Liver and pituitary abnormalities in Hallervorden-Spatz disease

Neurodegeneration with brain iron accumulation, type 1 is characterized by alpha-, beta-, and gamma-synuclein neuropathology

Neurodegeneration with brain iron accumulation, type 1 (NBIA 1), or Hallervorden-Spatz syndrome, is a rare neurodegenerative disorder characterized clinically by Parkinsonism, cognitive impairment, pseudobulbar features, as well as cerebellar ataxia, and neuropathologically by neuronal loss, gliosis, and iron deposition in the globus pallidus, red nucleus, and substantia nigra. The hallmark pathological lesions of NBIA 1 are axonal spheroids, but Lewy body (LB)-like intraneuronal inclusions, glial inclusions, and rare neurofibrillary tangles also occur. Here we show that there is an accumulation of alpha-synuclein (alphaS) in LB-like inclusions, glial inclusions, and spheroids in the brains of three NBIA 1 patients. Further, beta-synuclein (betaS) and gamma-synuclein (gammaS) immunoreactivity was detected in spheroids but not in LB-like or glial inclusions. Western blot analysis demonstrated high-molecular weight alphaS aggregates in the high-salt-soluble and Triton X-100-insoluble/sodium dodecyl sulfate-soluble fraction of the NBIA 1 brain. Significantly, the levels of alphaS were markedly reduced in the Triton X-100-soluble fractions compared to control brain, and unlike other synucleinopathies, insoluble alphaS did not accumulate in the formic acid-soluble fraction. These findings expand the concept of neurodegenerative synucleinopathies by implicating alphaS, betaS, and gammaS in the pathogenesis of NBIA 1.

Stereotactic pallidotomy in a child with Hallervorden-Spatz disease. Case report

The authors present a case of Hallervorden-Spatz disease (HSD) in a 10-year-old boy treated with stereotactic pallidotomy for control of severe dystonia. Hallervorden-Spatz disease is a rare type of neuraxonal dystrophy that can be familial or sporadic. This is the first case of HSD reported in the literature in which a pallidotomy was performed. The patient had progressively worsening dystonias and spasms that prevented useful function of his entire right side and eventually threatened his respiratory ability. Pre- and postoperative magnetic resonance images are presented along with electrophysiological recordings made in the globus pallidus at the time of surgery. Functional improvement in the use of the patient's limbs and relief from the painful dystonia were observed. Stereotactic pallidotomy should be considered as a potential treatment in the management of HSD.

Clinical features of neuroleptic malignant syndrome in basal ganglia disease. Spontaneous presentation in a patient with Hallervorden-Spatz disease in the absence of neuroleptic drugs

Hallervorden-Spatz disease is a rare autosomal recessive disorder in which dopaminergic deficiency in the substantia nigra and its nigrostriatal projection has been identified. It is characterised by a slow but progressive course culminating in death. This case report describes a 13-year-old male, with a clinical diagnosis of Hallervorden-Spatz disease, who developed recurrent episodes of an acute illness, the features of which closely resembled those of the neuroleptic malignant syndrome. However, in this patient there had been no exposure to neuroleptic medication. The clinical events in this case suggest that dopaminergic hypoactivity, which is characteristic of Hallervorden-Spatz disease, can trigger episodes of neuroleptic malignant syndrome.