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Hanaki K, Kinoshita T, Fujimoto M, Sonoyama-Kawashima Y, Kanzaki S, Namba N. Alström Syndrome: A Review Focusing on Its Diverse Clinical Manifestations and Their Etiology as a Ciliopathy. Yonago Acta Med 2024; 67:93-99. [PMID: 38803594 PMCID: PMC11128078 DOI: 10.33160/yam.2024.05.010] [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: 04/09/2024] [Accepted: 05/08/2024] [Indexed: 05/29/2024]
Abstract
Alström syndrome is a form of inherited obesity caused by a single gene abnormality and is inherited as an autosomal recessive trait. It is characterised by a variety of clinical manifestations, including progressive visual and hearing impairment, type 2 diabetes mellitus, dilated cardiomyopathy, and hepatic and renal dysfunction, in addition to obesity. Recent insights underline the pivotal involvement of the disease-associated gene (ALMS1) in cilia formation and function, leading to the classification of its clinical manifestations as a ciliopathy. This review delineates the diverse clinical indicators defining the syndrome and elucidates its pathological underpinnings.
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Affiliation(s)
- Keiichi Hanaki
- School of Health Sciences, Faculty of Medicine, Tottori University, Yonago 683-8503, Japan
- Division of Perinatology and Pediatrics, Department of Multidisciplinary Internal Medicine, School of Medicine, Faculty of Medicine, Tottori University, Yonago 683-8503, Japan
| | - Tomoe Kinoshita
- Division of Perinatology and Pediatrics, Department of Multidisciplinary Internal Medicine, School of Medicine, Faculty of Medicine, Tottori University, Yonago 683-8503, Japan
- Division of Pediatrics, Tottori Red Cross Hospital, Tottori 680-8517, Japan
| | - Masanobu Fujimoto
- Division of Perinatology and Pediatrics, Department of Multidisciplinary Internal Medicine, School of Medicine, Faculty of Medicine, Tottori University, Yonago 683-8503, Japan
| | - Yuki Sonoyama-Kawashima
- Division of Perinatology and Pediatrics, Department of Multidisciplinary Internal Medicine, School of Medicine, Faculty of Medicine, Tottori University, Yonago 683-8503, Japan
- Department of Pediatrics, Shimane University Faculty of Medicine, Izumo 693-8501, Japan
| | - Susumu Kanzaki
- Division of Perinatology and Pediatrics, Department of Multidisciplinary Internal Medicine, School of Medicine, Faculty of Medicine, Tottori University, Yonago 683-8503, Japan
- Asahigawasou Rehabilitation and Medical Center, Okayama 703-8555, Japan
| | - Noriyuki Namba
- Division of Perinatology and Pediatrics, Department of Multidisciplinary Internal Medicine, School of Medicine, Faculty of Medicine, Tottori University, Yonago 683-8503, Japan
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Waszczykowska A, Jeziorny K, Barańska D, Matera K, Pyziak-Skupien A, Ciborowski M, Zmysłowska A. Searching for Effective Methods of Diagnosing Nervous System Lesions in Patients with Alström and Bardet-Biedl Syndromes. Genes (Basel) 2023; 14:1784. [PMID: 37761924 PMCID: PMC10530666 DOI: 10.3390/genes14091784] [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: 07/15/2023] [Revised: 09/07/2023] [Accepted: 09/08/2023] [Indexed: 09/29/2023] Open
Abstract
Bardet-Biedl syndrome (BBS) and Alström syndrome (ALMS) are rare multisystem diseases with an autosomal recessive mode of inheritance and genetic heterogeneity, characterized by visual impairment, hearing impairment, cardiomyopathy, childhood obesity, and insulin resistance. The purpose of our study was to evaluate the indicators of nervous system changes occurring in patients with ALMS and BBS using optical coherence tomography (OCT) and magnetic resonance spectroscopy (MRS) methods compared to a group of healthy subjects. The OCT results showed significantly lower macular thickness in the patient group compared to the control group (p = 0.002). The MRS study observed differences in metabolite levels between the study and control groups in brain areas such as the cerebellum, thalamus, and white matter. After summing the concentrations from all areas, statistically significant results were obtained for N-acetylaspartate, total N-acetylaspartate, and total creatine. Concentrations of these metabolites were reduced in ALMS/BBS patients by 38% (p = 0.0004), 35% (p = 0.0008), and 28% (p = 0.0005), respectively. Our results may help to understand the pathophysiology of these rare diseases and identify strategies for new therapies.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Krzysztof Jeziorny
- Department of Endocrinology and Metabolic Diseases, Polish Mother’s Memorial Hospital Research Institute (PMMHRI), 93-338 Lodz, Poland;
- Department of Pediatric Endocrinology, Medical University of Lodz, 90-419 Lodz, Poland
| | - Dobromiła Barańska
- Department of Diagnostic Imaging, Polish Mother’s Memorial Hospital Research Institute (PMMHRI), 93-338 Lodz, Poland; (D.B.); (K.M.)
| | - Katarzyna Matera
- Department of Diagnostic Imaging, Polish Mother’s Memorial Hospital Research Institute (PMMHRI), 93-338 Lodz, Poland; (D.B.); (K.M.)
| | - Aleksandra Pyziak-Skupien
- Department of Children’s Diabetology, Silesian Medical University in Katowice, 40-752 Katowice, Poland;
| | - Michał Ciborowski
- Clinical Research Centre, Medical University of Bialystok, 15-276 Bialystok, Poland;
| | - Agnieszka Zmysłowska
- Department of Clinical Genetics, Medical University of Lodz, 90-419 Lodz, Poland;
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3
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Brewer KM, Brewer KK, Richardson NC, Berbari NF. Neuronal cilia in energy homeostasis. Front Cell Dev Biol 2022; 10:1082141. [PMID: 36568981 PMCID: PMC9773564 DOI: 10.3389/fcell.2022.1082141] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/27/2022] [Accepted: 11/11/2022] [Indexed: 12/13/2022] Open
Abstract
A subset of genetic disorders termed ciliopathies are associated with obesity. The mechanisms behind cilia dysfunction and altered energy homeostasis in these syndromes are complex and likely involve deficits in both development and adult homeostasis. Interestingly, several cilia-associated gene mutations also lead to morbid obesity. While cilia have critical and diverse functions in energy homeostasis, including their roles in centrally mediated food intake and peripheral tissues, many questions remain. Here, we briefly discuss syndromic ciliopathies and monogenic cilia signaling mutations associated with obesity. We then focus on potential ways neuronal cilia regulate energy homeostasis. We discuss the literature around cilia and leptin-melanocortin signaling and changes in ciliary G protein-coupled receptor (GPCR) signaling. We also discuss the different brain regions where cilia are implicated in energy homeostasis and the potential for cilia dysfunction in neural development to contribute to obesity. We close with a short discussion on the challenges and opportunities associated with studies looking at neuronal cilia and energy homeostasis. This review highlights how neuronal cilia-mediated signaling is critical for proper energy homeostasis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kathryn M. Brewer
- Department of Biology, Indiana University-Purdue University Indianapolis, Indianapolis, IN, United States
| | - Katlyn K. Brewer
- Department of Biology, Indiana University-Purdue University Indianapolis, Indianapolis, IN, United States
| | - Nicholas C. Richardson
- Department of Biology, Indiana University-Purdue University Indianapolis, Indianapolis, IN, United States
| | - Nicolas F. Berbari
- Department of Biology, Indiana University-Purdue University Indianapolis, Indianapolis, IN, United States
- Stark Neurosciences Research Institute, Indiana University, Indianapolis, IN, United States
- Center for Diabetes and Metabolic Diseases, Indiana University School of Medicine, Indianapolis, IN, United States
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Spoto G, Pironti E, Amore G, Prato A, Scuderi A, Colucci PV, Ceravolo I, Farello G, Salpietro V, Iapadre G, Rosa GD, Dicanio D. Alström's Syndrome: Neurological Manifestations and Genetics. JOURNAL OF PEDIATRIC NEUROLOGY 2022. [DOI: 10.1055/s-0042-1759538] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/12/2022]
Abstract
AbstractAlström syndrome (ALMS) is a rare ciliopathy with pleiotropic and wide spectrum of clinical features. It is autosomal recessively inherited and associated with mutations in ALMS1, a gene involved in cilia functioning. High clinical heterogeneity is the main feature of ALMS. Cone-rod dystrophy with blindness, hearing loss, obesity, insulin resistance and hyperinsulinemia, type 2 diabetes mellitus, hypertriglyceridemia, endocrine abnormalities, cardiomyopathy, and renal, hepatic, and pulmonary anomalies are the most common signs and symptoms.
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Affiliation(s)
- Giulia Spoto
- Unit of Child Neurology and Psychiatry, Department of Human Pathology in Adult and Developmental Age “Gaetano Barresi,” University of Messina, Messina, Italy
| | - Erica Pironti
- Unit of Child Neurology and Psychiatry, Department of Woman-Child, OspedaliRiuniti, University of Foggia, Foggia, Italy
| | - Greta Amore
- Unit of Child Neurology and Psychiatry, Department of Human Pathology in Adult and Developmental Age “Gaetano Barresi,” University of Messina, Messina, Italy
| | - Adriana Prato
- Unit of Child Neurology and Psychiatry, Department of Human Pathology in Adult and Developmental Age “Gaetano Barresi,” University of Messina, Messina, Italy
| | - Anna Scuderi
- Unit of Child Neurology and Psychiatry, Department of Human Pathology in Adult and Developmental Age “Gaetano Barresi,” University of Messina, Messina, Italy
| | - Pia V. Colucci
- Unit of Child Neurology and Psychiatry, Department of Human Pathology in Adult and Developmental Age “Gaetano Barresi,” University of Messina, Messina, Italy
| | - Ida Ceravolo
- Department of Clinical and Experimental Medicine, University of Messina, Messina, Italy
| | - Giovanni Farello
- Department of Life, Health and Environmental Sciences, Pediatric Clinic, Coppito, L'Aquila, Italy
| | | | - Giulia Iapadre
- Department of Pediatrics, University of L'Aquila, L'Aquila, Italy
| | - Gabriella Di Rosa
- Unit of Child Neurology and Psychiatry, Department of Human Pathology in Adult and Developmental Age “Gaetano Barresi,” University of Messina, Messina, Italy
| | - Daniela Dicanio
- Unit of Child Neurology and Psychiatry, Department of Human Pathology in Adult and Developmental Age “Gaetano Barresi,” University of Messina, Messina, Italy
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Zmyslowska A, Smyczynska U, Stanczak M, Jeziorny K, Szadkowska A, Fendler W, Borowiec M. Association of circulating miRNAS in patients with Alstrőm and Bardet-Biedl syndromes with clinical course parameters. Front Endocrinol (Lausanne) 2022; 13:1057056. [PMID: 36506055 PMCID: PMC9732093 DOI: 10.3389/fendo.2022.1057056] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/29/2022] [Accepted: 11/09/2022] [Indexed: 11/27/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Patients with the rare syndromic forms of monogenic diabetes: Alström syndrome (ALMS) and Bardet-Biedl syndrome (BBS) have multiple metabolic abnormalities, including early-onset obesity, insulin resistance, lipid disorders and type 2 diabetes mellitus. The aim of this study was to determine if the expression of circulating miRNAs in patients with ALMS and BBS differs from that in healthy and obese individuals and determine if miRNA levels correlate with metabolic tests, BMI-SDS and patient age. METHODS We quantified miRNA expression (Qiagen, Germany) in four groups of patients: with ALMS (n=13), with BBS (n=7), patients with obesity (n=19) and controls (n=23). Clinical parameters including lipids profile, serum creatinine, cystatin C, fasting glucose, insulin and C-peptide levels, HbA1c values and insulin resistance (HOMA-IR) were assessed in patients with ALMS and BBS. RESULTS We observed multiple up- or downregulated miRNAs in both ALMS and BBS patients compared to obese patients and controls, but only 1 miRNA (miR-301a-3p) differed significantly and in the same direction in ALMS and BBS relative to the other groups. Similarly, 1 miRNA (miR-92b-3p) was dysregulated in the opposite directions in ALMS and BBS patients, but diverged from 2 other groups. We found eight miRNAs (miR-30a-5p, miR-92b-3p, miR-99a-5p, miR-122-5p, miR-192-5p, miR-193a-5p, miR-199a-3p and miR-205-5p) that significantly correlated with at least of the analyzed clinical variables representing an association with the course of the diseases. CONCLUSIONS Our results show for the first time that serum miRNAs can be used as available indicators of disease course in patients with ALMS and BBS syndromes.
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Affiliation(s)
- Agnieszka Zmyslowska
- Department of Clinical Genetics, Medical University of Lodz, Lodz, Poland
- *Correspondence: Agnieszka Zmyslowska,
| | - Urszula Smyczynska
- Department of Biostatistics and Translational Medicine, Medical University of Lodz, Lodz, Poland
| | - Marcin Stanczak
- Department of Biostatistics and Translational Medicine, Medical University of Lodz, Lodz, Poland
| | - Krzysztof Jeziorny
- Department of Pediatrics, Diabetology, Endocrinology and Nephrology, Medical University of Lodz, Lodz, Poland
| | - Agnieszka Szadkowska
- Department of Pediatrics, Diabetology, Endocrinology and Nephrology, Medical University of Lodz, Lodz, Poland
| | - Wojciech Fendler
- Department of Biostatistics and Translational Medicine, Medical University of Lodz, Lodz, Poland
- Department of Radiation Oncology, Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, Boston, MA, United States
| | - Maciej Borowiec
- Department of Clinical Genetics, Medical University of Lodz, Lodz, Poland
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Dassie F, Lorusso R, Benavides-Varela S, Milan G, Favaretto F, Callus E, Cagnin S, Reggiani F, Minervini G, Tosatto S, Vettor R, Semenza C, Maffei P. Neurocognitive assessment and DNA sequencing expand the phenotype and genotype spectrum of Alström syndrome. Am J Med Genet A 2021; 185:732-742. [PMID: 33410256 DOI: 10.1002/ajmg.a.62029] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/27/2020] [Revised: 11/04/2020] [Accepted: 11/11/2020] [Indexed: 12/25/2022]
Abstract
Alström syndrome (OMIM#203800) is an ultra-rare autosomal recessive monogenic disease presenting pathogenic variants in ALMS1 (chromosome 2p13). It is characterized by early onset of blindness, hearing loss and systemic comorbidities, with delayed development without cognitive impairment. We aimed to investigate the cognitive functions and describe new pathogenic variants in Alström syndrome patients. Nineteen patients (13 adults, 6 children) underwent a thorough clinical, genetic, laboratory, instrumental, and neurocognitive assessment. Six new pathogenic variants in ALMS1 including the first described in exon 6 were identified. Four patients displayed a "mild phenotype" characterized by slow disease onset or absence of complications, including childhood obesity and association with at least one pathogenic variant in exon 5 or 6. At neurocognitive testing, a significant proportion of patients had deficits in three neurocognitive domains: similarities, phonological memory, and apraxia. In particular, 53% of patients showed difficulties in the auditory working memory test. We found ideomotor and buccofacial apraxia in 74% of patients. "Mild phenotype" patients performed better on auditory working memory and ideomotor apraxia test than "typical phenotype" ones (91.9 + 16.3% vs. 41.7 + 34.5% of correct answers, Z = 64.5, p < .01 and 92.5 + 9.6 vs. 61.7 + 26.3, Z = 61, p < .05, respectively). Deficits in auditory working memory, ideomotor, and buccofacial apraxia were found in these patients and fewer neuropsychological deficits were found in the "mild" phenotype group. Furthermore, in the "mild" phenotype group, it was found that all pathogenic variants are localized before exon 8.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | | | | | | | - Edward Callus
- Clinical Psychology Service, IRCCS Policlinico San Donato, Milan, Italy.,Department of Biomedical Sciences for Health, Università degli Studi di Milano, Milan, Italy
| | - Stefano Cagnin
- DiBio, Università di Padova, Padova, Italy.,CRIBI Biotechnology Center, Università di Padova, Padova, Italy
| | | | | | - Silvio Tosatto
- DSB, Università di Padova, Padova, Italy.,CNR Institute of Neuroscience, Padova, Italy
| | | | - Carlo Semenza
- DNS (PNC), Università di Padova, Padova, Italy.,IRCCS Ospedale S Camillo, Venezia, Italy
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7
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Tahani N, Maffei P, Dollfus H, Paisey R, Valverde D, Milan G, Han JC, Favaretto F, Madathil SC, Dawson C, Armstrong MJ, Warfield AT, Düzenli S, Francomano CA, Gunay-Aygun M, Dassie F, Marion V, Valenti M, Leeson-Beevers K, Chivers A, Steeds R, Barrett T, Geberhiwot T. Consensus clinical management guidelines for Alström syndrome. Orphanet J Rare Dis 2020; 15:253. [PMID: 32958032 PMCID: PMC7504843 DOI: 10.1186/s13023-020-01468-8] [Citation(s) in RCA: 46] [Impact Index Per Article: 11.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/01/2020] [Accepted: 07/21/2020] [Indexed: 12/15/2022] Open
Abstract
Alström Syndrome (ALMS) is an ultra-rare multisystem genetic disorder caused by autosomal recessive variants in the ALMS1 gene, which is located on chromosome 2p13. ALMS is a multisystem, progressive disease characterised by visual disturbance, hearing impairment, cardiomyopathy, childhood obesity, extreme insulin resistance, accelerated non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD), renal dysfunction, respiratory disease, endocrine and urologic disorders. Clinical symptoms first appear in infancy with great variability in age of onset and severity. ALMS has an estimated incidence of 1 case per 1,000,000 live births and ethnically or geographically isolated populations have a higher-than-average frequency. The rarity and complexity of the syndrome and the lack of expertise can lead to delayed diagnosis, misdiagnosis and inadequate care. Multidisciplinary and multiprofessional teams of experts are essential for the management of patients with ALMS, as early diagnosis and intervention can slow the progression of multi-organ dysfunctions and improve patient quality of life.These guidelines are intended to define standard of care for patients suspected or diagnosed with ALMS of any age. All information contained in this document has originated from a systematic review of the literature and the experiences of the authors in their care of patients with ALMS. The Appraisal of Guidelines for Research & Evaluation (AGREE II) system was adopted for the development of the guidelines and for defining the related levels of evidence and strengths of recommendations.These guidelines are addressed to: a) specialist centres, other hospital-based medical teams and staffs involved with the care of ALMS patients, b) family physicians and other primary caregivers and c) patients and their families.
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Affiliation(s)
- Natascia Tahani
- Department of Diabetes, Endocrinology and Metabolism, University Hospitals Birmingham NHS Foundation Trust, Queen Elizabeth Hospital, Birmingham, B15 2TH, UK
| | - Pietro Maffei
- Department of Medicine (DIMED), Padua University Hospital, Padua, Italy.,Adult MTG3 Chair of ENDO-ERN, Azienda Ospedaliera Padova, Padua, Italy
| | - Hélène Dollfus
- Centre de référence pour les affections rares ophtalmologiques CARGO, FSMR SENSGENE, ERN-EYE, Hôpitaux Universitaires de Strasbourg, Strasbourg, France.,Laboratoire de Génétique Médicale, UMRS_1112, Institut de Génétique Médicale d'Alsace, Université de Strasbourg, Strasbourg, France
| | - Richard Paisey
- Diabetes Research Unit, Torbay and South Devon NHS Foundation Trust, Torquay, UK
| | - Diana Valverde
- CINBIO (Centro de Investigacion Biomedica), Universidad de Vigo, Vigo, Spain
| | - Gabriella Milan
- Department of Medicine (DIMED), Padua University Hospital, Padua, Italy
| | - Joan C Han
- Departments of Pediatrics and Physiology, College of Medicine, University of Tennessee Health Science Center and Pediatric Obesity Program, Children's Foundation Research Institute, Le Bonheur Children's Hospital, Memphis, TN, USA
| | | | - Shyam C Madathil
- Department of Respiratory Medicine, University Hospital Birmingham NHS Foundation Trust, Queen Elizabeth Hospital, Birmingham, UK
| | - Charlotte Dawson
- Department of Diabetes, Endocrinology and Metabolism, University Hospitals Birmingham NHS Foundation Trust, Queen Elizabeth Hospital, Birmingham, B15 2TH, UK
| | - Matthew J Armstrong
- Liver and Hepatobiliary Unit, University Hospitals Birmingham NHS Foundation Trust, Queen Elizabeth Hospital, Birmingham, UK
| | - Adrian T Warfield
- Department of Cellular Pathology, University Hospitals Birmingham NHS Foundation Trust, Queen Elizabeth Hospital, Birmingham, UK
| | - Selma Düzenli
- Department of Medical Genetics, Abant İzzet Baysal University, Bolu, Turkey
| | - Clair A Francomano
- Department of Medical and Molecular Genetics, Indiana University School of Medicine, Indianapolis, IN, USA
| | - Meral Gunay-Aygun
- Departments of Genetic Medicine and Pediatrics, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD, USA
| | - Francesca Dassie
- Department of Medicine (DIMED), Padua University Hospital, Padua, Italy
| | - Vincent Marion
- Laboratoire de Génétique Médicale, UMRS_1112, Institut de Génétique Médicale d'Alsace, Université de Strasbourg, Strasbourg, France
| | - Marina Valenti
- Italian Association Alström Syndrome, Padua, Italy.,ENDO-ERN ePAG representative in MTG3, Padua, Italy
| | | | | | - Richard Steeds
- Department of Cardiology, University Hospitals Birmingham NHS Foundation Trust, Queen Elizabeth Hospital, Birmingham, UK
| | - Timothy Barrett
- Department of Endocrinology and Diabetes, Birmingham Women's and Children's Hospital NHS Foundation Trust, Birmingham, UK
| | - Tarekegn Geberhiwot
- Department of Diabetes, Endocrinology and Metabolism, University Hospitals Birmingham NHS Foundation Trust, Queen Elizabeth Hospital, Birmingham, B15 2TH, UK. .,Institute of Metabolism and System Research, University of Birmingham, Birmingham, UK.
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Rethanavelu K, Fung JLF, Chau JFT, Pei SLC, Chung CCY, Mak CCY, Luk HM, Chung BHY. Phenotypic and mutational spectrum of 21 Chinese patients with Alström syndrome. Am J Med Genet A 2019; 182:279-288. [PMID: 31755649 DOI: 10.1002/ajmg.a.61412] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/02/2019] [Revised: 10/24/2019] [Accepted: 10/25/2019] [Indexed: 12/11/2022]
Abstract
Alström syndrome (AS) is a monogenic syndromic ciliopathy caused by mutations in the ALMS1 (Alström Syndrome 1) gene. A total of 21 subjects with AS from 20 unrelated Chinese families were recruited. Our cohort consists of 9 females and 12 males, between 5 months and 20 years old. The first symptom(s) appeared between 3 and 24 months. They were recorded to be either visual impairments (83%) or dilated cardiomyopathy (17%). Median time from symptom onset to seeking medical attention was 6 months (3-36 months) and the median time needed to reach the final molecular diagnosis is 54 months (6-240 months). System involvement at the time of the survey was as follows: visual symptoms (100%), hearing Impairment (67%), endocrine symptoms (43%), neurological symptoms (19%), hepatic symptoms (14%), and renal Involvement (14%). These findings are comparable to data reported in the literature. However, the proportion of subjects with cognitive impairment (33%) and behavioral problems (19%) were higher. Thirty-three unique mutations were identified in the ALMS1 gene, of which 18 are novel mutations classified as pathogenic/likely pathogenic according to the American College of Medical Genetics (ACMG) guideline. Four recurrent mutations were identified in the cohort, in particular; c.2084C>A, p. (Ser695Ter), is suggestive to be a founder mutation in people of Chinese ancestry. The participation of AS subjects of differing ethnicities is essential to improve the algorithm in facial recognition/phenotyping, as well as to understand the mutation spectrum beyond than just those of European ancestry.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kavitha Rethanavelu
- Department of Paediatrics and Adolescent Medicine, Li Ka Shing Faculty of Medicine, The University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong, China.,Clinical Genetic Services, Hospital Kuala Lumpur, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia
| | - Jasmine L F Fung
- Department of Paediatrics and Adolescent Medicine, Li Ka Shing Faculty of Medicine, The University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong, China
| | - Jeffrey F T Chau
- Department of Paediatrics and Adolescent Medicine, Li Ka Shing Faculty of Medicine, The University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong, China
| | - Steven L C Pei
- Department of Paediatrics and Adolescent Medicine, Li Ka Shing Faculty of Medicine, The University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong, China
| | - Claudia C Y Chung
- Department of Paediatrics and Adolescent Medicine, Li Ka Shing Faculty of Medicine, The University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong, China
| | - Christopher C Y Mak
- Department of Paediatrics and Adolescent Medicine, Li Ka Shing Faculty of Medicine, The University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong, China
| | - Ho M Luk
- Department of Health, Clinical Genetic Service, Hong Kong, China
| | - Brian H Y Chung
- Department of Paediatrics and Adolescent Medicine, Li Ka Shing Faculty of Medicine, The University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong, China
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Lindsey S, Brewer C, Stakhovskaya O, Kim HJ, Zalewski C, Bryant J, King KA, Naggert JK, Gahl WA, Marshall JD, Gunay-Aygun M. Auditory and otologic profile of Alström syndrome: Comprehensive single center data on 38 patients. Am J Med Genet A 2017; 173:2210-2218. [PMID: 28573831 PMCID: PMC5526054 DOI: 10.1002/ajmg.a.38316] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/07/2017] [Revised: 04/19/2017] [Accepted: 05/16/2017] [Indexed: 12/17/2022]
Abstract
Alström syndrome (AS) is a rare autosomal recessive ciliopathy caused by mutations in the ALMS1 gene. Hallmark characteristics include childhood onset of severe retinal degeneration, sensorineural hearing loss, obesity, insulin-resistant diabetes, and cardiomyopathy. Here we comprehensively characterize the auditory and otologic manifestations in a prospective case series of 38 individuals, aged 1.7-37.9 years, with genetically confirmed AS. Hearing loss was preceded by retinal dystrophy in all cases, and had an average age of detection of 7.45 years (range 1.5-15). Audiometric assessments showed mean pure tone averages (0.5, 1, 2, 4 kHz) of 48.6 and 47.5 dB HL in the right and left ears, respectively. Hearing was within normal limits for only 8/74 ears (11%). For the 66 ears with hearing loss, the degree was mild (12%), moderate (54%), or severe (8%). Type of hearing loss was predominantly sensorineural (77%), while three ears had mixed loss, no ears had conductive loss, and type of hearing loss was indeterminate for the remaining 12 ears. Serial audiograms available for 33 patients showed hearing loss progression of approximately 10-15 dB/decade. Our data show that hearing loss associated with AS begins in childhood and is a predominantly symmetric, sensory hearing loss that may progress to a severe degree. Absent otoacoustic emissions, intact speech discrimination, and disproportionately normal auditory brainstem responses suggest an outer hair cell site of lesion. These findings indicate that individuals with AS would benefit from sound amplification and if necessary, cochlear implantation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Spencer Lindsey
- Department of Otolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery, Georgetown University Hospital, Washington, D.C
| | - Carmen Brewer
- Otolaryngology Branch, National Institute on Deafness and Other Communication Disorders, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, Maryland
| | - Olga Stakhovskaya
- Otolaryngology Branch, National Institute on Deafness and Other Communication Disorders, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, Maryland
| | - Hung Jeffrey Kim
- Department of Otolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery, Georgetown University Hospital, Washington, D.C
- Otolaryngology Branch, National Institute on Deafness and Other Communication Disorders, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, Maryland
| | - Chris Zalewski
- Otolaryngology Branch, National Institute on Deafness and Other Communication Disorders, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, Maryland
| | - Joy Bryant
- Medical Genetics Branch, National Human Genome Research Institute, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, Maryland
| | - Kelly A King
- Otolaryngology Branch, National Institute on Deafness and Other Communication Disorders, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, Maryland
| | | | - William A Gahl
- Medical Genetics Branch, National Human Genome Research Institute, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, Maryland
- NIH Undiagnosed Diseases Program, Common Fund, Office of the Director, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, Maryland
- Office of the Clinical Director, National Human Genome Research Institute, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, Maryland
| | - Jan D Marshall
- The Jackson Laboratory, Bar Harbor, Maine
- Alström Syndrome International, Bar Harbor, Maine
| | - Meral Gunay-Aygun
- Medical Genetics Branch, National Human Genome Research Institute, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, Maryland
- Office of the Clinical Director, National Human Genome Research Institute, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, Maryland
- Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Department of Pediatrics and McKusick-Nathans Institute of Genetic Medicine, Baltimore, Maryland
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10
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Paisey RB, Leeson-Beevers K. Current management of Alström syndrome and recent advances in treatment. Expert Opin Orphan Drugs 2016. [DOI: 10.1080/21678707.2016.1189322] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/06/2023]
Affiliation(s)
- R. B. Paisey
- Diabetes Research, Horizon Centre, Torbay Hospital, Torquay, UK
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11
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Citton V, Maffei P, Marshall JD, Baglione A, Collin GB, Milan G, Vettor R, Naggert JK, Manara R. Pituitary morphovolumetric changes in Alström syndrome. J Neuroradiol 2015; 43:195-9. [PMID: 26704672 DOI: 10.1016/j.neurad.2015.10.005] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/23/2015] [Revised: 10/19/2015] [Accepted: 10/26/2015] [Indexed: 10/22/2022]
Abstract
PURPOSE Alström syndrome (AS) is a rare monogenic ciliopathy characterized by cone-code dystrophy, leading to early blindness, and obesity. Early endocrinological dysfunctions, especially growth hormone deficiency and hypogonadism, are detected in about half of AS patients. This MRI study investigates the presence of pituitary gland abnormalities in a large cohort of AS patients. METHODS Pituitary morphological changes (gland flattening with partial or total empty sella) were evaluated on midsagittal high-resolution T1-weighted images of 32 AS patients (mean-age 23.2±9.4 years; range: 6-45, 15 females) and 21 unrelated healthy subjects (mean age 23.2±11.2 years; range: 6-43; 10 females). RESULTS Among AS patients, 11/32 (34%) had total empty sella and 6/32 (19%) partial empty sella, while 3/21 (14%) of controls had partial empty sella and none presented with total empty sella (P<0.005). AS patients harboring a total or partial empty sella did not differ from those with normal pituitary gland for gender (P=0.98), BMI (P=0.10) or visual impairment (P=0.21), while the presence of empty sella was associated with an older age (P=0.007) being especially frequent above the age of 30. CONCLUSIONS Total or partial empty sella appears commonly during the course of AS. Pituitary gland flattening might represent the morphological underpinning of subtle endocrinologic dysfunctions and raises the need to further investigate the pituitary function in this rare ciliopathy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Valentina Citton
- University Hospital of Padua, Department of Neuroradiology, 35100 Padua, Italy.
| | - Pietro Maffei
- Internal Medicine, Department of Medicine, University Hospital of Padua, Padua, Italy
| | | | | | | | - Gabriella Milan
- Internal Medicine, Department of Medicine, University Hospital of Padua, Padua, Italy
| | - Roberto Vettor
- Internal Medicine, Department of Medicine, University Hospital of Padua, Padua, Italy
| | | | - Renzo Manara
- Department of Neurosciences,Neuroradiology Unit, University of Salerno, Salerno, Italy
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Frölander HE, Möller C, Rudner M, Mishra S, Marshall JD, Piacentini H, Lyxell B. Theory-of-mind in individuals with Alström syndrome is related to executive functions, and verbal ability. Front Psychol 2015; 6:1426. [PMID: 26441796 PMCID: PMC4585138 DOI: 10.3389/fpsyg.2015.01426] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/05/2015] [Accepted: 09/07/2015] [Indexed: 02/03/2023] Open
Abstract
Objective: This study focuses on cognitive prerequisites for the development of theory-of-mind (ToM), the ability to impute mental states to self and others in young adults with Alström syndrome (AS). AS is a rare and quite recently described recessively inherited ciliopathic disorder which causes progressive sensorineural hearing loss and juvenile blindness, as well as many other organ dysfunctions. Two cognitive abilities were considered; Phonological working memory (WM) and executive functions (EF), both of importance in speech development. Methods: Ten individuals (18–37 years) diagnosed with AS, and 20 individuals with no known impairment matched for age, gender, and educational level participated. Sensory functions were measured. Information about motor functions and communicative skills was obtained from responses to a questionnaire. ToM was assessed using Happés strange stories, verbal ability by a vocabulary test, phonological WM by means of an auditory presented non-word serial recall task and EF by tests of updating and inhibition. Results: The AS group performed at a significantly lower level than the control group in both the ToM task and the EF tasks. A significant correlation was observed between recall of non-words and EF in the AS group. Updating, but not inhibition, correlated significantly with verbal ability, whereas both updating and inhibition were significantly related to the ability to initiate and sustain communication. Poorer performance in the ToM and EF tasks were related to language perseverance and motor mannerisms. Conclusion: The AS group displayed a delayed ToM as well as reduced phonological WM, EF, and verbal ability. A significant association between ToM and EF, suggests a compensatory role of EF. This association may reflect the importance of EF to perceive and process input from the social environment when the social interaction is challenged by dual sensory loss. We argue that limitations in EF capacity in individuals with AS, to some extent, may be related to early blindness and progressive hearing loss, but maybe also to gene specific abnormalities.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hans-Erik Frölander
- Health Academy, School of Health and Medical Sciences, Örebro University Örebro, Sweden ; Audiological Research Centre, Örebro University Hospital Örebro, Sweden ; Swedish Institute for Disability Research Linköping, Sweden ; Linnaeus Centre HEAD Linköping, Sweden ; Research on Hearing and Deafness (HEAD) graduate School Linköping, Sweden
| | - Claes Möller
- Health Academy, School of Health and Medical Sciences, Örebro University Örebro, Sweden ; Audiological Research Centre, Örebro University Hospital Örebro, Sweden ; Swedish Institute for Disability Research Linköping, Sweden ; Linnaeus Centre HEAD Linköping, Sweden ; Department of Audiology, Örebro University Hospital Örebro, Sweden
| | - Mary Rudner
- Swedish Institute for Disability Research Linköping, Sweden ; Linnaeus Centre HEAD Linköping, Sweden ; Department of Behavioral Sciences and Learning, Linköping University Linköping, Sweden
| | - Sushmit Mishra
- Institute of Health Sciences, Utkal University Bhubaneswar, India
| | - Jan D Marshall
- Jackson Laboratory Bar Harbor, ME, USA ; Alstrom Syndrome International Mount Desert, ME, USA
| | | | - Björn Lyxell
- Swedish Institute for Disability Research Linköping, Sweden ; Linnaeus Centre HEAD Linköping, Sweden ; Department of Behavioral Sciences and Learning, Linköping University Linköping, Sweden
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13
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Paisey RB, Smith J, Carey C, Barrett T, Campbell F, Maffei P, Marshall JD, Paisey C, Steeds RP, Edwards NC, Bunce S, Geberhiwot T. Duration of Diabetes Predicts Aortic Pulse Wave Velocity and Vascular Events in Alström Syndrome. J Clin Endocrinol Metab 2015; 100:E1116-24. [PMID: 26066530 PMCID: PMC4525001 DOI: 10.1210/jc.2015-1577] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/12/2022]
Abstract
CONTEXT Alström syndrome is characterized by increased risk of cardiovascular disease from childhood. OBJECTIVE To explore the association between risk factors for cardiovascular disease, aortic pulse wave velocity, and vascular events in Alström syndrome. DESIGN Cross-sectional analyses with 5-year follow-up. SETTING The UK NHS nationally commissioned specialist clinics for Alström syndrome. PATIENTS Thirty-one Alström patients undertook vascular risk assessment, cardiac studies, and aortic pulse wave velocity measurement. Subsequent clinical outcomes were recorded. INTERVENTIONS Insulin resistance was treated with lifestyle intervention and metformin, and diabetes with the addition of glitazones, glucagon-like peptide 1 agonists, and/or insulin. Thyroid and T deficiencies were corrected. Dyslipidemia was treated with statins and nicotinic acid derivatives. Cardiomyopathy was treated with standard therapy as required. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES The associations of age, gender, and risk factors for cardiovascular disease with aortic pulse wave velocity were assessed and correlated with the effects of reduction in left ventricular function. Vascular events were monitored for 5 years. RESULTS Aortic pulse wave velocity was positively associated with the duration of diabetes (P = .001) and inversely with left ventricular ejection fraction (P = .036). Five of the cohort with cardiovascular events had higher aortic pulse wave velocity (P = .0247), and all had long duration of diabetes. CONCLUSIONS Duration of diabetes predicted aortic pulse wave velocity in Alström syndrome, which in turn predicted cardiovascular events. This offers hope of secondary prevention because type 2 diabetes can be delayed or reversed by lifestyle interventions.
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Affiliation(s)
- Richard B Paisey
- Diabetes Research Unit (R.B.P., J.S., C.C., S.B.), Horizon Centre, Torbay Hospital NHS Foundation Trust, Lawes Bridge, Torquay, Devon TQ2 7AA, United Kingdom; School of Clinical and Experimental Medicine (T.B.), College of Medicine and Dentistry, University of Birmingham, Edgbaston, Birmingham B15 2TT, United Kingdom; Leeds Children's Hospital (F.C.), Leeds, West Yorkshire LS1 3EX, United Kingdom; Internal Medicine 3 (P.M.), Department of Medicine, University Hospital of Padua, 35122 Padua, Italy; The Jackson Laboratory (J.D.M.), Bar Harbor, Maine 04609; University of Nottingham Medical School (C.P.), Nottingham NG7 2UH, United Kingdom; and Department of Cardiology (R.P.S., N.C.E.), and Department of Endocrinology (T.G.), University Hospitals Birmingham NHS Foundation Trust, Queen Elizabeth Hospital, Queen Elizabeth Medical Centre, Birmingham B15 2TH, United Kingdom
| | - Jamie Smith
- Diabetes Research Unit (R.B.P., J.S., C.C., S.B.), Horizon Centre, Torbay Hospital NHS Foundation Trust, Lawes Bridge, Torquay, Devon TQ2 7AA, United Kingdom; School of Clinical and Experimental Medicine (T.B.), College of Medicine and Dentistry, University of Birmingham, Edgbaston, Birmingham B15 2TT, United Kingdom; Leeds Children's Hospital (F.C.), Leeds, West Yorkshire LS1 3EX, United Kingdom; Internal Medicine 3 (P.M.), Department of Medicine, University Hospital of Padua, 35122 Padua, Italy; The Jackson Laboratory (J.D.M.), Bar Harbor, Maine 04609; University of Nottingham Medical School (C.P.), Nottingham NG7 2UH, United Kingdom; and Department of Cardiology (R.P.S., N.C.E.), and Department of Endocrinology (T.G.), University Hospitals Birmingham NHS Foundation Trust, Queen Elizabeth Hospital, Queen Elizabeth Medical Centre, Birmingham B15 2TH, United Kingdom
| | - Catherine Carey
- Diabetes Research Unit (R.B.P., J.S., C.C., S.B.), Horizon Centre, Torbay Hospital NHS Foundation Trust, Lawes Bridge, Torquay, Devon TQ2 7AA, United Kingdom; School of Clinical and Experimental Medicine (T.B.), College of Medicine and Dentistry, University of Birmingham, Edgbaston, Birmingham B15 2TT, United Kingdom; Leeds Children's Hospital (F.C.), Leeds, West Yorkshire LS1 3EX, United Kingdom; Internal Medicine 3 (P.M.), Department of Medicine, University Hospital of Padua, 35122 Padua, Italy; The Jackson Laboratory (J.D.M.), Bar Harbor, Maine 04609; University of Nottingham Medical School (C.P.), Nottingham NG7 2UH, United Kingdom; and Department of Cardiology (R.P.S., N.C.E.), and Department of Endocrinology (T.G.), University Hospitals Birmingham NHS Foundation Trust, Queen Elizabeth Hospital, Queen Elizabeth Medical Centre, Birmingham B15 2TH, United Kingdom
| | - Timothy Barrett
- Diabetes Research Unit (R.B.P., J.S., C.C., S.B.), Horizon Centre, Torbay Hospital NHS Foundation Trust, Lawes Bridge, Torquay, Devon TQ2 7AA, United Kingdom; School of Clinical and Experimental Medicine (T.B.), College of Medicine and Dentistry, University of Birmingham, Edgbaston, Birmingham B15 2TT, United Kingdom; Leeds Children's Hospital (F.C.), Leeds, West Yorkshire LS1 3EX, United Kingdom; Internal Medicine 3 (P.M.), Department of Medicine, University Hospital of Padua, 35122 Padua, Italy; The Jackson Laboratory (J.D.M.), Bar Harbor, Maine 04609; University of Nottingham Medical School (C.P.), Nottingham NG7 2UH, United Kingdom; and Department of Cardiology (R.P.S., N.C.E.), and Department of Endocrinology (T.G.), University Hospitals Birmingham NHS Foundation Trust, Queen Elizabeth Hospital, Queen Elizabeth Medical Centre, Birmingham B15 2TH, United Kingdom
| | - Fiona Campbell
- Diabetes Research Unit (R.B.P., J.S., C.C., S.B.), Horizon Centre, Torbay Hospital NHS Foundation Trust, Lawes Bridge, Torquay, Devon TQ2 7AA, United Kingdom; School of Clinical and Experimental Medicine (T.B.), College of Medicine and Dentistry, University of Birmingham, Edgbaston, Birmingham B15 2TT, United Kingdom; Leeds Children's Hospital (F.C.), Leeds, West Yorkshire LS1 3EX, United Kingdom; Internal Medicine 3 (P.M.), Department of Medicine, University Hospital of Padua, 35122 Padua, Italy; The Jackson Laboratory (J.D.M.), Bar Harbor, Maine 04609; University of Nottingham Medical School (C.P.), Nottingham NG7 2UH, United Kingdom; and Department of Cardiology (R.P.S., N.C.E.), and Department of Endocrinology (T.G.), University Hospitals Birmingham NHS Foundation Trust, Queen Elizabeth Hospital, Queen Elizabeth Medical Centre, Birmingham B15 2TH, United Kingdom
| | - Pietro Maffei
- Diabetes Research Unit (R.B.P., J.S., C.C., S.B.), Horizon Centre, Torbay Hospital NHS Foundation Trust, Lawes Bridge, Torquay, Devon TQ2 7AA, United Kingdom; School of Clinical and Experimental Medicine (T.B.), College of Medicine and Dentistry, University of Birmingham, Edgbaston, Birmingham B15 2TT, United Kingdom; Leeds Children's Hospital (F.C.), Leeds, West Yorkshire LS1 3EX, United Kingdom; Internal Medicine 3 (P.M.), Department of Medicine, University Hospital of Padua, 35122 Padua, Italy; The Jackson Laboratory (J.D.M.), Bar Harbor, Maine 04609; University of Nottingham Medical School (C.P.), Nottingham NG7 2UH, United Kingdom; and Department of Cardiology (R.P.S., N.C.E.), and Department of Endocrinology (T.G.), University Hospitals Birmingham NHS Foundation Trust, Queen Elizabeth Hospital, Queen Elizabeth Medical Centre, Birmingham B15 2TH, United Kingdom
| | - Jan D Marshall
- Diabetes Research Unit (R.B.P., J.S., C.C., S.B.), Horizon Centre, Torbay Hospital NHS Foundation Trust, Lawes Bridge, Torquay, Devon TQ2 7AA, United Kingdom; School of Clinical and Experimental Medicine (T.B.), College of Medicine and Dentistry, University of Birmingham, Edgbaston, Birmingham B15 2TT, United Kingdom; Leeds Children's Hospital (F.C.), Leeds, West Yorkshire LS1 3EX, United Kingdom; Internal Medicine 3 (P.M.), Department of Medicine, University Hospital of Padua, 35122 Padua, Italy; The Jackson Laboratory (J.D.M.), Bar Harbor, Maine 04609; University of Nottingham Medical School (C.P.), Nottingham NG7 2UH, United Kingdom; and Department of Cardiology (R.P.S., N.C.E.), and Department of Endocrinology (T.G.), University Hospitals Birmingham NHS Foundation Trust, Queen Elizabeth Hospital, Queen Elizabeth Medical Centre, Birmingham B15 2TH, United Kingdom
| | - Christopher Paisey
- Diabetes Research Unit (R.B.P., J.S., C.C., S.B.), Horizon Centre, Torbay Hospital NHS Foundation Trust, Lawes Bridge, Torquay, Devon TQ2 7AA, United Kingdom; School of Clinical and Experimental Medicine (T.B.), College of Medicine and Dentistry, University of Birmingham, Edgbaston, Birmingham B15 2TT, United Kingdom; Leeds Children's Hospital (F.C.), Leeds, West Yorkshire LS1 3EX, United Kingdom; Internal Medicine 3 (P.M.), Department of Medicine, University Hospital of Padua, 35122 Padua, Italy; The Jackson Laboratory (J.D.M.), Bar Harbor, Maine 04609; University of Nottingham Medical School (C.P.), Nottingham NG7 2UH, United Kingdom; and Department of Cardiology (R.P.S., N.C.E.), and Department of Endocrinology (T.G.), University Hospitals Birmingham NHS Foundation Trust, Queen Elizabeth Hospital, Queen Elizabeth Medical Centre, Birmingham B15 2TH, United Kingdom
| | - Richard P Steeds
- Diabetes Research Unit (R.B.P., J.S., C.C., S.B.), Horizon Centre, Torbay Hospital NHS Foundation Trust, Lawes Bridge, Torquay, Devon TQ2 7AA, United Kingdom; School of Clinical and Experimental Medicine (T.B.), College of Medicine and Dentistry, University of Birmingham, Edgbaston, Birmingham B15 2TT, United Kingdom; Leeds Children's Hospital (F.C.), Leeds, West Yorkshire LS1 3EX, United Kingdom; Internal Medicine 3 (P.M.), Department of Medicine, University Hospital of Padua, 35122 Padua, Italy; The Jackson Laboratory (J.D.M.), Bar Harbor, Maine 04609; University of Nottingham Medical School (C.P.), Nottingham NG7 2UH, United Kingdom; and Department of Cardiology (R.P.S., N.C.E.), and Department of Endocrinology (T.G.), University Hospitals Birmingham NHS Foundation Trust, Queen Elizabeth Hospital, Queen Elizabeth Medical Centre, Birmingham B15 2TH, United Kingdom
| | - Nicola C Edwards
- Diabetes Research Unit (R.B.P., J.S., C.C., S.B.), Horizon Centre, Torbay Hospital NHS Foundation Trust, Lawes Bridge, Torquay, Devon TQ2 7AA, United Kingdom; School of Clinical and Experimental Medicine (T.B.), College of Medicine and Dentistry, University of Birmingham, Edgbaston, Birmingham B15 2TT, United Kingdom; Leeds Children's Hospital (F.C.), Leeds, West Yorkshire LS1 3EX, United Kingdom; Internal Medicine 3 (P.M.), Department of Medicine, University Hospital of Padua, 35122 Padua, Italy; The Jackson Laboratory (J.D.M.), Bar Harbor, Maine 04609; University of Nottingham Medical School (C.P.), Nottingham NG7 2UH, United Kingdom; and Department of Cardiology (R.P.S., N.C.E.), and Department of Endocrinology (T.G.), University Hospitals Birmingham NHS Foundation Trust, Queen Elizabeth Hospital, Queen Elizabeth Medical Centre, Birmingham B15 2TH, United Kingdom
| | - Susan Bunce
- Diabetes Research Unit (R.B.P., J.S., C.C., S.B.), Horizon Centre, Torbay Hospital NHS Foundation Trust, Lawes Bridge, Torquay, Devon TQ2 7AA, United Kingdom; School of Clinical and Experimental Medicine (T.B.), College of Medicine and Dentistry, University of Birmingham, Edgbaston, Birmingham B15 2TT, United Kingdom; Leeds Children's Hospital (F.C.), Leeds, West Yorkshire LS1 3EX, United Kingdom; Internal Medicine 3 (P.M.), Department of Medicine, University Hospital of Padua, 35122 Padua, Italy; The Jackson Laboratory (J.D.M.), Bar Harbor, Maine 04609; University of Nottingham Medical School (C.P.), Nottingham NG7 2UH, United Kingdom; and Department of Cardiology (R.P.S., N.C.E.), and Department of Endocrinology (T.G.), University Hospitals Birmingham NHS Foundation Trust, Queen Elizabeth Hospital, Queen Elizabeth Medical Centre, Birmingham B15 2TH, United Kingdom
| | - Tarekegn Geberhiwot
- Diabetes Research Unit (R.B.P., J.S., C.C., S.B.), Horizon Centre, Torbay Hospital NHS Foundation Trust, Lawes Bridge, Torquay, Devon TQ2 7AA, United Kingdom; School of Clinical and Experimental Medicine (T.B.), College of Medicine and Dentistry, University of Birmingham, Edgbaston, Birmingham B15 2TT, United Kingdom; Leeds Children's Hospital (F.C.), Leeds, West Yorkshire LS1 3EX, United Kingdom; Internal Medicine 3 (P.M.), Department of Medicine, University Hospital of Padua, 35122 Padua, Italy; The Jackson Laboratory (J.D.M.), Bar Harbor, Maine 04609; University of Nottingham Medical School (C.P.), Nottingham NG7 2UH, United Kingdom; and Department of Cardiology (R.P.S., N.C.E.), and Department of Endocrinology (T.G.), University Hospitals Birmingham NHS Foundation Trust, Queen Elizabeth Hospital, Queen Elizabeth Medical Centre, Birmingham B15 2TH, United Kingdom
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Manara R, Citton V, Maffei P, Marshall JD, Naggert JK, Milan G, Vettor R, Baglione A, Vitale A, Briani C, Di Salle F, Favaro A. Degeneration and plasticity of the optic pathway in Alström syndrome. AJNR Am J Neuroradiol 2015; 36:160-5. [PMID: 25355816 PMCID: PMC7965932 DOI: 10.3174/ajnr.a4115] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/28/2014] [Accepted: 07/04/2014] [Indexed: 11/07/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE Alström syndrome is a rare inherited ciliopathy in which early progressive cone-rod dystrophy leads to childhood blindness. We investigated functional and structural changes of the optic pathway in Alström syndrome by using MR imaging to provide insight into the underlying pathogenic mechanisms. MATERIALS AND METHODS Eleven patients with genetically proved Alström syndrome (mean age, 23 years; range, 6-45 years; 5 females) and 19 age- and sex-matched controls underwent brain MR imaging. The study protocol included conventional sequences, resting-state functional MR imaging, and diffusion tensor imaging. RESULTS In patients with Alström syndrome, the evaluation of the occipital regions showed the following: 1) diffuse white matter volume decrease while gray matter volume decrease spared the occipital poles (voxel-based morphometry), 2) diffuse fractional anisotropy decrease and radial diffusivity increase while mean and axial diffusivities were normal (tract-based spatial statistics), and 3) reduced connectivity in the medial visual network strikingly sparing the occipital poles (independent component analysis). After we placed seeds in both occipital poles, the seed-based analysis revealed significantly increased connectivity in patients with Alström syndrome toward the left frontal operculum, inferior and middle frontal gyri, and the medial portion of both thalami (left seed) and toward the anterior portion of the left insula (right and left seeds). CONCLUSIONS The protean occipital brain changes in patients with Alström syndrome likely reflect the coexistence of diffuse primary myelin derangement, anterograde trans-synaptic degeneration, and complex cortical reorganization affecting the anterior and posterior visual cortex to different degrees.
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Affiliation(s)
- R Manara
- From the Department of Medicine and Surgery (R.M., A.V., F.D.S.), Neuroradiology, University of Salerno, Salerno, Italy
| | - V Citton
- Department of Radiology (V.C.), Neuroradiology Unit, IRCCS San Camillo Hospital, Venezia, Italy
| | - P Maffei
- Department of Internal Medicine (P.M., G.M., R.V.), University Hospital of Padova, Padova, Italy
| | - J D Marshall
- Jackson Laboratory (J.D.M., J.K.N.), Bar Harbor, Maine
| | - J K Naggert
- Jackson Laboratory (J.D.M., J.K.N.), Bar Harbor, Maine
| | - G Milan
- Department of Internal Medicine (P.M., G.M., R.V.), University Hospital of Padova, Padova, Italy
| | - R Vettor
- Department of Internal Medicine (P.M., G.M., R.V.), University Hospital of Padova, Padova, Italy
| | - A Baglione
- Department of Neurosciences (A.B., C.B., A.F.), University of Padua, Padova, Italy
| | - A Vitale
- From the Department of Medicine and Surgery (R.M., A.V., F.D.S.), Neuroradiology, University of Salerno, Salerno, Italy
| | - C Briani
- Department of Neurosciences (A.B., C.B., A.F.), University of Padua, Padova, Italy
| | - F Di Salle
- From the Department of Medicine and Surgery (R.M., A.V., F.D.S.), Neuroradiology, University of Salerno, Salerno, Italy
| | - A Favaro
- Department of Neurosciences (A.B., C.B., A.F.), University of Padua, Padova, Italy
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