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Siow SF, Waters A, Coward S, Wali G, Ng K, Sue CM, Kumar KR. Outcome measures for hereditary spastic paraplegia clinical trials: Learnings from an Australian HSP center. J Neurol Sci 2024; 462:123100. [PMID: 38914513 DOI: 10.1016/j.jns.2024.123100] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/15/2024] [Revised: 06/04/2024] [Accepted: 06/19/2024] [Indexed: 06/26/2024]
Affiliation(s)
- Sue Faye Siow
- Department of Clinical Genetics, Royal North Shore Hospital, NSW, Australia; Sydney Medical School, The University of Sydney, NSW, Australia; Department of Neurogenetics, Royal North Shore Hospital, NSW, Australia.
| | - Amy Waters
- Department of Neurology and Clinical Neurophysiology, Royal North Shore Hospital, NSW, Australia
| | - Sharon Coward
- Department of Neurology and Clinical Neurophysiology, Royal North Shore Hospital, NSW, Australia
| | - Gautam Wali
- Sydney Medical School, The University of Sydney, NSW, Australia; Department of Neurogenetics, Royal North Shore Hospital, NSW, Australia; Neuroscience Research Australia, University of New South Wales, NSW, Australia
| | - Karl Ng
- Sydney Medical School, The University of Sydney, NSW, Australia; Department of Neurology and Clinical Neurophysiology, Royal North Shore Hospital, NSW, Australia
| | - Carolyn M Sue
- Department of Neurogenetics, Royal North Shore Hospital, NSW, Australia; Neuroscience Research Australia, University of New South Wales, NSW, Australia; Faculty of Medicine and Health, University of New South Wales Sydney, NSW, Australia
| | - Kishore R Kumar
- Sydney Medical School, The University of Sydney, NSW, Australia; Translational Neurogenomics Group, Genomics and Inherited Disease Program, Garvan Institute of Medical Research, NSW, Australia; Molecular Medicine Laboratory and Department of Neurology, Concord Repatriation General Hospital, NSW, Australia
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Siow SF, Yeow D, Rudaks LI, Jia F, Wali G, Sue CM, Kumar KR. Outcome Measures and Biomarkers for Clinical Trials in Hereditary Spastic Paraplegia: A Scoping Review. Genes (Basel) 2023; 14:1756. [PMID: 37761896 PMCID: PMC10530989 DOI: 10.3390/genes14091756] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/09/2023] [Revised: 08/30/2023] [Accepted: 08/30/2023] [Indexed: 09/29/2023] Open
Abstract
Hereditary spastic paraplegia (HSP) is characterized by progressive lower limb spasticity. There is no disease-modifying treatment currently available. Therefore, standardized, validated outcome measures to facilitate clinical trials are urgently needed. We performed a scoping review of outcome measures and biomarkers for HSP to provide recommendations for future studies and identify areas for further research. We searched Embase, Medline, Scopus, Web of Science, and the Central Cochrane database. Seventy studies met the inclusion criteria, and eighty-three outcome measures were identified. The Spastic Paraplegia Rating Scale (SPRS) was the most widely used (27 studies), followed by the modified Ashworth Scale (18 studies) and magnetic resonance imaging (17 studies). Patient-reported outcome measures (PROMs) were infrequently used to assess treatment outcomes (28% of interventional studies). Diffusion tensor imaging, gait analysis and neurofilament light chain levels were the most promising biomarkers in terms of being able to differentiate patients from controls and correlate with clinical disease severity. Overall, we found variability and inconsistencies in use of outcome measures with a paucity of longitudinal data. We highlight the need for (1) a standardized set of core outcome measures, (2) validation of existing biomarkers, and (3) inclusion of PROMs in HSP clinical trials.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sue-Faye Siow
- Sydney Medical School, University of Sydney, Camperdown 2050, Australia (C.M.S.)
- Department of Clinical Genetics, Royal North Shore Hospital, St Leonards 2065, Australia
| | - Dennis Yeow
- Sydney Medical School, University of Sydney, Camperdown 2050, Australia (C.M.S.)
- Neuroscience Research Australia, University of New South Wales, Randwick 2031, Australia
- Rare Disease Program, Garvan Institute of Medical Research, Darlinghurst 2010, Australia
- Translational Neurogenomics Group, Molecular Medicine Laboratory and Department of Neurology, Concord Hospital, Concord 2139, Australia
- Neurodegenerative Service, Prince of Wales Hospital, Randwick 2031, Australia
| | - Laura I. Rudaks
- Sydney Medical School, University of Sydney, Camperdown 2050, Australia (C.M.S.)
- Department of Clinical Genetics, Royal North Shore Hospital, St Leonards 2065, Australia
- Rare Disease Program, Garvan Institute of Medical Research, Darlinghurst 2010, Australia
- Translational Neurogenomics Group, Molecular Medicine Laboratory and Department of Neurology, Concord Hospital, Concord 2139, Australia
| | - Fangzhi Jia
- Sydney Medical School, University of Sydney, Camperdown 2050, Australia (C.M.S.)
| | - Gautam Wali
- Sydney Medical School, University of Sydney, Camperdown 2050, Australia (C.M.S.)
- Neuroscience Research Australia, University of New South Wales, Randwick 2031, Australia
| | - Carolyn M. Sue
- Sydney Medical School, University of Sydney, Camperdown 2050, Australia (C.M.S.)
- Neuroscience Research Australia, University of New South Wales, Randwick 2031, Australia
- Neurodegenerative Service, Prince of Wales Hospital, Randwick 2031, Australia
- School of Clinical Medicine, UNSW Medicine & Health, University of New South Wales, Kensington 2052, Australia
| | - Kishore R. Kumar
- Sydney Medical School, University of Sydney, Camperdown 2050, Australia (C.M.S.)
- Rare Disease Program, Garvan Institute of Medical Research, Darlinghurst 2010, Australia
- Translational Neurogenomics Group, Molecular Medicine Laboratory and Department of Neurology, Concord Hospital, Concord 2139, Australia
- School of Clinical Medicine, UNSW Medicine & Health, University of New South Wales, Kensington 2052, Australia
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Kang YR, Nam TS, Kim JM, Kang KW, Choi SM, Lee SH, Kim BC, Kim MK. Clinical analysis in patients with SPG11 hereditary spastic paraplegia. Front Neurol 2023; 14:1198728. [PMID: 37396771 PMCID: PMC10310533 DOI: 10.3389/fneur.2023.1198728] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/02/2023] [Accepted: 05/26/2023] [Indexed: 07/04/2023] Open
Abstract
Background To analyze the clinical phenotype of hereditary spastic paraplegia (HSP) caused by SPG11 mutations (SPG11-HSP). Methods Among the 17 patients with sporadic HSP who performed whole exome sequencing analysis, six were diagnosed with SPG11-HSP. The clinical and radiologic findings and the results of the electrodiagnostic and neuropsychologic tests were reviewed retrospectively. Results The median age at onset was 16.5 years (range, 13-38 years). Progressive spastic paraparesis was a core feature, and the median spastic paraplegia rating scale score was 24/52 (range, 16-31 points). Additional major symptoms were pseudobulbar dysarthria, intellectual disability, bladder dysfunction, and being overweight. Minor symptoms included upper limbs rigidity and sensory axonopathy. The median body mass index was 26.2 kg/m2 (range, 25.2-32.3 kg/m2). The thin corpus callosum (TCC) was predominant at the rostral body or anterior midbody, and the ears of the lynx sign was seen in all. The follow-up MRI showed the worsening of periventricular white matter (PVWM) signal abnormalities with ventricular widening or the extension of the TCC. Motor evoked potentials (MEP) to the lower limbs showed an absent central motor conduction time (CMCT) in all subjects. The upper limb CMCT was initially absent in three subjects, although it became abnormal in all at the follow-up. The mini-mental state examination median score was 27/30 (range, 26-28) with selective impairment of the attention/calculation domain. The median score of the full-scale intelligence quotient was 48 (range, 42-72) on the Wechsler Adult Intelligence Scale test. Conclusion Attention/calculation deficits and being overweight as well as pseudobulbar dysarthria were common additional symptoms in patients with SPG11-HSP. The rostral body and anterior midbody of the corpus callosum were preferentially thinned, especially in the early stage of the disease. The TCC, PVWM signal changes, and MEP abnormality worsened as the disease progressed.
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Affiliation(s)
- You-Ri Kang
- Department of Neurology, Chonnam National University Hospital, Gwangju, Republic of Korea
| | - Tai-Seung Nam
- Department of Neurology, Chonnam National University Hospital, Gwangju, Republic of Korea
- Department of Neurology, Chonnam National University Medical School, Gwangju, Republic of Korea
| | - Jae-Myung Kim
- Department of Neurology, Chonnam National University Hospital, Gwangju, Republic of Korea
| | - Kyung Wook Kang
- Department of Neurology, Chonnam National University Hospital, Gwangju, Republic of Korea
- Department of Neurology, Chonnam National University Medical School, Gwangju, Republic of Korea
| | - Seong-Min Choi
- Department of Neurology, Chonnam National University Hospital, Gwangju, Republic of Korea
- Department of Neurology, Chonnam National University Medical School, Gwangju, Republic of Korea
| | - Seung-Han Lee
- Department of Neurology, Chonnam National University Hospital, Gwangju, Republic of Korea
- Department of Neurology, Chonnam National University Medical School, Gwangju, Republic of Korea
| | - Byeong C. Kim
- Department of Neurology, Chonnam National University Hospital, Gwangju, Republic of Korea
- Department of Neurology, Chonnam National University Medical School, Gwangju, Republic of Korea
| | - Myeong-Kyu Kim
- Department of Neurology, Chonnam National University Hospital, Gwangju, Republic of Korea
- Department of Neurology, Chonnam National University Medical School, Gwangju, Republic of Korea
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Chen S, Zhou Z, Ren M, Chen X, Shi X, Zhang S, Xu S, Zhang X, Zhang X, Lin W, Shan C. Case report: High-frequency repetitive transcranial magnetic stimulation for treatment of hereditary spastic paraplegia type 11. Front Neurol 2023; 14:1162149. [PMID: 37273711 PMCID: PMC10232891 DOI: 10.3389/fneur.2023.1162149] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/09/2023] [Accepted: 05/02/2023] [Indexed: 06/06/2023] Open
Abstract
Hereditary spastic paraplegia (HSP) is a heterogeneous group of inherited neurodegenerative disorders that currently have no cure. HSP type 11 (SPG11-HSP) is a complex form carrying mutations in the SPG11 gene. Neuropathological studies demonstrate that motor deficits in these patients are mainly attributed to axonal degeneration of the corticospinal tract (CST). Repetitive transcranial magnetic stimulation (rTMS) is a non-invasive technique that can induce central nervous system plasticity and promote neurological recovery by modulating the excitability of cortical neuronal cells. Although rTMS is expected to be a therapeutic tool for neurodegenerative diseases, no previous studies have applied rTMS to treat motor symptoms in SPG11-HSP. Here, we report a case of SPG11-HSP with lower extremity spasticity and gait instability, which were improved by applying high-frequency rTMS (HF-rTMS) at the primary motor cortex (M1). Clinical and physiological features were measured throughout the treatment, including the Modified Ashworth Scale (MAS), Berg Balance Scale (BBS), the timed up and go (TUG) test and the 10-meter walk test time (10 MWT). The structure and excitability of the CST were assessed by diffusion tensor imaging (DTI) and transcranial magnetic stimulation (TMS), respectively. After treatment, the patient gained 17 points of BBS, along with a gradual decrease in MAS scores of the bilateral lower extremity. In addition, the TUG test and 10 MWT improved to varying degrees. TMS assessment showed increased motor evoked potential (MEP) amplitude, decreased resting motor threshold (RMT), decreased central motor conduction time (CMCT), and decreased difference in the cortical silent period (CSP) between bilateral hemispheres. Using the DTI technique, we observed increased fractional anisotropy (FA) values and decreased mean diffusivity (MD) and radial diffusivity (RD) values in the CST. It suggests that applying HF-rTMS over the bilateral leg area of M1 (M1-LEG) is beneficial for SPG11-HSP. In this study, we demonstrate the potential of rTMS to promote neurological recovery from both functional and structural perspectives. It may provide a clinical rationale for using rTMS in the rehabilitation of HSP patients.
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Affiliation(s)
- Songmei Chen
- Department of Rehabilitation Medicine, Shanghai No. 3 Rehabilitation Hospital, Shanghai, China
- School of Rehabilitation Science, Shanghai University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Shanghai, China
| | - Zhiqing Zhou
- School of Rehabilitation Science, Shanghai University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Shanghai, China
| | - Meng Ren
- School of Rehabilitation Science, Shanghai University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Shanghai, China
| | - Xixi Chen
- School of Rehabilitation Science, Shanghai University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Shanghai, China
| | - Xiaolong Shi
- School of Rehabilitation Science, Shanghai University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Shanghai, China
| | - Sicong Zhang
- School of Rehabilitation Science, Shanghai University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Shanghai, China
- Center of Rehabilitation Medicine, Yueyang Hospital of Integrated Traditional Chinese and Western Medicine, Shanghai University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Shanghai, China
| | - Shutian Xu
- School of Rehabilitation Science, Shanghai University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Shanghai, China
- Engineering Research Center of Traditional Chinese Medicine Intelligent Rehabilitation, Ministry of Education, Shanghai, China
| | - Xiaolin Zhang
- Department of Rehabilitation Medicine, Shanghai No. 3 Rehabilitation Hospital, Shanghai, China
| | - Xingyuan Zhang
- Department of Rehabilitation Medicine, Shanghai No. 3 Rehabilitation Hospital, Shanghai, China
| | - Wanlong Lin
- Department of Rehabilitation Medicine, Shanghai No. 3 Rehabilitation Hospital, Shanghai, China
| | - Chunlei Shan
- School of Rehabilitation Science, Shanghai University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Shanghai, China
- Center of Rehabilitation Medicine, Yueyang Hospital of Integrated Traditional Chinese and Western Medicine, Shanghai University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Shanghai, China
- Engineering Research Center of Traditional Chinese Medicine Intelligent Rehabilitation, Ministry of Education, Shanghai, China
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A Randomized Controlled Trial of the Effect of Repetitive Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation of the Motor Cortex on Lower Extremity Spasticity in Hereditary Spastic Paraplegia. J Clin Neurophysiol 2023; 40:173-179. [PMID: 34817445 DOI: 10.1097/wnp.0000000000000874] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/07/2023] Open
Abstract
INTRODUCTION Hereditary spastic paraplegia refers to a group of conditions characterized by a slow progression of spasticity in lower limbs resulting in gait abnormalities. Current treatment options have proven to be insufficient in terms of symptom alleviation. In this study, we tested the effectiveness of repetitive transcranial magnetic stimulation (rTMS) on lower limb spasticity in patients with hereditary spastic paraplegia. METHODS Eight patients were randomly assigned to receive either five sessions of active 5 Hz-rTMS ( n = 4) or sham rTMS ( n = 4). The primary outcome was a change in spasticity assessed by the modified Ashworth scale. Secondary outcomes were change in 10 m walking test, Fugl-Meyer assessment of lower extremity motor function, and quality-of-life short-form survey scores. Assessment of the outcomes was done before, upon completion, and 1 month after the intervention. We analyzed the data using repeated-measure analysis of variance. RESULTS Mean age of the participants was 38.5 (SD = 5.4) years, and 50% were women. Compared with sham rTMS, real rTMS was effective in decreasing modified Ashworth scale (rTMS × time: F [df = 2] = 7.44; P = 0.008). Real rTMS group had lower modified Ashworth scale scores at the end of rTMS sessions (estimate = -0.938; SE = 0.295; P = 0.019) and at the end of follow-up (estimate = -0.688; SE = 0.277; P = 0.048) compared with the sham rTMS group. Real and sham rTMS groups were not different in the secondary outcomes. CONCLUSIONS Repetitive transcranial magnetic stimulation is an effective method in reducing lower limb spasticity of patients with hereditary spastic paraplegia.
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Pedroso JL, Vale TC, França Junior MC, Kauffman MA, Teive H, Barsottini OGP, Munhoz RP. A Diagnostic Approach to Spastic ataxia Syndromes. CEREBELLUM (LONDON, ENGLAND) 2022; 21:1073-1084. [PMID: 34782953 DOI: 10.1007/s12311-021-01345-5] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 11/08/2021] [Indexed: 06/13/2023]
Abstract
Spastic ataxia is characterized by the combination of cerebellar ataxia with spasticity and other pyramidal features. It is the hallmark of some hereditary ataxias, but it can also occur in some spastic paraplegias and acquired conditions. It often presents with heterogenous clinical features with other neurologic and non-neurological symptoms, resulting in complex phenotypes. In this review, the differential diagnosis of spastic ataxias are discussed and classified in accordance with inheritance. Establishing an organized classification method based on mode inheritance is fundamental for the approach to patients with these syndromes. For each differential, the clinical features, neuroimaging and genetic aspects are reviewed. A diagnostic approach for spastic ataxias is then proposed.
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Affiliation(s)
- José Luiz Pedroso
- Department of Neurology, Ataxia Unit, Universidade Federal de São Paulo, São Paulo, SP, Brazil
| | - Thiago Cardoso Vale
- Department of Internal Medicine, Universidade Federal de Juiz de Fora, Juiz de Fora, MG, Brazil
| | | | - Marcelo A Kauffman
- Laboratorio de Neurogenética, Centro Universitario de Neurología "José María Ramos Mejía" y División Neurología, Hospital JM Ramos Mejía, Facultad de Medicina, UBA, Buenos Aires, Argentina
| | - Helio Teive
- Department of Neurology, Universidade Federal do Paraná, Curitiba, PR, Brazil
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Rossi S, Rubegni A, Riso V, Barghigiani M, Bassi MT, Battini R, Bertini E, Cereda C, Cioffi E, Criscuolo C, Dal Fabbro B, Dato C, D'Angelo MG, Di Muzio A, Diamanti L, Dotti MT, Filla A, Gioiosa V, Liguori R, Martinuzzi A, Massa R, Mignarri A, Moroni R, Musumeci O, Nicita F, Orologio I, Orsi L, Pegoraro E, Petrucci A, Plumari M, Ricca I, Rizzo G, Romano S, Rumore R, Sampaolo S, Scarlato M, Seri M, Stefan C, Straccia G, Tessa A, Travaglini L, Trovato R, Ulgheri L, Vazza G, Orlacchio A, Silvestri G, Santorelli FM, Melone MAB, Casali C. Clinical-Genetic Features Influencing Disability in Spastic Paraplegia Type 4. Neurol Genet 2022; 8:e664. [PMID: 35372684 PMCID: PMC8969300 DOI: 10.1212/nxg.0000000000000664] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/13/2021] [Accepted: 01/31/2022] [Indexed: 11/15/2022]
Abstract
Background and ObjectivesHereditary spastic paraplegias (HSPs) are a group of inherited rare neurologic disorders characterized by length-dependent degeneration of the corticospinal tracts and dorsal columns, whose prominent clinical feature is represented by spastic gait. Spastic paraplegia type 4 (SPG4, SPAST-HSP) is the most common form. We present both clinical and molecular findings of a large cohort of patients, with the aim of (1) defining the clinical spectrum of SPAST-HSP in Italy; (2) describing their molecular features; and (3) assessing genotype-phenotype correlations to identify features associated with worse disability.MethodsA cross-sectional retrospective study with molecular and clinical data collected in an anonymized database was performed.ResultsA total of 723 Italian patients with SPAST-HSP (58% men) from 316 families, with a median age at onset of 35 years, were included. Penetrance was 97.8%, with men showing higher Spastic Paraplegia Rating Scale (SPRS) scores (19.67 ± 12.58 vs 16.15 ± 12.61, p = 0.009). In 26.6% of patients with SPAST-HSP, we observed a complicated phenotype, mainly including intellectual disability (8%), polyneuropathy (6.7%), and cognitive decline (6.5%). Late-onset cases seemed to progress more rapidly, and patients with a longer disease course displayed a more severe neurologic disability, with higher SPATAX (3.61 ± 1.46 vs 2.71 ± 1.20, p < 0.001) and SPRS scores (22.63 ± 11.81 vs 12.40 ± 8.83, p < 0.001). Overall, 186 different variants in the SPAST gene were recorded, of which 48 were novel. Patients with SPAST-HSP harboring missense variants displayed intellectual disability (14.5% vs 4.4%, p < 0.001) more frequently, whereas patients with truncating variants presented more commonly cognitive decline (9.7% vs 2.6%, p = 0.001), cerebral atrophy (11.2% vs 3.4%, p = 0.003), lower limb spasticity (61.5% vs 44.5%), urinary symptoms (50.0% vs 31.3%, p < 0.001), and sensorimotor polyneuropathy (11.1% vs 1.1%, p < 0.001). Increasing disease duration (DD) and abnormal motor evoked potentials (MEPs) were also associated with increased likelihood of worse disability (SPATAX score>3).DiscussionThe SPAST-HSP phenotypic spectrum in Italian patients confirms a predominantly pure form of HSP with mild-to-moderate disability in 75% of cases, and slight prevalence of men, who appeared more severely affected. Early-onset cases with intellectual disability were more frequent among patients carrying missense SPAST variants, whereas patients with truncating variants showed a more complicated disease. Both longer DD and altered MEPs are associated with worse disability.
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Brighente SF, Vicuña P, Rodrigues Louzada AL, Giordani GM, Fussiger H, dos Santos MAR, Cubillos-Arcila DM, Winckler PB, Saute JAM. Evoked potentials as biomarkers of hereditary spastic paraplegias: A case-control study. PLoS One 2021; 16:e0259397. [PMID: 34847171 PMCID: PMC8631666 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0259397] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/10/2021] [Accepted: 10/18/2021] [Indexed: 11/18/2022] Open
Abstract
Introduction The Hereditary Spastic Paraplegias (HSP) are a group of genetic diseases that lead to slow deterioration of locomotion. Clinical scales seem to have low sensitivity in detecting disease progression, making the search for additional biomarkers a paramount task. This study aims to evaluate the role of evoked potentials (EPs) as disease biomarkers of HSPs. Methods A single center cross-sectional case-control study was performed, in which 18 individuals with genetic diagnosis of HSP and 21 healthy controls were evaluated. Motor evoked potentials (MEP) obtained with transcranial magnetic stimulation and somatosensory evoked potentials (SSEP) were performed in lower (LL) and upper limbs (UL). Results Central motor conduction time in lower limbs (CMCT-LL) was prolonged in HSP subjects, with marked reductions in MEP-LL amplitudes when compared to the control group (p<0.001 for both comparisons). CMCT-UL was 3.59ms (95% CI: 0.73 to 6.46; p = 0.015) prolonged and MEP-UL amplitudes were reduced (p = 0.008) in the HSP group. SSEP-LL latencies were prolonged in HSP subjects when compared to controls (p<0.001), with no statistically significant differences for upper limbs (p = 0.147). SSEP-UL and SSEP-LL latencies presented moderate to strong correlations with age at onset (Rho = 0.613, p = 0.012) and disease duration (Rho = 0.835, p<0.001), respectively. Similar results were obtained for the SPG4 subgroups of patients. Conclusion Motor and somatosensory evoked potentials can adequately differentiate HSP individuals from controls. MEP were severely affected in HSP subjects and SSEP-LL latencies were prolonged, with longer latencies being related to more severe disease. Future longitudinal studies should address if SSEP is a sensitive disease progression biomarker for HSP.
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Affiliation(s)
- Samanta Ferraresi Brighente
- Graduate Program in Medicine: Medical Sciences, Universidade Federal do Rio Grande do Sul, Porto Alegre, Brazil
| | - Paul Vicuña
- Graduate Program in Medicine: Medical Sciences, Universidade Federal do Rio Grande do Sul, Porto Alegre, Brazil
| | | | - Gabriela Marchisio Giordani
- Graduate Program in Medicine: Medical Sciences, Universidade Federal do Rio Grande do Sul, Porto Alegre, Brazil
| | - Helena Fussiger
- Graduate Program in Medicine: Medical Sciences, Universidade Federal do Rio Grande do Sul, Porto Alegre, Brazil
| | | | - Diana Maria Cubillos-Arcila
- Graduate Program in Medicine: Medical Sciences, Universidade Federal do Rio Grande do Sul, Porto Alegre, Brazil
| | - Pablo Brea Winckler
- Graduate Program in Medicine: Medical Sciences, Universidade Federal do Rio Grande do Sul, Porto Alegre, Brazil
- Medical Genetics Service, Hospital de Clínicas de Porto Alegre (HCPA), Porto Alegre, Brazil
| | - Jonas Alex Morales Saute
- Graduate Program in Medicine: Medical Sciences, Universidade Federal do Rio Grande do Sul, Porto Alegre, Brazil
- Neurology Service, Hospital de Clínicas de Porto Alegre, Porto Alegre, Brazil
- Medical Genetics Service, Hospital de Clínicas de Porto Alegre (HCPA), Porto Alegre, Brazil
- Department of Internal Medicine, Universidade Federal do Rio Grande do Sul, Porto Alegre, Brazil
- * E-mail:
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The Upper Motor Neuron-Improved Knowledge from ALS and Related Clinical Disorders. Brain Sci 2021; 11:brainsci11080958. [PMID: 34439577 PMCID: PMC8392624 DOI: 10.3390/brainsci11080958] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/11/2021] [Revised: 07/07/2021] [Accepted: 07/19/2021] [Indexed: 11/17/2022] Open
Abstract
Upper motor neuron (UMN) is a term traditionally used for the corticospinal or pyramidal tract neuron synapsing with the lower motor neuron (LMN) in the anterior horns of the spinal cord. The upper motor neuron controls resting muscle tone and helps initiate voluntary movement of the musculoskeletal system by pathways which are not completely understood. Dysfunction of the upper motor neuron causes the classical clinical signs of spasticity, weakness, brisk tendon reflexes and extensor plantar response, which are associated with clinically well-recognised, inherited and acquired disorders of the nervous system. Understanding the pathophysiology of motor system dysfunction in neurological disease has helped promote a greater understanding of the motor system and its complex cortical connections. This review will focus on the pathophysiology underlying progressive dysfunction of the UMN in amyotrophic lateral sclerosis and three other related adult-onset, progressive neurological disorders with prominent UMN signs, namely, primary lateral sclerosis, hereditary spastic paraplegia and primary progressive multiple sclerosis, to help promote better understanding of the human motor system and, by extension, related cortical systems.
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Fernández V. The Use of Motor-Evoked Potentials in Clinical Trials in Multiple Sclerosis. J Clin Neurophysiol 2021; 38:166-170. [PMID: 33958566 DOI: 10.1097/wnp.0000000000000734] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/26/2022] Open
Abstract
SUMMARY Motor-evoked potentials (MEPs) can be used to assess the integrity of the descending corticospinal tract in the laboratory. Evoked potentials (EPs) have been widely used in the past for the diagnosis of multiple sclerosis (MS), but they are now becoming more useful in assessing the prognosis of the disease. Motor-evoked potentials have been included in EP scales that have demonstrated good correlations with clinical disability. Soon after the onset of MS, it is possible to detect an ongoing process of neurodegeneration and axonal loss. Axonal loss is probably responsible for the disability and disease progression that occurs in MS. Given the good correlations of EPs in detecting disease progression in MS, they have been used to monitor the effects of drugs used to treat the disease. Several clinical trials used MEPs as part of their EP evaluation, but MEPs have never been used as a measure of efficacy in clinical trials testing neuroprotective agents, although MEPs could be a very promising tool to measure neuroprotection and remyelination resulting from these drugs. To be used in multicenter clinical trials, MEP readings should be comparable between centers. Standardized multicenter EP assessment with central reading has been demonstrated to be feasible and reliable. Although MEP measurements have been correlated with clinical scores and other measures of neurodegeneration, further validation of MEP amplitude measurements is needed regarding their validity, reliability, and sensitivity before they can be routinely used in clinical drug trials in MS.
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Affiliation(s)
- Victoria Fernández
- Service of Clinical Neurophysiology, University Regional Hospital of Malaga, Malaga, Spain
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Mulroy E, Magrinelli F, Mohd Fauzi NA, Kutty SK, Latorre A, Bhatia KP. Paroxysmal, exercise-induced, diurnally fluctuating dystonia: Expanding the phenotype of SPG8. Parkinsonism Relat Disord 2021; 85:26-28. [PMID: 33662919 DOI: 10.1016/j.parkreldis.2021.02.011] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/13/2020] [Revised: 02/01/2021] [Accepted: 02/05/2021] [Indexed: 11/29/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Eoin Mulroy
- Department of Clinical and Movement Neurosciences, UCL Queen Square Institute of Neurology, London, WC1N 3BG, UK.
| | - Francesca Magrinelli
- Department of Clinical and Movement Neurosciences, UCL Queen Square Institute of Neurology, London, WC1N 3BG, UK; Department of Neurosciences, Biomedicine and Movement Sciences, University of Verona, Verona, Italy
| | - Nor Amelia Mohd Fauzi
- Department of Clinical and Movement Neurosciences, UCL Queen Square Institute of Neurology, London, WC1N 3BG, UK; Department of Medicine, Faculty of Medicine, Universiti Teknologi MARA Sungai, Buloh Campus, Selangor, Malaysia
| | - Shahedah Koya Kutty
- Department of Clinical and Movement Neurosciences, UCL Queen Square Institute of Neurology, London, WC1N 3BG, UK; Department of Internal Medicine, International Islamic University Malaysia, Pahang, Malaysia
| | - Anna Latorre
- Department of Clinical and Movement Neurosciences, UCL Queen Square Institute of Neurology, London, WC1N 3BG, UK
| | - Kailash P Bhatia
- Department of Clinical and Movement Neurosciences, UCL Queen Square Institute of Neurology, London, WC1N 3BG, UK
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12
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Di Bella D, Magri S, Benzoni C, Farina L, Maccagnano C, Sarto E, Moscatelli M, Baratta S, Ciano C, Piacentini SHMJ, Draghi L, Mauro E, Pareyson D, Gellera C, Taroni F, Salsano E. Hypomyelinating leukodystrophies in adults: Clinical and genetic features. Eur J Neurol 2020; 28:934-944. [PMID: 33190326 DOI: 10.1111/ene.14646] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/21/2020] [Revised: 11/07/2020] [Accepted: 11/10/2020] [Indexed: 01/07/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE Little is known about hypomyelinating leukodystrophies (HLDs) in adults. The aim of this study was to investigate HLD occurrence, clinical features, and etiology among undefined leukoencephalopathies in adulthood. METHODS We recruited the patients with cerebral hypomyelinating magnetic resonance imaging pattern (mild T2 hyperintensity with normal or near-normal T1 signal) from our cohort of 62 adult index cases with undefined leukoencephalopathies, reviewed their clinical features, and used a leukoencephalopathy-targeted next generation sequencing panel. RESULTS We identified 25/62 patients (~40%) with hypomyelination. Cardinal manifestations were spastic gait and varying degree of cognitive impairment. Etiology was determined in 44% (definite, 10/25; likely, 1/25). Specifically, we found pathogenic variants in the POLR3A (n = 2), POLR1C (n = 1), RARS1 (n = 1), and TUBB4A (n = 1) genes, which are typically associated with severe early-onset HLDs, and in the GJA1 gene (n = 1), which is associated with oculodentodigital dysplasia. Duplication of a large chromosome X region encompassing PLP1 and a pathogenic GJC2 variant were found in two patients, both females, with early-onset HLDs persisting into adulthood. Finally, we found likely pathogenic variants in PEX3 (n = 1) and PEX13 (n = 1) and potentially relevant variants of unknown significance in TBCD (n = 1), which are genes associated with severe, early-onset diseases with central hypomyelination/dysmyelination. CONCLUSIONS A hypomyelinating pattern characterizes a relevant number of undefined leukoencephalopathies in adulthood. A comprehensive genetic screening allows definite diagnosis in about half of patients, and demonstrates the involvement of many disease-causing genes, including genes associated with severe early-onset HLDs, and genes causing peroxisome biogenesis disorders.
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Affiliation(s)
- Daniela Di Bella
- Unit of Medical Genetics and Neurogenetics, Fondazione IRCCS Istituto Neurologico Carlo Besta, Milan, Italy
| | - Stefania Magri
- Unit of Medical Genetics and Neurogenetics, Fondazione IRCCS Istituto Neurologico Carlo Besta, Milan, Italy
| | - Chiara Benzoni
- Unit of Rare Neurodegenerative and Neurometabolic Diseases, Fondazione IRCCS Istituto Neurologico Carlo Besta, Milan, Italy
| | - Laura Farina
- Unit of Neuroradiology, Fondazione IRCCS Istituto Neurologico Carlo Besta, Milan, Italy.,Neuroimaging Laboratory, IRCCS Fondazione Santa Lucia, Rome, Italy
| | - Carmelo Maccagnano
- Unit of Neuroradiology, Fondazione IRCCS Istituto Neurologico Carlo Besta, Milan, Italy
| | - Elisa Sarto
- Unit of Medical Genetics and Neurogenetics, Fondazione IRCCS Istituto Neurologico Carlo Besta, Milan, Italy
| | - Marco Moscatelli
- Unit of Neuroradiology, Fondazione IRCCS Istituto Neurologico Carlo Besta, Milan, Italy
| | - Silvia Baratta
- Unit of Medical Genetics and Neurogenetics, Fondazione IRCCS Istituto Neurologico Carlo Besta, Milan, Italy
| | - Claudia Ciano
- Unit of Neurophysiology, Fondazione IRCCS Istituto Neurologico Carlo Besta, Milan, Italy
| | | | - Lara Draghi
- Unit of Neuropsychology, Fondazione IRCCS Istituto Neurologico Carlo Besta, Milan, Italy
| | - Elena Mauro
- Unit of Rare Neurodegenerative and Neurometabolic Diseases, Fondazione IRCCS Istituto Neurologico Carlo Besta, Milan, Italy
| | - Davide Pareyson
- Unit of Rare Neurodegenerative and Neurometabolic Diseases, Fondazione IRCCS Istituto Neurologico Carlo Besta, Milan, Italy
| | - Cinzia Gellera
- Unit of Medical Genetics and Neurogenetics, Fondazione IRCCS Istituto Neurologico Carlo Besta, Milan, Italy
| | - Franco Taroni
- Unit of Medical Genetics and Neurogenetics, Fondazione IRCCS Istituto Neurologico Carlo Besta, Milan, Italy
| | - Ettore Salsano
- Unit of Rare Neurodegenerative and Neurometabolic Diseases, Fondazione IRCCS Istituto Neurologico Carlo Besta, Milan, Italy.,Neuroscience PhD Program, University of Milano-Bicocca, Monza, Italy
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13
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Ruggiero L, Iovino A, Dubbioso R, Cocozza S, Trovato R, Aruta F, Pontillo G, Barghigiani M, Brunetti A, Santorelli FM, Manganelli F, Iodice R. Multimodal evaluation of an Italian family with a hereditary spastic paraplegia and POLR3A mutations. Ann Clin Transl Neurol 2020; 7:2326-2331. [PMID: 33085208 PMCID: PMC7664249 DOI: 10.1002/acn3.51221] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/21/2020] [Revised: 08/29/2020] [Accepted: 09/17/2020] [Indexed: 12/27/2022] Open
Abstract
We describe an Italian family with adult‐onset pure hereditary spastic paraplegia due to biallelic variants in POLR3A gene [c.1909 + 22G > A and c.3839dupT (p.M1280fs*20]. MRI showed a mild hyperintensity of superior cerebellar peduncles and cervical spinal cord atrophy. The neurophysiological metrics about intracortical excitability showed higher values of motor thresholds and a significant reduction of short interval intracortical inhibition (SICI) in the patient with a more severe phenotype. Our multimodal evaluation further expands the wide phenotypic spectrum associated with mutations in the POLR3A gene. An extensive genotype–phenotype correlation study is necessary to explain the role of the many new mutations on the function of protein.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lucia Ruggiero
- Department of Neurosciences, Reproductive and Odontostomatological Sciences, University Federico II of Naples, Naples, Italy
| | - Aniello Iovino
- Department of Neurosciences, Reproductive and Odontostomatological Sciences, University Federico II of Naples, Naples, Italy.,Department of Advanced Biomedical Sciences, University of Naples Federico II, Naples, Italy
| | - Raffaele Dubbioso
- Department of Neurosciences, Reproductive and Odontostomatological Sciences, University Federico II of Naples, Naples, Italy
| | - Sirio Cocozza
- Department of Advanced Biomedical Sciences, University of Naples Federico II, Naples, Italy
| | - Rosanna Trovato
- Molecular Medicine, IRCCS Fondazione Stella Maris, Calambrone, Pisa, Italy
| | - Francesco Aruta
- Department of Neurosciences, Reproductive and Odontostomatological Sciences, University Federico II of Naples, Naples, Italy
| | - Giuseppe Pontillo
- Department of Advanced Biomedical Sciences, University of Naples Federico II, Naples, Italy
| | | | - Arturo Brunetti
- Department of Advanced Biomedical Sciences, University of Naples Federico II, Naples, Italy
| | | | - Fiore Manganelli
- Department of Neurosciences, Reproductive and Odontostomatological Sciences, University Federico II of Naples, Naples, Italy
| | - Rosa Iodice
- Department of Neurosciences, Reproductive and Odontostomatological Sciences, University Federico II of Naples, Naples, Italy.,IRCCS SDN (Istituto di Ricovero e Cura a Carattere Scientifico), Naples, Italy
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