development of treatments for Friedreich ataxia. SUMMARY: Ataxia is the clinical manifestation of a wide range of disorders. In addition to accurate clinical assessment, MRI plays a major role in the diagnostic workup, allowing us to distinguish degenerative conditions from those due to other types of structural damage to the cerebellar or proprioceptive systems. Diagnostic algorithms based on clinical features, imaging, and neurophysiologic and biochemical parameters can be used to guide genetic testing for hereditary ataxias, the diagnosis of which is likely to be greatly improved by the introduction of new-generation DNA-sequencing approaches. Some rare forms of ataxia can be treated, so their diagnosis should not be missed. Proven symptomatic treatments for ataxia are still lacking, but intensive physical therapy appears to be helpful.

L-threo-3,4-dihydroxyphenylserine (L-DOPS) co-administered with entacapone improves freezing of gait in Parkinson's disease.

Parkinson's disease (PD) is a neurodegenerative disorder characterized by a variety of motor symptoms including freezing of gait (FOG), in which walking is transiently halted as if the patient's feet were 'glued to the ground'. Treatment of FOG is still challenging. Although L-threo-3,4-dihydroxyphenylserine (L-DOPS), a precursor of noradrenaline, has been on the market in Japan because of its beneficial effect for FOG, clinical use of L-DOPS has been far from satisfying. However, the fact that there were some responders to L-DOPS encouraged us to hypothesize that the enhancement of L-DOPS concentration in the brain by the co-administration of L-DOPS and a catechol-O-methyl transferase (COMT) inhibitor, which is expected to interrupt L-DOPS metabolism in the peripheral circulation, would be beneficial for FOG. Based on our hypothesis, we conducted a preliminary study with a small number of participants with FOG. Of the 16 PD patients with FOG who completed this study, group 1 (n=6) received L-DOPS co-administered with entacapone, which is a COMT inhibitor used worldwide as an anti-parkinson drug, group 2 (n=5) received entacapone alone, and group 3 (n=5) received L-DOPS alone. Only the patients in group 1 showed a significant improvement in FOG. Moreover, the beneficial effect was observed only in patients with levodopa-resistant FOG. This result supports our hypothesis, at least in patients with levodopa-resistant FOG, and shows that the co-administration of L-DOPS and entacapone could be a new strategy for FOG treatment.

Acetazolamide-responsive exercise-induced episodic ataxia associated with a novel homozygous DARS2 mutation.

BACKGROUND: Leukoencephalopathy with brain stem and spinal cord involvement and brain lactate elevation (LBSL) was recently shown to be caused by mutations in the DARS2 gene, encoding a mitochondrial aspartyl-tRNA synthetase. So far, affected individuals were invariably compound heterozygous for two mutations in DARS2, and drug treatments have remained elusive. METHODS: Prospective 2-year follow-up of the natural history of the main presenting symptoms in a homozygous DARS2 mutation carrier, followed by a 60 day treatment with acetazolamide in two different doses and with two random treatment interruptions. RESULTS: The patient presented with exercise-induced paroxysmal gait ataxia and areflexia as an atypical phenotype associated with a novel homozygous DARS2 mutation. These features showed an excellent dose-dependent, sustained treatment response to a carbonic anhydrase inhibitor. Pathogenic mutations in episodic ataxia genes were excluded, thus making it highly unlikely that this phenotype was because of episodic ataxia as a second disorder besides LBSL. CONCLUSIONS: This case demonstrates that DARS2 mutation homozygosity is not lethal, as suggested earlier, but compatible with a rather benign disease course. More importantly, it extends the phenotypic spectrum of LBSL and reveals that at least some DARS2-associated phenotypic features might be readily treatable. However, future observations of paroxsymal ataxia and, possibly, areflexia in other DARS2-mutated patients are warranted to further corroborate our finding that DARS2 mutations can lead to a paroxsymal ataxia phenotype.

Studies of "unsteady gait disease" of the Tibetan gazelle (Procapra picticaudata).

Clinical signs of a disease locally referred to as "unsteady gait disease" for the Tibetan gazelle (Procapra picticaudata) were observed in the Qinghai Lake watershed area, China. The objective of this study was to determine if there was a relationship between the disease and copper (Cu) deficiency. Chemical examinations showed that Cu concentrations in soil and forage samples were similar from areas where gazelles were affected and unaffected. However, concentrations of sulfur (S) and molybdenum (Mo) in the soil and forage samples from the affected area were significantly higher than those from the unaffected areas (P<0.01). Copper concentrations in samples of blood, hair, and liver from the affected gazelles were significantly lower than those in unaffected animals (P<0.01). Supplementation of CuSO(4) in affected gazelles improved their appetite and vigor. We conclude that the disorder of Tibetan gazelles was caused by Cu deficiency, attributable to the high S and Mo content in forage.

Potassium channel blocker 4-aminopyridine is effective in interictal cerebellar symptoms in episodic ataxia type 2--a video case report.

Episodic ataxia type 2 (EA2) is an autosomal-dominant hereditary disorder clinically characterized by recurrent attacks of vertigo, imbalance and ataxia. Studies have shown that 4-aminopyridine (4-AP) is capable to prevent these attacks. However, there are no reports whether 4-AP is able to attenuate interictal cerebellar ataxia. Using the scale for assessment and rating of ataxia (SARA), we examined the efficacy of 4-AP on interictal ataxia in a 63-year-old female patient who suffered from EA2 since the age of 57. EA2 was diagnosed based on clinical criteria and not genetically proven. When treatment with 4-AP was paused the patient was suffering from marked gait and stance ataxia. After re-initiation of treatment with 5 mg 4-AP t.i.d., there was pronounced improvement in gait and stance ataxia. Within 24 hours SARA score lowered from 8.5 to 4.5 points. We conclude that 4-AP may be beneficial for interictal cerebellar ataxia in late onset EA2.

Opsoclonus-myoclonus-ataxia syndrome with autoantibodies to glutamic acid decarboxylase.

Opsoclonus-myoclonus-ataxia syndrome (OMS) is a rare neurological disorder of probably autoimmune origin. Most cases are associated with a remote neoplasm or a viral infection; however in some instances no underlying aetiology can be demonstrated. We report the presence of anti-glutamic acid decarboxylase antibodies (anti-GAD Abs) in the serum and CSF of a patient with idiopathic OMS. Treatment with intravenous immunoglobulin led to a remarkable clinical improvement with parallel reduction of anti-GAD titers. Anti-GAD Abs have been associated with several neurological syndromes. They could also be responsible for the clinical triad of OMS, by impairing GABAergic transmission in specific brainstem and cerebellar circuits. We propose that testing for anti-GAD Abs should be performed in OMS, especially when no other aetiological association can be demonstrated.