Heredofamilial neurological syndromes in Trinidad and Tobago - abstract

ABSTRACT

The only report in the literature of heredofamilial neurological syndromes (HNS) in Trinidad and Tobago was Beaubrun's study of Huntington's chorea (Beaubrun, 1965). This study of HNS in Trinidad and Tobago comprised all patients seen at the Port-of-Spain General Hospital (1980 - mid 1985), the San Fernando General Hospital (mid 1985 - 1989), together with those seen in private practice. The diagnosis and genealogy were verified. A wide variety of HNS was encountered and included amyotrophic lateral sclerosis [4 cases in 2 generations] olivopontocerebellar degeneration [9 in 3 generations], multiple sclerosis [2 in 2 generations], neurofibromatosis [3 in 3 generations], Crouzon's syndrome [2 in 3 generations], biparietal foramina [17 in 3 generations], a neurological syndrome referred to as "ptosis plus syndrome" [9 in 3 generations] and familial tremor [4 in 2 generations]. In addition there were 2 siblings each with cerebral gliomas and intracranial meningioma with familial occurrence of seizures, many cases of carpal tunnel syndrome in 1 family, and familial cases of Huntington's chorea. Mode of genetic transmission seemed to be autosomal dominant in all pedigrees, sometimes with incomplete penetrance or expressivity (AU)