A case of familial type IIa hypercholesterolemia with the clinical features similar to cerebrotendinous xanthomatosis]

A 63-years-old woman noticed unsteady gait at the age of 56 years and then developed dysarthria two years later. A general physical examination at age 56 revealed mild hypertrophy of both Achilles tendons. On neurological examination, she had scanning speech, moderate limb and truncal ataxia, and moderate hyperreflexia of all limbs. A soft tissue X-ray examination disclosed hypertrophy of both Achilles tendons with multiple punctate calcification. Brain MRI showed diffuse cerebellar atrophy. Motor evoked potentials in the right limb disclosed a prolonged central conduction time. Blood chemistry showed familial type IIa hypercholesterolemia (cholesterol 320 mg/dl, and LDL-cholesterol 245 mg/dl), yet cholestanol level was normal. A examination of CTX gene mutation at hot spots revealed no mutation. Her mother and two siblings also had hypertrophy of Achilles tendons as well as type IIa hypercholesterolemia. In addition, the one sibling showed mild ataxia of lower limbs, respectively. This report suggests a possible link between familial type IIa hypercholesterolemia and cerebellar degeneration syndrome clinically mimicking CTX.     

Cerebrotendinous xanthomatosis,a treatable metabolic disorder

Cerebrotendinous xanthomatosis (CTX) is a rare autosomal recessive disorder of bile acid synthesis which can be clinically diagnosed and specifically treated. It is an underdiagnosed disorder worldwide.Here,we describe two women who were diagnosed with CTX during their forties after symptoms had already developed 15 years earlier. Both patients showed gait ataxia, spastic paraparesis, polyneuropathy, bilateral premature cataracts, tendon xanthomas, and cognitive deficits. One of the patients had also chronic diarrhea. The deficiency of the mitochondrial enzyme sterol 27-hydroxylase results in a virtual absence of chenodeoxycholic acid. This leads to excessive production of cholestanol and cholesterol and accumulation of these sterols in many tissues, especially the eye lens, central nervous system,and tendons. The determination of a high cholestanol serum level allows the diagnosis,which can be confirmed through genetic analysis. Early diagnosis of CTX is important, since an effective therapy is available. Long-term therapy with chenodeoxycholic acid is effective for CTX, mainly in prevention of further deterioration.     

Presence of diarrhea and absence of tendon xanthomas in patients with cerebrotendinous xanthomatosis

BACKGROUND: Cerebrotendinous xanthomatosis (CTX) is an autosomal recessive disorder of bile acid synthesis. A diagnosis of CTX should be considered in patients with premature bilateral cataracts, intractable diarrhea, neurological signs and symptoms, and tendon xanthomas, especially in the Achilles tendons. The prevalence of these signs and symptoms increases with age. OBJECTIVES: To investigate signs and symptoms, age at onset, and age at diagnosis in 32 patients with biochemically and genetically confirmed CTX, and to compare this clinical spectrum with reports in the literature. METHODS: Retrospective analysis of records of all patients with CTX at our hospital (27 adults and 5 children). After a MEDLINE search in the English, French, and German literature, 181 patients with CTX (165 adults and 16 children) were identified worldwide. RESULTS: Of our 32 patients with CTX, 31 (97%) had cataracts and neurological signs and symptoms, predominantly pyramidal signs (26 [81%]); 21 (66%) had low intelligence and 18 (56%) had cerebellar signs. Only 13 (41%) had visible or palpable tendon xanthomas at the time of diagnosis. In total, 16 patients (50%) had chronic, intractable diarrhea that started in childhood. These findings were in contrast with the literature, where tendon xanthomas were reported in 89% and diarrhea in only 2 patients. CONCLUSIONS: We believe that CTX is underdiagnosed worldwide. We recommend that the presence of 2 of the 4 clinical hallmarks of CTX prompt thorough metabolic screening, including determination of urine bile alcohol excretion and serum cholestanol level, because CTX is a treatable disease.     

Cerebrotendinous cholestanolosis in relation to other cerebral xanthomatoses

A synopsis is given of 37 reported patients with cerebrotendinous xanthomatosis; divided in 11 possible, but not proven cases of C.T.Ch. (cerebrotendinous cholestanolosis), and 26 proven cases. An increased content of cholestanol in serum or tissue, was used as the main criterion. The ophthalmological and neurological signs are tabulated. Attention is drawn to the fact that cholestanol is not mentioned in the extensive literature on related diseases with possible cerebrospinal xanthomas, such as eosinophilic granulomatosis and hyperlipoproteinemia. The importance of a possible role of cholestanol in these diseases is stressed. A hypothetical form of cerebrotendinous cholesterolosis is discussed.

A family with a sibship of parents and twelve children, three of which showed C.T.Ch. is described. The development of the clinical picture confirmed the variable expression of the autosomal recessive disease. Two patients showed disturbances of steroid metabolism. A first contribution to the search for linkage with the H.L.A. system is presented. Cholestanol over cholesterol ratio, appeared to be independent of the type of lipoprotein. In search for therapy we found in patients with hyperlipoproteinemia type II A, that cholestyramine alone gave dangerously high blood levels of cholestanol; in combined treatment of cholestyramine with clofibrate cholestanol, levels were comparable to those of the controls. The possibilities of therapy are discussed.     

Cerebrotendinous cholestanolosis in relation to other cerebral xanthomatoses.

A synopsis is given of 37 reported patients with cerebrotendinous xanthomatosis; divided in 11 possible, but not proven cases of C.T.Ch (cerebrotendinous cholestanolosis), and 26 proven cases. An increased content of cholestanol in serum or tissue, was used as the main criterion. The ophthalmological and neurological signs are tabulated. Attention is drawn to the fact that cholestanol is not mentioned in the extensive literature on related diseases with possible cerebrospinal xanthomas, such as eosinophilic granulomatosis and hyperlipoproteinemia. The importance of a possible role of cholestanol in these diseases is stressed. A hypothetical form of cerebrotendinous cholesterolosis is discussed. A family with a sibship of parents and twelve children, three of which showed C.T.Ch is described. The development of the clinical picture confirmed the variable expression of the autosomal recessive disease. Two patients showed disturbances of steroid metabolism. A first contribution to the search for linkage with the H.L.A. system is presented. Cholestanol over cholesterol ratio, appeared to be independent of the type of lipoprotein. In search for therapy we found in patients with hyperlipoproteinemia type II A, that cholestyramine alone gave dangerously high blood levels of cholestanol; in combined treatment of cholestyramine with clofibrate cholestanol, levels were comparable to those of the controls. The possibilities of therapy are discussed.     

Could steroids mask the diagnosis of cerebrotendinous xanthomatosis?

Cerebrotendinous xanthomatosis (CTX) is a rare autosomal recessive disorder of bile acid synthesis, caused by impaired hydroxylation of cholesterol side chains due to deficiency of the mitochondrial enzyme sterol 27-hydroxylase (CYP27A1), leading to accumulation of cholestanol and cholesterol in brain and other tissues. Elevated plasma cholestanol serves as a key marker for the clinical diagnosis of CTX. In the present report we describe a young man with CTX who was on high dose steroids for a misdiagnosed chronic inflammatory demyelinating polyneuropathy (CIDP) and had normal level of serum cholestanol. When steroids were discontinued, markedly elevated serum cholestanol was measured concomitant with marked clinical worsening. This observation may imply that steroids can lower plasma cholestanol, possibly by directly inducing residual CYP27A1 activity or by inducing alternative pathways for cholestanol elimination.     

Effect of LDL-apheresis on a case of Cerebrotendinous Xanthomatosis

Cerebrotendinous Xanthomatosis (CTX) is a rare familial disease characterized by tendon-xanthomas, cataracts, progressive cerebellar ataxia, dementia and an elevation of serum cholestanol with normal levels of cholesterol. Although the pathogenesis of CTX is not fully understood, increment of cholestanol is suggested one of the major metabolic derangements of the disease. Recently, the LDL-apheresis has been developed as a new therapeutical equipment in the field of hyperlipidemia and been widely used to reduce the levels of LDL-cholesterol by selective LDL adsorption. From the point of view that cholestanol is involved mainly in LDL-cholesterol (1.019 less than d less than 1.063), we used this LDL-apheresis in the aim of reducing the cholestanol in 58 years old woman with typical sign and symptoms of CTX. The levels of serum cholestanol and cholesterol before the treatment with LDL-apheresis, were 10.7 micrograms/ml and 175 mg/dl respectively. Also the ratio of cholestanol/cholesterol indicated 0.63. By the first procedure of apheresis, the level of cholestanol was markedly decreased to 5.2 micrograms/ml (50%). Several LDL-apheresis treatments were carried out once a month. During 5 months treatments, neurological deterioration was arrested, dementia which included disorientation and recent-memory loss, cleaned a little. Although the xanthomas did not decrease in size, this patients was better oriented to person, place, time and was able to speak rationally, 2nd her cerebellar dysfunction revealed improvement. From our new experiments-we believe that the LDL-apheresis offers the strong hope of preventing the progress on cerebrotendinous xanthomatosis.     

Cerebrotendinous xanthomatosis presenting with asymmetric parkinsonism: a case with I-123-FP-CIT SPECT imaging

Cerebrotendinous xanthomatosis (CTX) is a rare inherited neurometabolic disease. Clinical symptoms are caused by increased deposition of cholestanol and cholesterol in various tissues. Progressive neurological symptoms are one of the principal manifestations. We report the case of a 44-year-old man who presented with asymmetric parkinsonism. In addition, there were mild bilateral pyramidal signs and a mild polyneuropathy. Brain MRI showed bilateral lesions in the dentate nucleus of the cerebellum and in the substantia nigra. Nuclear brain imaging using I-123-FP-CIT demonstrated an asymmetric reduced presynaptic dopaminergic function of the putamen and caudate nucleus, correlating well with his lateralized bradykinetic-rigid syndrome. CTX was diagnosed based on an increased plasma level of cholestanol, typical cerebellar brain lesions and the causative genetic mutation. CTX presenting with parkinsonism is considered rare and data on the neuroimaging of the dopaminergic deficit are limited.     

Clinical relevance and neurophysiological correlates of spasticity in cerebrotendinous xanthomatosis

Cerebrotendinous xanthomatosis (CTX) is a rare neurometabolic disease due to defective activity of sterol 27-hydroxylase, with plasma and tissue cholestanol storage. Clinical phenotype is characterized by both systemic manifestations and neurological signs. Therapy with chenodeoxycholic acid (CDCA) suppresses abnormal bile acid synthesis. The purpose of the study was to assess the frequency and clinical relevance of spasticity in the CTX phenotype and to study the usefulness of transcranial magnetic stimulation (TMS) in detecting corticospinal tract damage and monitoring the effects of replacement therapy. Twenty-four CTX patients underwent clinical evaluation including general disability scores, pyramidal and cerebellar function scales, assessment of serum cholestanol and TMS. Nine patients who started CDCA therapy at baseline received clinical and neurophysiological follow up. All patients showed signs of pyramidal damage which were relevant for clinical disability in 18 out of 24 cases (75%), resulting in spastic paraparesis. TMS revealed corticospinal alterations even in subjects with mild clinical signs of corticospinal tract involvement. After CDCA treatment, serum cholestanol decreased to normal concentrations in all patients. Clinical picture was unchanged in seven out of nine cases; in two others pyramidal signs disappeared. A reduction in abnormal neurophysiological parameters was found. Spastic paraparesis is the most frequent and relevant neurological feature in CTX patients. Replacement treatment with CDCA can prevent the progression of pyramidal damage, especially if started early in the course of the disease. TMS represents a sensitive indicator of corticospinal tract dysfunction and subclinical improvements in pyramidal function after CDCA therapy.     

Altered lipid composition and thromboxane A2 formation in platelets from patients affected by IIa hyperlipoproteinemia

Platelets from patients with familial hypercholesterolemia (type IIa hyperlipoproteinemia), a condition associated with high prevalence of atherosclerosis and of its thrombotic complications, are known to be hyperresponsive to aggregating stimuli and to synthesize increased amounts of thromboxane A2 (TxA2) in comparison to platelets from normal subjects. In order to search if these functional alterations are linked to a different platelet lipid composition, we studied a group of young patients affected by IIa hyperlipoproteinemia and a group of suitable controls with similar dietary habits. Both cholesterol and phospholipid content of platelets were higher in patients than in controls with a significant increase of cholesterol/phospholipid molar ratio (at least p less than 0.05). The percent contents of the main platelet phospholipid fractions were not altered, while an increase in saturated fatty acids, both unesterified and esterified in different lipid fractions, was observed. Moreover, an increased TxA2 production by platelets and a significantly increased number of megathrombocytes occur in patients with respect to controls (p less than 0.001). Our results indicates that platelets from patients with IIa hyperlipoproteinemia have an altered lipid composition which could explain, at least in part, the enhanced platelet reactivity reported in these patients.     

Platelet function and antithrombins in hyperlipoproteinemia type IIa

Platelet function was studied in 35 patients with type IIa hyperlipoproteinemia and 22 normal controls. Platelet aggregation by ADP in concentrations ranging from 2×10^?6 to 2×10^?5 M, and adrenaline 10^?6 M were similar in both groups. In contrast, aggregation induced by collagen and secondary aggregation elicited by bovine factor VIII were significantly lower in hypercholesterolemic patients, who also disclosed an increased plasmatic antiheparin activity. This plasmatic antiheparin activity was inversely correlated to plasmatic cholesterol concentration, (r = ?0.50, p<0.01). PF3 and PF4 were normal in patients with type IIa hyperlipoproteinemia. AntiFXa, antithrombin III, and heparin cofactor were also determined. Heparin cofactor was found to be significantly lower in hypercholesterolemic patients than in controls, and inversely correlated to plasmatic cholesterol concentration (r = ?0.51, p<0.05). These observations suggest that the thrombotic tendency in hypercholesterolemia may be related to a decrease of plasmatic heparin cofactor.     

Peripheral neuropathy in cerebrotendinous xanthomatosis

We performed a sural nerve biopsy in a patient with cerebrotendinous xanthomatosis (CTX) because of electrophysiologic evidence of peripheral neuropathy. The sections showed a striking loss of myelinated axons, the distribution of which suggested a compressive and/or ischemic process. Biochemical analysis disclosed large amounts of cholestanol, a cholesterol derivative that characteristically accumulates in CTX. However, the biochemical abnormality was not associated with any obvious structural alterations in the myelin lamellae or with abnormal storage material in Schwann's cells.     

A case of cerebrotendinous xanthomatosis with convulsive seizures

A 35 year-old male was admitted to our hospital because of convulsive seizures. His parents are first cousins. No other members of his family have similar symptoms. He showed mental retardation since childhood. At age 14, he had generalized convulsive seizures that were intractable. Bilateral cataracts were found and extracted at age 18. He noticed bilateral swellings at Achilles tendons at around 25 years of age. Physical examination revealed bilateral swellings of Achilles tendons. Neurologically, he showed poor intellectual ability, hyperreflexia with positive Babinski's sign and cerebellar ataxia. Marked elevations of cholestanol level (53.84 micrograms/ml; normal: 2.71 +/- 0.81, n = 17) and cholestanol/cholesterol ratio (2.20%; normal: 0.16 +/- 0.05, n = 17) were detected in serum. EEG showed abnormal background activities with bursts of high voltage slow theta activities. MRI study showed high intensity lesions in globus pallidus and multiple lesions in white matter with long spin echo sequence. Oral administration of chenodeoxycholic acid improved EEG findings, serum cholestanol level and convulsive seizures. However, the MRI abnormalities remained unchanged, which suggested irreversible brain damage. We reviewed the previous reports of 144 cases of CTX. Fourteen cases had convulsive seizures. We stress that CTX is one the causes of symptomatic epilepsy.     

Inherited cholesterol lipidosis: cerebrotendinous xanthomatosis (van Bogaert Scherer Epstein disease). A clinicopathological study

Cerebrotendinous xanthomathosis (CTX) is a rare autosomal-recessively transmitted disease of the lipid storage system with an array of general and neurological symptoms, based on the pathological storage of cholestanol and cholesterol. The histologic manifestations are foamy cell granulomata and cholesterol crystals within various tissues, associated with a loss of both nerve cells and demyelination inside the CNS. We present a case of CTX with clinical progression as well as the pathomorphologic autopsy findings. The CNS affection in our case will be demonstrated and the pathogenesis be discussed. Medical treatment of CTX is possible but with variable success. In the case shown, the patient profited only marginally from a long-term application of chenodeoxycholic acid.     

Cerebrotendinous xanthomatosis as a multisystem disease mimicking premature ageing.

The authors report the clinical findings in 10 Italian cases of cerebrotendinous xanthomatosis (CTX). In addition to the classical neurological manifestations, the presence of psychiatric symptoms and osteopenia is stressed. Chronic treatment with chenodeoxycholic acid resulted in decreased plasma cholestanol levels and improvement of some central and peripheral neurophysiological parameters including EEG, VEP, SEP and conduction velocities. Due to the presence of cataracts, ischemic heart disease, premature atherosclerosis, mental deterioration and osteoporosis, usually found in old age, CTX can be considered a useful model of premature ageing.     

Hypothyroidism with increased serum levels of cholestanol and bile alcohol--analogous symptoms to cerebrotendinous xanthomatosis

We reported a 53-year-old woman with hypothyroidism due to ectopic thyroid gland. She showed intellectual impairment, bilateral pyramidal tract sings, slight cerebellar signs, and degenerative changes of brain white matter on CT and MRI, which were similar to symptoms and signs in cerebrotendinous xanthomatosis (CTX). We found increases of serum cholestanol in the patient and additional 3 patients with hypothyroidism. Total bile alcohol was also increased in the serum of the patients. We speculate that hypothyroidism and CTX might have a similar pathophysiological background on the development of neurological complications and atherosclerosis.     

Platelet function in hyperbetalipoproteinemia

Individuals with familial hyperbetalipoproteinemia are at increased risk of premature atherosclerosis and thrombosis. Although there is controversy whether platelet survival is shortened or normal in this disease, several in vitro tests of platelet function are abnormal including a decreased threshold concentration for stimulation of aggregation by ADP, epinephrine and collagen and increased release of nucleotides to the same agents. These functional changes are accompanied by an increase of cholesterol to phospholipid ratio in the platelet membrane and in low density lipoprotein in individuals with type IIa hyperlipoproteinemia. Clofibrate and halofenate reverse some of the abnormalities in vitro and the former drug, when administered for 6 weeks to patients with type IIa hyperlipoproteinemia decreases platelet sensitivity to ADP and epinephrine. The platelet hypersensitivity to aggregating agents can be reproduced in vitro by increasing the cholesterol to phospholipid rather in normal platelets. These artificially hypersensitive platelets can be returned to normal by halofenate in vitro. Incorporation of cholesterol into platelet membranes increases the basal level of the membrane associated enzyme adenylate cyclase. However, the enzyme no longer responds to stimulation by prostaglandin E1, and this is associated with relative resistance of the platelet to inhibition by this pharmacologic agent. These functional alterations produced by cholesterol enrichment of platelet membranes occur is parallel with an increase in platelet membrane microviscosity suggesting that the more rigid membrane can alter the behavior of membrane associated enzymes and receptors. A correlation appears to exist between the ability of certain drugs to induce phase separation in model membranes and the potency in inhibitory platelet aggregation.     

Cerebrotendinous xanthomatosis: a rare disease with diverse manifestations

This mini-review deals with a new appraisal of cerebrotendinous xanthomatosis. In addition to neurologic symptoms, patients with cerebrotendinous xanthomatosis develop cataracts, diarrhea, Achilles tendon xanthoma, atherosclerotic vascular disease, and many other abnormalities. Although the pathophysiology of the disease is not completely understood, excess production and consequent accumulation of cholestanol in tissues may play a crucial role. Chenodeoxycholic acid is the most effective therapy. The causative role and detrimental effects (at a low plasma level) of cholestanol merit further investigation.     

Diphenylpyraline-responsive parkinsonism in cerebrotendinous xanthomatosis: long-term follow up of three patients

A long-term follow-up study was made of three patients with cerebrotendinous xanthomatosis (CTX) associated with parkinsonism, two of whom were siblings. Besides typical CTX symptoms, all three patients showed severe parkinsonism. This observation has been rarely reported in CTX. The fact that the two siblings showed parkinsonism strongly suggests the genetic propensity to parkinsonism in these CTX patients. Positron emission tomography studies of the two patients revealed presynaptic dysfunction of the nigro-striatal dopaminergic system. Treatment with the reductase inhibitor hydroxymethyl glutaryl coenzyme successfully corrected the serum cholestanol level in the early stage of the disease, which, however, did not arrest the progression of clinical symptoms, particularly their parkinsonism. Clinically, levodopa had a little effect on parkinsonism, whereas an antihistamine drug, diphenylpyraline hydrochloride (DPP) had excellent effects on all three patients throughout the long-term follow up. The mechanism of the action of DPP on parkinsonism is unclear, however, the drug seems to be a therapeutic choice for treating parkinsonism in CTX.