Ahmed BoAli1, Kalthoum Tlili-Graiess2, Amal AlHashem3, Saad AlShahwan1, Giulio Zuccoli4, Brahim Tabarki5. 1. Division of Pediatric Neurology, Department of Pediatrics, Prince Sultan Military Medical City, Riyadh, Saudi Arabia. 2. Division of Neuroradiology, Department of Radiology, Prince Sultan Military Medical City, Riyadh, Saudi Arabia. 3. Division of Genetics, Department of Pediatrics, Prince Sultan Military Medical City, Riyadh, Saudi Arabia. 4. Division of Neuroradiology, Department of Radiology, Children's Hospital of Philadelphia, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. 5. Division of Pediatric Neurology, Department of Pediatrics, Prince Sultan Military Medical City, Riyadh, Saudi Arabia. Electronic address: btabarki@hotmail.com.
Abstract
BACKGROUND: Mutations in AIMP1, which plays an important role in the development and maintenance of axon-cytoskeleton integrity and regulating neurofilaments, cause neurodegeneration of variable severity and white matter abnormalities. METHODS: From the patient records we analyzed the clinical evaluation, molecular genetics, neurodiagnostic, and neuroradiological investigations. RESULTS: We describe six members of a large consanguineous family with a phenotype of severe neurodegeneration in the form of developmental delays, progressive microcephaly, epilepsy, and failure to thrive. MRI showed callosal atrophy and T2 hyperintensity in the superficial white matter. The periventricular and deep white matter structures were, however, preserved. MR spectroscopy demonstrated N-acetylaspartate preservation without evidence of neuroinflammation. Exome sequencing showed a novel homozygous mutation of the AIMP1 gene in all individuals: c.917A>G (p.(Asp306Gly)). CONCLUSIONS: This novel homozygous mutation of the AIMP1 gene is characterized by preserved development of the periventricular and deep white matter structures as demonstrated by MRI and MR spectroscopy correlation.
BACKGROUND: Mutations in AIMP1, which plays an important role in the development and maintenance of axon-cytoskeleton integrity and regulating neurofilaments, cause neurodegeneration of variable severity and white matter abnormalities. METHODS: From the patient records we analyzed the clinical evaluation, molecular genetics, neurodiagnostic, and neuroradiological investigations. RESULTS: We describe six members of a large consanguineous family with a phenotype of severe neurodegeneration in the form of developmental delays, progressive microcephaly, epilepsy, and failure to thrive. MRI showed callosal atrophy and T2 hyperintensity in the superficial white matter. The periventricular and deep white matter structures were, however, preserved. MR spectroscopy demonstrated N-acetylaspartate preservation without evidence of neuroinflammation. Exome sequencing showed a novel homozygous mutation of the AIMP1 gene in all individuals: c.917A>G (p.(Asp306Gly)). CONCLUSIONS: This novel homozygous mutation of the AIMP1 gene is characterized by preserved development of the periventricular and deep white matter structures as demonstrated by MRI and MR spectroscopy correlation.