Pyrostigmine therapy in a patient with VAMP1-related congenital myasthenic syndrome

Neuromuscul Disord. 2020 Jul;30(7):611-615. doi: 10.1016/j.nmd.2020.04.007. Epub 2020 May 15.

Abstract

Congenital myasthenic syndrome comprises several genetic disorders that impair neuromuscular junction transmission. Causative mutations occur in at least 30 genes, approximately 6-8% of which are presynaptic. One such gene, VAMP1, encodes vesicle-associated membrane protein-1, which is crucial in the formation and fusion of synaptic vesicles with the presynaptic membrane at the neuromuscular junction. VAMP1 mutations are associated with two main phenotypes: a) autosomal recessive congenital myasthenic syndrome and b) autosomal dominant spastic ataxia 1. We report a girl from a consanguineous Saudi family presenting with hypotonia, developmental delay, feeding difficulties and floppiness since birth. Comprehensive genetic testing revealed a homozygous splicing mutation in VAMP1. RT-PCR confirmed the presence of an aberrant transcript causing skipping of exon 2 in the gene.

Keywords: Autosomal recessive congenital myasthenic syndrome; CMS; EMG; Neuromuscular disorder; Pyridostigmine; VAMP1.

Publication types

  • Case Reports
  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Child, Preschool
  • Female
  • Humans
  • Muscle Hypotonia / etiology
  • Mutation / genetics
  • Myasthenic Syndromes, Congenital / drug therapy*
  • Myasthenic Syndromes, Congenital / genetics*
  • Pyridostigmine Bromide / therapeutic use*
  • Vesicle-Associated Membrane Protein 1 / genetics*

Substances

  • Vesicle-Associated Membrane Protein 1
  • Pyridostigmine Bromide