Four cases of late onset metachromatic leucodystrophy in a family: clinical, biochemical and neuropathological studies.

Four cases of familial metachromatic leucodystrophy are described: the age of onset ranged from 15 to 21 years. Mental deterioration was the earliest clinical sign to be noted and all progressed to severe dementia. The arylsulphatase activity in peripheral leucocytes of the patients was very low, 5 to 15 nmol/h/mg protein, moderately reduced in the heterozygote, 40 nmol/h/mg protein, compared with control values of 60-160 nmol/h/mg protein. Sural nerve biopsies in two cases showed perivascular macrophages filled with metachromatic material and electron microscopy showed typical inclusions in Schwann cell cytoplasm. Necropsy in one of the cases revealed severe demyelination mainly in the cerebral hemispheres with metachromatic material in macrophages and neurons.     

Epilepsy with myoclonic absences with early onset: a follow-up study

We studied six children (four girls and two boys) suffering from cryptogenic myoclonic absence seizures with early onset. The age at onset of the seizures ranged between 6 and 27.8 months (mean age +/- SD: 18.5+/-12.4 months). The neurologic evaluation was normal in all patients at the first hospital admission. After the diagnosis, we followed up all children for at least 5 years. At the end of follow-up, two of these patients (a girl and a boy) showed severe mental retardation, a high number (from one to three per day) of seizures, and persistent pathologic electroencephalograms. The other patients showed normal electroencephalograms: all of them were seizure free and without mental retardation. The two patients with mental retardation have been treated with polytherapy. In all other children we used valproate alone successfully. Our data suggest that myoclonic absence seizures with early onset can have a good long-term prognosis. Valproate is a useful anticonvulsant drug in these patients. Mental retardation is present only in patients with poor seizure control.     

ADULT METACHROMATIC LEUCODYSTROPHY: CLINICOPATHOLOGICAL REPORT OF TWO FAMILIAL CASES WITH SLOW COURSE

Tagliavini F., Pietrini V., Pilleri G., Trabattoni G. & Lechi A. (1979) Neuropathology and Applied Neurobiology 5 , 233–243
Abstract Case report. Adult metachromatic leucodystrophy: clinicopathological report of two familial cases with slow course
Two cases of adult metachromatic leucodystrophy in one family are reported. The main clinical features in both were predominantly psychiatric with alcoholism and an extremely long duration of the illness. Neuropathological examination revealed a similar distribution of the lesions in both, and scanty metachromatic accumulation in the CNS and not at all elsewhere. The great variability of the lengths of the courses is stressed. The duration in no way seems to be linked to the age of onset, except in the typical infantile form. The authors argue that different lengths of history correlate with distinct neuropathological findings, and may possibly be related to qualitative differences in the involved enzyme disturbance. Therefore, the authors suggest that the classification based on the age of onset be enlarged with a further one distinguishing between 'rapid' and 'slow' course types.     

Mitochondrial myopathy: report of 12 cases with histochemical study of the skeletal muscle]

Twelve patients with histologically defined mitochondrial myopathy are described. There were 9 males and 3 females. The age of onset ranged from birth to 35 years with a median of 14 years. The most common clinical picture was that of ophthalmoplegia, ptosis and muscle weakness found in 10 patients. One presented with exercise intolerance due to muscular aches and pains, and the other besides his muscular weakness had mental retardation and an aggressive behavior. The clinical presentation and differential diagnosis of these patients are discussed.     

A4T mutation in the SOD1 gene causing familial amyotrophic lateral sclerosis

We report the clinical and laboratory findings in the largest kindred so far recorded with familial amyotrophic lateral sclerosis due to an A4T mutation in the SOD1 gene. The age of onset ranged from 32 to 60 years, with a mean of 46 years. Weakness in the legs was the most frequent early symptom and there was a predominance of lower motor neuron signs. The mean time from onset of symptoms to death was 14 months. One man with onset at the age of 37 has shown a slowly developing form and is currently alive 76 months after diagnosis (October 2002), although severely affected. The A4T mutation, with one exception, was of similar severity to the A4V mutation.     

Clinical features of epilepsy with pervasive developmental disorder

Purpose

To clarify the clinical features of patients with epilepsy and pervasive developmental disorder (PDD). Methods: We examined 12 outpatients with epilepsy as well as PDD at Seiai Rehabilitation Hospital. Results: The patients comprised 7 males and 5 females. The initial neurological symptoms appeared between 5 months and 4 years of age. The interval between the initial neurological symptoms/developmental delay and seizure onset ranged from several months to twenty years. The seizures started at 10–19 years of age in 8 out of the 12 cases. The types of seizures were astatic-drop in 2 cases, tonic-to-astatic in one, atypical absence (decreased consciousness) and generalized tonic clonic seizures (GTCS) in 3 cases, GTCS in 4 cases, or myoclonic and psychomotor in 2 cases. The mental development distributed from normal to extremely severe retardation. Paroxysmal abnormalities on eegs were focal at the frontal area in 7 cases (58%) and other findings in 5 cases. Presumptive risk factors were prenatal in 6 cases (family history for PDD in 1 case, for epilepsy in 1, twin pregnancy in 2 cases, and other in 2 cases), perinatal in 2 patients, postnatal in 1, and unknown in 3 cases. Conclusions: The seizures occurred most frequently after the onset of neurological symptoms or developmental delay. The frontal lobe dysfunction was associated with seizure onset in 58% of the cases based on the EEG findings. The risk factors were prenatal in 50% of the cases.     

遗传性痉挛性截瘫患者179例的临床与遗传学特点

目的 探讨我国遗传性痉挛性截瘫(HSP)患者的临床与遗传学特点.方法 对179例中国汉族人群HSP患者的临床资料和遗传学特点进行回顾性分析.结果 共收集78个家系114例患者和65例散发患者,家族史阳性率为54.5%,未发现遗传早现现象,部分家系存在外显不全.患者中男女比例为1.84:1,平均发病年龄(18.1±14.0)岁,平均病程(12.3±11.5)年;常染色体显性遗传(AD)-HSP患者的发病年龄[(19.7±14.0)岁]较常染色体隐性遗传(AR)-HSP者[(14.5±8.8)岁]大(t=2.196,P＜0.05),病程较AR-HSP者长[分别为(17.9±14.4)年和(8.0±5.8)年,t=4.404,P＜0.01].单纯型79例,复杂型100例;AD-HSP以单纯型为主,AR-HSP以复杂型为主,两者构成比差异有统计学意义(F=19.322,P＜0.01).患者多以双下肢僵硬、不灵活起病,最常见的体征为双下肢腱反射亢进、肌张力增高和病理征阳性,其次为踝阵挛(46.9%)、双下肢肌力下降(42.5%)、足部畸形(30.7%)等;AR-HSP患者共济失调、构音障碍、智能减退和足部畸形较AD-HSP多见,泌尿系统症状较AD-HSP少见(P＜0.05).65例患者行颅脑MRI检查,发现胼胝体发育不良13例(20.0%)、小脑萎缩9例(13.8%);45例患者行脊髓MRI检查,发现脊髓变细7例(15.6%).结论 本组HSP患者多于青少年期起病,男性多于女性.AD-HSP发病晚、病程长,以单纯型为主,更易出现泌尿系统症状;AR-HSP发病早、病程相对短,以复杂型多见,多伴有共济失调、构音障碍及智能减退,影像学改变以胼胝体发育不良多见;该病存在与性别相关的临床异质性,存在"女性保护"现象.     

无脑白质影像学改变的晚发婴儿型异染性脑白质营养不良

目的 分析3例脑白质影像学无改变的晚发婴儿型异染性脑白质营养不良患儿的临床、电生理、影像学和病理学改变特点，总结其特征表现和诊断规律。方法 3例均为男性婴儿，月龄分别为20个月、27个月和28个月。均于出生后15～21个月出现运动发育停滞和倒退，以下肢运动障碍为主，表现有锥体束征。收入院后予以体格检查、电生理检查、头部MRI检查及腓肠神经活检。结果 （1）体格检查：例1双下肢肌力4级，肌张力降低；双膝腱反射亢进，双侧Babinski征阳性。例2四肢肌力5级，肌张力明显增高；腱反射亢进，双侧Babinski征阳性。例3眼球向左、右注视时可发现细小水平眼震，四肢肌力4级，肌张力低；四肢腱反射对称引出，双下肢病理征阴性。（2）辅助检查：3例患儿电生理检查均提示为周围神经病变，MRI检查无异常发现。（3）实验室检查：仅例1行外周血白细胞芳基硫酯酶A检查，显示活性显著下降。（4）腓肠神经活检：3例患儿均显示髓神经纤维显著减少，残存的有髓神经纤维的髓鞘变薄，甲苯胺蓝染色见部分雪旺细胞及吞噬细胞内出现紫红色异染颗粒，超微结构呈指纹样、髓样和平行排列的棒状结构。结论 病理检查证实细胞内沉积物具有异染性，而周围神经病变具有髓鞘发育不良特点。由于脑白质MRI无改变，这组以周围神经损害为主的息儿可能是异染性脑白质营养不良的一种特殊类型，诊断为伴有中枢神经系统损害的异染性周围神经病更符合临床表现规律。     

Seizures as a presenting feature of late onset metachromatic leukodystrophy

OBJECTIVES: We describe 2 patients with epilepsy as an early manifestation of late onset metachromatic leukodystrophy (MLD). METHODS AND RESULTS: The first patient presented with epileptic seizures at the age of 34 years while neurological and cognitive abnormalities appeared later. MRI findings were compatible with leukodystrophy and low levels of arylsulphatase-A activity confirmed MLD. The second patient developed epileptic seizures and behavioral disturbances at the age of 19 years. She remained stable and seizure free for 8 years. Afterwards she developed uncontrolled epileptic seizures and status epilepticus as well as neurological and cognitive impairment. Leukodystrophy was diagnosed by MRI findings and low levels of arylsulphatase-A activity were compatible with MLD. CONCLUSION: Our 2 cases postulate that epileptic seizures may be an early and prominent manifestation of late onset MLD.     

Leucocyte arylsulphatase A activity and subtypes of chronic schizophrenia

Previous studies have suggested that arylsulphatase A (ASA - the biochemical marker of metachromatic leucodystrophy) deficiency may be present in a sizeable proportion of patients with chronic psychosis. This study surveyed leucocyte ASA activity in a group of chronic psychotic patients and compared ASA activity in 3 subgroups fulfilling Research Diagnostic Criteria for schizophrenia (undifferentiated), paranoid schizophrenia and schizoaffective psychosis. Three of 45 patients had significantly reduced ASA activity but none had metachromatic leucodystrophy. Although ASA levels did not differ significantly between the groups, schizophrenics without a family history of schizophrenia had significantly lower ASA levels than those with. The implications of these findings are discussed.     

Adult metachromatic leukodystrophy: three cases with normal nerve conduction velocities in a family

Here, we report three cases of late onset metachromatic leukodystrophy (MLD) within a family. The patients presented with psychiatric disturbances and dementia. The arylsulphatase A (ASA) level in leucocytes was zero in all the patients. The cranial magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) revealed bilateral symmetrical demyelination but the nerve conduction velocities were normal in all three cases. The clinical, biochemical, imaging and electrophysiological data of the family has been discussed.     

Presenile dementia in Israel

A nationwide epidemiologic study of presenile dementia of the Alzheimer type (PDAT) with onset through age 60 years was carried out in Israel. The Israeli National Neurologic Disease Register and clinical records of all patients discharged from hospitals between 1974 and 1983 with a neurologic or psychiatric diagnosis suggestive of dementia were reviewed. A total of 71 Jewish patients with onset of PDAT between 1974 and 1978 was ascertained. The age at onset in these patients ranged from 43 to 60 years. The median survival was 8.1 years, with slightly longer survival if onset occurred before age 55 years, even after correction for expected mortality according to age and sex. The average annual incidence rate per 100,000 population at risk was 2.4 in the population aged 40 through 60 years. Although the incidence rates were slightly greater for women, the difference between the rates by sex was not statistically significant. The age- and sex-adjusted incidence of PDAT per 100,000 population was significantly higher in those born in Europe or America (2.9) than in those born in Africa or Asia (1.4). No significant difference in survival was found between these two groups. The curve of the incidence rates by age for PDAT in Israel is continuous with that for senile dementia of the Alzheimer type collected by similar methods elsewhere, which suggests that one disease process may account for both conditions.     

Multiple sclerosis in children under 6 years of age.

OBJECTIVES: To characterize MS patients with the earliest onset of disease. BACKGROUND: MS-primarily a disease of young adulthood-begins in childhood in 3 to 5% of cases. However, onset before 10 years of age is considered exceptional. Accordingly, inclusion age at onset is generally between 10 and 59 years. METHODS: Information was obtained on patients with MS treated at our institution (n = 6) or from reports in Medline or bibliographies. Onset of disease was before 6 years of age, for a total of 49 patients (29 girls, 20 boys). RESULTS: All patients had clinically defined MS according to Poser's criteria; 22 were also laboratory supported. The female/male ratio (1.4) was lower than that usually recorded for adult onset MS (2.0) and that of MS with onset between 6 and 15 years (2.2 to 3.0). The group of patients (n = 5) with onset before 24 months of age showed the lowest ratio (0.6) and carried the most unfavorable prognosis. Among initial symptoms, ataxia was preponderant (61%). Optic nerve involvement became more frequent with age. Generalized or partial seizures occurred in 22% of cases. First inter-attack interval was less than 1 year in 63% of the cases. The yearly relapse rate ranged from 1.1 at disease onset to 0.2 after 9 years from disease onset. At follow-up (mean length 6.8 years), the disease was relapsing-remitting in 84% patients and the grade of recovery was complete in 64%. CONCLUSIONS: Definite MS can be consistently diagnosed by current criteria for adult onset MS in patients with the earliest onset of disease who show peculiar clinical features and natural history. These findings may suggest a reconsideration of current lower limits for MS diagnostic criteria.     

Influence of statins treatment on survival in patients with amyotrophic lateral sclerosis

BACKGROUND: Statins are increasingly recognized as causing muscle damage and, more rarely, peripheral neuropathy. A preliminary report that there are more cases of amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) among people treated with statins caused considerable concern. We considered the possibility that statins could affect survival in patients already diagnosed as having amyotropic lateral sclerosis who were taking statins for dyslipidemia. METHODS: We reviewed the clinical charts of 459 patients with ALS followed-up in our clinic between 1997 and 2007. Retrieved data included age, all administered medications, form of ALS at onset and survival. We compared the survival rates of patients taking any statins with that of patients not taking statins, while adjusting for other factors which influence disease progression, such as age, gender and ALS form at onset. RESULTS: 72 patients were on statins for dyslipidemia at disease onset. The doses ranged from 10-60 mg daily and varied throughout the disease course. As expected, the patients on statins were older than the non-treated ones (65.7+/-9 versus 57.5+/-13 years, respectively). After correcting for age, gender and disease form, there was no significant difference in survival between the groups. CONCLUSION: Our findings indicate that statins treatment for dyslipidemia in patients with ALS does not carry any survival risks.     

Early onset multiple sclerosis: a longitudinal study

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the clinical course of MS in individuals with onset of MS before age 16. METHODS: Patients with onset of MS before age 16 (n = 116) with complete clinical information on the clinical course from the MS Clinic at The University of British Columbia (UBC) Site Hospital computerized database (MS-COSTAR) were included in this study. The data were compared to those from the Canadian natural history study for MS clinic attendees, regardless of age at onset. RESULTS: The mean duration of observation was 19.76 +/- 0.90 years; the mean age at MS onset was 12.73 +/- 0.25 years. Only three cases (2.6%) had a primary progressive (PP) MS course. To date, 60 (53.1%) of 113 subjects have developed secondary progressive (SP) MS. The 50% probability for SPMS was reached 23 years after onset. For patients with relapsing remitting (RR) or SPMS the mean disease duration from onset to the time of confirmed Expanded Disability Status Scale (EDSS) 3.0 was 16.03 +/- 1.17 years (at mean age 28.47 +/- 1.14); mean duration from onset to the time of EDSS 6.0 was 19.39 +/- 1.43 years (at mean age 32.32 +/- 1.44). Annual relapse rate was 0.54 +/- 0.05 per year. The correlation between the number of relapses during the first year of disease and the course of the disease was also significant. CONCLUSIONS: The prevalence of early onset MS (3.6%) in our study confirms the previous findings on early onset MS. A RR course was seen in the majority of cases of early onset MS. A high frequency of relapses, early age at permanent disability, and the presence of malignant cases raise the question of possible early use of disease-modifying therapy in patients with early onset MS.     

Hereditary spastic paraplegia with epileptic myoclonus

A previously undescribed form of complicated hereditary spastic paraplegia with epileptic myoclonus in four affected offspring of consanguineous parents is reported. The disorder was inherited as an autosomal recessive trait. Age at onset varied from the prenatal period to 10 years. The main findings when examined between 26 and 42 years of age were spastic paraplegia, epileptic myoclonus, distal muscle atrophy, mental retardation or dullness, ataxia, hearing loss and a progressive course. The difference in phenotypic expression was striking. One woman had progressive epileptic myoclonus, ataxia and only slight distal wasting and could have been misdiagnosed as a case of Unverricht-Lundborg's disease. Thorough biochemical investigations revealed no cause of the disorder.     

Mitochondrial encephalomyopathy,lactic acidosis,stroke-like episodes (MELAS): Clinical,radiological, pathological,and genetic observations

We reviewed 10 patients (5 males, 5 females) with mitochondrial encephalomyopathy, lactic acidosis, and stroke-like episodes. The age of symptom onset ranged from 3 months to 12 years. All had lactic acidosis, multiple stroke-like events with secondary neurological deficits, radiological changes of progressive brain infarction, and muscle biopsy showing ragged-red fibers. In patients with earlier onset of symptoms (<2 yr), involvement tended to be more diffuse, with failure to thrive and early onset of delayed development. Patients whose symptoms appeared later tended to have focal neurological deficits with migraine-like headache, and a rate of cognitive regression reflecting the rapidity of disease progression. Radiological changes included multiple areas of infarction with initial predilection for parietal occipital areas, progressing to generalized atrophy. Pathological findings in muscle biopsies included type 1 fiber predominance, ragged-red fibers, increased intermyofibrillar lipid deposition, and abnormal mitochondria. Four patients showed mitochondrial DNA tRNA mutation at position 3,243. No difference was noted in clinical, radiological, or pathological findings in patients with and without this mutation, suggesting that multiple sites of point mutation may give rise to mitochondrial encephalomyopathy, lactic acidosis, and stroke-like episodes.     

Dyssynergia cerebellaris myoclonica (Ramsay Hunt syndrome): a condition unrelated to mitochondrial encephalomyopathies.

Thirteen patients with dyssynergia cerebellaris myoclonica (Ramsay Hunt syndrome) had full clinical and neurophysiological study as well as muscle biopsy. The patients had action myoclonus, generalised epileptic seizures, and mild cerebellar syndrome. The disease was inherited in an autosomal recessive pattern in five patients, and occurred as isolated cases in the remaining eight patients. The age at onset of symptoms ranged from 6 to 15 years (mean, 10.4 years). The EEG and polygraphic findings included normal background activity in most patients, spontaneous fast generalised spike-and-wave discharges, photosensitivity, no activation during slow sleep, and vertex and rolandic spikes in REM sleep. Results of muscle biopsy, performed an average of 14 years after onset of the disease, were normal and showed no mitochondrial abnormalities. These findings suggest that Ramsay Hunt syndrome is a condition with distinctive clinical and neurophysiological features and unrelated to mitochondrial encephalomyopathies.     

Clinical study of childhood acute disseminated encephalomyelitis,multiple sclerosis,and acute transverse myelitis in Fukuoka Prefecture,Japan

Acute disseminated encephalomyelitis (ADEM) has recently been studied in several countries owing to the development and wide spread use of imaging technology, but few epidemiological studies of childhood ADEM have been undertaken in Asian countries. To perform a comprehensive survey of ADEM and related diseases in Japanese children, we conducted a multicenter, population-based study on childhood ADEM, multiple sclerosis, and acute isolated transverse myelitis in Fukuoka Prefecture, Japan. We identified 26 children with ADEM, 8 with multiple sclerosis, and 4 with acute transverse myelitis during 5 years between September 1998 and August 2003. The incidence of childhood ADEM under the age of 15 years was 0.64 per 100,000 person-years, mean age at onset was 5.7 years, and male–female ratio was 2.3:1. The prevalence of childhood multiple sclerosis was 1.3 per 100,000 persons. The mean age at onset of multiple sclerosis, 9.3 years, was significantly higher than that of ADEM. Nineteen (73%) and four (15%) patients with ADEM experienced antecedent infectious illnesses and vaccinations, respectively, within 1 month before the onset. Clinical and radiological findings of ADEM revealed that the frequency of seizures, mean white blood cell counts in cerebrospinal fluid, and the frequency of subcortical lesions in Fukuoka study, seemed to be higher than those in previous non-Asian studies. These findings suggest that there are ethnic or geographical differences in the incidence and clinical features of ADEM, and that there might be potent genetic or environmental risk factors for ADEM distinct from those for multiple sclerosis.     

家族性发作性运动诱发性运动障碍三个家系的临床及遗传学特点

目的探讨家族性发作性运动诱发性运动障碍（paroxysmal kinesigenic dyskinesia，PKD）的临床及遗传学特点，提高临床医师对该病的认识。方法总结分析3个汉族家族性PKD家系患者的临床资料，并进行详细的家系调查。结果3个家系共有患者25例，其中男性16例，女性9例。起病年龄1～10岁，发作由运动诱发，发作时意识清楚，发作持续时间在30s以内。查体未见异常，无明显智能障碍。发作次数10～50次／d，随年龄增长发作次数减少，卡马西平可完全缓解症状。家系遗传方式均符合常染色体显性遗传模式。家系中男性患者的临床表现比女性严重，未经治疗时，女性患者症状自然缓解的年龄比男性患者早。结论家族性PKD的主要遗传方式为常染色体显性遗传，在临床及遗传上可能存在异质性。男性患者临床表现比女性严重，可能与不同种族的遗传异质性有关。女性患者比男性症状轻，自然缓解年龄早，可能导致多数女性患者不完全外显，使得女性发病相对较少。