Molecular characterisation of congenital myasthenic syndromes in Southern Brazil

Objective To perform genetic testing of patients with congenital myasthenic syndromes (CMS) from the Southern Brazilian state of Parana. Patients and methods Twenty-five CMS patients from 18 independent families were included in the study. Known CMS genes were sequenced and restriction digest for the mutation RAPSN p.N88K was performed in all patients. Results We identified recessive mutations of CHRNE in ten families, mutations in DOK7 in three families and mutations in COLQ, CHRNA1 and CHRNB1 in one family each. The mutation CHRNE c. 70insG was found in six families. We have repeatedly identified this mutation in patients from Spain and Portugal and haplotype studies indicate that CHRNE c. 70insG derives from a common ancestor. Conclusions Recessive mutations in CHRNE are the major cause of CMS in Southern Brazil with a common mutation introduced by Hispanic settlers. The second most common cause is mutations in DOK7. The minimum prevalence of CMS in Parana is 0.18/100 000

Molecular characterisation of congenital myasthenic syndromes in Southern Brazil

Objective To perform genetic testing of patients with congenital myasthenic syndromes (CMS) from the Southern Brazilian state of Parana. Patients and methods Twenty-five CMS patients from 18 independent families were included in the study. Known CMS genes were sequenced and restriction digest for the mutation RAPSN p.N88K was performed in all patients. Results We identified recessive mutations of CHRNE in ten families, mutations in DOK7 in three families and mutations in COLQ, CHRNA1 and CHRNB1 in one family each. The mutation CHRNE c. 70insG was found in six families. We have repeatedly identified this mutation in patients from Spain and Portugal and haplotype studies indicate that CHRNE c. 70insG derives from a common ancestor. Conclusions Recessive mutations in CHRNE are the major cause of CMS in Southern Brazil with a common mutation introduced by Hispanic settlers. The second most common cause is mutations in DOK7. The minimum prevalence of CMS in Parana is 0.18/100 000

ANO10 mutations cause ataxia and coenzyme Q(10) deficiency

Inherited ataxias are heterogeneous disorders affecting both children and adults, with over 40 different causative genes, making molecular genetic diagnosis challenging. Although recent advances in next-generation sequencing have significantly improved mutation detection, few treatments exist for patients with inherited ataxia. In two patients with adult-onset cerebellar ataxia and coenzyme Q10 (CoQ10) deficiency in muscle, whole exome sequencing revealed mutations in ANO10, which encodes anoctamin 10, a member of a family of putative calcium-activated chloride channels, and the causative gene for autosomal recessive spinocerebellar ataxia-10 (SCAR10). Both patients presented with slowly progressive ataxia and dysarthria leading to severe disability in the sixth decade. Epilepsy and learning difficulties were also present in one patient, while retinal degeneration and cataract were present in the other. The detection of mutations in ANO10 in our patients indicate that ANO10 defects cause secondary low CoQ10 and SCAR10 patients may benefit from CoQ10 supplementation

“Be an ambassador for change that you would like to see”: a call to action to all stakeholders for co-creation in healthcare and medical research to improve quality of life of people with a neuromuscular disease

BACKGROUND: Patient and public involvement for co-creation is increasingly recognized as a valuable strategy to develop healthcare research targeting patients’ real needs. However, its practical implementation is not as advanced and unanimously accepted as it could be, due to cultural differences and complexities of managing healthcare programs and clinical studies, especially in the rare disease field. MAIN BODY: The European Neuromuscular Centre, a European foundation of patient organizations, involved its key stakeholders in a special workshop to investigate the position of the neuromuscular patient community with respect to healthcare and medical research to identify and address gaps and bottlenecks. The workshop took place in Milan (Italy) on January 19–20, 2018, involving 45 participants who were mainly representatives of the patient community, but also included experts from clinical centers, industry and regulatory bodies. In order to provide practical examples and constructive suggestions, specific topics were identified upfront. The first set of issues concerned the quality of life at specific phases of a patient’s life, such as at the time of diagnosis or during pediatric to adult transition, and patient involvement in medical research on activities in daily living including patient reported outcome measures. The second set of issues concerned the involvement of patients in the management of clinical research tools, such as registries and biobanks, and their participation in study design or marketing authorization processes. Introductory presentations were followed by parallel working group sessions, to gain constructive contributions from all participants. The concept of shared decision making was used to ensure, in discussions, a partnership-based identification of the wishes and needs of all stakeholders involved, and the “ladder of participation” tool served as a model to evaluate the actual and the desired level of patients’ involvement in all topics addressed. A general consensus on the outcome of the meeting was collected during the final plenary session. This paper reports the outcome of the workshop and the specific suggestions derived from the analysis of the first set of topics, related to quality of life. The outcomes of the second set of topics are reported elsewhere and are only briefly summarized herein for the sake of completeness. CONCLUSIONS: The neuromuscular community proved to be very active and engaged at different levels in the healthcare initiatives of interest. The workshop participants critically discussed several topics, providing practical examples where different stakeholders could play a role in making a change and bridging gaps. Overall, they indicated the need for education of all stakeholders for better communication, where everyone should become an ambassador to promote real change. Support should also come from institutions and healthcare bodies both at structural and economic level

Modafinil for excessive daytime sleepiness in myotonic dystrophy type 1--the patients' perspective.

Excessive daytime sleepiness (EDS), of very similar pattern to that seen in narcolepsy syndrome, is extremely common in myotonic dystrophy type 1 (DM1). In a significant minority it has a profound disabling effect on employment, social functioning and activities of daily living. Limited published studies have shown inconsistent results from use of the psychostimulant drug modafinil. A recent European Medicines Agency (EMA) review concluded that on current evidence regarding safety and efficacy, modafinil's use should be restricted to the treatment of narcolepsy. In other conditions (although DM1 was not specifically considered) it was concluded that there was insufficient evidence of benefit to outweigh potentially serious side-effects, including severe skin reactions and cardiac arrhythmia. Clinicians with extensive experience in the management of DM1 have found modafinil to be extremely effective in appropriately selected patients with a very low incidence of serious side-effects. Given the recent EMA review, patients have expressed concern about the potential restriction of the use of modafinil in DM1. This brief review is an audit of the experience of a large group of patients and their clinicians concerning EDS and DM1 and concludes that despite the limited literature there is strong evidence to support the use of modafinil in carefully selected patients

Oculopharyngodistal myopathy is a distinct entity Clinical and genetic features of 47 patients

WOS: 000286371900008PubMed ID: 21242490Background: Oculopharyngodistal myopathy (OPDM) has been reported as a rare, adult-onset hereditary muscle disease with putative autosomal dominant and autosomal recessive inheritance. Patients with OPDM present with progressive ocular, pharyngeal, and distal limb muscle involvement. The genetic defect causing OPDM has not been elucidated. Methods: Clinical and genetic findings of 47 patients from 9 unrelated Turkish families diagnosed with OPDM at the Department of Neurology, Istanbul Faculty of Medicine, between 1982 and 2009 were evaluated. Results: The mean age at onset was around 22 years. Both autosomal dominant and autosomal recessive traits were observed, without any clear difference in clinical phenotype or severity. The most common initial symptom was ptosis, followed by oropharyngeal symptoms and distal weakness, which started after the fifth disease year. Intrafamilial variability of disease phenotype and severity was notable in the largest autosomal dominant family. Atypical presentations, such as absence of limb weakness in long-term follow-up in 9, proximal predominant weakness in 4, and asymmetric ptosis in 3 patients, were observed. Swallowing difficulty was due to oropharyngeal dysphagia with myopathic origin. Serum creatine kinase levels were slightly increased and EMG revealed myopathic pattern with occasional myotonic discharges. Myopathologic findings included rimmed and autophagic vacuoles and chronic myopathic changes. Importantly, a considerable proportion of patients developed respiratory muscle weakness while still ambulant. Linkage to the genetic loci for all known muscular dystrophies, and for distal and myofibrillar myopathies, was excluded in the largest autosomal dominant and autosomal recessive OPDM families. Conclusions: We suggest that OPDM is a clinically and genetically distinct myopathy. Neurology (R) 2011; 76:227-235American Academy of Neurology; European Neurological Society (ENS); Genzyme CorporationGenzyme Corporation; European UnionEuropean Union (EU); MRC Translational Research Centre; Association Francaise contre les myopathies (AFM)Association Francaise contre les Myopathies; German Ministry for Education and ResearchFederal Ministry of Education & Research (BMBF); AVI BioPharma, Inc.; PTC Therapeutics, Inc.; Muscular Dystrophy CampaignMuscular Dystrophy Association; Medical Research Council (MRC) through the Centre for Neuromuscular DiseasesMedical Research Council UK (MRC); Association Francaise contes les Myopathies (AFM, France)Association Francaise contre les Myopathies; Medical Research CouncilMedical Research Council UK (MRC) [G0601943]Dr. Durmus received an International Scholarship Award from the American Academy of Neurology and is supported by the European Neurological Society (ENS) through a fellowship. Dr. Laval reports no disclosures. Dr. Deymeer serves on the editorial board of Neuromuscular Disorders. Dr. Parman, Dr. Kiyan, and Dr. Gokyigit report no disclosures. Dr. Ertekin serves on the editorial board of Clinic Neurophysiologique. Dr. Ercan, Dr. Solakoglu, and Dr. Karcagi report no disclosures. Dr. Straub serves on scientific advisory boards for Genzyme Corporation and Acceleron Pharma; has received funding for travel and honoraria from Genzyme Corporation; serves on the editorial board of Neuromuscular Disorders; and receives research support from the European Union, the MRC Translational Research Centre, the Association Francaise contre les myopathies (AFM), and the German Ministry for Education and Research. Prof. Bushby serves on scientific advisory boards for Prosensa, Acceleron Pharma, AVI BioPharma, Inc., Debiopharm Group, PTC Therapeutics, Inc., and Santhera Pharmaceuticals; has received funding for travel or honoraria for lectures or educational activities not sponsored by industry; serves on the editorial board of Neuromuscular Disorders; receives research support from AVI BioPharma, Inc., PTC Therapeutics, Inc., the European Union, the MRC Translational Research Centre, the Association Francaise contre les myopathies (AFM), and the Muscular Dystrophy Campaign; and holds stock in GlaxoSmithKline. Dr. Lochmuller and Dr. Serdaroglu-Oflazer report no disclosures.; Supported by the American Academy of Neurology through an International Scholarship Award to H. D., the European Neurological Society (ENS) through a fellowship to H. D., Science City Newcastle, the Medical Research Council (MRC) through the Centre for Neuromuscular Diseases, and the Association Francaise contes les Myopathies (AFM, France). Newcastle University is the coordinating partner of the TREAT-NMD network of excellence (EC 036825)