PURPOSE: EPM2B mutations have been found in a variable proportion of patients with Lafora disease (LD). Genotype-phenotype correlations suggested that EPM2B patients show a slower course of the disease, with delayed age at death, compared with EPM2A patients. We herein report clinical and genetic findings of 26 Italian LD patients. METHODS: Disease progression was evaluated by means of a disability scale based on residual motor and cognitive functions and daily living and social abilities, at 4 years from the onset. Mutational analysis was performed by sequencing the coding regions of the EPM2A and EPM2B genes. RESULTS: Age at onset ranged from 8.5 to 18.5 years (mean, 13.7+/-2.6). The mean duration of follow-up was 7.1+/-3.9 years. Daily living activities and social interactions were preserved in five of 24 patients. The remaining patients showed moderate to extremely severe limitations of daily living and social abilities. Sixteen (72%) of 22 families showed mutations in the EPM2B gene, and five (22%), in the EPM2A gene. One family showed no mutations. A novel EPM2B mutation also was identified. CONCLUSIONS: In our series, EPM2B mutations occurred in 72% of families, thus indicating that EPM2B is the major gene for LD in the Italian population. Moreover, we found that six of 17 EPM2B patients preserved daily living activities and social interactions at 4 years from onset, suggesting a slow disease progression. Additional clinical and functional studies will clarify whether specific mutations may influence the course of the disease in LD patients.
PURPOSE: EPM2B mutations have been found in a variable proportion of patients with Lafora disease (LD). Genotype-phenotype correlations suggested that EPM2B patients show a slower course of the disease, with delayed age at death, compared with EPM2A patients. We herein report clinical and genetic findings of 26 Italian LD patients. METHODS: Disease progression was evaluated by means of a disability scale based on residual motor and cognitive functions and daily living and social abilities, at 4 years from the onset. Mutational analysis was performed by sequencing the coding regions of the EPM2A and EPM2B genes. RESULTS: Age at onset ranged from 8.5 to 18.5 years (mean, 13.7+/-2.6). The mean duration of follow-up was 7.1+/-3.9 years. Daily living activities and social interactions were preserved in five of 24 patients. The remaining patients showed moderate to extremely severe limitations of daily living and social abilities. Sixteen (72%) of 22 families showed mutations in the EPM2B gene, and five (22%), in the EPM2A gene. One family showed no mutations. A novel EPM2B mutation also was identified. CONCLUSIONS: In our series, EPM2B mutations occurred in 72% of families, thus indicating that EPM2B is the major gene for LD in the Italian population. Moreover, we found that six of 17 EPM2B patients preserved daily living activities and social interactions at 4 years from onset, suggesting a slow disease progression. Additional clinical and functional studies will clarify whether specific mutations may influence the course of the disease in LD patients.
Authors: Lorenzo Muccioli; Andrea Farolfi; Federica Pondrelli; Giuseppe d'Orsi; Roberto Michelucci; Elena Freri; Laura Canafoglia; Laura Licchetta; Francesco Toni; Rachele Bonfiglioli; Simona Civollani; Cinzia Pettinato; Elisa Maietti; Giorgio Marotta; Stefano Fanti; Paolo Tinuper; Francesca Bisulli Journal: Eur J Nucl Med Mol Imaging Date: 2019-12-19 Impact factor: 9.236
Authors: Silvana Franceschetti; Roberto Michelucci; Laura Canafoglia; Pasquale Striano; Antonio Gambardella; Adriana Magaudda; Paolo Tinuper; Angela La Neve; Edoardo Ferlazzo; Giuseppe Gobbi; Anna Teresa Giallonardo; Giuseppe Capovilla; Elisa Visani; Ferruccio Panzica; Giuliano Avanzini; Carlo Alberto Tassinari; Amedeo Bianchi; Federico Zara Journal: Neurology Date: 2014-01-02 Impact factor: 9.910
Authors: M Traoré; G Landouré; W Motley; M Sangaré; K Meilleur; S Coulibaly; S Traoré; B Niaré; F Mochel; A La Pean; A Vortmeyer; H Mani; K H Fischbeck Journal: Neurogenetics Date: 2009-03-26 Impact factor: 2.660