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van Gool R, Golden E, Goodlett B, Zhang F, Vogel AP, Tourville JA, Yao K, Cay M, Tiwari S, Yang E, Zekelman LR, Todd N, O'Donnell LJ, Ren B, Bodamer OA, Al-Hertani W, Upadhyay J. Characterization of central manifestations in patients with Niemann-Pick disease type C. Genet Med 2024; 26:101053. [PMID: 38131307 DOI: 10.1016/j.gim.2023.101053] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/14/2023] [Revised: 12/07/2023] [Accepted: 12/15/2023] [Indexed: 12/23/2023] Open
Abstract
PURPOSE Niemann-Pick disease type C (NPC) is a rare lysosomal storage disease characterized by progressive neurodegeneration and neuropsychiatric symptoms. This study investigated pathophysiological mechanisms underlying motor deficits, particularly speech production, and cognitive impairment. METHODS We prospectively phenotyped 8 adults with NPC and age-sex-matched healthy controls using a comprehensive assessment battery, encompassing clinical presentation, plasma biomarkers, hand-motor skills, speech production, cognitive tasks, and (micro-)structural and functional central nervous system properties through magnetic resonance imaging. RESULTS Patients with NPC demonstrated deficits in fine-motor skills, speech production timing and coordination, and cognitive performance. Magnetic resonance imaging revealed reduced cortical thickness and volume in cerebellar subdivisions (lobule VI and crus I), cortical (frontal, temporal, and cingulate gyri) and subcortical (thalamus and basal ganglia) regions, and increased choroid plexus volumes in NPC. White matter fractional anisotropy was reduced in specific pathways (intracerebellar input and Purkinje tracts), whereas diffusion tensor imaging graph theory analysis identified altered structural connectivity. Patients with NPC exhibited altered activity in sensorimotor and cognitive processing hubs during resting-state and speech production. Canonical component analysis highlighted the role of cerebellar-cerebral circuitry in NPC and its integration with behavioral performance and disease severity. CONCLUSION This deep phenotyping approach offers a comprehensive systems neuroscience understanding of NPC motor and cognitive impairments, identifying potential central nervous system biomarkers.
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Affiliation(s)
- Raquel van Gool
- Department of Anesthesiology, Critical Care and Pain Medicine, Boston Children's Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA
| | - Emma Golden
- Department of Anesthesiology, Critical Care and Pain Medicine, Boston Children's Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA
| | - Benjamin Goodlett
- Division of Genetics and Genomics, Boston Children's Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA
| | - Fan Zhang
- Department of Radiology, Brigham and Women's Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA
| | - Adam P Vogel
- Centre for Neuroscience of Speech, The University of Melbourne, Melbourne, Australia; Redenlab Inc., Melbourne, Australia
| | - Jason A Tourville
- Department of Speech, Language and Hearing Sciences, Sargent College of Health and Rehabilitation Sciences, Boston University, Boston, MA
| | - Kylie Yao
- Centre for Neuroscience of Speech, The University of Melbourne, Melbourne, Australia
| | - Mariesa Cay
- Department of Anesthesiology, Critical Care and Pain Medicine, Boston Children's Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA
| | - Sneham Tiwari
- Division of Genetics and Genomics, Boston Children's Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA
| | - Edward Yang
- Department of Radiology, Boston Children's Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA
| | - Leo R Zekelman
- Department of Radiology, Brigham and Women's Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA
| | - Nick Todd
- Department of Radiology, Brigham and Women's Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA
| | - Lauren J O'Donnell
- Department of Radiology, Brigham and Women's Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA
| | - Boyu Ren
- Department of Psychiatry, McLean Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Belmont, MA
| | - Olaf A Bodamer
- Division of Genetics and Genomics, Boston Children's Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA
| | - Walla Al-Hertani
- Division of Genetics and Genomics, Boston Children's Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA
| | - Jaymin Upadhyay
- Department of Anesthesiology, Critical Care and Pain Medicine, Boston Children's Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA; Department of Psychiatry, McLean Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Belmont, MA.
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Pfrieger FW. The Niemann-Pick type diseases – A synopsis of inborn errors in sphingolipid and cholesterol metabolism. Prog Lipid Res 2023; 90:101225. [PMID: 37003582 DOI: 10.1016/j.plipres.2023.101225] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/02/2023] [Revised: 03/27/2023] [Accepted: 03/27/2023] [Indexed: 04/03/2023]
Abstract
Disturbances of lipid homeostasis in cells provoke human diseases. The elucidation of the underlying mechanisms and the development of efficient therapies represent formidable challenges for biomedical research. Exemplary cases are two rare, autosomal recessive, and ultimately fatal lysosomal diseases historically named "Niemann-Pick" honoring the physicians, whose pioneering observations led to their discovery. Acid sphingomyelinase deficiency (ASMD) and Niemann-Pick type C disease (NPCD) are caused by specific variants of the sphingomyelin phosphodiesterase 1 (SMPD1) and NPC intracellular cholesterol transporter 1 (NPC1) or NPC intracellular cholesterol transporter 2 (NPC2) genes that perturb homeostasis of two key membrane components, sphingomyelin and cholesterol, respectively. Patients with severe forms of these diseases present visceral and neurologic symptoms and succumb to premature death. This synopsis traces the tortuous discovery of the Niemann-Pick diseases, highlights important advances with respect to genetic culprits and cellular mechanisms, and exposes efforts to improve diagnosis and to explore new therapeutic approaches.
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van Gool R, Tucker-Bartley A, Yang E, Todd N, Guenther F, Goodlett B, Al-Hertani W, Bodamer OA, Upadhyay J. Targeting neurological abnormalities in lysosomal storage diseases. Trends Pharmacol Sci 2021; 43:495-509. [PMID: 34844772 DOI: 10.1016/j.tips.2021.11.005] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/27/2021] [Revised: 11/02/2021] [Accepted: 11/05/2021] [Indexed: 01/07/2023]
Abstract
Central nervous system (CNS) abnormalities and corresponding neurological and psychiatric symptoms are frequently observed in lysosomal storage disorders (LSDs). The genetic background of individual LSDs is indeed unique to each illness. However, resulting defective lysosomal function within the CNS can transition normal cellular processes (i.e., autophagy) into aberrant mechanisms, facilitating overlapping downstream consequences including neurocircuitry dysfunction, neurodegeneration as well as sensory, motor, cognitive, and psychological symptoms. Here, the neurological and biobehavioral phenotypes of major classes of LSDs are discussed alongside therapeutic strategies in development that aim to tackle neuropathology among other disease elements. Finally, focused ultrasound blood-brain barrier opening is proposed to enhance therapeutic delivery thereby overcoming the key hurdle of central distribution of disease modifying therapies in LSDs.
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Affiliation(s)
- Raquel van Gool
- Department of Anesthesiology, Critical Care and Pain Medicine, Boston Children's Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA; Faculty of Psychology and Neuroscience, Section Neuropsychology & Psychopharmacology, Maastricht University, Maastricht, The Netherlands
| | - Anthony Tucker-Bartley
- Department of Anesthesiology, Critical Care and Pain Medicine, Boston Children's Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA; Massachusetts General Hospital, Department of Anesthesia, Critical Care and Pain Medicine, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Edward Yang
- Department of Radiology, Boston Children's Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Nicholas Todd
- Department of Anesthesiology, Critical Care and Pain Medicine, Boston Children's Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA; Department of Radiology, Brigham and Women's Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Frank Guenther
- Department of Speech, Language and Hearing Sciences, Sargent College of Health and Rehabilitation Sciences, Boston University, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Benjamin Goodlett
- Division of Genetics and Genomics, Boston Children's Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Walla Al-Hertani
- Division of Genetics and Genomics, Boston Children's Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Olaf A Bodamer
- Division of Genetics and Genomics, Boston Children's Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Jaymin Upadhyay
- Department of Anesthesiology, Critical Care and Pain Medicine, Boston Children's Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA; Department of Psychiatry, McLean Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Belmont, MA, USA.
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4
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Evans W, Patterson M, Platt F, Guldberg C, Mathieson T, Pacey J. International consensus on clinical severity scale use in evaluating Niemann-Pick disease Type C in paediatric and adult patients: results from a Delphi Study. Orphanet J Rare Dis 2021; 16:482. [PMID: 34794481 PMCID: PMC8600786 DOI: 10.1186/s13023-021-02115-6] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/08/2021] [Accepted: 11/06/2021] [Indexed: 01/08/2023] Open
Abstract
Background Several scales have been developed in the past two decades to evaluate Niemann–Pick disease Type C (NPC) severity in clinical practice and trials. However, a lack of clarity concerning which scale to use in each setting is preventing the use of standardised assessments across the world, resulting in incomparable data sets and clinical trial outcome measures. This study aimed to establish agreed approaches for the use of NPC severity scales in clinical practice and research. Methods A Delphi method of consensus development was used, comprising three survey rounds. In Round 1, participants were asked nine multiple-choice and open-ended questions to gather opinions on the six severity scales and domains. In Rounds 2 and 3, questions aimed to gain consensus on the opinions revealed in Round 1 using a typical Likert scale. Results Nineteen experts, active in NPC paediatric and adult research and treatment, participated in this study. Of these, 16/19 completed Rounds 1 and 2 and 19/19 completed Round 3. Consensus (defined as ≥ 70% agreement or neutrality, given the study aim to identify the severity scales that the clinical community would accept for international consistency) was achieved for 66.7% of the multiple-choice questions in Round 2 and 83% of the multiple-choice questions in Round 3. Consensus was almost reached (68%) on the use of the 5-domain NPCCSS scale as the first choice in clinical practice. Consensus was reached (74%) for the 17-domain NPCCSS scale as the first choice in clinical trial settings, but the domains measured in the 5-domain scale should be prioritised as the primary endpoints. Experts called for educational and training materials on how to apply the NPCCSS (17- and 5-domains) for clinicians working in NPC. Conclusions In achieving a consensus on the use of the 17-domain NPCCSS scale as the first choice for assessing clinical severity of NPC in clinical trial settings but prioritising the domains in the 5-domain NPCCSS scale for routine clinical practice, this study can help to inform future discussion around the use of the existing NPC clinical severity scales. For routine clinical practice, the study helps provide clarity on which scale is favoured by a significant proportion of a representative body of experts, in this case, the 5-domain NPCCSS scale.
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Affiliation(s)
- William Evans
- NPUK, Suite 2, Vermont House, Concord, Washington, Tyne and Wear, NE37 2SQ, UK. .,Primary Care Stratified Medicine (PRISM), Division of Primary Care, University of Nottingham, Nottingham, UK.
| | - Marc Patterson
- Departments of Neurology, Pediatrics and Medical Genetics, Mayo Clinic Children's Center, Rochester, MN, USA
| | - Frances Platt
- Department of Pharmacology, University of Oxford, Mansfield Road, Oxford, OX1 3QT, UK
| | | | - Toni Mathieson
- NPUK, Suite 2, Vermont House, Concord, Washington, Tyne and Wear, NE37 2SQ, UK.,Primary Care Stratified Medicine (PRISM), Division of Primary Care, University of Nottingham, Nottingham, UK
| | - Jessica Pacey
- 67health, Sterling House, Fulbourne Road, Walthamstow, London, E17 4E, UK
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Cariati I, Masuelli L, Bei R, Tancredi V, Frank C, D’Arcangelo G. Neurodegeneration in Niemann-Pick Type C Disease: An Updated Review on Pharmacological and Non-Pharmacological Approaches to Counteract Brain and Cognitive Impairment. Int J Mol Sci 2021; 22:ijms22126600. [PMID: 34202978 PMCID: PMC8234817 DOI: 10.3390/ijms22126600] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/27/2021] [Revised: 06/15/2021] [Accepted: 06/17/2021] [Indexed: 01/08/2023] Open
Abstract
Niemann–Pick type C (NPC) disease is an autosomal recessive storage disorder, characterized by abnormal sequestration of unesterified cholesterol in the late endo-lysosomal system of cells. Progressive neurological deterioration and the onset of symptoms, such as ataxia, seizures, cognitive decline, and severe dementia, are pathognomonic features of the disease. In addition, different pathological similarities, including degeneration of hippocampal and cortical neurons, hyperphosphorylated tau, and neurofibrillary tangle formation, have been identified between NPC disease and other neurodegenerative pathologies. However, the underlying pathophysiological mechanisms are not yet well understood, and even a real cure to counteract neurodegeneration has not been identified. Therefore, the combination of current pharmacological therapies, represented by miglustat and cyclodextrin, and non-pharmacological approaches, such as physical exercise and appropriate diet, could represent a strategy to improve the quality of life of NPC patients. Based on this evidence, in our review we focused on the neurodegenerative aspects of NPC disease, summarizing the current knowledge on the molecular and biochemical mechanisms responsible for cognitive impairment, and suggesting physical exercise and nutritional treatments as additional non-pharmacologic approaches to reduce the progression and neurodegenerative course of NPC disease.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ida Cariati
- Medical-Surgical Biotechnologies and Translational Medicine, “Tor Vergata” University of Rome, Via Montpellier 1, 00133 Rome, Italy;
- Department of Clinical Sciences and Translational Medicine, “Tor Vergata” University of Rome, Via Montpellier 1, 00133 Rome, Italy;
| | - Laura Masuelli
- Department of Experimental Medicine, University of Rome “Sapienza”, Viale Regina Elena 324, 00161 Rome, Italy;
| | - Roberto Bei
- Department of Clinical Sciences and Translational Medicine, “Tor Vergata” University of Rome, Via Montpellier 1, 00133 Rome, Italy;
| | - Virginia Tancredi
- Department of Systems Medicine, “Tor Vergata” University of Rome, Via Montpellier 1, 00133 Rome, Italy;
- Centre of Space Bio-Medicine, “Tor Vergata” University of Rome, Via Montpellier 1, 00133 Rome, Italy
| | - Claudio Frank
- UniCamillus-Saint Camillus International University of Health Sciences, Via di Sant’Alessandro 8, 00131 Rome, Italy;
| | - Giovanna D’Arcangelo
- Department of Systems Medicine, “Tor Vergata” University of Rome, Via Montpellier 1, 00133 Rome, Italy;
- Centre of Space Bio-Medicine, “Tor Vergata” University of Rome, Via Montpellier 1, 00133 Rome, Italy
- Correspondence:
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6
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Lau TY, Kao YH, Toh HB, Sivaratnam D, Lichtenstein M, Velakoulis D, Walterfang M. Brain hypometabolic changes in 14 adolescent-adult patients with Niemann-Pick disease type C assessed by 18F-fluorodeoxyglucose positron emission tomography. J Neurol 2021; 268:3878-3885. [PMID: 33830335 DOI: 10.1007/s00415-021-10535-4] [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: 12/16/2020] [Revised: 03/23/2021] [Accepted: 03/25/2021] [Indexed: 10/21/2022]
Abstract
OBJECTIVE Niemann Pick disease type C (NPC) is a rare progressive neurovisceral lysosomal disorder caused by autosomal recessive mutations in the NPC1 or NPC2 genes. 18F-fluorodeoxyglucose (FDG) is a positron-emitting glucose analogue for non-invasive imaging of brain metabolism. FDG PET is commonly used for dementia imaging but its specific application to NPC is rarely described. METHODS This is a retrospective study of all baseline brain FDG PET performed for NPC patients. Images were assessed using a normal database statistical comparison of metabolic changes expressed in standard deviations and three-dimensional Stereotactic Surface Projection maps. Typical hypometabolic patterns in NPC were identified. We further investigated any correlation between the degree of regional brain hypometabolism and the Iturriaga clinical severity scale. RESULTS Brain FDG PET images of 14 adolescent-adult NPC patients were analysed, with mean age of 35 years. We found significant frontal lobe hypometabolism in 12 patients (86%), thalamic hypometabolism in eight patients (57%) and variable parietal lobe hypometabolism in 13 patients (93%). Hypometabolic changes were usually bilateral and symmetric. Ten out of 13 ataxic patients showed cerebellar or thalamic hypometabolism (sensitivity 77%, specificity 100%). Linear regression analysis showed frontal lobe hypometabolism to have the best correlation with the Iturriaga clinical scale (R2 = 0.439; p = 0.01). CONCLUSIONS We found bilateral symmetric hypometabolism of the frontal lobes, thalami and parietal lobes (especially posterior cingulate gyrus) to be typical of adolescent-adult NPC. Ataxia was commonly associated with cerebellar or thalamic hypometabolism. Frontal lobe hypometabolism showed the best inverse correlation with clinical severity.
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Affiliation(s)
- Theodore Y Lau
- Department of Nuclear Medicine, The Royal Melbourne Hospital, Melbourne, Australia
| | - Yung Hsiang Kao
- Department of Nuclear Medicine, The Royal Melbourne Hospital, Melbourne, Australia
| | - H B Toh
- Department of Nuclear Medicine, The Royal Melbourne Hospital, Melbourne, Australia
| | - Dinesh Sivaratnam
- Department of Nuclear Medicine, The Royal Melbourne Hospital, Melbourne, Australia
| | - Meir Lichtenstein
- Department of Nuclear Medicine, The Royal Melbourne Hospital, Melbourne, Australia
| | - Dennis Velakoulis
- Neuropsychiatry Unit, The Royal Melbourne Hospital, Level 2, John Cade Building, Melbourne, 3050, Australia.,Melbourne Neuropsychiatry Centre, University of Melbourne and North Western Mental Health, Melbourne, Australia
| | - Mark Walterfang
- Neuropsychiatry Unit, The Royal Melbourne Hospital, Level 2, John Cade Building, Melbourne, 3050, Australia. .,Melbourne Neuropsychiatry Centre, University of Melbourne and North Western Mental Health, Melbourne, Australia. .,Florey Institute of Neuroscience and Mental Health, Melbourne, Australia.
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7
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Rangel DM, Melo MCA, Pedroso JL, Barsottini OGP, Sobreira-Neto MA, Braga-Neto P. Beyond the Typical Syndrome: Understanding Non-motor Features in Niemann-Pick Type C Disease. THE CEREBELLUM 2020; 19:722-738. [DOI: 10.1007/s12311-020-01156-0] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/19/2022]
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8
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Schneider SA, Tahirovic S, Hardy J, Strupp M, Bremova-Ertl T. Do heterozygous mutations of Niemann-Pick type C predispose to late-onset neurodegeneration: a review of the literature. J Neurol 2019; 268:2055-2064. [PMID: 31701332 DOI: 10.1007/s00415-019-09621-5] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/18/2019] [Revised: 10/30/2019] [Accepted: 11/02/2019] [Indexed: 12/28/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND/METHODS Monogenic diseases are important models for the study of neurodegenerative diseases, such as Parkinson's disease (PD) and dementia. Notably, for some disorders, homozygosity is associated with a complex metabolic disease, while heterozygosity predisposes to late-onset neurodegeneration. For instance, biallelic glucocerebrosidase gene mutations cause Gaucher's disease, while heterozygous mutations are a common genetic risk factor for late-onset PD. Little is known about similar risks of related diseases, such as Niemann-Pick type C (NPC). Given that both conditions map into related, i.e., lysosomal, pathways, we hypothesize a similar risk of single-NPC gene mutations. Indeed, there is increasing evidence based on clinical observations in humans and animal studies. Here we review the current knowledge of NPC heterozygosity. RESULTS Family history studies suggest a high proportion of late-onset neurodegenerative diseases in NPC families. We identified 19 cases with heterozygous NPC mutations in the literature who presented with a neurodegenerative disease, including levodopa-responsive PD, atypical parkinsonism (PSP, CBD), dystonia or dementia with a mean age at onset of about 57 years (range 8-87). Consistent splenomegaly and mildly abnormal filipin staining results have also been reported in heterozygous gene mutation carriers. Imaging and pathological data support this notion. DISCUSSION/CONCLUSION This finding has wider implications in so far as NPC-related forms of Parkinsonian syndromes, dementia, motor neuron disease and other neurodegenerative disorders may benefit from NPC-mechanistic therapies, in particular related to lysosomal dysfunction. Further research is warranted to generate systematic data of heterozygous mutation carriers, including longitudinal data.
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Affiliation(s)
- Susanne A Schneider
- Department of Neurology, Ludwig-Maximilians-University, Marchioninistr 15, 81377, Munich, Germany.
| | - Sabina Tahirovic
- German Center for Neurodegenerative Diseases (DZNE) Within the Helmholtz Association, Feodor-Lynen-Strasse 17, Munich, Germany
| | - John Hardy
- Department of Molecular Neuroscience, UCL Institute of Neurology, London, UK
| | - Michael Strupp
- Department of Neurology, Ludwig-Maximilians-University, Marchioninistr 15, 81377, Munich, Germany
| | - Tatiana Bremova-Ertl
- Department of Neurology, Ludwig-Maximilians-University, Marchioninistr 15, 81377, Munich, Germany.,Department of Neurology, Inselspital, University Hospital Bern, Bern, Switzerland
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9
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Huemer M, Diodato D, Martinelli D, Olivieri G, Blom H, Gleich F, Kölker S, Kožich V, Morris AA, Seifert B, Froese DS, Baumgartner MR, Dionisi-Vici C, Martin CA, Baethmann M, Ballhausen D, Blasco-Alonso J, Boy N, Bueno M, Burgos Peláez R, Cerone R, Chabrol B, Chapman KA, Couce ML, Crushell E, Dalmau Serra J, Diogo L, Ficicioglu C, García Jimenez MC, García Silva MT, Gaspar AM, Gautschi M, González-Lamuño D, Gouveia S, Grünewald S, Hendriksz C, Janssen MCH, Jesina P, Koch J, Konstantopoulou V, Lavigne C, Lund AM, Martins EG, Meavilla Olivas S, Mention K, Mochel F, Mundy H, Murphy E, Paquay S, Pedrón-Giner C, Ruiz Gómez MA, Santra S, Schiff M, Schwartz IV, Scholl-Bürgi S, Servais A, Skouma A, Tran C, Vives Piñera I, Walter J, Weisfeld-Adams J. Phenotype, treatment practice and outcome in the cobalamin-dependent remethylation disorders and MTHFR deficiency: Data from the E-HOD registry. J Inherit Metab Dis 2019; 42:333-352. [PMID: 30773687 DOI: 10.1002/jimd.12041] [Citation(s) in RCA: 44] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/30/2022]
Abstract
AIM To explore the clinical presentation, course, treatment and impact of early treatment in patients with remethylation disorders from the European Network and Registry for Homocystinurias and Methylation Defects (E-HOD) international web-based registry. RESULTS This review comprises 238 patients (cobalamin C defect n = 161; methylenetetrahydrofolate reductase deficiency n = 50; cobalamin G defect n = 11; cobalamin E defect n = 10; cobalamin D defect n = 5; and cobalamin J defect n = 1) from 47 centres for whom the E-HOD registry includes, as a minimum, data on medical history and enrolment visit. The duration of observation was 127 patient years. In 181 clinically diagnosed patients, the median age at presentation was 30 days (range 1 day to 42 years) and the median age at diagnosis was 3.7 months (range 3 days to 56 years). Seventy-five percent of pre-clinically diagnosed patients with cobalamin C disease became symptomatic within the first 15 days of life. Total homocysteine (tHcy), amino acids and urinary methylmalonic acid (MMA) were the most frequently assessed disease markers; confirmatory diagnostics were mainly molecular genetic studies. Remethylation disorders are multisystem diseases dominated by neurological and eye disease and failure to thrive. In this cohort, mortality, thromboembolic, psychiatric and renal disease were rarer than reported elsewhere. Early treatment correlates with lower overall morbidity but is less effective in preventing eye disease and cognitive impairment. The wide variation in treatment hampers the evaluation of particular therapeutic modalities. CONCLUSION Treatment improves the clinical course of remethylation disorders and reduces morbidity, especially if started early, but neurocognitive and eye symptoms are less responsive. Current treatment is highly variable. This study has the inevitable limitations of a retrospective, registry-based design.
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Affiliation(s)
- Martina Huemer
- Division of Metabolism and Children's Research Center, University Children's Hospital, Zürich, Switzerland
- radiz-Rare Disease Initiative Zürich, University Zürich, Zürich, Switzerland
- Department of Pediatrics, Landeskrankenhaus Bregenz, Bregenz, Austria
| | - Daria Diodato
- Division of Metabolism, Bambino Gesù Children's Hospital, Rome, Italy
| | - Diego Martinelli
- Division of Metabolism, Bambino Gesù Children's Hospital, Rome, Italy
| | - Giorgia Olivieri
- Division of Metabolism, Bambino Gesù Children's Hospital, Rome, Italy
| | - Henk Blom
- Department of Internal Medicine, VU Medical Center, Amsterdam, The Netherlands
| | - Florian Gleich
- Division of Child Neurology and Metabolic Medicine, Centre for Child and Adolescent Medicine, Heidelberg, Germany
| | - Stefan Kölker
- Division of Child Neurology and Metabolic Medicine, Centre for Child and Adolescent Medicine, Heidelberg, Germany
| | - Viktor Kožich
- Department of Pediatrics and Adolescent Medicine, Charles University-First Faculty of Medicine and General University Hospital, Prague, Czech Republic
| | - Andrew A Morris
- Willink Metabolic Unit, Genomic Medicine, Manchester University Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust, Manchester, UK
| | - Burkhardt Seifert
- Department of Biostatistics at Epidemiology, Biostatistics and Prevention Institute, University Zürich, Zürich, Switzerland
| | - D Sean Froese
- Division of Metabolism and Children's Research Center, University Children's Hospital, Zürich, Switzerland
- radiz-Rare Disease Initiative Zürich, University Zürich, Zürich, Switzerland
| | - Matthias R Baumgartner
- Division of Metabolism and Children's Research Center, University Children's Hospital, Zürich, Switzerland
- radiz-Rare Disease Initiative Zürich, University Zürich, Zürich, Switzerland
| | | | | | - Martina Baethmann
- Department of Pediatrics, Sozialpädiatrisches Zentrum, Klinikum Dritter Orden München-Nymphenburg, Munich, Germany
| | - Diana Ballhausen
- Center for Molecular Diseases, University Hospital Lausanne, Lausanne, Switzerland
| | - Javier Blasco-Alonso
- Sección de Gastroenterología y Nutrición Pediátrica, Hospital Regional de Málaga, Málaga, Spain
| | - Nikolas Boy
- Division of Child Neurology and Metabolic Medicine, Centre for Child and Adolescent Medicine, Heidelberg, Germany
| | - Maria Bueno
- Hospital Universitario Virgen del Rocío, Sevilla, Spain
| | - Rosa Burgos Peláez
- Nutritional Support Unit, University Hospital Vall d'Hebron, Barcelona, Spain
| | - Roberto Cerone
- University Department of Pediatrics, Giannina Gaslini Institute, Genoa, Italy
| | - Brigitte Chabrol
- Centre de Référence des Maladies Héréditaires du Métabolisme, CHU La Timone Enfants, Marseille, France
| | - Kimberly A Chapman
- Children's National Rare Disease Institute, Genetics and Metabolism, Washington, DC, USA
| | - Maria Luz Couce
- Unit of Diagnosis and Treatment of Congenital Metabolic Diseases, Service of Neonatology, Department of PediatricsHospital Clínico Universitario de Santiago, CIBERER, Health Research Institute of Santiago de Compostela (IDIS), Santiago de Compostela, Spain
| | - Ellen Crushell
- National Centre for Inherited Metabolic Disorders, Temple Street Children's University Hospital, Dublin, Ireland
| | - Jaime Dalmau Serra
- Unidad de Nutrición y Metabolopatías, Hospital Universitario La Fe, Valencia, Spain
| | - Luisa Diogo
- Centro de Referência de Doencas Hereditárias do Metabolismo. Centro de Desenvolvimento da Criança - Hospital Pediátrico - Centro Hospitalar e Universitário De Coimbra, Coimbra, Portugal
| | - Can Ficicioglu
- Division of Human Genetics, The Children's Hospital of Philadelphia, Perelman School of Medicine at the University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
| | | | | | | | - Matthias Gautschi
- Interdisciplinary Metabolic Team, Paediatric Endocrinology, Diabetology and Metabolism, University Children's Hospital and University Institute of Clinical Chemistry Inselspital, Berne, Switzerland
| | - Domingo González-Lamuño
- Department of Pediatrics, University Hospital Marqués de Valdecilla, Universidad de Cantabria, Santander, Spain
| | - Sofia Gouveia
- Unit of Diagnosis and Treatment of Congenital Metabolic Diseases, Service of Neonatology, Department of PediatricsHospital Clínico Universitario de Santiago, CIBERER, Health Research Institute of Santiago de Compostela (IDIS), Santiago de Compostela, Spain
| | - Stephanie Grünewald
- Institute for Child HealthGreat Ormond Street Hospital, University College London, London, UK
| | | | - Mirian C H Janssen
- Department of Internal Medicine, Radboud University Medical Center, Nijmegen, The Netherlands
| | - Pavel Jesina
- Department of Pediatrics and Adolescent Medicine, Charles University-First Faculty of Medicine and General University Hospital, Prague, Czech Republic
| | - Johannes Koch
- Department of Pediatrics, Salzburger Landeskliniken and Paracelsus Medical University, Salzburg, Austria
| | | | - Christian Lavigne
- Médecine Interne et Maladies Vasculaires, Centre Hospitalier Universitaire Angers, Angers, France
| | - Allan M Lund
- Centre Inherited Metabolic Diseases, Departments of Clinical Genetics and Paediatrics, Copenhagen University Hospital, Rigshospitalet, Copenhagen, Denmark
| | - Esmeralda G Martins
- Reference Center for Inherited Metabolic Diseases, Centro Hospitalar do Porto, Porto, Portugal
| | - Silvia Meavilla Olivas
- Division of Gastroenterology, Hepatology and Nutrition, Sant Joan de Déu Hospital, Barcelona, Spain
| | | | - Fanny Mochel
- Reference Center for Adult Neurometabolic Diseases, University Pierre and Marie Curie, La Pitié-Salpêtrière University Hospital, Paris, France
| | - Helen Mundy
- Evelina London Children's Hospital, London, UK
| | - Elaine Murphy
- Charles Dent Metabolic Unit, National Hospital for Neurology and Neurosurgery, London, UK
| | - Stephanie Paquay
- Pediatric Neurology and Metabolic diseases department, Université Catholique de Louvain, Cliniques Universitaires Saint-Luc, Brussels, Belgium
| | - Consuelo Pedrón-Giner
- Division of Gastroenterology and Nutrition, University Children's Hospital Niño Jesús, Madrid, Spain
| | | | - Saikat Santra
- Clinical Inherited Metabolic Disorders, Birmingham Women's and Children's NHS Foundation Trust, Birmingham, UK
| | - Manuel Schiff
- Reference Center for Inherited Metabolic Diseases, AP-HP, Robert Debré Hospital, University Paris Diderot-Sorbonne Paris Cité and INSERM U1141, Paris, France
| | - Ida Vanessa Schwartz
- Hospital de Clínicas de Porto Alegre and Department of Genetics, Universidade Federal do Rio Grande do Sul, Porto Alegre, Brazil
| | - Sabine Scholl-Bürgi
- Clinic for Pediatrics I, Inherited Metabolic Disorders Medical University of Innsbruck, Innsbruck, Austria
| | - Aude Servais
- Nephrology Department, Reference Center of Inherited Metabolic Diseases, Necker hospital, AP-HP, University Paris Descartes, Paris, France
| | - Anastasia Skouma
- Agia Sofia Children's Hospital 1st Department of Pediatrics, University of Athens Thivon & Levadias, Athens, Greece
| | - Christel Tran
- Center for Molecular Diseases, University Hospital Lausanne, Lausanne, Switzerland
| | | | - John Walter
- Willink Metabolic Unit, Genomic Medicine, Manchester University Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust, Manchester, UK
- Department of Paediatrics, Bradford Royal Infirmary, Bradford, UK
| | - James Weisfeld-Adams
- Inherited Metabolic Diseases Clinic, Section of Clinical Genetics and Metabolism, University of Colorado Denver, Aurora, Colorado
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10
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Masingue M, Adanyeguh I, Tchikviladzé M, Maisonobe T, Jardel C, Galanaud D, Mochel F. Quantitative neuroimaging biomarkers in a series of 20 adult patients with POLG mutations. Mitochondrion 2019; 45:22-28. [DOI: 10.1016/j.mito.2018.02.001] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/26/2017] [Revised: 02/11/2018] [Accepted: 02/15/2018] [Indexed: 01/12/2023]
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11
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Psychiatric and Cognitive Symptoms Associated with Niemann-Pick Type C Disease: Neurobiology and Management. CNS Drugs 2019; 33:125-142. [PMID: 30632019 DOI: 10.1007/s40263-018-0599-0] [Citation(s) in RCA: 28] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/21/2022]
Abstract
Niemann-Pick disease type C (NPC) is a lysosomal storage disorder that presents with a spectrum of clinical manifestations from infancy and childhood or in early or mid-adulthood. Progressive neurological symptoms including ataxia, dystonia and vertical gaze palsy are a hallmark of the disease, and psychiatric symptoms such as psychosis and mood disorders are common. These latter symptoms often present early in the course of NPC and thus these patients are often diagnosed with a major psychotic or affective disorder before neurological and cognitive signs present and the diagnosis is revised. The commonalities and characteristics of psychotic symptoms in both NPC and schizophrenia may share neuronal pathways and mechanisms and provide potential targets for research in both disorders. The neurobiology of NPC and its relationship to the pattern of neuropsychiatric and cognitive symptoms is described in this review. A number of neurobiological models are proposed as mechanisms by which NPC causes psychiatric and cognitive symptoms, informed from models proposed in schizophrenia and other metabolic disorders. There are a number of symptomatic and illness-modifying treatments for NPC currently available. The current evidence is discussed; focussing on two medications which have shown promise, miglustat and hydroxypropyl-β-cyclodextrin.
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12
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Abstract
Lysosomal storage disorders are a heterogeneous group of genetic diseases characterized by defective function in one of the lysosomal enzymes. In this review paper, we describe neuroradiological findings and clinical characteristics of neuronopathic lysosomal disorders with a focus on differential diagnosis. New insights regarding pathogenesis and therapeutic perspectives are also briefly discussed.
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13
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Amador MDM, Masingue M, Debs R, Lamari F, Perlbarg V, Roze E, Degos B, Mochel F. Treatment with chenodeoxycholic acid in cerebrotendinous xanthomatosis: clinical, neurophysiological, and quantitative brain structural outcomes. J Inherit Metab Dis 2018; 41:799-807. [PMID: 29560583 DOI: 10.1007/s10545-018-0162-7] [Citation(s) in RCA: 27] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/10/2017] [Revised: 02/11/2018] [Accepted: 02/19/2018] [Indexed: 02/02/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Cerebrotendinous xanthomatosis (CTX) is a rare neurodegenerative disease related to sterols metabolism. It affects both central and peripheral nervous systems but treatment with chenodeoxycholic acid (CDCA) has been reported to stabilize clinical scores and improve nerve conduction parameters. Few quantitative brain structural studies have been conducted to assess the effect of CDCA in CTX. METHODS AND RESULTS We collected retrospectively clinical, neurophysiological, and quantitative brain structural data in a cohort of 14 patients with CTX treated by CDCA over a mean period of 5 years. Plasma cholestanol levels normalized under treatment with CDCA within a few months. We observed a significant clinical improvement in patients up to 25 years old, whose treatment was initiated less than 15 years after the onset of neurological symptoms. Conversely, patients whose treatment was initiated more than 25 years after neurological disease onset continued their clinical deterioration. Eleven patients presented with a length-dependent peripheral neuropathy, whose electrophysiological parameters improved significantly under CDCA. Volumetric analyses in a subset of patients showed no overt volume loss under CDCA. Moreover, diffusion weighted imaging showed improved fiber integrity of the ponto-cerebellar and the internal capsule with CDCA. CDCA was well tolerated in all patients with CTX. CONCLUSION CDCA may reverse the pathophysiological process in patients with CTX, especially if treatment is initiated early in the disease process. Besides tendon xanthoma, this study stresses the need to consider plasma cholestanol measurement in any patient with infantile chronic diarrhea and/or jaundice, juvenile cataract, learning disability and/or autism spectrum disorder, pyramidal signs, cerebellar syndrome or peripheral neuropathy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Maria Del Mar Amador
- Assistance Publique-Hôpitaux de Paris, Département de Neurologie, Groupe Hospitalier Pitié-Salpêtrière, Paris, France
| | - Marion Masingue
- Assistance Publique-Hôpitaux de Paris, Département de Neurologie, Groupe Hospitalier Pitié-Salpêtrière, Paris, France
| | - Rabab Debs
- Assistance Publique-Hôpitaux de Paris, Département de Neurologie, Groupe Hospitalier Pitié-Salpêtrière, Paris, France
- Assistance Publique-Hôpitaux de Paris, Département de Neurophysiologie, Groupe Hospitalier Pitié-Salpêtrière, Paris, France
| | - Foudil Lamari
- Assistance Publique-Hôpitaux de Paris, Laboratoire de Biochimie Métabolique, Groupe Hospitalier Pitié-Salpêtrière, Paris, France
- Centre de Référence Neurométabolique Adulte, Groupe Hospitalier Pitié-Salpêtrière, Paris, France
- Université Pierre et Marie Curie, Groupe de Recherche Clinique Neurométabolique, Paris, France
| | - Vincent Perlbarg
- Sorbonne Universités, UPMC-Paris 6, UMR S 1127 and Inserm U 1127, and CNRS UMR 7225, and ICM, F-75013, Paris, France
- Laboratoire d'imagerie biomédicale (LIB), F-75013, Paris, France
- Bioinformatics and Biostatistics Core Facility, iCONICS, IHU-A-ICM, ICM, F-75013, Paris, France
| | - Emmanuel Roze
- Assistance Publique-Hôpitaux de Paris, Département de Neurologie, Groupe Hospitalier Pitié-Salpêtrière, Paris, France
- Centre de Référence Neurométabolique Adulte, Groupe Hospitalier Pitié-Salpêtrière, Paris, France
- Sorbonne Universités, UPMC-Paris 6, UMR S 1127 and Inserm U 1127, and CNRS UMR 7225, and ICM, F-75013, Paris, France
| | - Bertrand Degos
- CNRS-UMR 7241/INSERM U1050, CIRB, Collège de France, UPMC, Paris, France
- Assistance Publique-Hôpitaux de Paris, Service de Neurologie, Hôpital Universitaire d'Avicenne, Bobigny, France
| | - Fanny Mochel
- Centre de Référence Neurométabolique Adulte, Groupe Hospitalier Pitié-Salpêtrière, Paris, France.
- Université Pierre et Marie Curie, Groupe de Recherche Clinique Neurométabolique, Paris, France.
- Sorbonne Universités, UPMC-Paris 6, UMR S 1127 and Inserm U 1127, and CNRS UMR 7225, and ICM, F-75013, Paris, France.
- Assistance Publique-Hôpitaux de Paris, Département de Génétique, Groupe Hospitalier Pitié-Salpêtrière, Paris, France.
- Reference Center for Neurometabolic Diseases, Department of Genetics, La Pitié-Salpêtrière University Hospital, 47 Boulevard de l'Hôpital, 75013, Paris, France.
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14
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Pontillo G, Cocozza S, Brunetti A, Brescia Morra V, Riccio E, Russo C, Saccà F, Tedeschi E, Pisani A, Quarantelli M. Reduced Intracranial Volume in Fabry Disease: Evidence of Abnormal Neurodevelopment? Front Neurol 2018; 9:672. [PMID: 30174644 PMCID: PMC6107697 DOI: 10.3389/fneur.2018.00672] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/17/2018] [Accepted: 07/26/2018] [Indexed: 11/22/2022] Open
Abstract
Introduction: Lysosomal storage disorders (LSD) are often characterized by abnormal brain development, reflected by a reduction of intracranial volume (ICV). The aim of our study was to perform a volumetric analysis of intracranial tissues in Fabry Disease (FD), investigating possible reductions of ICV as a potential expression of abnormal brain development in this condition. Materials and Methods: Forty-two FD patients (15 males, mean age 43.3 ± 13.0 years) were enrolled along with 38 healthy controls (HC) of comparable age and sex. Volumetric MRI data were segmented using SPM12 to obtain intracranial tissue volumes, from which ICV values were derived. Results: Mean ICV of FD patients was 8.1% smaller compared to the control group (p < 5·10−5). Unlike what typically happens in neurodegenerative disorders, no significant differences emerged when comparing between the two groups the fractional volumes of gray matter, white matter and CSF (i.e., normalized by ICV), consistent with a harmonious volumetric reduction of intracranial structures. Discussion: The present results suggest that in FD patients an abnormality of brain development is present, expanding the current knowledge about central nervous system involvement in FD, further emphasizing the importance of an early diagnosis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Giuseppe Pontillo
- Department of Advanced Biomedical Sciences, University "Federico II", Naples, Italy
| | - Sirio Cocozza
- Department of Advanced Biomedical Sciences, University "Federico II", Naples, Italy
| | - Arturo Brunetti
- Department of Advanced Biomedical Sciences, University "Federico II", Naples, Italy
| | - Vincenzo Brescia Morra
- Department of Neurosciences and Reproductive and Odontostomatological Sciences, University "Federico II", Naples, Italy
| | - Eleonora Riccio
- Nephrology Unit, Department of Public Health, University "Federico II", Naples, Italy
| | - Camilla Russo
- Department of Advanced Biomedical Sciences, University "Federico II", Naples, Italy
| | - Francesco Saccà
- Department of Neurosciences and Reproductive and Odontostomatological Sciences, University "Federico II", Naples, Italy
| | - Enrico Tedeschi
- Department of Advanced Biomedical Sciences, University "Federico II", Naples, Italy
| | - Antonio Pisani
- Nephrology Unit, Department of Public Health, University "Federico II", Naples, Italy
| | - Mario Quarantelli
- Institute of Biostructure and Bioimaging, National Research Council, Naples, Italy
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Pineda M, Walterfang M, Patterson MC. Miglustat in Niemann-Pick disease type C patients: a review. Orphanet J Rare Dis 2018; 13:140. [PMID: 30111334 PMCID: PMC6094874 DOI: 10.1186/s13023-018-0844-0] [Citation(s) in RCA: 100] [Impact Index Per Article: 16.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/13/2018] [Accepted: 06/14/2018] [Indexed: 01/08/2023] Open
Abstract
OBJECTIVE Niemann-Pick disease type C (NP-C) is a rare, autosomal recessive, neurodegenerative disease associated with a wide variety of progressive neurological manifestations. Miglustat is indicated for the treatment of progressive neurological manifestations in both adults and children. Since approval in 2009 there has been a vast growth in clinical experience with miglustat. The effectiveness of miglustat has been assessed using a range of measures. METHODS Comprehensive review of published data from studies of cellular neuropathological markers and structural neurological indices in the brain, clinical impairment/disability, specific clinical neurological manifestations, and patient survival. RESULTS Cranial diffusion tensor imaging and magnetic resonance spectroscopy studies have shown reduced levels of choline (a neurodegeneration marker), and choline/N-acetyl aspartate ratio (indicating increased neuronal viability) in the brain during up to 5 years of miglustat therapy, as well as a slowing of reductions in fractional anisotropy (an axonal/myelin integrity marker). A 2-year immunoassay study showed significant reductions in CSF-calbindin during treatment, indicating reduced cerebellar Purkinje cell loss. Magnetic resonance imaging studies have demonstrated a protective effect of miglustat on cerebellar and subcortical structure that correlated with clinical symptom severity. Numerous cohort studies assessing core neurological manifestations (impaired ambulation, manipulation, speech, swallowing, other) using NP-C disability scales indicate neurological stabilization over 2-8 years, with a trend for greater benefits in patients with older (non-infantile) age at neurological onset. A randomized controlled trial and several cohort studies have reported improvements or stabilization of saccadic eye movements during 1-5 years of therapy. Swallowing was also shown to improve/remain stable during the randomized trial (up to 2 years), as well as in long-term observational cohorts (up to 6 years). A meta-analysis of dysphagia - a potent risk factor for aspiration pneumonia and premature death in NP-C - demonstrated a survival benefit with miglustat due to improved/stabilized swallowing function. CONCLUSIONS The effects of miglustat on neurological NP-C manifestations has been assessed using a range of approaches, with benefits ranging from cellular changes in the brain through to visible clinical improvements and improved survival.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mercè Pineda
- Fundacio Hospital Sant Joan de Déu, Barcelona, Spain. .,Hospital Sant Joan de Déu, Passeig de Sant Joan de Déu No. 2, Esplugues, 8950, Barcelona, Spain.
| | - Mark Walterfang
- Florey Institute of Neuroscience and Mental Health, Royal Melbourne Hospital, University of Melbourne, Melbourne, Australia
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Benussi A, Cotelli MS, Padovani A, Borroni B. Recent neuroimaging, neurophysiological, and neuropathological advances for the understanding of NPC. F1000Res 2018; 7:194. [PMID: 29511534 PMCID: PMC5814740 DOI: 10.12688/f1000research.12361.1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 02/13/2018] [Indexed: 12/20/2022] Open
Abstract
Niemann–Pick disease type C (NPC) is a rare autosomal recessive lysosomal storage disorder with extensive biological, molecular, and clinical heterogeneity. Recently, numerous studies have tried to shed light on the pathophysiology of the disease, highlighting possible disease pathways common to other neurodegenerative disorders, such as Alzheimer’s disease and frontotemporal dementia, and identifying possible candidate biomarkers for disease staging and response to treatment. Miglustat, which reversibly inhibits glycosphingolipid synthesis, has been licensed in the European Union and elsewhere for the treatment of NPC in both children and adults. A number of ongoing clinical trials might hold promise for the development of new treatments for NPC. The objective of the present work is to review and evaluate recent literature data in order to highlight the latest neuroimaging, neurophysiological, and neuropathological advances for the understanding of NPC pathophysiology. Furthermore, ongoing developments in disease-modifying treatments will be briefly discussed.
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Affiliation(s)
- Alberto Benussi
- Neurology Unit, Department of Clinical and Experimental Sciences, University of Brescia, Viale Europa, 11, 25123 Brescia BS, Italy
| | | | - Alessandro Padovani
- Neurology Unit, Department of Clinical and Experimental Sciences, University of Brescia, Viale Europa, 11, 25123 Brescia BS, Italy
| | - Barbara Borroni
- Neurology Unit, Department of Clinical and Experimental Sciences, University of Brescia, Viale Europa, 11, 25123 Brescia BS, Italy
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Abstract
The nervous system is vulnerable to intrinsic and extrinsic metabolic perturbations. In particular, the cerebellum, with its large Purkinje cells and its high density of neurons and glial cells, has high metabolic demand and is highly vulnerable to metabolic derangements. As a result, many disorders of intermediary metabolism will preferentially and sometimes selectively target the cerebellum. However, many of these disorders present in a multisystem fashion with ataxia being a part of the neurologic symptom complex. The presentation of these disorders depends on the time of onset and type of metabolic derangement. Early infantile or intrauterine-onset diseases will present in a young child typically with global hypotonia and both nystagmus and ataxia become more apparent later in life, while later-onset diseases usually present primarily with ataxia. It is important to note that the majority of these disorders are progressive if they are untreated. This chapter provides a review of acquired and genetic metabolic disorders that target the cerebellum, and discusses their diagnostic evaluation and therapy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Fatima Y Ismail
- Department of Neurology and Developmental Medicine, Kennedy Krieger Institute, Johns Hopkins University, Baltimore, MD, United States; College of Medicine and Health Sciences, United Arab Emirates University, Al Ain, United Arab Emirates
| | - Hiroshi Mitoma
- Department of Medical Education, Tokyo Medical University, Tokyo, Japan
| | - Ali Fatemi
- Department of Neurology and Developmental Medicine, Kennedy Krieger Institute, Johns Hopkins University, Baltimore, MD, United States.
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Heitz C, Epelbaum S, Nadjar Y. Cognitive impairment profile in adult patients with Niemann pick type C disease. Orphanet J Rare Dis 2017; 12:166. [PMID: 29047377 PMCID: PMC5648435 DOI: 10.1186/s13023-017-0714-1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 23] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/26/2017] [Accepted: 10/02/2017] [Indexed: 11/19/2022] Open
Abstract
Background Cognitive impairment is one of the core symptoms of Niemann Pick type C (NPC) disease, but few data concerning the neuropsychological profile of NPC patients are available. The aim of our study was to characterize cognitive impairments in NPC disease and to assess the evolution of these symptoms and the impact of miglustat on cognitive follow-up. Methods We conducted a retrospective study of 21 adult patients diagnosed with NPC disease. Neuropsychological data (global cognitive efficiency, language, attention, executive functions, praxis, and visuoconstructive functions tests) were retrieved to describe the cognitive profile of patients. Cognitive impairment scores over time were assessed under treatment by miglustat. Results The majority of patients (90%) were impaired in one or more cognitive function. Executive functions and attention were the most impaired cognitive functions. Conversely, storage in the episodic memory was preserved in 61.5% of cases. Mean neuropsychological scores were stable during the period under miglustat (mean of 3.8 years). Conclusions This study is one of the first to assess the cognitive profile of adult NPC patients. This profile is not specific to attention and executive dysfunctions; however, the preservation of storage in the episodic memory is promising for cognitive remediation. Further studies are needed to confirm the role of miglustat on cognition, but in this study, patients were stable under this treatment.
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Affiliation(s)
- Camille Heitz
- Neurology Department, Hôpital Universitaire de Nîmes, Nîmes, France.
| | - Stéphane Epelbaum
- Neurology Department, Reference Center for Lysosomal Diseases, Hospital of Pitié-Salpêtrière, Paris, France
| | - Yann Nadjar
- Neurology Department, Reference Center for Lysosomal Diseases, Hospital of Pitié-Salpêtrière, Paris, France
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19
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Abstract
We report a 37-year-old woman with Niemann-Pick disease type C (NPC) 1. At the age of 8 years, she presented slow running followed by both fingers dystonia at the age of 10 years. At the age of 16 years, she developed declined scholastic achievement. On her first visit at the age of 17 years, she showed dystonia, ataxic gait and vertical supranuclear gaze palsy. We suspected it was NPC. She presented atrophies in the frontal lobes, brainstem and cerebellum in a brain MRI. She presented hepatomegalies and splenomegalies in an abdominal CT. At the age of 26 years, she undertook perpetually tracheal fistula because of recurrent aspiration pneumonia. Diagnosis of NPC1 was made by filipin staining and existence of foamy cells in the bone marrow and NPC1 gene analysis. We obtained informed consent of genetic analysis. Miglustat therapy was started at the age of 32 years. Improvements in swallowing capacity and in muscle tonus were seen.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kazuo Abe
- Department of Community Health Medicine, Hyogo College of Medicine Graduate School of Medicine, Nishinomiya, Japan.,Division of Neurology, Hyogo College of Medicine Graduate School of Medicine, Nishinomiya, Japan
| | - Norio Sakai
- Department of Pediatrics, Osaka University Graduate School of Medicine, Suita, Japan
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Longitudinal Changes in White Matter Fractional Anisotropy in Adult-Onset Niemann-Pick Disease Type C Patients Treated with Miglustat. JIMD Rep 2017; 39:39-43. [PMID: 28710748 PMCID: PMC5953894 DOI: 10.1007/8904_2017_42] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/14/2016] [Revised: 06/18/2017] [Accepted: 06/22/2017] [Indexed: 02/06/2023] Open
Abstract
Niemann-Pick disease type C (NPC) is a rare neurometabolic disorder resulting in impaired intracellular lipid trafficking. The only disease-modifying treatment currently available is miglustat, an iminosugar that inhibits the accumulation of lipid metabolites in neurons and other cells. This longitudinal diffusion tensor imaging (DTI) study examined how the rate of white matter change differed between treated and non-treated adult-onset NPC patient groups. Nine adult-onset NPC patients (seven undergoing treatment with miglustat, two not treated) underwent DTI neuroimaging. Rates of change in white matter structure as indexed by Tract-Based Spatial Statistics (TBSS) of fractional anisotropy were compared between treated and untreated patients. Treated patients were found to have a significantly slower rate of white matter change in the corticospinal tracts, the thalamic radiation and the inferior longitudinal fasciculus. This is further evidence that miglustat treatment may have a protective effect on white matter structure in the adult-onset form of the disease.
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