Clinical Features of Autosomal Recessive Type Juvenile Parkinsonism and Improvement of Symptoms by Smoking. In: Nagatsu T, Fisher A, Yoshida M, editors. Basic, Clinical, and Therapeutic Aspects of Alzheimer’s and Parkinson’s Diseases. Boston: Springer US; 1990. pp. 187-95. [DOI: 10.1007/978-1-4684-5847-3_41]

Mutation analysis of the parkin gene in Russian families with autosomal recessive juvenile parkinsonism

Autosomal recessive juvenile parkinsonism (AR-JP) is a form of hereditary parkinsonism characterized by variable clinical presentations and caused by mutations in a novel gene, parkin, on chromosome 6q25.2-27. Until now, no Russian cases of parkin-associated AR-JP have been reported on. We recruited 16 patients from 11 Russian families with dopa-responsive movement disorders according to the following criteria: 1) family history compatible with autosomal recessive inheritance; 2) onset of symptoms at </=30 years of age; and 3) the lack of mutations in the GTP cyclohydrolase I gene (in sporadic cases). Mutation screening of the parkin gene was carried out by a semiquantitative PCR assay and direct sequencing of the coding region. Six different parkin mutations (both deletions and point mutations) were identified in the index cases from four families, including a novel point mutation in the donor splice site (IVS1+1G-->A). The majority of our parkin-associated cases were characterized by early-onset dopa-responsive parkinsonism with benign course and slow progression (5 patients from two families have been followed for as long as 18-36 years), and 1 patient had a phenotype of dopa-responsive dystonia. This first description of Russian patients with AR-JP and molecularly proven parkin mutations confirms the widespread occurrence of this polymorphic hereditary extrapyramidal disorder.

A Greek-American kindred with autosomal dominant, levodopa-responsive parkinsonism and anticipation

Interest is increasing concerning the role of genetic factors in the etiology of Parkinson's disease. We report the analysis of a Greek-American kindred with levodopa-responsive parkinsonism. Of the 98 individuals present in six generations of this pedigree, 16 individuals in three successive generations have developed parkinsonism. Affected members were examined both in Greece and in the United States. The clinical presentation consisted of asymmetric rigidity, resting tremor, bradykinesia, and postural instability, and symptoms were responsive to levodopa. The disease appears to be inherited in an autosomal dominant manner. The inheritance pattern and the development of parkinsonism in successive generations on two continents challenges environmental factors as the primary cause in the pathogenesis of parkinsonism in this kindred. Anticipation is present in this pedigree. The affected members in the third generation developed symptoms at ages 50 to 71, in the fourth at ages 40 to 55, and in the fifth at age 31 years. This is another example of a neurodegenerative disease with autosomal dominant inheritance and anticipation. A molecular genetic analysis of this pedigree is in progress.

A family with hereditary juvenile dystonia-parkinsonism

We report a family with autosomal dominant type hereditary juvenile dystonia-parkinsonism in which eight members in three generations exhibited parkinsonism, sleep benefit, marked efficacy of levodopa, wearing-off phenomenon, and dopa-induced choreic dyskinesia. However, one case showed mainly dystonic movement that worsened after administration of levodopa. The patients in this family showed neck dystonia, such as torticollis and retrocollis, in addition to foot dystonia and other dystonic movement, such as frequently lifting the thigh. From the family history and clinical findings, these patients are considered to have a specific form of hereditary dystonia-parkinsonism.