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Molecular pathogenesis of spinal bulbar muscular atrophy (Kennedy's disease) and avenues for treatment. Curr Opin Neurol 2021; 33:629-634. [PMID: 32773451 DOI: 10.1097/wco.0000000000000856] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/25/2022]
Abstract
PURPOSE OF REVIEW The aim of this study was to illustrate the current understanding and avenues for developing treatment in spinal and bulbar muscular atrophy (SBMA), an inherited neuromuscular disorder caused by a CAG trinucleotide repeat expansion in the androgen receptor (AR) gene. RECENT FINDINGS Important advances have been made in characterizing the molecular mechanism of the disease, including the disruption of protein homeostasis, intracellular trafficking and signalling pathways. Biomarkers such as MRI quantification of muscle volume and fat fraction have been used to track disease progression, and will be useful in future clinical studies. Therapies tested and under development have been based on diverse strategies, including targeting mutant AR gene expression, stability and activity, and pathways that mitigate disease toxicity. SUMMARY We provide an overview of the recent advances in understanding the SBMA disease mechanism and highlight efforts to translate these insights into well tolerated and effective therapy.
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Palmieri A, Meconi F, Vallesi A, Capizzi M, Pick E, Marcato S, Kleinbub JR, Sorarù G, Sessa P. Enhanced Neural Empathic Responses in Patients with Spino-Bulbar Muscular Atrophy: An Electrophysiological Study. Brain Sci 2020; 11:E16. [PMID: 33374355 PMCID: PMC7824338 DOI: 10.3390/brainsci11010016] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/03/2020] [Revised: 12/16/2020] [Accepted: 12/21/2020] [Indexed: 01/10/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Spino-bulbar muscular atrophy is a rare genetic X-linked disease caused by testosterone insensitivity. An inverse correlation has been described between testosterone levels and empathic responses. The present study explored the profile of neural empathic responding in spino-bulbar muscular atrophy patients. METHODS Eighteen patients with spino-bulbar muscular atrophy and eighteen healthy male controls were enrolled in the study. Their event-related potentials were recorded during an "Empathy Task" designed to distinguish neural responses linked with experience-sharing (early response) and mentalizing (late response) components of empathy. The task involved the presentation of contextual information (painful vs. neutral sentences) and facial expressions (painful vs. neutral). An explicit dispositional empathy-related questionnaire was also administered to all participants, who were screened via neuropsychological battery tests that did not reveal potential cognitive deficits. Due to electrophysiological artefacts, data from 12 patients and 17 controls were finally included in the analyses. RESULTS Although patients and controls did not differ in terms of dispositional, explicit empathic self-ratings, notably conservative event-related potentials analyses (i.e., spatio-temporal permutation cluster analyses) showed a significantly greater experience-sharing neural response in patients compared to healthy controls in the Empathy-task when both contextual information and facial expressions were painful. CONCLUSION The present study contributes to the characterization of the psychological profile of patients with spino-bulbar muscular atrophy, highlighting the peculiarities in enhanced neural responses underlying empathic reactions.
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Affiliation(s)
- Arianna Palmieri
- Department of Philosophy, Sociology, Education and Applied Psychology (FISPPA), University of Padova, Piazza Capitaniato, 35139 Padova, Italy; (A.P.); (E.P.); (S.M.); (J.R.K.)
- Padova Neuroscience Centre (PNC), University of Padova, Via Giuseppe Orus, 35131 Padova, Italy
| | - Federica Meconi
- School of Psychology, University of Birmingham, Edgbaston, Birmingham B15 2TT, UK;
| | - Antonino Vallesi
- Department of Neurosciences (DNS) & Padova Neuroscience Centre, University of Padova, Via Giustiniani, 35128 Padova, Italy; (A.V.); (G.S.)
- Brain Imaging & Neural Dynamics Research Group, IRCCS San Camillo Hospital, 30126 Venice, Italy
| | | | - Emanuele Pick
- Department of Philosophy, Sociology, Education and Applied Psychology (FISPPA), University of Padova, Piazza Capitaniato, 35139 Padova, Italy; (A.P.); (E.P.); (S.M.); (J.R.K.)
| | - Sonia Marcato
- Department of Philosophy, Sociology, Education and Applied Psychology (FISPPA), University of Padova, Piazza Capitaniato, 35139 Padova, Italy; (A.P.); (E.P.); (S.M.); (J.R.K.)
| | - Johann R. Kleinbub
- Department of Philosophy, Sociology, Education and Applied Psychology (FISPPA), University of Padova, Piazza Capitaniato, 35139 Padova, Italy; (A.P.); (E.P.); (S.M.); (J.R.K.)
| | - Gianni Sorarù
- Department of Neurosciences (DNS) & Padova Neuroscience Centre, University of Padova, Via Giustiniani, 35128 Padova, Italy; (A.V.); (G.S.)
| | - Paola Sessa
- Padova Neuroscience Centre (PNC), University of Padova, Via Giuseppe Orus, 35131 Padova, Italy
- Department of Developmental and Socialization Psychology (DPSS), University of Padova, Via Venezia, 35131 Padova, Italy
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The French national protocol for Kennedy's disease (SBMA): consensus diagnostic and management recommendations. Orphanet J Rare Dis 2020; 15:90. [PMID: 32276665 PMCID: PMC7149864 DOI: 10.1186/s13023-020-01366-z] [Citation(s) in RCA: 25] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/07/2019] [Accepted: 03/19/2020] [Indexed: 02/07/2023] Open
Abstract
Background Kennedy’s disease (KD), also known as spinal and bulbar muscular atrophy (SBMA), is a rare, adult-onset, X-linked recessive neuromuscular disease caused by CAG expansions in exon 1 of the androgen receptor gene (AR). The objective of the French national diagnostic and management protocol is to provide evidence-based best practice recommendations and outline an optimised care pathway for patients with KD, based on a systematic literature review and consensus multidisciplinary observations. Results The initial evaluation, confirmation of the diagnosis, and management should ideally take place in a tertiary referral centre for motor neuron diseases, and involve an experienced multidisciplinary team of neurologists, endocrinologists, cardiologists and allied healthcare professionals. The diagnosis should be suspected in an adult male presenting with slowly progressive lower motor neuron symptoms, typically affecting the lower limbs at onset. Bulbar involvement (dysarthria and dysphagia) is often a later manifestation of the disease. Gynecomastia is not a constant feature, but is suggestive of a suspected diagnosis, which is further supported by electromyography showing diffuse motor neuron involvement often with asymptomatic sensory changes. A suspected diagnosis is confirmed by genetic testing. The multidisciplinary assessment should ascertain extra-neurological involvement such as cardiac repolarisation abnormalities (Brugada syndrome), signs of androgen resistance, genitourinary abnormalities, endocrine and metabolic changes (glucose intolerance, hyperlipidemia). In the absence of effective disease modifying therapies, the mainstay of management is symptomatic support using rehabilitation strategies (physiotherapy and speech therapy). Nutritional evaluation by an expert dietician is essential, and enteral nutrition (gastrostomy) may be required. Respiratory management centres on the detection and treatment of bronchial obstructions, as well as screening for aspiration pneumonia (chest physiotherapy, drainage, positioning, breath stacking, mechanical insufflation-exsufflation, cough assist machnie, antibiotics). Non-invasive mechanical ventilation is seldom needed. Symptomatic pharmaceutical therapy includes pain management, endocrine and metabolic interventions. There is no evidence for androgen substitution therapy. Conclusion The French national Kennedy’s disease protocol provides management recommendations for patients with KD. In a low-incidence condition, sharing and integrating regional expertise, multidisciplinary experience and defining consensus best-practice recommendations is particularly important. Well-coordinated collaborative efforts will ultimately pave the way to the development of evidence-based international guidelines.
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Abstract
Spinal and bulbar muscular atrophy (SBMA) is a neuromuscular disease caused by a polyglutamine (polyQ) expansion in the androgen receptor (AR). Despite the fact that the monogenic cause of SBMA has been known for nearly 3 decades, there is no effective treatment for this disease, underscoring the complexity of the pathogenic mechanisms that lead to a loss of motor neurons and muscle in SBMA patients. In the current review, we provide an overview of the system-wide clinical features of SBMA, summarize the structure and function of the AR, discuss both gain-of-function and loss-of-function mechanisms of toxicity caused by polyQ-expanded AR, and describe the cell and animal models utilized in the study of SBMA. Additionally, we summarize previously conducted clinical trials which, despite being based on positive results from preclinical studies, proved to be largely ineffective in the treatment of SBMA; nonetheless, these studies provide important insights as researchers develop the next generation of therapies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Frederick J Arnold
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Thomas Jefferson University, 411E Jefferson Alumni Hall, 1020 Locust Street, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, 19107, USA
| | - Diane E Merry
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Thomas Jefferson University, 411E Jefferson Alumni Hall, 1020 Locust Street, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, 19107, USA.
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241st ENMC international workshop: Towards a European unifying lab for Kennedy's disease. 15-17th February, 2019 Hoofddorp, The Netherlands. Neuromuscul Disord 2019; 29:716-724. [PMID: 31488386 DOI: 10.1016/j.nmd.2019.07.008] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 07/15/2019] [Indexed: 01/18/2023]
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Finsterer J, Scorza FA. Central nervous system abnormalities in spinal and bulbar muscular atrophy (Kennedy's disease). Clin Neurol Neurosurg 2019; 184:105426. [PMID: 31351215 DOI: 10.1016/j.clineuro.2019.105426] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/07/2019] [Revised: 07/05/2019] [Accepted: 07/07/2019] [Indexed: 01/18/2023]
Abstract
Spinal and bulbar (bulbospinal) muscular atrophy (BSMA, SBMA, Kennedy's disease) is a progressive motor neuron disease with rare involvement of structures other than the lower motor neuron, such as the endocrine system and the central nervous system (CNS). Aim of the review was to study type and frequency of clinical, imaging, and functional (CNS) abnormalities in SBMA patients. The most frequent clinical CNS manifestations in SBMA are postural or kinetic tremor predominantly of the hands and mild cognitive impairment. The most frequent instrumental CNS abnormality in SBMA patients are white matter lesions, visible on voxel-based morphometry, magnetic resonance spectroscopy, or diffusion tensor imaging. Single patients with enlarged pituitary volume, or diminished somato-sensory representation in the cortex have been also reported. Seizures, epilepsy, ataxia, spasticity, dystonia, or migraine have not been found in SBMA patients. Only supportive treatment is available for CNS manifestations in SBMA. It is concluded that the most frequent CNS abnormalities in SBMA are tremor, cognitive impairment, and white matter lesions on new imaging modalities. CNS involvement in SBMA should not be neglected as a phenotypic manifestation of SBMA and, apart from cognitive involvement, may help to differentiate clinically SBMA from other types of motor neuron disease.
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Affiliation(s)
- Josef Finsterer
- Krankenanstalt Rudolfstiftung, Messerli Institute, Vienna, Austria.
| | - Fulvio A Scorza
- Disciplina de Neurociência. Escola Paulista de, Medicina/Universidade Federal de São Paulo/. (EPM/UNIFESP). São Paulo, Brazil
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Pick E, Kleinbub JR, Mannarini S, Palmieri A. Empathy In Neurodegenerative Diseases: A Systematic Review. Neuropsychiatr Dis Treat 2019; 15:3287-3304. [PMID: 31819455 PMCID: PMC6878921 DOI: 10.2147/ndt.s225920] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/03/2019] [Accepted: 10/31/2019] [Indexed: 01/18/2023] Open
Abstract
INTRODUCTION Empathy, in its affective and cognitive components, is a crucial interpersonal ability. It is broadly studied in the field of psychopathology, whereas its study in the neurodegenerative diseases is relatively recent. Existing literature, though, focused on a reduced subset of considered diseases, which often found a compromise in empathy abilities. Organized knowledge about a more comprehensive set of diseases is lacking. METHOD The present PRISMA systematic review was aimed at collecting the current available literature concerning empathic alterations in adult patients affected by neurodegenerative diseases. It considered the different empathy components, evaluated existing patterns, the impact on patients' lives, and treatment considerations. RESULTS Overall, the 32 retrieved studies describe a spread deterioration of empathic abilities in patients, with each disease displaying its own pattern of empathy functioning. Literature in this field is fragmented and of heterogeneous quality, and further studies are warranted to increase evidence of many preliminary results. DISCUSSION In conclusion, we highlight the crucial importance of acknowledging empathy deficits in these diseases, showing their repercussion on both patients' and caregivers' quality of life, the establishment of a functional doctor-patient relationship, and the development of efficacious psychological intervention. These clinical approaches can be enriched by the knowledge of the spared abilities of patients affected by neurodegenerative diseases.
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Affiliation(s)
- Emanuele Pick
- Department of Philosophy, Sociology, Education, and Applied Psychology, University of Padova, Padova, Italy
| | - Johann R Kleinbub
- Department of Philosophy, Sociology, Education, and Applied Psychology, University of Padova, Padova, Italy
| | - Stefania Mannarini
- Department of Philosophy, Sociology, Education, and Applied Psychology, University of Padova, Padova, Italy.,Interdepartmental Center for Family Research, University of Padova, Padova, Italy
| | - Arianna Palmieri
- Department of Philosophy, Sociology, Education, and Applied Psychology, University of Padova, Padova, Italy.,Padova Neuroscience Center, University of Padova, Padova, Italy
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Querin G, Bede P, Marchand-Pauvert V, Pradat PF. Biomarkers of Spinal and Bulbar Muscle Atrophy (SBMA): A Comprehensive Review. Front Neurol 2018; 9:844. [PMID: 30364135 PMCID: PMC6191472 DOI: 10.3389/fneur.2018.00844] [Citation(s) in RCA: 27] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/01/2018] [Accepted: 09/20/2018] [Indexed: 01/18/2023] Open
Abstract
Spinal and bulbar muscular atrophy (SBMA), also known as Kennedy's disease, is a rare, X-linked, late onset neuromuscular disorder. The disease is caused by a CAG trinucleotide repeat expansion in the first exon of the androgen receptor gene. It is characterized by slowly progressive lower motor neurons degeneration, primary myopathy and widespread multisystem involvement. Respiratory involvement is rare, and the condition is associated with a normal life expectancy. Despite a plethora of therapeutic studies in mouse models, no effective disease-modifying therapy has been licensed for clinical use to date. The development of sensitive monitoring markers for the particularly slowly progressing pathology of SBMA is urgently required to aid future clinical trials. A small number of outcome measures have been proposed recently, including promising biochemical markers, which show correlation with clinical disability and disease-stage and progression. Nevertheless, a paucity of SBMA-specific biomarker studies persists, delaying the development of monitoring markers for pharmaceutical trials. Collaborative efforts through international consortia and multicenter registries are likely to contribute to the characterization of the natural history of the condition, the establishment of disease-specific biomarker panels and ultimately contribute to the development of disease-modifying drugs.
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Affiliation(s)
- Giorgia Querin
- Laboratoire d'Imagerie Biomédicale, CNRS, INSERM, Sorbonne Université, Paris, France.,APHP, Département de Neurologie, Centre Référent SLA, Hôpital Pitié-Salpêtrière, Paris, France
| | - Peter Bede
- Laboratoire d'Imagerie Biomédicale, CNRS, INSERM, Sorbonne Université, Paris, France.,APHP, Département de Neurologie, Centre Référent SLA, Hôpital Pitié-Salpêtrière, Paris, France.,Computational Neuroimaging Group, Academic Unit of Neurology, Trinity College Dublin, Dublin, Ireland
| | | | - Pierre-Francois Pradat
- Laboratoire d'Imagerie Biomédicale, CNRS, INSERM, Sorbonne Université, Paris, France.,APHP, Département de Neurologie, Centre Référent SLA, Hôpital Pitié-Salpêtrière, Paris, France.,Northern Ireland Centre for Stratified Medicine, Biomedical Sciences Research Institute Ulster University, C-TRIC, Altnagelvin Hospital, Londonderry, United Kingdom
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