Anticipation in familial intracranial aneurysms in consecutive generations

Genetic Insights into the Enigma of Family Intracranial Aneurysms

Familial intracranial aneurysms (FIAs) are distinguished by significant genetic predisposition, leading to clustering of cases within families and heightening the risk of subarachnoid hemorrhage following aneurysm rupture. This review analyzes recent advancements in understanding the genetic and molecular mechanisms underlying FIAs, focusing on key genetic risk factors and environmental influences. We explore cutting-edge genome-wide association studies and next-generation sequencing technologies, which have identified susceptibility genes such as ANGPTL6, peptidyl proline cis-trans isomerase like protein 4, and NOTCH3 as crucial contributors to FIA pathophysiology. By incorporating findings from multiomics and gene-editing research, we highlight the potential for improved screening, preventive strategies, and therapeutic approaches. These insights are essential to advancing precision medicine in managing FIAs, paving the way for collaborative research and targeted interventions.

Shedding the Light on the Natural History of Intracranial Aneurysms: An Updated Overview

The exact molecular pathways underlying the multifactorial natural history of intracranial aneurysms (IAs) are still largely unknown, to the point that their understanding represents an imperative challenge in neurovascular research. Wall shear stress (WSS) promotes the genesis of IAs through an endothelial dysfunction causing an inflammatory cascade, vessel remodeling, phenotypic switching of the smooth muscle cells, and myointimal hyperplasia. Aneurysm growth is supported by endothelial oxidative stress and inflammatory mediators, whereas low and high WSS determine the rupture in sidewall and endwall IAs, respectively. Angioarchitecture, age older than 60 years, female gender, hypertension, cigarette smoking, alcohol abuse, and hypercholesterolemia also contribute to growth and rupture. The improvements of aneurysm wall imaging techniques and the implementation of target therapies targeted against inflammatory cascade may contribute to significantly modify the natural history of IAs. This narrative review strives to summarize the recent advances in the comprehension of the mechanisms underlying the genesis, growth, and rupture of IAs.

The case for family screening for intracranial aneurysms

Given that relatives of patients with intracranial aneurysms (IAs) or subarachnoid hemorrhage have a greater risk of harboring an aneurysm, family screening has become a common practice in neurosurgery. Unclear data exist regarding who should be screened and at what age and interval screening should occur. Multiple factors including the natural history of IAs, the risk of treatment, the cost of screening, and the psychosocial impact of finding an aneurysm should be taken into account when family screening is considered. In this paper, the authors review the current literature regarding risk factors and natural history of sporadic and familial aneurysms. Based on these data the authors assess current recommendations for screening and propose their own recommendations.

Age at intracranial aneurysm rupture among generations: Familial Intracranial Aneurysm Study

BACKGROUND

Previous studies have reported intracranial aneurysm (IA) occurring at young ages in subsequent generations. These studies did not correct for duration of follow-up. Second-generation members who would have their ruptured IA late in life may not be detected due to shorter follow-up time than the first generation. We examined families in which ruptured IA occurred in two consecutive generations for the hypothesis that the second generation (F1) was more likely to have a rupture at a younger age than the older generation (F0).

METHODS

The Familial Intracranial Aneurysm (FIA) Study is a multicenter, international study recruiting families of ruptured and unruptured IA. All available family members are interviewed. Cox proportional hazards regression models and Kaplan-Meier curves were used to examine differences by generation.

RESULTS

Although we found that the F1 generation was more likely to have an aneurysm rupture at a younger age than the F0 generation, we found that this was largely because of a lack of follow-up time in the F1 generation. The F1 generation had 50% the rupture rate of the prior generation. When analyzed by Kaplan-Meier curves, we found a tendency to have a slightly later rupture rate in the F1 generation once time to follow-up was included in the analysis model.

CONCLUSIONS

Families of ruptured intracranial aneurysm (IA) do not appear to demonstrate "anticipation." Our finding suggests that genetic epidemiology of ruptured IA should examine all types of variations such as single base-pair changes, deletions, insertions, and other variations that do not demonstrate anticipation.

Molecular Genetics of Human Intracranial Aneurysms

Intracranial aneurysms (IAs) are the dilatations of blood vessels in the brain and pose potential risk of rupture leading to subarachnoid hemorrhage. Although the genetic basis of IAs is poorly understood, it is well-known that genetic factors play an important part in the pathogenesis of IAs. Therefore, the identifying susceptible genetic variants might lead to the understanding of the mechanism of formation and rupture of IAs and might also lead to the development of a pharmacological therapy. To elucidate the molecular pathogenesis of diseases has become a crucial step in the development of new treatment strategies. Although extensive genetic research and its potential implications for future prevention of this often fatal condition are urgently needed, efforts to elucidate the susceptibility loci of IAs are hindered by the issues bewildering the most common and complex genetic disorders, such as low penetrance, late onset, and uncertain modes of inheritance. These efforts are further complicated by the fact that many IA lesions remain asymptomatic or go undiagnosed. In this review, we present and discuss the current status of genetic studies of IAs and we recommend comprehensive genome-wide association studies to identify genetic loci that underlie this complex disease.

Genome-wide linkage in a large Dutch consanguineous family maps a locus for intracranial aneurysms to chromosome 2p13

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE

Familial occurrence of intracranial aneurysms suggests a genetic factor in the development of these aneurysms. In this study, we present the identification of a susceptibility locus for the development of intracranial aneurysms detected by a genome-wide linkage approach in a large consanguineous pedigree.

METHODS

Patients with clinical signs and symptoms of intracranial aneurysms, confirmed by radiological, surgical, or postmortem investigations, were included in the study. Magnetic resonance angiography was used to detect asymptomatic aneurysms in relatives.

RESULTS

Seven out of 20 siblings had an intracranial aneurysm. Genome-wide multipoint linkage analysis showed a significant logarithm of the odds score of 3.55.

CONCLUSIONS

In a large consanguineous pedigree intracranial aneurysms are linked to chromosome 2p13 in a region between markers D2S2206 and D2S2977.