Analysis of an insertion mutation in a cohort of 94 patients with spinocerebellar ataxia type 31 from Nagano, Japan

Spinocerebellar ataxia type 31 (SCA31) is a recently defined subtype of autosomal dominant cerebellar ataxia (ADCA) characterized by adult-onset, pure cerebellar ataxia. The C/T substitution in the 5′-untranslated region of the puratrophin-1 gene (PLEKHG4) or a disease-specific haplotype within the 900-kb SCA31 critical region just upstream of PLEKHG4 has been used for the diagnosis of SCA31. Very recently, a disease-specific insertion containing penta-nucleotide (TGGAA)n repeats has been found in this critical region in SCA31 patients. SCA31 was highly prevalent in Nagano, Japan, where SCA31 accounts for approximately 42% of ADCA families. We screened the insertion in 94 SCA31 patients from 71 families in Nagano. All patients had a 2.6- to 3.7-kb insertion. The size of the insertion was inversely correlated with the age at onset but not associated with the progression rate after onset. (TAGAA)n repeats at the 5′-end of the insertion were variable in number, ranging from 0 (without TAGAA sequence) to 4. The number of (TAGAA)n repeats was inversely correlated to the total size of the insertion. The number of (TAGAA)n repeats was comparatively uniform within patients from the three endemic foci in Nagano. Only one patient, heterozygous for the C/T substitution in PLEKHG4, had the insertions in both alleles; they were approximately 3.0 and 4.3 kb in size. Sequencing and Southern hybridization using biotin-labeled (TGGAA)5 probe strongly indicated that the 3.0-kb insertion, but not the 4.3-kb insertion, contained (TGGAA)n stretch. We also found that 3 of 405 control individuals (0.7%) had the insertions from 1.0 to 3.5 kb in length. They were negative for the C/T substitution in PLEKHG4, and neither of the insertions contained (TGGAA)n stretch at their 5′-end by sequencing. The insertions in normal controls were clearly detected by Southern hybridization using (TAAAA)5 probe, while they were not labeled with (TGGAA)5 or (TAGAA)5 probe. These data indicate that control alleles very rarely have a nonpathogenic large insertion in the SCA31 critical region and that not only the presence of the insertion but also its size is not sufficient evidence for a disease-causing allele. We approve of the view that (TGGAA)n repeats in the insertion are indeed related to the pathogenesis of SCA31, but it remains undetermined whether a large insertion lacking (TGGAA)n is nonpathogenic

A Patient with Primary Hyperparathyroidism Associated with Familial Hypocalciuric Hypercalcemia Induced by a Novel Germline CaSR Gene Mutation

We report a patient with familial hypocalciuric hypercalcemia (FHH) associated with primary hyper-parathyroidism (PHPT) and incidental papillary thyroid carcinoma. The patient showed hypercalcemia, high parathyroid hormone (PTH) levels and low urinary calcium excretion. A computed tomography (CT) scan revealed an enlarged parathyroid gland. Ultrasonography (US) and aspiration cytology revealed microcarcinoma of the left lobe of the thyroid gland. Screening studies of his family revealed that four of five family members had hypocalciuric hypercalcemia and normal PTH level. Sequencing analysis of the calcium sensing receptor gene revealed a novel heterozygous mutation (3193delA) in the patient and his family members with hypercalcemia, but one with normocalcemia. The patient underwent total thyroidectomy, central node dissection and extirpation of the enlarged parathyroid gland. Surgery is not indicated for FHH; however, FHH may be accompanied with parathyroid adenoma causing PHPT, as reported here, for which surgical treatment is indicated

Axonal Dysfunction Precedes Motor Neuronal Death in Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis

<div><p>Wide-spread fasciculations are a characteristic feature in amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS), suggesting motor axonal hyperexcitability. Previous excitability studies have shown increased nodal persistent sodium conductances and decreased potassium currents in motor axons of ALS patients, both of the changes inducing hyperexcitability. Altered axonal excitability potentially contributes to motor neuron death in ALS, but the relationship of the extent of motor neuronal death and abnormal excitability has not been fully elucidated. We performed multiple nerve excitability measurements in the median nerve at the wrist of 140 ALS patients and analyzed the relationship of compound muscle action potential (CMAP) amplitude (index of motor neuronal loss) and excitability indices, such as strength-duration time constant, threshold electrotonus, recovery cycle and current-threshold relationships. Compared to age-matched normal controls (n = 44), ALS patients (n = 140) had longer strength-duration time constant (SDTC: a measure of nodal persistent sodium current; p < 0.05), greater threshold changes in depolarizing threshold electrotonus (p < 0.05) and depolarizing current threshold relationship (i.e. less accommodation; (p < 0.05), greater superexcitability (a measure of fast potassium current; p < 0.05) and reduced late subexcitability (a measure of slow potassium current; p < 0.05), suggesting increased persistent sodium currents and decreased potassium currents. The reduced potassium currents were found even in the patient subgroups with normal CMAP (> 5mV). Regression analyses showed that SDTC (R = -0.22) and depolarizing threshold electrotonus (R = -0.22) increased with CMAP decline. These findings suggest that motor nerve hyperexcitability occurs in the early stage of the disease, and precedes motor neuronal loss in ALS. Modulation of altered ion channel function could be a treatment option for ALS.</p></div

Scatter plots of nerve excitability indices and CMAP amplitudes.

<p>Scatter plots of nerve excitability indices and compound muscle action potential (CMAP) amplitudes in 140 ALS patients. These indices were recorded over the abductor pollicis brevis (APB) muscle, stimulated in the median nerve at the wrist. SDTC (A) (p = 0.01, r = -0.22), superexcitability (B) (p = 0.45, r = 0.067) and TEd 90-100ms (C) (p = 0.01, r = -0.22) were increased with CMAP decline. Approximate lines are shown in each index. These findings suggest increased persistent sodium and decreased potassium currents deteriorate with axonal loss. Open circles represent normal average ± 1.96SE value in each index.</p

Clinical and neurophysiological profiles in 140 ALS patients.

<p>Clinical and neurophysiological profiles in 140 ALS patients.</p