Progressive dystonia in a 12-year-old boy

Jörg Klepper, Jörg Schaper, Gordana Raca, Jason Coryell, Soma Das, Susan J. Hayflick

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

5 Scopus citations

Abstract

Pantothenate kinase-associated neurodegeneration (PKAN) (MIM 234200; Hallervorden-Spatz syndrome) is a degenerative, autosomal recessive disorder in childhood, currently without specific treatment. In contrast to variable clinical features, T2-weighted magnetic resonance images show a characteristic 'eye-of-the-tiger sign' in the globus pallidus due to excess iron deposition. Recently a defect in pantothenate kinase, the key regulatory enzyme in the synthesis of coenzyme A from pantothenate, has been identified as the cause of the disease. We report a 12-year-old boy with progressive rigidity, dystonia, impaired voluntary movement, dysarthria, and mental deterioration. Over 10 years the boy had been misdiagnosed with clumsiness, emotional and behavioural deficits, and attention deficit disorder, before neuroimaging was performed showing the characteristic 'eye-of-the-tiger sign'. Molecular analyses confirmed two mutations in the PANK2 gene [coding sequence of a gene that has homology to murine pantothenate kinase-1]. We conclude that in progressive childhood dystonia, PKAN should be considered and magnetic resonance imaging performed early. The newly described defect of the pantothenate kinase enzyme enables a novel therapeutic approach to be considered, based on the mutation analyses of the PANK2 gene, as well as the prenatal diagnosis of this disorder.

Original languageEnglish (US)
Pages (from-to)85-88
Number of pages4
JournalEuropean Journal of Paediatric Neurology
Volume7
Issue number2
DOIs
StatePublished - 2003

Keywords

  • Eye of the tiger
  • PKAN
  • Pantothenate kinase-associated neurodegeneration
  • Progressive dystonia

ASJC Scopus subject areas

  • Pediatrics, Perinatology, and Child Health
  • Clinical Neurology

Fingerprint

Dive into the research topics of 'Progressive dystonia in a 12-year-old boy'. Together they form a unique fingerprint.

Cite this