Objective: To report a Chinese Charcot-Marie-Tooth disease (CMT) family whose proband had abnormal brainstem auditory evoked potentials (BAEPs) and to study its relationship with connexin 32 (Cx32) gene mutation.
Methods: All family members were studied through clinical examinations, out of them, the proband was subjected to electromyography and BAEPs examination. Mutation analysis of Cx32 was screened by polymerase chain reaction-single strand conformation polymorphism (PCR-SSCP) combined with DNA direct sequencing in the proband, 8 family members and 50 unrelated normal individuals.
Results: The proband had highly decreased nerve conduction velocities and delayed BAEPs. Leu131Pro mutation was found in the proband and 3 family members, not found in 50 normal controls.
Conclusion: This mutation has not been reported previously. Central nervous system can be affected in CMT patients.