Fragile-X-associated tremor/ataxia syndrome (FXTAS) in females with the FMR1 premutation

Am J Hum Genet. 2004 May;74(5):1051-6. doi: 10.1086/420700. Epub 2004 Apr 2.

Abstract

We describe five female carriers of the FMR1 premutation who presented with symptoms of tremor and ataxia and who received a diagnosis of definite or probable fragile-X-associated tremor/ataxia syndrome (FXTAS). Unlike their male counterparts with FXTAS, none of the women had dementia. Females had not been reported in previous studies of FXTAS, suggesting that they may be relatively protected from this disorder. Brain tissue was available from one of the five subjects, a women who died at age 85 years; microscopic examination revealed intranuclear neuronal and astrocytic inclusions, in accord with the findings previously reported in males with FXTAS. The work-up of families with the FMR1 mutation should include questions regarding neurological symptoms in both older male and female carriers, with the expectation that females may also manifest the symptoms of FXTAS, although more subtly and less often than their male counterparts.

Publication types

  • Case Reports
  • Comparative Study
  • Research Support, U.S. Gov't, P.H.S.

MeSH terms

  • Adult
  • Age of Onset
  • Aged
  • Aged, 80 and over
  • Ataxia / genetics*
  • Ataxia / pathology
  • Female
  • Fragile X Mental Retardation Protein
  • Fragile X Syndrome / genetics*
  • Genotype
  • Heterozygote*
  • Humans
  • Male
  • Middle Aged
  • Nerve Tissue Proteins / genetics*
  • RNA-Binding Proteins*
  • Tremor / genetics*
  • Tremor / pathology
  • Trinucleotide Repeats / genetics

Substances

  • FMR1 protein, human
  • Nerve Tissue Proteins
  • RNA-Binding Proteins
  • Fragile X Mental Retardation Protein

Associated data

  • OMIM/309550