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Ferrari Aggradi CR, Rimoldi M, Romagnoli G, Velardo D, Meneri M, Iacobucci D, Ripolone M, Napoli L, Ciscato P, Moggio M, Comi GP, Ronchi D, Corti S, Abati E. Lafora Disease: A Case Report and Evolving Treatment Advancements. Brain Sci 2023; 13:1679. [PMID: 38137127 PMCID: PMC10742041 DOI: 10.3390/brainsci13121679] [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: 10/18/2023] [Revised: 11/20/2023] [Accepted: 12/03/2023] [Indexed: 12/24/2023] Open
Abstract
Lafora disease is a rare genetic disorder characterized by a disruption in glycogen metabolism. It manifests as progressive myoclonus epilepsy and cognitive decline during adolescence. Pathognomonic is the presence of abnormal glycogen aggregates that, over time, produce large inclusions (Lafora bodies) in various tissues. This study aims to describe the clinical and histopathological aspects of a novel Lafora disease patient, and to provide an update on the therapeutical advancements for this disorder. A 20-year-old Libyan boy presented with generalized tonic-clonic seizures, sporadic muscular jerks, eyelid spasms, and mental impairment. Electroencephalography showed multiple discharges across both brain hemispheres. Brain magnetic resonance imaging was unremarkable. Muscle biopsy showed increased lipid content and a very mild increase of intermyofibrillar glycogen, without the polyglucosan accumulation typically observed in Lafora bodies. Despite undergoing three lines of antiepileptic treatment, the patient's condition showed minimal to no improvement. We identified the homozygous variant c.137G>A, p.(Cys46Tyr), in the EPM2B/NHLRC1 gene, confirming the diagnosis of Lafora disease. To our knowledge, the presence of lipid aggregates without Lafora bodies is atypical. Lafora disease should be considered during the differential diagnosis of progressive, myoclonic, and refractory epilepsies in both children and young adults, especially when accompanied by cognitive decline. Although there are no effective therapies yet, the development of promising new strategies prompts the need for an early and accurate diagnosis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Carola Rita Ferrari Aggradi
- Dino Ferrari Centre, Department of Pathophysiology and Transplantation (DEPT), University of Milan, 20122 Milan, Italy; (C.R.F.A.); (G.R.); (M.M.); (G.P.C.); (D.R.)
| | - Martina Rimoldi
- Neuromuscular and Rare Diseases Unit, Department of Neuroscience, Fondazione IRCCS Ca’ Granda Ospedale Maggiore Policlinico, 20122 Milan, Italy; (M.R.); (D.V.); (M.R.); (P.C.); (M.M.)
- Medical Genetics Unit, Fondazione IRCCS Ca’ Granda Ospedale Maggiore Policlinico, 20122 Milan, Italy
| | - Gloria Romagnoli
- Dino Ferrari Centre, Department of Pathophysiology and Transplantation (DEPT), University of Milan, 20122 Milan, Italy; (C.R.F.A.); (G.R.); (M.M.); (G.P.C.); (D.R.)
| | - Daniele Velardo
- Neuromuscular and Rare Diseases Unit, Department of Neuroscience, Fondazione IRCCS Ca’ Granda Ospedale Maggiore Policlinico, 20122 Milan, Italy; (M.R.); (D.V.); (M.R.); (P.C.); (M.M.)
| | - Megi Meneri
- Dino Ferrari Centre, Department of Pathophysiology and Transplantation (DEPT), University of Milan, 20122 Milan, Italy; (C.R.F.A.); (G.R.); (M.M.); (G.P.C.); (D.R.)
- Stroke Unit, Fondazione IRCCS Ca’ Granda Ospedale Maggiore Policlinico, 20122 Milan, Italy
| | - Davide Iacobucci
- Neurology Unit, Fondazione IRCCS Ca’ Granda Ospedale Maggiore Policlinico, 20122 Milan, Italy
| | - Michela Ripolone
- Neuromuscular and Rare Diseases Unit, Department of Neuroscience, Fondazione IRCCS Ca’ Granda Ospedale Maggiore Policlinico, 20122 Milan, Italy; (M.R.); (D.V.); (M.R.); (P.C.); (M.M.)
| | - Laura Napoli
- Neuromuscular and Rare Diseases Unit, Department of Neuroscience, Fondazione IRCCS Ca’ Granda Ospedale Maggiore Policlinico, 20122 Milan, Italy; (M.R.); (D.V.); (M.R.); (P.C.); (M.M.)
| | - Patrizia Ciscato
- Neuromuscular and Rare Diseases Unit, Department of Neuroscience, Fondazione IRCCS Ca’ Granda Ospedale Maggiore Policlinico, 20122 Milan, Italy; (M.R.); (D.V.); (M.R.); (P.C.); (M.M.)
| | - Maurizio Moggio
- Neuromuscular and Rare Diseases Unit, Department of Neuroscience, Fondazione IRCCS Ca’ Granda Ospedale Maggiore Policlinico, 20122 Milan, Italy; (M.R.); (D.V.); (M.R.); (P.C.); (M.M.)
| | - Giacomo Pietro Comi
- Dino Ferrari Centre, Department of Pathophysiology and Transplantation (DEPT), University of Milan, 20122 Milan, Italy; (C.R.F.A.); (G.R.); (M.M.); (G.P.C.); (D.R.)
- Neurology Unit, Fondazione IRCCS Ca’ Granda Ospedale Maggiore Policlinico, 20122 Milan, Italy
| | - Dario Ronchi
- Dino Ferrari Centre, Department of Pathophysiology and Transplantation (DEPT), University of Milan, 20122 Milan, Italy; (C.R.F.A.); (G.R.); (M.M.); (G.P.C.); (D.R.)
- Neurology Unit, Fondazione IRCCS Ca’ Granda Ospedale Maggiore Policlinico, 20122 Milan, Italy
| | - Stefania Corti
- Dino Ferrari Centre, Department of Pathophysiology and Transplantation (DEPT), University of Milan, 20122 Milan, Italy; (C.R.F.A.); (G.R.); (M.M.); (G.P.C.); (D.R.)
- Neuromuscular and Rare Diseases Unit, Department of Neuroscience, Fondazione IRCCS Ca’ Granda Ospedale Maggiore Policlinico, 20122 Milan, Italy; (M.R.); (D.V.); (M.R.); (P.C.); (M.M.)
| | - Elena Abati
- Dino Ferrari Centre, Department of Pathophysiology and Transplantation (DEPT), University of Milan, 20122 Milan, Italy; (C.R.F.A.); (G.R.); (M.M.); (G.P.C.); (D.R.)
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