Broadened Friedreich's ataxia phenotype after gene cloning. Minimal GAA expansion causes late-onset spastic ataxia

Neurology. 1997 Dec;49(6):1617-20. doi: 10.1212/wnl.49.6.1617.

Abstract

We describe three siblings from an Italian family affected by an autosomal recessive spinocerebellar degeneration. Gait ataxia, presenting between 38 and 45 years, was the first symptom in all three patients. Dysarthria, dysmetria, brisk tendon reflexes, extensor plantar response, and scoliosis were constant features. Disease progression was slow. Electrophysiologic studies demonstrated a slight reduction in sural nerve sensory action potential in only one patient. Analysis of GAA expansion within the X25 gene showed that patients were homozygous for the expansion, with the shorter expanded allele ranging from 120 to 156 triplets. The size of the GAA expansion may be smaller than we previously described. Such minimal expansions may result in atypical forms of Friedreich's ataxia.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Action Potentials / physiology
  • Age of Onset
  • Base Sequence
  • Cloning, Molecular*
  • Evoked Potentials, Somatosensory / physiology
  • Female
  • Friedreich Ataxia / epidemiology
  • Friedreich Ataxia / genetics*
  • Friedreich Ataxia / physiopathology
  • Humans
  • Male
  • Middle Aged
  • Muscle Spasticity / epidemiology
  • Muscle Spasticity / genetics*
  • Muscle Spasticity / physiopathology
  • Neural Conduction / physiology
  • Pedigree
  • Phenotype
  • Time Factors

Grants and funding