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Grønbæk-Thygesen M, Hartmann-Petersen R. Cellular and molecular mechanisms of aspartoacylase and its role in Canavan disease. Cell Biosci 2024; 14:45. [PMID: 38582917 PMCID: PMC10998430 DOI: 10.1186/s13578-024-01224-6] [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: 12/15/2023] [Accepted: 03/24/2024] [Indexed: 04/08/2024] Open
Abstract
Canavan disease is an autosomal recessive and lethal neurological disorder, characterized by the spongy degeneration of the white matter in the brain. The disease is caused by a deficiency of the cytosolic aspartoacylase (ASPA) enzyme, which catalyzes the hydrolysis of N-acetyl-aspartate (NAA), an abundant brain metabolite, into aspartate and acetate. On the physiological level, the mechanism of pathogenicity remains somewhat obscure, with multiple, not mutually exclusive, suggested hypotheses. At the molecular level, recent studies have shown that most disease linked ASPA gene variants lead to a structural destabilization and subsequent proteasomal degradation of the ASPA protein variants, and accordingly Canavan disease should in general be considered a protein misfolding disorder. Here, we comprehensively summarize the molecular and cell biology of ASPA, with a particular focus on disease-linked gene variants and the pathophysiology of Canavan disease. We highlight the importance of high-throughput technologies and computational prediction tools for making genotype-phenotype predictions as we await the results of ongoing trials with gene therapy for Canavan disease.
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Affiliation(s)
- Martin Grønbæk-Thygesen
- The Linderstrøm-Lang Centre for Protein Science, Department of Biology, University of Copenhagen, Ole Maaløes Vej 5, 2200N, Copenhagen, Denmark.
| | - Rasmus Hartmann-Petersen
- The Linderstrøm-Lang Centre for Protein Science, Department of Biology, University of Copenhagen, Ole Maaløes Vej 5, 2200N, Copenhagen, Denmark.
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Irilouzadian R, Goudarzi A, Hesami H, Sarmadian R, Biglari HN, Gilani A. An unusual case of a toddler with Canavan disease with frequent
intractable seizures: A case report and review of the literature. SAGE Open Med Case Rep 2023; 11:2050313X231160885. [PMID: 36968992 PMCID: PMC10034305 DOI: 10.1177/2050313x231160885] [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: 12/23/2022] [Accepted: 02/10/2023] [Indexed: 03/24/2023] Open
Abstract
Canavan disease is a rare fetal inherited leukodystrophy, caused by accumulation
of N-acetyl-aspartate in the brain. Here, we report a child presented with
frequent intractable seizures and visual impairment. A 14-month-old female
infant with a complaint of the absence of neck holding and generalized
tonic-clonic seizures was referred to our hospital. Macrocephaly, setting sun
eyes, tremor, and hypotonia were observed. Funduscopy showed optic atrophy. Our
patient’s flash visual evoked potential showed blindness. Her brain magnetic
resonance imaging showed diffuse white matter in subcortical, basal ganglia, and
dorsal pons. Electroencephalography showed diffuse slow and sharp waves. The
genetic study detected a hemizygous mutation in the aspartoacylase gene. Our
patient was diagnosed with Canavan disease and began anticonvulsant treatment.
However, seizures were not under control. Then, her medications were
discontinued, and clobazam and primidone were administered. In conclusion,
starting clobazam and primidone may help prevent frequently intractable seizures
in Canavan disease patients.
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Affiliation(s)
- Rana Irilouzadian
- Burn Research Center, Iran University
of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran
| | - Ali Goudarzi
- Iranian Center of Neurological
Research, Neuroscience Institute, Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran,
Iran
| | - Hamed Hesami
- School of Medicine, Shahid Beheshti
University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran
| | - Roham Sarmadian
- Infectious Diseases Research Center,
Arak University of Medical Sciences, Arak, Iran
| | - Habibe Nejad Biglari
- Neurosciences Research Center, Kerman
University of Medical Sciences, Kerman, Iran
| | - Abolfazl Gilani
- Sina Trauma and Surgery Research
Center, Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran
- Abolfazl Gilani, Sina Trauma and Surgery
Research Center, Building 7, Sina Hospital, Hassan-Abad Sq, Tehran 11365-3876,
Iran.
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Wei H, Moffett JR, Amanat M, Fatemi A, Tsukamoto T, Namboodiri AM, Slusher BS. The pathogenesis of, and pharmacological treatment for, Canavan disease. Drug Discov Today 2022; 27:2467-2483. [DOI: 10.1016/j.drudis.2022.05.019] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/18/2022] [Revised: 05/05/2022] [Accepted: 05/24/2022] [Indexed: 12/12/2022]
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Gowda VK, Bharathi NK, Bettaiah J, Bhat M, Shivappa SK. Canavan Disease: Clinical and Laboratory Profile from Southern Part of India. Ann Indian Acad Neurol 2021; 24:347-350. [PMID: 34446995 PMCID: PMC8370168 DOI: 10.4103/aian.aian_386_20] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/02/2020] [Revised: 05/21/2020] [Accepted: 06/29/2020] [Indexed: 11/21/2022] Open
Abstract
Background: Canavan disease (CD) is an autosomal recessively inherited leukodystrophy. It affects one in 6,400 to 13,500 people in the Jewish population. However, prevalence and presentation of the disease in India is largely unknown; hence, we are reporting this series. Methods: This is a retrospective chart review in a tertiary care hospital from January 2015 to March 2020. CD was confirmed by elevated N- acetyl aspartate (NAA) levels in urinary gas chromatography and mass spectrometry (GCMS)/increased NAA peak in magnetic resonance spectroscopy (MRS) and/or detection of mutations. The data was extracted in a predesigned proforma and analyzed. Results: We had 12 children with mean age at presentation being 6.8 months (range 3 months to 10 months.). Males were more commonly affected (83.3%, n = 10). Ten children (83.3%) were born out of consanguineous parentage. All of them had visual impairment and pyramidal signs. Seizures were noted in five (42%) children. Normal head size in three (25%) and microcephaly in two (16.66%) cases were noted. Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) revealed signal changes with bilateral symmetric T2W white matter (WM) hyperintensities in subcortical U fibers in all cases. MRS was done in ten children, all of which showed increased NAA peak. Increased level of NAA in urinary GCMS was noted in six out of eight children. Six cases had homozygous pathogenic variants in ASPA gene. Antenatal diagnosis helped in prevention of recurrence in three families. Conclusion: Urinary NAA and MRS showing NAA peak are useful in diagnosis of CD. Macrocephaly is not a necessary finding to diagnose CD. Early diagnosis helps in genetic counseling and prevention of subsequent conceptions.
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Affiliation(s)
- Vykuntaraju K Gowda
- Department of Pediatric Neurology Resident, Indira Gandhi Institute of Child Health, Bengaluru, Karnataka, India
| | - Narmadham K Bharathi
- Department of Pediatrics, Indira Gandhi Institute of Child Health, Bengaluru, Karnataka, India
| | - Jamunashree Bettaiah
- Department of Pediatric Neurology Resident, Indira Gandhi Institute of Child Health, Bengaluru, Karnataka, India
| | - Maya Bhat
- Department of Neuroradiology, National Institute of Mental Health and Neurosciences (NIMHANS), Bengaluru, Karnataka, India
| | - Sanjay K Shivappa
- Department of Pediatrics, Indira Gandhi Institute of Child Health, Bengaluru, Karnataka, India
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Mutthamsetty V, Dahal GP, Wang Q, Viola RE. Development of bisubstrate analog inhibitors of aspartate
N
‐acetyltransferase, a critical brain enzyme. Chem Biol Drug Des 2019; 95:48-57. [DOI: 10.1111/cbdd.13586] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/01/2019] [Revised: 05/31/2019] [Accepted: 06/17/2019] [Indexed: 11/25/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Vinay Mutthamsetty
- Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry University of Toledo Toledo OH USA
| | - Gopal P. Dahal
- Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry University of Toledo Toledo OH USA
| | - Qinzhe Wang
- Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry University of Toledo Toledo OH USA
| | - Ronald E. Viola
- Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry University of Toledo Toledo OH USA
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Qu Y, Liu Y, Noor AF, Tran J, Li R. Characteristics and advantages of adeno-associated virus vector-mediated gene therapy for neurodegenerative diseases. Neural Regen Res 2019; 14:931-938. [PMID: 30761996 PMCID: PMC6404499 DOI: 10.4103/1673-5374.250570] [Citation(s) in RCA: 31] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/15/2018] [Accepted: 12/13/2018] [Indexed: 02/06/2023] Open
Abstract
Common neurodegenerative diseases of the central nervous system are characterized by progressive damage to the function of neurons, even leading to the permanent loss of function. Gene therapy via gene replacement or gene correction provides the potential for transformative therapies to delay or possibly stop further progression of the neurodegenerative disease in affected patients. Adeno-associated virus has been the vector of choice in recent clinical trials of therapies for neurodegenerative diseases due to its safety and efficiency in mediating gene transfer to the central nervous system. This review aims to discuss and summarize the progress and clinical applications of adeno-associated virus in neurodegenerative disease in central nervous system. Results from some clinical trials and successful cases of central neurodegenerative diseases deserve further study and exploration.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yuan Qu
- Department of Hand Surgery, the Second Hospital of Jilin University, Changchun, Jilin Province, China
| | - Yi Liu
- Department of Orthopedics, Qilu Hospital of Shandong University, Jinan, Shandong Province, China
| | - Ahmed Fayyaz Noor
- Department of Chemistry, University of Massachusetts Lowell, Lowell, MA, USA
| | - Johnathan Tran
- Department of Premedical and Health Studies, Massachusetts College of Pharmacy and Health Sciences, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Rui Li
- Department of Hand Surgery, the Second Hospital of Jilin University, Changchun, Jilin Province, China
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Jurdáková H, Górová R, Addová G, Behúlová D, Ostrovský I. The state of treatment approach and diagnostics in Canavan disease with focus on the determination of N-acetylasparic acid. CHEMICAL PAPERS 2017. [DOI: 10.1007/s11696-016-0033-3] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/20/2022]
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Roscoe RB, Elliott C, Zarros A, Baillie GS. Non-genetic therapeutic approaches to Canavan disease. J Neurol Sci 2016; 366:116-124. [DOI: 10.1016/j.jns.2016.05.012] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/28/2015] [Revised: 04/11/2016] [Accepted: 05/09/2016] [Indexed: 01/30/2023]
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Kantor B, McCown T, Leone P, Gray SJ. Clinical applications involving CNS gene transfer. ADVANCES IN GENETICS 2015; 87:71-124. [PMID: 25311921 DOI: 10.1016/b978-0-12-800149-3.00002-0] [Citation(s) in RCA: 44] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/07/2023]
Abstract
Diseases of the central nervous system (CNS) have traditionally been the most difficult to treat by traditional pharmacological methods, due mostly to the blood-brain barrier and the difficulties associated with repeated drug administration targeting the CNS. Viral vector gene transfer represents a way to permanently provide a therapeutic protein within the nervous system after a single administration, whether this be a gene replacement strategy for an inherited disorder or a disease-modifying protein for a disease such as Parkinson's. Gene therapy approaches for CNS disorders has evolved considerably over the last two decades. Although a breakthrough treatment has remained elusive, current strategies are now considerably safer and potentially much more effective. This chapter will explore the past, current, and future status of CNS gene therapy, focusing on clinical trials utilizing adeno-associated virus and lentiviral vectors.
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Affiliation(s)
- Boris Kantor
- Department of Pharmacology, Physiology, and Neuroscience, University of South Carolina, Columbia, SC, USA
| | - Thomas McCown
- Gene Therapy Center, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, NC, USA; Department of Psychiatry, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, NC, USA
| | - Paola Leone
- Department of Cell Biology, Rowan University, Camden, NJ, USA
| | - Steven J Gray
- Gene Therapy Center, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, NC, USA; Department of Ophthalmology, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, NC, USA
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Abstract
The autosomal recessive Canavan disease (CD) is a neurological disorder that begins in infancy. CD is caused by mutations in the gene encoding the ASPA enzyme. It has been reported with high frequency in patients with Jewish ancestry, and with low frequency in non-Jewish patients. This review will shed light on some updates regarding CD prevalence and causative mutations across the Arab World. CD was reported in several Arab countries such as Saudi Arabia, Egypt, Jordan, Yemen, Kuwait, and Tunisia. The population with the highest risk is in Saudi Arabia due the prevalent consanguineous marriage culture. In several studies, four novel mutations were found among Arabian CD patients, including two missense mutations (p.C152R, p.C152W), a 3346bp deletion leading to the removal of exon 3 of the ASPA gene, and an insertion mutation (698insC). Other previously reported mutations, which led to damage in the ASPA enzyme activities found among CD Arab patients are c.530 T>C (p.I177T), c.79G>A (p.G27R), IVS4+1G>T, and a 92kb deletion, which is 7.16kb upstream from the ASPA start site. This review will help in developing customized molecular diagnostic approaches and promoting CD carrier screening in the Arab world in areas where consanguineous marriage is common particularly within Saudi Arabia.
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Hoshino H, Kubota M. Canavan disease: clinical features and recent advances in research. Pediatr Int 2014; 56:477-83. [PMID: 24977939 DOI: 10.1111/ped.12422] [Citation(s) in RCA: 49] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/17/2014] [Revised: 04/30/2014] [Accepted: 05/20/2014] [Indexed: 12/19/2022]
Abstract
Canavan disease (CD) is a genetic neurodegenerative leukodystrophy that results in the spongy degeneration of white matter in the brain. CD is characterized by mutations in the gene encoding aspartoacylase (ASPA), the substrate enzyme that hydrolyzes N-acetylaspartic acid (NAA) to acetate and aspartate. Elevated NAA and subsequent deficiency in acetate associated with this disease cause progressive neurological symptoms, such as macrocephaly, visuocognitive dysfunction, and psychomotor delay. The prevalence of CD is higher among Ashkenazi Jewish people, and several types of mutations have been reported in the gene coding ASPA. Highly elevated NAA is more specific to CD than other leukodystrophies, and an examination of urinary NAA concentration is useful for diagnosing CD. Many researchers are now examining the mechanisms responsible for white matter degeneration or dysmyelination in CD using mouse models, and several persuasive hypotheses have been suggested for the pathophysiology of CD. One is that NAA serves as a water pump; consequently, a disorder in NAA catabolism leads to astrocytic edema. Another hypothesis is that the hydrolyzation of NAA in oligodendrocytes is essential for myelin synthesis through the supply of acetate. Although there is currently no curative therapy for CD, dietary supplements are candidates that may retard the progression of the symptoms associated with CD. Furthermore, gene therapies using viral vectors have been investigated using rat models. These therapies have been found to be tolerable with no severe long-term adverse effects, reduce the elevated NAA in the brain, and may be applied to humans in the future.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hideki Hoshino
- Department of Pediatrics, University of Tokyo, Tokyo, Japan; Division of Neurology, National Center for Child Health and Development, Tokyo, Japan
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Meffre D, Grenier J, Bernard S, Courtin F, Dudev T, Shackleford G, Jafarian-Tehrani M, Massaad C. Wnt and lithium: a common destiny in the therapy of nervous system pathologies? Cell Mol Life Sci 2014; 71:1123-48. [PMID: 23749084 PMCID: PMC11113114 DOI: 10.1007/s00018-013-1378-1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 38] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/31/2013] [Revised: 04/26/2013] [Accepted: 05/16/2013] [Indexed: 02/07/2023]
Abstract
Wnt signaling is required for neurogenesis, the fate of neural progenitors, the formation of neuronal circuits during development, neuron positioning and polarization, axon and dendrite development and finally for synaptogenesis. This signaling pathway is also implicated in the generation and differentiation of glial cells. In this review, we describe the mechanisms of action of Wnt signaling pathways and their implication in the development and correct functioning of the nervous system. We also illustrate how a dysregulated Wnt pathway could lead to psychiatric, neurodegenerative and demyelinating pathologies. Lithium, used for the treatment of bipolar disease, inhibits GSK3β, a central enzyme of the Wnt/β-catenin pathway. Thus, lithium could, to some extent, mimic Wnt pathway. We highlight the possible dialogue between lithium therapy and modulation of Wnt pathway in the treatment of the diseases of the nervous system.
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Affiliation(s)
- Delphine Meffre
- UMR 8194 CNRS, University Paris Descartes, 45 rue des Saints-Pères, 75270 Paris Cedex 6, France
| | - Julien Grenier
- UMR 8194 CNRS, University Paris Descartes, 45 rue des Saints-Pères, 75270 Paris Cedex 6, France
| | - Sophie Bernard
- UMR 8194 CNRS, University Paris Descartes, 45 rue des Saints-Pères, 75270 Paris Cedex 6, France
| | - Françoise Courtin
- UMR 8194 CNRS, University Paris Descartes, 45 rue des Saints-Pères, 75270 Paris Cedex 6, France
| | - Todor Dudev
- Institute of Biomedical Sciences, Academia Sinica, 11529 Taipei, Taiwan, R.O.C
- Faculty of Chemistry and Pharmacy, University of Sofia, 1 James Bourchier Avenue, 1164 Sofia, Bulgaria
| | | | | | - Charbel Massaad
- UMR 8194 CNRS, University Paris Descartes, 45 rue des Saints-Pères, 75270 Paris Cedex 6, France
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Clarner T, Wieczorek N, Krauspe B, Jansen K, Beyer C, Kipp M. Astroglial redistribution of aquaporin 4 during spongy degeneration in a Canavan disease mouse model. J Mol Neurosci 2013; 53:22-30. [PMID: 24272958 DOI: 10.1007/s12031-013-0184-4] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/24/2013] [Accepted: 11/13/2013] [Indexed: 02/06/2023]
Abstract
Canavan disease is a spongiform leukodystrophy caused by an autosomal recessive mutation in the aspartoacylase gene. Deficiency of oligodendroglial aspartoacylase activity and a subsequent increase of its substrate N-acetylaspartate are the etiologic factors for the disease. N-acetylaspartate acts as a molecular water pump. Therefore, an osmotic-hydrostatic mechanism is thought to be involved in the development of the Canavan disease phenotype. Astrocytes express water transporters and are critically involved in regulating and maintaining water homeostasis in the brain. We used the ASPA(Nur7/Nur7) mouse model of Canavan disease to investigate whether a disturbance of water homeostasis might be involved in the disease's progression. Animals showed an age-dependent impairment of motor performance and spongy degeneration in various brain regions, among the basal ganglia, brain stem, and cerebellar white matter. Astrocyte activation was prominent in regions which displayed less tissue damage, such as the corpus callosum, cortex, mesencephalon, and stratum Purkinje of cerebellar lobe IV. Immunohistochemistry revealed alterations in the cellular distribution of the water channel aquaporin 4 in astrocytes of ASPA(Nur7/Nur7) mice. In control animals, aquaporin 4 was located exclusively in the astrocytic end feet. In contrast, in ASPA(Nur7/Nur7) mice, aquaporin 4 was located throughout the cytoplasm. These results indicate that astroglial regulation of water homeostasis might be involved in the partial prevention of spongy degeneration. These observations highlight aquaporin 4 as a potential therapeutic target for Canavan disease.
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Affiliation(s)
- Tim Clarner
- Institute of Neuroanatomy, RWTH Aachen University, Wendlingweg 2, 52074, Aachen, Germany,
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Glicksman S, Borgen C, Blackstein M, Gordon A, Hanon I, Kusin D, Leibowitz B, Halle J. A thematic review of scientific and family interests in Canavan Disease: where are the developmentalists? JOURNAL OF INTELLECTUAL DISABILITY RESEARCH : JIDR 2013; 57:815-825. [PMID: 22676184 DOI: 10.1111/j.1365-2788.2012.01576.x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/01/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Canavan Disease is a degenerative neurological condition resulting in a spongy deterioration of the brain. Much research has been conducted by the medical community regarding this condition, but little research can be found in the psychological literature. METHOD A review of the scientific literature related to Canavan Disease using the Psychinfo and PubMed databases was conducted covering a 5-year span from 2006 through 2011. Concurrently, a review of parent initiated topics found on the most popular Canavan Disease Internet discussion board was conducted for comparison purposes. RESULTS When comparing the topics discussed and information sought among parents with the themes noted in the extant scientific literature, researchers found an exceedingly small overlap between the two communities of interest. In the scientific literature, published research on Canavan Disease focused on three areas: the biochemistry of Canavan Disease, diagnosis and genetic counselling, and clinical therapeutic approaches in Canavan Disease. Of the 42 unique topics raised on a popular Internet discussion board, however, only three (7%) fell into the category of diagnosis and genetic counselling, none (0%) fell into the category of the biochemistry of Canavan Disease, and four fell into the category of clinical therapeutic approaches in Canavan Disease (10%). Of the four posts addressing clinical therapeutic approaches to Canavan Disease, only one post truly overlapped with the topics addressed by the scientific community. Worded differently, while these three categories comprise 100% of the extant scientific literature regarding Canavan Disease, they comprise only 17% of the parent-raised topics. The remaining 83% of parent-raised topics addressed concerns not currently being focusing upon by the scientific community, namely, non-medical practical issues, information regarding specific characteristics of Canavan Disease, non-medical developmental and quality of life issues, and day-to-day developmental and medical concerns. CONCLUSION By comparing the extant literature on Canavan Disease with the topics of interest raised by parents and caregivers, it seems clear that there is a significant 'underlap' of topics raised by these two communities of interest, one that may reflect a lack of sensitivity on the part of the scientific community to meet the needs of this population of knowledge seekers. It is the suggestion of these authors that developmental psychology may be the appropriate scientific field within which to address this need and fill this gap in the current literature.
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Leone P, Shera D, McPhee SWJ, Francis JS, Kolodny EH, Bilaniuk LT, Wang DJ, Assadi M, Goldfarb O, Goldman HW, Freese A, Young D, During MJ, Samulski RJ, Janson CG. Long-term follow-up after gene therapy for canavan disease. Sci Transl Med 2013; 4:165ra163. [PMID: 23253610 DOI: 10.1126/scitranslmed.3003454] [Citation(s) in RCA: 178] [Impact Index Per Article: 16.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/02/2022]
Abstract
Canavan disease is a hereditary leukodystrophy caused by mutations in the aspartoacylase gene (ASPA), leading to loss of enzyme activity and increased concentrations of the substrate N-acetyl-aspartate (NAA) in the brain. Accumulation of NAA results in spongiform degeneration of white matter and severe impairment of psychomotor development. The goal of this prospective cohort study was to assess long-term safety and preliminary efficacy measures after gene therapy with an adeno-associated viral vector carrying the ASPA gene (AAV2-ASPA). Using noninvasive magnetic resonance imaging and standardized clinical rating scales, we observed Canavan disease in 28 patients, with a subset of 13 patients being treated with AAV2-ASPA. Each patient received 9 × 10(11) vector genomes via intraparenchymal delivery at six brain infusion sites. Safety data collected over a minimum 5-year follow-up period showed a lack of long-term adverse events related to the AAV2 vector. Posttreatment effects were analyzed using a generalized linear mixed model, which showed changes in predefined surrogate markers of disease progression and clinical assessment subscores. AAV2-ASPA gene therapy resulted in a decrease in elevated NAA in the brain and slowed progression of brain atrophy, with some improvement in seizure frequency and with stabilization of overall clinical status.
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Affiliation(s)
- Paola Leone
- Department of Cell Biology, Cell & Gene Therapy Center, University of Medicine & Dentistry of New Jersey, Stratford, NJ 08034, USA.
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Baslow M, Guilfoyle D. Canavan disease, a rare early-onset human spongiform leukodystrophy: Insights into its genesis and possible clinical interventions. Biochimie 2013; 95:946-56. [DOI: 10.1016/j.biochi.2012.10.023] [Citation(s) in RCA: 22] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/30/2012] [Accepted: 10/27/2012] [Indexed: 01/14/2023]
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Bergeron M, Clémençon B, Hediger M, Markovich D. SLC13 family of Na+-coupled di- and tri-carboxylate/sulfate transporters. Mol Aspects Med 2013; 34:299-312. [DOI: 10.1016/j.mam.2012.12.001] [Citation(s) in RCA: 83] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/08/2012] [Accepted: 11/16/2012] [Indexed: 12/22/2022]
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Solsona MDE, Fernández LL, Boquet EM, Andrés JLP. Lithium citrate as treatment of Canavan disease. Clin Neuropharmacol 2012; 35:150-1. [PMID: 22592512 DOI: 10.1097/wnf.0b013e3182515c9d] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/25/2022]
Abstract
Canavan disease is a rare autosomal recessive leukodystrophy characterized by abnormal accumulation of N-acetyl aspartate (NAA) in brain white matter. Currently, there is no cure for this disease, and management of patients consists mainly of treating symptoms. We describe a 3-month-old girl who was hospitalized for poor head control and decreased muscle tone. A battery of laboratory and genetic (homozygous mutation p.C218X) analysis revealed the presence of Canavan disease. Lithium citrate was initiated at a dosage of 45 mg/kg per day after diagnosis. Periodic controls of thyroid and liver function, and lithium levels in blood showed that this drug was sure and well tolerated. After 1 year of treatment, NAA levels decreased by approximately 20% in the brain region, urinary NAA levels showed a reduction of 80%, and patient improved alertness and visual tracking but continued with no heat support, axial hypotonia, and spastic diplegia. In our patient, the results obtained after drug administration are important with respect to the decrease in NAA and more discreet in clinical improvement. However, given the absence of adverse effects and limited treatment options, lithium citrate may be a good alternative to stop the progression of the disease and improve the quality of life of patients.
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Abstract
Leukodystrophies comprise a broad group of progressive, inherited disorders affecting mainly myelin. They often present after a variable period of normalcy with a variety of neurologic problems. Though the ultimate diagnosis is not found in many patients with leukodystrophies, distinctive features unique to them aid in diagnosis, treatment and prognostication. The clinical characteristics, etiologies, diagnostic testing and treatment options are reviewed in detail for some of the major leukodystrophies: X-linked adrenoleukodystrophy, Krabbe disease, metachromatic leukodystrophy, Pelizaeus-Merzbacher disease, Alexander disease, Canavan disease, megalencephalic leukoencephalopathy with subcortical cysts and vanishing white matter disease.
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Affiliation(s)
- Seth J Perlman
- Department of Neurology, Washington University School of Medicine, Saint Louis, MO, USA
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Schober H, Luetschg J, Hoeliner I, Kalb S, Simma B. Canavan disease: a novel mutation. Pediatr Neurol 2011; 45:256-8. [PMID: 21907889 DOI: 10.1016/j.pediatrneurol.2011.06.011] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/05/2011] [Accepted: 06/10/2011] [Indexed: 10/17/2022]
Abstract
Canavan disease, an autosomal recessive inherited leukodystrophy caused by an aspartoacylase deficiency, is common among children of Ashkenazi Jewish descent. We report on a non-Jewish female infant who presented at age 6 months with progressive macrocephaly and developmental delay. A sequence analysis of the aspartoacylase gene revealed compound heterozygosity for a known mutation and for the mutation c.432G>A in exon 2, which has not yet been described in Canavan disease.
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Affiliation(s)
- Harald Schober
- Department of Pediatrics, Academic Teaching Hospital, Feldkirch, Austria.
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Assadi M, Janson C, Wang DJ, Goldfarb O, Suri N, Bilaniuk L, Leone P. Lithium citrate reduces excessive intra-cerebral N-acetyl aspartate in Canavan disease. Eur J Paediatr Neurol 2010; 14:354-9. [PMID: 20034825 DOI: 10.1016/j.ejpn.2009.11.006] [Citation(s) in RCA: 40] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/25/2009] [Revised: 10/27/2009] [Accepted: 11/26/2009] [Indexed: 11/18/2022]
Abstract
Our group has previously reported the first clinical application of lithium in a child affected by Canavan disease. In this study, we aimed to assess the effects of lithium on N-acetyl aspartate (NAA) as well as other end points in a larger cohort. Six patients with clinical, laboratory and genetic confirmation of Canavan disease were recruited and underwent treatment with lithium. The battery of safety and efficacy testing performed before and after sixty days of treatment included Gross Motor Function Testing (GMFM), Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI) Proton Magnetic Spectroscopy (H-MRS) as well as blood work. The medication was safe without any clinical or laboratory evidence for toxicity. Parental reports indicated improvement in alertness and social interactions. GMFM did not show statistically significant improvement in motor development. H-MRS documented an overall drop in NAA which was statistically significant in the basal ganglia. T1 measurements recorded on MRI studies suggested a mild improvement in myelination in the frontal white matter after treatment. Diffusion Tensor Imaging was available in two patients and suggested micro-structural improvement in the corpus callosum. The results suggest that lithium administration may be beneficial in patients with Canavan disease.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mitra Assadi
- Robert Wood Johnson Medical School, Neurology, 3 Cooper Plaza, Suite 320, Camden, NJ 08103, USA.
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Lima TZ, Blanco MM, Santos Júnior JGD, Coelho CT, Mello LE. Staying at the crossroads: assessment of the potential of serum lithium monitoring in predicting an ideal lithium dose. BRAZILIAN JOURNAL OF PSYCHIATRY 2009; 30:215-21. [PMID: 18833421 DOI: 10.1590/s1516-44462008000300007] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/22/2008] [Accepted: 06/25/2008] [Indexed: 11/21/2022]
Abstract
OBJECTIVE Lithium has been successfully employed to treat bipolar disorder for decades, and recently, was shown to attenuate the symptoms of other pathologies such as Alzheimer's disease, Down's syndrome, ischemic processes, and glutamate-mediated excitotoxicity. However, lithium's narrow therapeutic range limits its broader use. Therefore, the development of methods to better predict its dose becomes essential to an ideal therapy. METHOD the performance of adult Wistar rats was evaluated at the open field and elevated plus maze after a six weeks treatment with chow supplemented with 0.255%, or 0.383% of lithium chloride, or normal feed. Thereafter, blood samples were collected to measure the serum lithium concentration. RESULTS Animals fed with 0.255% lithium chloride supplemented chow presented a higher rearing frequency at the open field, and higher frequency of arms entrance at the elevated plus maze than animals fed with a 50% higher lithium dose presented. Nevertheless, both groups presented similar lithium plasmatic concentration. DISCUSSION different behaviors induced by both lithium doses suggest that these animals had different lithium distribution in their brains that was not detected by lithium serum measurement. CONCLUSION serum lithium concentration measurements do not seem to provide sufficient precision to support its use as predictive of behaviors.
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Affiliation(s)
- Thiago Zaqueu Lima
- Department of Physiology, Universidade Federal de São Paulo, São Paulo, SP, Brazil
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Kölker S, Sauer SW, Hoffmann GF, Müller I, Morath MA, Okun JG. Pathogenesis of CNS involvement in disorders of amino and organic acid metabolism. J Inherit Metab Dis 2008; 31:194-204. [PMID: 18392748 DOI: 10.1007/s10545-008-0823-z] [Citation(s) in RCA: 35] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/27/2007] [Revised: 02/12/2008] [Accepted: 02/14/2008] [Indexed: 12/21/2022]
Abstract
Inherited disorders of amino and organic acid metabolism have a high cumulative frequency, and despite heterogeneous aetiology and varying clinical presentation, the manifestation of neurological disease is common. It has been demonstrated for some of these diseases that accumulating pathological metabolites are directly involved in the manifestation of neurological disease. Various pathomechanisms have been suggested in different in vitro and in vivo models including an impairment of brain energy metabolism, an imbalance of excitatory and inhibitory neurotransmission, altered transport across the blood-brain barrier and between glial cells and neurons, impairment of myelination and disturbed neuronal efflux of metabolic water. This review summarizes recent knowledge on pathomechanisms involved in phenylketonuria, glutaric aciduria type I, succinic semialdehyde dehydrogenase deficiency and aspartoacylase deficiency with examples, highlighting general as well as disease-specific concepts and their putative impact on treatment.
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Affiliation(s)
- S Kölker
- Department of General Pediatrics, Division of Inherited Metabolic Disease, University Children’s Hospital Heidelberg, Heidelberg, Germany.
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Al-Dirbashi OY, Rashed MS, Al-Mokhadab MA, Al-Qahtani K, Al-Sayed MAA, Kurdi W. Stable isotope dilution analysis of N-acetylaspartic acid in urine by liquid chromatography electrospray ionization tandem mass spectrometry. Biomed Chromatogr 2007; 21:898-902. [PMID: 17441217 DOI: 10.1002/bmc.815] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/09/2022]
Abstract
N-acetylaspartic acid (NAA) is a specific urinary marker for Canavan disease, an autosomal recessive leukodystrophy. We developed a 'dilute and shoot' stable isotope dilution liquid chromatography tandem mass spectrometry (LC-MS/MS) method for determination of NAA in urine. Deuterated internal standard d(3)-NAA was added to untreated urine and the mixture was injected into the LC-MS/MS system operated in the negative ion mode. Chromatography was carried out on a C(8) minibore column using 50% acetonitrile solution containing 0.05% formic acid at a flow rate of 0.25 mL/min. The retention time was 1.6 min and the turnaround time was 2.2 min. NAA and d(3)-NAA were analyzed in multiple reaction monitoring mode. Calibrators and quality control samples were prepared in pooled control urine. The assay was linear up to 2000 micromol/L with limit of quantification at 1 micromol/L (S/N = 12). Interassay and intraassay coefficients of variation were less than 7% and recovery at three different concentrations was 98.9-102.5%. The LC-MS/MS method for NAA as described involves no extraction and no derivatization, showed no interference and gave excellent recovery with low variability and short analytical time. The method was successfully applied for the retrospective analysis of urine from 21 Canavan disease cases.
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Affiliation(s)
- Osama Y Al-Dirbashi
- National Laboratory for Newborn Screening, King Faisal Specialist Hospital and Research Centre, PO Box 3354, Riyadh 11211, Saudi Arabia
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Janson CG, Kolodny EH, Zeng BJ, Raghavan S, Pastores G, Torres P, Assadi M, McPhee S, Goldfarb O, Saslow B, Freese A, Wang DJ, Bilaniuk L, Shera D, Leone P. Mild-onset presentation of Canavan's disease associated with novel G212A point mutation in aspartoacylase gene. Ann Neurol 2006; 59:428-31. [PMID: 16437572 DOI: 10.1002/ana.20787] [Citation(s) in RCA: 29] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/06/2022]
Abstract
We describe two sisters with a mild-onset variant of Canavan's disease who presented at age 50 and 19 months with developmental delay but without macrocephaly, hypotonia, spasticity, or seizures. Remarkably, both patients had age-appropriate head control, gross motor development, and muscle tone. There were very mild deficits in fine motor skills, coordination, and gait. Both sisters had a history of strabismus, but otherwise vision was normal. The older child showed evidence of mild cognitive and social impairment, whereas language and behavior were normal for age in the infant. Both patients were found to be compound heterozygotes for C914A (A305E) and G212A (R71H) mutations in ASPA. Like all other known ASPA mutations, this previously unknown G212A mutation appears to have low absolute enzyme activity. Nevertheless, it is associated in these patients with an extremely benign phenotype that is highly atypical of Canavan's disease. Biochemical and clinical data were evaluated using a generalized linear mixed model generated from 25 other subjects with Canavan's disease. There were statistically significant differences in brain chemistry and clinical evaluations, supporting a distinct variant of Canavan's disease. Future studies of ASPA enzyme structure and gene regulation in these subjects could lead to a better understanding of Canavan's pathophysiology and improvements in ASPA gene therapy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Christopher G Janson
- Department of Neurology, University of Medicine and Dentistry of New Jersey-Robert Wood Johnson Medical School, Camden, NJ, USA.
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Abstract
Breakdown of oligodendrocyte-neuron interactions in white matter (WM), such as the loss of myelin, results in axonal dysfunction and hence a disruption of information processing between brain regions. The major feature of leukodystrophies is the lack of proper myelin formation during early development or the onset of myelin loss late in life. These early childhood WM diseases are described as hypomyelination or dysmyelination arising from a primary block in normal myelin synthesis because of a genetic mutation expressed in oligodendrocytes, or failure in myelination secondary to neuronal or astroglial dysfunctions (van der Knaap 2001 Dev. Med. Child Neurol. 43:705-712). Here, we describe the pathophysiological parameters of Canavan disease (CD), caused by genetic mutations of the aspartoacylase (ASPA) gene, a metabolic enzyme restricted in the central nervous system (CNS) to oligodendrocytes. CD presents pathophysiological dysfunctions similar to diseases caused by myelin gene mutations, such as Pelizaeus-Merzbacher disease (PMD) and several animal models, such as myelin deficient rat (md), jimpy (jp), shiverer (sh), and quaking (qk viable) mutant mice. These single gene mutations have pleiotropic effects, whereby the alteration of one myelin gene expression disrupts functional expression of other oligodendrocyte genes with an outcome of hypomyelination/dysmyelination. Among all of the known leukodystrophies, CD is the first disorder, which was approved and tested for the adeno-associated virus vector (AAV)-ASPA gene therapy (Leone et al. 2000 Ann. Neurol. 48:27-38; Janson et al. 2001 Trends Neurosci. 24:706-712) without much success following the first two attempts. ASPA gene delivery attempts in animal models have shown a lowering of N-acetyl L-aspartate and a change in motor functions, while sponginess of the WM, a characteristic of CD remained unchanged (Matalon et al. 2003 Mol. Ther. 7 (5, Part 1):580-587; McPhee et al. 2005 Brain Res. Mol. Brain Res. 135:112-121) even with better viral serotype and delivery of the gene during early phase of development (Klugmann et al. 2005 Mol. Ther. 11:745-753). While different approaches are being sought for the success of gene therapy, there are pivotal developmental questions to address regarding the specific regions of the CNS and cell lineages that become the target for the onset and progression of CD symptoms from early to late stages of development.
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Affiliation(s)
- Shalini Kumar
- Department of Neurobiology, Mental Retardation Research Center, Semel Institute for Neuroscience and Human Behavior, University of California, Los Angeles, California 90095-7332, USA
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