Neurodegenerative Disorders Flashcards
What is the testing strategy for Fragile X disorder?
PCR with reflex to southern blot
PCR determines the number of repeats
Southern blot identified expanded repeats to check methylation (too many repeats leads to hypermethylation and loss of gene expression)
What are the features of Friedrichs Ataxia?
Slowly progressive ataxia with onset before 25 years
Dysarthria - slow or slurred speech
Cardiomyopathy in 2/3
Diabetes in 1/3
What is the genetic cause of Friedrichs Ataxia?
GAA repeats
FXN gene
Typical: <33
Premutation: 34-65
Reduced Penetrance: 44-66
Pathogenic: >66
What percentage of Friedrichs Ataxia is caused by SNV or del/dup pathogenic variants?
4%
What are the features of Spinocerebellar Ataxia?
Progressive cerebellar ataxia:
*uncoordinated muscle movement due to cerebellum issues
*less coordination of eyes, hands, speech, shaky gait
What is the age of onset of Spinocerebellar Ataxia?
30-40 years (lifespan depend on when symptoms appear)
What is the genetic cause of Spinocerebellar Ataxia?
Main genes ATXN genes
Type I is due to CAG trinucleotide repeats in ATXN7 and ATXN1
What are the features of Huntington Disease?
Progressive motor disability with chorea and loss of voluntary movement
Cognitive decline
Changes in personality
Depression
What is the genetic cause of Huntington Disease?
CAG repeats in HTT
What is the CAG repeat range for Huntington Disease?
Typical: <26
Intermediate: 27-35
Reduced penetrance: 36-39
Pathogenic: >40
Juvenile: >60
Expansion of CAG repeats in Huntington Disease is more common when it is inherited maternally or paternally?
Paternal anticipation
What is the new mutation rate in Huntington Disease?
10%
What percentage of Huntington Disease is juvenile and what is the age of onset?
5-10%
Onset before 20 years
What are the features of Ataxia Telangiectasia?
Gait and truncal ataxia, head tilting, slurred speech
Oculomotor apraxia (inability to follow an object across visual field)
Telangiectasias in the eyes
Immunodeficiency
Hypersensitivity to ionizing radiation
What is the genetic cause of Ataxia Telangiectasia?
ATM gene (AR)
What is the age of onset of Ataxia Telangiectasia?
1-4 years
What are carriers of Ataxia Telangiectasia at an increased risk for?
Breast cancer
What is the name of the condition where there is abnormal development or destruction of the white matter (myelin sheath) of the brain?
Leukodystrophy
What are the general symptoms of leukodystrophies?
Balance, breathing, cognition, swallowing, hearing, vision, speech, coordination
What is the genetic cause of CADASIL?
NOTCH3 (AD)