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Ramesh R, Amanmahanya C, Krishnamoorthy V, Krishnan V, Palani S, Narasimhan Ranganathan L. Oculomasticatory rhythmic movements, insomnia and stroke-like episodes in a patient with POLG mutation. BMJ Case Rep 2024; 17:e259426. [PMID: 38684350 PMCID: PMC11146406 DOI: 10.1136/bcr-2023-259426] [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] [Accepted: 04/19/2024] [Indexed: 05/02/2024] Open
Abstract
The POLG mutation, a leading cause of mitochondrial diseases, exhibits a wide-ranging age of onset and a complex clinical presentation. We encountered an atypical clinical profile in an elderly man with a POLG mutation, characterised by a stroke-like episode, chronic insomnia and transient oculomasticatory rhythmic movement. History revealed chronic constipation since his 50s and progressive bilateral ophthalmoplegia since his early 60s. Subsequently, he had experienced acute encephalopathy and later developed chronic insomnia. The present neurological examination showed bilateral complete ophthalmoplegia, ptosis, and rhythmic ocular and jaw movements. Imaging indicated findings suggestive of a stroke-like episode and eventual genetic analysis revealed a homozygous missense mutation in the POLG gene. This case expands the clinical spectrum of POLG mutations in individuals over 60 years, showcasing the rare combination of a stroke-like episode, chronic insomnia and oculomasticatory rhythmic movement.
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Affiliation(s)
- Rithvik Ramesh
- Neurology, Sri Ramachandra Institute of Higher Education and Research (Deemed to be University), Chennai, Tamil Nadu, India
| | - Chitneni Amanmahanya
- Neurology, Sri Ramachandra Institute of Higher Education and Research (Deemed to be University), Chennai, Tamil Nadu, India
| | - Vengadakrishnan Krishnamoorthy
- Internal Medicine, Sri Ramachandra Institute of Higher Education and Research (Deemed to be University), Chennai, Tamil Nadu, India
| | - Vasanthan Krishnan
- Internal Medicine, Sri Ramachandra Institute of Higher Education and Research (Deemed to be University), Chennai, Tamil Nadu, India
| | - Sathyamoorthy Palani
- Internal Medicine, Sri Ramachandra Institute of Higher Education and Research (Deemed to be University), Chennai, Tamil Nadu, India
| | - Lakshmi Narasimhan Ranganathan
- Neurology, Sri Ramachandra Institute of Higher Education and Research (Deemed to be University), Chennai, Tamil Nadu, India
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Breuss A, Strasser M, Nuoffer JM, Klein A, Perret-Hoigné E, Felder C, Stauffer R, Wolf P, Riener R, Gautschi M. Nocturnal vestibular stimulation using a rocking bed improves a severe sleep disorder in a patient with mitochondrial disease. J Sleep Res 2024:e14153. [PMID: 38499951 DOI: 10.1111/jsr.14153] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/13/2023] [Accepted: 01/11/2024] [Indexed: 03/20/2024]
Abstract
Mitochondrial diseases are rare genetic disorders often accompanied by severe sleep disorders. We present the case of a 12-year-old boy diagnosed with a severe primary mitochondrial disease, exhibiting ataxia, spasticity, progressive external ophthalmoplegia, cardiomyopathy and severely disrupted sleep, but no cognitive impairment. Interestingly, his parents reported improved sleep during night train rides. Based on this observation, we installed a rocking bed in the patient's bedroom and performed different interventions, including immersive multimodal vestibular, kinesthetic and auditory stimuli, reminiscent of the sensory experiences encountered during train rides. Over a 5-month period, we conducted four 2-week nocturnal interventions, separated by 1-week washout phases, to determine the subjectively best-perceived stimulation parameters, followed by a final 4-week intervention using the optimal parameters. We assessed sleep duration and quality using the Mini Sleep Questionnaire, monitored pulse rate changes and used videography to document nocturnal interactions between the patient and caregivers. Patient-reported outcome measures, clinical examinations and personal outcomes of specific interests were used to document daytime sleepiness, restlessness, anxiety, fatigue, cognitive performance and physical posture. In the final 4-week intervention, sleep duration increased by 25%, required caregiver interactions reduced by 75%, and caregiving time decreased by 40%. Subjective fatigue, assessed by the Checklist Individual Strength, decreased by 40%, falling below the threshold of severe fatigue. Our study suggests that rocking beds could provide a promising treatment regime for selected patients with persistent severe sleep disorders. Further research is required to validate these findings in larger patient populations with sleep disorders and other conditions.
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Affiliation(s)
- Alexander Breuss
- ETH Zurich, Sensory-Motor Systems Lab, Institute of Robotics and Intelligent Systems, Zurich, Switzerland
| | - Marco Strasser
- Department of Paediatrics, Inselspital, Bern University Hospital, University of Bern, Bern, Switzerland
| | - Jean-Marc Nuoffer
- Division of Paediatric Endocrinology, Diabetology and Metabolism, Department of Paediatrics, and Institute of Clinical Chemistry, Inselspital, Bern University Hospital, University of Bern, Bern, Switzerland
| | - Andrea Klein
- Division of Neuropediatrics, Inselspital, Bern University Hospital, Bern, Switzerland
| | - Eveline Perret-Hoigné
- Division of Neuropediatrics, Inselspital, Bern University Hospital, Bern, Switzerland
| | - Christine Felder
- Division of Neuropediatrics, Inselspital, Bern University Hospital, Bern, Switzerland
| | - Ruth Stauffer
- Institute for Physiotherapy, Inselspital, Bern University Hospital, University of Bern, Bern, Switzerland
| | - Peter Wolf
- ETH Zurich, Sensory-Motor Systems Lab, Institute of Robotics and Intelligent Systems, Zurich, Switzerland
| | - Robert Riener
- ETH Zurich, Sensory-Motor Systems Lab, Institute of Robotics and Intelligent Systems, Zurich, Switzerland
- Spinal Cord Injury Center, University Hospital Balgrist, Zurich, Switzerland
| | - Matthias Gautschi
- Division of Paediatric Endocrinology, Diabetology and Metabolism, Department of Paediatrics, and Institute of Clinical Chemistry, Inselspital, Bern University Hospital, University of Bern, Bern, Switzerland
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Brunetti V, Della Marca G, Servidei S, Primiano G. Sleep Disorders in Mitochondrial Diseases. Curr Neurol Neurosci Rep 2021; 21:30. [PMID: 33948737 PMCID: PMC8096743 DOI: 10.1007/s11910-021-01121-2] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 04/22/2021] [Indexed: 11/28/2022]
Abstract
PURPOSE OF REVIEW We aim to summarize the sleep disorders reported in patients affected by primary mitochondrial dysfunctions and describe the association with their clinical and molecular characteristics. RECENT FINDINGS Sleep complaints are prevalent in mitochondrial disorders. Sleep-disordered breathing is the main sleep disorder reported in mitochondrial diseases. OSA and CSA are, respectively, more frequently associated with patients characterized by the prevalent involvement of the skeletal muscle and the predominant involvement of the central nervous system. Other sleep disorders, such as restless legs syndrome, have been rarely described. Sleep disorders are frequently associated with primary mitochondrial disorders, and the clinical phenotypes affect the type of sleep disturbance associated with the mitochondrial dysfunction. A polysomnographic study should be performed in every subject with this neurogenetic disorder both at diagnosis and during follow-up for the numerous adverse clinical outcomes associated with sleep disorders and the frailty of mitochondrial patients.
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Affiliation(s)
- Valerio Brunetti
- Fondazione Policlinico Universitario A. Gemelli IRCCS, Rome, Italy
| | - Giacomo Della Marca
- Fondazione Policlinico Universitario A. Gemelli IRCCS, Rome, Italy
- Dipartimento Universitario di Neuroscienze, Università Cattolica del Sacro Cuore, Rome, Italy
| | - Serenella Servidei
- Fondazione Policlinico Universitario A. Gemelli IRCCS, Rome, Italy
- Dipartimento Universitario di Neuroscienze, Università Cattolica del Sacro Cuore, Rome, Italy
| | - Guido Primiano
- Fondazione Policlinico Universitario A. Gemelli IRCCS, Rome, Italy.
- Dipartimento Universitario di Neuroscienze, Università Cattolica del Sacro Cuore, Rome, Italy.
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