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Yasin M, Licchetta L, Khan N, Ullah I, Jan Z, Dawood M, Ahmed AN, Azeem A, Minardi R, Carelli V, Saleha S. Genetic heterogeneity in epilepsy and comorbidities: insights from Pakistani families. BMC Neurol 2024; 24:172. [PMID: 38783254 PMCID: PMC11112905 DOI: 10.1186/s12883-024-03671-7] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/28/2023] [Accepted: 05/09/2024] [Indexed: 05/25/2024] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Epilepsy, a challenging neurological condition, is often present with comorbidities that significantly impact diagnosis and management. In the Pakistani population, where financial limitations and geographical challenges hinder access to advanced diagnostic methods, understanding the genetic underpinnings of epilepsy and its associated conditions becomes crucial. METHODS This study investigated four distinct Pakistani families, each presenting with epilepsy and a spectrum of comorbidities, using a combination of whole exome sequencing (WES) and Sanger sequencing. The epileptic patients were prescribed multiple antiseizure medications (ASMs), yet their seizures persist, indicating the challenging nature of ASM-resistant epilepsy. RESULTS Identified genetic variants contributed to a diverse range of clinical phenotypes. In the family 1, which presented with epilepsy, developmental delay (DD), sleep disturbance, and aggressive behavior, a homozygous splice site variant, c.1339-6 C > T, in the COL18A1 gene was detected. The family 2 exhibited epilepsy, intellectual disability (ID), DD, and anxiety phenotypes, a homozygous missense variant, c.344T > A (p. Val115Glu), in the UFSP2 gene was identified. In family 3, which displayed epilepsy, ataxia, ID, DD, and speech impediment, a novel homozygous frameshift variant, c.1926_1941del (p. Tyr643MetfsX2), in the ZFYVE26 gene was found. Lastly, family 4 was presented with epilepsy, ID, DD, deafness, drooling, speech impediment, hypotonia, and a weak cry. A homozygous missense variant, c.1208 C > A (p. Ala403Glu), in the ATP13A2 gene was identified. CONCLUSION This study highlights the genetic heterogeneity in ASM-resistant epilepsy and comorbidities among Pakistani families, emphasizing the importance of genotype-phenotype correlation and the necessity for expanded genetic testing in complex clinical cases.
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Affiliation(s)
- Muhammad Yasin
- Department of Biotechnology and Genetic Engineering, Kohat University of Science and Technology, Kohat, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, 26000, Pakistan
| | - Laura Licchetta
- RCCS, Istituto delle Scienze Neurologiche di Bologna, Bologna, Italy
| | - Niamat Khan
- Department of Biotechnology and Genetic Engineering, Kohat University of Science and Technology, Kohat, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, 26000, Pakistan
| | - Irfan Ullah
- Department of Neurology, Khyber Teaching Hospital, Peshawar, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, 25000, Pakistan
| | - Zakir Jan
- Department of Neurology, Pakistan Institute of Medical Science, Islamabad, 44000, Pakistan
| | - Muhammad Dawood
- Department of Biotechnology and Genetic Engineering, Kohat University of Science and Technology, Kohat, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, 26000, Pakistan
| | - Asif Naveed Ahmed
- Department of Biotechnology and Genetic Engineering, Kohat University of Science and Technology, Kohat, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, 26000, Pakistan
| | - Arfa Azeem
- Department of Biotechnology and Genetic Engineering, Kohat University of Science and Technology, Kohat, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, 26000, Pakistan
| | - Raffaella Minardi
- RCCS, Istituto delle Scienze Neurologiche di Bologna, Bologna, Italy
| | - Valerio Carelli
- RCCS, Istituto delle Scienze Neurologiche di Bologna, Bologna, Italy.
- Department of Biomedical and Neuromotor Sciences, University of Bologna, Bologna, Italy.
| | - Shamim Saleha
- Department of Biotechnology and Genetic Engineering, Kohat University of Science and Technology, Kohat, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, 26000, Pakistan.
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Chen X, Li X, Tan Y, Yang D, Lu L, Deng Y, Xu R. Identification of c.1495C > T mutation in SPAST gene in a family of Han Chinese with hereditary spastic paraplegia. Neurosci Lett 2023; 812:137399. [PMID: 37473796 DOI: 10.1016/j.neulet.2023.137399] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/08/2023] [Revised: 07/10/2023] [Accepted: 07/13/2023] [Indexed: 07/22/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Hereditary spastic paraplegia 4 (SPG4) caused by spastin (SPAST) gene mutations accounts for 40-45% of hereditary spastic paraplegia (HSP) cases. To search for more genetic evidences for the pathogenesis of HSP, the SPAST genotype and clinical phenotype of a Chinese Han SPG4 family were analysed in this study. METHODS The clinical data of the proband and his family members were collected. Whole genomic DNA was extracted from peripheral blood, and the gene detection and pathogenicity analysis of mutations were conducted using whole-exome sequencing technology. Suspected pathogenic mutations were identified. Verification within this family was conducted by Sanger sequencing. RESULTS Eight (4 males and 4 females) of 20 members in 4 generations had SPG4. All patients presented with the high feet arches (pes cavus), the abnormal gait, the active tendon reflexes of the upper limbs, the hyperreflexia of the lower limbs, and the positive ankle clonus and Babinski's signs bilaterally. In the proband, we found a heterozygous mutation c.1495C > T in SPAST gene, which was associated with the autosomal dominant SPG4. Both the daughters and granddaughters of the proband in this family were verified to carry this mutation. The clinical characteristics of the SPG4 patients in this family are in line with the simple type of HSP. Heterozygous c.1495C > T is a pathogenic mutation in this family. CONCLUSION In this study, we identified a c.1495C > T mutation in the SPAST gene in a Han Chinese family, enriching the mutation spectrum of SPG4.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xiaohong Chen
- Department of Neurology, The First Hospital of Nanchang, Nanchang 330006, Jiangxi, China
| | - Xinming Li
- Department of Neurology, The First Hospital of Nanchang, Nanchang 330006, Jiangxi, China
| | - Yu Tan
- Department of Neurology, The First Hospital of Nanchang, Nanchang 330006, Jiangxi, China
| | - Dejiang Yang
- Department of Neurology, The First Hospital of Nanchang, Nanchang 330006, Jiangxi, China
| | - Lijun Lu
- Department of Neurology, The First Hospital of Nanchang, Nanchang 330006, Jiangxi, China
| | - Youqing Deng
- Department of Neurology, The First Hospital of Nanchang, Nanchang 330006, Jiangxi, China.
| | - Renshi Xu
- Department of Neurology, Jiangxi Provincial People's Hospital, The Clinical College of Nanchang College, The First Affiliated Hospital of Nanchang College, Nanchang 330006, Jiangxi, China.
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Lai ZH, Liu XY, Song YY, Zhou HY, Zeng LL. Case report: Hereditary spastic paraplegia with a novel homozygous mutation in ZFYVE26. Front Neurol 2023; 14:1160110. [PMID: 37681008 PMCID: PMC10482258 DOI: 10.3389/fneur.2023.1160110] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/06/2023] [Accepted: 06/16/2023] [Indexed: 09/09/2023] Open
Abstract
Hereditary spastic paraplegia (HSP) is a group of neurodegenerative diseases with genetic and clinical heterogeneity characterized by spasticity and weakness of the lower limbs. It includes four genetic inheritance forms: autosomal dominant inheritance (AD), autosomal recessive inheritance (AR), X-linked inheritance, and mitochondrial inheritance. To date, more than 82 gene loci have been found to cause HSP, and SPG15 (ZFYVE26) is one of the most common autosomal recessive hereditary spastic paraplegias (ARHSPs) with a thin corpus callosum (TCC), presents with early cognitive impairment and slowly progressive leg weakness. Here, we reported a homozygous pathogenic variant in ZFYVE26. A 19-year-old Chinese girl was admitted to our hospital presenting with a 2-year progressive bilateral leg spasticity and weakness; early cognitive impairment; corpus callosum dysplasia; chronic neurogenic injury of the medulla oblongata supplied muscles; and bilateral upper and lower limbs on electromyogram (EMG). Based on these clinical and electrophysiological features, HSP was suspected. Exome sequencing of the family was performed by high-throughput sequencing, and an analysis of the patient showed a ZFYVE26 NM_015346: c.7111dupA p.(M2371Nfs*51) homozygous mutation. This case reported a new ZFYVE26 pathogenic variant, which was different from the SPG15 gene mutation reported earlier.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ze-hua Lai
- Department of Neurology and Institute of Neurology, Ruijin Hospital, Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, Shanghai, China
- Department of Neurology, Yangpu Hospital, Tongji University School of Medicine, Shanghai, China
| | - Xiao-ying Liu
- Department of Neurology and Institute of Neurology, Ruijin Hospital, Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, Shanghai, China
| | - Yuan-yue Song
- Department of Neurology and Institute of Neurology, Ruijin Hospital, Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, Shanghai, China
| | - Hai-yan Zhou
- Department of Neurology and Institute of Neurology, Ruijin Hospital, Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, Shanghai, China
| | - Li-li Zeng
- Department of Neurology and Institute of Neurology, Ruijin Hospital, Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, Shanghai, China
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Saffari A, Kellner M, Jordan C, Rosengarten H, Mo A, Zhang B, Strelko O, Neuser S, Davis MY, Yoshikura N, Futamura N, Takeuchi T, Nabatame S, Ishiura H, Tsuji S, Aldeen HS, Cali E, Rocca C, Houlden H, Efthymiou S, Assmann B, Yoon G, Trombetta BA, Kivisäkk P, Eichler F, Nan H, Takiyama Y, Tessa A, Santorelli FM, Sahin M, Blackstone C, Yang E, Schüle R, Ebrahimi-Fakhari D. The clinical and molecular spectrum of ZFYVE26-associated hereditary spastic paraplegia: SPG15. Brain 2023; 146:2003-2015. [PMID: 36315648 PMCID: PMC10411936 DOI: 10.1093/brain/awac391] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/23/2022] [Revised: 09/14/2022] [Accepted: 10/02/2022] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Abstract
In the field of hereditary spastic paraplegia (HSP), progress in molecular diagnostics needs to be translated into robust phenotyping studies to understand genetic and phenotypic heterogeneity and to support interventional trials. ZFYVE26-associated hereditary spastic paraplegia (HSP-ZFYVE26, SPG15) is a rare, early-onset complex HSP, characterized by progressive spasticity and a variety of other neurological symptoms. While prior reports, often in populations with high rates of consanguinity, have established a general phenotype, there is a lack of systematic investigations and a limited understanding of age-dependent manifestation of symptoms. Here we delineate the clinical, neuroimaging and molecular features of 44 individuals from 36 families, the largest cohort assembled to date. Median age at last follow-up was 23.8 years covering a wide age range (11-61 years). While symptom onset often occurred in early childhood [median: 24 months, interquartile range (IQR) = 24], a molecular diagnosis was reached at a median age of 18.8 years (IQR = 8), indicating significant diagnostic delay. We demonstrate that most patients present with motor and/or speech delay or learning disabilities. Importantly, these developmental symptoms preceded the onset of motor symptoms by several years. Progressive spasticity in the lower extremities, the hallmark feature of HSP-ZFYVE26, typically presents in adolescence and involves the distal lower limbs before progressing proximally. Spasticity in the upper extremities was seen in 64%. We found a high prevalence of extrapyramidal movement disorders including cerebellar ataxia (64%) and dystonia (11%). Parkinsonism (16%) was present in a subset and showed no sustained response to levodopa. Cognitive decline and neurogenic bladder dysfunction progressed over time in most patients. A systematic analysis of brain MRI features revealed a common diagnostic signature consisting of thinning of the anterior corpus callosum, signal changes of the anterior forceps and non-specific cortical and cerebellar atrophy. The molecular spectrum included 45 distinct variants, distributed across the protein structure without mutational hotspots. Spastic Paraplegia Rating Scale scores, SPATAX Disability Scores and the Four Stage Functional Mobility Score showed moderate strength in representing the proportion of variation between disease duration and motor dysfunction. Plasma neurofilament light chain levels were significantly elevated in all patients (Mann-Whitney U-test, P < 0.0001) and were correlated inversely with age (Spearman's rank correlation coefficient r = -0.65, P = 0.01). In summary, our systematic cross-sectional analysis of HSP-ZFYVE26 patients across a wide age-range, delineates core clinical, neuroimaging and molecular features and identifies markers of disease severity. These results raise awareness to this rare disease, facilitate an early diagnosis and create clinical trial readiness.
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Affiliation(s)
- Afshin Saffari
- Department of Neurology, Boston Children’s Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA
- Division of Child Neurology and Inherited Metabolic Diseases, Heidelberg University Hospital, Heidelberg, Germany
| | - Melanie Kellner
- Department of Neurodegenerative Diseases, Hertie Institute for Clinical Brain Research and Center of Neurology, University of Tübingen, Tübingen, Germany
- German Center for Neurodegenerative Diseases (DZNE), Tübingen, Germany
| | - Catherine Jordan
- Department of Neurology, Boston Children’s Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Helena Rosengarten
- Department of Neurology, Boston Children’s Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Alisa Mo
- Department of Neurology, Boston Children’s Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Bo Zhang
- Department of Neurology, Boston Children’s Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA
- ICCTR Biostatistics and Research Design Center, Boston Children’s Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Oleksandr Strelko
- Department of Neurology, Boston Children’s Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA
- Rosamund Stone Zander Translational Neuroscience Center, Boston Children’s Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Sonja Neuser
- Institute of Human Genetics, University of Leipzig Medical Center, Leipzig, Germany
| | - Marie Y Davis
- Department of Neurology, University of Washington, Seattle, WA, USA
- Department of Neurology, VA Puget Sound Healthcare System, Seattle, WA, USA
| | - Nobuaki Yoshikura
- Department of Neurology, Gifu University Graduate School of Medicine, Gifu, Japan
| | - Naonobu Futamura
- Department of Neurology, National Hospital Organization Hyogo-Chuo National Hospital, Ohara, Sanda, Japan
| | - Tomoya Takeuchi
- Department of Neurology, Japanese Red Cross Aichi Medical Center Nagoya Daiichi Hospital, Aichi, Japan
| | - Shin Nabatame
- Department of Pediatrics, Osaka University Graduate School of Medicine, Suita, Osaka, Japan
| | - Hiroyuki Ishiura
- Department of Neurology, Graduate School of Medicine, The University of Tokyo, Tokyo, Japan
| | - Shoji Tsuji
- Department of Molecular Neurology, Graduate School of Medicine, The University of Tokyo, Tokyo, Japan
- Institute of Medical Genomics, International University of Health and Welfare, Chiba, Japan
| | - Huda Shujaa Aldeen
- Department of Neuromuscular Disorders, UCL Queen Square Institute of Neurology, University College London, London, UK
| | - Elisa Cali
- Department of Neuromuscular Disorders, UCL Queen Square Institute of Neurology, University College London, London, UK
| | - Clarissa Rocca
- Department of Neuromuscular Disorders, UCL Queen Square Institute of Neurology, University College London, London, UK
| | - Henry Houlden
- Department of Neuromuscular Disorders, UCL Queen Square Institute of Neurology, University College London, London, UK
| | - Stephanie Efthymiou
- Department of Neuromuscular Disorders, UCL Queen Square Institute of Neurology, University College London, London, UK
| | - Birgit Assmann
- Division of Child Neurology and Inherited Metabolic Diseases, Heidelberg University Hospital, Heidelberg, Germany
| | - Grace Yoon
- Divisions of Clinical and Metabolic Genetics and Neurology, Department of Paediatrics, The Hospital for Sick Children, University of Toronto, Toronto, Canada
| | - Bianca A Trombetta
- Alzheimer's Clinical and Translational Research Unit, Department of Neurology, Massachusetts General Hospital, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Pia Kivisäkk
- Alzheimer's Clinical and Translational Research Unit, Department of Neurology, Massachusetts General Hospital, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Florian Eichler
- Department of Neurology, Massachusetts General Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Haitian Nan
- Department of Neurology, Graduate School of Medical Sciences, University of Yamanashi, Yamanashi, Japan
| | - Yoshihisa Takiyama
- Department of Neurology, Graduate School of Medical Sciences, University of Yamanashi, Yamanashi, Japan
- Department of Neurology, Fuefuki Central Hospital, Yamanashi, Japan
| | - Alessandra Tessa
- Department of Molecular Medicine, IRCCS Fondazione Stella Maris, 56128 Pisa, Italy
| | - Filippo M Santorelli
- Department of Molecular Medicine, IRCCS Fondazione Stella Maris, 56128 Pisa, Italy
| | - Mustafa Sahin
- Department of Neurology, Boston Children’s Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA
- Rosamund Stone Zander Translational Neuroscience Center, Boston Children’s Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Craig Blackstone
- Movement Disorders Division, Department of Neurology, Massachusetts General Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Edward Yang
- Division of Neuroradiology, Department of Radiology, Boston Children's Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Rebecca Schüle
- Department of Neurodegenerative Diseases, Hertie Institute for Clinical Brain Research and Center of Neurology, University of Tübingen, Tübingen, Germany
- German Center for Neurodegenerative Diseases (DZNE), Tübingen, Germany
| | - Darius Ebrahimi-Fakhari
- Department of Neurology, Boston Children’s Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA
- Movement Disorders Program, Department of Neurology, Boston Children’s Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA
- The Manton Center for Orphan Disease Research, Boston Children's Hospital, Boston, MA, USA
- Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities Research Center, Boston Children’s Hospital, Boston, MA, USA
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Mulkerrin G, França MC, Lope J, Tan EL, Bede P. Neuroimaging in hereditary spastic paraplegias: from qualitative cues to precision biomarkers. Expert Rev Mol Diagn 2022; 22:745-760. [PMID: 36042576 DOI: 10.1080/14737159.2022.2118048] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/18/2023]
Abstract
INTRODUCTION : Hereditary spastic paraplegias (HSP) include a clinically and genetically heterogeneous group of conditions. Novel imaging modalities have been increasingly applied to HSP cohorts which helps to quantitatively evaluate the integrity of specific anatomical structures and develop monitoring markers for both clinical care and future clinical trials. AREAS COVERED : Advances in HSP imaging are systematically reviewed with a focus on cohort sizes, imaging modalities, study design, clinical correlates, methodological approaches, and key findings. EXPERT OPINION : A wide range of imaging techniques have been recently applied to HSP cohorts. Common shortcomings of existing studies include the evaluation of genetically unconfirmed or admixed cohorts, limited sample sizes, unimodal imaging approaches, lack of postmortem validation, and a limited clinical battery, often exclusively focusing on motor aspects of the condition. A number of innovative methodological approaches have also be identified, such as robust longitudinal study designs, the implementation of multimodal imaging protocols, complementary cognitive assessments, and the comparison of HSP cohorts to MND cohorts. Collaborative multicentre initiatives may overcome sample limitations, and comprehensive clinical profiling with motor, extrapyramidal, cerebellar, and neuropsychological assessments would permit systematic clinico-radiological correlations. Academic achievements in HSP imaging have the potential to be developed into viable clinical applications to expedite the diagnosis and monitor disease progression.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Marcondes C França
- Department of Neurology, The State University of Campinas, São Paulo, Brazil
| | - Jasmin Lope
- Computational Neuroimaging Group, Trinity College Dublin, Ireland
| | - Ee Ling Tan
- Computational Neuroimaging Group, Trinity College Dublin, Ireland
| | - Peter Bede
- Department of Neurology, St James's Hospital, Dublin, Ireland.,Computational Neuroimaging Group, Trinity College Dublin, Ireland
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