痉挛性截瘫并共济失调表型的家系基因分析

以该院门诊收治的5例具有痉挛性截瘫合并共济失调表型的家系先证者为研究对象,运用高通量测序芯片结合毛细管电泳技术对这些家系先证者进行致病基因动态突变检测。发现了一个家系先证者携带有ATXN3/MJD1基因CAG重复84次,其妹妹CAG重复82次,其父CAG重复73次,该家系拟诊为遗传性脊髓小脑共济失调3型(SCA3/MJD)家系,并具有明显的临床异质性及遗传早现现象。建议对于兼有痉挛性截瘫及小脑性共济失调表型的患者,特别是具有显性遗传家族史的患者,应进行SCA3致病基因的动态突变检测,同时对家系内表型正常的成员应仔细查体,以防漏诊。     

脊髓小脑共济失调2型临床和神经影像学特征分析

研究背景脊髓小脑共济失调2型(SCA2)为常染色体显性遗传性疾病,是由致病基因ATXN2编码区胞嘧啶-腺嘌呤-鸟嘌呤(CAG)三核苷酸重复序列扩展突变引起,目前较公认的正常重复范围为13~31次,异常重复范围>34次。主要表现包括小脑共济失调、眼肌麻痹、慢眼动、腱反射减弱,可伴有动作性震颤、智力减退和周围性感觉神经病等;头部MRI显示脑干、小脑明显萎缩(典型的橄榄脑桥小脑萎缩改变)。本研究针对5例经基因检测明确诊断的SCA2家系先证者进行临床和影像学特点,以及表型与基因型相关性分析。方法对708例常染色体显性遗传性SCA家系的先证者和119例临床拟诊SCA的散发患者进行常规基因学检测,分析SCA1~3、6、7、17型和齿状核红核苍白球路易体萎缩致病基因CAG序列重复动态突变。采用聚合酶链反应扩增重复序列、琼脂糖凝胶电泳检测扩增产物,对于出现2个电泳条带的样品通过荧光标记毛细管电泳片段分析方法进行重复序列计数。结合基因学检测结果,对患者临床表型和神经影像学特征进行分析。结果其中45例患者携带SCA2基因CAG重复扩展突变,临床表现为小脑共济失调、眼肌麻痹、慢眼动、腱反射减弱或消失,部分患者可伴有动作性震颤,MRI均显示脑干、小脑明显萎缩。其中5例典型病例的临床表型均与其基因型相符。结论基因学检测可为SCA2的明确诊断提供依据,临床和神经影像学特征有助于诊断与鉴别诊断。对于携带中间重复等位基因个体的诊断,需结合临床和影像学特点以及家系上下代动态突变进行分析。     

遗传性脊髓小脑型共济失调7型临床特征及基因突变分析

目的分析中国汉族人群ATXN7基因突变,探讨遗传性脊髓小脑型共济失调7型（SCA7）患者临床特征。方法运用聚合酶链反应、变性聚丙烯酰胺凝胶电泳和毛细管电泳方法对521例临床诊断为SCA的患者（337例常染色体显性遗传先证者,184例散发患者）及258名健康对照人群进行ATXN7基因CAG三核苷酸重复突变分析,并对有ATXN7基因异常的7个家系进行临床总结。结果337例常染色体显性遗传先证者中发现7个ATXN7基因CAG三核苷酸异常重复扩增突变（2.08%）,其异常重复次数范围为38～71次;184例散发患者未发现CAG三核苷酸异常重复扩增突变。258名健康对照者中共发现13种等位基因,CAG重复次数范围为5～17次,平均10.23次,以10次CAG三核苷酸重复最常见。7个SCA7家系临床主要表现为共济失调、视力下降、眼底病变,同时可合并其他多种少见临床症状,在父系遗传时存在明显的遗传早现现象。结论SCA7多呈常染色体显性遗传,散发病例罕见,临床表现复杂,进行ATXN7基因突变分析有助于临床诊断。     

遗传性脊髓小脑型共济失调6型两个家系的临床特征及基因突变研究

目的 研究中国人遗传性脊髓小脑型共济失调6型(SCA6)的基因突变和临床特征。方法 应用聚合酶链反应(PCR)、聚丙烯酰胺凝胶电泳(PAGE)等技术，检测临床诊断脊髓小脑型共济失调(SCA)的120个家系210例患者和47例散发SCA患者的SCA6基因内CAG三核苷酸重复序列，并对异常等位基因片段进行DNA测序。结果 检出2个家系(4例患者)为SCA6，阳性率为1，7％，测序证实其异常等位基因的CAG重复数目为25和26。另253例SCA患者的SCA6等位基因CAG重复数目为7-17，健康人SCA6等位基因CAG重复数目为5-16。2个家系均存在遗传早现现象，异常扩展的CAG序列呈代间稳定性。结论 从临床及基因诊断方面首次确认中国大陆存在SCA6家系；CAG过度扩增为SCA6的致病原因。     

两遗传性脊髓小脑型共济失调7型家系的临床特征和基因突变研究

目的 探讨遗传性脊髓小脑型共济失调(SCA)7型(SCA7)的临床特征和基因突变.方法 采用聚合酶链反应(PCR)和琼脂糖凝胶电泳(AGE)等技术,检测临床诊断为SCA的5个家系26例患者和37例表型正常的家系成员的SCA7基因内CAG三核苷酸重复次数,对异常等位基因片段进行DNA测序,分析临床表现和基因突变的关系. 结果 2个SCA7家系患者的SCA7等位基因内CAG重复数目为44～50次;临床表现主要为共济失调、视力下降及视网膜色素变性.该家系内表型正常的家系成员SCA7等位基因CAG重复数目为10～30. 结论 CAG过度扩增为SCA7的致病原因,分子遗传学分析有助于SCA7的诊断.     

脊髓小脑性共济失调12型一家系的临床特征和基因突变分析

目的研究1个遗传性共济失调12型(spinocerebellar ataxia type 12 SCA12)家系的临床特征与基因突变特点。方法应用聚合酶链反应、毛细管电泳等方法对1个临床诊断为遗传性共济失调的家系进行SCA基因检测。结果确定该家系为遗传性共济失调SCA12型家系。共确诊7例现证患者,患者异常CAG的重复次数为51⁵5次。结论上肢震颤,逐渐出现共济失调、延髓麻痹,病理征阳性为SCA12型相对独特的临床表现。先证者异常片段CAG重复为55次,第3代患者Ⅲ2 CAG重复次数54次,发病年龄提前,可能存在遗传早现现象。SCAs核苷酸突变扩展的数目与年龄呈负相关,与症状严重程度呈正相关的特点可能也存在于SCA12型中。     

遗传性脊髓小脑型共济失调7型遗传学诊断及临床特征

目的研究中国人遗传性脊髓小脑型共济失调(SCA)7型(SCA7)的基冈突变和临床特征。方法应用聚合酶链反应(PCR)、聚丙烯酰胺凝胶电泳(PAGE)等技术对临床表现为SCA的92个家系112例患者和16例散发SCA患者的SCA7基因内CAG三核苷酸重复序列进行检测,对异常等位基因片段进行DNA测序,分析基因型和表型之间的关系,并与表型正常的家系成员和健康人对照。结果在1个SCA7家系的6位成员中检测出2例患者的SCA7等化基因内CAG重复数目为71;临床表现主要为共济失调、视力下降、黄蓝色盲及视网膜色素变性。该家系内表型正常的4位成员SCA7等位基因CAG重复数目为7～9,另126例临床表现为SCA的患者、71名表型正常的家系成员及60名健康对照者SCA7等位基因内CAG三核甘三酸重复数为6—21。结论CAG过度扩增为SCA7的致病原因,分子遗传学分析有助于SCA7的诊断;视网膜色素变性为SCA7的重要特征。     

脊髓小脑共济失调17型临床特征和基因突变分析

目的 探讨脊髓小脑共济失调17型(spinocerebellar ataxia 17,SCA17)患者的临床特征和基因突变的特点.方法 对708个常染色体显性遗传SCA家系的先证者和另外119例临床拟诊SCA的散发患者进行常规基因检测,按照患病率不同依次筛选:SCA3、SCA1、SCA2、SCA6、SCA7、SCA8、SCA12、SCA17、齿状核-红核-苍白球-路易体萎缩致病基因三核苷酸重复动态突变分析.其中SCA17致病基因检测采用聚合酶链反应扩增TATA结合蛋白(TBP)基因CAG重复序列,琼脂糖凝胶电泳检测扩增产物;对出现2个电泳条带的样品应用毛细管电泳片段分析方法进行TBP基因CAG重复次数检测,并对其临床表型、神经影像学特征以及表型与基因型相关性进行细致分析.结果 通过上述检测及分析,发现5例患者具有TBP基因CAG重复扩展突变.片段分析显示CAG重复次数分别为37/50、36/45、38/52、38/53、36/54次,长片段重复次数已达到异常范围.5例患者的临床表型各异,以共济失调、记忆力减退为主要症状.结论 在827例共济失调病例中仅发现5例SCA17,说明该病在中国人群中较为罕见;通过对5例患者的临床表型进行分析,初步认为国人SCA17存在临床变异.     

宁夏地区回、汉族脊髓小脑共济失调家系SCA3/MJD基因突变研究

目的通过对宁夏地区临床诊断为脊髓小脑共济失调的3个家系(2个汉族家系、1个回族家系)进行SCA3/MJD基因检测,探讨脊髓小脑共济失调的发病机制与临床特点,以为临床应用提供依据。方法对3家系受试者进行神经系统检查和系谱调查,部分行头部MRI和肌电图检查,以及SCA3/MJD基因胞嘧啶-腺嘌呤-鸟嘌呤(CAG)重复数目检测。结果3家系中共计8例脊髓小脑共济失调患者(汉族家系1中6例、汉族家系2中1例和回族家系中1例),符合常染色体显性遗传特点,以共济失调与构音障碍为主要表现,其次为眼外肌麻痹、眼球震颤、慢眼动、锥体束征等。其中汉族家系1和回族家系明确诊断为SCA3/MJD家系,两家系中7例患者(汉族家系1中6例、回族家系中1例)及2例临床表型正常亲属(两家系中各1例)检测出SCA3/MJD异常等位基因,其CAG重复数目为66～81次。汉族家系2中1例患者及汉族家系1中4例临床表型正常亲属SCA3/MJD基因CAG重复数目为20～33次。正常等位基因与异常等位基因CAG重复数目差异有统计学意义(t=5.309,P=0.000)。结论宁夏地区回、汉族脊髓小脑共济失调患者中存在SCA3/MJD基因型,基因检测分析有利于明确诊断脊髓小脑共济失调且能够检出症状前患者。     

遗传性脊髓小脑型共济失调7型一家系的临床及基因突变分析

目的研究中国人遗传性脊髓小脑型共济失调7型(SCA7)的基因突变和临床特征。方法应用聚合酶链反应(PCR)、聚丙烯酰胺凝胶电泳(PAGE)等技术对一个表现为共济失调、视力下降、视网膜变性的家系(6位成员,包括2个患者)的SCA7基因内CAG三核苷酸重复序列进行检测,并对异常等位基因片段进行DNA直接测序,分析基因型和表型之间的关系。结果检测出该家系内2个患者的SCA7等位基因CAG重复数目为71,而该家系内其他表型正常的SCA7等位基因CAG重复数目为7～9。结论CAG过度扩增为SCA7的致病原因,分子遗传学分析有助于SCA7的诊断以及症状前患者的预测。     

2-DPMP (desoxypipradrol, 2-benzhydrylpiperidine, 2-phenylmethylpiperidine) and D2PM (diphenyl-2-pyrrolidin-2-yl-methanol,diphenylprolinol): A preliminary review

2-DPMP (desoxypipradrol, 2-benzhydrylpiperidine, 2-phenylmethylpiperidine) and D2PM (diphenyl-2-pyrrolidin-2-yl-methanol, diphenylprolinol) are psychoactive substances, sold primarily over the Internet and in ‘head’ shops as ‘legal highs’, ‘research chemicals’ or ‘plant food’. Originally developed in the 1950s for the treatment of narcolepsy and ADHD, 2-DPMP's use soon became very limited. Recreational use of 2-DPMP and D2PM appears to have started in March 2007, but only developed slowly. However, in the UK their popularity grew in 2009, increasing rapidly during summer 2010. At this time, there were many presentations to UK Emergency Departments by patients complaining of undesirable physical and psychiatric effects after taking 2-DPMP. In spring 2011 there were similar presentations for D2PM. Recreational use of these drugs has been reported only occasionally in on-line user fora. There is little scientifically-based literature on the pharmacological, physiological, psychopharmacological, toxicological and epidemiological characteristics of these drugs. Here we describe what is known about them, especially on their toxicity, including what we believe to be the first three deaths involving the use of 2-DPMP in August 2010. There are no international controls imposed on 2-DPMP or D2PM. However, a ban on their UK importation was imposed in November 2011 and they became Class C drugs on 13 June 2012. It is critical that any other cases, including non-fatal overdoses, are documented so that a scientific evidence-base can be established for them.     

Spinocerebellar ataxia 2 (SCA2)

Spinocerebellar ataxia type 2 (SCA2) is an autosomal dominantly inherited, neurodegenerative disease. It can manifest either with a cerebellar syndrome or as Parkinson’s syndrome, while later stages involve mainly brainstem, spinal cord and thalamus. This particular atrophy pattern resembles sporadic multi-system-atrophy (MSA) and results in some clinical features indicative of SCA2, such as early saccade slowing, early hyporeflexia, severe tremor of postural or action type, and early myoclonus. For treatment, levodopa is temporarily useful for rigidity/bradykinesia and for tremor, magnesium for muscle cramps, but neuroprotective therapy will depend on the elucidation of pathogenesis. The disease cause lies in the polyglutamine domain of the protein ataxin-2, which can expand in families over successive generations resulting in earlier onset age and faster progression. Genetic testing in SCA2 and other polyglutamine disorders like the well-studied Huntington’s disease is now readily available for family planning. Although these disorders differ clinically and in the affected neuron populations, it is not understood how the different polyglutamine proteins mediate such tissue specificity. The neuronal intranuclear inclusion bodies described in other polyglutamine disorders are not frequent in SCA2. For the quite ubiquitously expressed ataxin-2, a subcellular localization at the Golgi, the endoplasmic reticulum and the plasma membrane, in interaction with proteins of mRNA translation and of endocytosis have been observed. As a first victim of SCA2 degeneration, cerebellar Purkinje neurons may be preferentially susceptible to alterations of these subcellular pathways, and therefore our review aims to portray the particular profile of the SCA2 disease process and correlate it to the specific features of ataxin-2.     

Neurofibromatosis 2

PURPOSE OF REVIEW: Recent clinical and molecular research on neurofibromatosis 2 (NF2) is reviewed, and the implications for clinical practice and research are discussed. RECENT FINDINGS: NF2 patients who are treated in specialty centers have a significantly lower risk of mortality than those who are treated in non-specialty centers. Vestibular schwannoma growth rates in NF2 are generally higher in younger people but are highly variable, even among multiple NF2 patients of similar ages in the same family. Radiation therapy is best reserved for NF2 patients who have particularly aggressive tumors, those who are poor surgical risks, those who refuse surgery, or those who are elderly. In-vivo studies have demonstrated that leptomeningeal cell activation of in mice results in leptomeningeal hyperplasia and meningioma formation. In-vitro studies have identified molecules that interact with the product (merlin or schwannomin), some of which (e.g., CD44 and paxillin) may play critical roles in merlin growth regulation. SUMMARY: NF2 patients should be referred to specialty treatment centers for optimal care. Clinical management of multiple patients in NF2 families cannot be based on the expectation of similar vestibular schwannoma growth rates, even when other clinical aspects of disease severity are similar. The availability of accurate mouse models of human NF2-associated tumors and the identification of molecules involved in merlin growth regulation now provide an opportunity to design targeted treatments for schwannomas and meningiomas.